Chapter 964 Black Cat (Part 2)

While staying in Berlin, Hoffmann gave Black Cat some advice: Since the wealthy class fled to Canada, it would be tantamount to treason. The relevant property could be confiscated by the country and then resold, and the funds could be used to quickly purchase food, medicine or other Daily necessities are distributed to ordinary people.

Edward VIII was shocked: "Wouldn't this become communism?"

"Your Majesty, communism confiscates all property owners indiscriminately, while state socialism treats property owners differently... Why do we only confiscate Jewish property? Because they have committed numerous crimes against the country. This is It is the only way to punish evil and promote good and reshape the country's image." Hoffman said with a smile, "If a noble only needs to be punished verbally for betraying the king, then he will always be shaken. Winston dares to imitate Karen. Will purges Parliament, then he must prepare to be Cromwell.”

Edward VIII gasped: He knew Cromwell's fate. During the Restoration, Cromwell's body, which had been dead for many years, was finally exhumed from the grave and his head was displayed to the public.

He murmured to himself: "Isn't this detrimental to reconciliation?"

"Reconciliation?" Ribbentrop shouted in a fuss, "They are the main culprits for Britain's decline to this point. If His Majesty hadn't come out to clean up the mess, the glorious name of Great Britain would be covered with dust - there have been colonies since ancient times. Independent, but I have never seen an independent colony dare to ride on the head of the sovereign state!”

Edward VIII nodded awkwardly: Of course the colony refers to the United States, but what can he do to the Americans now?

"Your Majesty, everything depends on man-made efforts. When an old road fails, a new road will naturally form..."

"You mean?"

"Napoleon III was an emperor who came to power through election. He relied on nothing except the name Napoleon. When Weimar Germany was not enough to restore the greatness and pride of Germany, the Third Reich was born..." Huo Fuman explicitly advised, "When the constitutional monarchy and the responsible cabinet cannot guarantee the long-term stability of the country and cannot be truly responsible for the country, the glory of the Windsor Dynasty awaits your majesty..."

"I..." Edward VIII was shocked. He understood what the head of state meant - to restore the rights of the royal family as much as possible, and even if he could not be a dictatorship, he should still be able to interfere in politics.

"Your Majesty," Ribbentrop advised, "in my opinion, Mr. Oswald Mosley (leader of the British Fascist Party) is much more patriotic than those ministers. They choose sides for the country out of personal interests. , and he is choosing his own position for the country. It is clear at a glance who is higher and who is lower. Of course, everything is considered in the long term. We hope that you will rule a friendly, united, strong and energetic Britain."

After repeated explanations and persuasion by Hoffmann and Ribbentrop, Edward VIII immediately understood that this was a good opportunity to consolidate the foundation of his regime: these real estate properties must be auctioned at a low price under the current circumstances, and they are affordable and capable. Those who can only pick up the bargains are the property owners and capitalists in the country - this will win over the upper class to serve Edward; the money obtained will be used to purchase necessary livelihood supplies and be distributed according to the head of the population - this will win over the lower class to be loyal to Edward.

As long as he grasps these two, the cabinet will not pose a threat to him.

Edward reacted quickly and changed his itinerary, delaying his return to China, but spread the news and used the news to test the changes in the domestic political situation and the feelings of the people. So while he was still abroad, news and measures were sent to the country one by one.

Attlee originally wanted to control him and treat him as a puppet, but after the orders and measures were issued one by one, the voice of the royal power even overwhelmed the authority of the cabinet. The news of welcoming back the king had just been released, and they had not discussed it in detail with Edward VIII, so they could not stop his voice at all.

In the early morning of July 2, Edward VIII and his family arrived in London after nine days in continental Europe. Attlee and other government officials went to greet them, and the pier was crowded with people. The black cat calmed down and delivered a unique speech:

"Eight years ago, you thought that I did not conform to the traditions and religion of this country and that I should not be the king. I obeyed and backed down and announced my abdication;

Eight years later, when the country was devastated and desperate, you thought of me again and hoped that I would come back as king. I obeyed once again and announced that I would take over...

Henceforth, if you think that I am no longer fit to be king, I will withdraw again and give the crown to whomever you think is suitable;

I always believe that whether I am the king or not, whether I have this title or not, will not change my sincere heart, nor will it change my longing for Great Britain in my blood. I am willing to dedicate everything I have to this country!

