On December 23, 1915, the International Naval Conference in Washington was opened, and the eyes of the whole world were focused on the United States.

The Capitol building in the center of Washington was chosen as the venue for the international naval conference, and the flags of the United States, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Japan, Russia, and Turkey fluttered high around the unique Capitol building. At such a naval event, blue and white naturally became the main theme - the naval uniforms of the United States, Russia, Japan, and Turkey all adopted white as the main color, and the Austro-Hungarian and German navies used dark blue. Of course, a considerable number of non-naval officials attended the meeting, and there were also many royal families dressed in bright and eye-catching clothes—Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia were all leaders of state who came to the meeting.

In this way, the Navy Conference has not yet been held, and its specifications have attracted the attention of the world.

At present, there are only six participating countries, but this does not prevent the Washington Naval Conference from becoming a meeting that has attracted worldwide attention, after all, these six countries currently account for more than 80 percent of the world's total naval tonnage. Once a formal international agreement is signed at the conference, small naval states such as the Netherlands, Norway, Brazil, and China will be included in the list of treaty recognizing and subsidiary treaty signatories, even if they do not currently have the capacity to participate in the international naval race.

The rain had long since stopped, but the thick clouds were still piling up overhead. With Christmas just one day away, it seems that Santa Claus has prepared a big, big snow for the people here.

On the first day, a group meeting will be held in the main hall, and the next time will be divided into different halls to discuss the details of the agreement, and then return to the main hall for the final voting and signing ceremony, which the organizers expect will last about 7-10 days.

After entering the main hall, the temperature and atmosphere are much higher than outside. It is a large and bright hall that seems to have a capacity of two or three thousand people, and the walls and dome ceiling around the hall are covered with huge paintings and murals describing the American Revolutionary War and major events in history, as well as stone statues of Lincoln, Jefferson and other famous people. And the statue of the President of Washington is in the center.

After the representatives of the United States, Japan, Austria-Hungary, and Russia had all entered, Kaiser Wilhelm III slowly walked into the hall with his delegation, which attracted not only many eyes, but also countless speculations and discussions. Unbeknownst to many, the German delegation was almost about to withdraw from the conference, but it was only on the last day of the deadline that the German naval delegation finally agreed to attend the meeting after the United States authorities handed over more than a dozen members of the Free Army of Britain who had participated in the assassination and began to actively implement the terms of the Washington Treaty.

Although the news of the Kaiser's assassination was not made public, the dignitaries of the countries attending the International Naval Conference in Washington received some rumors. However, there will inevitably be some differences in what is known from country to country. In short, when the Kaiser himself was seen, all rumors about his assassination, wounded and even comatose were shattered.

"The Germans are becoming more and more cunning, showing their demeanor between trade-offs, and they know that they can use this as an opportunity to obtain more powerful conditions for themselves!" Linda commented in a strange tone, while her husband Aglini agreed:

"Indeed, Shibei should be impressed in three days! It is said that the Kaiser lost one of his closest guard captains, and in the end he only made the Americans lose money! Originally, I thought that this meeting was going to end there! ”

"There's a captain of the guard who lives for him this time, maybe he won't be so lucky next time!" Linda said this sourly, and as a result, Aglini looked at her in great surprise. The expression seemed to suspect that the assassination had been arranged by Linda.

"I wouldn't have arranged such a low-IQ assassination!" Linda said very disdainfully. Then he motioned to Agrini to look at the Japanese delegation not far away, "I think it's very likely that they arranged the action!" ”

"Oh?" Aglini was still surprised, and the Japanese delegates kept their faces silent.

At this time, Linda added: "But there is no definite evidence now!" ”

Aglini retracted his gaze in disappointment. In his view, the Kaiser's assassination would not necessarily be a bad thing, and that would likely lead to a realignment of power in Europe, and that his Russia would have a chance to gain something from it.

"Oh, big one!" Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Karl also muttered in his place, this man who feared that the world would not be chaotic was speaking to his wife, but to the Austrian Chief of Staff, Baron Kondra, a notorious warmaker.

