Chapter 1639 Yingde’s Attitude

London, Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Chamberlain clenched his teeth and glanced across the faces of his confidants, with raging anger burning in his chest.

Chamberlain is a very capable man. He has successively served as Postmaster General, Secretary of State for Health, and Chancellor of the Exchequer. From 2020 to the present, he has successively held important positions in the governments of Bonar Law, Baldwin, Macdonald, and others.

No matter how the government changes, Chamberlain's position remains firm. During his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Britain minimized the impact of the economic crisis. In three or four years, it was possible to declare that after the war, "the period of economic difficulty is over" and "great new hope"

"It's starting. But because Britain started to strengthen its war preparations three years ago, the growth of the financial situation has become slow again.

After taking office as Prime Minister in May last year, the Chamberlain cabinet formulated and passed the "Factories Act" to stipulate maximum working hours, workplace environmental standards, and improve working conditions; it passed the "Housing Act" to provide subsidies and control for the improvement of shantytowns and crowded housing areas.

Economic housing rent; passed the "Sports Training Law" to encourage physical training and healthy eating, and provided compulsory physical examinations for the people; passed the "Coal Law" to allow different industries to combine; passed the "Paid Holidays Law" to provide 11 million workers

Paid vacation.

It was due to Chamberlain's efforts that Britain gradually embarked on the path of a "welfare state", which made him widely loved by the British.

Later generations criticized Chamberlain's appeasement policy, which was actually unfair, because the British people who had personally experienced the cruelty of the last European War and had just experienced the economic crisis were obviously unwilling to drag the country into the war. As the leader of the democratically elected government,

Chamberlain followed this trend of thought. Of course, the results were disastrous.

Internationally, due to the rise of the United States, Britain's position as the world's leader has been seriously challenged. To quell the rebellion in the Asian colonies has consumed a lot of British financial, material and manpower. On the European continent, Germany and Italy are advancing step by step, especially again and again.

Being deceived by Hitler once, Chamberlain, who advocated appeasement, lost face. Germany's annexation of the Czech Republic in March this year forced Chamberlain to change his attitude and began to advocate tough measures against Germany.

In response to Germany's military expansion, the United Kingdom has signed formal agreements with Poland and Turkey. At the same time, Parliament passed the conscription system and initially decided to add ten more infantry divisions before the end of next year. A large number of abandoned military factories have restarted the maintenance of machinery and equipment, production

In terms of guns and artillery, the British Air Force also began to replace the "Fighter" type biplane fighters with new fighters such as "Tornado" and "Spitfire", quickly closing the gap with Germany, and at the same time significantly expanding its air force.

In the UK, Churchill, the leader of the opposition within the Conservative Party, is ready to take action, criticizing the cabinet's foreign policy everywhere, and has gathered a large group of supporters around him. The Conservative Party is facing a split, while the Labor Party and the Liberal Party, as the opposition parties, are criticizing the cabinet.

All the proposed bills were resisted, which made Chamberlain feel anxious and exhausted.

But now, the Siamese, who had always been timid and timid, also came out to cause trouble and openly challenged the authority of the British Empire. This made Chamberlain extremely angry.

"I think that regardless of whether something is true or not, we should send out a strongly worded protest message!"

Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, said solemnly: "According to the telegram sent by Lady Brooke, other embassies have been bloodbathed by the Siamese. Under such circumstances, if we do not respond first, let us

If those two lunatics Hitler and Mussolini seize the opportunity to show off, our situation internationally and domestically will become even more passive!"

Home Secretary and Internal Security Minister John Anderson said: "At this time, there really cannot be any hesitation. Now in Europe, there are two lunatics, Hitler and Mussolini, causing trouble, and in Asia, Siam is also ruled by military personnel.

It is very close to the two fascist countries Japan, so the possibility of forming an alliance is very high.

"Since the Siamese military government came to power, it has deliberately distanced itself from the empire. Now the share of merchandise trade with the empire is actually much lower than that of Japan. What is especially unacceptable is that they have repeatedly threatened to dig the Kra Canal.

We. Once the construction of this canal is started, Singapore will lose its strategic significance in shipping, commerce and navy, and strengthen Japan's position in this region. Because of this threat, we have to change the loan interest rate to Siam.

From 6% to 4%, the empire's economy suffered heavy losses!

"After Japan occupied the Lanyin Islands at the end of last year, we were forced by the pressure on the colonies and our own need to counter rebellion. The Malay Governor-General, the Governor-General of Burma and the Commander of the Far East Fleet successively visited Siam, striving to establish closer relations with Siam.

, but the Siamese government did not know what was wrong and actually signed a friendship treaty with Japan, allowing Japan to use Siam's naval and air force bases and railways, which allowed Japan to extend its tentacles to the Indochina Peninsula.

