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In the sea of the Bay of Biscay, where the wind and waves are high, the battleship Revenge, which missed the Battle of Jutland because of sea trials, cleaves the waves under the protection of four destroyers. The sailors on the deck widened their eyes, their rapid-fire guns aimed at the sea, and even the hideous main guns ripped off their coats.

In Lloyd George's eyes, the Royal Navy at this moment is like a frightened white rabbit in the Scottish Highlands, and the slightest disturbance is enough to cause tension and worry. When 5 capital ships, 3 armored cruisers, and 12 destroyers sank in the North Sea, which would never be warm, when four Queen-class battleships were covered with scars and had to undergo repairs for more than half a year, when the first Revenge-class ship had only completed sea trials, the proud ocean fleet had to use its former dreadnoughts to defend against an enemy that might break through.

But isn't the coincidental meeting in Chapter 396 too nervous?

As soon as the thought arose, the sea breeze brought the crisp sound of leather boots hitting the wooden plywood, and the sound was rhythmic, as if stepping on the beat of music. Lloyd George twisted his body, and this unhurried pace could only be uttered by one man, a man who had decided to devote all his time to the country, and who had been the Foreign Secretary for 11 years in a row.

"David."

Edward Gray, a handsome man with a small hair and a tall nose, was also a legendary lord who held the diplomatic power of the empire on which the sun never sets, for eleven years. Because of the early death of his wife, he put all his dreams and sustenance in his work, and his success proves that no one is born lucky, and luck only comes to those who work hard. And he was one such person, who made a name for himself last year by signing the Treaty of London with France, which drew Italy into the Entente. Of course, he has not been very happy lately, because his loyalty to Prime Minister Asquith has led to very tense relations with the House of Commons, and with the Prime Minister already retiring, it has become a hot debate whether he can continue his political career.

Not only are the two best friends, they are also members of the Liberal Party and now work in a government. So Gray walked over to Lloyd George and saw that he had been staring at the sailor during the coincidental meeting in Chapter 396 just now. Asked: "Worried about the weapons that the Chinese need?" ”

"No, that's not going to bother England." As the Minister of Munitions, Lloyd George was not worried about the little arms given to the Chinese, but worried about what kind of impact it would have on the world if the Chinese were introduced into the European theater. You know, it's a big country with a population of 450 million! The Far East, which had just defeated Japan and began to regain confidence, was already beginning to see a wave of fanatical nationalist resurgence, just like Germany after the Franco-Prussian War.

Unsure, he said, "Edward." Does the prime minister really want the Chinese to go to war? ”

Gray knew this good friend too well, admired his wisdom and vision very much, and knew that he was a pacifist who hated war from the heart, but now that the war had begun and even England could not extricate itself, it was necessary to rely on some external forces if it was to see the lights re-illuminate Europe as soon as possible. So stick to your thoughts and say, "David, I know what you're worried about, and I'm actually worried too. But we have no choice, President Johnson has once again rejected our invitation, and it is clear that the other side of the Atlantic has not yet agreed on the issue of sending troops, and we need more allies than enemies at this time. ”

"But have you ever thought about the impact they will have? They have too many people, and they have resources and heritage that many countries can't look at, have they ever thought about the consequences of letting them enter the free world? And our Japanese allies. If we get too close to China, will it arouse their disgust? England is a global world power and we need to think more holistically! Any subtle change in the Far East would have very serious implications, and England's interests would be greatly challenged. ”

"yes, that's a tough choice." Gray spread his hands and looked serious like a schoolboy taking an exam: "But we can't think about it too much, unless we end this war, we will lose more!" Nikolai can't hold it anymore, the rioting and hungry soldiers will break the backbone, and he needs very, very strong support! But our way into the North was blocked by Germany. It turns out that we want Japan. But they have categorically refused to send army forces to Europe, and now the only one who can quickly enter Russia to support the Eastern Front is China! The army from Kulen will be able to cross the Ural Mountains and appear on the Don in just half a month! His Excellency Viviani has sent me a telegram. The Chinese have already hinted that they can double on the basis of 20 divisions if needed, but only if necessary. ”

"Need us weapons and money?" Lloyd George smiled bitterly and shook his head, he knew that Gray was right, and he was not wrong, and he was to blame for this dirty and damn war that gave China a huge opportunity, and said: "He won't open his mouth so easily, otherwise he should have arrived in Bordeaux a long time ago!" I was afraid that he would ask for more, and it was clear that the two oil exploration and mining rights were not going to impress him yet. ”

Gray's eyes were solemn, as he had done every time he encountered a major event for more than ten years, and the wrinkles on his forehead were twisted into Sichuan characters, but this time he did not hesitate, and his words were cold: "This is the purpose of my visit, England will not accept blackmail to give up the concession like Germany and France, and I will tell him not to step on two boats again!" England has everything he wants, but it takes pay! ”

Lloyd George nodded, his gaze turning to the distant horizon.

