On the afternoon of 25 July, the reconnaissance planes did not discover the US Atlantic Fleet, and after roughly judging that the fleet had left the sea area where it might be attacked by the US Atlantic Fleet, Tan Renhao restored the fleet to a cruising speed of 18 knots and took a route. German submarines, as if they had disappeared from the Atlantic, did not come to harass the First Fleet.

On the way back to the Gibraltar fortress, Chang Zhixin "picked up" the three American atomic physics scientists aboard the "Nanning" in accordance with Tan Renhao's request, and arranged for three cabins to be held in solitary confinement. In addition, Chang Jianxin also arranged for several staff officers who knew a little physics to assist Pan Zekang in conducting more in-depth interrogation of the three American scientists. By the morning of the 28th, the fleet had reached the western side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Lei Shaoqing sent a seaplane to welcome the returning fleet. In the afternoon of the same day, after the fleet entered the Bay of Algeciras, Pan Zekang handed over the compiled report to Lei Shaoqing, and a senior officer returned to the empire with the report. The next day, Pan Zekang, along with the three American scientists, and several important people found among the other captives, agreed that a clipper arranged by Lei Shaoqing would go to Ceuta, where they would return to the empire on a large transport plane. At this point, the operation was basically over, and the First Fleet had no losses, although it was not able to capture the important cargo in the end, but it unexpectedly captured several important people, a batch of important instruments and equipment, and hundreds of tons of natural ore, which is also a big gain.

"This operation can be described as a mixed bag." Lei Shaoqing found Tan Renhao on the evening of the 28th. "Before you come back. I received a telegram from the command of the Navy. The command of the Navy did not criticize this operation too much, after all, we all know the complexity and difficulty of the operation. In addition, your windfall is also of great significance, I heard that the prime minister also made a special inquiry about the three American scientists, and this is the first time we have arrested American scientists. ”

"So does the naval command have any other orders?" Tan Renhao also understood in his heart that the operation was not actually a failure, and it was unlikely that the Navy Command would trouble the First Fleet in such a special operation operation.

"Not yet." Lei Shaoqing handed the teacup to Tan Renhao. "Before you returned, the Third Fleet had returned to the Caribbean, and I heard that the U.S. Atlantic Fleet had also returned to Norfolk Naval Harbor. Huang Xiaotian did not encounter the US military, and now the Third Fleet will continue to be on standby in the Caribbean Sea, the attack on the Greater Andrés Islands has been temporarily stopped, and the Navy Command is adjusting the battle plan. Preparations are also underway. It's just that now the command of the Navy has not yet ordered the First Fleet to go to the Caribbean. ”

"After the last toss, I'm afraid Han Shaofeng won't be able to prepare for another attack until May, right?"

"Pretty much, the main problem now is that the preparations of the Marine Corps are not in place, and the Third Fleet and the First Fleet have been fighting outside for more than half a year, and the officers and men of the fleet also need time to rest." Lei Shaoqing sat down next to Tan Renhao, "It's impossible to return to the empire, maybe you will have to stay here for a year and a half, but I have already arranged the relevant rest and recuperation plans." The First Fleet was to go to Ceuta and Tangier in batches, with the Persian Empire providing resting places. Heard. The Persian Imperial Navy is consulting with us, if an agreement is finally reached. The Persian Empire was also to send a fleet to participate in combat operations against the Greater Andres Islands. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, to be honest, since the German "Far East Fleet" caused trouble many times, he was very disgusted with the matter of multinational naval cooperation.

"It's not something we can worry about, and it's always a good thing to have a little more strength. The Persian Empire was more willing to cooperate with us than the Germans, and there were fewer contradictions between us. Before. We have tried to secure the interests of the Persian Empire in the Mediterranean, and it is up to the Persian Empire to help us. Lei Shaoqing could see at a glance what Tan Renhao was thinking. Of course, if the Persian Empire eventually joined the war against the United States, the German Navy would not stand idly by. ”

"The Germans changed their attitude so quickly?"

