The next morning, Tan Renhao arrived at the naval headquarters about ten minutes later than before, most of the staff officers were already working, and some generals would arrive today, Gan Yongxing had already arranged for the reception personnel, and Tan Renhao didn't have to spend much time to receive those front-line generals. Soon after he arrived at his office, he received a call from Gan Yongxing, and then rushed to Gan Yongxing.

"Sit down, I heard that last night, a few of you went out for a drink?"

"Chief of Staff, you're still in charge of intelligence?" Tan Renhao laughed, "It seems that in the future, we will have to stare behind ourselves when we walk." ”

"How can it be so serious, I heard what Chang Jianxin said."

"Recommend new?" Tan Renhao was a little puzzled.

"He came to me half an hour and said he was going back to the fleet." Gan Yongxing asked Tan Renhao to sit down, "I asked him to wait a few more days, I have already arranged for someone to be in charge of the affairs of the fleet, and with Gu Zhenyun watching, he should have nothing to worry about." ”

"It seems that he still can't worry about the fleet." Tan Renhao was perfunctory, he knew very well what Chang Jianxin was thinking. "However, I also heard that you talked to the principal, as well as Yan Guozhong and General Liao Hanxiang last night?"

"Liao Hanxiang told you, right?"

Tan Renhao smiled and nodded, there is nothing to hide about this.

"I talked to the principal yesterday." Gan Yongxing handed the teacup to Tan Renhao, and then sat on the sofa opposite Tan Renhao. "Our opinions are probably unanimous, and the principal's attitude is basically clear. Now it seems that the question is what to do with the Central Pacific. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly. The principal had not expressed his attitude before, but now that the two theater commanders, Yan Guozhong and Liao Hanxiang, have returned, the arrangements for the campaign must be determined, and the principal must also make his attitude clear. In front of Tan Renhao and other young generals. Principals don't have to think too much about their feelings. But for Yan Guozhong and Liao Hanxiang, the two veterans, the principal has to consider the attitude of these two. Moreover, Yan Guozhong and Liao Hanxiang were the commanders of the theater and were in charge of the direct command of the campaign, and their status was much higher than that of the fleet commanders, so the principal must also pay attention to the opinions of these two.

"How did you talk to Huang Xiaotian?" Gan Yongxing took out a cigarette.

"I talked about it for a while. He was a little resistant at first, but now there is no problem. Tan Renhao sighed secretly, the influence of these young generals was still very weak. Huang Xiaotian didn't know much about Spruance, he could only promise to delay the speed of the US offensive as much as possible, and if necessary, we must shrink the defensive circle in the Central Pacific theater. If it can be guaranteed from all sides, it will not be a problem for Task Force IV to hold out for three months. ”

"So. What does Liao Hanxiang think? Gan Yongxing's expression was not very relaxed, and at this time, he was not relaxed.

"He didn't say anything, but now do we have a choice?" Tan Renhao smiled and shook his head, "Huang Xiaotian has already made a guarantee, and we can't find a more suitable candidate than Huang Xiaotian except to send the First Task Force over, at this time, we have no other choice." ”

Gan Yongxing pondered for a while and said, "Then what do you think of Huang Xiaotian's promise?" ”

"Chief of Staff, I'm also thinking about this issue, but the question is ......"

"I just want to know, your judgment of Huang Xiaotian."

Tan Renhao sighed secretly. It is clear that Gan Yongxing wants him to make a guarantee.

Gan Yongxing also looked at Tan Renhao directly, waiting for Tan Renhao's answer.

"Let's just say that I haven't thought about it in depth." Tan Renhao touched the corner of his forehead, "From the perspective of ability, Huang Xiaotian is our best choice now." In recent years, Huang Xiaotian's performance. As well as the performance of the 4th Task Force on the battlefield, almost impeccable. In all respects, Huang Xiaotian can now be regarded as one of the top fleet commanders in the Imperial Navy. In terms of combat effectiveness, the Fourth Task Force is also one of the best. If you really had to choose, perhaps apart from Task Force 1, Task Force 4 would be the most suitable for this task. ”

Gan Yongxing nodded slightly, motioning for Tan Renhao to continue.

