Lin Wei could still understand what Chamberlain said. After all, English had almost improved to the status of China's second language when Lin Wei was in school. Although Lin Wei only received a spoon-fed education, it was still easy to understand the dialogue, but Just because he can understand, it doesn't mean that Lin Wei can also talk to Chamberlain in English, so at this stage he still needs a translator. It's simply that they are both European countries, and Germany has no shortage of people who understand English.
"Dear Prime Minister, this is indeed the second time we have met!" Through the interpreter, Lin Wei's words were accurately conveyed to Chamberlain's ears. Compared with a few years ago, the situation between the two and the two countries is no longer the same. A few years ago, Germany was just a country that had just emerged from the shadow of defeat in World War I. Although it had begun to show an aggressive momentum and had aroused the vigilance of some countries, in the eyes of Britain and France, Germany could still only be regarded as a new leader. The gap between Britain and France as a powerful country is still very large, and it has not even recovered to the terrible Second Empire period. But now everything is different. Germany has proved its strength with a powerful army. Now in Europe, Germany has controlled almost all countries, far overshadowing the UK in terms of momentum. Even half of the UK has been conquered by Germany. Occupied, the difference in status naturally caused fundamental changes in the status of both parties. If Chamberlain still hoped to sacrifice other countries to satisfy Germany's desires before, what he now has to consider is to prevent his country from being swallowed up by Germany.
"I am no longer the Prime Minister, I am just an ordinary British person who longs for peace!" Chamberlain said with a wry smile.
Walking into the Grand Theater side by side with Chamberlain, Lin Wei clearly felt that the thin old man next to him was actually about to run out of fuel. In fact, there was no need for Chamberlain to still come out for this muddy trip when his life was about to end. Water, but Chamberlain really did it, why? Lin Wei didn't understand. Maybe not many people in the world understood what Chamberlain was thinking at this time.
From entering the Grand Theater to arriving at the main hall where the negotiations were held, the straight-line distance was only a few hundred meters, but the distance of one hundred meters still seemed too long to Chamberlain. Seeing Chamberlain follow him and Ribbentrop step by step, Lin Wei He almost had the urge to terminate the negotiation and let Chamberlain rest. As the war continued, Lin Wei felt more and more hard-hearted. But after seeing Chamberlain today, Lin Wei suddenly found that he was also sad.
I just don’t want German soldiers to pay their lives, that’s right! Lin Wei kept making psychological hints to himself, indicating that he was only thinking about the interests of Germany. After meeting Chamberlain last time, Lin Wei once searched for information on Chamberlain and wanted to know what kind of person Chamberlain was, especially in recent years.
Chamberlain served as Chancellor of the Exchequer until 1937. After Baldwin became Prime Minister in 1935, Chamberlain remained in office. During his tenure, he was the most active minister in the cabinet. In 1934, he was able to declare that after the war, "the period of economic difficulty is over" and "the great "New Hope" is beginning. However, since Britain began to strengthen its war preparations again in 1935, the growth of the financial situation slowed down again.
Chamberlain faced pressure from both sides after the union of Germany and Austria. Winston Churchill criticized him for not paying attention to strengthening defense spending, while the Labor Party called him a warmonger. Chamberlain adopted a policy called "rationalization". During the economic depression at that time, the government purchased old factories and mines and forced them to close down so that new factories could be established. As a result of this policy, by 1938, Britain already had factories equipped with the latest technology in the world, capable of producing the latest weapons.
Chamberlain advocated reform in domestic policy. In 1937, he passed the Factory Act, which stipulated maximum working hours, workplace environmental standards, and improved working conditions; in 1938, he passed the Housing Act, which provided subsidies for the improvement of shantytowns and crowded housing areas. Control rents for economic housing; the Physical Training Law was passed in 1937 to encourage physical training and healthy eating, and provide compulsory physical examinations for the people; the Coal Law was passed in 1938 to allow different industrial alliances; the Paid Holidays Law was passed in 1938 to provide Eleven million workers are provided with paid leave.
At that time, due to the import of a large amount of cheap foreign food, much land in the UK was barren. The farmers' association demanded protective tariffs on imported food. Chamberlain refused, causing dissatisfaction among many farmers. Chamberlain also proposed the establishment of a dairy monopoly area to allow dairy companies to control prices, and the government to gradually eliminate subsidies for milk, butter, and cheese, but this was not adopted. His government has also advocated more radical reforms, including abolishing caning; reforming the trial system; extending the compulsory education system to 15 years old; establishing medical insurance and family subsidies.
All kinds of information about Chamberlain filtered through Lin Wei's mind at lightning speed. Lin Wei had to admit that Chamberlain was definitely a good British Prime Minister. If it hadn't been for the outbreak of the war, all of Chamberlain's achievements would have been worthy of him. Enter the annals of history instead of Fatty Qiu who lost everything except winning the war. Chamberlain's only mistake was that he should not be the head of state during a war. If it were a peaceful time, Lin Wei had reason to believe that Chamberlain could embody greater value.
