The British Navy sank a Chinese merchant ship, and the Chinese Navy retaliated by sinking a British convoy of four merchant ships. This immediately caused the relationship between the two countries to fall to a freezing point.

Isn't it a sign that the scale of the war, which had already been very tense, and now that the Chinese Empire and the British Empire are in a fierce dispute, is it possible that the scale of the war will continue to expand? Once China enters the war, especially if it joins the camp of the Allies, it will definitely not be a good thing for the Entente.

Prime Minister's House, Downing Street, London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Asquith had to convene the key cabinet ministers again to discuss countermeasures. The current situation is very bad for the UK.

"Your Excellency, the Navy warships passing through the Arabian Sea picked up the crews who fell overboard, and fortunately, no one was killed. However, we lost four ships of war materiel. Lord Chancellor John Fisher looked angry.

As the hegemon of the sea, the British Empire was the only one who sank other people's merchant ships, and no other country dared to retaliate against them. But now, the Chinese Empire has not only done this, but also sunk their merchant ships several times, isn't this a slap in the face of Britain?

"Your Excellency, the Chinese actually dare to wantonly attack our merchant ships, this is obviously a provocation to the British Empire, and we absolutely cannot count it like this." The Chancellor of the Exchequer also said that if it were a normal time, if someone dared to do this to the merchant ships of the British Empire, it would definitely cause a war.

Prime Minister Asquith frowned tightly, and the Chinese navy sank four British merchant ships, which made him very angry. However, as prime minister, he must restrain his emotions and remain sane. Calm thinking is the only way to go. Otherwise, if a decision is made that is unfavorable to the UK, it risks dragging the UK into the abyss of disaster.

"What do you think, Sir Gray?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.

"Your Excellency, there is no doubt about our relationship with the Chinese. It's already very bad. If it weren't for the effects of the world war, I'm afraid there would have been a war between our two countries. But the damned world war, the damned Allies and the Germans, dragged all our energy. We simply can't provoke the Chinese anymore. What really worries me is that the Chinese actually dare to attack our merchant ships, does this mean that they have made up their minds and are ready to participate in the war. Sir Edward Grey said.

Suddenly, the British cabinet ministers were nervous. As it stands. If China had joined the war, it would obviously not have joined the Entente to fight. Once China joined the Allies and declared war on the Entente, the consequences would be very serious.

"No, we absolutely cannot go to war with the Chinese at this time. Otherwise, our colonies in Asia and Australia would not be able to be preserved at all. Once these colonies were lost, the war potential of the British Empire would drop sharply. When the time comes. The British Empire was bound to lose this war. Colonial Chancellor Lewis Vernonsha said in horror. Once Britain loses the war, then they have painstakingly maintained the world colonial system. It's bound to collapse because of this. Such an outcome is definitely not acceptable to them.

"We have only a small number of troops in India, and because of the tight situation in Europe, we are constantly sending Indian troops to support the European theater. Once the Chinese send troops to India on a large scale, we will have little chance of resisting. The Minister of Indian Affairs, Earl Kru, also said.

in front of everyone. It is undoubtedly a reality that makes them helpless. Britain was very strong, but because of the world war, it was delayed. If a big country like China were to go to war with Britain at this time, what would be the impact. It will be immeasurable.

"The exercises conducted by the Chinese on the Sino-Russian border have already made Russia very nervous. The troops they were supposed to use on the Western Front had to be sent to Central Asia and Siberia. Once China joins the Allies and goes to war against the Entente, then the powerful Chinese Army will have little chance of resisting Russia's westward advance. Once Russia collapses, the consequences will be unimaginable. War Secretary Richard Haldane also said.

There is no doubt that the senior officials of the British cabinet do not want a war with China at this time. This is almost no benefit to the UK. On the contrary, it will put Britain in an immeasurable predicament.

"Is it just that we can do it? That's four merchant ships! More importantly, if the British Empire does not react, what will the rest of the world think of the British Empire? "The Chancellor of the Exchequer is still a little angry.

