"Your Majesty, the Emperor's ** team, in this war, has already suffered heavy losses, losing a quarter of its troops. The empire's finances were even more unsustainable. If you can, is it possible to consider retreating from Eastern Siberia first, exchanging space for time. In this way, the logistical pressure can also be reduced! "Prime Minister of the Russian government, Sergei? Witt said. Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of land area, but now, this is causing very big problems for the Russian army. Although some sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway have been opened to traffic, the capacity is limited. As a result, it will take a long time for the support units and logistics of the Russian army to reach Irkutsk. If it can retreat to the west and shorten the logistics supply line, this is very advantageous for the Russian army. At the same time, it can also increase the logistical pressure on the Chinese side, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone. Sergei? It was even more so that Witte came up with such a proposal.

"What? Active retreat? How can this work? These lands were all seized by the ancestors little by little, how could they take the initiative to give up! No, it's absolutely not going to work! Tsar Nicholas II said stubbornly. The Russian royal family has an unimaginable attachment to the land. This is also the reason why Russia has been able to develop from a small European country to the largest country in the world in terms of territorial area.

"Your Majesty, this is only temporary! After waiting for the navy to defeat the Chinese navy, we will be able to launch a counterattack, defeat the Chinese in one fell swoop, and regain the lost land! "War Minister Alexey? Nikolaevich? Kuropatkin also persuaded.

However, Tsar Nicholas II hesitated and shook his head.

"Now. The whole of Europe and the whole world. All again Russian jokes. If we retreat on our own initiative. It will make Russia a laughing stock all over the world. This is absolutely not a no-go! If there is a shortage of troops on the front, then we will send more troops, more troops from Europe! And if that's not enough, we can arm more armies! "Tsar Nicholas II was very stubborn.

"Your Majesty, we must leave enough troops in Europe to guard against the Germans and Austria-Hungary! Germany and Austria-Hungary had very close relations with China, for the territory of the empire. I have always coveted it. If the Empire had drawn a large number of troops from Europe, wouldn't that have given them a chance? "Sergey? Witt said.

"Humph! Germans and Austria-Hungary? Do they dare to attack the Empire at this time? If they dare, Britain and France would certainly not sit idly by! At most, the Germans are just a lose-lose battle between us and the Chinese. If they really want to start a war, I'm afraid they don't have the courage to do so! Tsar Nicholas II said disdainfully. Although he is a little stubborn and a little stubborn, he is not a fool. The current war with China is not only a matter for Russia, but also for Britain and France. If Germany dared to act rashly at this time, then Britain and France would definitely strike at Germany. Even if Germany is getting stronger and stronger, it will fight against Britain, France and Russia at the same time. Germany certainly has no confidence in winning. So, before being completely sure. Germany would not attack Russia.

Nicholas II moved out on this ground, Sergey? Werther had to shut up. He did not want a large number of Russian soldiers, like cattle, to be driven to the battlefield and then killed by the Chinese. However, Nicholas II had already made up his mind, and he had no choice. As for the financial pressure, with the large loan from the UK, it can be sustained for a while. As for how it will be returned in the future, it is difficult to say. If China is defeated and a large amount of war reparations can be obtained from China, then it will be easy to settle together. If it fails, there's no way around it.

"Don't worry! Although the Emperor ** team was defeated badly in the previous war, we will not be defeated forever. I believe that Grand Duke Nicholas, as long as there are enough troops and logistical support, he will be able to surprise us! Tsar Nicholas II said. I don't know how he came to this conclusion, or if it was just his imagination.

Britain, too, had to adjust its plans because of this crushing defeat of Russia in Ulan-Ude. Britain was really worried that Russia would make peace with China alone because of its heavy losses. In that case, all British plans would be useless. In order to cheer up Russia, Britain decided that the combined fleet of the three countries, which had already been prepared, would make an expedition to China to seize maritime supremacy in one fell swoop and lay the foundation for defeating China.

On the evening of April 27, London time, the Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, summoned the Lord of the Navy, Walter ? Lord Kerr, inquiring about the specific plans of the combined fleet of the three countries to expedition to China.

