The two arrived at Port Vila before dinner, and Yan Guozhong did prepare a sumptuous dinner for them, and Lei Shaoqing was also present.

"We thought you'd be there in two hours." Yan Guozhong asked the adjutant to bring the wine and food, "Did you come immediately after receiving the telegram?" ”

"If it's not ...... me"

"Almost, or we'd have missed this dinner." Tan Renhao said it in front of Hao Dongjue, he didn't want Yan Guozhong to know that the two generals were crammed into a dive bomber and flew back, if this matter spread, he and Hao Dongjue would be punished.

Hao Dongjue immediately smiled and nodded, and at the same time secretly stuck out his tongue, he only reacted half a beat later than Tan Renhao.

"Then let's talk while eating, these dishes are made by real chefs, how about you taste first."

"Chef? When did the headmaster think of improving the treatment of front-line generals? ”

"This time it's not the marshal's meaning, and it's not just about improving the treatment of front-line generals."

"Let's move the chopsticks first!" Lei Shaoqing was also busy greeting everyone, "Actually, this is what the government meant, not the principal." ”

At this time, Tan Renhao and Hao Dongjue were a little puzzled. As far as they know, since the last "espionage case" turmoil, all private restaurants in front-line war zones have been cancelled. Since then, front-line officers and soldiers have been provided with only standard rations, as well as standard meals provided by the battalions. This is a disguised reduction in the treatment of front-line officers and soldiers, which has already aroused the dissatisfaction of many people, and this will certainly affect the combat effectiveness of the troops.

After several people started their chopsticks, Yan Guozhong explained from beginning to end.

This time, the chefs who were sent to the front were actually trained by the army, and the reason for this was the abolition of private restaurants in the front line. Not only the Navy has complaints, but also the Army. And the Prime Minister of the Reich knew very well that perhaps a good meal would cheer up the officers and soldiers at the front. In many cases, delicious food works better than any slogan. As a result, the prime minister gradually loosened his grip on the military. For example, it is allowed to set up some entertainment venues in the front-line theater, and in terms of food, the main way is to provide the troops with a group of skilled cooks.

These chefs were sent directly by the military and taught in the rear by the special and first-class chefs of some of the most famous and long-established restaurants in the empire. At this time, those who were dispatched to the Southwest Pacific Theater were the first batch of graduated "military cooks". These chefs have been trained in the restaurant for three months, and they are able to make dozens of famous dishes. Although the taste is much worse than those in those restaurants. But it tasted much better than what was used to in the military. It is still being tried on a trial basis, and if the results are good, it will be popularized in units at and above the regimental level.

In addition, in order to allow the front-line officers and soldiers to enjoy good treatment, several time-honored restaurants have also begun to provide the army with prepared seasoning packets, which can be used directly, so that even people who can't cook can use seasoning packets to make delicious meals. Of course, this was paid for by the Imperial Government, and the price was already negotiated. Those time-honored local restaurants also learned from the Coke Company. Support the army at the lowest price, even at a loss, and when the war is won, their reputation will be known all over the world, and the name of these hotels will be known to the whole world, so that their branches can be opened in every place where Imperial soldiers are stationed. It's obviously a good deal. It's the equivalent of asking the Imperial Army to help them with advertising, as well as promotion work.

"To be honest, I really admire the unique vision of these businessmen." After a few glasses of wine, Yan Guozhong's words also increased, "Many times, I can't get used to the style of these businessmen, they are all mercenary villains. But on the other hand, what is the purpose of our war? It is not for the good of the empire yet, and it is impossible for the military to turn victory into practical benefits. Businessmen are needed to turn the fruits of our victories into real economic gains. Maybe it's a little too early for us to talk about victory, but after victory. We definitely need these businessmen, we need their help. ”

"It's needed now, would we have been able to eat such a delicious meal without their help?" Tan Renhao laughed, he was very attentive and didn't drink much. "Moreover, now that the Empire is at war, the merchants are also soldiers, they just do not fight on the battlefield that requires bloodshed and sacrifice, but they fight on another invisible battlefield, just like us, they are also serving the Empire and working for the Empire!"

