The news of the fall of the Ryukyu Island sent shockwaves through the empire. Because the defense of Ryukyu Island was the task of the Imperial Navy (in fact, the main defenders were the ground forces of the Army), all the spearheads were pointed at the Imperial Navy, and Marshal Saditing became the direct target of criticism, and even those newspapers controlled by the Imperial Cabinet Government published news and reports of the "Collapse of the Army". Suddenly, Sajetin became a "celebrity" of the empire, and even became a "sinner" of the empire.

Tan Renhao didn't have time to read the newspapers, but he knew very well how tight the wind was outside. Rumors also appeared about Admiral Jiang Bangguo's promotion to the rank of Marshal of the Imperial Navy (usually, the Imperial Navy has only one active marshal, that is, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy), and succeeded Sajting as the commander of the Imperial Navy. It can be said that the Imperial Navy is now suffering from internal and external troubles, and it has to face a powerful enemy while at the same time withstanding tremendous internal pressure. Tan Renhao was not on the cusp, but he could feel how much pressure Marshal Sajiting was under.

On the third day after the fall of Ryukyu Island, Tan Renhao completed his battle plan, and then he went to meet Marshal Sajeting in person. Marshal Satyin looked older than he had been more than ten days ago, and it could be seen from his tightly knit brows that the marshal was now under tremendous pressure that no one else could imagine.

Sajiting read Tan Renhao's combat report very carefully, and when he closed the document, he let out a long breath, then lit a cigarette and pondered. Tan Renhao felt a little uneasy, Marshal Sajting was so serious this time, it was obvious that his battle plan would be directly related to the marshal himself's stay or departure.

"Perhaps, I have never made such a big decision, not even in the last big war, I have never faced such a difficult choice." Saditin stood up and walked back and forth in the room. "More than 20 years ago, when I was first promoted to commander of the First Fleet, I commanded the First Fleet to fight against the Japanese Combined Fleet, and then went south. As it was, we were victorious, defeating not only the Japanese Combined Fleet, but also the Western Combined Fleet, and winning the most brilliant strategic counterattack in the history of the Imperial Navy. Can you tell me, though, that this time I should trust the decision of a colonel officer? ”

Tan Renhao was stunned for a moment, and immediately said: "Marshal, this is all determined by your choice, as an imperial soldier, I have fulfilled my duty and served the Imperial Navy with my best efforts. What we need now is action, an operation that will reinvigorate the Imperial Navy. ”

"Yes, it's time for us to act." Sajetin suddenly remembered something, "You know what? Yesterday, the Combined Atlantic Fleet (a fleet of the Third Fleet combined with the Independent Fleet) had already had an encounter with the fleet of the British Empire, and although the losses were not large, it was clear that the fleets of the British Empire and the Kingdom of France had begun to move south. In addition, the armies of the Kingdom of Italy are advancing along the coastline of North Africa towards the Suez Canal, and the Persian Empire has begun to increase its forces in the Sinai Peninsula in preparation to support the Kingdom of Egypt as soon as possible. The armies of the German Empire encountered strong resistance as they advanced into the hinterland of the Russian Empire. The whole situation of the war did not do much good to our side. If the Imperial Navy is not able to salvage the situation, then we will have to swallow the bitter fruit of defeat, and henceforth, the Empire will be reduced to a second-rate, or even a last-rate country, and will no longer be the most powerful country in the world. ”

Tan Renhao didn't speak, he also read the battle reports from other regions. Although there is no evidence that the war was planned by Japan, the British Empire, the Kingdom of France, and the Kingdom of Italy, judging from the military operations of these countries, they must have cooperated closely, otherwise it would not have been possible to attack the Tang Empire, the Persian Empire, and the German Empire almost simultaneously on various battlefields.

"Yesterday, I personally assured the prime minister that it would take a maximum of two years to turn the tide of the war and that the situation in the East China Sea would be changed within a month." Sajiting smiled bitterly, "This is putting a shackle on myself, but Prime Minister Xue Xiyue may not give me two years, and I can only get one month." Colonel, can you let me see a little bit of success in this month? ”

"Marshal, the campaign will begin in seven days, and if nothing else, there will be results within half a month."

Sajting nodded. "Very good, if it is half a month, then Prime Minister Xue Xiyue still has this patience. Now the empire also needs time to adjust the industrial structure of the country. We need to use a victory to boost the morale of the people and the army, and not be shrouded by the news of defeat. The Empire can no longer withstand any more pressure, and if we do not yet see any hope of victory, it will be us, not the enemy, who will collapse first. ”

"Marshal, I will return to the fleet tomorrow." Tan Renhao stood up, now is not the time to talk big, but to do something practical, "The fleet will complete the preparations for departure within three days, and I will use the actual results to make the next report to the marshal." ”

"Very good, young man, General Liao Hanxiang believes in you, and I believe in you too." Sajiting walked to Tan Renhao's side and patted him on the shoulder, "Do a good job, don't let the enemy look down on the Imperial Navy, and don't let those people in the Army underestimate us." ”

In fact, Tan Renhao and Lei Shaoqing returned to the Fifth Fleet that night. The aircraft carrier "Taizu" has been repaired, and the officers and men of the Fifth Fleet are ready to set off. Within two days, Tan Renhao assisted Commodore Ji Xiaobin in completing the preparations for the departure of the fleet. Subsequently, after receiving the news that the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet was ready to leave the port of Nagasaki, the Fifth Fleet left the port of Zhoushan and sailed to the sea to the east.

Almost at the same time, the convoy of transport ships that had been staying in the port of Qingdao also departed. The fleet carried more than 30,000 officers and men of an army corps, all of its heavy weaponry, and a shipment of ammunition and supplies that the defenders of Jeju Island urgently needed. It was escorted by a cruiser and eight destroyers, and the flotilla was destined for Jeju Island.

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