London, United Kingdom.

Churchill stared at Wen Jiàn in front of him with a wry brow, and finally sighed and shook his head. This was the third time he had submitted a plan for the navy to go to war, and the first time it was rejected was that the navy would go to sea to attack the German naval base and completely annihilate the German naval fleet. The second rejection was for the Navy fleet to sail into the English Channel to support the Army operations in Belgium. And the plan for the third sortie, which is the plan for this time, is the plan to send the navy to protect Norway and Denmark.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's reasons for vetoing Churchill's plans are not complicated, because Churchill himself could not guarantee the success of these plans. But Churchill feared that Norway, without the protection of the British navy, would be completely subjugated by the Germans, and that the British Empire did not want to see such consequences.

Because Norway's abundant iron ore can supply Germany to expand production, these resources are enough for Germany to produce thousands of tanks and artillery, and for Germany to produce dozens or even hundreds of warships, and these weapons of war are enough to arm the German army to the teeth.

Therefore, Britain had always had a plan to blockade the Norwegian sea route and choke the throat of Germany's war resources. However, with the defeat of the Dutch off the coast and the heavy losses of Scarpa Bay, this plan was finally stillborn.

Now, Britain had lost the power to blockade Norway, which gave Germany an opportunity to plot to occupy Norway. This opportunity was not deliberately left to Germany by the British, but won by the German Navy with its own courage.

"Our spies have detected that the German Navy's High Seas Fleet had left Wilhelmsport two days ago, and now our Navy still does not dare to make any moves, and no matter where this fleet ends up, we have no way to counterattack in the first place. Churchill was silent for a long time, but finally said: "How do we deal with the Norwegian crisis? If Norway is occupied by Germany, our iron ore imports will be cut, and Germany will be more able to resist the blockade." ”

"What can I do? Well, our fleet lacks the necessary anti-aircraft cover, and if we attack rashly and lose some ships, what will you do to defend the mainland of our British Empire?" Chamberlain asked helplessly: "Although our losses are not small, they are far from the point where we dare not fight, but our losses are too dense, which makes it impossible for me and His Majesty the King to make up our minds to fight a decisive battle." ”

"We can't give up Norway!" Churchill even said with a hint of crying: "Once we give up Norway, then the German Navy will have countless more outlets to the sea, and even if our Navy regains the initiative, there is no way to trap the German Navy in the North Sea!"

Chamberlain sighed and said, "The assassination plan failed! God wasn't on our side, so to speak, and we almost blew up that heinous bastard. ”

Churchill thought about it for a while, and finally said what he had held back in his heart: "Mr. Prime Minister! We pinned our hopes for an end to the war on those assassinations, which were originally opportunistic acts! We should have sent out our troops to fight back, instead of relying on some tricks in exchange for peace." ”

"Do you think I'm compromising and appeasement? I'm protecting you, the elite of the main battle faction!" Chamberlain slapped the table and shouted angrily: "If the navy fails again, I will not be able to do the position of prime minister, and I will not be able to keep you as the minister of the navy!"

Churchill looked at Chamberlain as if he had known the Prime Minister for the first time. He knew that Chamberlain had been working for peace in Europe, but he did not know that this weak-looking old man could say such a thing.

At this time, Churchill realized that it was Chamberlain, the prime minister whom he had always secretly looked down on, who was sheltering him, and he knew why he was still able to sit firmly in the position of Lord of the Navy after the Battle of the Dutch Sea and the Battle of Scarpa Bay.

"For ...... Why?" asked Churchill, looking at Chamberlain, with difficulty. You must know that it is very difficult to admit your mistakes, and it is even more difficult to admit your mistakes in front of the parties. Churchill knew that this sentence was asked, and he expressed his consistent opinion of Chamberlain in disguise, but his pride made him have to ask.

