It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 227 | Only Two Possibilities! (Two-in-One)

Of course, Shank also knew that the plot of the game "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" was untenable—Russia easily invaded the American mainland, fighter squadrons raided the East Coast, hordes of paratroopers landed, and even the fleet stormed into New York. It was purely for the sake of the plot, disregarding rationality.

The General Staff Headquarters was quiet at night, with heavily armed sentries standing guard, two posts and two sentries.

The office staff in the reception room were drowsy, but the sudden ringing of the telephone instantly dispelled their sleepiness.

The call was made by a Mr. Shang, who was far away in Suzhou. He specifically asked for Li Da from the General Staff Department.

It was so late that, apart from a very few staff officers who were working overtime late into the night, everyone else had already gone home, so the call had to be transferred to Li Da's home again.

Li Da, a lieutenant colonel staff officer, is the deputy head and de facto leader of the General Staff Department's Americas Strategic Research Group, specializing in military strategic issues in the Americas.

"Oh? Is something urgent? It's so late at night."

"It's not urgent, but I'm in a bit of a hurry myself. Is it convenient for you?"

Li Da, unaware of the truth, was completely baffled by Shang Ke's late-night phone call.

The former then asked, "I'd like to ask you, given the current situation, is it possible that America could be attacked by Britain, Ivan Ross, or other countries?"

The question was a bit abstract. Li paused for a moment before replying, "Attack? What kind of attack? Like when submarines attacked merchant ships during the European war, that was also an attack."

"Hey!" Shank asked in rapid succession, "It's definitely a full-scale war, specifically a rapid invasion of the American mainland. What are the chances of that? If that happens, what would it look like?"

Silence, a long silence, with only hesitation on the other end of the phone.

How do you answer this?

Li Da knew that Shang wouldn't make things up out of thin air; a phone call late at night to inquire couldn't be a joke, there must be a reason.

"Uh...why are you suddenly asking this?" Li pondered for a moment, then hesitated before replying, "From a purely military perspective, it's possible, because naval power is the major prerequisite. So strategically, there are only two scenarios: either Britain attacks alone, or Ivan Ross joins forces with Britain and other countries. As for the specific implementation methods, that's quite complicated..."

The two talked at length on the phone; Shang Ke even brought out a chair, and they talked for a full hour.

While Li Da and Shang Ke were discussing the feasibility over the phone, an extraordinary meeting was also underway...

East Zone 1, Bolin, Charlottenburg Palace.

The fierce Battle of Polin destroyed many buildings, including the Reichstag building, and even the Brandenburg Gate was not spared. Only the Kaiser's palace was almost unscathed because the Kaiser forces did not deploy a defensive line near the palace, so Charlottenburg Palace was only damaged by a few stray bullets.

After simple renovations, this place has now become the meeting place for the core power leaders of the three kingdoms.

The United Kingdom wanted to hold the meeting in Amsterdam, but the Italian Prime Minister was unwilling to travel that far, so Veronica ultimately decided to meet in Polin.

Because relations have not yet warmed up and remain in a rather awkward situation, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom did not participate, but sent the Foreign Secretary and the Navy Secretary.

The plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom reiterated its stance, stating nothing more than that it could not tolerate Ivan the Great's unification of Europe.

Veronica's demeanor is completely different now; she is more composed, but also more arrogant.

“Enough. I know what you Britons are up to, and I don’t want to hear this nonsense.” She said dismissively, “Intolerable? So what do you want? And what can you do?”

Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden calmly stated: "Marianne cannot be controlled by your puppet regime. Marianne must have autonomy. This is a requirement of the United Kingdom, Your Majesty."

“Marianna will be fine under our rule; you don’t need to worry about her,” Veronica replied curtly.

Things had developed to this point, and the United Kingdom was at its wits' end.

If the Tsar so desired, the Ivanos Empire could readily expand its military at any time using the manpower and resources it currently controlled, easily mobilizing an army of tens of millions.

With over a million elite troops and tens of millions of cannon fodder supplies, the British Empire was unshakeable no matter how hard it tried. No matter how many troops it launched a counterattack on Europe, they would only be crushed.

The British have a history of causing trouble and creating obstacles around the world, and this time they've really messed things up. The London Union Jack men must be kicking themselves for helping the Ivan Rus' in the first place.

