When looking at the merits and demerits of a historical figure, we must look at them dialectically.
Although Churchill had personal stains, it could not conceal the role that Churchill played in World War II. Even in World War I, Churchill's contribution was outstanding.
Whether in the position of Minister of the Navy or Minister of Munitions, Churchill's work was very effective.
Of course, from Qin Zhiyuan's perspective, the impact of Churchill's effectiveness on him was not so pleasant.
Qin Zhiyuan didn't come here for the plane, he came for the destroyer that he had already paid for.
So when Qin Zhiyuan raised this issue, Churchill was quite embarrassed.
Qin, I understand your mood, but you must understand that the British Empire also has its own interests that need to be protected. Churchill emphasized.
Qin Zhiyuan was running for his own national interests, and Churchill also had his own national interests to protect. This is understandable, and everyone is their own master.
Of course I understand, but at the same time you have to understand that when I am providing escort for merchant ships, I am also safeguarding the interests of your country. Qin Zhiyuan insisted.
For now, Britain and the Republic of China are in the same trench. Qin Zhiyuan protects the interests of the Republic of China and is also protecting the interests of Britain. There is no conflict between the two.
That being said, there are important and unimportant interests. Compared to merchant ships on the Mediterranean, the High Seas Fleet on the Baltic Sea is more worthy of vigilance. Churchill's focus was different from Qin Zhiyuan's.
In the decades before World War I, Germany began to enter the fast track to improve its national power with the help of the peace dividend of the unification of Germany and the 5 billion francs of Franco-Prussian War indemnity. By 1913, German steel production was 2.26 times that of the United Kingdom, and its power generation
It is 3.2 times that of the UK. This year, Germany's total GDP reached 52.4 billion marks, approximately 2.55 billion pounds. It surpassed the UK's 2.354 billion pounds to become the largest economy in Europe.
Against this background, the Germans built a navy that could challenge the British.
The British navy is their traditional advantage.
The British were unwilling to have their naval hegemony challenged, so they began to build warships on a large scale to meet the German challenge. This was the reason why the arms race began.
As the strength of the Germans increased, the British continued to adjust their policies. In the beginning, for every warship the Germans built, the British had to build two to maintain their advantage over the Germans. But slowly, the British
People found that the Germans were building ships too fast, so they changed the doubled advantage to 60%. But slowly and slowly, the British found that the 60% advantage could not be maintained.
Therefore, when Churchill was serving as Lord of the Admiralty, he proposed to the Germans to suspend the arms race for one year.
Churchill was not a good man.
But without the blood transfusion of merchant ships in the Mediterranean, what could the Royal Navy do to attack the High Seas Fleet in the Baltic Sea? Qin Zhiyuan insisted on the necessity of acquiring destroyers.
As a country with maritime power, Qin Zhiyuan believes that the British should pay attention to the safety of waterways. Without the supply of maritime lifelines, the British have no chance of competing with the Germans. Let alone persisting from 2014 to 2017, the British may have three consecutive years.
I can't hold on for a month.
Security on the Mediterranean is the responsibility of the French. To this question, I think you should go to Paris to find the answer. Churchill started to kick the ball.
Before the war, in order to maintain the superiority of the Home Fleet over the German High Seas Fleet, Britain ceded sea control in the Mediterranean to France. At the same time, Britain's dependence on the Mediterranean waterways was far less serious than France's.
The British pay more attention to the Atlantic shipping lanes, which are Britain's lifeline.
The French navy is also serving the British, or this is true for navies around the world. I don’t need many. Just four ships. At the same time, I am not just escorting merchant ships carrying Chinese. If there are ships going to the UK
If the merchant ship needs it, I will also provide escort. Qin Zhiyuan promised.
Although the Atlantic sea lanes are important, the Mediterranean sea lanes are also related to the interests of the British. Qin Zhiyuan wanted to emphasize this point to attract Churchill's attention.
Of course, I am sure of this. At some time in the future, you will have your own warship. Churchill also promised that it is all a pie in the sky anyway, so let’s paint it together.
The crux of the matter 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.
Here we are. What Qin Zhiyuan wants is now.
Just half a month ago, the Germans started unrestricted submarine warfare, and the effect was very obvious. The Germans sank about 250,000 tons of merchant ships in half a month, many of which were borrowed from the British. There was no way, the British
Now they are the boss at sea, so who allowed them to have more ships?
Yes, German submarines are indeed a great threat. I have proposed a motion to have the British Navy provide escort for merchant ships. Churchill has his own plan.
You have served as Lord of the Navy, so in your opinion, will this bill be passed? Even if it is passed, what will be its implementation effect? Qin Zhiyuan has different opinions.
British naval captains are very proud, and they have strong resistance to escorts. This is because warships must reduce their speed when escorting, stay with merchant ships, and sail at the slowest speed, and captains
They think this affects their intuition.
Well, no matter what, as long as it is for the British Empire, someone has to do the work. Compared to Qin Zhiyuan, Churchill had a clearer understanding of the actual situation of the British Royal Navy.
So in that case, why not leave these tasks to my people? They don't mind escorting. Qin Zhiyuan has the advantage.
Qin Zhiyuan's men were all soldiers before, and even farmers earlier. It is unrealistic to expect them to control battleships to fight the Germans. Engaging in some low-intensity escort work is just the best use of their people. On the one hand,
Protecting the safety of merchant ships can also increase proficiency.
It sounded good to Churchill, but not enough to change his mind.
It's not just good, it's perfect. You have to understand how strong my demand is. I have even hired a captain and sailors, and they are all British. This can be regarded as increasing employment opportunities in the UK. If you can't get this
A few destroyers, I think, I will go to the French or Americans to find a solution. Qin Zhiyuan threatened.
On the European continent, the British are just a troublemaker. The British cannot tolerate any dominance. No matter which country it is, as long as there are signs of rising, the British will find ways to weaken it.
Qin Zhiyuan's meaning is obvious. 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, and the British cannot tolerate France becoming a maritime power again.
, and shipbuilding capability is an important symbol of a maritime power.
Your captain and sailors are British Churchill asked.
Yes, they are British. You know, my people are all in the army and have no ability to control those big guys. Qin Zhiyuan was honest.
Well, you won. Churchill smiled and spread his hands.
Very good, Qin Zhiyuan likes the feeling of winning. To be continued.