"Ren Hao, this is a political issue, not a military issue, in politics, is there an eternal enemy?" Lei Shaoqing smiled and took out a cigarette, "The question of Britain's ownership has been determined, Germany has lost the opportunity to enter Britain, but the war is not over yet, and the defeat of the United States is only a matter of time, in terms of how to deal with the United States after the defeat, the Germans will definitely not be left aside, then, Germany must contribute to the combat operation of attacking the United States, otherwise, Germany will be excluded from the United States, which will not be beneficial to Germany." Therefore, it is now the Germans who have put aside their prejudices and cooperated with us, not us who have begged the Germans to cooperate. ”

"According to you, the naval command will again cooperate with the Germans?" Tan Renhao felt a little annoyed, the Germans had created enough trouble.

"This is not something that the command of the Navy can decide. If only from the point of view of the naval command, neither the rector, nor the chief of staff, would have agreed to cooperate with the Germans, or even with the Persians. We have a strong enough fleet, and new ships are about to enter service, and when the time comes, we can even afford to form a fourth main fleet. It is not a problem to seize sea supremacy and assume the ability to land and land land, and there is no need for us to receive assistance from the navies of other countries. The German Navy did not have a decent fleet, so what could it do to help? ”

Tan Renhao let out a long sigh. "It seems that the chancellor will not necessarily refuse the Germans' request for assistance."

"If I were chancellor, not only would I not refuse, but Germans would be welcome."

Tan Renhao looked at Lei Shaoqing and motioned for Lei Shaoqing to continue.

"First of all, none of us can confirm whether the United States can be forced to surrender through a naval blockade and large-scale strategic bombing. If it is ultimately necessary to land in the eastern part of the continental United States, then we alone will not be able to afford the war losses. At that time, even if the Germans could not provide much help in the navy, they would at least be able to provide some help in landing operations, as well as in ground operations. Secondly, if there is a need for a total blockade of the United States, the squadron of the German Navy is indispensable, which

An effective addition to our fleet. At the same time, it can also reduce our potential:|SI force, which does not need to deploy too many submarines to the Atlantic, can allow more ports to serve the main fleet, as well as the landing fleet, transport fleet, and can also reduce the pressure on logistics. In the end, the war is not over, and the contradictions between us and Germany can only be regarded as differences within the alliance, and as long as the United States has not been defeated, neither Germany nor us will take the initiative to intensify the contradictions. Moreover, in order to maintain the post-war peace, both of us will try to resolve our differences during the war, rather than leaving them for the post-war period, which will eventually lead to new conflicts, or even new wars. Judging by these three points, we will definitely cooperate with the Germans, whether in the real sense of the word or in form! ”

"It seems that your kid has gained a lot of experience in the rear in the past few years!" Tan Renhao laughed, "That's true, if the Germans offered to jointly attack the United States, the prime minister would not refuse such an offer." However, many related details need to be dealt with first to avoid contradictions and conflicts in cooperation. In particular, in terms of military command and logistical support, we must first reach an agreement with the other participating countries, otherwise cooperation will not be sustainable, and there may even be more contradictions in the end. ”

"There have been lessons learned, and the government will certainly be more cautious in dealing with the relevant issues, and perhaps now we are in secret negotiations with the representatives of Germany."

"I hope so." Tan Renhao said. He nodded. "So, we don't have anything to do for the time being?"

"Of course not, the war is not over yet, don't be lazy." Lei Shaoqing went to get a document, "The two battleships in the third task force have been repaired, and I will contact Lao Chang tomorrow and ask him to inspect the battleships." In addition, a new telegram was sent from the command of the Navy. The First and Second Fleets will be reorganized. ”

"Regrouping?" Tan Renhao took the document and looked at it suspiciously.

