When it was almost noon, Tan Renhao asked Du Xing to buy him a boxed lunch, and after a busy morning, he hadn't figured out the clue yet, so he was naturally not in the mood to go to the restaurant to eat. As soon as Du Xing left, a person who surprised Tan Renhao a little came to his office, and this was Jiang Zhongmin, who had just rushed back to the naval headquarters.

"General Tan, I'm really embarrassed to visit you at this time."

"Zhongmin, don't be so polite, have you eaten?" Tan Renhao behaved calmly, after going through so many things, he didn't have much prejudice against Jiang Zhongmin.

"After talking to the chief of staff, I'll go to dinner, you go to eat first, or I'll come to you in the afternoon."

"No, sit down." Tan Renhao went to make Jiang Zhongmin a cup of tea, "When did you arrive?" ”

"At ten o'clock, as soon as I came back, the chief of staff called me over." Jiang Zhongmin's expression was a little embarrassed.

"How were you doing along the way?" After Tan Renhao put the tea on the coffee table, he sat down on the sofa opposite Jiang Zhongmin, "How is the situation of the Fifth Task Force now?" ”

"Not bad, the reconstruction of the fleet has been completed, and training is now underway." Jiang Zhongmin hesitated for a moment, "Actually, I'm here to thank you." ”

"Thank me?" Tan Renhao frowned slightly.

"If you hadn't defeated the Anglo-French expeditionary fleet, I'm afraid you'd ......"

"Zhongmin, what you said is not right, we are all working for the empire and the navy, that is just our own job." Tan Renhao handed the cigarette to Jiang Zhongmin, "There is nothing to thank for this, we are all doing what we should do." Moreover, now the Fifth Task Force is able to restore its combat effectiveness, which is very critical for the entire Pacific theater. You've probably heard of the principal's arrangement, right? ”

Jiang Zhongmin nodded slightly. "At the end of the month, the Fifth Task Force will arrive in the Southwest Pacific Theater, and it is expected to replace the Second Task Force."

"It's a great opportunity to exercise." Tan Renhao hesitated slightly, "The Fifth Task Force has just been reorganized, and the three aircraft carrier battle groups are all newly formed, and the quality of officers and men. Abilities are certainly not at their best. It is impossible for officers and men to become familiar with the battlefield environment through training alone, so the best way is to rapidly improve the quality and ability of officers and men through low-intensity combat operations. This time, the Fifth Task Force went to the southwest Pacific Ocean to exercise such an opportunity, and it is believed that it will not be long before the Fifth Task Force will reach its peak state. ”

"I hope so. We'll do our best, just ......" Jiang Zhongmin looked embarrassed, and he hesitated for a while. Then he said, "Renhao, I hope you don't misunderstand what I mean, I mean ......"

"The question of command, right?" Tan Renhao rushed to the front and said, "I have long heard the principal and the chief of staff mention this matter, and when I started to meet with General Yan Guozhong, General Yan Guozhong also mentioned it. In any case, I will respect the principal's arrangement. Moreover, we are all fighting for the Empire, as long as we can win and minimize the loss of the fleet, no matter who is in command, right? ”

Jiang Zhongmin nodded immediately. "Renhao, it's great if you can think like that. In fact. I don't know what to say, but I don't know if I have time, and I want to talk to General Lei directly. ”

"Shaoqing?" Tan Renhao was also a little embarrassed, "He is also in the naval headquarters, and he wants me to help you arrange a meeting?" ”

Jiang Zhongmin nodded affirmatively, he knew that it was not very appropriate for him to go directly to Lei Shaoqing.

"I don't think you should talk directly now, of course. If you insist, I can ask Shaoqing to come over now. Tan Renhao glanced at Jiang Zhongmin. He didn't rush to call Lei Shaoqing, "After the principal's arrangement is down, it's not too late for you to talk, what do you think?" ”

"Well, then when I get to Port Vila, I'll go to General Ray again." Jiang Zhongmin's expression relaxed a little.

