Submission depends on the cost and benefits. What can the British get when surrendering to the United States at this time? The first thing to be sure is that Britain cannot surrender completely like France. France has no choice, and the British are much better. Simple commercial interests will not allow the Americans to risk offend Germany to help Britain. As for war? Britain, as the defeated party, really doesn't want to fight again, so the British can only say that they can't help the military aid that the Americans urgently need. Not to mention that the two countries had grudges before, and the Americans who were fooled once still distrust the British surrender. This is also why Roosevelt finally rejected the opinions of Taft and others. The British compromise was useless, and the side effects or the cost was too high!

"So do we have any way to get rid of the predicament right now?" George V asked.

"We will stick to our bottom line in negotiations. If the negotiation fails, the two sides will still have to continue fighting. However, the Germans may not be willing to delay the war for too long. They are likely to lock in the battle through a fleet decisive battle. Our plan is to win or gain a certain advantage in the decisive battle, and then negotiate with the Germans with the advantages on the battlefield. Although Germany is a mainland country and the fleet is not indispensable to them, after this battle, Germany will also become a world empire and will fight in the Pacific with the Americans. From this perspective, they must cherish the fleet." Prime Minister Asquith said.

Does this plan look familiar? Yes, it is very similar to the French's idea at the beginning, and they both belong to the kind of people who resisted a wave and then gave in. In fact, from ancient times to the present, there have been too many losers who have placed their hopes on the idea of ​​being able to achieve a decent ending through victory in a battle.

In fact, if the environment did not allow Germany to destroy Britain, Britain would have ended its end. The sea decisive battle is an additional question. If Germany fights well, it will naturally end the war quickly and save costs. But if it doesn't fight well, won't Germany still have submarines? In theory, there are no insurmountable obstacles for the Germans to realize their colonies and compensation plans. When they see through the fog, Germany has already won. The Germans, Americans, French, and Japanese are all very clear about this, and the British may also know it, but they are just unwilling to admit it!

"Then please rely on the Royal Navy. I hope that this time, the soldiers of the Royal Navy can inherit the glory of their ancestors and make the British Empire survive the crisis. May St. George bless the British Empire." George V sighed and said.

In the end, the negotiators were led by Foreign Minister Belford and Army Minister Lloyd George. The British's bottom line was very simple. They were willing to hand over the Rhodesia region of British Southern Africa, but refused to hand over South Africa. Nigeria could consider transferring, and Sudan could also consider transferring, but Britain's control over Egypt must continue. As for the Central African region, it is a place that can be abandoned. Overall, compared with Britain's previous plans, some concessions were made. At least the British agreed to give up the copper ore and non-ferrous metals in Zambia in later generations, and were willing to make Nigeria's oil and natural gas, but the British did not want to let go of South Africa's gold and diamonds, as well as the Suez Canal.

As for compensation, the British, who are essentially a mixture of merchants and pirates, look closely at their own wallets. Not to mention 2 billion pounds, the British do not even want to pay compensation. "At most, the compensation we can give to the Germans will not exceed the French compensation in the Franco-Prussian War." George V said that the French compensated 5 billion francs in the Franco-Prussian War, which was converted into 200 million pounds. The British did not intend to compensate more than 200 million pounds!

"Although there is a saying that is not good now, we always have to make some preparations. What if we lose the future decisive battle at sea?" At the end of the meeting, Lord Belford suddenly raised a question that made everyone feel cold.

"Then there is no need to discuss this issue. If the navy loses, then the fate of the British Empire is not something we can grasp. It depends entirely on the attitude of the United States and Germany." Chamberlain said. "But I believe that even if the war between the large fleet is unfavorable, it will not completely lose the war. The most likely outcome is a loss-making outcome. In this case, we can still fight for it."

"If we really get to this point, as long as the British Empire can protect Canada, the Dominion of Australia and India, it will be fine. The Mediterranean and Africa are no longer something we can save. The empire will fall from the peak of the world and then become a second-rate country. In the future, our survival and development will depend more on diplomatic skills and allies, rather than the national and military power of the empire." George V's answer was straightforward! Unfortunately, George V's bottom line is quite consistent with the requirements of the Germans, and the biggest difference is probably war compensation, right?

"So what about our relationship with Japan? In fact, after the Russo-Japanese War, Japan's role in the empire was not obvious, and during the war, Japan's help to us was very limited, and it was entirely for economic benefits and was unwilling to assume the obligations of its allies." Chamberlain said angrily.

"The empire will definitely not be able to rely on its strength to ensure the interests of the Far East in the future, so we need a spokesperson and an ally to help us safeguard the interests of the empire in the Far East. The Japanese existed as a merchant in this war, so in the future we can also clearly mark everything in the Pacific War. Believe me, Japan and Britain are also very lonely. We are like people abandoned by the world. For a long time in the future, we can only hold together to keep warm." Prime Minister Asquith said.

It is impossible to improve the relationship between major powers in one go. Since it is no longer possible to shake hands with the Americans, then the current allies are a bit precious. What's more, the British are still hoping to make a fortune from the Japanese during the war. As for whether the British will be retaliated against? There will be some, but the British are very clear that in the future game in the Far East, every major power has its own abacus and helplessness, and many things may be turned a blind eye!

Just when the British were worried about their destiny, in the distant East, Japan, which was thriving during the war, was also worried about its future destiny. You should know that this time, not only the empire that will not set, but if you are not lucky, the so-called country of sunrise may be over!
Chapter completed!