Gu Zhengzhi threw out a third question: "The specific assumption that our country originally hoped for Britain to win first was that on the one hand, it hoped that Germany and Italy would make progress in the war against the Middle East and North Africa, and on the other hand, they hoped to cut off the ties between Britain, India, and Australia by various means, and then expel the British forces in Burma, promote their independence, and encourage India to become independent." With the progress of the initial operation in the south, on January 10 of this year, a joint meeting of the government of the base camp made a decision: with the goal of cutting off communication with the United States and Britain, refusing to assist Britain, and actively carrying out anti-British campaigns, India should gradually strengthen its policy in light of the progress of the operation. According to the provisions of the "Military Agreement between Japan, Germany, and Italy" concluded on 18 January, the boundary of the area of operational sharing between the Japanese army and navy and the German and Italian defense forces is set at 70 degrees east longitude, and most of India and the Indian Ocean belong to Japan's operational area......

"The Führer is also aware of this problem, and due to the constraints of the operational situation and the objective environment, the originally agreed operational areas and corresponding responsibilities may be changed." Cole explained, "We have a partial advantage in the North African theater, and we can also use naval and air forces to cut off the Mediterranean routes of Britain and the United States, but Britain and the United States can still continue to send troops to these areas through the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf region, so we hope that we can get great assistance from Japan in the event of an attack, and use all forces, especially naval forces, to blockade the western Indian Ocean and ensure that British and American reinforcements cannot land on the peninsula. On the contrary, in order to achieve these goals better and faster, we believe that your country should play a greater role in this operation. Whereas, Japan went beyond the original duty and scope of the war. We have decided to compensate accordingly - on the condition that you may ask your country to speak. ”

Cole knows that this is the real intention and intention of the Japanese side, and it is okay to fight India, which is already in Japan's strategic intentions, if it still wants to go to the Middle East and the Arab region to "help", who will do anything that is not beneficial?

The Germans let Japan speak on its own in such a humble way, and the three representatives of the Japanese side began to twist and wrestle instead. You pushed me for a long time, and in the end, Gu Zhengzhi came forward to be this villain, and he handed over a document marked with the words top secret. He said embarrassedly: "This is a request issued by our country to ensure the smooth operation and make up for the attrition while making up for the additional losses caused by the westward transfer of the main forces in other theaters. ”

Cole took it and looked at it, and the terms of the request listed above really opened his eyes:

1. 2 million tons of high-quality steel, including 200,000 tons of special steel;

2. The tonnage of the transport ship is 1 million tons. Old and new. However, it is required that the tonnage of a single ship is not less than 2,000 tons, and the maximum speed is not less than 12 knots;

3. 1,000 tanks of the latest model and equipped with corresponding shells, and at the same time transfer drawings, patents and shell production lines;

4. 1,000 other vehicles (500 trucks and 500 armored vehicles are recommended);

5. 2,000 state-of-the-art aircraft of various types (1,000 day/night fighters, 700 bombers, 300 reconnaissance aircraft and other special aircraft), if the aircraft is difficult to provide, it can also be changed to provide 4,000 advanced engines, or comprehensive adjustment according to this ratio;

6. Provide technical data and samples of the latest models of aero engines, radars, and Zeiss optical instruments;

7. Guarantee the supply of crude oil to Japan in the future. Prices are agreed upon separately;

8. After the completion of the operation, ensure that sufficient fuel and materials are replenished for the combined fleet participating in the operation;

9. The supply of the above materials is expected to be completed within two years, of which not less than 60% in the first year.

When you see Article 8. Cole couldn't help but almost laugh out loud, looking at the conditions in front of him was quite majestic, and at this point, the Japanese petty family spirit was exposed-this supply request still had to be listed in the official terms? (Of course, he underestimated the appetite of the Japanese, and he couldn't laugh when he saw this clause later, but this is a later story, so I won't mention it here)

Ke Tsai carefully looked at it twice, and did not rush to express his position, but asked: "If our country agrees to the above conditions, what kind of help is your country willing to give us?" ”

"This ......" The three people on the other side thought that Cole would express their opinions first, and they were even ready for the other party to be mad, but they didn't expect Cole to come so simply, and they were stunned for a while. Shimomura stammered and asked, "Do you think you can agree to these terms?" ”

"Whether or not I can agree to the final decision of the Führer, I am cautiously optimistic." Cole pushed the question lightly, "However, at least the Führer needs to understand your country's mind, if you consider signing an agreement...... Well...... Is it the right to be equal to the responsibility, the responsibility and the benefit? ”

Inoue Narumi didn't speak, only gave a thumbs up quietly, this is the second time Cole has forced Shimomura to be in a hurry: Speaking of which, the army's herd of red deer has always seen too little in the international scene.