"One day when you take my place, you will understand! The Prime Minister is not like the Minister of the Navy, you just have to think about how to win the war. Chamberlain laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "And a good prime minister, he has to think not only about winning the war, but also about avoiding the war, losing the war, and so on." I went for peace because I didn't want to see war. I keep a main battle faction like you because I'm not sure when the war will end. ”

He stood up and looked out the window, his tone full of loneliness: "Now it seems that the war will not end in the short term. So I don't think Britain should lose people like you, even if it can do without people like me. ”

"But, Mr. Chancellor, we must not sit idly by and watch the German invasion of Norway! We should at least state our fundamental position against German hegemony in Europe. Churchill glanced at Chamberlain and told him truthfully: "The navy must attack, and Norway's victory or defeat does not matter, but to show the whole world that we are determined to fight back against Germany!"

"I'm going to transfer you to the Navy's logistics department. Then bring a scapegoat to power to carry out your third plan. Chamberlain pointed to the text on the table and said: "Churchill, I resolutely cannot agree with your plan to send a fleet of battleships, all I can do is allow the navy to send a small number of destroyers into the Norwegian coast." ”

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to stop Churchill from speaking, and continued: "These destroyers were given to the German Navy to eat, and losses were inevitable. The difference was only how much trouble the German Navy could have caused when these warships were lost. ”

"How can it be ......" Churchill almost did, he was already shocked by Chamberlain's plan.

"Listen to me. Chamberlain waved his hand and said, "In this way, the scapegoat who succeeded you must also take the blame and resign." And I, too, will be affected. All of this was expected by me. ”

He smiled, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and looked at the sky outside: "Then I will mention that I will agree with the United States to borrow 50 destroyers from the United States by replacing military bases to make up for our losses in Norwegian waters." ”

"I did this to use a few broken ships to exchange for the most advantageous situation for you of the main battle faction. Chamberlain smiled bitterly, then looked back at Churchill: "Don't rush to thank me, my selfishness is greater than public welfare." I, like all of you, had no way of predicting the outcome of this battle. So I didn't dare to risk continuing to be this prime minister, I was afraid of becoming the first prime minister in British history to face the humiliation of defeat. ”

"I've left you with a mess. Chamberlain shook his head, and then asked, "Now I want to ask you, as the main battle faction, do you dare to take this hot potato that I threw at you?"

They are all old politicians who have been in high positions for half their lives, and Churchill will certainly not be fooled by Chamberlain's words to the point of crying bitterly and putting his heart in his heart. After thinking about it carefully, he knew that Chamberlain actually had other plans.

"I'm afraid there's another layer of meaning in it, right? At this time, you can send yourself out of the center of power for a not too big reason, and if the situation gets out of control in the future, you will become a far-sighted British savior, and your reputation will be higher and more stable than it is now!" Churchill said, looking at Chamberlain.

"I don't deny that, that's my answer to the current situation, and if you have any higher means, you can use it. Chamberlain nodded proudly and admitted Churchill's speculation: "It's up to you to take it." ”

"Kill two birds with one stone! An old politician is indeed an old politician! I really admire you a little now!" Churchill nodded and said, "What if we win?"

"That is, you are really capable, and I have nothing to say. Chamberlain spread his hands and said: "When the time comes, I will open up a good situation for you, and I can be regarded as one of the heroes, and I will be able to retire at home, who told me to be more pessimistic now, and think that it is more difficult for Britain to win this time." ”

But if we accept this from the United States, whether we win or lose, we in Britain will lose our current position. Churchill said helplessly: "Although this is the best result we can strive for now, it also means that the United States' plan to take advantage of the fire has once again succeeded." ”

After all, we can't fight the German invasion on our own. Chamberlain's plan succeeded, and his mood relaxed a lot, and he said: "The Germans have reached the vicinity of Amiens, and Sir Gott has sent several telegrams urging us to reinforce us. The last reinforcements are already on standby, and counting these soldiers, we have committed a full 390,000 troops in Europe, which is all we can put up our possessions. ”

"I'll draw up a battle plan when I get back, and the navy will be ready to sail. Churchill reluctantly got up and said.

The next day, the Admiral Churchill was transferred to the Naval Logistics Department, and the new Admiralty proposed a new battle plan, which Chamberlain agreed to, and in the afternoon six Navy destroyers left port and sailed for Norwegian waters.