At this moment, Imperial Foreign Minister Vyshinsky spoke up: "Your Excellency Aiden, General Cunningham, now that you've come, surely you haven't come here just to repeat the demands and warnings we've made countless times before?"

Anthony Aiden said indignantly, "Unfortunately, the current situation is not in the interests of the United Kingdom at all. You Ivanros people have no regard for the help of your former friends."

The Italian foreign minister, Count Ciano, was a rather handsome nobleman. He seized the opportunity to mock, "Shouldn't you Britons be very familiar with the taste of betrayal and abandonment?"

Anthony Aiden's face flushed red, but he tried his best to maintain his composure and said in a low voice, "You will pay the price."

The Ivan Rossans present didn't even notice this remark.

With a smug look on her face, Veronica spoke casually and arrogantly, saying, "I am grateful for the help you Britons have provided to our country in the past, even if it was ulterior motives and insincere help, but I don't care."

Then she said, “You Britons are in a very bad situation. The Khitans are preparing to attack you. However, I have a brilliant suggestion.”

Aiden and Cunningham looked suspicious, wondering what she was up to.

It's too narrow-minded, too limited in scope. Why be so fixated on Europe?

Foreign Minister Vyshinsky stepped forward, surveyed the group of representatives from the United Kingdom ahead, and stated:
"Both the Khitans and the Americans are preparing for war, and they can train millions of well-equipped troops in just two years or even one year."

"Unfortunately, your British colonies are their most coveted targets. They will first attack India and Australia, then seize Persia and the Suez Canal. After that, will the British Empire still exist?"

“I don’t believe you’re willing to accept that outcome. So, I want to tell you a Khitan proverb: ‘Strike first, and you’ll be at their mercy.’ Taking the initiative is very advantageous.”

"Right now, America has only a laughable army. Why not try to defeat them and reclaim your former American colonies?"

"With the help of the Royal Navy, we and the Italian Navy are confident that we can annihilate the American Atlantic Fleet. Next, as long as we send our tank units to Canada, we will be able to end the United States government in just three months."

Huh? No? Dude?
Upon hearing this, Aiden and Cunningham were stunned, and for a moment the entire hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

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So shocking was it that even the two seasoned individuals were momentarily stunned, taking a few seconds to recover. Anthony Aiden exclaimed in astonishment, "That's insane! Do you know what you're saying?"

Vyshinsky smiled without saying a word.

A few moments.

As a naval admiral, Cunningham remained remarkably calm. He looked at Veronica and questioned, "Your Majesty, I don't understand why you think we would agree to such an absurd proposal?"

"Do you have a better option?" Veronica sneered. "Or you can pray that the Khitans give up their conquest of India and Australia."

After defeating the Republic of Marianna, the Ivanos Empire swept across Western Europe, and Veronica had a sense of invincible arrogance, as if she had drawn her sword and looked around but no one dared to challenge her.

After the unprecedented celebrations ended, she noticed a problem—was this the end?

At this moment, she turned her attention to the resource-rich Americas.

The Americas are rich in coal and oil reserves, as well as abundant hydropower resources. As for other mineral resources, there are even more, including iron ore, gold ore, silver ore, copper ore, tin ore, lead ore, manganese ore, jade, diamonds, and many more.

In addition to these, the vast plains are also very suitable for mechanized farming, resulting in huge yields of food and cash crops.

This continent is so rich in resources, and the countries on it are all incredibly powerful. In Veronica's eyes, the American army is nothing more than a bunch of chickens and dogs that will collapse at the slightest touch.

If it weren't for the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans separating them... all these American countries would have been doomed!

If the invincible army of Ivanrod could set foot in the Americas, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they could conquer America in three months. As for the remaining little Karami, there's no need to mention it.

Unfortunately, Ivanos has never been a maritime power. Its navy has always been weak, and its shipping industry is underdeveloped. At present, its total merchant ship tonnage is less than two million tons, while other major powers are much stronger.

Top 1 - United Kingdom - 2228 million tons
Top 2 - Unified Federal Republic - 2060 million tons
Top 3 - United States - 1235 million tons
Top 4 - Valland Empire - 402 million tons
Top 5 - Kingdom of Italy - 360 million tons
In comparison, Ivanros's total merchant ship tonnage of less than two million tons is negligible, and its long-distance shipping capability is insignificant.

