On March 19, 4612 (14) of the Yellow Emperor Era, the Imperial General Staff and the military officials of the empire gathered here. The date of the outbreak of the war, which Wu Haoxuan was familiar with, was approaching, and there were only more than three months to go. Although, the empire will not be directly involved in this war. However, the empire also needs to be militarily prepared. When necessary, a strong military force is the best deterrent to ensure the security and interests of the empire.

"Ladies and gentlemen, war is near. It is expected that in three to four months, war may break out. Empire, although it will not directly participate in the war. However, according to the secret treaty we signed with the Germans, all German colonies in the Pacific were to be transferred to the Reich. And the Entente will certainly not let the empire get these colonies easily. Although, they will not go to war for these colonies and empires, some small-scale friction and even conflict will be inevitable. So, the empire must be ready. Wu Haoxuan said.

Germany's colonies in the Pacific, though small in size and scarce in resources, were small islands. However, the strategic importance of these small islands is significant. If the Chinese Empire were able to take over the islands in their entirety, the Chinese Empire's sphere of influence would expand directly into the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Not only can these islands be used to build a defense system to protect the empire itself. At the same time, the islands can be used as a forward base to further threaten other countries. Pushing east could threaten the Hawaiian Islands of the United States, and to the south could be Australia and New Zealand of the United Kingdom. It can be said that it is at the point where it can be attacked and retreated. Especially with the advancement of science and technology, when the performance of aircraft is greatly improved, it will make the empire occupy a great advantage in the Pacific Ocean.

"Your Majesty, the Marines have prepared three divisions and are ready to go at any time. As long as the Germans issue a statement to transfer these colonies to us. We will be able to take over all of these colonies as soon as possible. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded. Germany's colonies in the Pacific will certainly be seized by the Entente. The Japanese, in particular, were bound to seize these colonies under the guise of war against Germany. Even the Americans must have been very covetous of these colonies. However, the United States also does not want to get involved in the war when it has just begun. So. They are powerless. After the empire was prepared first, it was impossible for small Japan to snatch these colonies with the empire.

"The Navy's Pacific Fleet and the South Sea Fleet must be combat-ready. Little Japan will definitely not be willing to let the empire rob those colonies, and they will definitely send warships to seize them. Maybe a large-scale conflict, or even a war, will break out between the two sides. I have only one request, and that is that once a conflict breaks out between us and little Japan, we should not be afraid that it will lead to war. Little Japan has to be hurt. Let them know that if they want to reach out and snatch the interests of the empire, they must be prepared to pay heavy losses. Wu Haoxuan said.

It would undoubtedly be very good if we could take advantage of this opportunity to make Japan pay heavy losses again. It's just that when the Entente and the Central Powers were engaged in Armageddon, they would certainly not have watched a large-scale war break out between the Chinese Empire and Japan. Japan, however, is an ally of Britain. Other than that. The United States, on the other side of the Pacific, will not sit idly by and watch the empire defeat Japan. Not even willing to allow the Empire's power to expand into the Pacific. So, when the time comes, they will definitely support Japan.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Minister of the Navy, Marshal Sa Zhenbing, and the Commander of the Navy, Marshal Cheng Biguang, both nodded.

The current Imperial Navy can be described as a strong army. Although, the most powerful 'Five Emperor-class' battleships are under intense construction, and it is expected that they will not be able to enter service until the end of next year. But. Now the strength of the Imperial Navy is also very strong. Two 'Longteng-class' battleships, two 'Longxing-class' battleships, four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships, and two 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers. Two 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers, plus four 'Zodiac-class' heavy cruisers, four 'Zodiac-class improved' heavy cruisers, seven 'White Tiger-class' light cruisers, seven 'Suzaku-class' light cruisers, seven 'Qinglong-class' light cruisers, seven 'Northern Seven Provinces' light cruisers, 12 'E-class' destroyers, 12 'D-class' destroyers, 12 'C-class' destroyers, 12 'B-class' destroyers, and 12 'A-class' destroyers.

In addition, in addition to the five 'Five Emperor-class' battleships under construction, the last four 'Zodiac-class Ultimate Improved' heavy cruisers, seven 'Xuanwu-class' light cruisers, and 12 'Ji-class' destroyers are under construction. The strength of the Imperial Navy was already far ahead of that of the Japanese Navy. It can be said that an overwhelming advantage has been achieved.

