On July 4, Tan Renhao followed Nie Renfeng to the imperial capital, where Nie Renfeng would personally "recommend" the overall strategy of the navy to the prime minister, while Tan Renhao was responsible for explaining the campaign against the Panama Canal. On the same day, Yan Dingyu also arrived at the imperial capital with several of his generals.

It was a high-profile meeting, and after the succession of battles in Russia, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands, no one doubted that the Central Powers, led by the Tang Empire, would win the final victory in the war. On July 3, the King of Spain himself announced that Spain was working hard to end the war and officially opened the armistice negotiations with the Central Powers. Six days before that, on June 29, the last Russian army in Moscow ceased its resistance, and the Imperial Army completed the capture of Moscow. U.S. forces have also been withdrawing from Kauai since July 1 in preparation for a retreat to Oahu. At this point, the allies led by the Tang Empire had gained absolute strategic superiority, and the Tang Empire convened a high-level meeting of the naval and land armies at this time precisely to determine the strategic objectives of the last stage.

On the morning of July 5, the first preparatory meeting was held, and Xue Xiyue made a summary report on behalf of the imperial cabinet government for the first half of 27 years. Nie Renfeng and Yan Dingyu respectively made a summary report on the combat operations in the first half of 27 years on behalf of the navy and army. In the afternoon of the same day, Nie Renfeng and Yan Dingyu met with the prime minister respectively. The next day, the second preparatory meeting was held, a closed-door meeting attended by cabinet ministers and senior generals of the navy and army. At the meeting, Nie Renfeng and Yan Dingyu expounded for the first time the analysis and understanding of the overall strategic objectives of the navy and land forces for the next stage, that is, the strategic planning of the sea and land. In the afternoon of the same day, Xue Xiyue summoned Nie Renfeng and Yan Dingyu at the same time, and the two marshals held an informal debate in front of the prime minister for the first time on how to achieve the final victory.

The first formal meeting, held on 8 July, was the focus of the meeting in which representatives of the navy and army were the focal point, and the discussion soon became tense, with both sides trying to articulate their strategic objectives in the best interests of the empire, and both trying to refute the arguments of their opponents. Tan Renhao also spoke at the meeting, and he was mainly responsible for the navy's specific campaign execution report. This is also one of the most important parts of the Navy's strategic plan. The debate continued into the afternoon, with a not-so-sumptuous lunch in between. To Tan Renhao's slight surprise, until the end, the army did not officially propose combat operations at the landing site on the west coast of the United States, so Nie Renfeng was not in a hurry to let Tan Renhao propose a combat plan for landing in the Panama Canal.

"What tricks is the Army playing?" After the meeting, Tan Renhao followed the principal back to the guest house of the Admiralty. "After a day of fighting, the army didn't come up with their best weapons. Do they want to continue tomorrow? ”

"The meeting will be adjourned tomorrow, and the second meeting will be held the day after tomorrow." Nie Renfeng looked very tired, "As for why the army didn't put forward a plan to attack the mainland of the United States at today's meeting, this was probably specially arranged by Yan Dingyu. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, he didn't understand what the specific meaning of this arrangement was.

"The Prime Minister is much more assertive than we are, and it can be said that we have been paying attention to the Army, but ignoring the Prime Minister's own attitude." Nie Renfeng leaned back on the sofa, "The night before yesterday, Yan Dingyu and I argued for several hours in the Prime Minister's Office. The prime minister has not said anything. At the time, I didn't think the prime minister had made a decision. Judging from the attitude of the Prime Minister at the meeting today, I am afraid that the Prime Minister has already made a decision, but we just don't know it. ”

"Is the prime minister ready to leave the army and navy behind? Determine the strategic purpose yourself? ”

"No, of course not." Nie Renfeng glanced at the cupboard, "Help me make a cup of coffee, and make a cup for yourself, I'm tired." ”

Tan Renhao hurriedly went to shoot two cups of coffee, he was also very tired, and the tea did not play a refreshing role.

