Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1153 The British Empire's Compromise

Inside the secret meeting room deep inside the Palace of Westminster, the air was so heavy that it almost froze.

Prime Minister Churchill sat at the head of the long table. His iconic cigar had gone out, but he was still biting it subconsciously. Around him sat the most core cabinet members of the English Empire.

"Everyone," Qiu Jian said in a deep voice, "I believe everyone has received the news from the Far East."

Foreign Secretary Eden nodded solemnly: "Yes, Prime Minister. Ambassador Chesterfield has sent a detailed report. Port City..."

"They were forced to sign the cession agreement," Qiu Jian took over the conversation with a hint of bitterness in his tone, "after we had ruled for a century."

Navy Minister Alexander could not help but slam the table and said: "This is a great shame! We should send a fleet immediately..."

"Then what?" Qiu Jian interrupted him, "What fleet to use? Now our main fleet is in the Atlantic to resist the submarines of the Bird Empire, and the Eastern Fleet has been crippled."

The conference room fell into deathly silence.

"Moreover," Qiu Jian continued, "according to Chesterfield's report, this Su Zhengyang is much more terrible than we imagined. He has transformed China in just a few years. Now the Far East..."

He paused, and glanced at everyone present: "This is no longer the Far East we are familiar with."

"But Prime Minister," interjected Colonial Secretary Cranbourne, "if we give in on the Port Town question, the other colonies ..."

"Do we have any choice?" Qiu Jian smiled bitterly. "The armored forces of the Bird Empire have advanced to the Polish Plain, and our colonies in Africa are also in danger. England now has no spare energy to deal with the crisis in the Far East."

He picked up the telegram on the table: "And according to intelligence, China is already preparing to take action against the Russian Far East. If we intervene at this time..."

"They will become the target of public criticism," Intelligence Minister Mason took over the conversation. "China is no longer the weak country that was at the mercy of others. They have a complete military-industrial system, a powerful intelligence network, and more importantly..."

"They have a terrible leader," Chujian said, expressing what everyone was thinking, "an opponent more dangerous than Hitler."

The conference room fell silent again.

"So, everyone," Qiu Jian relit his cigar, "we have no choice. In order to concentrate our forces to deal with the Byrd Empire, we must make concessions in the Far East."

There was deep helplessness in his voice: "This is not surrender, this is a strategic retreat. After we win the European battlefield..."

He didn't finish his words, but everyone understood what he meant. However, they also knew that by the time that day came, the situation in the Far East would have changed.

"Okay, everyone," Qiu Jian took a deep puff of his cigar, "Now that the decision has been made, we must handle this matter in a decent manner."

He turned to Foreign Secretary Eden and said, "Send a telegram to the embassy in China immediately and make diplomatic overtures to China. Remember, the wording must be appropriate to show our sincerity."

"Understood, Prime Minister," Eden wrote quickly. "I will draft the diplomatic note myself."

"Also," Churchill continued, "inform the editors of The Times and The Daily Telegraph. I want them to report this incident continuously starting tomorrow."

Press Secretary Brennan immediately understood: "You mean..."

"That's right," Qiu Jian nodded, "We need to package this as England voluntarily returning the port city for the sake of peace in the Far East and friendship between the two countries. Emphasize that this is a historic friendly gesture, not a forced concession."

"That would be more respectable," Brennan said. "I'll arrange that."

"The Colonial Office," Churchill turned to Cranbourne, "arrange an evacuation plan for the port city immediately. All British officials and troops must evacuate in an orderly manner in the shortest possible time. Remember, it must be an orderly evacuation. We must not let the outside world see that we are fleeing in panic."

"Understood, Prime Minister," Cranbourne replied, "I will communicate with the Governor of Hong Kong immediately. However, those British companies in Hong Kong..."

"Let them decide for themselves," Qiu Jian waved his hand. "Those who want to leave can be evacuated, and those who want to stay can stay. According to Chesterfield's report, China has no intention of commercial assets."

He paused: "Su Zhengyang knows very well that he needs these companies to maintain the prosperity of the port city."

"The Prime Minister is wise," Intelligence Minister Mason interrupted, "According to our analysis, China will most likely maintain the existing business system after taking over Hong Kong City. They need this financial center."

"So," Qiu Jian laughed bitterly, "this Su Zhengyang is much more terrifying than Hidler. He knows what to take and what not to touch."

He stood up and walked to the window. "After arranging all this, I will give a speech in Parliament. I will say that this is the beginning of a new era and that it is a wise move for the English Empire to actively adapt to the changing times."

"Want to package this shame as glory?" whispered Admiral Alexander.

"No," Qiu Jian turned around, his eyes firm, "This is to buy breathing time for the empire. After we win the European battlefield, everything will still have a chance."

But everyone present could hear the lack of confidence in these words. They all knew that when the Union Jack was lowered in Hong Kong, the era of the British Empire in the Far East had truly come to an end.

As the meeting was about to end, Eden suddenly remembered something: "Prime Minister, there is one more thing."

"Speak." Qiu Jian paused as he was about to leave.

"The Portuguese ambassador to the UK has just come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Aiden flipped open the notebook in his hand, "They want to know our attitude towards the Macau City issue. Obviously, they hope to get the support of England."

Hearing this, Qiu Jian suddenly sneered and sat back in his seat: "Support? Are they worthy of our support?"

"Portugal believes that if England can express support for them, perhaps..."

"Maybe what?" Qiu Jian interrupted Aiden, his voice full of sarcasm, "Make China give up? Make Su Zhengyang change his mind?"

He shook his head and relit a cigar. “Tell the Portuguese ambassador that if they think they have the strength to compete with China in the Far East, then go ahead and try.”

"Is it too..." Aiden hesitated.

"No," Qiu Jian blew out a puff of smoke, "Just tell them. Since even the British Empire had to give up Hong Kong City, why do they think they can hold on to Macau City?"

Mason added: "According to intelligence, China has completely controlled the city of Macau. Even if Portugal wants to resist, it has no chance."

"So," Qiu Jian's tone turned cold, "let them give up this idea. England has decided to give up Hong Kong City and has neither the energy nor the desire to take care of the affairs of Australia City."

He stood up and walked towards the door: "If they still don't give up, let them negotiate with Su Zhengyang themselves. Let them experience for themselves what the 'new era' is."

Watching the Prime Minister's departing back, Eden and other ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. They all understood the meaning of Churchill's words - in this ever-changing Far East, there was no place for small countries to stand.

It was just like that era, when England used its powerful ships and cannons to open the door to the Far East. But now, the roles were reversed.