Chapter 504: After modification: Chapter 504 The Struggle between Land and Sea
"Minister of the Navy" is here because of a promise he made earlier: "If the Dardanelles campaign fails, I will carry a rifle as a soldier and go to the battlefield."
He indeed carried a rifle as a soldier, but did not go to the battlefield: He became the commander of the Scotland Royal Regiment, a unit mainly responsible for security duty at the port.
(The photo above shows "Minister of the Navy" as commander in the Scotland Regiment)
As a seasoned politician, the "Minister of the Navy" was courteous in front of Shire.
The "Minister of the Navy" first saluted Shire as a subordinate, then looked at Shire with an admiring gaze and said in English, "I’ve heard of your name for a long time, General. It’s an honor to meet you."
General Winter repeated the "Minister of the Navy’s" words in French.
Shire did not conceal his disdain for the "Minister of the Navy": "If your purpose here is for the Camel fighter plane, you can rest assured, it will be delivered soon."
Months ago, Britain exchanged five artillery production lines for the Camel fighter plane. Now, the artillery has successfully gone into mass production, and Britain will soon get the Camel fighter plane as they wished.
Shire’s words were almost a veiled expulsion, meaning that if there’s nothing else, they could leave.
But the "Minister of the Navy" shook his head: "No, General. Although the Camel fighter plane is very attractive, I am here for other, more important matters."
Shire reluctantly brought them to the reception room on the first floor and instructed the staff to prepare coffee.
Shire deliberately left the "Minister of the Navy" aside and asked General Winter: "So, you finally finished the Dardanelles Strait Campaign?"
"Yes." General Winter glanced at the "Minister of the Navy".
The Dardanelles Strait campaign was a major blunder for the "Minister of the Navy", and it was because of this that he became a captain. Shire’s question undoubtedly exposed the "Minister of the Navy’s" scars.
General Winter gave Shire a secret pleading look, asking him to spare the "Minister of the Navy" for the sake of friendship!
However, Shire pretended not to see it and continued:
"A smart move, Vice Admiral. Continuing would yield no results, only increasing casualties."
"For the allies, you British are generous, pushing the Ottoman Empire into their arms."
"And wasted so many lives and resources in the Dardanelles Strait."
"All of this could have been avoided!"
Then Shire deliberately added: "I almost forgot, it wasn’t the British regular army who were sent to die there, but the Colonial Army. You wouldn’t care, would you?"
General Winter looked embarrassed and helplessly glanced at the "Minister of the Navy", his eyes full of apology.
If it were in the past, the "Minister of the Navy" would have flown into a rage or used his eloquence to debate with Shire.
But now, he listened to Shire’s sarcasm with interest, stirring the coffee on the table and taking a sip: "It would be great if it were brandy, but I suppose you don’t have that, of course."
"You guessed right, Captain." Shire replied: "My troops are strictly forbidden from drinking while on duty, which seems different from the habits of the Royal Navy."
General Winter rolled his eyes, feeling he shouldn’t have brought the "Minister of the Navy" here.
Perhaps sensing General Winter’s tension, the "Minister of the Navy" comforted him: "It’s no big deal, Winter. What I see is a child who doesn’t understand politics, someone who can’t hide his true feelings. I won’t take it to heart."
Shire laughed instead of getting angry:
"I almost forgot, Captain is a veteran who has been in politics for decades. You are good at hiding your heart."
"So does this mean that beneath your calm exterior, you’re actually seething with rage?"
"Is this the main reason you want to drink?"
"If you admit it, perhaps I can make an exception and have some sent over..."
General Winter couldn’t help but intervene: "We are allies, Major General. You cannot hold prejudices against the "Minister of the Navy" for previous mistakes. No one wished for such things to happen."
Shire smiled and shook his head. He did have a prejudice against the "Minister of the Navy".
But it was not because of the Dardanelles Strait campaign, but because of the countless blunders in history.
"Let me put it this way!" Shire placed his coffee on the table, fixed his gaze on the "Minister of the Navy" and said coldly: "Politicians often say that nations speak only of interests. Our interests are different, so we are destined to be opponents. This means any false niceties are useless, right?"
The "Minister of the Navy" nodded: "You could say that."
"Then." Shire spread his hands: "Why don’t we be straightforward? What’s your purpose today? Or what do you want to exchange?"
Shire thought of directional mines and land mines.
However, it didn’t quite seem right. Those are army equipment; the navy doesn’t need them.
The "Minister of the Navy" met Shire’s gaze: "The focus is on our shared interests, General. So, I am here to discuss cooperation."
Shire was taken aback and then laughed: "Regrettably, I don’t think we have any shared interests, Captain. So, there won’t be any cooperation."
The "Minister of the Navy" leaned back on the sofa and habitually reached for the cigar in his pocket, but before taking it out, he put it back.
Shire did not smoke cigars, so he would surely refuse.
The "Minister of the Navy" raised his eyebrows and said: "If it were before, you’d be right, but now things are different. I guess you have felt the pressure from the British Army, haven’t you?"
Shire was stunned.
All along, he had simply thought of the British as "British," never considering the distinction between the British Navy and Army.
It makes sense though, as the French people can be divided into those who support Shire and those who oppose him, the British naturally have different factions too.
The "Minister of the Navy" said slowly:
"Britain has always prioritized the Navy, General. She became the ’Sun Never Sets Empire’ because of her Navy, which is the foundation of her security and strength."
"But now, this foundation is shaking."
"The failure of the Dardanelles campaign is not unrelated. I think you understand."
Shire nodded slightly.
The Royal Navy exhausted its efforts but couldn’t conquer an Ottoman Empire it once looked down on, while the Western Front fell into a frenzied land war: Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, all dug trenches and battled with their armies, proving the significance of the land forces.
This easily leads to a misconception: The Navy is of no use anymore; the pivotal force might be the Army in the future!