"That being said, there are many times when the merchant and we are not comrades in the same trench!"

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, not immediately understanding the meaning of Yan Guozhong's words.

"Renhao, do you know the recent changes in the country?" Lei Shaoqing intervened at this time.

"What changes are worth noting?" Tan Renhao asked rhetorically.

"The army is on the verge of victory on the Russian side, faster than anyone expected, and maybe the army will be able to capture Moscow before the Germans take St. Petersburg. And our victory on the Australian continent has been passed back home. Lei Shaoqing paused slightly, "Now, those who were still opposing the war a few days ago have closed their mouths, and the motion of no confidence in the prime minister has also been withdrawn, and no one has raised the matter of opposing the war again." This is the nature of a businessman to see the wind and steer the rudder. ”

Tan Renhao was secretly shocked, it seems that the victory on the battlefield has indeed made the prime minister's waist stiffer a lot, and those mercenary businessmen also know that in the case of a bright future on the battlefield, if they oppose the prime minister and oppose the war to the end, then they are fighting with their own interests, and even with their own lives.

"Therefore, we must never treat the merchants as our allies, at most they are just using each other." Yan Guozhong added Lei Shaoqing's words, "At least, we still have use value now, and those businessmen also have use value, so the turmoil has subsided, but who knows what it will develop into in the future?" ”

"It's not something we should care about, and we can care about." Hao Dongjue whispered his thoughts.

"Dong Jue's words are not wrong, we have nothing to do with merchants. How to deal with businessmen is a matter for the government. And not our business. Tan Renhao sighed secretly, "At least, now we are close to victory." If all goes well. We even have a chance to fight for the Hawaiian Islands before we annihilate Australia's enemies. ”

"Yes, that's why I called you back early." Yan Guozhong followed Tan Renhao's words, but he didn't hear it, Tan Renhao deliberately diverted the topic. "Liao Hanxiang has already sent several telegrams, asking the First Task Force and the Second Task Force to move to the Central Pacific as soon as possible. Before. I did not send these telegrams to you, mainly because I was worried that they would affect your combat operations. ”

"Something went wrong with Task Force 4?"

"No, the two aircraft carriers of the Fourth Task Force have been repaired, but the problem is that the Fifth Fleet has not been annihilated, and Liao Hanxiang is also planning to attack the Hawaiian Islands, I'm afraid he doesn't want to fall behind me." Yan Guozhong laughed as he spoke, "It's nothing, I've always felt that Liao Hanxiang is better than me, to be honest." I'm the one who fights the kind of battle that goes well, and Liao Hanxiang has been able to endure adversity for so long, and that's just the point above me. ”

"General Yan, you are too modest." Lei Shaoqing knew that Yan Guozhong's words came from the bottom of his heart, but in Tan Renhao's ears, maybe he didn't mean that.

"What I'm saying is true. Of course, as for who is more powerful, what does it matter? Yan Guozhong laughed, "Renhao, I'm not bragging about how powerful your father-in-law is. He has been in the Central Pacific for more than two years, fighting for more than two years, almost always playing a supporting role, and now it is his turn to be the protagonist. ”

Tan Renhao didn't say anything, he didn't know what to say at this time.

"I have already sent 5 divisions over. Another nine divisions are also departing if the Army sends more troops to fight on the Australian continent as promised. Then I can still transfer a few divisions to Liao Hanxiang. Yan Guozhong's words are very clear, it seems that he is not drunk yet. By then, Liao Hanxiang had more than 30 divisions of marines in his hands, which was enough for him to conquer the entire Hawaiian Islands and even launch a landing campaign on the west coast of the United States. Of course, the most critical thing is not the marines, but the fleet. Now the US Fifth Fleet is not finished, so Liao Hanxiang is anxious to let you hurry over, so that he can seize sea and air supremacy as soon as possible, so that he can smoothly launch a strategic offensive and capture the Hawaiian Islands before our side. ”

Tan Renhao took these words to heart, and he was not in a hurry to express any opinions.

