"This is Rear Admiral Yan Shiqi, commander of the Third Task Force."

Lei Shaoqing immediately helped the two of them make an introduction, "This is Rear Admiral Tan Renhao, the current commander of the First Task Force." ”

"Xinghui, Xinghui!"

Tan Renhao immediately stretched out his hand. More than half a year ago, when he was commanding the strategic bombing on Iwo Jima, he missed the opportunity to meet Yan Shiqi.

"Talk about the general, look up to the name for a long time!"

Yan Shiqi was also very polite, "I often hear General Lei mention you, it's really better to meet than to be famous." ”

"Alright, two, let's get inside!"

Lei Shaoqing led the way in front, "Principal, they are coming soon, we can't be late." ”

When the three of them came to the conference room, Nie Renfeng, Gan Yongxing and other participating generals did not arrive, only a few officers from the staff department were preparing for the meeting.

"General Tan, please be seated."

Yan Shiqi is a very orthodox admiral, although he is less than ten years older than Tan Renhao and Lei Shaoqing, but he missed the most rapid stage of the development of naval aviation, and became a very good fleet tactical commander.

"General Yan, please."

Tan Renhao was also polite, he was a little uncomfortable with this kind of outdated etiquette.

"Alright, let's all sit down, don't stand."

Lei Shaoqing sat down first, "I heard that the principal arranged for three task forces to fight together this time, and we can help each other in the future." ”

"Yan is not talented, and I have to ask the two generals for a lot of help."

Yan Shiqi is still like that.

"The help is mutual."

Tan Renhao didn't bother to put on a scholarly appearance, "This joint operation of the three fleets is certain, and only by performing our own duties, fully coordinating, and cooperating with each other can we defeat the enemy." It is difficult to achieve complete victory with the strength of any fleet. ”

"It's reasonable to talk about the general's words, and please talk about the general's advice."

Hearing Yan Shiqi's words, Tan Renhao was a little big, he had never been used to talking so plainly. And Yan Shiqi obviously has reservations, if he says something wrong, then he will leave a handle.

Just when Tan Renhao was very embarrassed, Nie Renfeng, Gan Yongxing, and the heads of the headquarters departments who participated in the meeting walked into the conference room one after another. Tan Renhao and the other three also stood up immediately, and the meeting was about to begin. Among these people in military uniforms there is a very special person, this person is not wearing a military uniform. It's a set of Tang clothes, and at a glance, you know that he is not a soldier, he must be the commissioner Zhao Renli sent by the prime minister!

"Everyone, please take a seat."

Gan Yongxing spoke first, "Time is very tight now, and for some special reasons, the meeting time will be compressed to one and a half hours. So, let's not waste any more time. Let me begin by elaborating on the main points of this meeting......"

After Nie Renfeng sat down first, the other generals all sat down one after another. Behind each chair was a note with the name of a certain general written on it. The commissioner's location was on Nie Renfeng's left-hand side. And Gan Yongxing sat on Nie Renfeng's right hand. Tan Renhao noticed this very keenly. A commissioner is actually ranked above the chief of staff of the Navy, and this person's background is really not small.

Gan Yongxing only took five minutes to explain the main points of the meeting, which was actually enough for the three most important participants. That is, the commanders of the three fleets understood the purpose and general arrangement of this battle.

In the naval staff's plan for the ground campaign, all three fleets had extremely important tasks.

The task force of the 3rd Task Force is mainly to support the landing of the Marines and to act as an air defense barrier for the 2nd Task Force before the landing campaign is launched. Subsequently, during the initial phase of the landing operation (referring to the artillery attached to the Marine Corps, and before the ammunition and supplies are fully ashore), the Marine Corps will be responsible for providing artillery support throughout the whole process. To be precise, the main task of the Third Fleet is to support the landing of marines, and the decisive battle of the fleet has little to do with it.

The Second Task Force was the main fleet of the campaign, and its mission was arranged in two ways. If the American fleet enters the war. Then the first task of Task Force 2 is to annihilate the American fleet, ensure the safety of the landing force as much as possible, and, after completing the first mission, provide air support to the marines. If the U.S. fleet does not meet the attack, then the first task force of the second task force is to seize air supremacy at the landing site, coordinate with the shore-based flight units of the HNA to bomb the U.S. troops deployed on Guam, Saipan, and Tinian Islands. As well as airfields on several other islands, creating conditions for the landing of marines.

