Chapter 404： Ready with both hands

"Everyone, let's stop here for today's meeting. Regarding your suggestions, I will carefully consider them." Prime Minister Asquith said with a tired face. It is obviously impossible to make a decision at once on such a major decision related to the destiny of the country. Especially the current situation is very unfavorable to them, and it is very likely that they will lose the war.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." The other cabinet members said one after another, and then everyone got up and prepared to leave.

"Churchill and Edward stay!" Prime Minister Asquith said.

Secretary of the Navy Winston Churchill and Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Gray? Leng, then nodded. They knew that Prime Minister Asquith had specially kept them, so he must have something important to discuss with them.

After everyone left, Prime Minister Asquith, Churchill and Sir Edward Gray also left the conference room and went directly to the Prime Minister's office.

"If we seek peace with the Germans, how likely is it to preserve the fundamental interests of the British Empire?" Prime Minister Asquith asked directly.

Both Churchill and Sir Edward Gray knew that if the conditions of the Germans were not too harsh, Prime Minister Asquith might really seek peace. After all, the odds of winning this war are already very small, and even, they have a great possibility of losing the war. Once the war is lost, the British Empire is completely over. It's better to seek peace now. In this case, you may be able to pay a little less loss.

As for the fundamental interests of the British Empire, apart from the mainland, I am afraid that India is the only one. In other words, if the British Empire loses other places in the war, even if only the mainland and India are left, then they can still recover their strength quickly and become a powerful country. India has a large population and abundant resources. More importantly, those Indians have been tamed by the British. Therefore, they can exploit and oppress India at will, and plunder huge amounts of wealth from India. However, if it is changed to other places, I am afraid it will not work.

It's just that everyone knows the wealth of India and the nature of Indians, which makes all countries salivate at India. If it is said that because of the strength of the British Empire before, everyone did not dare to act rashly. So, after Germany puts the UK down this time, will it leave India to the UK again, so that they have a chance to rise again? That is obviously impossible.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we may not be able to keep India. The Germans will definitely ask us to cede India to them. Even all the overseas colonies will not be left much. The appetite of the Germans may be greater than we imagined. They Isn't it for our overseas colonies to deliberately challenge our hegemony?" Sir Edward Gray said.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded. If it were him, I am afraid that he would not hesitate to take India away from Britain. Without India, the foundation of Britain has undoubtedly been shaken. It is impossible to pose a threat to Germany in the future.

"After all, we have not lost the war. Although the Germans have gained an advantage, they have not won after all. If we negotiate with them, it may be possible to keep India." Prime Minister Asquith said.

Sir Edward Gray nodded, but he had to admit that this possibility is really very, very small.

"Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should contact the Germans. If they agree to the truce, the British Empire can give them all the colonies in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, in terms of war reparations, you can also give them 100 million pounds. The conditions are not bad. If the Germans can agree, it will be very beneficial to them." Prime Minister Asquith said.

Although, the price paid is not small. However, for the United Kingdom, this is not yet a traumatic loss. As long as they develop their minds for a period of time, their national strength will be restored and they will have the strength to confront Germany again.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will arrange it." Sir Edward Gray said.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded and looked at Churchill.

"If we let go and fight the Germans, what are our chances of winning?" Prime Minister Asquith asked. Although, in his heart, he is already inclined to negotiate peace with the Germans. However, for the victory, he still did not give up. If you can win, it is naturally the best. In that case, the British Empire would not only be able to keep these existing interests, but at the same time be able to ruthlessly slaughter the Germans and cut off a large piece of fat. The losses paid during the war can almost be made up for. Of course, Prime Minister Asquith also knew that the chances of winning were very small.

"The Prime Minister said that it is very difficult to defeat the Germans now. Unless, in the naval battle, God is on our side. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to defeat them. The design ideas of our warships, A fundamental mistake has occurred, which has made our warships far inferior to the Germans in terms of performance. This has led to a great possibility that we will be at a disadvantage in naval battles. Of course, there are many factors that determine the outcome of a naval battle, not only Just that. For example, if we get lucky in a naval battle, we also have a chance of winning," Churchill explained.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded. Although Churchill did not say it clearly, he knew that in reality, the chances of the British navy winning were very small. So much so that Churchill could only place his hopes on illusory luck. It is obviously unrealistic to expect Britain to have better luck in naval battles and thus defeat the German navy.

"If we lose the war, the British Empire will be completely over." Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. If we lose the war, then we will have to agree to the harshest conditions of the Germans, and even let the Germans slaughter them. If we refuse them, the Germans will even land on our homeland and let the Germans The whole country is caught in the flames of war. At that time, our country will be destroyed." Churchill said.

Prime Minister Asquith's complexion couldn't help but become even uglier. As the Prime Minister of the British Empire, the actual leader of the country, he certainly does not want to see such a day.

"Edward, I authorize you to negotiate with the Germans. If the conditions of the Germans are not harsh, then end the war." Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." Sir Edward Gray nodded.

"Churchill, if diplomatic negotiations fail, then the only way we can go is war." Prime Minister Asquith continued.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I will do my best to win!" Churchill said.