The actions of the Japanese cannot hide from the eyes of others.

Although the secret security treaty with the United States may not be revealed, Japan's large-scale military mobilization and the large number of spies roaming around the South Seas are all too obvious.

When the time came to the beginning of 1939, the Ming Army matter. The newspaper department estimated that the strength of the Japanese Army had exceeded 600,000. For a small island nation like Japan, the only possibility of expanding its military in peacetime is to fight a war. And there is only one goal around Japan that can let them start.

Even at this moment, the angry Shousuke-sama still didn't believe that the weak Japan had the courage to attack the Ming Dynasty. Shousuke-sama still thinks that the Japanese are just trying to threaten the Ming to gain benefits. When Wang Fan went to Japan as a special envoy, the Japanese put on the highest standard of treatment and put their own status very low. Repeatedly assured that there was absolutely no idea of anti-water.

"The Japanese are determined to do it." In the office of General Shi Qin, who had been officially promoted to the rank of general, Zhang Cheng put the teacup in his hand on the coffee table in front of him and said softly.

"How so?" Admiral Shi Qin, who was sitting opposite Zhang Cheng, asked in some surprise.

"If they really just want to threaten the Ming Dynasty and expand their army, then Wang Fan should have put forward conditions when he goes. But they grovel and play the role of honest and obedient vassals, isn't this a clear way to tell others that there is something wrong with me? Admiral Shi Qin, who said Zhang Cheng's words, kept nodding.

"What do you think?" Admiral Shi Qin asked aloud.

"Preemptive strike." A cold light flashed in the depths of Zhang Cheng's eyes, "Use naval aviation to assault the Japanese naval fleet, and at the same time completely blockade the Japanese archipelago." At the same time as the massive air raids, a powerful expeditionary force was sent to land in Japan. There are still forces in Japan that are pro-Ming factions, and they can be supported by promising them back in power to rebuild Japan. Beat them as fast as you can. ”

"It's too intense." Admiral Shi Qin shook his head slightly, "Now everyone's energy is focused on the plan to attack the Russian Empire, and at this time, it is impossible for either the marshal or the first assistant to agree to turn around and attack Japan first." After a pause, Admiral Shi Qin continued, "And taking the initiative to attack his own vassals for no reason has a great impact on the reputation of the Ming Dynasty. ”

"Then be more prepared." Zhang Cheng also knew that it was unrealistic to turn around and deal with Japan at a time when everyone's energy was focused on the Russian Empire. Therefore, only remedial measures can be proposed to "strengthen the DPRK, Taiwan. bay, Ryukyu, the defense forces of the islands of the South Seas. The airfield was built and the fighters were replenished as much as possible to limit the range of movement of the Japanese. After a pause, he continued, "The most important thing is to keep a close eye on the movements of the Japanese Navy. Especially in the direction of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. ”

"I'll talk to the marshal about this." Admiral Shi Qin nodded, sighed lightly, and then looked at Zhang Cheng, "You are about to leave, you must pay attention to safety when you get there." Bullets don't have eyes on the battlefield. ”

"Thank you." Zhang Cheng didn't say that this is the duty of a soldier, stood up, nodded sincerely, and thanked him: "I'll pay attention." ”

Zhang Cheng has been formally appointed as the commander of the Caspian Sea Operational Cluster, commanding the Ming forces in Iran. It's actually an exchange.

Zhang Cheng's influence in the army is very high, after all, he is the director of the armored forces and the commander of the army aviation, and he is absolutely high-powered. He has always opposed the High Command's plan for a quick attack on Russia, which would cause chaos within the army.

After all, there were many young officers who believed that Zhang Cheng's opinion was correct. Moreover, Zhang Cheng is a representative of the Young Zhuang faction in the army, and he has many followers. But even if Zhang Cheng has been opposing, no one really dares to do anything to him. After all, he is recognized as a strong candidate for the future commander-in-chief of the army. My power is also very strong.

Under these circumstances, the Supreme High Command transferred Zhang Cheng to Iran to command the fighting in the Caucasus and gave him arbitrary combat powers. In other words, he can fight as he pleases over there, as long as Zhang Cheng doesn't continue to oppose the plan of the Supreme Command.

The scale of the Caspian Sea combat cluster in Zhang Cheng's hands is not small. The scheduled establishment had one heavy artillery division, one armored division, nine infantry divisions. The Third Air Force under the Army Aviation Group, together with some auxiliary units and local garrisons, has a total strength of about 300,000 troops. It's definitely a very strong force.

As the Director of the Armored Corps. Zhang Cheng transferred the elite Second Armored Division, which had completed the replacement of new tanks, to his name. At the same time, as the commander of the army aviation, the equally elite Third Air Force has also been greatly strengthened.

In addition, Zhang Cheng also deliberately transferred the First Airborne Division to the Caspian Sea Operational Cluster in the name of the commander of the Army Aviation. Zhang Cheng's goal has never changed, and his goal has always been Baku. Even if it can't be occupied, it will be completely destroyed!

