"Jiang, in the future, everything here will be entrusted to you..."

In front of the railway station, Grand Duke Nikolai held Jiang Baili's hands and asked, and behind him, the former commander of the Caucasian Army, Yudenrich, also had a heavy face.

Not so long ago, an order from Emperor Nicholas II finally came from within the General Headquarters of the Russian Army on the Eastern Front, ordering his uncle, Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasian Front, who is also the Governor-General of the Caucasus? Nikolayevich and the commander of the Caucasus Army Group N. Yudenrichch led part of the Russian troops in the Caucasus to the Eastern Front.

Meanwhile, Nikolai? Nikolayevich will also be on the Eastern Front, returning to the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army on the Eastern Front.

This news was undoubtedly good news for Russia, for Grand Duke Nicholas―――――― if it had come before the Turkish offensive ... At this time, although the second batch of 50,000 Chinese expeditionary forces had arrived in the Caucasus, after removing part of the Russian army, the Russian army in the Caucasus was still less than 200,000.

At this time, the coalition forces in the Caucasus were undoubtedly at a disadvantage, especially in terms of forces ... After all, although the Turkish army is a little worse, it is not so bad that it is vulnerable.

And after Grand Duke Nicholas and Yudenrichch all left the Caucasus, although Tsar Nicholas II also ordered a general of the former Caucasus Army to succeed him as commander. But it is clear that as the number of expeditionary forces in the Caucasus continues to increase, the dominance of the coalition forces in the Caucasus is also constantly tilting towards the expeditionary force... In fact, news has already come from Moscow that at the suggestion of Britain, France and other countries, the Russian Emperor Nicholas II is already thinking about handing over the command of the coalition forces in the Caucasus to Jiang Baili―――――― which of course also has Yan Guang's credit.

Although Nikolai and Yudenrich both admired Jiang Baili's ability, handing over the command to a Chinese always made the two of them feel a little ......... However, there is no way to do this, because both of them know the successor Russian general very well, and they know that although Privalsky's ability is good, it is obviously not good to read and manage the side.

As for Jiang Baili? At this time, Jiang Baili also had a headache.

Because after missing a part of the Russian army taken by Grand Duke Nicholas, I am afraid that in a short period of time, the coalition forces can only temporarily take a defensive position in the Caucasus, and wait until Chinese reinforcements arrive one after another..."I don't know, how the Dilan railway is being repaired..."

Holding back the hands of Grand Duke Nicholas vigorously, Jiang Baili's thoughts drifted to another place.

At this time, Jiang Baili did not know that Grand Duke Nikolai and Yudenrich, two rare names in Russia, would be transferred back to the Eastern Front, all of which were planned by Yan Guang himself behind the scenes.

In fact, this matter is not only unclear to Jiang Baili, but also Cai Ye and others. There are only two people in the entire country who know about this matter, one is Wang Yaowu, and the other is the director of the military intelligence bureau who is responsible for bribing the Russian nobleman and the demon monk... And the purpose of this is to allow Jiang Baili to grasp the command of the Caucasian coalition forces... It's a pity that although the plan was successful, Yan Guang couldn't let Jiang Baili and the others know.

Because if they had known about this plan, they would have absolutely opposed it, and I am afraid they would still oppose it en masse.

After all, according to the plan, the task of the Caucasian coalition forces should be to move in the direction of the Dardanelles, waiting for an opportunity to find an opportunity to unlock the Dardanelles. Yan Guang's target was Mesopotamia, which was later Iraq... In Yan Guang's view, the most important thing is to conquer Mesopotamia first, and then completely occupy this area. As for the Dardanelles, although after the Battle of the Dardanelles, the Turks were finally much richer, but Yan Guang also believed that after increasing the number of troops one after another, until the expeditionary force in the Caucasus exceeded 300,000, it would be absolutely no problem to unlock the Dardanelles, but in that case... Isn't it asking for trouble?

If the Dardanelles Strait is really opened, so that Britain and France can continue to transfuse blood to Russia, so that Russia can survive for a few years, then what about their ambitions in Central Asia?

Therefore, Yan Guang was ready to let Jiang Baili command the coalition forces and march towards the position of Mesopotamia, especially in Mesopotamia, when the British army was fighting fiercely with the Turkish army.

It's just that these Yan Guang can't say it to Jiang Baili, let alone to anyone else, including Cai Yi. Because Yan Guang could not tell them that in a few years, Tsarist Russia, which now seemed to be a behemoth, would fall apart, so Yan Guang could not explain why.

――――――――――Although Jiang Baili was very reluctant, of course, the most important thing was to give up the tens of thousands of Russian troops that Nikolai and they took away, but in the end Jiang Baili still sent Nikolai and his party on the train.

I heard the sound of the train horn in my ears, and watched the long train gradually leave..."Do you want to take the defensive for the time being..."