In fact, Chamberlain's concept of peace was actually supported by many people at the time. He was criticized mainly because of his personal stubbornness and unwillingness to accept different opinions. He dismissed all cabinet members who disagreed with his foreign policies. He believed that his responsibility as the leader of the United Kingdom was to maintain peace in Europe. He felt that the best way was to treat Germany with goodwill and try to satisfy their wishes. He had wishful thinking that as a leader, he must be reasonable, so Hit? Le should also be a reasonable person. But no one can point out how the outcome would have been different if Britain had not adopted a policy of appeasement. At that time, France was unwilling to start a war, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a non-aggression pact, Italy joined the Axis Powers, the United States maintained its neutralism, and Britain had virtually no allies among the major European powers.
In the main hall of the Grand Theater, the negotiations between Germany and Britain began. Compared with the huge main hall and the conference table, the scene was a little deserted. The entire Grand Theater except for a few diplomats and translators brought by Ribbentrop, and Except for the few people brought by Chamberlain, the remaining people were military policemen of the armed SS. The atmosphere here did not look like a negotiation place, but more like a place where Germany issued an ultimatum to Britain.
The voices of Chamberlain and Ribbentrop could even be heard echoing in the empty main hall. Apart from these two people, only the translators between the two countries were the busiest. Lin Wei also finally understood through today's events Yes, translating for diplomats is definitely not a human job. Seeing the dry mouths of several translators, Lin Wei once again thought he was wise.
But as soon as the freshness wore off, Lin Wei realized how boring the negotiation was. He saw two people going back and forth with each other in a language that no one could understand, and they were having fun. However, there was obviously something wrong with it. Bentrop had the upper hand. After all, diplomacy also needed military strength as a backing. Britain could not give Chamberlain the backing he needed, but Germany could offer the same conditions to Ribbentrop.
After waiting for an hour, if there was a mirror, Lin Wei would definitely believe that his eyes were absolutely blue, and his eyes definitely matched Hit's? Lin Wei had an Aryan vision in his mind, but in fact this was a sign that Lin Wei's endurance had reached its limit.
"Wait... Prime Minister, I want to communicate with our Foreign Minister!" Lin Wei expressed his meaning to Chamberlain through an interpreter. After getting Chamberlain's approval, Lin Wei pulled Ribbentrop aside; "Dear Mr. Foreign Minister, we can offer the most generous conditions now. What is the reason that has delayed you for such a long time?" In Lin Wei's view, Ribbentrop is still doing the usual wrangling activities. When used here, it is simply unreasonable. If something can be ended immediately, why does it take so long
"This is a necessary procedure. Only by polishing the opponent's patience can we be in a favorable position!" Ribbentrop explained slowly and carefully, "Only in this way will the British feel that peace is hard-won. , thereby eliminating their resistance!”
favorable? According to the conditions listed by Lin Wei, the advantage can only be on the side of the British. Bystanders know clearly that only some sober politicians can see the power of the British in the colonies. For most British people, they are in war all day long. They just want peace. Rather than the so-called advantages and disadvantages.
"Okay, enough wrangling?" Lin Wei had to maintain a minimum of respect for Ribbentrop and said, "Leave the rest to me. Sign the agreement quickly. Goebbels is still waiting. With the news materials, I am also planning to visit the Soviet Union immediately after returning to China!"
"Going to the Soviet Union? Aren't you going to the Skoda Arsenal?" Ribbentrop asked doubtfully.
Lin Wei's decision to visit the Soviet Union was made only recently, for no other reason than Lin Wei was uneasy unless he saw the real situation in the Soviet Union. But these don't need to be explained to Ribbentrop, he said, "Give the conditions directly to Chamberlain. If you agree, sign it. If you don't agree, let General Rundstedt continue the fight! This is not a simple matter. Things? You diplomats always complicate simple things!" In fact, there is another small reason that Lin Wei is afraid that Chamberlain will not be able to stand it. On the one hand, he really pities the old man, and on the other hand, it is also because Lin Wei is afraid Chamberlain was so exhausted that if he died, no heavyweight would sign a peace agreement with Germany. Just imagine, if a mayor-level person signs a peace agreement with Germany, then the agreement will definitely not be much better than before the waste paper.
Ribbentrop, who was at the negotiating table again, didn't talk much this time. He listed all Germany's conditions directly according to Lin Wei's wishes. When Chamberlain took the document and looked at it, he simply doubted whether he had an illusion. The terms of the agreement were very different from Chamberlain's own estimation, but Chamberlain was certain that once successfully signed, most of the British people would immediately lay down their arms and stop fighting. This peace agreement contains several articles.
First, the colonies in Southeast Asia, including Burma, were given to France, while India and the Middle East continued to be controlled by Britain. The colonies on the African continent were given to Italy, and the British colonies in Africa were limited to South Africa.