Task Force 1 also has two missions. If the U.S. fleet enters the war, Task Force 1 will act as a vanguard, providing support to Task Force 2 (primarily searching for the location of the U.S. fleet and delivering the first strikes) as the first line of cover for the landing grounds. If the U.S. fleet does not show up, Task Force 1 will be tasked with helping to bomb U.S. airfields on the Mariana Islands and building a defensive barrier east of the islands to secure landing sites.

In addition to the three task forces, the naval aviation (shore-based forces), the strategic strike force (the First Army, Luo Yunchong did not come to the meeting, and sent a senior staff officer over), and the four marine divisions (Yan Guozhong did not come back either, and sent a Marine division commander to attend the meeting on his behalf) also have their own tasks.

The whole plan revolved around the landing operation in the Mariana Islands, and the victory of the fleet in the decisive battle was the prerequisite for the landing operation and the focus of the previous stage of the campaign. After Gan Yongxing finished speaking, Tan Renhao had realized that on this stage, the First Task Force played a supporting role, and it was a supporting role destined to make sacrifices.

In the tasks of the two fleets, the first task force has been relegated to a secondary position. Of course, this is also decided on the basis of the strength of the fleet. What made Tan Renhao even more annoyed was that the actual role of the First Task Force was a decoy, a bait used to seduce the American fleet, and the real killer was the hidden Second Task Force. Unless the US fleet does not participate in the war, the First Task Force will bear the brunt of the blow, but it is impossible for the US fleet not to participate in the war, and the First Task Force is doomed to suffer huge losses.

Next, the heads of departments of several staff departments gave a presentation on the readiness for the campaign, the readiness of the troops, the conditions of support, and so on. Tan Renhao didn't listen to it, to put it bluntly, he was a little dissatisfied with this arrangement. Task Force 1 has already suffered a humiliation and made great sacrifices. He and Hao Dongjue finally raised the morale of the fleet and gave the officers and men hope, but now the First Task Force has been put in an extremely dangerous position, and if the fleet is defeated again, not to mention the loss of warships, the morale of the officers and men of the fleet will plummet. Taking responsibility is a trivial matter, and the loss of reputation is also a trivial matter, and if the First Task Force collapses from now on, then the Imperial Navy will lose an arm!

The meeting ended just after 10 o'clock. When giving a briefing on Task Force 1. Tan Renhao omitted a large part and emphasized the current situation of the 1st Task Force. When he saw his fate clearly, Tan Renhao only felt grief and indignation. This is not just the grief and indignation of his fate alone, but the grief and indignation of the fate of the entire fleet.

"The specific battle plan will be sent to all units on the 24th."

Gan Yongxing made a final speech, "This is the most critical battle of the Imperial Navy, I hope you will be loyal to your duties, do your best to serve the Empire, and win glory for the Navy!" ”

When Tan Renhao walked out of the conference room, he was still in a trance.

"Renhao, let's go have a drink!"

Lei Shaoqing had already seen Tan Renhao's thoughts.

Tan Renhao smiled reluctantly. said, "Next time." I'd better go back to Guangzhou as soon as possible, or I won't be able to keep up with the maintenance work of the Yangtze River, and I'll become a sinner in the navy." ”

Lei Shaoqing shook his head. When he saw Nie Renfeng coming from behind, he immediately said, "Hello principal." ”

Tan Renhao was startled, knowing that Lei Shaoqing was reminding him, he immediately changed his face, he didn't want the principal to know that he was dissatisfied with this combat arrangement.

"Shaoqing, you should return to Naha as soon as you are done, and the maintenance work of the 'Pearl River' must be completed on time."

"Yes, I'll go back tomorrow."

