Early the next morning, United States Secretary of State Bryan and Secretary of the Navy Daniels met with Churchill again. Churchill looked terrible, with messy hair and red eyes, as if he didn't sleep at all last night.
"Your Excellency, did you have a good rest last night?" Bryan asked with concern.
"Sir Secretary of State, how can I sleep until I get your reply! The current situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable to the British Empire. If we cannot purchase a warship from your country as soon as possible, the situation will further deteriorate." Churchill looked anxious.
"Your Excellency, Minister, I would like to congratulate you now. I have brought you good news. Your Excellency the President has agreed in principle to sell our Capital Ships currently in service to your country." Bryan said.
"What? Is this true? This is really great!" Churchill suddenly looked ecstatic. Although, he has always believed that Americans is unlikely to refuse their request. However, Americans agreed overnight, which still made him very happy. If the handover of the warships on Americans's side goes smoothly, then, a month later, they can once again organize a huge fleet to fight a decisive battle with German Navy. At that time, it is still unclear who will win.
"Yes, Your Excellency, we can sell these Capital Ships to your country. However, given that these Capital Ships are an important force of American Navy, after being sold to your country, our naval strength will directly drop to the lowest point. Therefore, these Capital Ships The cost of E is not cheap. In addition, your country should also need a batch of Armored Cruiser, Light Cruiser and destroyers! Republic of America can also be sold to your country." Bryan continued.
Churchill nodded. He knew that Americans would not miss such a good opportunity. If he wanted to bring those twelve Battleship back to Britain, he would have to be prepared for heavy bleeding.
"Your Excellency Secretary of State, in addition to the 12 Capital Ships, we also need to purchase 6 Armored Cruiser, 20 Light Cruiser and 50 destroyers from your country." Churchill said.
"Well, that would be perfect. Let Minister Daniels discuss the specific price with you!" After Secretary of State Bryan finished speaking, he immediately fell silent.
Churchill looked at United States Secretary of the Navy Daniels.
"Your Excellency, after deliberation, we believe that the price of each Battleship is 80 million US dollars, the price of each Armored Cruiser is 40 million US dollars, the price of Light Cruiser is 20 million US dollars, and the price of each destroyer is 5 million US dollars." Minister Daniels said a series of prices.
Churchill couldn't help but widen his eyes after hearing these prices. He had already expected that Americans would be so open-minded, but he did not expect that the price they gave would be so outrageous. You know, the exchange rate between the US dollar and Pounds Sterling is five to one. In other words, a Battleship worth 80 million US dollars is equivalent to 16 million Pounds Sterling. This price is definitely a sky-high price. You know, even if it is British Navy's 'Queen Elizabeth-class' Battleship, the cost of each ship is only two million Pounds Sterling. Americans directly gave a quotation eight times that of 'Queen Elizabeth-class' Battleship. This is simply treating Britain as a fat sheep to be slaughtered!
"Mr. Minister, did I hear you correctly? The prices proposed by your country are too outrageous, right?" Churchill said.
"No, Your Excellency, this price is not outrageous at all. After all, United States of America is taking a very big risk by selling these Capital Ships to your country. If Germany people declare war on us, it will be troublesome. Therefore, we need to make preparations early." Minister Daniels said.
"Germany people will never declare war on you because you sell warships to us!" Churchill said.
"It's impossible to tell." Minister Daniels refused to give in.
"Okay, Mr. Minister. This price is too high, British Empire cannot accept it." Churchill said.
"Your Excellency, Minister, if this price is unacceptable to your country, then we can only express our regrets." Bryan said.
Obviously, Americans is now convinced that the Britain people have no other choice but to buy battleships from them. Therefore, they don't have to worry about Britain people not buying it. In that case, their plan to counterattack the Germany people will only be aborted. In this war, the Britain people will never have a chance to make a comeback.
"Your Excellency Secretary of State, your country sells warships to us, which is of huge benefit to both of us. If your country's asking price is too high and we are unable to purchase these warships, it will only allow the Germany people to take advantage in the end." Churchill said.
"Your Excellency, Minister, this has nothing to do with us. United States is a neutral country, and Germany cannot go to war with us. Even if they have such an intention, they do not have the ability. Republic of America can defeat all threats." Minister Daniels said.
Churchill was very speechless. Americans was clearly determined to defeat them, so he wanted to take advantage of them. He had the intention to refuse, but he knew that if he refused Americans, everything would be over.
After thinking about it for a while, Churchill knew that there was no other way and could only swallow this breath. He swore that after Britain got through this crisis, he would definitely make Americans look good.
Of course, this does not mean that Churchill will directly agree with the price offered by United States. This is just like doing business, and bargaining is also required.
When Churchill and Daniels were bargaining, they started to compete on price just like vendors in the vegetable market. However, Britain is really at a disadvantage. Even if Churchill tried its best, it could not keep the price down. After Daniels made concessions to the final bottom line, that is, the price of Battleship was 50 million U. S. dollars, the price of Armored Cruiser was 20 million U. S. dollars, the price of Light Cruiser was 10 million U. S. dollars, and the price of the destroyer was 3 million U. S. dollars, it refused to give in any more.
Seeing this situation, Churchill had no choice but to accept the price. After all, if you don't accept it, the deal will fall apart.
When Churchill nodded, there was a hint of surprise in the eyes of Bryan and Daniels. Even if United States's economic situation is very good, the funds obtained from selling these warships will undoubtedly be a huge sum of money for them!
According to the price they reached, the Britain people will pay 1.07 Billion Dollars for purchasing twelve Battleship, 6 Armored Cruiser, 20 Light Cruiser and destroyers, which is equivalent to 214 million Pounds Sterling and 5.35 billion Mark!