Second, the British Army must be abolished. Army and police forces must not be retained under any name. All army academies must be closed. Ordinary police cannot own tanks and armored vehicles. The Air Force must be abolished. The entire UK cannot own a single fighter jet. It can only form parachute jumpers under any name. club. The navy is unrestricted, but now all British warships must be handed over to the Axis powers, except for warships built after the peace agreement. No weapons may be imported or exported. Chemical weapons must not be produced or stored.
Third, in order to ensure that Britain would not be invaded after the war, Germany, Italy, and France stationed 200,000 troops in the UK and would withdraw within ten years.
Fourth, the British government must hand over one thousand tons of gold as compensation to Germany, and all prisoners of the British army must be repatriated to Britain after the war. Britain must admit full responsibility for the war and its crimes against Axis civilians. Churchill and all war cabinet ministers were war criminals and must be tried.
After Chamberlain took a quick look at it, he did not notice the conspiracy. He handed the document to his subordinates and said, "We need time to evaluate the conditions! Please give us some time!"
"No problem!" Ribbentrop said, "Then we'll meet again at the same time!"
The two parties shook hands politely, and then announced the end of the first negotiation between the two parties. After Chamberlain walked out first, Lin Wei said, "If an agreement can be signed quickly, it will be helpful to end the war between us and Britain." It is beneficial. You must know that if the agreement ends one day late, many Germans and British people will die for it. If this continues, it will only make the hatred between us and the British bigger and bigger! And if all the British colonies are Leaving it to France and Italy would not be a good thing for Germany!"
Ribbentrop deeply agreed with Lin Wei's words and asked, "What do you think about the issue of garrisoning troops in the UK?"
"One hundred thousand French troops, 50,000 imperial troops, 50,000 Italian troops!" Lin Wei gave his own opinion, "It is necessary to have more French troops stationed in the UK. On the one hand, it can distract France's energy, and on the other hand, it can continue Let the British hate France, because ordinary British people only care about what they see every day? If you let them see the French occupying troops every day, and let them know that the French occupying troops are far more than those of other countries, what do you think they will do? Think?" Lin Wei said with a bad smile.
The two people walked and chatted, and soon they arrived at the entrance of the Grand Theater. In fact, the negotiation time was not long. Compared with negotiations that often took several hours, this negotiation was relatively short. Lin Wei stood at the door of the Grand Theater refreshed, but he didn't know that the danger was coming quietly.
On the rooftop opposite the Grand Theater where Lin Wei was, a person had been lurking quietly for a long time, waiting for Lin Wei to appear. At the critical moment, Lin Wei suddenly felt a palpitation in his heart and stopped immediately. Looking around, at this time a bullet was shot from the building a hundred meters away, hitting Lin Wei's cheat.
Ah... Lin Wei screamed in pain and immediately rolled to the ground. Crawford immediately pointed at the building where the bullet flew and shouted, "On that building, catch the murderer quickly! He must be alive!"
The surrounding SS soldiers heard the news and immediately ran towards the building. At the same time, Crawford immediately called the surrounding military police to get Mrs. Lin Wei into the car, and began to contact the nearby German troops. Under his nose, the leader He almost died. He remembered that he had repeatedly guaranteed the safety of this place before the peace talks began. Now Crawford's face felt like it was being slapped.
Like Ribbentrop, he seemed stupid at the beginning of the assassination. Until Crawford started to deploy personnel to arrest people, Cai seemed to remember something, screamed and immediately squeezed into the nearest car. The military police of the Waffen SS were not in chaos after all, and they controlled the situation in the entire neighborhood when the assassination began.
Crawford had already contacted General Rundstedt and asked General Rundstedt to arrange the hospital. After learning about Lin Wei's condition, General Rundstedt also attached great importance to it and immediately sent someone to the hospital. The best field hospital has been arranged.
The military jeep carried Lin Wei through the neighborhood at lightning speed. Everywhere he passed was filled with German soldiers who had heard the news. Many German soldiers were maintaining order so that the jeep guarded by the military police could sail quickly.
"Crawford!" Lin Wei grinned and shouted.
"Leader!" Hearing Lin Wei speak, Crawford hurriedly squeezed over to observe Lin Wei's situation. Fortunately, Lin Wei's situation was relatively optimistic. He was only shot in the arm, but Lin Wei reacted quickly enough after being shot. , rolled to the ground, not letting the killer fire a second shot. However, the blood flowing out through the black military uniform is scary enough. Perhaps it is due to too much blood loss, and Lin Wei's face is a little pale.
Lin Wei took a deep breath and said, "Block the news, especially the news that I was assassinated must not be known to the country!"
"Yes, leader!" Crawford asked after conveying Lin Wei's order, "The British actually arranged for killers to assassinate the leader. We must go to war to wash away our shame. Leader, when we return to the country, millions of SS soldiers will surely Can conquer London!"
"This doesn't look like an action by the British government or Churchill. Could it be that they can't even find a killer with accurate marksmanship? Or is there really not even a single veteran left in Britain?" Perhaps the pain stimulated Lin Wei's brain, and soon I thought of the irrationality in it.