Naturally, the baron held a similar opinion: "But no, why didn't he bring a subversive war to the world like Archduke Ferdinand back then?" Maybe our Austro-Hungarian Empire will become the hegemon of Europe! ”

"Alas, what a pity!" After listening to the baron's words, Karl felt very sorry if Germany and the United States fought inexplicably. His Austro-Hungarian Empire will undoubtedly be able to reap the benefits of the fisherman, "Well, I heard that the Americans lost a lot of money to Germany?" ”

"It seems so!" Condra didn't seem very sure either, for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, despite its vast territory and large population, had an underdeveloped intelligence network, let alone in a place like North America, far from Europe.

"No wonder Germany did not attack the United States over this! Who do you think will assassinate the Kaiser? Karl whispered with his chin propped up, glancing at the Kaiser and his entourage, who had just taken their seats.

"I think it's the British, they are the most hated Germans in the world! Of course, France is also possible. But it seems that a civil war is about to break out in France! Condra's remark was a bit of speculation, as Austrian intelligence had not provided documentary evidence for the time being, but that did not prevent him from paying considerable attention to the identity of the Assassins and whether France would fight a civil war.

Judging from the small details, it is entirely possible that the government of northern France, supported by Germany, will use force against the government of the Free France in the south, but it is not known whether the will of the French people will be able to prevent such a war.

"Hit, hit! Let the flames of war be the celebratory flowers of my enthronement! Karl gloated that old Franz on the sickbed was still not improving, and according to the doctors, it was difficult to survive until the summer. In this case, Karl had already begun to prepare for the grand enthronement ceremony in private.

After the German delegation entered, the Turks appeared in the hall, but neither the Americans nor the Japanese looked at them squarely, and the title of "Europe's sick man" remained in people's minds, despite the fact that the republic was thriving under Kemal's leadership. The army, the oil, the railways, and the fleet, to outsiders, all seem to be the work of the Germans. Turkey is still the Ottoman Empire in decline.

Once everyone was seated, U.S. President Wilson stepped up to the podium to address the meeting:

"Okay, first of all, I want to welcome you all the way to beautiful Washington, D.C., on behalf ......of the people of the United States."

Despite the presence of translators and pre-translated written texts, none of the delegates below were interested, and no one cared what kind of welcome Wilson would say, and no one cared how the United States would open its mind to welcome itself. People are gearing up for the battle at the negotiating table in the back.

Chen Tian briefly read the draft of the speech, and found that there was really no substantive content in it, and then glanced at Wilson, who had a voice on it, and felt that Americans always like to dance when they expound their views. Wilson** talked about "peace", "development", and "harmony", but Chen Tian set his eyes on the place beyond the podium. As his gaze swept over Karl's triumphant face, he suddenly remembered Franz Joseph I, the founder of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a hard-working, friendly, and amiable man who, in many perceptions, was also an important link that held the vast and complex Austro-Hungarian Empire together. Unfortunately, now he and his empire are terminally ill.

Austria? Hungary? Or is it located on the coastline of the Mediterranean coast?

Chen Tian was planning in his mind. In his opinion, Karl's face was very pitiful, not to mention that he did not have the ability of the old Emperor Franz, even if he did. Whether he will succeed in ascending to the throne is still unknown. Domestically, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was full of factions and forces, some of whom were subservient to the vastness of the empire, and some of whom were subservient to the authority of the old emperor, but at least for the time being, not many people were impressed by Karl's personal charisma; The most important thing is that at this time, Germany and Austria no longer have a common enemy in war, and Germany is above Austria-Hungary in terms of population, national strength, and military strength.

In Chentian's opinion, if Karl saw the battle plan called "Lightning" in the top secret safe stored by the German Army General Staff. I'm afraid he wouldn't have the smug expression on his face now.

