Iron Cross

"What? The Duke and Lady of Windsor ran away from the Bahamas?" Churchill was shocked when he heard this bolt from the blue. His hands shook and cigar ashes fell on his pants, but he didn't notice it. "When did this happen? "

"It's been a while, maybe 2-3 weeks."

"How did he escape? 2-3 weeks? What a joke!" Churchill was furious. "Where is the person responsible for taking care of him? Invite Director Menzies here, I want to ask him carefully."

In order to avoid interference from the pro-German Duke of Windsor, the British government arranged for him to serve as governor of the Bahamas, the northernmost island country in the West Indies, and also arranged for secret surveillance personnel.

"Our man is dead!" Menzies also received the intelligence, but the news he reported made Churchill even more worried, "Not 2-3 weeks, at least a month. I just received intelligence that someone saw him in Lisbon. haunt."

"Lisbon?" Churchill couldn't care less about pursuing the whole matter now. It was obvious that there were not many people in the Bahamas who could restrain the Duke of Windsor. If someone deliberately wanted to save this important figure, he could easily succeed. At that time, the communication conditions were so underdeveloped and the navigation conditions were also poor. Didn't Emperor Napoleon also return to Paris from Elba Island?

"What is he doing in Lisbon? Is he preparing to surrender to the Germans?" Churchill immediately thought of a possibility, "Is it through the Brazil-Portugal line?"

Although Menzies did not have any evidence, his intuition told him that this guess was correct. It is unknown whether Portugal itself or someone under the guise of Portugal did it. If it weren't for France's declaration of war on Britain and Churchill's decision to take preemptive measures to seize France's remaining colonies in the West Indies and French Guiana in South America, the news might have been blocked for even longer.

"What do they want to do? Do they want to get rid of me and the king?" Churchill was so furious that he almost went crazy. "This is betrayal, this is treason. Who is behind this? I will hang them one by one."

"I'm afraid...it's difficult." Menzies spoke with difficulty.

"Huh?" Churchill raised his head, with a cold light in his eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "Do you know something?"

"I don't know about this matter. I have not been involved except to track down possible traitors in high-level affairs on your orders. This is too sensitive."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Some people saw former Prime Minister Baldwin paying a visit to the king. It is unknown what he said specifically, but His Majesty's expression was very heavy..."

When he heard the word "Baldwin", Churchill knew that there was a big problem. Baldwin was a big figure in the Conservative Party. He had served as Prime Minister three times. His qualifications were much deeper than those of Chamberlain and the Earl of Halifax. He didn't believe it. Baldwin, who was already in his twilight years, would go to see the king if he had nothing to do. There must be a shocking conspiracy.

"Can you find a way to figure out the situation? This is very important to Great Britain." Churchill did not dare to act rashly and decided to open the gap first through the intelligence system.

"I suggest you go directly to pay a visit to His Majesty. It might be better." Menzies hesitated, "He might know something."

"I understand. I will go to see you tonight." Churchill nodded, then shook his head immediately, "No, the MPs will hold questions tonight, and I must attend..."

The phone rang suddenly, and the secretary answered the phone and said, "His Majesty asked someone to call. He has something to communicate with the Prime Minister. If it's convenient for you, can you come over now? It won't take you a long time."

"Now?" Churchill looked at the wall clock pointing to 5 o'clock, and said after hesitation: "Then prepare a car for me immediately. I will go right away. I have to be back before 6 o'clock. There will be a parliamentary question at 7 o'clock."

"I heard that the French are going to declare war on us?" After the meeting, King George VI asked worriedly, regardless of greetings.

"Yes! But there is nothing to worry about. General de Gaulle and the Free France will be with us. History will prove that the Pétain regime is just a mixture of a small group of traitors and careerists. They will eventually be hanged on the pillar of shame." " Churchill tried his best to comfort the other party, "I have issued an order to seize France's remaining colonies in the Western Hemisphere as soon as possible and make them loyal to Free France. I will give Paris some color. The United States said that it will dispatch its navy to cooperate with us. offensive."

"I heard that France is going to attack our colonies in Africa. In that case, can South Africa be able to defend it?"

"There is no problem at all. South Africa has 500,000 troops, several times more than the enemy, and there is continuous support from the United States. There is no problem at all."

"What about India?"

"The situation in India is worse, but our troops are strong. I have ordered General Slim to lead the troops south to stop the enemy. We just suffered a loss because we were caught off guard. We only need to adjust our strategies, strengthen our confidence, and replace generals with ability and courage. , we can still win the battle.”

