East Prussia, Wolf's Lair.

The golden sunlight shone through the eight bright windows and hit the floor of the combat command room, making the mood of the people inside also brighten, except for Chen Dao.

Chen Dao held a pencil between the index and middle fingers of his right hand and casually gestured on the wide combat map on the desktop.

"Our next task is to annihilate the remnants of the Eleventh Army, and then pursue the fleeing Tenth Mechanized Army and the Twenty-second Army in the direction of Velikiye Luki. The enemy's reaction was swift, and our plan to raid Velikiye Luki was not achieved, so we had to adjust the plan, hoping to annihilate or crush the troops they used to block the attack in the course of the pursuit, and it was estimated that there would be three or four divisions.

The enemy retreats to the east, the left flank of the Eighth Army in the north is exposed, and it will inevitably retreat, and the front of Army Group North will advance fifty to one hundred kilometers to the east as a whole, and it is expected that by the end of July and the beginning of August, Army Group North will be able to touch Leningrad, his ultimate target.

By September at the latest, Leningrad will fall under our control, and Army Group North will be considered complete for this year, and it will be able to rest and prepare for the long winter. ”

"The troops of Army Group Center have surrounded Smolensk and are currently preparing for the siege of the city, and the end of the fighting is expected within ten days. After taking Smolensk, Army Group Center will get a period of one to one and a half months of rest, and during the rest period of Army Group Center, we will launch a large-scale offensive on the southern front, take Ukraine in one fell swoop, and get all kinds of resources that we urgently need. Hitler said.

"However, I think we should still target Moscow first, not only us. The same was true of the soldiers and officers at the front. Unlike the Napoleonic period. Moscow is not only the capital of Russia. Not only as a political center, but also as the most important transport hub and industrial region, the capture of Moscow would be a devastating blow to Russia's political, economic, and military affairs. I hope that you will carefully consider our proposals, Führer. "said the Chief of the Army General Staff, General Halder.

Göring was the first to jump out to refute Halder, and under the influence of Chen Dao, Göring had already summed up a truth: whenever there was a conflict between the opinions of Hitler and the Army General Command, it was only necessary to follow Hitler's opinions. Always get great benefits and wins.

Goering knew that Hitler believed that the strategic focus of the Eastern Front was Leningrad and Ukraine, contrary to Halder's view, so he did not hesitate to jump out to refute Halder.

"No, from the point of view of war economics, the capture of resource-rich Ukraine and the industrial region of Leningrad is our most important task, Moscow is not so important." Goering said.

"Herman is right that we must not think in terms of military affairs alone, but in terms of the economics of war. Ukraine must be taken first, and Ukrainian resources must be used to satisfy our high-speed war machine. Don't forget, we're already in the general mobilization. The resources needed cannot always be imported. Hitler said.

Turning his head, Hitler asked Chen Dao: "Heinz, what is your opinion?" ”

Chen Dao tilted his head, still with a lifeless and lifeless expression.

"What is there to discuss here, even if you are a primary school student, as long as you can read the map, you know that you have to take Leningrad and Ukraine first."

Goering glanced at Halder, whose face was flushed, and the muscles on his large round face were twisted into a ball, and he forcibly held back his laughter.

A smile flashed across Hitler's face, and he pretended to be serious and continued to ask, "Why?" Tell me your reasoning. ”

The pencil in Chen Dao's hand drew a circle at each of the three cities.

"Elementary school students can see that Moscow is the farthest away from the German mainland, and Leningrad and Kyiv are relatively close to the German mainland.

Halder didn't expect that the reason Chen Dao said was "because of the proximity", and instantly felt that his authority and professionalism were insulted, and was about to open his mouth to refute Chen Dao, when he saw Chen Dao casually throw a pencil on the map.

"In addition, General Halder is not a general of the armored corps and does not understand the use of armored corps. We all know that there is an offensive apex in the army.

The so-called apex of the offensive refers to the point at which the offensive capability of the attacking side reaches the maximum due to the expansion of the battle line, the extension of the supply line, the lack of materials, etc.

For our armored troops, the apex of the offensive is 500 to 600 kilometers, and the Smolensk line, which is already more than 600 kilometers away from the border line, is exactly at the apex of the offensive.