Lei Shaoqing glanced at Tan Renhao, "I'll go to the logistics office first and arrange the supply of the fleet." ”

Nie Renfeng nodded. After Lei Shaoqing walked away, he said to Tan Renhao: "Go to my office, let's talk." ”

When Nie Renfeng walked towards the stairs, Tan Renhao let out a sigh, and then quickened his pace to follow, his mind was still seen through by the principal.

"Are you dissatisfied with this arrangement?"

Nie Renfeng asked straight to the point, he poured two glasses of wine, "Close the door." ”

Tan Renhao closed the door to the marshal's office, and then took off his hat.

"This is my arrangement. Don't think it's the chief of staff who did it, he doesn't have the power yet. ”

Nie Renfeng handed the wine glass to Tan Renhao, "I also know that this will have a great impact on the First Task Force. In general, Task Force 1 was a decoy, a decoy to seduce the enemy to attack. But at the same time, I want this to be a barbed bait, a bait that the enemy can't swallow and spit out, you know what I mean? ”

Tan Renhao frowned, he hadn't thought of it so much.

"Let's put it this way, the U.S. fleet will definitely go to war, because we can't hide the enemy from such a large-scale campaign mobilization and deployment. As soon as the Yankees realized that we were going to attack the Mariana Islands in the near future, they would send a fleet to war. ”

Nie Renfeng sat opposite Tan Renhao, "Then, the key to the battle is to take out the American fleet." You know this better than I do. However, the ultimate goal of the campaign is to capture the Mariana Islands, and if this ultimate goal cannot be guaranteed, even if we kill the American fleet, it will not make much sense. So, everything we focused on was at the beginning of the campaign. Whether or not the US fleet can be discovered in time and launched an attack in time is the key to this. You are in command of the First Task Force, and I have the most confidence in you, so I have entrusted this task to you. ”

"Headmaster, I'll do my best."

Tan Renhao can only answer like this.

"You still don't get it completely."

Nie Renfeng laughed, "The specific task of the First Task Force is to search, but will you only do this?" Of course not. Will you sit back and die? Of course not. So, now you tell me, what would you do? ”

Tan Renhao hesitated for a moment, and now he understood a little. "Headmaster, what do you mean ......"

"Task Force 1 must not only act as the eyes of other fleets, but also hold the sword in his hand!"

Nie Renfeng put down his wine glass and crossed his hands on his chest, "I won't put more pressure on you, as long as you complete the first task, then this combat operation will be successful." I will also not tie your hands and feet, and support the affairs of the Marine Corps, so let Lei Shaoqing and Luo Yun worry about them. If you're able to bring back a surprise, I can guarantee that the first new carriers will be available primarily to Task Force 1! ”

"Headmaster, does that count?"

Tan Renhao became excited, he had already read the design book of the "Lake" class aircraft carrier, which was a new type of aircraft carrier that was much more powerful than the "Yangtze River" class.

"Am I going to cheat on the feelings of my students?"

Nie Renfeng immediately laughed, "This position gives you the most room to play, and I also know that you are not the kind of general who commands the battle according to the rules and regulations." Therefore, I have given you this opportunity and this challenge, and it is up to you to grasp the outcome! ”

"Headmaster, I see."

Tan Renhao immediately stood up, "I will return to Guangzhou immediately and promise to let the 'Yangtze River' return to the fleet as scheduled!" ”

"Don't be in such a hurry, I have already sent a group of engineers over, and they will assist the workers of the Guangzhou shipyard in repairing the aircraft carrier."

Nie Renfeng also stood up, "You should go to Wuxi first, otherwise, you can only command an aircraft carrier without fighters to fight." ”

Tan Renhao was stunned for a moment, and immediately thought that Wuxi was the tactical aviation training base of the HNA Airlines, and the pilots who were replenished to the First Task Force were all trained there.

"Liao Hanxiang also happens to be in Wuxi, so you hurry up and rush over, and he will choose a pilot for you, which will definitely be much better than choosing it yourself."

Nie Renfeng sent the student to the door, "Do a good job, I will wait for the good news you send back, and at the same time prepare the prize for you." ”

Tan Renhao nodded vigorously, this was his way of making a guarantee. This is indeed a challenge, but it is also an opportunity, and if it is seized, Task Force 1 will once again become the most powerful task force in the Imperial Navy!