Operation Sea Lion codename 'Spain' (3)

  In the Gibraltar area, the British Governor of Gibraltar and several local military officers gathered to discuss the recent appearance in the Gibraltar area of a large quantity of high denomination counterfeit Bank of England notes.

  The Governor of Gibraltar said: "Tell me, how is it that so many counterfeit pounds have appeared in our place? The locals all say that it's our people who are putting out the fake pounds?"

  Several local military officers in the UK looked at each other, with one air force officer saying: "We don't understand what's going on either. They say our soldiers are using fake currency outside, but we didn't know about this matter. And our soldiers often go to those places, how can we know if they use fake currency or not?"

  Another army officer said, "But when our soldiers receive their military pay, I'm sure they've never received such a large denomination of banknotes before, let alone use them to buy things. Is someone playing tricks on us?"

  The Governor of Gibraltar said: "Can you be certain that your soldiers have never used these large denomination notes?"

  Several British officers shook their heads and said in unison: "We dare not be certain."

  The air force officer who just spoke said: "I heard that the German Nazis printed a large number of counterfeit British pounds and then tried every means to send these counterfeit notes into our British mainland, wanting to create financial chaos. They were cracked down by our counter-espionage agency, but a batch of notes had already flowed into various parts of Britain. I wonder if it was the relatives of our soldiers who got the fake notes and didn't want to hand them in, so they brought these fake notes here and wanted our soldiers to help them spend them?"

  The Governor of Gibraltar said, "We don't want to get involved in the origin of this matter, our task is to suppress it and not let it cause greater panic. I will issue a notice to pacify the people in my jurisdiction, and please temporarily restrain your soldiers from leaving the camp, and release them after the incident has passed. Also, I will report this matter to my superior and see what he says."

  Several British officers, though dissatisfied with the governor's request to restrain their subordinates, could not find a better solution and had to agree to the method of the British Governor of Gibraltar. The several British officers turned around and left the British Governor's Mansion, got into their own cars and drove to their respective troops.

  In Madrid, Spain, a British delegation led by Godfrey, head of the British Naval Intelligence Division, and a German delegation led by the commander of the German High Seas Fleet (although neither man was present in their official capacity) met face-to-face in a negotiating hall arranged by the Spanish.

  Goffrey recognized Zhou Tianlei's German body, but before that, he had only seen the photos attached to the intelligence report. This was his first time seeing the real person, and he carefully observed this person he had been paying attention to for a long time. However, from Zhou Tianlei's face, he couldn't read any expression different from other Germans.

  Zhou Tianlei proactively extended his hand to shake hands with Geoffrey, the head of British naval intelligence. Geoffrey also stretched out his own hand, and Zhou Tianlei added a bit of force to his handshake. Seeing that his opponent was matching him, Zhou Tianlei smiled and secretly increased his grip as well. Geoffrey suddenly felt Zhou Tianlei's hand strength increase significantly. However, his hand remained warm yet powerful, with a hint of immense power hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. (After all, Zhou Tianlei was once an officer in the Chinese military, and although he was from the navy, his personal training was not weak.)

  Goffrey knew he couldn't win in an arm-wrestling match with the German officer in front of him, so he relaxed his hand. Zhou Tianlei saw that the other side had loosened their grip first, and he also let go of his strength. The two men looked at each other and smiled.

  After the two introduced their respective delegations, Zhou Tianlei took an interest in one of Goffrey's aides, feeling that his name sounded familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but not as any politician from later on. It seemed like a writer. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in his head and he remembered the aide's identity from his own era - a famous spy novelist.

  Zhou Tianlei, who had been a fan of the author since childhood, suddenly felt an urge to take out his notebook and ask for an autograph. However, as soon as he saw the other's fierce gaze, he immediately came back to his senses. He was not appearing as Zhou Tianlei now, but as Gottfried Prien, the chief German negotiator. He couldn't afford to be rude in this setting, as he and the British across from him were enemies. Perhaps after the war ended, he could make friends with these British people, but for now, that was impossible. Now, he represented Germany's interests, and also the interests of China, which he would eventually take on. Therefore, no matter what, this time he had to compete with the British.

  Both sides entered a very large negotiating room, and in the middle of the negotiating room, a long table had been set up early on. On the table, the small national flags of both countries were placed back to back. The two delegations sat down at their respective positions indicated by their national flags.

  After exchanging a few pleasantries, they began to discuss the normal topic. Zhou Tianlei's assistant handed over the draft prepared by the German side to Goffrey. Goffrey took out a pair of glasses from his pocket, carefully wiped them and put them on, and then he began to study the plan proposed by Germany in detail.

  When he had read halfway, his nose was already crooked with anger, but he had been trained in the art of concealment for a long time. Although his heart was turbulent, he would not reveal any expression on his face.

  He handed the file to his assistant, Ian Fleming, who had already turned red with rage after a few glances. The German document read:

  1. Germany agrees to unconditionally release a batch of British Expeditionary Force wounded soldiers screened by Germany back to the UK.

  2. The release of the remaining British Expeditionary Force officers and men will be determined by negotiations between Germany and Britain.

  3. The British Army and Navy personnel are not included in this negotiation and will have to wait until another suitable occasion to discuss their problems.