"Let's settle old and new grudges together. Now it's time for the Siamese people to pay the price!"

Sir Robert Vansittart, the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hesitated: "However, Siam is now at war with Nanhua, and their army has invaded the hinterland of Nanhua. If we do this, will it weaken Siam's military strength?

Allowed Nanhua to stabilize its position and then counterattack Siam?

"We all know that Nanhua is also a country governed by military personnel. It was the state power that An Yi, the local Chinese warlord, usurped from the French. Our British Empire fought a battle with An's army in western Yunnan four years ago. Their troops

The combat effectiveness of Nanhua is far beyond our imagination. Once Nanhua defeats Siam in the anti-aggression war, it is very likely that in the name of revenge, it will invade Siam and annex Siam's Chinese base with a population of 15 million.

It is only a matter of time before Siam is defeated. Wouldn’t it be more in the interest of the British Empire to let Siam and Nanhua fight to the detriment of both sides?”

Earl Edward Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies and Dominions, thought for a while and said:

"No matter who is right or wrong between Siam and Nan Hua, the focus of the problem now is that our embassy was razed by the troops sent by the Siam government, and the diplomatic ambassador who was decorated by His Majesty the King was killed. If we don't

Making a show of it will greatly damage the empire's reputation!

"In addition, as far as I know, the Nanhua government is preparing to issue bonds in the United States with a total amount of up to 500 million U.S. dollars and a return rate of 10% to stimulate its economy and people's livelihood. In this way, the United States can rely on this bond to make a profit every year without doing anything.

The Nan Hua government received a dividend of 50 million US dollars. And look at us, what is the usual rate of return on the bonds we buy? Five percent! In Siam, it is only 4 percent. There is a voice from major domestic consortiums that if we are in

Siam took the right stance in the war with Nanhua. When the time comes, the Nanhua government will definitely not ignore the financial market of our British Empire. It is entirely possible to issue bonds in London! This is a very good place for domestic idle investment funds.

!”

Trade Secretary Oliver Stanley is the younger brother of Edward Stanley. He strongly agrees with his brother's opinion:

"The trade volume between the South China government and our Commonwealth countries has so far reached 100 million pounds. They have introduced large quantities of ore, oil, rubber, tin and other products from Australia, Malaya and other places, and at the same time sold urgently needed aircraft, tanks, etc.

Weapons are given to us so that we can be armed much faster than imagined.

"After testing by the Royal Air Force, Nanhua's fighter aircraft have superior performance. The A25 is better than our Tornado. The G2 has the same performance as the Spitfire, but has an advantage in range. As for the G1, although it is not as good as the Mosquito we started purchasing in large quantities.

fighter series, but the advantage is that the price is cheap. The Air Force Ministry suggested that we should purchase a large number of fighter planes from Nanhua to quickly close the gap between us and Germany.

"Last month, as the prisoners held in Nanhua were gradually released and returned home, France reciprocated and purchased 500 Wolf and Hound tanks in one fell swoop. The Ministry of War believes that France's tank research is comparable to ours. Even the French

We all agree that Nanhua’s tanks should also be purchased as a batch of equipment. Not only to defend the homeland, even if they are used in India and the Middle East, they can also have a huge effect."

Sir Hall Belisha, the Secretary of War, confirmed what Oliver Stanley said, and then raised a thought-provoking question: "In fact, it is very simple to choose between South China and Siam. We just need to see which side wins and what is the difference between us."

Just be more beneficial.

"If Siam defeats Nan Hua and drives Nan Hua out of Indochina, then the industrial base built by Nan Hua will fall into the hands of the Siamese and then the Japanese. Now Japan already has the third largest navy in the world and millions of

The army owns Siberia, the Far East, Northeast China and North China, North Korea, Ryukyu, Taiwan, and the huge island chain from Hainan Island to the Lanyin Islands. If it controls South China again, I am sure that their next target will be

To Borneo, Malaya, Myanmar, or even India... Or, they simply use the Lanyin Islands as a springboard to attack Australia and completely establish their hegemony in Asia and the Pacific. Whoever owns the ocean will

will control the world, Japan obviously has such conditions now.

"Looking at Nanhua, in order to regain the lost land of their ancestors, they almost sent most of their troops to Mongolia and Central Asia. These two places are an enclave for the Anjiajun military group, and it will be very difficult to maintain it.

In this way, the forces they can use in Indochina will be extremely limited. If they occupy Siam, their forces will be diluted again, and the conflict with Japan will become more acute. Instead of allowing the Japanese tiger to gradually grow, it will threaten the empire's power in Asia.