"But the problem is that the state of the warships of our two task forces is problematic, and the officers and men also need time to rest, and if we rush over now, I am afraid it will be difficult to participate in the war." Hao Dongjue said what Tan Renhao wanted to say.

"That's not a problem." Lei Shaoqing also helped Yan Guozhong answer, "The first task force will go directly to Apra Port to repair and rest there, and the second task force will rest in Vila Port and then go to Apra Port." In this way, at most half a month, it will be possible to carry out combat missions again. ”

"It's not a big problem, but if you want to attack the Hawaiian Islands, I'm afraid you need more fleets." Tan Renhao only spoke at this time.

"Task Force 3 will be reorganized, and those four battleships will definitely be sent to the South Atlantic." Yan Guozhong picked up the cigarette, "This is the news I just got, the Fifth Task Force will stay on our side until the end of the year at most, as long as we sweep the coastal areas, the Fifth Task Force will be sent to the South Atlantic, and join forces with the South Atlantic Theater Fleet to go north, when the time comes, the marshal is very likely to send a few marine divisions over, if we can hit the North Atlantic, then we can try to let the Germans take over their Far East Fleet." ”

Tan Renhao was shocked again, it seemed that the Imperial Navy was ready to launch a full-scale strategic offensive.

"Of course, the Pacific remains the focus of priorities. In the middle of next year, the battleships we built for Germany will be commissioned, and then, if the Germans want to, they will warm up in the Pacific Ocean first. Of course, this is just a guess, and there is no need to pin our hopes on that not very strong fleet. Yan Guozhong lit a cigarette, "In the short term, our main goal is to take down the Hawaiian Islands, maybe I still have a chance to attack New Zealand, but this side of the Southwest Pacific Theater is no longer the main battlefield." Our mission in the ground battle on the Australian continent is not very heavy, mainly to provide logistics support for the army, as well as aviation support, and the army itself is responsible for the rest. So, the marshal will certainly approve the attack on the Hawaiian Islands for combat operations. Now, Liao Hanxiang is waiting for you. ”

"Then we'd better get to Guam early." Only then did Tan Renhao understand that Liao Hanxiang had definitely not yet determined the campaign plan, and that the campaign plan would be finalized only after he and Hao Dongjue arrived, and then submitted it to the Navy Command, as long as the Navy Command approved Liao Hanxiang's campaign plan, then it would be possible to launch a combat operation to attack the Hawaiian Islands.

"I've got the plane ready for you, and if you don't need a break, then you can leave tonight."

Tan Renhao nodded. "I'll contact the fleet later, and let Zheng Guanhua ......"

"Leave this matter to me, and I will help you tell Zheng Guanhua!" Lei Shaoqing took over.

"Yes, let Lao Lei be responsible, we don't need to worry about anything at all." Hao Dongjue also immediately agreed.

Tan Renhao smiled and nodded, with Lei Shaoqing staring, he really had nothing to worry about, and Zheng Guanhua also needed the opportunity to exercise alone.

"Wait a minute, you guys go to me and get some important documents first." Yan Guozhong raised his glass, "Originally, I was supposed to set up a celebration banquet for you, but now that the battle in Australia is not over, then wait for next time, next time I have the opportunity, I will go to the best restaurant in Songjiang to set a table for you!" ”

"Old Yan, you're too polite!"

"Yes, you don't have to go to Songjiang, just Zhoushan!"

"How can Zhoushan do, we can't lose General Yan's grade!"

Everyone laughed, and after drinking the last glass of wine, Tan Renhao and Hao Dongjue followed Yan Guozhong to the theater headquarters, while Lei Shaoqing returned to the theater fleet headquarters to contact the chiefs of staff of the two task forces.

Yan Guozhong had already prepared the materials that needed to be handed over to Tan Renhao and Hao Dongjue, and after the two took the information, they said goodbye to Yan Guozhong and went directly to the airport. The transport plane that transported the two men to Guam, and the fighter planes that provided the escort were already ready to take off, waiting for the arrival of the two generals.