"Let's put it this way, the prime minister already has a clear direction." After taking a sip, Nie Renfeng put the coffee cup on the small coffee table next to him. "It doesn't matter if it's the Army, it's the Navy. In the end, we all have to obey the orders of the prime minister, not the prime minister to follow us. Today, we quarreled with the army for a day, and the prime minister did not intervene, which is enough to prove that the prime minister has his own ideas. Yan Dingyu must have expected this, so he didn't immediately use his truce card. ”

"But ......" Tan Renhao still didn't understand a little. If the Prime Minister has his plan, then why should we play this show? ”

"This is acting? It's a bit like acting, but we all know it. The prime minister needs the support of both the army and the navy, doesn't he? Nie Renfeng laughed, "In addition, the Prime Minister must want to get a little benefit from our arguments, and try to draw useful elements from our opinions." I bet we won't have a quarrel with the Army at the meeting the day after tomorrow, and the Prime Minister won't even give us much to speak! ”

Of course, Tan Renhao would not doubt the principal's judgment, but in fact, he did not wait for July 10, and on the afternoon of July 9, he followed Nie Renfeng to the Prime Minister's Office, and this time the Prime Minister sent someone to call them over.

"Be careful when you talk." Nie Renfeng has already cultivated his spirits, "I just got the news, Yan Dingyu took Gu Xunlei to the Prime Minister's Office in the morning, and he must have sold their combat operations, and now the Prime Minister needs to know whether the goods in our hands are better, and if we want the Prime Minister to support us, then we have to sell the plan in our hands first, understand?" ”

Of course, Tan Renhao knew the importance of meeting the prime minister this time, and he had been preparing for more than ten days for this moment.

The two soon arrived at the Prime Minister's Office, where a young secretary took them to the Prime Minister's study.

"Marshal, Prime Minister, please go in first."

Nie Renfeng nodded, turned back to Tan Renhao and said, "You sit here for a while, and wait for someone to call you." Remember those words I told you on the road. ”

Tan Renhao nodded immediately, and after Nie Renfeng followed the secretary into the study, a guard from the Prime Minister's Office brought him tea, and he could only wait patiently. In less than ten minutes, the secretary walked in through another door.

"General Tan, the prime minister invites you in, please come with me."

Tan Renhao immediately got up, and before entering the study, he tidied up his clothes, and at the same time adjusted his breathing, trying to make himself appear calm.

In the study, Nie Renfeng and Xue Xiyue were talking in a low voice. Both of them looked like they were dancing with their eyebrows, as if they were telling a joke. Tan Renhao was a little nervous. This was not the first time he had met the prime minister, but he still felt a little nervous, and after the secretary withdrew, Tan Renhao suddenly didn't know whether to stand or step forward.

"Come and sit and relax." Xue Xiyue beckoned to Tan Renhao, "General Tan." It's not the first time we've met, and I don't seem like a very fierce person. ”

Tan Renhao smiled reluctantly, and hurriedly went over and sat next to Nie Renfeng.

"At the beginning, Marshal Nie Renfeng has already mentioned your plan, well, I already know better." Xue Xiyue didn't give Tan Renhao a chance to speak, "What I need to know is, if you are in command, how sure are you that you will be able to successfully complete the task?" ”

"This ......" Tan Renhao hesitated for a moment, and then said immediately. Your Excellency Prime Minister. I will do my best to ensure that the task is completed, and as for how sure I am, I dare not say anything about it. Military personnel are all truth-seeking, and with the ability to brag alone, we cannot defeat the enemy, nor can we achieve victory, and we can only defeat the enemy through unremitting efforts, just like the actions of the navy on the battlefield in recent years. ”

Xue Xiyue nodded with a smile and did not immediately express his opinion. Tan Renhao quickly observed the principal's expression, at least Nie Renfeng's expression told him that he had said this very well.

"In other words, we have to base our hopes of final victory on a less certain guarantee?" Xue Xiyue spoke. gave Tan Renhao a problem.

Nie Renfeng wanted to block this question for Tan Renhao, but Xue Xiyue did not let Nie Renfeng answer this question, but patiently waited for Tan Renhao's answer.

