The negotiations did not break down, and the impact of Japan's offer of surrender negotiations continued. In addition to boosting the morale of the emperor, there is also a second voice within the empire. Some people began to naively believe that the war was about to end, and there was no need for the empire to shed blood and sacrifice anymore, and some parliamentarians even demanded that the empire should lift the state of war and restore normal order.

On 18 July, Prime Minister Xue Xiyue gave a two-and-a-half-hour speech to the Parliament. And this speech was also broadcast nationwide through radio stations. After harshly refuting the erroneous arguments of those "pacifists", he emphasized the current critical situation and stressed that the Empire would never lay down its arms and would never stop fighting until all its enemies had been defeated. This speech was very successful, and while correcting the rhetoric of the Chinese people, Xue Xiyue spared no effort to criticize those retreating elements who delusionally thought about "peace". The war will still go on and will continue until all enemies are defeated!

Tan Renhao also listened to the radio, which is a new propaganda tool. In the past, it was only possible to learn about the outside world through newspapers, but now the Empire's broadcasting system has been established (in fact, the basis for radio broadcasting was for military purposes, and it was later converted to civilian use), and all Imperial subjects can learn about the situation of the Empire at any time through the radio, and learn about the situation on the battlefield on the front line.

Nie Renfeng also returned to Zhoushan that afternoon, and in addition to bringing some latest news on the negotiations, he also brought back another extremely important piece of news.

"The Kaiser rejected Prime Minister Xue Xiyue's request to temporarily stop unrestricted submarine warfare?"

Gan Yongxing was surprised.

Nie Renfeng just nodded slightly. "I got this news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only a few hours before I left the capital. The German Foreign Minister has officially rejected our request and has stated that he will commit at least 35o submarines to the North Atlantic by the end of the year for unrestricted submarine warfare. ”

"Damn the Germans, are they trying to drag us into the water?"

Gan Yongxing clenched his fists.

Tan Renhao did not feel any surprises: the German Empire was nominally an ally of the Tang Empire, but in fact it was more like a country that shared world hegemony with the Tang Empire. Among the "Triumvirate Alliance", the Tang Empire is the undisputed leader. The Persian Empire was also undoubtedly the largest vassal of the Tang Empire. The position of the German Empire in this alliance is very delicate, and both the Tang Empire and the German Empire have come together because of mutual interests, so to speak, an alliance of interests. The Tang Empire and the Persian Empire, on the other hand, became allies because of their thousand-year-old historical ties and extensive close ties. Obviously, the German Empire was also one of the most difficult powers to control in this alliance. The Tang Empire could easily sway the Persian Empire's policies to the contrary. But it was difficult to exert influence on the German Empire, especially at critical moments.

"It's not a German problem."

Nie Renfeng patted the handrail of Xiasha, "It's not our problem. The Prime Minister has sent a new envoy to Germany, hoping to make Germany change its mind. But now it seems that there is little hope. ”

"Do you have any answer from the German side?"

Tan Renhao lit a cigarette.

"The German minister proposed to choose a location for a tripartite summit meeting."

Nie Renfeng crossed his hands: "Now Xue Xiyue has not agreed for the time being, because Xiang Xiang has not been able to leave the empire yet." However, the meeting will definitely take place, and it is possible that the venue will be chosen in Tehran. At that time, the prime minister of the Persian Empire will also participate in the talks. ”

"What's the point?"

Gan Yongxing didn't understand.

Nie Renfeng laughed, and Tan Renhao also laughed. Both of them knew the importance of this kind of three-country summit meeting.

"Yongxing. Do you think it's not necessary? ”

Nie Renfeng shook his head with a smile, Gan Yongxing is an excellent soldier, not a politician. "Xiang is already planning the schedule. And with the other two countries, the specific time of the talks is that Xue Xiyue has decided to participate in this meeting, and now all that is missing is time. ”

"But ......"

"This meeting between the chiefs of staff is very necessary."

Tan Renhao interjected.

"Ren Hao's words are not wrong, listen to him!"

Nie Renfeng nodded at Tan Renhao and encouraged Tan Renhao to express his views.

"Let's put it this way, we need a guiding principle of war in this alliance of ours."

Tan Renhao lit a cigarette: "The war has been fought for more than two years. The three of us do not actually cooperate on a deeper level than mutual material assistance, intelligence sharing, and facilitation of access. The current cooperation is only tactical and logistical, intelligence, and diplomatic cooperation. Obviously, if you want to win this war, especially if you want to win it after the United States enters the war. Such cooperation is certainly not enough, and all three countries need more in-depth cooperation. ”

"What kind of in-depth cooperation?"

Gan Yongxing also lit a cigarette.

"Chief of Staff, actually, that's pretty obvious."

Tan Renhao didn't want to make it too obvious, otherwise it would make it difficult for Gan Yongxing to step down.

"Yongxing, you should also think about it, maybe you just thought about it and didn't realize it."

Nie Renfeng also encouraged Gan Yongxing as he encouraged students.

Gan Yongxing immediately pondered, and then he laughed. "Headmaster, you mean we have to unite completely?"

"It must be thorough, from the most basic war policy to the most superficial tactical cooperation, alliances at all levels, not just with each other!"

Nie Renfeng's words will not make Gan Yongxing feel unable to step down: "Now our real relationship with the other two allies should be alliance, not alliance. On the battlefield we can work together. In the rear, we can help each other, learn from each other's strengths, and provide each other with what we have. However, the problem is that in essence, this kind of alliance cannot fully unleash the war potential of the three countries, let alone form the maximum combat effectiveness. If nothing else, Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare this time has actually created a diplomatic and military dilemma for us. Is this an alliance? Obviously, this is not what we need, a better partner, and in the same way, Germany also needs a Don empire that can help them the most. So we need to go deeper! ”

Gan Yongxing and Tan Renhao both put on an open face to be taught.

