Clenched his cane slightly, shook his head and said: "We can't take too much risk in a sit-down war, before the paper figures of the new bill form a real combat strength, the existing naval forces must be used carefully, and the United States cannot at any time not be without a fleet sufficient for self-defense." ”

Lan Sing disagreed: "But isn't the current fleet even capable of self-defense?" When the enemy attacked San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where were the main forces of our navy? Don't they all sleep in the safe and comfortable harbors of the East Coast? The Pacific Fleet is now an empty shell, and the defense of the west coast can only be relied on by the army, and in the next year or two, the main force of our navy will either continue to sleep or go to merge with the British, and a single attack will not achieve real results, and it is very likely to be broken by superior enemy forces. ”

The president thought for a moment and glanced at the Garcia Hotel, which was close at hand: "Let the soldiers worry about the war." We're politicians, so we have to think more about politics, so it's time to go down and say hello to everyone. ”

On the first day of the meeting, it was held in a "friendly and harmonious" atmosphere, and Wilson and his entourage were warmly welcomed by the leaders and representatives of other countries -- even flattery, but no one was uninterested in expressing "condolences" to the US side for the "Pearl Harbor tragedy."

Wilson was polite and courteous, praising the "Kiel Miracle" created by the British Royal Navy, and praising the tenacity of the Belgian army and preferring death to surrender; This side expressed "deep sympathy" for the plight of the Russians, and "admiration and sympathy" for the suffering of the French in their own homeland......

Naturally, this courtesy touting by both sides will not produce any tangible results, and everyone knows that some key things are really inconvenient to put on the table, and secret agreements conducted in private have always been an important part of diplomatic activities.

Prime Minister Asquith has been prepared for a long time. As soon as the meeting was over, Wilson was invited to dinner at his hotel, which Wilson gladly accepted, and after nightfall he brought Secretary of State Lansing to the meeting on time.

As soon as the banquet began, Wilson preemptively toasted: "For the health of the king of your country." ”

Asquith replied unabashedly: "For the sake of us finally becoming allies who fight side by side and support each other." ”

Full of wine and food, Asquith invited Wilson to the rooftop terrace for a "walk", and Wilson understood that the time for a trade had come.

The two of them stopped on the sea-facing side of the rooftop, and Asquith looked at the clear moon rising on the sea, gently shook the blood-colored liquid in the wine glass, and said without boasting, "As you know. We beat the Germans hard in Kiel. ”

"Yes, I am sincerely happy and admired for this miracle, and at the same time I hope that with the help of your country, our country can also develop a powerful fleet aviation as soon as possible." Wilson praised it without forgetting to make a request.

"The Royal Navy will do its best to help His Excellency the President make this happen." Churchill on the side interjected busily.

"This is not just my wish, but the will of the entire American people." Wilson speaks of "the people" and his tone is accentuated.

"We have learned this and intend to work to meet the will of the American people more — as long as that will is conducive to defeating our common enemy." Asquith almost spat out the word "deal".

Wilson smiled slightly and raised his glass to Asquith: "Yes, our common enemy—we all know that the North American continent is facing the threat of the East Asian coalition, and it's a pity. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, our team was temporarily powerless to remove this threat. ”

Asquith couldn't figure out what medicine Wilson was selling in his gourd. I had to respond with reservations: "I am also deeply disturbed by this. ”

Wilson suddenly changed his words: "Until the threat to our homeland is removed, given the domestic political situation in our country, I am afraid that it will be difficult to carry out effective assistance to your country and other allies." ”

The sensitive Churchill sniffed out that something was wrong, and hurriedly took a step forward and said: "Your Excellency, I would like to ask you that your definition of 'disarming the homeland threat' is ......"

"Recapture the base from which the other side threatens our homeland, which is the Hawaiian Islands." Wilson replied lightly, as if that were the only correct answer.

Churchill was struck by lightning and froze there - if this is the case, India and Australia will not be protected!

"Originally, I just wanted to wait until my country has completed its full mobilization and the initial recovery of naval strength. Then launch a separate counteroffensive to recapture the Hawaiian Islands, and then use Hawaii as a relay base across the Central Pacific. Straight into the heart of the enemy. After reading your country's war report, I had another idea. ”

Churchill shouted in his heart that it was not good, and he had to pretend to say: "I want to hear it." ”

"According to your country's war report. The main German fleet should not be able to regain its combat effectiveness within a year, and the Royal Navy has a mobile force at hand. ”

Churchill had to nod: "That's true." ”

"I am not very proficient in military affairs, but I can not imagine that if the mobile force of the Royal Navy and our fleet were combined to counterattack Hawaii, if we were victorious, we would not only remove the threat to our homeland, but also allow our country to come to the aid of our allies without any scruples, and at the same time defeat the East Asian Combined Fleet, recapture the indispensable Hawaiian relay base, and lay the foundation for a future counterattack on the East Asian Alliance mainland. Even if it fails, it is presumably that the East Asian side will suffer losses that cannot be recovered in a short period of time, and it will no longer be able to attack India and Australia, which is equivalent to defending India and Australia. ”

Churchill took out his handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead - I really didn't expect that before he could speak, the people first put forward the request for the confluence of the fleet, but the purpose was exactly the opposite of the British calculus.

You want to drag the Americans to defend India and Australia, and the Americans want to pull you to counterattack Hawaii, which seems to be reasonable - people are also trying to "indirectly defend" your Indian and Australian cubs.

If you think about it a little further, you have to sigh even more at the shrewdness of the Americans: the Americans ran to assist you in defending India and Australia, and they belong to the guest army, and the dominance will inevitably fall into the hands of the British, and to put it bluntly, it is to shed blood for you British; Needless to say, it is naturally the Americans who are leading the way and want you British to bleed for the Americans.

From the standpoint of national interests, it is reasonable for Wilson to have such a stance, and there is no need to be surprised and vomit blood.

Thinking of this, Churchill first reflected on his immaturity, and then used his full brain power to quickly outline a countermeasure.

"Well, I think this is the only way to make the most of the precious results of the Battle of Kiel, and to kill two birds with one stone, isn't it?" Wilson didn't stop and pressed one step forward.

What to do?

Churchill and the British Empire were facing a difficult choice.