The course of a war is often influenced by very small factors, such as a battle that is not so important, or an order that does not seem to be important.

On September 21, Tan Renhao received a message from the Imperial Foreign Office (still transmitted by the Intelligence Service) that Kaiser Wilhelm III formally approved the motion submitted by the Minister of the Navy at 2 p.m. (Berlin time) on the 20th, and German submarines resumed combat patrols in the North Atlantic and resumed unrestricted submarine warfare.

"The Germans must be crazy!"

Hao Dongjue rushed in quickly, "Ren Hao, take a look." Now, without our hands, Germany will force the United States to enter the war! ”

Tan Renhao smiled and threw a newspaper to Hao Dongjue. "It has been published in the newspapers, the Kaiser has ordered the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, and now the good drama in the North Atlantic is about to be staged!"

"The Germans are crazy!"

Hao Dongjue sat down and threw the document on the table that he had just received and was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "On this point, the United States will no longer stay out of the matter, if a German submarine accidentally kills an American destroyer, then the United States has every reason to declare war on Germany." ”

"That's good for us, isn't it?"

Tan Renhao was not so excited, "If Germany and the United States declare war, then we will also be involved, and the empire will definitely strengthen naval investment, and maybe, we can still take the initiative to attack." In this way, the United States will go to war with us with ill-preparedness, and this is the best start for us, isn't it? ”

Hao Dongjue frowned slightly, and then laughed. "It seems that we should cheer up the Germans!"

"Perhaps, not everyone thinks so!"

Tan Renhao stood up, "If someone doesn't want to see such a thing happen, then the Kaiser will definitely change his order." ”

"What do you mean?"

Hao Dongjue immediately walked to Tan Renhao's side and looked at Tan Renhao with a little puzzlement.

"As we said last time, the focus of the Reich now is to take out Russia first and help Germany stabilize the situation on the European battlefield. Isn't it? ”

Tan Renhao took out a cigarette and lit one for Hao Dongjue first, "If my guess is not wrong, this must be the strategic plan proposed by Marshal Yan Dingyu, and it has been adopted by Prime Minister Xue Xiyue." The Prime Minister adopted the Army's Strategic Plan not only because the Prime Minister was born in the Army, but also because of the practical strategic needs of the Empire. If the United States enters the war at this time, the empire will have to shift its focus to the Pacific theater again, and will not be able to concentrate on taking out Russia. Only by containing Russia can Germany hold out for a few more years. Perhaps, this is not a bad thing, but in the short term, we will have to face a two-front battle, and at the same time support the German Empire and the Persian Empire. Whether the empire can withstand such a great pressure of war, perhaps even the prime minister has no bottom in his heart. ”

Hao Dongjue nodded slightly, and he had made great progress during this time. Obviously, this is precisely the empire that put down the United States first. Shift the focus to the root cause. If the United States enters the war now. The empire will face a difficult situation of fighting on two fronts, or even three. Prime Minister Xue Xiyue definitely wants to eliminate the Russian Empire first and solve the threat in the backyard. Then turn around and deal with the United States. There is nothing wrong with this strategic plan, but the war will not change because of the will of one side.

"Perhaps, the chancellor will put pressure on the Kaiser to stop Germany from doing such stupid things for the time being."

Tan Renhao walked back and forth in the room, and as soon as he reached the door, a staff officer pushed open the door and hurriedly walked in. "General, the marshal is back, let you go right away, and besides, the chief of staff is also starting to go to the marshal's office."

Tan Renhao was stunned. Only then did I remember the principal's return to the naval headquarters. Originally, Nie Renfeng planned to return to the Navy Headquarters on the 19th, but this time was delayed for a few days, and the news came yesterday that he would return to the Navy Headquarters this morning, and at the same time, he would also deploy the next stage of the Navy's combat operations.

"Dongjue, you summarize the work report for this period of time and send it over in the afternoon."

Tan Renhao immediately went to pick up the military hat, "Maybe the marshal brought us some good news!" ”

Nie Renfeng brought back more than just good news. When Tan Renhao walked into the marshal's office, he sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere. Gan Yongxing looked red-eared and red-eared. The headmaster, on the other hand, still clasped his hands on his chest, looked very peaceful.