"The most fundamental issue is the basic attitude of our three parties towards the war zone, that is, the basic war strategy. Perhaps we didn't realize the difference on this point before, or we didn't pay attention to it. This time Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare. and Japan's offer to surrender talks as a catalyst for the issue to surface, causing the three countries to pay attention to it. ”

Nie Renfeng stood up and walked slowly back and forth in the room: "In the last war, we finally accepted the armistice agreement proposed by the United States. Our losses were great, but so were the losses of Germany, because we had the possibility of a final victory. Therefore, Germany has always believed that it was us who gave up the war on our own initiative, and in the end it led to the loss of German interests. Although this did not ultimately affect our alliance with Germany, because we had common interests and neither could do without the other, it resulted in the fact that for the first two years of the war we were all on our own path, without a unified war strategy. The result was over the course of two years. None of us got a decisive victory. Now we must have a common strategy, one to guide the war show. It also clearly stipulates the responsibilities that each country must assume in the event of an increased post-war obligation, as well as a common programmatic agreement against any one enemy. This will become the basis of the war of the three countries. ”

"Headmaster, this meeting is going to be a lot of trouble!"

Gan Yongxing interjected.

"Trouble is secondary, and we all need such a programmatic agreement."

Nie Renfeng walked to Gan Yongxing's side and put his hand on Gan Yongxing's shoulder: "Imagine if we agree to Japan's surrender conditions." What will be the outcome of Japan's early withdrawal, as in the previous war? Perhaps Germany will accept the terms of French surrender and that we may win in the end, but this is by no means a complete victory, and the danger of war will continue, and no one will be able to avoid the next one. But who can afford the huge casualties and destruction that the next war will bring? No one can afford it, so we must devise a strategy that can defeat the enemy and finally solve the hidden dangers of war. And that will guide us to the final victory, the complete victory. ”

Gan Yongxing nodded slightly, and now he understands, but he still doesn't understand a little. "Then why would Germany seize the unrestricted submarine warfare, this is obviously creating trouble for us, and even blackmailing us, and Xue Xiyue will definitely not give in, which will not help the talks."

Nie Renfeng laughed, and he glanced at Tan Renhao. "Renhao, why do you think Germany is resuming unrestricted submarine warfare at this juncture?"

"Maybe it's just putting pressure on us and giving us a hint signal!"

Tan Renhao shrugged his shoulders, and he laughed awkwardly when he came into contact with Nie Renfeng's gaze. "Actually, I think it's a gamble by the Germans, a gamble made by Germany after finding out our cards."

"Gambling?"

Gan Yongxing looked at Tan Renhao very puzzled.

"A gamble on the fate of Germany."

Tan Renhao has no way to avoid it anymore: "Judging from the current situation in the European theater, there is a certain reason for Germany to resume unrestricted submarine warfare. The Anglo-French forces in the western European theater had shifted from offensive to defensive, and Germany was concentrating its efforts on preparing to take out France, and they were likely to achieve their ultimate goal. The basis for keeping Britain and France in place was precisely the sea routes in the North Atlantic. If Britain and France had lost the war materials they had received from the United States, they would probably not have been able to hold out for even a year. Therefore, Germany hoped to complete the strangulation of Britain and France through unrestricted submarine warfare, and then use the strategic offensive on the ground to take out France first. As long as France is finished, Spain will certainly surrender soon, and Italy will withdraw from the war, at least choosing to temporarily stop the attack on Germany. In Western Europe, only Britain would be left to resist. So that Germany can turn around and cooperate with us to take out Russia and end the war on the big 6 in Europe. At this point, the European war situation is basically decided. ”

"But won't the United States choose to go to war?"

Gan Yongxing frowned.

"Yes, for sure, but even if the United States enters the war now, it will not be able to help much."

Tan Renhao lit a cigarette again: "What Germany wants is to kill France and drive Britain back to the island before the power of the United States can explode." At that time, even if the United States entered the war, Germany would not be threatened on the ground battlefield in Western Europe. At this point, Germany can choose to wait, and as long as we win in the Pacific, the outcome of the war is basically certain. So the Germans were making a gamble on whether they would be able to complete the ground war in western Europe in a matter of months. Among them, unrestricted submarine warfare will play a key role in the strangulation of the British and French sea courses. ”

Gan Yongxing pondered for a while, then nodded slightly. It was clear that Germany would never give up this best chance to take out its long-cherished enemy, France.

"In fact, it will also be a bargaining chip for Germany to put pressure on us."

Nie Renfeng added to Tan Renhao's analysis: "If we accept Japan's surrender, then Germany will definitely suffer the most. Therefore, Germany wanted to use unrestricted submarine warfare to force us to finally destroy Japan. This will certainly become the main trump card of Germany in the talks, allowing us to take into account the interests of Germany more than just the interests of the Don Empire. ”

"If that's the case, the talks will be even more difficult!"

"No matter how difficult it is, there will definitely be a result from this meeting."

Nie Renfeng sat down, "And there is another uncertain factor, that is, the attitude of the United States." If the United States enters the war soon, then there will be no problems in this meeting, we will not accept the surrender of Japan, we will not prevent Germany from resuming unrestricted submarine warfare, we will have a new goal, and the outcome of the talks will be of decisive benefit to all three. ”

Nie Renfeng's remarks hit the key point, it doesn't matter how the game between the three giants is, in the end, it is all aimed at the United States, the most powerful enemy, and the ultimate goal is to gain benefits from this war and gain more benefits than to pay. Obviously, at this time, a meeting at the top level of the Three Kingdoms will be of great significance.