"Now, have all the warships of all countries arrived? When can it be? The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"Your Excellency, the fleets of all countries have arrived, and they have all gathered at the Portsmouth military port. Including nineteen of our battleships, ten of the Russians, five armored cruisers of the French. In total, twenty-nine battleships, ten armored cruisers, forty-five cruisers, seventy-two destroyers, as well as twenty transports were included. Your Excellency, this is definitely the most powerful fleet ever built. I am full of confidence in them, this time, we will definitely be able to defeat the Chinese Navy! "Lord of the Admirals Walter? Lord Kerr said with a proud face. Although, this is a combined fleet of three European countries, however, this is dominated by the British, and the commander of the fleet is also British, by the British Admiral Algernon? McLennan? Sir Lyons became commander of the Combined Fleet. The deputy commander was Grand Duke Alexandrovich, Marshal of the Russian Navy. After all, the Russian Navy sent ten battleships and deserved this position. The chief of staff of the fleet, still the British Navy, was appointed by Field Marshal Frederick? William? Sir Richards. Originally, this position was supposed to be assigned to the French. However, the proportion of the French Navy in the combined fleet is too small. At the same time, most of the materials used by the United Fleet were also from the British, and the post of chief of staff was very suitable for the British. Although France was a little dissatisfied with this, it did not think too much about it. And who put the French Navy on the wrong path? While all countries were desperately developing battleships, they were developing cruisers and mine-striking ships, and as a result, they had the bitter fruits they have now. Even if the French Navy were to catch up from now on, it would probably take a lot of time to regain its status as one of the world's naval powers.

"I am very happy that you have such faith! Then, I wish you a triumphant return. The Marquess of Salisbury said with a smile. Russia was defeated one after another, and the pressure on Britain was also very great. The British House of Lords and Commons already questioned the Marquess of Salisbury, and if the navy could not win, he would probably be ousted again.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, please rest assured, the Navy will definitely win!" Secretary of the Navy Walter? Lord Kerr assured. Although he has no factual basis, anyone who goes to the huge steel fleet anchored in the Portsmouth military harbor will have great confidence. Although the Chinese Navy has advanced warships, in terms of numbers, the combined fleet of the three countries has an overwhelming advantage.

"So, what about the specific battle plan? Singapore has fallen, the navy is in the Far East, there will be no place for any supplies! If the Chinese Navy avoids the war, I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble! The Marquess of Salisbury raised his own doubts. Originally, the British wanted to use Singapore as a supply base. China, however, preemptively captured Singapore. This allowed the Far East Fleets of the three countries to complete only the last replenishment in India.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we have thought about this issue. There are twenty large transport ships in the fleet, and it is for this reason. Moreover, our fleet can be replenished in Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and India. As long as you cross the Strait of Malacca and enter the South China Sea, there will be no supplies. At this time, the supplies carried by large transport ships were enough for the fleet. As for the Chinese avoiding war, we will not give them this opportunity. After entering the South China Sea, if the Chinese do not dare to fight a decisive battle with us, then the fleet will go directly to the Chinese city of Beihai. Here and in the vicinity are important shipbuilding bases for the Chinese Navy. If this place is destroyed, China's shipbuilding strength will be greatly reduced. If the Chinese don't dare to fight yet, we don't mind going all the way north and turning all China's coastal cities into ruins, just like they did in Japan! "Lord of the Admirals Walter? Lord Kerr said with a smile.

"Well, this plan is very good! In that case, I'm relieved! The Marquis of Salisbury had a smile on his face, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to be like a chrysanthemum.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we also urge the Americans in the UK! The United States and China have declared war for so long, but they have not moved! Such an act is a complete betrayal of the Pacific Alliance! "Lord of the Admirals Walter? Lord Kerr said.

"I'll summon the U.S. ambassador to the UK tomorrow!" The Marquis of Salisbury, Yan Zòng, flashed a trace of anger, and this rogue approach of the United States also made him very dissatisfied.

On the morning of 2 April, a combined fleet of Britain, France, and Russia sailed out of Portsmouth Military Port into the ocean. They will cross the Strait of Gibraltar, enter the Mediterranean, and then enter the Indian Ocean from the Mediterranean, and after India has completed its supply, they will directly rush the Strait of Malacca into the South China Sea and fight the Chinese navy! (To be continued.) )

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