"This is a constructive idea of our base camp, and I have not yet submitted it to His Majesty for a final decision, but I can give your envoy a reference." Gu Masayuki took out another document, which stated Japan's obligations:

1. The Combined Fleet shall send the main fleet to blockade the western Indian Ocean, ensure that the British and American reinforcement fleets cannot land and do not pose an operational threat to the German and Italian forces, and wait for an opportunity to annihilate their reinforcement fleets, which cannot exceed one month in view of the problem of operational continuity;

2. To respond to the occupation of the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula by German and Italian forces, and to provide aviation and fleet support when necessary;

3. If conditions permit, provide air and fleet support to support the occupation of Madagascar by German and Italian troops;

4. Supply 100,000 tons of rubber, 10 tons of gold, 20 tons of tungsten and chrome ore, 100 tons of tin and lead ore;

5. Give Germany the design drawings of the latest aircraft carriers, battleships, and super-large submarines;

6. Ensure the future supply of German and Italian rubber, raw silk, mica and other tropical products, and the price will be negotiated separately;

7. Japan is responsible for providing escort for all material transportation.

After reading it, Cole expressed his understanding, and he silently put away the two documents and asked, "If you can, when will your country complete all the preparations and break through to the Indian Ocean?" ”

This question Gu Masayuki could not answer, he set his eyes on the two vice admirals of the army and navy, Shimomura of course could not decide, because the departure and arrival times completely depended on the navy, Inoue Narumi pondered for a moment, as if making up her final decision, said: "If your country can reply and accept the relevant package agreement within five days, our country will immediately petition the Holy Tribunal, and if an agreement is reached within three days, then the time for our fleet to break through to the western Indian Ocean will be no later than December 15 of this year......

"I will immediately return to Germany to report to the Führer, and I am expected to give you a clear answer within three days."

"We are waiting for good news."

The External Affairs Attaché arranged for Cole to leave first, and the other three had to discuss it again, and Cole was not allowed to hear it.

"Won't these conditions be a bit of a lion's mouth?" Gu Zhengzhi rubbed his hands uneasily, "If the Germans invest so many resources, they can win the war, and they still need our help?" ”

"Otherwise, Germany may be able to provide these resources, but it will certainly not be able to allocate them in the short term, let alone invest them in the Middle East theater all at once." Inoue Narumi pondered and said, "The special envoy should know very well in his heart that Japan is not strong enough, and it needs these materials and equipment to promote the Indian Ocean strategy, and if there are these things, India's success in the operation will be much greater." ”

"But I'm curious how likely it is that the Germans will agree to these conditions. These supplies are almost enough for Japan for a year. Gu Zhengzhi himself smiled embarrassedly.

"If the German side is urgent, I think we should be able to say yes...... Shimomura scratched his head, "I mean the German side can agree at least 80 percent." ”

"In fact, it is really better to let Germany provide 2,000 aircraft than to let them provide 4,000 engines, in terms of transportation difficulty, the engine is small in size and light in weight, and we are not much different from Germany in aluminum or something, and our pilots are not necessarily used to flying ......German or Italian aircraft."

"The Germans won't fool us with backward models, right?"

"The Germans don't bother to do this, and we also have diplomatic envoys and military attachés stationed in Berlin, and you can see at a glance how advanced they are." Speaking of this, Inoue Narumi suddenly asked Gu Masayuki strangely, "In the past, Ambassador Oshima had sent long telegrams to inform him of the situation in Germany, but I haven't seen the briefing recently." ”

"Don't mention it...... The Germans were annoyed that the code he had used had been deciphered, and it was said that he had been severely reprimanded by Minister Ribbentrop last time. Gu Zhengzhi took the opportunity to say, "The new cipher machine provided by Germany also needs to be considered for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." ”

"Yes, yes, if the code hadn't been deciphered, the Navy wouldn't have failed miserably at Midway." Shimomura said casually, and after a while, Inoue Narumi was sitting next to him, and quickly explained, "I'm not blaming the navy, I'm saying that those 4 aircraft carriers are really a pity, if they are still there, why don't we transfer from Kuah Island to ...... now?"

"Shimomura-kun, these are all over, it's time to unite and look forward." Inoue Narumi was not annoyed, but said lightly.

"Suddenly there is an expectation of the Indian Ocean strategy." Shimomura said excitedly, "If the German side agrees, Japan's supplies and equipment will take on a completely new look." The Army believes that steel, aircraft, materials, and other technical materials can all be divided into two by the Army and Navy, and the Army requires 30% of the transport ships and all combat vehicles and trucks to be ...... by the Army."

Inoue Narumi stopped Shimomura Ding, who was still unsatisfied: "Shimomura-kun, don't you think it's a little early to distribute supplies now, and it's not certain whether the Indian Ocean operation can start or not." ”

"Well, I'm not in a hurry......" (To be continued.) )