"The Second Fleet will be stationed in the Mediterranean Sea for a long time, as well as in the waters of Europe, and will become the Empire's resident fleet in the European region. Now the government is negotiating with the British that the Second Fleet will be stationed in the British port of Puffmouth, pending the completion of the infrastructure work on the fortress of Gibraltar. Maybe. In the future, the Second Fleet will have two home ports. "Lei Shaoqing probably explained the new order of the Navy Command." Unless there is an unexpected situation in the battle on the other side of the Atlantic, and more fleets must be committed, the Second Fleet will remain here for a long time. Perhaps it won't be long before Jiang Zhongmin will be appointed commander-in-chief of the Imperial Fleet in Europe, and even as commander-in-chief of the Imperial Legion in Europe. Of course, these are just two false titles. The battle on the European side is over, and the Second Fleet does not need to continue to maintain a strong force. Although the Navy Command has not abolished the Sixth Task Force, it has ordered the battleship 'Wuhan' of the Sixth Task Force to be reorganized into the Third Task Force, and at the same time, a number of cruisers and destroyers will be transferred to strengthen the Third Task Force. At that time, the remaining warships of Task Force VI would remain at Fort Gibraltar. It will not be until we have enough new ships that we will consider strengthening the Sixth Task Force. ”

"Does Jiang Zhongmin know this order?" This is the same as Tan Renhao predicted at the beginning. The Second Fleet was left in Europe, while the First Fleet was to be strengthened.

"He received the order at the same time. Now the battleship 'Wuhan' and other warships that will be incorporated into the Third Task Force are in the bay. Tomorrow, I will go with Lao Chang to receive these warships and carry out the rearmament ceremony. Lei Shaoqing took out another cigarette, "I have a general understanding, most of the backbone officers on these battleships are separated from the Third Task Force, so if they are assigned to the Third Task Force, the resistance of the officers and men should not be very great." There are even many who want such an integration. ”

"That's a good thing, at least there's a lot of personnel trouble left."

"Yes. I haven't told him yet, I'll give him a call later, tell him the general situation, and let him get ready. ”

"It's okay, arrange this matter as soon as possible, so as not to have too many dreams at night." From the bottom of his heart, Tan Renhao was very happy, which at least proved the position of the main force of the First Fleet, and made Jiang Zhongmin lose the opportunity to compete with him. "It's up to you to come forward with Lao Chang in this matter, and if I come forward, it will have a bad impact."

"That's what I thought, that's why I didn't pull you up, after all, it's just a matter between Task Force 3 and Task Force 6."

"So, what about Gu Zhenyun's attitude?"

"Gu Zhenyun? He had already gone back to the empire to recuperate, and the wound on his face had not been treated at the time, and now there was a problem, and I heard that he would have to undergo cosmetic surgery, otherwise it would leave marks. As for the matter of the Sixth Task Force, you don't need to worry, Gu Zhenyun has no ambitions, and now letting him recuperate from his injuries also just allows him to avoid the contradiction between the two main fleets, probably he is secretly having fun. ”

"It's okay, as long as Jiang Zhongmin doesn't make any trouble, there shouldn't be any problem in this matter."

"Almost, this is a direct order from the Navy Command, I heard that it was directly approved by the principal, unless Jiang Zhongmin wants to work against the principal, otherwise he won't have any problems." Lei Shaoqing went to get another document, "In addition, a batch of reconnaissance planes for you has also arrived, and like the second task force, the first task force will also be equipped with Xindi reconnaissance planes." In addition, all seaplanes of the First Fleet will be replaced. So, don't think about resting during this time, the relevant training work should be carried out as soon as possible, and maybe at some point, the Navy Command will send a new order for you to go to the Caribbean. ”

Tan Renhao was stunned for a moment, and then he reacted, this time it must be a "reconnaissance eagle", but he didn't know that the navy was going to replace the seaplanes on the battleships and cruisers, of course, it must be a good thing to replace the new planes.

"Okay, it's not too early, I won't leave you overnight, tomorrow you go to receive the new plane, I don't have time to accompany you, I will send a staff officer to show you the way then."

After saying goodbye to Lei Shaoqing, Tan Renhao returned to the fleet. In fact, he didn't have to worry about receiving the new plane, and now he could breathe a sigh of relief.