  The following is the specific condition put forward by the Germans:

  1. Britain is required to pay 50 pounds per day for the living expenses of British prisoners in Germany.

  2. Injured prisoners, in addition to the basic living expenses of 50 pounds per person per day, will also be charged medical care fees ranging from 200 pounds to 200,000 pounds depending on their injuries. The exact amount will be determined after the German Red Cross comes to take stock.

  3. Agreed that British prisoners of war have the right to correspondence, but Germany has the right to censor any letter or parcel from British prisoners of war.

  4. To allow the relatives of British prisoners to visit them, but they must notify the German authorities a month in advance so that the latter can examine whether such visits are permitted.

  5. If the competent German authorities discover that relatives of British prisoners of war in Germany are engaged in activities inconsistent with their status, they have the right to treat them according to German law.

  The damage costs of German warships, fuel consumption, machine maintenance fees and repair fees totaled 80 million pounds.

  7. The funeral expenses of German soldiers, medical expenses for the wounded, disability compensation and compensation to their families totaled ￡100 million.

  Ian Fleming's face grew redder and redder as he thought to himself: I didn't think the Germans would be so shameless, actually putting forward such conditions that left them all speechless. He slammed the document onto the table, just about to stand up and speak, when his superior, Godfrey, held him back.

  Zhou Tianlei wore a smile on his face, but his eyes were carefully watching the British man. When he saw Ian Fleming's expression changing constantly as he looked at the file, he thought to himself that this future great writer was still quite tender now. Whatever he was thinking showed completely on his face. When he saw Godfrey, although his body was slightly trembling as he looked at the file, but his face never revealed any expression, and Zhou knew that this was an old and cunning opponent.

  While Zhou Tianlei was carefully evaluating his opponent, Godfrey was also observing him closely (at this time the British were still unaware of Zhou Tianlei's appointment as commander of the German Ocean Fleet).

  Goffrey was also thinking in his heart, could this person be the one who created the new submarine? On him, only a professional military demeanor can be seen, but this man's city is also deep enough. From the moment he saw him for the first time, there was always a smile on his face like that of a diplomat, making you feel that this person is unfathomable.

  Before he could turn his thoughts around, he suddenly saw his assistant Ian Fleming throw the document on the table and prepare to stand up, so he quickly pulled Ian Fleming's hem, and Ian Fleming didn't get up.

  Governess nodded to Ian Fleming, who spoke up in German: "Herr Prien, I think some of your terms are a bit steep?"

  Mr. Gofer's smile still lingered on Zhou Tianlei's face: "Excuse me, Mr. Gofer, which of our conditions are difficult for you to accept?"

  "Ian Fleming said: 'All.'"

  "Then pray tell, Mr. Fleming," Zhou Tianlei raised his tone, "who won this war?"

  Ian Fleming was momentarily stunned, the British had lost this war. Not only did few of the expeditionary force return, but also the main force of the Royal Navy's home fleet and a considerable part of the Royal Air Force were lost.

  Zhou Tianlei thought to himself, when you first invaded our China, did you ever show any courtesy to us Chinese people? Two Opium Wars, the Eight-Nation Alliance, forcing our country to cede Hong Kong. Selling opium to us, making us wear the label of "Sick Man of East Asia". This time, if I don't make you pay dearly, my name will be written in reverse from now on.

  Zhou Tianlei sneered twice and said, "Alright then, let's add another one. We'll compensate for the loss of our country's 'Graf Spee' battleship. The specific amount will be based on the numbers we proposed in the document earlier. Forget it, since he didn't include it in the compensation list earlier, just give us an extra ￡10 million."

  Ian Fleming did not think that his few words would add 10 million pounds in compensation from the German side. He regretted wanting to bang his head.

  At this time, one of Zhou Tianlei's entourage walked in and handed a note to Zhou Tianlei. After carefully reading it, he handed the note to Luo Ge, then said to Gofei: "Respected Mr. Gofei, your time is not much anymore. Our glorious German army has already arrived at the suburbs of Paris and surrounded them. The French government has moved to Tours, and our ally Italy has also declared war on France. The fall of France is only a matter of time. I suggest we adjourn for a day and reconvene tomorrow."

  After Zhou Tianlei boarded with his delegation, Luo Ge approached him and said: "Boss, I really admire you. How did you know that the first batch of French warships transporting gold would be an aircraft carrier and two cruisers?"

  Zhou Tianlei did not answer Luo Ge's question, saying: "After returning, let me take a look at the detailed battle report. How these guys fought, it's good that they captured all the French people and seized the gold. Fortunately, the aircraft carrier was not sunk, otherwise I would have to explain to the Navy Command when I return."

  "Our marines have not been trained for a long time and this is their first real battle. They were not previously frontline army combat troops, they lack fighting experience, and it's easy to make mistakes in such a tense environment."

  Zhou Tianlei said: "I thought they were all well-trained, but now it seems there are still many problems. Luo Ge, remember that on the battlefield, the enemy will not show mercy just because you're a new recruit. On the contrary, they'll beat you to death. When we get back, we must strengthen the training of the Marine Corps."

  As Zhou Tianlei and his companions turned left at an intersection in the car they were riding in, a French Citroen that had been parked by the side of the road quietly followed them.