Chapter 345: Soviet-Finnish War (12)
It was just dawning when the British Ambassador to Madrid, Samuel Hall, hurried to the residence of Deputy Head of State Salazar.
After waiting anxiously for a long time, Deputy Head of State Salazar, who looked sleepy, yawned and went down to the living room. "Your Excellency, Ambassador, I wonder what you are doing so early?"
Ambassador Samuel didn't waste any time and got straight to the point. "Sir Salazar, I heard that your country has sent troops to Finland?" News that the Soviet Union's first wave of attacks had been severely damaged also reached London, which made Churchill anxious. He was also waiting for the Soviet Union to declare war on Germany after settling Finland as soon as possible.
He originally thought that it was Germany that supported Finland, just to provoke the Soviet Union, but he did not expect that it was Spain.
He immediately contacted Ambassador Samuel and asked him to find a way to see if he could get Spain to withdraw its troops and not to get involved in this matter blindly.
"Your country is really well-informed." Salazar said calmly. "Yes, we have sent volunteers to help Finland. After all, it is everyone's responsibility to fight against that damn Red Empire, right? Mr. Ambassador, is it because your country also wants to contribute? Then you should go directly to Finland. , what are you looking for me for?”
Ambassador Samuel secretly said to himself that he wished Finland would be defeated today. But he could only smile awkwardly. "Sir Salazar, do you think you can withdraw your country's volunteer troops?"
"Oh?" Salazar stared at Ambassador Samuel meaningfully. "This is really interesting. No, I really don't understand what your ambassador means. Does it mean that your country and the Soviet Union have come together? This is really strange. Could it be that your country has also begun to believe in Bushilvik and wants to oppose capital? ism?”
Ambassador Samuel shook his head hastily. "Of course not. It's just...a little business." He took out a beautiful box and pushed it in front of Salazar. "Please do your best, Your Excellency."
"Business?" Salazar opened the box and took a look, raising his eyebrows slightly and showing a smile on his lips. "It seems like a very good business."
He was not polite, put away the box, frowned, thought for a long time before slowly speaking. "Mr. Ambassador must also know that the Soviet Union swallowed up a batch of our gold a few years ago. These shameless bears are still unwilling to return this batch of gold. Now we finally have this opportunity to teach them a lesson. How can we give up so easily. To It’s okay for us to withdraw our troops, but someone has to pay the price. Is it possible that your country has to foot the bill?”
A feeling of uneasiness flashed through Ambassador Samuel's heart. "At what cost?"
Salazar smiled. "Of course it's the 560 tons of gold. As long as you give us 560 tons of gold, the grievances between us and the Soviet Union will be wiped out. Of course we will not participate in this war. I wonder if your country can afford this gold?"
"560 tons of gold?!" Ambassador Samuel gasped. Are you kidding? How could they get 560 tons of gold? As far as he knew, the remaining gold in the British Empire's treasury was less than 2,000 tons. Churchill would have been crazy to agree to allocate one-third to Spain.
Ambassador Samuel looked troubled. "Sir Salazar, we cannot fulfill this request. Do you think we can discuss it further?"
Salazar shrugged. "Then there is nothing I can do to help you. But there is no need to worry, Ambassador. We are self-aware and know that we cannot defeat the giant bear. It will be a matter of time before Finland is defeated. Your country can just wait and see; why bother? It’ll be a while.”
After talking for a long time, there was no substantive result. Ambassador Samuel could only curse secretly and left.
And Finland on the other side.
Model anxiously walked back and forth in the empty command center yard, feeling extremely anxious.
Marshal Mannerheim's body has been taken for autopsy. If the Finns find out anything, they may have to be buried on the spot.
Suddenly there was a sound of slight footsteps behind him, and when he looked back, it was Sophia. "General, why are you so nervous?"
Model looked around to make sure there was no one else and asked in a low voice. "It was Marshal Mannerheim you assassinated?! Why?!"
Sophia said softly. "Sorry, General, you can ask His Highness this question. What I can say is that our targets are all enemies of the empire."
Enemies of the Empire? Of course, Model did not dare to question His Highness Yannick and could only sigh deeply. "Are you sure that the Finns won't find anything unusual? Are we still safe here?"
Sophia said confidently. "Don't worry, General. This is the latest drug developed by the empire. The Finns can't find anything abnormal at all. Marshal Mannerheim died of sudden myocardial infarction. General, you'd better put this matter to bed. Take it into the coffin! His Highness sent you because he trusts you. Don’t betray His Highness’s trust.” After saying that, Sophia turned and left.
Model secretly thought that he would not dare to say it even if he had a hundred courages.
After calming down, he was about to go back when he saw President Kayandre walking over. "Your Excellency General."
"Mr. President, I am very sorry. I did not expect that Marshal Mannerheim would pass away suddenly at such a time."
President Kayandre said with a sad look on his face. "Who says it's not the case? God has not blessed me, Finland. General, what do you think we should do?"
"Of course we will inherit Marshal Mannerheim's legacy and continue to resist the Soviet invaders."
"Of course, but Marshal Mannerheim has always been in charge of the overall situation before. Now that he is gone, I can't find a replacement for the moment."
Model's heart moved. "If you allow me, I can do it for you. Of course, I have no intention of seizing the command of your army. I am just offering my personal opinion as a military adviser. It is up to you to decide whether to adopt it or not."
President Kayander said with gratitude. "Thank you, General Model. I'll trouble you."
While speaking, the president's secretary hurried over. "Mr. President, there is news from the hospital."
"!!" Model's heart was about to rise to his throat, and he only heard the secretary continue. "Mr. Marshal Mannerheim died of a sudden myocardial infarction."
Model couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
President Kayander sighed deeply and looked at Model. "General Model, do you think the news of Marshal Mannerheim's death should be kept secret or announced to the entire army?" After all, the marshal died at the beginning of the war, which is likely to greatly undermine the morale of the army.
Model thought about it and spoke. "Mr. President, I think the whole army should be informed as soon as possible. After all, this kind of thing cannot be concealed. Failure to inform in time will only cause all kinds of rumors to fly around, and will make the army panic. When issuing the notice, we can emphasize that Marshal Mannerheim died of overwork in resisting the Soviet invasion, which can also inspire the army's fighting spirit."
Kayander nodded. "What the general said makes sense, then let's go back and discuss the next thing."
"Please." Just after taking two steps, something cold suddenly fell on his face. Model looked up at the sky. He didn't know when the dark clouds covered the entire sky, and large flakes of snow fell from the dim sky.