But what I want to remind you today is that after this king went through all these storms, he still did not give up on his beloved wife. If a king doesn't even love his closest and closest wife, how can you expect him to love 45 million ordinary British subjects? If a king can give up his wife to get the crown, he will also give up more things in the future to get the crown; would you rather have a king who shares the joys and sorrows with you and go through the national crisis together, or would you rather have a king who is held hostage by his ministers, The king who begs for mercy and verbally resists across the Atlantic? "

All the senior executives were stunned. This tone was inconsistent with the tone they had been in contact with before - the black cat finally showed his claws?

But the people's cries came in droves: "Long live your Majesty!"

"I had a meeting with Head of State Hitler, and he proposed that if we are willing to hand over the current several capital ships to Germany as soon as possible, he will release the prisoners we hold in the prisoner of war camps as soon as possible so that their relatives can be reunited as soon as possible; he is willing to Lift the blockade of Great Britain gradually, allow us to obtain enough food, medicine, energy and other daily necessities, and be willing to provide humanitarian assistance within our capabilities... Do you think that living people or cold warships are more important? Is it the fight for illusory hegemony? Is it more important, or is it more important to maintain people’s lives? Are you willing to use these warships in exchange for your relatives to return home as soon as possible?”

The crowd responded in unison: "We do, Your Majesty!"

Skorzeny, who was following the black cat, grinned involuntarily: This scene was so damn like a speech by the head of state, except that the head of state used "iron and blood" and "the glory of Germany" as his rallying cry. Make a call to the people with your belly.

"Finally, let me tell you some good news. The Agricultural Associations of Britain, France and Italy learned that we were facing difficulties in life and sent a batch of biscuits and canned beef to me before I left. I don't want to keep it to myself or turn them into the hands of profiteers. I am willing to distribute the hoarded goods on the spot today, one for everyone here today - give priority to the elderly, women and children, no crowding, no queue cutting, no noise, let everyone see the strength and gentlemanliness of Great Britain united, Can you do it?"

"Your Majesty, we can!" As soon as they heard about the food distribution, there was an overwhelming voice on the pier.

The soldiers who maintained law and order spontaneously became personnel who maintained order. The crew took out boxes of brand new cans and biscuits from the cabin and began to distribute them.

"Ma'am, this is yours..."

"Thank you." When she said this, she only felt a itchiness in her throat. The whole family had not eaten canned beef for more than two years...

"Baby, don't worry, your cans and biscuits are here."

"Wow, that's great, long live Your Majesty!" The child who got it ran home quickly, ready to tell more people the good news.

Looking at the surging but still orderly team on the pier, Edward VIII said to Attlee and several senior officials: "Seeing the scene today, do you still object to me confiscating the assets of the rebels for the benefit of the people?"

"Your Majesty, we..." Attlee and Aiden looked at each other, speechless.

Edward VIII's proposal obviously broke the tacit understanding of the separation of noble families in "one Britain, each country" and was likely to cause new turmoil. However, the government was now heavily in debt. If it did not develop financial resources, it would be unable to import daily necessities from abroad. In the past, the pound was a symbol of wealth, but now no country is willing to accept pounds anymore. It either accepts marks or gold and silver - neither of which the British government can provide.

"I know what you are worried about, but you must know that all seats are elected by the people one vote at a time. If you want to break with the past, something must change."

The newspaper on July 3 reported the news neatly and commented: "Your Majesty has brought food, peace, and hope..."

On the same day, British officials held a grand state funeral for Marshal Pound.

Edward VIII personally laid care for the coffin of the old marshal, praising him as "a symbol of the spirit of the Royal Navy" and angrily denounced the Americans: "When General Montgomery died in North Africa, the heads of state of Germany and Italy, who were still enemies at the time, both Attended his mourning ceremony and bowed to see him off. After General Cunningham was martyred, Hitler also issued a statement praising him as a 'symbol of the Royal Navy', which fully reflected the chivalry of the American soldier. Marshal Pound, apart from saying a few words of "deep regret", the Americans did not even apologize, let alone send important people to attend. I can't help but wonder, who are our friends so far in the war? ? Who is our enemy?"

The Times published this sentiment in its entirety, and Attlee felt that something was wrong, but could not say anything.

Looking at everything reported in the newspaper, Ribbentrop flattered Hoffmann: "Führer, you have successfully muddied the waters."

Hoffman smiled slightly: "We will start releasing 50,000 British prisoners tomorrow, and we will send back the officers and soldiers who are in the best condition, the fairest, fattest, and the fattest."

"You want?"

"On the one hand, they are defending and fighting with an hungry stomach, and on the other hand, they are living in prisoner camps with no worries about food and clothing. What do you think of the contrasting impact?" Hoffman said with a smile, "Will the British still want to fight in the future? See me. Isn’t the army surrendering to the wind?”