In addition, Huang Xiaotian is relatively stable. This is something that Hao Dongjue does not have. I've had a couple of collaborations with him, on the battlefield. Huang Xiaotian is very able to grasp the opportunity, but at the same time, he is very measured and will not take risks blindly. From this point of view, as long as he can stabilize his position, he will not give Spruance too many chances. Moreover, this mission is mainly defense, Huang Xiaotian is very aware of the importance of the mission, and he is more aware of the overall situation of the battle, so the possibility of him making low-level mistakes is quite small. And this operation is mainly to avoid making mistakes, as long as Huang Xiaotian does not make mistakes, it will be difficult for Spruance to catch him. ”

Gan Yongxing nodded again, but still did not speak.

"Actually, the most important point is also the most important point. Spruance didn't know much about Huang. If I had led the First Task Force to the past, I am afraid that the effect would not be as good as that of the Fourth Task Force led by Huang Xiaotian. Spruance was originally a very cautious commander, and because he didn't know Huang Xiaotian very well, he wouldn't attack rashly, which was a huge advantage for Huang Xiaotian. ”

"But Huang Xiaotian doesn't know Spruance either."

"Yes, Huang Xiaotian really doesn't know Spruance very well, but this is also an advantage. Because Huang Xiaotian didn't know Spruance, he wouldn't take risks on the battlefield. Tan Renhao hesitated, "The first task of the Fourth Task Force is to delay time, as long as it can be delayed for three months, then we can send the First Task Force and the Second Task Force to the Central Pacific Theater, at that time, even if the Fourth Task Force has been defeated, Spruance will pay a certain price, and we will concentrate two task forces to deal with the Fifth Fleet that has been hit, and the victory is quite large." So, I think, letting Huang Xiaotian's Fourth Task Force pass is actually the only place we have now. It is also the best arrangement. ”

Gan Yongxing's eyes fell on the coffee table, and Tan Renhao's analysis had some truth, but it couldn't make him completely reassured.

"Chief of Staff, since we don't have any extra options, why don't we consider giving Huang Xiaotian a chance?"

"It's not a matter of chance." Gan Yongxing raised his head, "Last night, we discussed it in detail. The point of view is the same as yours, it will be difficult for Task Force 1 to participate in combat operations until mid-June. Even if we delay the landing in Australia until mid-June, Task Force 4 will need time to maneuver to the Southwest Pacific Theater by then, and it may not be able to perform better here. As a result, Task Force 4 can now only remain in the Central Pacific, while Task Force 1 goes to the Southwest Pacific Theater to support the landing of Marines in Australia. But the problem is. If Huang Xiaotian's side is a little bit wrong, then it is very likely that we will be forced to send the First Task Force to the Central Pacific Theater, and even arrange for the Second Task Force to go over, and our attack on the Australian mainland will be fatally affected, and the result is self-evident. Therefore, the principal and I felt that we had to first determine the Central Pacific Defense Line. If the defense line on this side is not secured, nothing else can be solved. ”

"If it really can't be done, then the First Task Force will go to the Central Pacific to support the Fourth Task Force and not participate in offensive operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater."

"It can't be." Gan Yongxing immediately vetoed Tan Renhao's proposal, "Yan Guozhong's battle plan has been determined. Moreover, the Navy Command has confirmed that Yan Guozhong's request is still minimal, and if the First Task Force is transferred to the Central Pacific Theater, it will be impossible for us to successfully land in Australia at all! ”

Tan Renhao sighed secretly, Gan Yongxing mentioned that it was just a reason.

"I'll talk to Huang Xiaotian alone, since you've already mentioned it to him, then he should be prepared." Gan Yongxing patted the armrest of the sofa. "There is one more thing, that is, the command of the fleets in the Southwest Pacific Theater, what is your opinion?"

"Chief of Staff, I can't answer this question."

Gan Yongxing laughed. "What's not to answer, the First Task Force will definitely be sent to the Southwest Pacific Theater, so do you think it is better to be under the unified command of Lei Shaoqing, or according to the previous way. Wouldn't it be better for you to coordinate the actions of the fleets? ”

"Chief of Staff, this ......" Tan Renhao hesitated. In fact, I prefer to let Lei Shaoqing be in charge of the specific command work. After all, the current situation of Task Force 1 is not ideal, and I don't have much energy to coordinate the fleet's coordinated actions, so it is not easy to manage Task Force 1 well. ”

"That means you support Lei Shaoqing?"