It's roughly equivalent to being able to deploy an army group to the Americas with the full strength of the nation, and provide corresponding logistical support; anything more would be very difficult.

In any case, the prerequisite for landing on the American continent is to defeat the American navy, which is an existence that Ivan Ross's navy can only dream of.

So Veronica thought of the United Kingdom.

Despite the fact that the two countries have fallen out and their relationship is almost at a standstill, with the alliance existing in name only, Veronica is confident that she can persuade the Britons.

The first meeting of the summit is about to end.

It was clear that the Foreign Secretary and the Admiralty Secretary alone had no authority to decide matters of state, so Anthony Eden indicated that he needed to consult with the London authorities. Moreover, this proposal went far beyond the level of "being able to discuss it by telegram" and could not be decided overnight.

The Ivanros and Italians present appeared completely unfazed.

Such a scene is truly poignant; it's unbelievable that the once arrogant British have fallen to this state.

Finally, Veronica slightly raised her chin and posed a probing question in a nonchalant tone: "Trust us, or trust yourselves, or trust those cunning Khitans?"

The meeting is adjourned for now.

Aiden hurriedly left with his entourage, heading straight for the embassy to send a telegram back to the mainland using diplomatic codes.

Andrew Cunningham, however, did not leave; he was persuaded to stay and chat.

"The Royal Navy has ample strength. As long as it assembles the Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet, and with the help of our Italian Navy, it will be easy to destroy the Atlantic Fleet."

Count Ciano said this with considerable pride.

Canning was reassured that dealing with the Atlantic Fleet was a simple matter, and the Royal Navy could handle it on its own. He added that it was better for the Italian Navy to stay out of the way.

Therefore, Cunningham replied with typical British humor: "Thank you for your enthusiasm, Earl, but the sea conditions in the Atlantic are very bad, and the Italian warships have a low freeboard. I am worried that you will not be able to enjoy tea and pasta there, which will greatly dampen your morale."

After saying that, he said calmly, "The American Navy is deployed in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, making it difficult to concentrate its forces. It is easy to defeat them one by one, and it is not difficult to eliminate them."

Veronica sat upright in the soft chair, took a sip of the black tea offered by the servant, and deliberately provoked him, saying, "Is it really as easy as you say, Admiral?"

at the same time.

Suzhou, late at night, East 8th time zone.

Shang Ke and Li Da talked on the phone for a long time, and the more they talked, the more excited they became, and their thoughts were completely engaged.

“...While it’s entirely possible militarily, there’s nothing we can do. Military affairs are an extension of politics. The Ivan Rus’s monopoly over Europe is something the British can’t swallow. They’ve already broken ties, so it’s unlikely they’ll join forces,” Li said matter-of-factly.

Shang Ke pondered for a moment and said, "That's hard to say. Let's leave it at that. It's getting late, so I'll stop here for now. I'll go back to the capital another day and we can discuss it in detail then."

Although the Royal Navy was reduced to a pitiful few dilapidated ships in later generations, making it a laughing stock, it was still a formidable force in the 1940s.

7 aircraft carriers

| 16 battleships and battlecruisers (HMS Iron Duke was used only as a training ship)
14 heavy cruisers

| 20 light cruisers

| 158 destroyers

This does not include surface ships of the Royal Cannae Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.

The American military believed it was no match for the Royal Navy. According to the 'Red War Plan,' in the event of a full-scale war with the United Kingdom, the American Navy should operate conservatively, avoiding direct confrontation with the Royal Navy and only intercepting United Kingdom troop transports bound for Canada near the Americas…

So here's the problem: as we all know, the British are very cunning and have been scheming against others throughout history.

So, is it really possible that the Britons could reconcile with the Ivan Rus', with whom they have already broken ties? Or is it just that they are worrying unnecessarily?
After hanging up the phone, Shang Ke returned to his bedroom with this question in mind.

The bedside lamp was still on; his wife was already asleep.

Unable to fall asleep, Shang Ke hesitated for a moment, lit a cigarette, and went to the window, gazing at the bright moon that looked like a white jade plate.

(End of this chapter)