Somewhat unexpectedly, although the Turks did transfer the newly formed Second Army from Dardanelles to the Caucasus, the process was unexpectedly long, and after more than a month, Jiang Baili had officially assumed the post of commander-in-chief of the Caucasian coalition forces, and the Turkish Second Army still did not arrive in Armenia.

In this process, Kerim, who was anxious to be ashamed, naturally kept urging, but unfortunately the second army in the back could not come up, and in this process, Jiang Baili could be regarded as thoroughly seeing the Turkish army's drag..."If the British had not made the mistake of loading the wrong ship with munitions at the beginning of the Battle of Dardanelles, and exposed their intention to land, so that the Turks could prepare a month in advance under the command of the Germans, I am afraid that the British would have already achieved their strategic goal..."

Looking at the information he had just gathered, Jiang Baili in the command department smiled bitterly.

If he had known that the Turks were so procrastinating, Jiang Baili felt that he should have started the operation soon after Nikolai and the others left. It's a pity that it's too late to say anything now ... That is, when Jiang Baili regretted it in the headquarters, Yan Guang, who was sitting in the presidential palace, also asked Yue Chang to send a telegram to Jiang Baili, who was far away in Armenia.

However, looking at the content of the telegram, Yue Chang felt that something was inappropriate.

"But the president, it's a bit ......... to do that In the past, the intention of the Caucasian Army was to advance to Dardanelles..."

Indeed, the Caucasian Army, which was originally advancing towards Dardanelles, actually advanced towards Mesopotamia, which makes people feel a little ―――――― I'm afraid that neither the Russians nor the British will agree... However, after listening to Yue Chang's words, Yan Guang just pouted.

"I know better than you what the Russians intended to do at the beginning, and they will attack in advance only because the Turks are ready to attack Russian territory. Later, it was only because the Turks were too scummy in combat power that they attacked Armenia all the way..."

Among them, the Armenian rebellion in Van can be regarded as an opportunity to some extent.

However, I am afraid that even the Russians did not expect that the Armenians who rebelled in Van would be able to hold out for more than a month, otherwise I am afraid that the Russians would not have rushed over..."However, how to explain to the Russians and the British..."

"It's my job to explain, so you'd better send the telegram first..."

"This..."After hesitating for a moment, Yue Chang finally gritted his teeth and nodded. I see..."

In any case, Yue Chang was only Yan Guang's adjutant after all, and his task was only to follow Yan Guang's orders... It must be said that the telegraph is indeed the fastest means of communication in this era, not only faster than horses, faster than ships, and faster than airplanes.

Therefore, the telegram had just been transmitted, and Jiang Baili, who was still smiling bitterly at the efficiency of the Turks in the headquarters, had already received a telegram from Yan Guang... When dismantling the telegram, to be honest, Jiang Baili was still guessing what was going on.

"Isn't it a telegram celebrating my appointment as commander of the coalition forces..."

Thinking so, Jiang Baili finally opened the telegram.

But..."............"

Looking at the order specially passed to him in the telegram, Jiang Baili almost thought that he had read it wrong.

"Abandon the attack in the direction of Dardanelles and move on to Mesopotamia?" After taking a closer look at the telegram, Jiang Baili turned his head and said to the officer who came over with the telegram. "Is this really a telegram from the president?!"

"This..."

Hearing the telegram from Jiang Baili's mouth, the officer was somewhat dumbfounded, but in the end he still spoke.

"That's right, this is indeed something that the telegraph room just delivered..."

“……………”

Undoubtedly, Jiang Baili's mind has also become a mess..."This ......... Isn't this a blind command..."

True, compared to the other direction, the Turkish army in the Mesopotamian direction was indeed smaller, and much less, so small that the British, who had only two divisions or more, had already reached Basra and were marching towards Baghdad ... But in terms of the important surname of the direction, Mesopotamia is far worse than Dardanelles. Moreover, after seeing the combat effectiveness of the Turkish army, Jiang Baili also has a certain degree of confidence in unlocking the Dardanelles―――――― as long as the army at hand is sufficient.

So..."Let's go, let's go to the telegraph room, I'm going to send a telegram to the president myself..."

After putting the telegram in his hand aside, Jiang Baili beckoned his adjutant, and then several people walked in the direction of the telegram room together.

After arriving at the telegraph room, after Jiang Baili was in the telegraph room, Jiang Baili explained his opinion, and then asked the dispatcher to send the telegram back to China.

Merely... After just waiting for half an hour, Jiang Baili had already seen the telegram sent back by Yan Guang.

In the telegram, Yan Guang not only reiterated the important surname of his intentions, but also explained that this was an order that must be carried out, and in addition to this, Yan Guang also explained why he wanted to attack Mesopotamia.

Of course, Yan Guang did not tell Jiang Baili in the telegram that Iraq's land was full of oil. Nor did he tell Chiang that Russia would collapse in a few years, and he was ready to take advantage of this opportunity to regain the lost lands and Russian territories in Central Asia... He only told Jiang Baili that the British army had completely occupied the Persian Gulf region, and if they could march to Mesopotamia and open up there, then as long as they could join the British army in the Baghdad area, they would be able to open up a new logistics supply line for the coalition forces... And as long as such a logistics line can be opened, it will also be very beneficial to the subsequent increase of troops in the Caucasus by the expeditionary force... For such a reason......... Jiang Baili simply scoffed.

