ps: I wanted to put a two-in-one big chapter, but the result was 3400 votes, or change it by half first, out of context and blunt, don't blame. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

In the face of Cole's request for a westward expedition, Horikichi did not answer directly, but first asked: "What is your country's strategic goal this year?" Forcing the USSR out of the war? Forcing Britain out of the war? Or will it force the United States to withdraw? ”

"The United States is unlikely, they still have a lot of potential, and the Führer did not think that it would be possible to force the United States to withdraw in 1944 or even 1945." "We want to force the Soviet Union and Great Britain to withdraw, and force the United States to withdraw as soon as possible." In the unlikely event that this could not be achieved to force Britain to withdraw, the priority target was the Soviet Union. ”

"The Kwantung Army and the Combined Fleet were needed to attack the Soviet Far East?"

"This is not necessary for the time being, your country can drag down the Russian army in the Far East and cut off the Soviet supply lines."

"What do you need us to do on our expedition to the west?"

"Although our army won the battles of Cape Verde and Newfoundland, the losses were also very large, and the Führer hopes that your country will send a navy to help hold back the United States, so that we can devote all our efforts to solving the Soviet problem." "Although the United States has suffered heavy losses, its industrial strength is strong, its homeland has not been destroyed, and its ability to recover is amazing, and if it does not contain American power in the Atlantic, I am afraid that our military will only delay the pace of solving the Soviet problem." As long as the Soviet Union problem is resolved, at least 2.5 million of the nearly 4 million troops on the Eastern Front can be freed up for the Western Front, and then there will be no need to worry about the US military containment, and even in turn, it can deter the North American continent and promote a package solution to the Japan-US and German-US issues. ”

Everyone nodded: although the German strategy was somewhat wishful, it had a clear direction, and the steps and goals set were relatively clear.

"How many aircraft carriers do you have in your current fleet? How many pilots? What about the United States? ”

"At present, there are 2 fleet aircraft carriers, and from this month, 1 new aircraft carrier can be completed every month, and by the end of March about 5 will be formed, the number of pilots is sufficient, and there is no need to talk about experience. The United States expects that its regular aircraft carriers are currently 3-4, and by the end of March there will be about 6-7, and in addition, the country will have 20-30 escort aircraft carriers completed during this period, which is a slight advantage on the whole, but if you add your combined fleet, our military will have the upper hand. ”

"Your country's estimate of the strength of the U.S. Navy is basically the same as that of the United States, but it is very difficult for the Combined Fleet to dispatch it now." Horiyoshi muttered, "You also saw at the parade, at present, the sea trials of the Taiho have not been completely completed, Shuanghe is being repaired, and there are only 2 light air carriers supporting the façade in the short term, and the number of pilots is not enough, so it is temporarily unable to go west." ”

"The Führer understands these difficulties, and how about he proposes to leave at the end of March?"

"March was a little nervous, how about mid to late May?" Horikichi smiled, "We all have time to prepare calmly, and it's a big deal to let Britain and the United States have 1-2 more aircraft carriers, which will not affect the balance of power." ”

Cole thought for a moment and agreed: "Then I will report to the Führer first, and ask Berlin to decide." ”

"About weapons purchases and expeditions?"

"In view of the change in the situation, we have agreed to sponsor 200 million yuan for the Kwantung Army's northward advance to cooperate with the operation, and in addition, we will bear all the expenses of the expedition to Germany with Vice Admiral Ito Junichi and 80 generals of the army and navy." Cole added, "In view of the insufficient strength of the Marine Corps in the country, and in view of the fact that the situation in India is basically stable and your country is fully capable of dealing with it alone, we are determined to withdraw three of the four Marine brigades currently deployed in India, and leave all the corresponding heavy equipment to you, and I recommend that your army take two brigades and your navy take one brigade." ”

Horikichi turned to Ishihara and said, "Does the Army think the arrangement is feasible?" ”

"I think so." Ishihara nodded, "There was already a consideration of adding 2 divisions to India, so we would consider adding 1 more division." ”

"Thank you very much for your continued support." King Minoru Higashikurenomiya knew that because Horikichi stayed, the 100 million yuan consulting fee was instantly lost, but 30 million of them were said to be returned to the Kwantung Army, and Germany also knew that Japan had arranged it, so he was embarrassed not to give it at all, so he discounted the heavy equipment left behind after the retreat to 30 million. The sponsorship fee became 200 million, but there were 3 more brigades of heavy equipment, and the actual value was more than 30 million. Of course, it is reasonable for the German side to deal with it in this way: first, it is troublesome to transport it back thousands of miles, and second, it is already second-hand, and the price will naturally be discounted.

"Then I'll take my leave." Cole knew that they were about to discuss internal issues, and after hearing a satisfactory answer, he took his leave. As for how many troops Japan will send to the west, and what price Germany will pay is entirely a question for the next step in the discussion.