After the Caspian Sea Combat Group was formally established, Zhang Cheng applied for the appointment of Major General Lu Zhiyuan, the commander of the Second Armored Division, as his chief of staff. This is definitely not because Lu Zhiyuan's father is the chief of staff of the army. Zhang Cheng's Lu University advanced class student is very capable in his own right.

At the beginning of June 1939. Zhang Cheng traveled to Tehran on a military plane through Chang'an, Jiuquan, Dihua, and Samarkand. Zhang Cheng's headquarters is set up here.

As soon as he got off the plane, he saluted the road that had come to greet him, and then got into the car together.

"Are all the troops in place?" Zhang Cheng, whose face was a little pale as a result of a long flight on the plane, had just sat down and asked loudly about the deployment of the troops. After all, the time set by the Supreme High Command for the attack was on June 22.

"The forces are already in place, and the Caspian local fleet has collected enough transport ships. Army Airlines has been stationed at various airports and is conducting reconnaissance activities. "The edge of the road is quick to report on its work" It's just that recently some Ottomans have demonstrated near Basra to demand that we withdraw our troops from the Basra area. ”

Basra, an important port at the very top of the Persian Gulf. The Ming Dynasty will occupy this place after defeating the Ottoman Empire many years ago. It is also the most important shipping hub in the entire Iranian region. The railway line from Basra to Tehran was Zhang Cheng's most important supply line.

"Ottomans?" Zhang Cheng frowned when he heard this.

Since being taught by the Ming Dynasty. The Ottoman Empire has been very honest for so many years, and has never done anything to block the Ming Dynasty. Unexpectedly, at this time, they actually jumped out.

In fact, this matter has a lot to do with international relations today. When the pace of war was approaching, when the Ming began to withdraw from the colonies of Europa in order to ensure the safety of their people. Those countries that had already decided to tear their faces with the Ming forcibly took back their colonies, and a very violent anti-Ming hurricane was formed. There were also many young people in the Ottoman Empire who were influenced by this trend. Trying to recover the colonies that were forcibly occupied by the Ming Dynasty. That's how it happened.

"The port of Basra is very important." Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes, and there was a chill in his words, "I don't care what the reason is, there must be no accidents in Basra Port." Tell the garrison that if there is another such thing, shoot and disperse. At the same time, send someone to warn Osman, don't look for trouble! ”

"Will this cause a backlash?" Lu Zhiyuan frowned and said in confusion.

"Hmph." Zhang Cheng snorted coldly. Disdainfully said: "If they had the courage to do this, they would not be called the sick men of Europe." ”

The facts are exactly the same as what Zhang Cheng said, once the Ming Dynasty became tough, Osman immediately relented. They quickly suppressed the protests, which were mainly young students, and solemnly apologized to Daming, and even offered to compensate a sum of money. The fate of this road can be regarded as why Ottoman is called the sick man of Europe.

"Our goal is Lenkoran." In the conference room in Tehran, Zhang Cheng stretched out his hand and pointed to the port on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, which is famous for its fishing industry, and said in a deep voice: "This is the terminal of the Caucasus Mountains stretching out to the Caspian Sea." As long as we take this place, then our armored forces can smoothly break through the terrain disadvantage of the Caucasus Mountains along the coastal road and go all the way north to Baku, the most important oil-producing base of the Russians. ”

"But we don't have experience with large-scale airborne and amphibious assaults." A staff officer spoke up: "Although there have been many training and exercises. But there is no real combat experience at all. ”

"It's okay." Zhang Cheng hooked the corners of his mouth and chuckled, "After fighting this battle, you will have experience." ”

Since Zhang Cheng has decided to launch an amphibious assault and a large-scale airborne operation here, he naturally has to make adequate preparations. From the moment he began to plan the offensive plan, the supporting equipment began to be mass-produced.

Not to mention the Hercules transport aircraft used by the Airborne Forces. The landing ship that Zhang Cheng specially prepared for the amphibious assault had already been produced, loaded onto the port of Basra, and then transported by rail to Rasht on the front line. The time has come to prepare for an amphibious assault.

Although the Caspian Sea is an inland sea, there are still large transport ships. These landing ships, towed by transport ships and tugboats, will inevitably achieve a surprise effect when they attack near Lenkoran. Coupled with a large-scale airborne, Zhang Cheng is very confident in quickly breaking through the Caucasian defense line.

Zhang Cheng's armored division, heavy artillery division, and three infantry divisions were all deployed in the Ardabil area near the border. They are the main assault force.

At the same time, Zhang Cheng deployed numerous local garrisons and four infantry divisions between Tabriz and Hoy to counter the Russian Imperial Caucasian Army Group in front. In addition, Zhang Cheng had an infantry division in his hands as a reserve. An infantry division will launch an amphibious assault. There is also an airborne division that will carry out a massive airborne landing.

Wait until the troops enter the positions and the material reserves are completed. The battle plan was in the hands of all the commanders, and everyone waited for the time when the big battle began. An earth-shattering news spread all over the world.

Sunday, June 18, 1939. On the morning of this day, Japanese naval aviation raided the Daming home fleet base in the Zhoushan Islands! The war began. (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly pass. Your support is my biggest motivation ......)

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