"Major General, sit down!"

Nie Renfeng got up to greet Tan Renhao, and went to make a cup of coffee. "This is the South American coffee that General Weng Yiming brought back to me when I started in the capital. How's it like, are you happy with your new location? ”

"Headmaster, you're too polite. Actually, it's not bad to stay in the naval command, at least you can often go to the dock to see the battleship! ”

Tan Renhao smiled and took the coffee cup, "Principal, does the Prime Minister have any new decisions this time?" ”

"I've already talked to Yongxing at the beginning."

Nie Renfeng put the cigarette case in front of Tan Renhao, and then sat down, "After more than ten days of meetings, my head is about to explode." Sometimes, I really envy the cabinet officials, they seem to be immune to meetings, but I can't, people are old, and listening to those government reports is simply tormenting. ”

Tan Renhao laughed, this time Nie Renfeng not only had to discuss the strategic direction of the empire with the prime minister, but also attended the annual cabinet plenary meeting. The Commander of the Navy is also the Minister of the Navy and a member of the Imperial Cabinet, and although he does not usually attend cabinet meetings, he attends the plenary meetings of the cabinet in September or October every year.

"Actually, it's not as bad as you think!"

Nie Renfeng said as he glanced at Gan Yongxing, "The wind change is certain, this can be seen from the Prime Minister's veto of the establishment of the Fourth Strategic Strike Army. Although Japan has not yet surrendered, it will not last long, and its demise is only a matter of time. At the same time, the prime minister also vetoed the army's plan to land in Japan, and at the same time asked the navy to come up with a plan to force Japan to surrender with the least number of troops. I have assigned this task to General Yan Guozhong and let the Marine Corps be specifically responsible. If strategic bombing does not force Japan to surrender in the end, then we will use the Marine Corps. ”

"That's not the crux of the matter!"

Gan Yongxing muttered beside him, in front of Nie Renfeng, he will always be a student.

Tan Renhao immediately glanced at Gan Yongxing, and he felt the same way.

"Yes, that's not the point."

Nie Renfeng didn't avoid this question, "Let's put it this way, the empire will definitely shift its focus to the northwest battlefield." The situation in Europe was tense at the moment, and the pressure exerted by Britain and France on the German Empire was enormous. The French Army has already begun to counterattack in the Ardennes area. Germany sent the third group of reserves, and the front retreated more than 50 kilometers before stabilizing the situation. And now Britain has sent a fleet to block all the outlets of the German Navy to the sea, and the German fleet can only operate in the Baltic Sea. To make matters more troublesome, the British strategic bombing of Germany was expanding. At the end of the year, the first batch of B-17s will fly to Britain, and whether Germany can withstand strategic bombing at that time is directly related to Germany's survival. And the basis of all this is that we have to hold Russia down. Allowing Germany to send 120 divisions from the Eastern Front to prepare for a strategic offensive against France is also the latest request put forward by Germany. The effect was obvious, after Yan Dingyu sent the first batch of troops to the northwest battlefield, Russia had to revise its strategic plan. If we don't, Germany will be defeated next year! ”

"But we can't let the United States go, right?"

Tan Renhao was slightly excited.

"We will certainly not let the United States go, and the United States will not let us go either!"

Nie Renfeng nodded at Tan Renhao, "But now, we have to make Germany hold on, if Germany is finished." Then we will lose one of our most important allies. The pressure on Europe will be shifted to the Persian Empire, and whether the Persian Empire will be able to hold out for a year is a question. If the Persian Empire is finished, we will be left alone. We will also lose the oil fields of the Persian Gulf! ”

"Headmaster, will we stop the German submarines?"

Tan Renhao asked a key question.

Nie Renfeng didn't answer this question right away, Tan Renhao was a little anxious, he glanced at Gan Yongxing, Gan Yongxing smiled bitterly and shook his head, obviously he didn't know the answer either.

"Major General, what is your point of view?"

Nie Renfeng crossed his hands and looked into Tan Renhao's eyes.

