Chapter 262: Two Suns Soaring in the Sky
The success of Britain's initial offensive held enormous significance.
Desperate for anything that could be called progress, the British government seized the frontline reports, reports that could hardly be counted as true victories, and publicized them heavily across the country.
The next day was January 25th.
America began fulfilling its promise.
White House Chief of Staff Joe Naya first held a press conference in Washington to test public opinion.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in view of the complex situation in Europe, I hereby announce on behalf of President Roosevelt, who is currently unwell, that America finds it necessary to readjust its strategy toward Germany."
"Tomorrow, we will release a draft of the Foreign Trade Export Restriction Agreement."
"This is to maintain the balance of Europe."
The moment he finished speaking, the audience erupted.
A crowd of reporters raised their hands, all wanting to ask questions, but Joe Naya selectively ignored them.
"Mr. Chief of Staff, is this the consensus of the government?"
"Mr. Chief of Staff, how do you view the fact that Germany is one of our nation's top trading partners? And how do you view America's position as one of the main beneficiaries of the war?"
"Mr. Chief of Staff, does the emergence of Germany's strategic weapons mean that the Atlantic Ocean is no longer America's natural barrier?"
"Mr. Chief of Staff, some people say you accepted black money from the British. Is that true?"
Seeing Joe Naya repeatedly evade their questions, the reporters laughed, hoping to see him embarrassed.
But Joe Naya merely lowered the microphone and said indifferently, "I apologize. There is no time for reporter questions today."
Inside a private sanatorium, Roosevelt threw one condemnation letter after another into the trash.
The greater the resistance, the more it exposed the problems within America.
And at present, America's greatest problem was this group of easily manipulated newspapers.
These media outlets were like amplifiers for garbage.
They could turn good things bad, and bad things extreme.
Although Roosevelt had shut down more than a thousand newspapers in 1935, it now seemed that the purge had still not been thorough enough.
To ensure the sanctions bill passed, it would be best to make an example of another major media outlet.
Thinking of this, the image of [American Forward] surfaced in Roosevelt's mind.
The sanctions against Germany were a challenge.
But they were also an opportunity.
An opportunity to sweep away the extreme isolationists.
"Didn't the Federal Bureau of Investigation say that several Progress Party reporters were once found secretly traveling to Germany?"
Roosevelt's voice was calm.
"Follow that lead and investigate further."
"During this special period, I do not need a dissenting media outlet."
"Mr. President, should the New York speech on the 30th be postponed?"
His staff member asked.
Roosevelt shook his head.
"Proceed as planned."
"We must strike first and show these media outlets who truly holds power in America."
"Only then will they obediently report news that aligns with American interests."
The next day, although there were still many opposing voices within both parties, Roosevelt relied on his achievements in stabilizing the economy during his previous term, as well as the small portion of Republican political legacy left by Theodore Roosevelt to the younger Roosevelt.
Because of those factors, many conservative isolationists were still willing to support Roosevelt this one time out of sentiment.
The Supreme Court was also willing to exchange passage of the two bills for Roosevelt's concession on the number of Supreme Court nominations.
This was a favor given to Roosevelt.
And just like that, by a margin of two votes, Roosevelt's [Trade Sanctions Against Germany Act] and [Aid Agreement with Britain] were passed.
The impact on Germany was enormous.
Many politicians in the Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Resources became frantic.
In their eyes, America had always been the most stable supplier of materials. Now that the most stable supply line had been cut off, how the massive war machine would continue to operate, and how domestic resource shortages would be managed, had all become unknown variables.
And this was not the only bad news.
Japan simultaneously announced its support for the legitimacy of Britain's offensive.
The dual pressure of diplomacy and resources, however, seemed irrelevant to Jörg.
At this time, he had already tentatively settled an arms trade agreement with guests from the East.
He was currently riding a horse with the young Günther, chatting about the latter's various battlefield experiences over the past year.
"You have no idea. Those Frenchmen…"
Günther, who was speaking excitedly, was interrupted by Heinz Guderian, who had just finished reading a frontline report.
After receiving a knowing look from his father, the perceptive Günther bowed and excused himself.
"Let us talk next time, Uncle Jörg."
With that, he rode away.
The smile on Jörg's face slowly disappeared.
He listened intently to the report Heinz Guderian delivered.
"On the Spanish front, Manstein is leading the First and Second Western Front Armies toward Portugal."
"The Spanish cannot withstand the attack from the British Expeditionary Force in Portugal. According to their reports, they have fully withdrawn from Portuguese territory."
"They have begun concentrating on defending the tungsten mining areas."
"Based on frontline reconnaissance, the British offensive posture is very clear. They are launching fierce attacks toward every major tungsten mining area."
Heinz Guderian paused briefly before continuing.
"Also, Commander in Chief, in the direction of Oman, our submarine fleet has detected that Britain is continuously increasing its troops."
"We notified Saudi Arabia immediately after receiving this news."
"Jordan has suffered port attacks."
"Britain likely does not want us to utilize the Mediterranean route. They are trying to delay our defensive and offensive posture as much as possible, prolonging the war long enough to bomb our major mining areas and oil wells."
After listening to every word, Jörg's lips curved slightly.
There was a trace of indifference in his expression.
"A blockade relying on naval superiority that will not last long?"
"Churchill truly is an excellent inheritor of Great War tactics."
Then his tone turned colder.
"But the Germany of today is no longer the Germany of the past."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has secured military transit rights through Turkey."
"Order Bock to move the Army from Bulgaria toward the Middle East."
Heinz Guderian nodded.
He had originally intended to end the conversation and refrain from asking further questions, but in the end, he still could not help speaking.
"Commander in Chief, regarding America…"
"Leave that to Heydrich."
Jörg's answer was calm.
"I have a secret meeting concerning several major American companies in two hours."
"Rest assured, Heinz Guderian. America will not become our enemy."
"The friendship between Germany and America will last at least two more years."
He straightened the reins.
"Just like the friendship between Mr. Dawes and me."
The slight curve at the corner of Jörg's lips remained visible.
January 28, 1937.
Hoover, having received federal authorization, did not immediately strike to kill against [American Forward].
Merson had provided him with a large amount of political donations early in his tenure.
Thus, Hoover, after receiving the order to investigate and temporarily seal the newspaper, even notified Merson in advance.
And it was precisely this network, expanded through money, that became the Spear of Odin destined to tear apart America's fate.
Merson did not wait for authorization from Berlin.
Almost simultaneously with receiving Hoover's secret letter, he granted permission to execute the Isolated Island Plan.
New York.
Inside a private warehouse in Brooklyn used for storing miscellaneous goods, Wick handed a packaged piece of candy to a Mexican man with a full beard and a cowboy hat.
The man's appearance was unremarkable.
"I have arranged your family."
Wick's voice was low.
"They have already sailed to Paris. It is very safe there."
"In Paris, your son will receive the best education, and your wife will own her own restaurant."
"Secret subsidies will be provided until they die of old age."
"When America declares war on Mexico, Germany will provide everything your country needs for revenge."
Charles Lauris, who spoke fluent English, examined the candy in his hand.
His eyes carried a heavy sense of death.
"What is this?"
"It does not matter, Lauris."
Wick's tone remained steady.
"You only need to remember one thing."
"Aim at the target and fire."
"Then swallow the candy before the police catch you."
Wick put on his black felt hat, left behind a suit and identification papers, then pulled open the rolling door.
Lauris played with the candy in his hand.
Looking at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky, he pulled down the brim of his hat and muttered, "It is almost February, and the snow in New York is getting heavier."