After Cole left, the atmosphere of the meeting was a little dull, and everyone didn't know where to start, and finally the new prime minister, King Minoru Higashikurenomiya, sighed: "Hori-kun, there is a sentence that I may not like very well, but I still want to say that although the Western Expedition is only a joint fleet attack, it will affect the whole body, and the army and even the entire imperial strategy have a major relationship, at least we have to discuss it first and then reply to the German side, you speak directly in May, the base camp is difficult to discuss next, and it is not easy to express your position for approval or opposition." ”

"I'm so sorry." Horiyoshi stood up and bowed to everyone, "It's me who is reckless, but I also want to explain a few words about this matter, the so-called Western Expedition in May, don't take it to heart." I don't have to take it seriously if I'm purely prevaricating the Germans. ”

"What?" Lieutenant General Toroshiro Kawabe, the new deputy chief of staff, widened his eyes, "Can you still do this?" ”

Ishihara Wan'er thought about it carefully, his face instantly became very exciting, and he clapped his hands and said, "Gao Ming, Gao Ming, please explain to us Hori-kun." ”

King Minoru of Higashikure Palace was also stunned, and only reacted after half a day: "You say, you say ......"

"Overall, I didn't lie to him, the current strength of the combined fleet is indeed green, but as long as it survives the end of April, the mobile fleet will basically return to normal, and it can probably have 3 regular large air carriers (Xianghe, Zuihe, and Daho), 1 medium-sized aircraft carrier (Bayarn), and 4 light air carriers (Zuiho, Ryuho, Chitose, Chiyoda) A total of 8 aircraft carriers, and pilots can basically solve it. But I will launch a major campaign at the beginning of May, when the situation will change significantly, and Germany may not necessarily need us to go west to achieve its goals. Horikichi smiled, "Other cutting-edge warships of the Combined Fleet are under construction, and according to the construction progress, by September, the third ship of the Yamato-class Shinano, the first two ships of the Yunryu class, and the Amagi, will be able to enter service, and the Combined Fleet will be further reorganized and strengthened." ”

Tada hesitated and asked him, "You mean that by May, not only will the navy be fully restored, but there will be a better chance of asking for a price from Germany?" ”

"Not only that, but I think Germany will face a major challenge."

"Where?"

"Africa or the Falklands." Horikichi pointed to German West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea and then to the vicinity of Argentina, "These two places are the end of the German offensive, and it is very difficult to maintain the supply line, and it can even be described as a thousand shots. The reason why the Americans did not pay attention to these two places in the past was because their original starting point was to compete with the Germans for control of the whole Atlantic, but now this strategy has completely failed, and the Atlantic sea power is owned by Germany and the United States in the short term. I don't think the Americans will fail again, and I think the other side will change their strategy, pick Germany's weak links to strike, and turn the situation back little by little, if we make another move at this time, we will get a more satisfactory reward. ”

"Good, good." King Minoru Higashikuremiya laughed, "I was wrong with you just now, there is indeed no one more shrewd than you in business." ”

Horikichi shook his head: "I'm not going to knock on the German bamboo pole, I should ask Germany if I want to open my mouth or continue to ask for it." I only hope that Germany will see what the problem is and cooperate to turn the tide and withstand the attack when its weak link is teetering. The icing on the cake, how can there be a deep affection for sending charcoal in the snow? ”

"You seem to have something to say?" Yamamoto fifty-six frowned and asked, "Can these weak links be made up for now?" Or remind each other of a thing or two? ”

"There is no way to make up for it, and if you want to make up for it, you have to reduce the investment in other directions, and the effect is very poor. There is only 100 yuan in total, so naturally where the profit is high, how can you put the place where you earn 50 yuan and not turn your head to the place where you only earn 5 yuan? Horikichi smiled bitterly, "It is more beneficial for Germany to attract the US military to attack, if the US military does not attack and focuses on defense, hiding at home as a shrinking turtle, with their ship-building ability, as long as it lasts 2-3 years, it can completely rebuild the Grand Fleet, how can it be fought at that time?" ”

Everyone laughed: "Fortunately, the United States is not so shameless." ”

"Since the navy is an active and prudent strategy, the strategy of the army is also relatively simple: the Kwantung Army will strengthen its strength and organize mechanized forces; Chinese mainland further contraction and strengthening of material trade; The South Seas side cooperated with the navy to hold on; The Indian side has invested 3-4 divisions to strengthen the offensive, and will consider increasing troops again as needed. Ishihara said, "The only direction of attack in the short term is India, and the rest are all stubborn. ”

Everyone nodded in agreement, it was very prudent to attack in only one direction, and resources and troops could be arranged.

After the meeting, Horikichi and Yamamoto went back in the same car, and on the way Yamamoto asked him, "I feel that you don't seem to have said something." ”

"Yes, I can't talk about it anymore...... Horikichi smiled bitterly, "If I talk about it again, I will soon talk about the contradictions between Japan and Germany, no matter how the relationship between Japan and Germany goes in the future, at least at this stage, they are mutually beneficial and need each other, how can they turn their faces?" ”

"You mean...... Heading north? ”

Hori Yiji nodded: "If this problem is not dealt with well, we will have a large strategic conflict with Germany, so we must postpone it for the time being, hoping that there will be other opportunities to make up for it, and the navy cannot ignore the interests of the army, otherwise the army will make a mess and a new group of people will come immediately, and the coordination of the sea and land will be finished again." ”

Yamamoto Fifty-six nodded, and sighed: "Now this situation is the best after the war, it can't be easily destroyed, let's go to the naval combat seminar first, they are probably in a hurry......"