So・・・・・・ oh, I almost forgot, you don't represent the front-line soldiers, at least you don't represent Army Group South and Army Group North, in their eyes, they definitely don't think Moscow is the most important target.

So, on the whole, it is still necessary to solve the enemies of Leningrad and Ukraine first, and Moscow is not so important to us at the moment. Chen Dao said.

Hitler saw that Chen Dao always looked listless and lifeless, and his heart ached for no reason.

"Heinz is right, our original plan was to take the two wings first, and then attack Moscow, and we must not change the established battle plan at will. If the battle plan is changed at will, it will plunge our army into confusion and confusion, and this matter should not be discussed again. Hitler put an end to the discussion.

Goering said in a strange manner: "General Halder, instead of focusing on changing the battle plan indiscriminately, it is better to prepare winter equipment for the soldiers on the front line in advance. Winters in Russia are cold and long, and if the soldiers of the army do not have enough winter clothes to survive the winter, you will be charged with dereliction of duty. ”

"I've been prepared for these things, and I don't need you to worry about them." Halder threw down a word and turned away from the command.

Chen Dao put his hands behind his back. He followed Halder with heavy steps.

Hitler and Goering walked side by side at the back of the crowd.

"How. The little one hasn't picked himself up from the kidnapping yet? ”

Goering shook his head helplessly.

"yes. He ignored me for more than a day, and he was leaving the wolf's den for Warsaw in the afternoon. ”

"In such a hurry? I would also like him to stay in the wolf's den for a while and discuss the international situation with him. ”

"He said he was going to Warsaw to meet Hiroshi Oshima, which should be an excuse, and I think he still resents us in his heart and doesn't want to be with us."

"You go and persuade him first, and I'll deal with a document. I'll enlighten him with you later. Hitler said.

Chen Dao returned to his temporary residence in the wolf's den and packed up his belongings.

Turning around, Goering pushed open the door, and his round body entered the room with a gust of wind.

"When are you coming back?" Goering asked.

"I don't know." Chen Dao didn't look at Goering and continued to pack his things.

With a salivating face, Goering walked up to Chen Dao and hooked Chen Dao's neck and said, "Still angry about that?" I've already said I'm sorry, you're still going to make a fuss? Man, be generous. ”

"If it's useful to say sorry, what else do you need the police to do? How dare you instigate my men to kidnap me・・・・・・ if someone kidnaps little Ada, and then say sorry to you. Will you forgive him? ”

"It's not the same thing, it can't be compared like that." Goering said.

Seeing Goering, he was still nagging. Chen Dao raised a finger, shook it in front of Goering's eyes, and said with a straight face: "I'm going to talk about a business, don't stop me." ”

Goering instantly closed his chattering mouth, stretched his neck, leaned in front of Chen Dao and asked, "What a big business?" How much does it cost? What are the projected earnings and profit margins? ”

"The initial investment is less than a million marks, and the income is at least 10 billion Reichsmarks, plus a few colonies. It's just a small business, and it doesn't deserve the care of His Excellency the Marshal of the Reich. After Chen Dao finished speaking, he walked to the door with his suitcase, but was blocked by a "door god".

Goering stretched out his index finger, which was as thick as the barrel of a twenty-millimeter machine gun, and asked Chen Dao tremblingly: "Are you sure that you have invested less than one million Reichsmarks, but the income has exceeded 10 billion Reichsmarks?" ”

"Of course, when did I lie to you?"

"This is obviously a big business, you actually said that it was a small business・・・・・・ don't be capricious, Heinz, we agreed, listen to me about business, listen to you about war, let's say, what kind of business is it." Goering's eyes shone with a golden light.

"It was you who broke the agreement between us first and kidnapped me from the front line back to the rear, so you don't have to worry about this small business."

Chen Dao said as he pushed Goering open and reached out to pull the door, but the door was pushed open from the outside.