"It's not a question of support or disapproval." Tan Renhao sighed, "In the past, when Hao Dongjue was the chief of staff of the fleet, I could arrange most of the work to him, and he would be responsible for the combat operations of the fleet, but now with Zheng Guanhua, I have to put more energy into the affairs of the fleet, after all, Zheng Guanhua's ability is not as good as Hao Dongjue, and it can even be said that it is far worse." If I were to be put in charge of coordinating the combat operations of the various fleets at this time, it would be easy for problems to arise, and the operations of Task Force 1 would not have gone very well. ”

Gan Yongxing nodded slightly. "It seems that the principal will have no choice but to take our opinion."

Tan Renhao immediately looked at Gan Yongxing.

"I made this suggestion to the principal yesterday, if even you think that you are not capable of coordinating the combat operations of various fleets at the same time in command of your own fleet, then the principal will not consider letting Jiang Zhongmin be in charge of the coordination and command of the fleet." Gan Yongxing took out another cigarette, "The principal will talk to you alone, of course, you have to understand that you must not show an attitude of openly supporting Lei Shaoqing, but should make the reasons clearer." That way, the principal will take your opinion on board. ”

"You mean, the headmaster's attitude has softened somewhat?"

"Yes, judging from the headmaster's words last night, the headmaster's attitude has loosened. It's just that the principal hasn't made a decision yet, and presumably, he will ask Jiang Zhongmin's opinion first. ”

Tan Renhao's expression sank. "Jiang Zhongmin will come back this morning, right?"

"I've already arranged for someone to pick him up at the airport, and the principal will probably call you over after meeting Jiang Zhongmin and ask for your opinion." Gan Yongxing stood up as he spoke, "Wait a minute, I'll talk to Jiang Zhongmin first, see what kind of attitude he has first, and strive to talk about it before the principal looks for you, and when the time comes, you will know what to say." ”

Tan Renhao nodded slightly, and the attitude of the chief of staff was obviously towards him. Moreover, as long as you know what Jiang Zhongmin is thinking, then the problem will be much easier to solve.

"That's it, the campaign will be arranged in two days, you should hurry up and find out the situation. In addition, if you have time, talk to Yan Guozhong, don't you want to help Gu Xunlei ask Yan Guozhong's attitude? ”

"Okay, I'll go find Yan Guozhong later." Tan Renhao immediately stood up, "Strive to let Yan Guozhong determine the logistics support work of the Marine Corps and the Army combat units as soon as possible." ”

After saying goodbye to Gan Yongxing, Tan Renhao returned to his office. He didn't rush to find Yan Guozhong, arranging the logistics support work of the army's combat units is not a big deal, Yan Guozhong is a very measured general, and attacking the Australian mainland, the army's participating troops will definitely be able to exert stronger combat effectiveness, so Yan Guozhong will not deliberately embarrass Gu Xunlei at this time.

From Gan Yongxing's words, Tan Renhao learned two important messages. One is the principal's possible attitude, and the other is the specific battle arrangement. If the principal's attitude is loosened, and Tan Renhao takes the initiative to withdraw from the competition, admitting that he is not capable of commanding several fleets at the same time, then the principal will not consider letting Jiang Zhongmin replace Tan Renhao, but will arrange for Lei Shaoqing to be specifically responsible for the command of the fleet, at least the coordination of the fleets. And Jiang Zhongmin is not stupid, after Tan Renhao withdraws from the competition, he will not compete with Lei Shaoqing anymore. In addition, if the Fourth Task Force could only be dispatched to the Central Pacific Theater, then the operational deployment of the naval fleet would have been basically determined. The Marines delayed the landing until mid-June, when Task Force 1 would be the number one main fleet in the southwest Pacific. In this way, even if Lei Shaoqing is specifically responsible for commanding and coordinating the combat operations of various fleets, Tan Renhao will be the number one fleet commander in the Southwest Pacific Theater.

Thinking of this, Tan Renhao probably knew in his heart that when the time comes, the cheapness that Jiang Zhongmin can pick up in the Pacific Ocean will be quite limited!