"Mr. Hopkins, are you crazy? Actually trying to cooperate with Soviet Russia? Don't you know that Soviet Russia is the great enemy of the entire capitalist world? They want to liberate the world. Secretary of State Kirdell Hall looked stunned.

Other senior officials of the U.S. government also looked at Hopkins in surprise. In this era, Soviet Russia was a completely mysterious and terrifying place. Their threat to the entire capitalist world is undoubtedly very terrifying, and many capitalists are terrified and unable to sleep at night. If they dare to cooperate with Soviet Russia, then those capitalists must let them get out of their current position. After all, almost all the power in the United States is in the hands of those capitalists.

"Gentlemen, although Soviet Russia is very alarming. However, at this stage, they are a valuable partner for us. The second industrial five-year plan of Soviet Russia has been completed, and the third five-year plan has already begun. Today, Soviet Russia has developed into a powerful country second only to the Chinese Empire and ours in terms of industry. Hopkins said.

"It's a pity that the industry of the Russians is only in quantity. In terms of high technology, they don't have any strength at all, and even many high-precision machine tools need to be purchased from us. Henry Morgenthau Jr. said disdainfully, completely disdainful of the Soviet Russia's kind of industry that won by shoddy production.

"Yes, Mr. Morgenthau, the industry of Soviet Russia is indeed very flawed. But if we can support them, this problem can be easily solved. There should still be no problems with the industry of Soviet Russia, the production of weapons and equipment. Let's not forget, Soviet Russia has a population of 140 million or more, much more than the population of the United States. If they mobilized with all their might, there would be no problem in mobilizing 10 million troops to fight. Of course, if you want to arm 10 million people, it will be a bit difficult for Soviet Russia. However, this is the powerful war potential of Soviet Russia. Soviet Russia was a great enemy of the Chinese Empire, and they never thought about defeating the Chinese Empire and recovering the territories occupied by the Chinese Empire. The relationship between Soviet Russia and the Germans was also very bad, and Germany's continuous eastward expansion had aroused the vigilance of Soviet Russia. It can be said that Soviet Russia, which was sandwiched between the Chinese Empire and Germany, was already very dangerous. If we can support them, then they will be able to feel our kindness. At that time, if the Russians can completely deal with the Chinese, even if they cannot defeat the Chinese, at least they will be able to contain a large part of the Chinese's forces. This is undoubtedly very beneficial for us. Hopkins continued. In his opinion, the so-called ******** dispute is completely incomparable with national interests. As long as they can defeat their enemies, even if they cooperate with the devil, they are perfectly fine.

President Roosevelt frowned and remained silent. He was also weighing whether he should cooperate with Soviet Russia.

"Gentlemen, what is the opinion of all of you?" President Roosevelt asked. Although, he had already come to a conclusion in his heart. However, he also had to ask other people's opinions first. The United States is a democracy, and it is not a case where he, the president, can decide everything.

"Your Excellency the President, will our cooperation with the Russians provoke a backlash from the entire capitalist world. In that case, it is very bad for us. Secretary of State Kirdell Hall said.

"Your Excellency, I have the opposite view with you. If war broke out and the Western democratic world was threatened by the Chinese Empire and Germany, Soviet Russia would become the savior of the entire Western world. When the time comes, everyone will be grateful to Soviet Russia, and not afraid of it. Even after the war, Soviet Russia will not be able to lose its tail. However, the Western world is much stronger, and it is not a problem at all to deal with Soviet Russia. Hopkins said.

"If we rely only on England and France, can't we defeat them?" Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. asked. As a member of a big capitalist family, he is very disgusted with Soviet Russia from the bottom of his heart.

"Mr. Morgenthau, the strength of Britain and France is much weaker than in the last world war. This can be seen from their constant concessions to the Germans. In addition, the British and French were counting on satisfying the expansion needs of the Germans. The Germans will attack Soviet Russia, they are simply whimsical. I can conclude that when the Germans' needs for expansion are satisfied, they will do something that Britain and France will regret. Hopkins said.

"In the event of war, will Britain and France be able to defeat Germany?" President Roosevelt asked.