Of course, with the support of Britain, France, and the United States, and Japan's reckless military force, the strength of the Japanese navy is not weak. Two 'Fuso-class' battleships and two 'Ise-class' battleships have entered service, as have four 'Kongo-class' battlecruisers ordered from Britain and built on their own, plus two 'Hanoi-class' battleships, the Japanese Navy's capital ships now reach 12. In addition, the Japanese Navy also built a fleet of heavy and light cruisers and destroyers, modeled after the Empire. After the empire began to build the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships, the Japanese navy was also on the verge of a great enemy. Once again, they took out emergency loans from the United States, and at the same time stepped up efforts to rein in the people at home, preparing to smash the pot and sell iron, and build a more powerful battleship, a powerful battleship capable of comprehensively suppressing the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships of the Imperial Navy. This is the 'Nagato-class' battleship, although there are only two, but these two battleships have a displacement of nearly 40,000 tons, and the main guns carried are four twin 410 mm main guns. Of course, the Japanese could not make 410-mm guns at all now, they could only turn to the British in the hope that they would be able to supply them with 410-mm guns. It's just that Britain is also developing a 406-mm main gun, which has not been able to succeed in a short period of time. The Japanese Navy wanted to get technology from the British Navy, and that was even more elusive. But the ten capital ships of the Japanese Navy are already very strong. If the ten capital ships of the Japanese Navy can be eliminated with the help of this conflict, then the empire will undoubtedly be much safer.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I am not afraid that little Japan will not provoke, as long as they dare to provoke, the Imperial Navy will definitely make them pay a heavy price." Marshal Cheng Biguang assured.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, the Entente would not tear up their faces with the empire for the sake of Japan. At most, they would provide some support to Japan, or force the Empire to stop attacking Japan after suffering a major loss. Of course, the empire will certainly not let Japan go easily. Even if Japan can't be destroyed under pressure, it will definitely reap the benefits.

As time passed, the clouds of war on the European continent grew thicker. Emperor Wu Haoxuan instructed the Military Intelligence Bureau to strengthen the collection of intelligence on Europe. Every day, the latest information will come back from Europe, so that even though Emperor Wu Haoxuan is thousands of miles away in the Far East, he knows the situation in Europe well.

When General Chen Xudong, director of the Reich's military intelligence, informed Wu Haoxuan that Austria-Hungary was preparing to hold a large-scale military exercise in Sarajevo, Bosnia, near the Serbian border. The date was chosen on June 28, the anniversary of the conquest of Serbia by the Turks (June 28, 1386). With Serbia as an imaginary enemy, two corps were dispatched, and the Ferdinands decided to go to Saravo to inspect it themselves. Wu Haoxuan knew that war was inevitable.

"The wheels of history are rolling forward, and no one can stop them. Even if there is a slight deviation, what should happen will happen. Wu Haoxuan said secretly.

At the same time, Wu Haoxuan ordered the Imperial Army and Navy to prepare for battle. The main force of the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet left port and went to the Pacific Ocean and the waters around Japan to stand on guard. The three divisions of the Imperial Marine Corps, which had already been prepared, boarded the ship and set off. They would go to the German colonies in the Pacific, and when Germany announced the transfer of these colonies to China, they would receive them from the Germans as soon as they were announced. In this case, neither the Entente nor the United States could prevent the Empire from taking over the colonies. When the matter was a foregone conclusion, the Entente could only pinch their noses and admit that the Empire had the legitimate possession of these colonies.

In addition, the various army groups of the Imperial Army also entered a state of combat readiness. If the Entente wants to tear up the Empire, the Empire must prepare for the worst.

In May 4612 (14), the German Chief of Staff Moltke the Younger held a meeting with the Chief of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff Hertzendorf to discuss the war plan against Serbia. On 12 June, Archduke Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, went to his castle in Konopistat for talks with Kaiser Wilhelm II to determine the course of action in advance for the war. Kaiser Wilhelm II advised Austria-Hungary to take advantage of this favorable situation to attack Serbia. Wilhelm II also explicitly assured Archduke Ferdinand that Germany would come to Austria-Hungary's aid if Russia intervened in the Austro-Serbian conflict.

On June 28, the Austro-Hungarian Empire held large-scale military exercises in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Archduke Ferdinand personally went to direct the exercises, and after the exercises, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife went to Sarajevo to inspect the exercises. At this moment, the radical groups in Serbia were already preparing to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand. (To be continued.) )

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