Hitler walked into the room, slammed the door shut, and said, "I'm also interested in this little business that you're talking about, and tell me where will this business get us?" ”

"I'm going to negotiate business with the Japanese, and I'm getting, of course, the colonies in the Far East. However, I only have a prototype of a business plan now, and when I finish talking with the Japanese, this small business will start in earnest with almost the entire planet, including Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and more than 20 countries. ”

"Heinz, stop kidding, this is obviously a business bigger than the sky." Hitler said.

"You should be grateful to Stalin, it was Stalin who saved you. No one can mess with me, and I'll be safe. We are now fighting against Stalin, and I must ensure the safety of the heads of the German High Command, and I cannot take revenge on you, but can only find a few unlucky people to vent my anger and extort a fortune from them, so as to heal the pain in my heart. That's why there is this "Iron Fan Princess" plan. Chen Dao said indignantly.

"Iron Fan Princess Project? Who is Princess Iron Fan? Was there such a princess in European history? Could it be a princess in China? Hitler asked.

"I'll tell you more about it later, and I'll tell you the details of the plan when I get back from Warsaw." Chen Dao said.

Ignoring the pleas of Hitler and Goering, Chen Dao walked out of the room with his suitcase, jumped into the car, and left the wolf's den.

Back in Warsaw, Chen Dao and Margaret, who had been absent for a long time, stayed warm overnight and paid enough for the long-overdue public rations.

The next morning, Chen Dao had breakfast, and it was not yet eight o'clock when he looked at his watch.

Walking into the study room, he casually took out a copy of "Journey to the West" from the bookshelf, and Chen Dao waited for Hiroshi Oshima to arrive while reading the book.

At 8:58, the butler walked into the study and informed Chen Dao that the guest had arrived.

"Take them to the study, prepare some tea, and inform the kitchen that I will invite two guests to dinner at noon."

Shortly after the butler left, Hiroshi Oshima and an officer in the uniform of the Navy entered the room.

As usual, after Hiroshi Oshima and the others entered the door, they bowed to Chen Daona.

Chen Dao accepted the bow of Hiroshi Oshima and the two with peace of mind, and warmly invited the two to sit down.

"Gentian Nakasa, I haven't seen you for half a year, but your eyes are still so bright, which reminds me of your outstanding performance when I discussed the development direction of the future navy with the elites of your country's navy."

Minoru Genda leaned forward slightly, bowed to Chen Dao again and said, "Your Excellency can still remember me, it's Gentian's honor." ”

"I heard that earlier this month, your navy smashed the U.S. Pacific Fleet in the waters off Midway and killed three American aircraft carriers. Looking at your expression, I know that Mr. Genda's wisdom must have made an outstanding contribution to this victory. ”

Chen Dao unceremoniously gave Genda Shi a certain high hat, which made Genda Shi smile.

"This is all thanks to Your Excellency's inspiration to me, and I have come here this time to thank Your Excellency on the entrustment of Commander Yamamoto."

Hiroshi Oshima and Chen Dao were more familiar, and the tone of their conversation was more casual.

"Your Excellency, after this victory, the whole of our navy has given you a resounding nickname." Hiroshi Oshima said.

"What's the nickname?" Chen Dao asked.

"Within our Navy, we have always honored you as 'Lord Diablo' as a sign of respect for you." Minoru Genda explained.

"I like this title because of Project Diablo, and you gave me this nickname?" Chen Dao asked.

"Yes, Your Excellency. In the Battle of Midway, we were greatly inspired by your Diablo plan and new combat ideas. After the victory, Commander Yamamoto's first order was for me to leave for Germany and thank you for your contribution. ”

Minoru Genda said, stood up, and bowed to Chen Dao again with a ninety-degree bow.

Chen Dao stood up with a smile and pressed Minoru Genda back onto the sofa.

"Genda-sir, you came just in time, I was just trying to understand the details of the Battle of Midway, come, tell me, how did you do it? I need to understand the weaknesses of the U.S. Navy so that I can plan for future battles against the U.S. Navy. Chen Dao said, taking out a chart of the Pacific Ocean from a drawer and laying it flat on the coffee table.

Minoru Genda pointed to the chart and said, "This battle starts with a destroyer called the Yukikaze. ”

**********

PS: Here are a few chapters of the plot of the Battle of Midway. (To be continued.) )