Tunisia is located at the northernmost tip of the African continent, facing the Mediterranean Sea in the north and east, and facing the Italian island of Sicily across the Strait of Tunis, choking the east-west shipping of the Mediterranean. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 Info is bordered by Libya to the southeast and Algeria to the west, known as the key to Europe.

More than 2,000 years ago, this land was the city of Carthage, founded by the ancient Phoenicians, and was later the province of Africa in the Roman Empire.

After sweeping across the Italian peninsula, unifying Italy into a puppet state. The European coalition, led by Germany and France, began to plan a southward invasion of North Africa, followed by a direct attack on the extremely important Suez Canal.

Much of the Ming dynasty's dominance in Africa was nominal. It's not that the Ming doesn't have the strength to completely occupy Africa, it's just that the rich Ming doesn't have so much energy.

Africa is simply too big, and it will take a lot of money to develop it. The conglomerates that ruled the Ming Dynasty preferred to throw their money into the stock market to speculate rather than invest in the development of the inhospitable African colonies. The effect is too slow, and it is a national benefit. This kind of thing is a loss-making business for the capitalists.

The Ming Dynasty only occupied some important locations along the coast in Africa, such as South Africa, the North African coast, and so on. The Ming had so much fertile land around the world for them to enjoy, and here in Africa, a random individual could become a colonial official to collect taxes from the natives. and is not taken seriously.

North Africa was undoubtedly the most important place for the Ming on the continent, before the discovery of gold in South Africa. It's been well developed, at least the infrastructure has been built.

Morocco and Gibraltar on the Atlantic coast, Tunisia and Malta in the middle of the Mediterranean, Suez and Crete in Egypt. This is the core of the Ming blockade of Europe.

The Germans chose Tunisia, the closest to Sicily. They landed on the coast of Tunisia with the support of the French Mediterranean fleet and powerful air power. The Ming Foreign Legion and the local garrisons stationed here had a poor will to fight and were not well equipped, and were soon killed by the European coalition forces on the beachhead and lost the important port of Bise.

The commander of the Daming North African Theater hurriedly mobilized the defenders of Algeria and Libya to reinforce them, but it was too late. Numerous ports, including the port of Tunis, were soon occupied.

After the European coalition landed in Tunisia, the Ming Mediterranean Fleet set off from Alexandria to support, and fought several battles with the French Mediterranean Fleet.

The terrain of the Mediterranean Sea limits the use of aircraft carriers, and air support can be received from almost all directions. And the air power of Germany and France is strong. The Mediterranean Fleet fought fiercely with the French fleet in the waters between Malta and Tunisia, with several warships on both sides sunk.

Then a joint expeditionary fleet consisting of the German Ocean Fleet, the British Home Fleet, and the Russian Baltic Fleet rushed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, and soon gained superiority on the sea. Even the island of Malta is isolated and can only rely on air transport for supplies.

The European coalition was dominated by German and French armies, while Italian troops were responsible for local policing and logistics. The commander of the French Expeditionary Force was Charles. Lieutenant General de Gaulle, who commanded the French Expeditionary Force from Tunisia to the west to attack Algeria and Morocco, with the ultimate goal being Casablanca.

And the commander of the German Afrika Korps was Erwin. Lieutenant General Rommel, who commanded the German Afrika Korps all the way east to Libya and eventually targeted the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Once the European coalition forces reached their strategic intentions, the Ming would lose all of North Africa and the Mediterranean. In the face of the powerful land, sea and air forces of the European coalition, reinforcements in North Africa have become an urgent task. As for who to send to command the battle, both Lord Shoufu and the army bosses set their sights on Zhang Cheng, who had just achieved brilliant results on the Korean battlefield.

......

"We want to give full support and trust to the frontline commanders." Lord Shoufu put his hands on the podium, staring sharply at Admiral He Ziqiu, who had a light face with the corners of his mouth curled up and his face lightly. Snorted coldly, leaned over the microphone slightly, and then spoke, "You can't lose confidence in the front-line commander just because of the temporarily unfavorable situation in the battle situation. ”

After a pause, Zhang Yue glanced at the many senior generals in the huge conference hall, "I announce that the motion of no confidence in Admiral He Ziqiu will not pass. ”

"Papapa~~~" There was a burst of sparse applause in the conference hall, and the people who applauded were all members of Admiral He Ziqiu's faction. With the full support of the family consortium, He Ziqiu, who holds a lot of power in the army, doesn't care about going against Lord Shoufu. For him, it's the perfect way to show his strength and value.

He Ziqiu led the most powerful army group in the entire Ming Empire to launch a fierce attack on Kazan, the only way to Moscow. It's a pity that nearly two months have passed, and his million-strong army is still wandering around the outskirts of Kazan at this time. With the powerful air power and armor in the air, it is like this, and it is only natural that he will be impeached. However, with He Ziqiu's strength in the army and the support of the family consortium, it is too unrealistic to rely on this method to take away the military power in his hands.