Yes, the British were making good progress in Mesopotamia, having taken Basra and were advancing towards Baghdad. But the problem is, although the Ottoman Empire has such a Baghdad railway, but the problem is that this Baghdad railway has not been completed at all because of the European war.

It was also on this issue that Jiang Baili sent a telegram to Yan Guang again.

However, the telegram sent back later disappointed Jiang Baili.

In the telegram, Yan Guang did not listen to Jiang Baili's explanation, but only told Jiang Baili that this is an order, and it is also an order that must be executed―――――― you must know that in the eyes of Jiang Baili and Cai Ye in the past, although Yan Guang seemed to be a little mediocre, but he listened to opinions very much, and also had a good habit of knowing mistakes and being able to change, but now... Since it was useless to persuade Yan Guang, Jiang Baili turned his target to other people who were in China and could speak.

For example, Cai Yi, Wang Yaowu, Xu Shichang and Song Dinghan and others―――――― in fact, he has little hope for Wang Yaowu, because he knows very well that Wang Yaowu is a person who obeys Yan Guangyan.

And afterwards, it was indeed as Jiang Baili thought, and Wang Yaowu did not participate in the persuasion work. But even without Wang Yaowu, with Cai Ye and Xu Shichang, this lineup is already huge enough... It's just that such a huge lineup, after walking into Yan Guang's office, still didn't play any role.

In fact, if it weren't for Yan Guang treating them the same as usual, the people present might have thought that Yan Guang was impersonated... Anyway, since Yan Guang is already determined to do this, no matter how unwilling Jiang Baili is afterwards, he can only follow Yan Guang's will... However, Jiang Baili still has some hope for this matter, that is, the British... Suddenly moving the target to Mesopotamia, the British will definitely not be willing, right?!

It's a pity that the result disappointed him... After receiving Zhu Erdian, who had heard the news, in the presidential palace, Yan Guang asked very bluntly.

“……… So, Mr. Ambassador, do you think it is more realistic to open up the Dardanelles with the current amount of troops, or is it more realistic to occupy Baghdad and open up the whole of Mesopotamia with your country's forces in Mesopotamia? You must know that although the Tigris River is a little smaller, it can still transport some supplies, and if this goal is fast enough, it can be achieved next year, but the goal of Dardanelles, with all due respect, I am afraid that the end of the European war may not be able to get through, and this is believed to be the most clear to your country..."

Hearing Yan Guang's words, Zhu Erdian also looked a little embarrassed, after all, not long ago, the Anglo-French army had just failed in the Dardanelles, and it suffered heavy losses... What's more, Zhu Erdian also felt in his heart that what Yan Guang said was very correct, that's right, if you march from the Caucasus, it is indeed not impossible to get through the Dardanelles, but how much time will it take? You must know that after the end of the Battle of the Dardanelles, the Turks were already able to commit enough forces to the Caucasus.

On the other hand, in Mesopotamia, because it is a secondary area for the Turks, there are few troops there, and if the Chinese can take this opportunity to cooperate with the British to take Mesopotamia, then the transportation of materials will be easier.

The most important thing is that the Chinese expeditionary force that will march on Turkey from now on will no longer need to rely on a Trans-Siberian railway to maintain supplies, because the Persian Gulf is already in the hands of the British...―――――――――― so Jurdian thought, and this is how he conveyed his thoughts to London.

After a series of discussions and disputes, the British also agreed with Zhu Erdian's idea.

True, compared with relying solely on the strength of the Chinese to get through Dardanelles, it was obviously more realistic to open Mesopotamia first, so in the end the British agreed with Yan Guang's statement.

As for the purpose of the Chinese doing this? In the eyes of the British, they just wanted to get their own post-war interests as soon as possible, which was nothing in the eyes of the British, and this did not interfere with the European war anyway.

As for Mesopotamia? That is, the land of Iraq? It is just a wasteland, and in the eyes of the British, it is not impossible to give it to the Chinese. After all, the army Chinese put into the European war is close to 100,000 people, and the number is increasing by more than 10,000 every month, at this time, if you can give Chinese a "little" head in advance, it will undoubtedly be able to add some positive surnames to Chinese―――――― although such a "little" sweetness, in the end the British regretted it for a whole century, until Britain has completely degenerated into a second-rate country, still regretting it... After the British agreed, Jiang Baili could only follow the instructions and began to plan a march on Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamia, also known as Iraq, although it is still just a wasteland in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of Yan Guang it is an incomparably beautiful place, of course, the most beautiful is the oil under the land of Mesopotamia, these black gold is so beautiful and charming, so that even a century later, it still attracts countless people to go there...

(To be continued)