"Zhongmin, don't think too much, this time the first task force will most likely go to the Southwest Pacific Theater, and when the time comes, we will have the opportunity to cooperate. Moreover, the Shaoqing is responsible for coordinating the actions of the various fleets, so that we can concentrate all our energy on directing the fleet's operations, which is more conducive to giving full play to the combat effectiveness of the fleet, isn't it? ”

Jiang Zhongmin smiled reluctantly, and at this time, Du Xing walked in with a boxed lunch, and he immediately stood up. "Renhao, then I won't disturb you to eat, and when you are free, we will find time to talk."

Tan Renhao didn't mean to keep Jiang Zhongmin, he sent Jiang Zhongmin to the door.

"Talking about big brother, what is he here to do?" Du Xing didn't have a good impression of Jiang Zhongmin, and as Tan Renhao's adjutant, he didn't have much affection for anyone who threatened Tan Renhao.

"Chat, what are you asking so much for?" Tan Renhao glanced at Du Xing, "Don't look for trouble if you have nothing to do for a day, I don't have any free time these days, you have to keep an eye on it." ”

Du Xing nodded hurriedly, and then left Tan Renhao's office. Looking at the back of Du Xing's departure, Tan Renhao sighed, Du Xingdi's attitude actually reflected the attitude of most of the people who came from the First Task Force and were close to Tan Renhao. In the eyes of these people, Jiang Zhongmin was unpopular, and Tan Renhao didn't mean to blame them, after all, this was already a deep-rooted impression, and it was difficult for anyone to immediately change their opinion of Jiang Zhongmin.

After lunch, Tan Renhao wanted to snore for a while, but he asked Du Xing to take out the lunch box, and the phone rang, it was Gan Yongxing who called him. Tan Renhao felt very helpless, didn't Gan Yongxing have to rest? And he had no choice but to go to the office next door immediately.

"Sit down, just eat?" Gan Yongxing has just had lunch", and began to see Jiang Zhongmin go to you, how did you talk? ”

"Hey, what else?" Tan Renhao sighed, "But I think Jiang Zhongmin is quite innocent, and these things are happening now, maybe not what he himself wants to see." ”

"Maybe, start. The principal just called Jiang Zhongmin over, and he will probably call you over later. Gan Yongxing smiled and shook his head, "I've already talked to Jiang Zhongmin." ”

"What's his attitude?" Tan Renhao frowned slightly.

"He didn't mention it to you?"

Tan Renhao shook his head, Jiang Zhongmin would not mention it, and he would not ask, after all, this is a sensitive issue.

He also didn't want to compete with Lei Shaoqing for command. However, I think it's because Task Force 1 will be sent to the Southwest Pacific Theater. If Task Force 1 hadn't been sent to the Southwest Pacific theater, it might not have been so simple. ”

Tan Renhao was secretly shocked, he didn't see this from Jiang Zhongmin's attitude.

"I have already hinted to Jiang Zhongmin that you will not compete with Lei Shaoqing for command, and you have made it clear that you are not capable of coordinating the combat operations of multiple task forces while commanding the first task force. And now you're out of the competition. Jiang Zhongmin is also self-aware, so he naturally will not compete with Lei Shaoqing. Gan Yongxing took out his cigarette, "So." This problem no longer exists. Now, the principal is definitely soliciting Jiang Zhongmin's opinion, and if Jiang Zhongmin does not go back on his word, then the principal will arrange specific powers for Lei Shaoqing, and Lei Shaoqing will be responsible for coordinating the combat operations of various fleets in the southwest Pacific theater. ”

"Coordination?" Tan Renhao frowned slightly.

"The specific command authority is still in the hands of the commanders of the task forces, and the Navy Command and the Theater Command are responsible for issuing operational orders, and the Theater Fleet Command under the responsibility of Lei Shaoqing is only responsible for coordinating the actions of the various fleets. and not specifically give orders. At least, that's what the headmaster means now. Moreover, you should also be very clear about this question. After the First Task Force, the Second Task Force, the Third Task Force and the Fifth Task Force were all sent to the Southwest Pacific Theater, your qualifications were above Lei Shaoqing, and before that, Lei Shaoqing had no experience in commanding multiple task forces. And he could only stay in Port Vila, so it was not appropriate for him to direct the operations of the task force. ”

Tan Renhao let out a sigh. "That is, how many task forces will have clear mission boundaries and act alone?"

