Chapter 225: The Second Glorious Revolution
At the critical point of the election, Chamberlain realized that he was slightly ahead of Churchill.
He sought advice from those around him, intending to find a way out for Britain after taking office.
But he would never have expected what was about to happen.
With King George VI's tacit approval, the Royal Infantry Division stationed in London was rotated out and replaced by the Third Infantry Division, which was led by radical officers.
At the same time, telephone lines were quietly cut.
The streets that had already been quiet became eerily silent.
Not far away, two infantry fighting vehicles drove down the road in the wrong direction under the guise of a preventative exercise.
The security forces stationed outside Downing Street saw the two vehicles approaching them.
Thinking that there had been a mistake, one of the guards stepped forward and asked, "Did you take a wrong turn? Why have I not received the telegram transferring Downing Street's security authority?"
No sooner had he spoken than the leading British officer stepped out of the vehicle and handed him a divisional document from the Third Infantry Division.
This only left the guard even more bewildered.
If the document was real, why had they not received an order from the Prime Minister?
Logically speaking, for a matter as significant as military deployment, they should have received an internal telegram at least a week in advance.
Instead, when security authority was about to be transferred, all they received was a document that completely violated normal regulations.
Just as he was about to call the security center, the officer suddenly leaned close to him.
At the same time, the Lewis machine guns mounted on the infantry fighting vehicles turned their dark muzzles toward his head.
The security guards immediately realized that something was wrong. They raised their rifles and asked sharply, "What do you want?"
Ignoring the muzzle almost pressed against his own head, the officer coldly announced, "We are taking over the security of Downing Street. This is a direct order we received."
His gaze swept over them.
"We are all colleagues in the Army. Do not make things difficult for us."
As soon as he finished speaking, several armored vehicles moved forward and blocked the intersection.
The security guards now fully understood that this was a coup.
Faced with such a blatant disparity in power, they still tried to struggle and refused to put down their weapons.
Only then did a Rolls-Royce stop steadily at the intersection.
Churchill stepped out of the car and declared loudly, "Move aside. I will not repeat myself."
His voice struck the street like a hammer.
"MI6 has obtained irrefutable evidence of Chamberlain's treason. The nobles who have been in close contact with him recently are very likely German spies."
"Your obstruction is obstruction against Britain, obstruction against judicial justice, and obstruction against Britain's future."
Seeing Churchill walk directly toward them while leaning on his cane, the security guards could only watch as he pushed aside their rifle muzzles and strode into the street.
The next moment, the slow-moving armored vehicles gradually advanced toward 10 Downing Street.
At that time, Chamberlain was also disturbed by the distinct sound of armored vehicles outside his window.
The teacup in his hand spilled, but he did not bother wiping the tea from his suit to maintain a gentleman's composure.
He picked up the telephone, intending to contact members of the Conservative Party and spread the news.
Only then did he realize that no matter how he turned the dial, all he heard was emptiness.
Then, a flurry of footsteps came from the spiral staircase.
The distinctive tapping of a cane already revealed the identity of the person coming, as well as the one who had organized all of this.
Chamberlain, realizing that Churchill had broken the rules, shook his head.
He sent his personal guards away, signaling them to leave with Sempill. Then he sat alone at the tea table by the window and brewed a fresh pot of tea.
After a while, the door was violently broken open.
Seeing the man who entered, Chamberlain's lips parted and closed.
A string of curses clearly wanted to burst out.
But in the end, he only shook his head and sighed.
"Churchill, you did not play by the rules."
His voice was calm, though his expression was tired.
"Be prepared to make sure everyone keeps this secret forever. If it gets out, it will become a lifelong disgrace for you."
Churchill understood that Chamberlain no longer had the power to resist.
He dismissed the officers, then slowly walked to the leather armchair opposite Chamberlain.
Looking at Big Ben, faintly visible beyond the window, he said, "I cannot allow you to lead Britain down the wrong path, Chamberlain."
"The situation in Europe has reached an irreversible point, yet you still believe Germany will forget the hatred of the Great War and exclude Britain from its reckoning."
"This is foolish and cowardly."
He leaned slightly forward.
"France cannot be lost. Britain must join the war."
Chamberlain took a deep breath, calming the tremor in his heart.
"So what?"
He looked at Churchill.
"Have you considered the outcome after victory? Or after defeat? Have you considered the future?"
"Even if we win, the world will no longer belong to us. Europe will no longer belong to us. The foundation accumulated during the Victorian era will be squandered."
"At that time, how will you face Soviet Russia?"
His voice grew lower.
"Have you considered that if we throw everything against Germany, completely cut off our retreat, and send our young men to the battlefield to fight Germans, allowing hatred to seep into the Germans' bones, then if they win, how will they treat Britain?"
He stared at Churchill.
"How will they treat the British people?"
Churchill replied without hesitation, "America will be our ally."
"If that day comes, America will not stand idly by."
"I do not have time to look so far into the future, Chamberlain. I focus only on the present."
His voice hardened.
"I only know that compromise means Europe will fall into Germany's hands, into the hands of a mad dog that once defeated us."
Chamberlain smiled faintly.
"You simply do not want to see the future, Churchill."
"You only want to prove that you were right. You want to vent your dissatisfaction after the Middle Eastern war through another war."
He paused.
"But…"
Seeking help from America was undoubtedly a worse move than negotiating peace.
If Britain negotiated peace, its status in Europe would plummet, and Germany would dominate the continent. But at least the British economy would not suffer immediate catastrophic damage, and the colonies might still remain under British jurisdiction through negotiation.
Going to war, however, would extinguish Britain's last glimmer of glory.
Even if Britain won, the true beneficiaries would be America or Soviet Russia.
But now that things had reached this point, Chamberlain no longer wanted to explain any further.
A loser's explanation before a victor was like a clown's monologue. It only made others want to laugh.
He swallowed the latter half of his words and whispered, "I will submit my resignation. I will announce my withdrawal from the prime ministerial election due to health reasons, and I will never step into politics again in this life."
He looked at Churchill.
"Churchill… I hope you are right."
Chamberlain took a sip of black tea, preserving the last shred of his dignity.
Just like that bloodless revolution of the past.
Churchill, who had already anticipated this outcome, nodded.
But he did not relax his guard.
Then, half-threateningly, he said, "I hear your sincerity, Mr. Chamberlain. But… please do not leave this house during this period."
Chamberlain nodded.
"Do not worry. I will not create trouble for myself."
Seeing Chamberlain turn his head and stare blankly at the falling snow outside the window, Churchill walked out of the room while leaning on his cane.
His aide immediately approached and asked, "Prime Minister, what should we… do?"
"Immediately organize a meeting of all senior military officials in London."
Churchill's voice was decisive.
"According to the plan we previously formulated, first send the first contingent of one hundred thousand Army soldiers across the English Channel to France."
"The Navy must enter full alert. Watch for every possible submarine and fleet threat."
"Conscription must be fully expanded starting now."
He continued without pause.
"Send telegrams to all colonies, demanding their active participation in the war against Germany."
After the aide finished noting down all these requirements, Churchill added, "Also, organize a speech."
His gaze turned toward the snowy street beyond Downing Street.
"I will declare Britain's position to the world."
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