United Kingdom, London, Downing Street, Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Asquith's Office.
At this moment, Prime Minister Asquith, although still occupying the position of the head of government, appeared markedly older compared to before. He had originally planned to resign early, hoping to pass on the burdens of his office to another. However, others were no fools, and in such a critical moment, no one was willing to take over.
Indeed, the office of Prime Minister of the British Empire once wielded immense power. During the zenith of British global dominance, it was regarded as the most powerful position in the world. Yet now, the British Empire was teetering on the brink of collapse, and the role of Prime Minister had become nothing more than a hot potato. In such a precarious situation, it was no surprise that no one sought to assume the position.
Reluctantly, Asquith had no choice but to remain in office, continuing his tenure until the inevitable defeat of the British Empire. At least, in doing so, he could claim to have seen things through to the end.
The sole topic of this Cabinet meeting was how the British Empire could strike back against the current crisis. How could they possibly reverse the dire situation, regain an advantage, and perhaps even turn the tide in their favor?
Of course, the likelihood of this happening seemed slim. Yet this did not stop the leaders of the British Empire from striving towards this goal. Among them, the most resolute believer in a counteroffensive was undoubtedly Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
After the Royal Navy's catastrophic defeat, Churchill did not succumb to despair but instead traveled to America to present a highly audacious proposal to purchase warships. Initially, many members of the British Cabinet thought his plan fanciful. However, to their astonishment, Churchill succeeded in securing the deal. Although the cost was high, the acquisition of a fleet would once again grant the British Empire a fighting chance to reclaim victory.
Churchill remained in America, overseeing the secret transportation of British naval officers to the United States for training. He then covertly returned to Britain. His luck seemed to favor him, as he made numerous high-speed crossings between Britain and America aboard a destroyer, managing to avoid detection by the German naval forces. Had he been discovered, his bold ambitions would have sunk alongside him to the depths of the Atlantic.
Of course, had he been lost, the British Empire might have suffered fewer casualties in the war. After all, without Churchill, the hawkish faction might have been diminished, and the war might not have continued as it did.
But alas, there were no "what-ifs." Churchill was still alive and determined, so the war raged on.
"Prime Minister, we have already dispatched sufficient naval officers to America, and training has commenced. It is expected that, very soon, our officers will be proficient in the operation of the American warships. Admiral Martin is in charge of the training and the return of our fleet. According to the Navy's operational plan, we expect to complete preparations in no more than two weeks!" Churchill declared, his face alight with excitement.
The purchase of twelve battleships from the United States had significantly restored the Royal Navy's strength. Though it could not match its former glory, it was far stronger than it had been after their crushing defeat. Coupled with the main fleets of the French and Italian navies, they now had a fighting chance against the German fleet. If luck were on their side, a victory over the Germans might even be within reach. It was this belief that fueled Churchill's relentless drive.
Prime Minister Asquith nodded in approval. "Well done, Churchill. If the Royal Navy can defeat the Germans in the upcoming naval battles, you will be our greatest hero."
"Prime Minister, for the British Empire, I will fight until the very end!" Churchill replied resolutely.
"Gentlemen, the British Empire stands on the edge of disaster, and our enemies are formidable. But I firmly believe that the British Empire still has a chance to turn the tide. As long as we persevere, God will bless us, and we shall defeat the Germans," Asquith declared, rallying his Cabinet with renewed conviction.
"Yes, Prime Minister," the Cabinet ministers responded in unison. Yet whether they shared the same optimism was uncertain.
"Prime Minister, the main fleets of the French and Italian navies have secretly arrived in Britain. They are currently conducting joint training with our fleet. Once our fleet returns from America, we will be ready for the final showdown with the Germans. If we win, the entire course of the war will be changed. If we fail... the British Empire may well face its doom," Churchill said.
The Cabinet ministers could not help but feel a chill. While none wished to entertain such a possibility, they all understood that it was a very real threat. And, given the current situation, the chances of such an outcome seemed far from negligible. Unfortunately, there was little they could do but accept their fate passively.
"Sigh... If only the German internal rebellion could expand further," Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, sighed deeply.
"Indeed. Unfortunately, the German heir—no, I should say Emperor Wilhelm III—squashed the rebellion with lightning speed and even purged the House of Württemberg. His personal prestige in Germany has reached its zenith, and the entire nation is now under his iron control. His power now surpasses even that of his father, Kaiser Wilhelm II. I have to admit, under Wilhelm III's rule, the German Empire will undoubtedly grow even stronger," Churchill remarked.
This conversation was a heavy one for the British. The more powerful Germany became, the slimmer the chances of their own victory. For the British Empire, this was undeniably a grim prospect.
"Gentlemen, may God bless the British Empire. If we can triumph in the upcoming final battle, we still have hope," Prime Minister Asquith concluded solemnly.
"May God bless the British Empire!" the other ministers fervently echoed, praying for divine intervention to save their nation.