Bordeaux has finally arrived, and will that supposedly very young Vice-President, His Excellency, be a qualified politician or a moody opportunist? Suddenly, he was looking forward to the meeting.

When Lloyd George, who will become the new British Prime Minister in a few months, and Foreign Secretary Edward Gray wait for the sailors to lower the gangway. In the Bordeaux City Hall, the temporary seat of the French government, Xia Fei, who was tall and had two curled beards and a strange and arrogant personality, was furious. Outside the window, the Gironde Monument in honor of the Girondins shows horses pulling the triumphal wagons of the Republic and the famous sculpture of "Freedom from Shackles" built on two fountains. Now Xia Fei also feels that someone is going to shackle Europe! Because these people here are actually ready to pay a high price to invite useless Chinese to fight in Europe, and to return the colonies and concessions, this is simply an insult to the French soldiers!

"No, we don't have to pay that much at all! That's enough to arm half a million troops! Britain has passed a new conscription bill and will be able to wait until next year to provide more soldiers. The room was filled with the marshal's roar. But apart from him, even the two generals, Foch Hao and Petain, who had just returned from the Verne front, were silent. Compared with the arrogant Xia Fei, he has in fact become the new leader of the French army, especially the former, when the initial Verdun was seriously understaffed, he relied on two divisions to successfully block the onslaught of the enemy ten times the enemy, and finally dragged the Germans at Verne and could not advance, making the German army in Compiègne a pool of backwater.

Prime Minister Aristide Brian, who was under the pressure of the war, and French President Raymond Poincaré, who was listening to the report, did not have any good feelings for the old marshal who was clamoring and almost ordered to abandon Paris, and his extravagant and regular lifestyle was even more disgusting! A marshal in a war period should have been wrinkled in his clothes, unlike now, where no wrinkles can be seen on his military uniform.

"Your Excellency." The secretary pushed open the door, glanced at Xia Fei, who was standing in the center and repeatedly emphasized the need, and said, "He's here!" ”

Xia Fei closed his mouth abruptly, and Foch slowly straightened up. As soldiers, in fact, they all know very well in their hearts that the Wehrmacht in the Sino-Japanese War is very perfect in terms of individual soldiers and squad tactics, otherwise why would they defeat Japan, which inherited the French Army? The fall of the Japanese army also meant the complete collapse of the tactical system that the French Army had adhered to for decades! When the Germans ravaged the soldiers again and again with artillery and machine guns, how much they wanted to rebuild a new system of army tactics.

And that young man is said to be a genius commander who is very, very proficient in army tactics.

With a hint of anticipation, Foch walked downstairs with everyone. The square was crowded by reporters and civilians who had already heard the news, and when the heavily guarded sedan arrived at the end of the red carpet, a convoy appeared on the other side.

Edward Gray and Yang Qiu pushed the car door almost at the same time, neither of them expected to meet by such a coincidence, and a moment later Gu Weijun, Lloyd George, Petain and Foch appeared in the field of vision at the same time. A French journalist happened to take this photo, and decades later, everyone suddenly realized that it was a picture of five people from different eras of the world. The future Prime Minister of China, the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister of France in World War II and the best marshal in the history of France, and the strongman who influenced the Far East for decades and finally ascended to the presidency.

"On behalf of France, I welcome Your Excellency." Due to coincidence, the French president and prime minister had to split their heads and welcome Yang Qiu and Eduard Gray at the same time. Fortunately, this is the battlefield period, and no one will pay attention to pomp and circumstance, and Gray also walked up to Yang Qiu and stretched out his hand: "Welcome to Europe." ”

"I am also very honored to meet Your Excellency, and I hope we can have a wonderful afternoon."

"Yes, I also believe it was a good afternoon. And more convinced, any far-sighted politician should now understand that the era of swaying from side to side is over! As his name suggests, Edward Gray opened the world-renowned meeting in the simplest way, and later this important meeting was nicknamed "tea time" because it took place during the traditional European lunch break.

But now, Yang Qiu held Foch's hand tightly, his eyes were blazing confident and flamboyant: "Please forgive me, Your Excellency General should not think about victory now, but should immediately formulate new army tactics for the troops!" Soldiers need someone to teach them how to live longer! ”……！！！