Indeed, Britain's face is also very important. Britain is the hegemon of the world, and if it chooses to swallow its anger after being slapped by China like this, it will be too cowardly. Even if they are able to endure this breath for the sake of the overall situation. But will those British people say yes?

"Unless another major power joins our side, we will be able to neutralize the impact of hostility with China." This was stated by the Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey.

"Sir Grey, have the attitudes of the Americans softened now?" Prime Minister Asquith. Although, Britain's attitude towards the United States was not very good before. However, now they have to let go of their prejudices. The enormous industrial power of the United States is exactly what Britain needs. If the United States can join the Entente, this will undoubtedly be a great boost in their strength. Even if China were to join the Allies, they would not necessarily be able to win.

The eyes of the other ministers also fell on Sir Edward Grey.

After the start of the war, especially after the German Army showed extremely strong offensive power, Britain was trying to win over the United States and get the United States to join the Allied Powers. However, it never succeeded. The Americans don't seem to want to get involved in the war at all, they just want to make money.

"The U.S. Army is poor, but their Navy is passable. Coupled with their powerful industry, they can arm a large number of armies in a very short time. If they were willing to join the Entente, our chances would be much better. War Secretary Richard Haldane said.

"It's a pity that the Americans still don't want to go to war right now. Especially after the relationship between China and the Entente became worse and worse, the Americans thought that if they joined the Entente, they would probably pay a great price to win. So, they are also ready to wait and see. Sir Edward Grey said helplessly.

"Damn, the offspring of those damned criminals, thieves, they are always trying to pick up the bargain." Prime Minister Asquith couldn't help but scold.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the way the situation is at the moment. Therefore, I am afraid that we will have to endure this breath and not be able to make enemies with the Chinese for the time being. Prime Minister Asquith said.

Since they did not have the strength to defeat China, it became the best choice for the British to choose to forget about this unpleasant conflict for the time being.

can bend and stretch, and show the true character of a husband. It is not incomprehensible that even a world hegemon like Britain would choose to back down at the right time. After all, they are also doing it for the sake of the big picture.

"Gentlemen, we must stabilize the Chinese, and the contradictions between us and the Chinese must be resolved. Big deal, when the war is over, we will find trouble with the Chinese. Prime Minister Asquith said.

The other ministers all nodded their heads one after another, and the war in Europe was the most important thing, and it was a matter of life and death for Britain. As for the contradictions with China, they are only minor issues. As for defeating the Allies, then Britain will still be the world hegemon and can seek revenge on China again.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I'm afraid we'll have to move quickly. Our opponents, the Germans, I am afraid, have already begun to act. If they draw the Chinese over, it will be too late. Sir Edward Grey reminded.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded, and then handed over the task of reconciliation with the Chinese Empire to Sir Edward Grey.

As Sir Edward Grey had guessed, the Germans were already in ecstasy by the time of the bitter conflict between Britain and China. For them, there is a feeling that happiness is coming too quickly.

The war did not go well, and Germany also fell into a great crisis. After the overseas trade routes were cut off, Germany was faintly unable to support the attrition of the war. Although, before the outbreak of the war, Germany had accumulated a large amount of war materials. However, the intensity of the war, as well as the strength and tenacity of the enemy, far exceeded their expectations. If it drags on for a long time, it will be more and more disadvantageous to Germany.

At this time, a powerful ally can undoubtedly play a role in reversing the situation. The only countries in the world that can have such strength are the United States and the Chinese Empire. It's a pity that the relationship between Germany and the United States is average, and it is almost impossible for the United States to join the Allies in the war. However, the relationship between Germany and the Chinese Empire was very close, and dragging China into the camp of the Allies to enter the war became Germany's only option. However, China remained neutral, much to the displeasure of the Germans.

The fact that the Chinese Empire had a grudge with such important Entente powers as Russia and Great Britain was undoubtedly good news for Germany. Once the contradictions between China and the Entente become bigger and bigger, then China may have no other choice but to join the Allies in the war. (To be continued.) )

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