After the cold-faced Shousuke-sama left, a buzzing whisper resounded in the conference hall. Most of the officers were dissatisfied with He Ziqiu's incompetence, but his position and power were unshaken. At least for the time being.

"What a farce of wasting time." Zhang Cheng looked at He Ziqiu, who was full of spirit and accepted the compliments of his subordinates, and a disdainful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Do you really think you won?" It's just ruining your reputation. ”

"There will always be times when he is unlucky." Major General Wang Dexiang, who was sitting next to Zhang Cheng, said with a sneer: "I don't have the ability not to say it, or I completely rely on throwing money and being a thug for the family consortium to get where I am today, do you really think how popular he is in the army?" ”

"Let's go." Zhang Cheng got up and walked towards the door, "In this world, after all, you still have to rely on strength to speak." Your own will always be your own, and you will never be able to achieve great things with the help of external forces. ”

"General Zhang Cheng, please wait!" A call made Zhang Cheng pause, turned around and looked over, and it was the high-spirited He Ziqiu who shouted to stop him.

"General." The corners of Zhang Cheng's mouth showed a faint smile, and he said softly, "What are you doing?" ”

Zhang Cheng is the person of Lord Shoufu, which is something that everyone knows. And He Ziqiu is the biggest spokesperson in the army of the generation of the family consortium. Theoretically, the two of them are enemies. It's just that in this kind of position, no one will easily do something unreliable on the surface. Doing so will not only make people despise themselves, but also expose their own incompetence.

"You are doing well in the Caucasus and North Korea." He Ziqiu said in a concerned tone of elders: "Among the young people, I am most optimistic about you. Is there time to have a drink together? ”

"Thank you, General, for your kindness." Zhang Cheng chuckled, glanced at the many generals around him, and said indifferently, "I don't think there is a need for this." ”

He Ziqiu's meaning is obvious, he is here to match.

With Zhang Cheng's net worth, his influence in the army, and his outstanding performance in the Caucasus and Korean battlefields. As long as the family consortium is not blind, they can see that his future is limitless. Although Zhang Cheng had already stood beside Lord Shoufu with a clear banner early on. However, the family consortium that firmly believes in the supremacy of interests believes that there is no one in this world who cannot be wooed, but it depends on whether the benefits you pay are big enough.

An imperceptible look of joy flashed in the depths of He Ziqiu's eyes, but his face instantly changed to an annoyed look, "Young man, is so angry? Don't give me face? ”

With Zhang Cheng's powerful position and influence at this moment, coupled with his military exploits. If he really takes refuge in the family consortium, he will inevitably be the biggest spokesperson in the new army. How could He Ziqiu accept this? Even if it is to cultivate an heir, he He Ziqiu also has his own candidate in his heart. The reason why he did this kind of thing in public was to make Zhang Cheng refuse. Since Zhang Cheng is so good, he doesn't mind continuing to act.

"There's no anger, and it's not that you don't give face." Zhang Cheng's eyes swept over the generals who pricked up their ears to eavesdrop on their conversations, and shook his head with a smile: "It's just that the Tao is different, and it doesn't conspire with each other." After finishing speaking, Zhang Cheng nodded slightly to He Ziqiu, put on his military hat and turned around and left the conference hall.

It is impossible for Zhang Cheng to take refuge in the family consortium, because the family consortium cannot give him what he wants to do. It is true that if Zhang Cheng takes refuge in the family consortium, with their support, he will inevitably enjoy endless glory and wealth in this life. And if there are no accidents, it is only natural to get the marshal's scepter. However, Zhang Cheng himself has enough wealth and status to enjoy everything. But his ideals and ambitions run counter to the core interests of the Maison consortium. Never a person on the same path.

Even, Zhang Cheng and Lord Shoufu are not people on the same path. He's just using it now. On this occasion, Zhang Cheng is bound to speak like this, and there will definitely be no ambiguity. Politics. The risk of standing in line on governance is vicious, and the slightest carelessness is a situation of broken bones. Zhang Cheng won't make trouble for himself.

After getting into his own car, Xiao Hongbao turned his head to look at Zhang Cheng, "Sir, where are you going?" ”

"Go home." Zhang Cheng looked coldly at the generals at all levels who kept leaving outside the car window, and spoke indifferently. In his heart, he was very contemptuous of people like He Ziqiu. I don't have any ability to say it.,I'm still concentrating on doing things of infighting.,I don't even look at what time it's now.。

What He Ziqiu meant by saying those words in front of so many people, Zhang Cheng naturally knew very well in his heart. He also directly followed the mouths of those who heard it around him to express his loyalty to Shousuke-sama. After all, at this moment, the person in charge of the entire Ming Empire is still Lord Shoufu. Zhang Cheng wants to absorb greater power and strength, and the first assistant Zhang Yue is his biggest help. (To be continued.) )