"Your Majesty, currently Atlantic Ocean has become a battle between Imperial Navy and United States. Although the Britain people are hiding in Canada, they are also rebuilding their navy. However, the Canada foundation is too poor and everything needs to be started from scratch. The Britain people want it. It is no longer possible to have a strong navy. At present, Imperial Navy Atlantic Fleet's home port is Scapa Flow, but we need a better base to fully utilize Atlantic Fleet's strength." Imperial Navy Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Vice Admiral Burdick reported.
Oscar nodded, although Scapa Flow is a good military port. However, the location is not very good. In other words, when Britain was used as the home port of Grand Fleet to intercept German Navy, Scapa Flow was very good.
Now, Atlantic Ocean has become a confrontation between German Navy and American Navy. If Atlantic Fleet uses Scapa Flow as its home port, this will be inappropriate for German Atlantic Fleet.
"Azores, the geographical location is indeed very good. Although the infrastructure is terrible, after a few years of construction, it can become a very good military port. However, Azores is in the hands of Portugal, which is their most important overseas archipelago. It is probably very difficult for them to hand over Azores to us." Oscar said.
In another time and space, Portugal people are two-faced. On the one hand, they were afraid that Germany would invade them, so they actively moved closer to Germany. Although he did not participate in the war, he is consistent with Germany in all aspects. But on the other hand, Portugal lent Azores to the British and American Allied Forces, allowing them to use Azores as a transit station to attack Germany. It is precisely because of this reason that the dictatorial government of Portugal was able to avoid being overthrown and continue to rule.
In this time and space, after the Portugal royal family was overthrown. Portugal people obviously adopt the same strategy. When British Empire was still the world hegemon, they maintained a very good relationship with the British Empire. However, when British Empire was defeated, lost its homeland, and retreated to Canada, the Portugal government actively repaired its relationship with Germany. However, Oscar believes that if Germany proposes to lease Azores, or asks the Portugal government to sell Azores to Germany, the Portugal government will definitely not agree.
Although Germany has strong military strength, with its strong military strength, Portugal can be crushed into dregs. However, Germany has just re-established the image of a peace-loving country. If Portugal is invaded rashly, the image that has been hard-earned will be completely ruined.
In addition, although Portugal is a small country, it has only a population of more than 6 million. However, Portugal has also been brilliant. At Age of Discovery, they were the first to get involved with Vanguard, and they have achieved a lot of success. However, Portugal began to decline after Britain and France also joined Age of Discovery. Especially after they became independent in Brazil, the colony of Americas, Portugal was completely reduced to a second-rate small country.
However, it is not that easy to conquer Portugal militarily. If Portugal was so easy to defeat, then Spain, who is also on Iberian Peninsula, would have conquered them long ago. After all, Spain is much more powerful than Portugal in terms of population and territory. Oscar does not hope that after German military invades Portugal, it will turn that place into a quagmire of war. After all, although German military is powerful, Portugal people will always resist. German military can't kill all Portugal people!
"Your Majesty, can we get Azores through leasing?" First Sea Lord Reinhard? Admiral Scheer said.
As the confrontation between Germany and United States becomes more and more intense, German Navy increasingly hopes to obtain a naval base in the eastern and central part of Atlantic Ocean. In that case, it will give them greater strategic depth and room for maneuver. In addition, Azores can not only build military ports, but also build airports and deploy aircraft. In this case, if United States wants to attack European continent, I am afraid that he must first find a way to remove the nail of Azores. Otherwise, they would have to worry about their future all the time.
Oscar thought for a while, then nodded. "It can be rented. However, the rent cannot be too high. If the Portugal government allows it, the lease period is best set to ninety-nine years! Of course, if Azores can be purchased at one time, that would be the best."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Reinhard? Admiral Scheer and Vice Admiral Burdick both nodded. However, they also know that it may be very difficult for Portugal to give up Azores.
"Wachth, it's up to you to visit Portugal and discuss this matter with the Portugal government! It would be best if they could sell Azores to us. If not, then rent it!" Oscar said.
"Yes, Your Majesty. However, if we want to buy Azores, how should we set the price? If we want to rent it, how should the rent be calculated?" Wachth asked.
"If you buy it at one time, the price should not exceed 500 million Mark. If you rent it, the price should be 10 million Mark per year!" Oscar said.
Although Germany is rich now, Germany's money does not come from strong winds. If German Navy can obtain Azores at the minimum cost, that would be the best. The one-time purchase price of 500 million Mark, or the annual rent of 10 million Mark, is also a big number for Portugal.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wachth nodded.
"Everyone, if we can obtain Azores from Portugal through peaceful means, that would be the best. However, if Portugal refuses our offer Therefore, we may need to use other methods to capture Azores. I hope Cabinet and the military can come up with a plan!" Oscar said.
Oscar In doing so, I also hope to be well prepared. Only in this way can Empire get what he wants.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Empire's military and political officials replied one after another.
On November 2, 1918, Germany Foreign Minister Wachth arrived at Lisbon for an official visit to Portugal.