Expedition to Europe

Looking at the merits and demerits of a historical figure, we must look at it dialectically.

Although Churchill had personal stains, it could not cover up the role Churchill played in World War II. Even in World War I, Churchill's contributions were outstanding.

Whether in the position of Minister of the Navy or Minister of Munitions, Churchill's work was fruitful.

Of course, from Qin Zhiyuan's perspective, the impact of Churchill's effectiveness on him was not so pleasant.

Qin Zhiyuan did not come for the plane, he came for the destroyer that had already been paid for.

So when Qin Zhiyuan raised this question, Churchill was quite embarrassed.

"Qin, I can understand your feelings, but you have to understand that the British Empire also has its own interests to protect." Churchill emphasized.

Qin Zhiyuan is running for his own national interests, and Churchill also has his own national interests to protect. This is understandable, and each serves his own master.

"Of course I understand, but at the same time you have to understand that when I provide escort for merchant ships, I am also protecting the interests of your country." Qin Zhiyuan insisted.

At present, Britain and the Republic of China are in the same trench. Qin Zhiyuan protects the interests of the Republic of China and Britain at the same time. The two are not in conflict.

"That's what I said, but interests can be important or unimportant. Compared with merchant ships in the Mediterranean, the high seas fleet in the Baltic Sea is more worthy of vigilance." Churchill's focus is different from Qin Zhiyuan's.

In the decades before World War I, Germany, with the peace dividend of a unified Germany and 5 billion francs of reparations for the Franco-Prussian War, began to enter the fast lane of improving national strength. By 1913, Germany's steel production was 2.26 times that of Britain, and its power generation was 3.2 times that of Britain. That year, Germany's total GDP reached 52.4 billion marks, equivalent to 2.55 billion pounds, surpassing Britain's 2.354 billion pounds to become Europe's largest economy.

Against this background, the Germans established a navy that could challenge the British.

The British navy is their traditional advantage project.

The British were unwilling to see their naval hegemony challenged, so they also began to manufacture warships on a large scale to meet the challenge of the Germans. This is why the arms race began.

As the Germans became stronger, the British constantly adjusted their policies. At first, for every warship built by the Germans, the British had to build two to maintain their advantage over the Germans. But slowly, the British found that the Germans were building ships too fast, so they changed this "double" advantage to 60%. But slowly, after another slow, the British found that the 60% advantage could not be maintained, so when Churchill was the Minister of the Navy, he once proposed to the Germans to stop the arms race for one year.

Churchill was not a good man.

"But without the transfusion of merchant ships in the Mediterranean, what can the Royal Navy use to attack the high seas fleet in the Baltic Sea?" Qin Zhiyuan insisted on the necessity of obtaining destroyers.

As a maritime power country, Qin Zhiyuan believed that the British should attach importance to the safety of the waterway. Without the supply of the maritime lifeline, the British had no chance of competing with the Germans at all, let alone persisting from 14 to 17, the British might not even last for three months.

"The French are responsible for the security in the Mediterranean. I think you should go to Paris to find the answer to this question." Churchill began to pass the buck.

Before the war, in order to maintain the advantage of the home fleet over the German high seas fleet, Britain gave the control of the Mediterranean to France. At the same time, Britain's dependence on the Mediterranean route was far less serious than that of France.

The British attach more importance to the Atlantic route, which is Britain's lifeline.

"The French navy is also serving Britain, or the navy of the world is the same. I don't need many, just four. At the same time, I am not only escorting merchant ships carrying Chinese. If there are merchant ships going to Britain, I will also provide escort." Qin Zhiyuan promised.

Although the Atlantic route is important, the Mediterranean route is also related to the interests of the British. Qin Zhiyuan wants to emphasize this point to attract Churchill's attention.

"Of course, I am very sure of this. At some point in the future, you will have your own warships." Churchill also promised that since it was all pie in the sky, let's draw it together.

"The key to the problem is that I can't wait for the future now. I need it urgently, because when I came to London, German submarines were cruising in the Mediterranean. All merchant ships will be threatened. I think you should have felt this threat." Qin Zhiyuan wants now.

Just half a month ago, the Germans started unrestricted submarine warfare, and the effect was obvious. The Germans sank about 250,000 tons of merchant ships in half a month, many of which were British. There was no way. The British are now the boss of the sea. Who let them have so many ships?

"Yes, the German submarines are indeed a big threat. I have proposed a bill for the British Navy to provide escort for merchant ships." Churchill has his own plan.

"You have served as the Minister of the Navy. In your opinion, will this bill be passed? Even if it is passed, what will be the effect of its implementation?" Qin Zhiyuan has a different opinion.

The British naval captains are very arrogant, and they have a strong resistance to escort. Because warships must reduce speed when escorting, stay with merchant ships, and sail at the slowest speed, and the captains think that this will affect their intuition.

"Well, no matter what, as long as it is for the British Empire, someone has to do the work." Compared with Qin Zhiyuan, Churchill has a clearer understanding of the real situation of the British Royal Navy.

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"In that case, why don't you give these tasks to my people? They don't mind escorting." Qin Zhiyuan has an advantage.

Qin Zhiyuan's men were all soldiers before, and even farmers earlier. It is unrealistic to expect them to operate battleships to fight the Germans at sea. Engaging in some low-intensity escort work is just the best use of people. On the one hand, it protects the safety of merchant ships, and on the other hand, it can also increase proficiency.

"It sounds good!" Churchill was tempted, but he didn't change his mind.

"Not just good, but perfect. You have to understand how strong my needs are. I have even hired captains and sailors. They are all British, which can be regarded as increasing employment opportunities for Britain. If I can't get these destroyers, I think I will go to the French or Americans to find a solution." Qin Zhiyuan threatened.

In the European continent, the British are a troublemaker. The British cannot tolerate any one country being the only one. No matter which country it is, as long as there is a sign of rising, the British will find a way to weaken it.

Qin Zhiyuan's meaning is very clear. If these destroyers are not given to him, he will go to the French to buy them. This is something the British cannot tolerate. France has become a land power. The British cannot tolerate France becoming a maritime power again, and shipbuilding capacity is an important symbol of a maritime power.

"Are your captains and sailors British?" Churchill asked.

"Yes, they are British. You know, my people are all in the army and have no ability to operate those big guys." Qin Zhiyuan said frankly.

"Well, you win!" Churchill smiled and spread his hands.

Very good, Qin Zhiyuan likes the feeling of winning.