Project Lightning, as the name suggests, is about a war of surprise. This plan was finalized as early as May 1915, the chief designer was Chen Tian himself, and the senior army generals who participated in the formulation of this plan included Paul von Hindenburg, Ludendorff, Hoffmann and other senior army generals, and planned to mobilize 850,000 troops stationed in East Prussia, Prussia, Poland, and Bavaria to suddenly attack the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Duchy of Austria, the Duchy of Caniola and the coastal provinces of Austria-Hungary in an undeclared war, with the aim of occupying the main industrial areas, shipbuilding bases and military ports of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So as to achieve the goal of weakening Austria-Hungary to the greatest extent.

On the schedule of the lightning program. The death of the old Austrian Emperor Franz was a key point.

Although there is such a plan, it does not mean that Germany will definitely invade Austria-Hungary, and there are many expired or unexpired strategic plans in the safe of the German Army Staff, and their implementation depends on the political environment and situation, and in such a complex international environment, anything can happen. Therefore, the Lightning Plan was more precisely a preparatory battle plan, and it was not prepared for an inevitable war like the Schlieffen Plan of the year.

Moreover, before the old Austrian emperor breathed, Chen Tian did not intend to act rashly, after all, this great monarch who single-handedly created the Austro-Hungarian Empire has been in power for 65 years, and is the backbone of the current 17 kingdoms, principalities and autonomous provinces and 11 nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Rather than annexing part of the territory of Austria-Hungary, Tatsuten was more eager to defeat the United States completely, and for this reason he did not hesitate to unite all forces that could be united, including the Japanese.

Thinking of this, Chen Tian turned his gaze to the Japanese delegation again. Wilson was still talking, and the Japanese were looking at the speaker on the stage with contempt and contempt, immersed in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that they had concocted, a tone that was so different from the national spirit of Japan from ancient times to the present, how could these aggressive Japanese accept a world free from strife and plunder?

Chen Tian suddenly felt that it was indeed a bit funny to draw Japan into this meeting, but the reason why the Japanese government did not refuse or even responded positively was that they were afraid of the German Navy, which was far ahead in strength and technology, and the US Navy, which could invest huge sums of money in expansion at any time.

"The reason why this Japanese mad dog is willing to wear a collar is because the other end of the rope is also around our neck!" This is what German Foreign Minister Stresemann said to the US ambassador after the Japanese government agreed to participate in the international naval conference, and Tatsuten felt that this description was very appropriate.

The Japanese are not only fanatical, but also good at playing some small intrigues and tricks. Chen Tian remembered a peculiar situation reported by his intelligence officer -- after the Japanese delegation came to the United States, every time it visited a place, it would gather local Japanese expatriates for gatherings and discussions, and this was the case in Washington, New York, and Philadelphia.

A lewd and cunning people!

Chen Tian warned himself in his heart that Japan's wolf ambitions must not be tolerated, but compared with the ambition and arrogance of the Japanese, the United States is the most important enemy at present, and only while the United States is not fully armed can Germany have a chance to defeat it. Otherwise, not to mention Germany, even if the whole world unites, it may not be able to defeat and defeat the United States, and the final result is likely to be a confrontation between the two sides across the sea, and the United States has the opportunity to divide and disintegrate the coalition forces one by one, or use its strong economic and industrial strength to drag the coalition forces down.

A round of applause brought Chen Tian back to reality from the terrible prediction, and it seemed that Wilson had finally finished his enthusiastic speech, at which point Ryan stepped forward, "Next, the US Secretary of the Navy, Admiral William S. Benson, will introduce you to the predetermined framework of this naval conference, if you have any objections to this predetermined framework, please raise them in the next stage of the meeting!" ”

Under the gaze of the people, an American general in a white military uniform slowly walked up to the podium, his face was wrinkled, and the sideburns under his hat were also white, which made Chen Tian look a little like General Patton who had seen it in a television documentary from another world. Of course, this could not have been Patton himself, for in 1915 Patton was only 30 years old, and unsurprisingly he was still serving in a cavalry unit.

"First of all, I would like to thank here in particular His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, His Majesty the Tsar of Russia, ......"

In the midst of this monotonous and uninteresting speech, Chen Tian was a little drowsy, and then there was his speech, although most of this speech was more formal than substance, and he began to wonder if he should come to this place in person to attend such a meeting.