"Your Excellency, the British Navy will be able to suppress the German Navy. Although the British Navy had suffered heavy losses before, now their strength has almost recovered. Various advanced warships have been put into service, which has greatly improved the strength of the British Navy. On the other hand, the German navy, after the First World War, their navy was no longer what it was. Despite the fact that the Germans had great submarines, they were at most causing some trouble for the British. It is simply impossible to defeat Britain with this. Therefore, it is very likely that Germany's maritime trade routes will be cut off by the British, as in the previous war. Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson said.

"The French Army claims to be the first in Europe, which is certainly a bit watery. However, the standing force of the army is now in the millions. In the event of war, they could mobilize three million troops. In addition, the French had built a strong Maginot Line on the Franco-German border, and if the Germans dared to attack on their own initiative, they would have bled their heads into each other. Once Germany's maritime trade routes are cut off, it is very likely that this war will turn into the previous war, in which Britain and France rely on their abundant resources to drag Germany to death. The Secretary of War, Harry H. Woodlin, was also very sure.

Roosevelt nodded, seeming to agree with them.

"Your Excellency, I have a little disagreement. That is, Britain and France were also threatened by the Chinese Empire. If nothing else, once war broke out, the Chinese Empire would certainly take the opportunity to attack the overseas colonies of Britain and France. After losing their overseas colonies, will Britain and France be able to resist it? In addition, the blockade of Germany was not guaranteed to succeed. If the Chinese Empire had attacked westward, reached the Mediterranean coast, or even taken control of the Suez Canal, they would have been able to continue to provide all kinds of support to Germany. The Kingdom of Iraq, a vassal state of the Chinese, is not far from the Suez Canal. With the combat strength of the Chinese army, it is completely possible to launch an attack on the Suez Canal across the Arabian Peninsula. Hopkins said.

Admiralty Admiralty Claude A. Swanson and War Secretary Harry H. Woodlin both nodded their heads without considering the influence of the Chinese Empire. If the variable of the Chinese Empire is counted, it will indeed be very difficult for Britain and France to defeat Germany.

"Gentlemen, then, if we want to win the next war, it will be difficult." Roosevelt said.

"Yes, Your Excellency. Therefore, we must unite all the forces that can be united, and do our best to defeat the enemy. Only then will we have the slightest chance of winning. Otherwise, it will be absolutely difficult for us to win. Once defeated in future wars. Well, the outlook for the United States will be bleak. The Chinese will never give us a chance to develop again. Hopkins said with a serious face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I couldn't agree more with Mr. Hopkins. Although, Soviet Russia was an evil country. However, in order for the United States to win the war and defeat the Chinese Empire, it is entirely possible for us to have limited cooperation with Soviet Russia. Roosevelt said.

Other senior U.S. government officials have also stopped insisting. Through their previous analysis, they already know how difficult it will be for the United States to win in future wars. Compared to Soviet Russia, being defeated in the war obviously made them more afraid. Therefore, if they had to choose between the two, they would rather choose to cooperate with Soviet Russia.

"Well, since there is no objection from everyone, then we can discuss the situation. I plan to send a special envoy on a secret visit to Europe to make contacts with Britain, France, and Soviet Russia. Find a way to unite several of our countries to deal with the Chinese Empire and Germany. So that in future wars, we can win in one fell swoop. Roosevelt said.

"Your Excellency, that's a good idea. Even if we want to unite with them, we must first find out what they think. Secretary of State Kirdell Hall said.

"So, I think Mr. Hopkins is up to the task, do you have any objection to that?" Roosevelt asked.

All the senior officials of the US government shook their heads one after another.

"Mr. Hopkins, will you be able to accomplish this task?" President Roosevelt asked.

"Your Excellency, I will do my best to accomplish this task." Hopkins said.

"Well, then, let us at once contact England, France, and Soviet Russia, and that Mr. Hopkins may be able to make the trip before the New Year. Of course, Mr. Hopkins's New Year's Day will probably have to be spent at sea. Roosevelt said.

"Your Excellency the President, I have grown so old that I have never had New Year's Day at sea, so I think it will have a different flavor." Hopkins said with a smile.

Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter in the conference room. (To be continued.) )