"Prime Minister, war is gambling, but there is a very different difference from gambling. As a responsible soldier for the Empire, I will not make any vain promises, because this is not only no good, but also very harmful. Tan Renhao quickly replied, "Maybe." My personal commitment is nothing, on the battlefield, whether it is a general or a soldier, they are just a very ordinary, very small part. And it is not me alone who can provide assurances to the Prime Minister, but the entire Imperial Navy, millions of servicemen of the Imperial Navy. Prime Minister, if you need a tangible guarantee, then this is the guarantee of the Imperial Navy. ”

"Young man, you know how to talk better than the last time we met." Xue Xiyue laughed, "Yes, the guarantee of millions of soldiers in the Imperial Navy is indeed very valuable, and this is exactly the guarantee I need. ”

"Prime Minister, then our ......"

Xue Xiyue pressed his hand and stopped Nie Renfeng's words. "I've already thought about it, whether it's the army or the navy, just a few empty words can't make any difference, and that's not what I need. Therefore, I will give you a chance to prove your point on the battlefield, and you should be satisfied with this answer, right? ”

"Of course, that's exactly the answer we need." Nie Renfeng said it in front of Tan Renhao this time.

"Okay, General Tan, have you brought the battle plan?" Xue Xiyue stood up.

Before Tan Renhao could react, Nie Renfeng kicked him below, and he immediately stood up and took out the battle plan from his briefcase. "I've brought them all."

Xue Xiyue took over this thick battle plan (in fact, it was only the core part), then walked to the desk gang, and without looking at it, he stamped the prime minister's seal, and then returned the plan to Tan Renhao.

"I officially approved your battle plan, remember to send a copy back, the cabinet needs to file it."

Tan Renhao smiled and nodded, he didn't expect to pass the test so easily.

"Alright, you two, if it's okay, come to dinner with me." Xue Xiyue made a gesture of please, "General Tan, you can go outside in the garden first, someone will come to show you the way, remember that dinner time is half past six, don't be late." ”

Tan Renhao was a little unsure, until Nie Renfeng nodded at him, and then he said goodbye and left the prime minister's office. The secretary was waiting outside the study.

The area of the Prime Minister's Office is not large, and it is next to the Royal Palace. To be precise, the Prime Minister's Office was part of the Imperial Garden before, and when Zhang Shaoting was the Prime Minister, this Imperial Garden was changed to the Prime Minister's Office, so the Prime Minister's Office is actually a very large garden, and the Prime Minister's Mansion is only a small part of the garden. Behind the residence, there is an artificial river that divides the Prime Minister's Office into two parts, and on the other side of the river is a huge garden, and in the center of the garden is an artificial pond with lotus flowers.

Tan Renhao walked around the garden and felt that there was nothing to do. To put it bluntly, the Prime Minister's Office is a very ordinary old-fashioned imperial manor, even smaller and more simple than the manors of many wealthy families. There are no exotic flowers and plants in the garden, and the path through the garden is paved with ordinary bluestone slabs, except that it is very neat and there are many guards nearby, there is nothing special here.

As far as Tan Renhao knows, since Prime Minister Zhang Shaoting set this place as the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister's Office has rarely changed, and almost every prime minister has taken simplicity as the basic principle. Xue Xiyue is a prime minister who has a regular life and a very simple life, and in many ways, Xue Xiyue has similarities with Zhang Shaoting. On the other hand, the prime minister is in a hurry, and I am afraid that there will not be a few times a year when he comes to rest on the other side of the river, so he will naturally not pay too much attention to whether the prime minister's office is grand enough.

After a while, Tan Renhao followed the secretary back to the residence. Dinner was simple, a few home cooked dishes, nothing special, even the wine used to entertain the guests was ordinary. Tan Renhao was not surprised, if it was too rich, he would feel strange.

That night, Nie Renfeng asked Tan Renhao to return to Zhoushan first, and before leaving, Nie Renfeng had only one request, to launch a campaign as soon as possible, don't delay time! Tan Renhao also understood what the principal meant, now they are in a race against time, as long as they play well in the first rendezvous, then the navy will have the upper hand, and they will be able to get more support, so that the war will develop according to the navy's vision.