In terms of interests, it is better to support Nanhua so that it can confront Japan!"

Sir Horace Wilson, Chamberlain's chief adviser who obeyed, nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, the Siamese are so abominable. Their survival is none of our business, but they should never do anything to us.

For diplomats to take action, this has violated basic international morality and must be punished."

Chamberlain saw that his assistant also had the same view, and made up his mind: "Everyone, tell me, how should we punish Siam, a barbaric country?"

Army Secretary Hall Belisha suggested: "Currently we are still fighting rebels in various colonies in Asia. Europe must also pay attention to defending against German expansion. In addition, Afghanistan and Iran may become the next places where we need to use troops. At the same time,

We also need to prevent the British expatriates in Siam from being subjected to more severe purges by the Siamese government. It is impossible and impossible to mobilize ground troops to fight in Siam.

"According to our international status, the diplomatic department only needs to express strong protest, which shows the attitude of our government. I think with the strength of the South China Army, it will definitely be able to defeat Siam's attack and ignite the war into Siam."

"

Lord Admiral Duff Cooper smiled and said:

"Don't forget our navy. We can mobilize Sin Chew's naval fleet to bombard Siam's port on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula to show the tough attitude of our British Empire. Or Sir Simon can invite South China's diplomats in London

, indicating that we can purchase part of Nanhua’s public bonds of up to 10% to show our attitude!”

Finance Minister John Simon smiled knowingly: "This is a good idea. I think our investors will be happy to buy Nanhua's public bonds. After all, a country's ability to pay its public debt is based on its military and defense strength as an important reference.

If Nanhua can defeat Siam, their credibility will be trustworthy."

At this point, the opinions were basically unanimous. Chamberlain did not hesitate at all and asked the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, to arrange a press conference immediately. In any case, the Germans could not get ahead of him.

After announcing the adjournment of the meeting, Chamberlain left the Defense Coordination Minister Lord Chatfield, the War Secretary Hall Belisha, the Air Force Secretary Kingsley Wood, and the Navy Secretary Dave Cooper to come to the small conference room with a large Middle East and

Discuss countermeasures in front of the map of India.

War Secretary Hall Belisha, holding a baton in his hand, introduced the situation against the map:

"The situation in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly chaotic. The Soviet army, which bears the name of Xinjiang warlord Sheng Shicai, did not directly go south to attack the Hindu Kush Mountains. Instead, it went all the way west and has now occupied Takhar, Kunduz, and Pakistan.

In the Afghanistan region, many tribes were completely plundered. What is particularly horrifying is that the Soviets openly established Soviets in northern Afghanistan and distributed the property of tribal leaders to the poor people. There is a strong possibility of launching a red revolution in Afghanistan.

mean.

"King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan united with the southern tribes to form a crusade. However, they were defeated by the Soviet army in Duhi Town, Baghlan Province, north of the Salang Pass. The remaining troops retreated to the Hindu Kush Mountains. We supported

More than 60 artillery pieces were also left to the Soviets. Currently, Kabul is completely devastated. On the one hand, the Afghan government is asking us for help, and on the other hand, it is organizing a larger-scale tribal armed force to intercept the Soviet army west of the Balkh River and prevent it from moving westward.

and march south.”

After the Secretary of War finished introducing the situation, Chamberlain said solemnly: "The opinions of the cabinet are very inconsistent now. Some cabinet ministers advocate sending troops from India into Afghanistan to help the Shah dynasty resist the Soviet attack. After all, these Soviet troops are fighting against the South.

The Chinese army was defeated in the battle, and its combat effectiveness must not be much higher. Others believe that the overall situation should be given priority. Currently, we are still negotiating with the Soviet Union on signing an alliance. If there is a firefight with the Soviet army in Afghanistan, our

Diplomatic efforts will be in vain. I now want to hear from your professionals."

Hall Belisha hesitated: "The wars in South and Southeast Asia are far from subdued. In India, Myanmar, and Malaya, a large number of rebels are entrenched in the countryside and mountains and forests, establishing bases and fighting against the colonial government.

Although the Congress members who were invited to take up positions in the Indian government shouted that 'non-violence' was the right path, due to the blood feud between the empire and the Indians during the previous suppression of rebellions, those Indians who had lost their relatives did not buy it very much.

It is said that the National Congress Party is also facing internal divisions, and there is a huge market for those leaders who advocate revolution.

"Under such circumstances, if we send troops from India, once a rebellion breaks out in the rear, the troops entering Afghanistan will be cut off from supplies and will most likely suffer a tragic defeat. Moreover, the empire should now focus its main energy on Europe and be wary of Germany at all times.

People are moving, and it is obviously unwise to invest troops in Afghanistan."
To be continued...