"Winston, you are always so confident. When I hear words like this, I feel much better." George VI suddenly showed a deep sense of fatigue and said meaningfully, "If they are as confident as you It’s much easier to handle.”

"Them?" Churchill immediately asked, "Your Majesty, who are they?"

George VI did not speak directly, but asked: "Do you know the news about my brother, the Duke of Windsor?"

"I just heard that he left the Bahamas and went to Portugal? As the Governor of the Bahamas, he cannot leave his post without reason."

"This is not a matter of being absent without leave, Winston..." George VI said in a sad tone, "An old politician whom I respect very much brought some opinions about the Duke of Windsor. The situation is very bad. "

"What does he want to do?" Churchill asked nervously, "Is he going to surrender to the enemy?"

"It's not that bad." George VI shook his head. "I understand his character. No one can force him to bow his head. He is not an unscrupulous person, otherwise he would still be the king now."

It was widely spread that the Duke of Windsor "did not love the country but the beauty", and Churchill nodded involuntarily.

"This politician wants me and the government to move to Canada."

"What? They are crazy! Can the government still be called Great Britain if it leaves the British Isles?" Churchill thought for a moment and then said, "But I have no objection to the royal family going to Canada, where it is safer."

"This is not a simple migration." George VI said with a very sad expression and could not hide it at all. "They believe that for the fundamental interests of the people of Great Britain and to reduce the threat of this war to the British Empire, they hope that the royal family and The government goes to Canada, as for the mainland, as for the mainland..."

“How about local?”

"As for the mainland, we may need a new king who has the courage to sacrifice his personal reputation and interests." George VI burst into tears when he said this. "I told them that I would rather abdicate than divide Great Britain, but they told me that this is the best choice.”

"They put pressure on you? Used various means to force you?"

"No, they are begging me, hoping that I can think about the long-term interests of Britain. Winston, I really don't know that the situation has deteriorated to this point, let alone that the people live in such hardship..." George VI covered his face Weeping, "I am unwilling to run away, let alone surrender, but I cannot watch the people suffer. They told me that since this summer, the infant mortality rate has increased 14 times due to malnutrition. People are our foundation. The British Empire cannot have a future."

"What is their logic? To withdraw native nationals to Canada? Your Majesty, this is impossible."

"Those who are willing to go to Canada will be evacuated by the government by arranging flights and transportation. Those who are unwilling to go will continue to stay in the country. They hope that you will lead the government to Canada, and they will form a new government in the country and support the new king."

"Then they can pledge allegiance to Hitler?"

"I don't know what the follow-up arrangements will be."

"Is it a small group of careerists who are causing trouble?" Churchill was extremely annoyed. "I will let them know the consequences."

"It's not a small group, it's a lot of people. He showed me a joint signature document, which was densely packed with the names of members of Congress. I counted it, including at least 70% of the members, spanning the Conservative Party, Labor Party, Although the Liberal Party and independents all stated that they are personal opinions, I think it is not simple." George VI regained his mood and said calmly, "Today Congress will ask you about the French issue. If you refuse to accept it, it will be held next week or. Next month, there will be an impeachment case against the government. In addition, many members of Congress have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the transfer of shipyard workers.”

Churchill was deeply shocked by the 70% ratio. He realized that the hands behind this had successfully combined. Baldwin alone could not have such great energy. Now he was confused. The thought of the terrible prospect of "restoration" made him somewhat uneasy. What's worse is that judging from Menzies's words today, the intelligence agency should be aware of it. There are only two possibilities for this situation at present: first, Menzies himself has defected to the other party; second, The opponent's background was so powerful that even Menzies had to stay away from him.

"Can you give me full and comprehensive authorization?" Churchill made a gesture, and the implication was self-evident.

"No! Don't even think about it!" George VI flatly refused. "He is my brother. No matter what he wants to do, it is always for the good of this country. What's more, he told me the truth so frankly. I can't use this method." A dirty trick."

"Your Majesty..." Churchill stamped his feet anxiously.

"You can reconsider the relocation, but I don't allow you to take advantage of the Duke of Windsor. If you dare to touch him, I will abdicate tomorrow!" George VI's attitude was extremely firm. "This position belongs to him." It’s no big deal to give it back to him if he gives it to me, at least we can’t kill each other.”

After Churchill left, Queen Elizabeth came out of the inner hall and asked with concern and worry: "Will there be a civil war?"

"No! I will never let this happen!"