"That's pretty much it, at least once the campaign is in full swing, the task forces will take turns." Gan Yongxing nodded, "At the beginning of the battle. With the exception of Task Force 3, which will be responsible for providing close fire support to the Marines, the other three task forces will each have their own mission areas. And there will be no overlap to avoid conflicts. As long as the landing is successful, then two of the three carrier task forces will remain in the front and the other will be resupply and rest in the rear, so that we can maintain two task forces at all times, and at least six fleet aircraft carriers can provide support to the Marine Corps at any time. According to Yan Guozhong's campaign arrangement, this was enough for the Marine Corps to get through the difficult stage of the landing operation. As long as the Marine Corps establishes a field airfield on the front line, the burden on the fleet will be greatly reduced after the shore-based aviation of the HNA is transferred! ”

"That's fine, at least there won't be a problem of competing for merit and shirking responsibility."

"Yes, that's why we've made that arrangement." Gan Yongxing went to get a document, "This is a general arrangement, the specific arrangement has not yet been determined, and when the time comes, the specific combat missions will be determined according to the condition of the three fleets and their performance on the battlefield." This is also one of the main contents of the meeting, and if you get to know it quickly, at least for now, it can be determined that the task force of the first task force is the heaviest of the three aircraft carrier task forces. ”

"I'm afraid it's also the most thankless!"

"Ren Hao, I didn't say that, and the first task force is the best, and when the time comes, it will be the most fully rested, and the combat effectiveness of the fleet will definitely be the strongest, if you don't let the first task force carry this heavy responsibility, do you have to arrange it for the second task force or the fifth task force?" Gan Yongxing immediately laughed, "But, you have to find a way to make Hao Dongjue understand this arrangement, this bastard is a stunned young man, if he makes some trouble again, I'm afraid the principal will cut him." ”

"Okay, I'll talk to Hao Dongjue at night." Tan Renhao also happened to think of this, "This kid lacks discipline, if he doesn't put some pressure on him, he will jump into the sky." ”

"It seems that you are the only one who can bluff him."

"Chief of Staff, I can't guarantee anything."

"Come on, don't be modest in front of me, Hao Dongjue was brought out by you, and he is also your brother-in-law, if you can't clean him up, then who else can clean him up?" Gan Yongxing patted the armrest of the sofa, "This kid is capable, and in my opinion, he is more talented than Huang Xiaotian, but he is too unstable." If he can have half the stability of the new one, I'm afraid you can hand over the first task force to him to command. So, you have to keep an eye on him, or the Imperial Navy will lose its best talent. ”

"Chief of Staff, don't praise him to his face, as long as this kid is praised, his ass will rise to the sky!" Tan Renhao immediately laughed, as for Hao Dongjue's ability, he still knew it in his heart.

"Don't worry, I won't praise him directly." Gan Yongxing also laughed, "Okay, you go and prepare, the principal will definitely let you go after talking to Jiang Zhongmin, you have to think about how to tell the principal first." ”

"Hey!" Tan Renhao sighed, "Okay, I'll think about it, to be honest, I really don't know how to tell the principal." ”

"Anyway, you just don't say the wrong thing." Gan Yongxing stood up, "In addition, you shouldn't be too straight, it's better to keep a hand on everything." ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, he didn't understand it at first, and then he thought that the chief of staff was reminding him to beware of Jiang Zhongmin, not to say anything to death in front of the principal, and to leave a way out for himself. Thinking of this, Tan Renhao didn't feel a good feeling in his heart.

After returning to his office, Tan Renhao has been unable to calm down. When he was in school, Jiang Zhongmin was his biggest competitor, and both of them relied on their own skills to achieve success, which was completely different from Fan Peikun. Before, Tan Renhao admired Jiang Zhongmin more, after all, there are not many children of wealthy families like Jiang Zhongmin who are born and willing to study hard. But when he became a general in the navy, Tan Renhao found that in the army, Jiang Zhongmin was still his biggest competitor.

Compared with talking about Renhao, what Jiang Zhongmin lacks most is opportunity, or luck. This is probably the most fortunate thing for Tan Renhao, if Jiang Zhongmin's luck is a little better, maybe Tan Renhao's development in the navy will not be so smooth, then, will Jiang Zhongmin get the opportunity he needs?