"This ......"

Tan Renhao hesitated for a moment and said, "If the empire can bear the pressure of a third-line battle." I think it's better to play early than late! ”

"That's the question the prime minister gave me."

Nie Renfeng stood up and took two steps back and forth, "The key is whether the navy can complete the operation against the United States under the existing circumstances and with the empire focusing on the northwest battlefield." If he could, the chancellor would support our actions, and if not, the chancellor would find a way to change the Kaiser's order. Yongxing, Renhao, do you think the Navy will be able to gain the initiative in the war within two years? ”

Now it's Tan Renhao's turn to be in a dilemma with Gan Yongxing. Anyone can say big things, but when it comes to making promises, it's not so easy.

"Give me a detailed plan."

Nie Renfeng turned around, and said to Gan Yongxing and Tan Renhao, "I will return to the capital at the beginning of next month, I hope you can come up with a plan in time, and perhaps, I can also convince the Prime Minister." ”

This task fell to Gan Yongxing, and Tan Renhao was responsible for assisting Gan Yongxing in handling related affairs. When the two walked out of the marshal's office, they breathed a sigh of relief.

"You see the headmaster's attitude, too."

Gan Yongxing sighed, "It's not that we don't want to fight, it's that the Prime Minister's decision restricts our actions." The Rector is going to have a final discussion with the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal next month. ”

Tan Renhao nodded. "I know, I'll finish what I'm doing as soon as possible, and I'll send the report over tomorrow."

"There's no need to rush this matter, I've been following the progress on your side."

Gan Yongxing patted Tan Renhao's shoulder, "There is another layer of meaning in the principal's words, have you noticed it?" ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, and then looked at Gan Yongxing.

"Well, what will happen if we can't stop the Kaiser?"

Gan Yongxing laughed, "Prime Minister Xue Xiyue will definitely put pressure on the Kaiser, and even use the name of the emperor to influence the Kaiser." But the question is, how effective is this effect? Moreover, who can guarantee that Germany and the United States will not declare war on each other because of a misfire until the Kaiser abolishes unrestricted submarine warfare? If Germany and the United States declare war, then we will immediately declare war on the United States, and the navy will assume the heavy responsibility of the Pacific War. What preparations should we make before and after the declaration of war, and how should we deal with this war? ”

Tan Renhao understood now. "What does the principal mean that we should be ready to go to war with the United States at any time?"

Gan Yongxing smiled and nodded. "The first order given by the headmaster after his return was for Task Force 2 to return to the Japanese battlefield early at the end of the month, and the plan for Task Force 3 to return to port was cancelled, and they would not return to Naha until the beginning of next year. Moreover, the configuration of the two fleets has also changed. Task Force 3 will be moved to the vicinity of Iwo Jima, and some of the warships in need of repair will be repaired at Iwo Jima. The position of the 2nd Task Force moved further south. Plans for the 1st Task Force to go to the South Seas were also canceled. They will depart at the end of October to take up patrolling missions between the Philippines and the Caroline Islands. ”

Tan Renhao was slightly surprised, the intention of this fleet configuration was too obvious.

"The Rector has made arrangements, and now all we need is an opportunity and an official order from the Prime Minister."

Gan Yongxing stopped outside his office, "None of us can predict when we will go to war with the United States, but we can know for sure that it will not be too far away." The president also has the difficulties of the president, and what we have to do is to assist the president as much as possible and let the prime minister know that it is more advantageous to fight the United States now than to fight the United States again in two years. ”

"And the U.S. won't necessarily drag it out until two years later."

Tan Renhao added.

"Yes, so we should be more prepared for war."

Gan Yongxing's gaze stayed on Tan Renhao for a while, "Let's all do our part, I hope the final result won't be too bad!" ”

After Gan Yongxing's explanation, Tan Renhao's mood also calmed down a lot. The problem is not in the Imperial Navy, nor in the Imperial Cabinet Government, but in the situation at hand. Now Japan has fallen, but the real war has not yet come. The empire had just passed the difficult period of the early days of the war, and was about to face even more severe tests.