On the evening of August 20, in the office of Combined Fleet Commander Isamu Takeshita at Sasebo Naval Base, Admiral Isamu Takeshita and Vice Admiral Keisuke Okada, Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, sat on a sofa. In front of them, stood seven officers of the Great Zo. These officers were captains of battlecruisers, heavy cruisers, or important light cruisers of the Japanese Navy. These included Captain Yoshikawa Yasuhei Osa of the battlecruiser Hiei, Captain Kuma Shirane of the heavy cruiser Tone, Captain of the heavy cruiser Tsukuma, Captain of the heavy cruiser Tsukuma, Captain of the light cruiser Mogami, Captain Yokoji Otji of the light cruiser Mikuma, Captain Shinosa Nakajima of the light cruiser Suzuya, and Captain Sadaharo Murase of the light cruiser Kumano.

"Gentlemen, you are all commanders of the most elite warships of the Combined Fleet. Now, there is a very important task for you. This task is full of dangers, and if you don't do it well, you will pay for your own life. Are you willing to accept this task? Admiral Isamu Takeshita said with a serious face.

"Your Excellency Commander, it is the duty of our generation of soldiers to fight for the rise of the Great Japanese Empire, and what is the price of our lives?" The construction of the battlecruiser "Hiei" was fearless with Yasuhei Yoshikawa.

Several other Dazuo also expressed their willingness to accept this task.

"Very well, you are all warriors of the Great Japanese Empire. Although, this task is very threatening. However, I hope you all come back safely. After we defeated the Shina people, you were all heroes loved by the entire Japanese Empire. Admiral Isamu Takeshita said.

Suddenly, the captains were excited. At the same time, they also have some doubts in their hearts. They are also very clear about the current situation of the Combined Fleet. They are well aware that the combined fleet is going to defeat the Chinese Navy. I'm afraid it's going to be very difficult. Even many people are ready to become gods. Now, Admiral Isamu Takeshita told them that they still had hope of defeating the Chinese navy, which undoubtedly made them very puzzled.

"Chief of Staff, tell us about our plans." Admiral Isamu Takeshita said.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada nodded.

"Gentlemen. As you all know, in order to force the combined fleet to leave the port and the decisive battle of the Chinese navy. The people of China did not hesitate to shell the coastal cities of Japan. This was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Great Japanese Empire. Our people, groaning under the fire of the Chinese people, countless people were killed. However, because of the disparity in strength, we cannot stop them. Our 'Yamato-class' battleships are being built overtime. Only when the construction of the 'Yamato-class' battleships is completed will we have the capital for a decisive battle with the Chinese Navy. Therefore. Until then, we need to stall for time. And this, I'm afraid, needs to be done by you. Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada said.

"The battlecruiser Hiei is the fastest capital ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy right now. The Tone-class heavy cruisers were also very powerful, reaching a maximum speed of 32 knots. The 'Superior' light cruisers were the most powerful of the Imperial Navy's light cruisers. Therefore, we hope that it will be up to you to start the battle and buy enough time for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada said.

"Breaking the war?" These captains. I immediately understood what the mission was this time. The current Japanese Navy, if you want to fight hard with the Chinese Navy. That's certainly not an opponent. Therefore, the Japanese Navy can only use this method to confront the Chinese Navy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as long as we can hold out for more than three months, and when our 'Yamato-class' battleships are commissioned, we will be able to face off against the Shina Navy. Even, if it is possible to transfer part of the main force of the Pacific Fleet of the Shina Navy from outside the Sasebo military port. We will be able to use the four 'Kii-class' battleships to have a showdown with the Shina Navy. If we can win by chance, Japan's crisis can be lifted. Therefore, the task on your shoulders is heavy. General Isamu Takeshita said solemnly.

If the broken fleet is able to lure away half of the nine capital ships of the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy, then. The four 'Kii-class' battleships of the Japanese Navy were not unqualified for a decisive battle with the Chinese Navy. After all, the combat power of the four 'Kii-class' battleships is also very strong. Although it is slightly inferior to the 'Three Emperors class' of the Chinese Navy, it is definitely above the battleship 'Jinghai'.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please rest assured, even if we are crushed to pieces, we will try our best to buy enough time for the Great Japanese Empire." Yoshikawa Yasuhei said.

The other captains also said that they would do their best to break the diplomatic battle.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the reason why you are allowed to carry out this plan is entirely because the warships under your command are fast and powerful. The Pacific Fleet of the China Navy has few warships that can compete with your warships in terms of speed and firepower. Therefore, if you carry out the battle to break the diplomatic relationship, you will have a better chance of winning and will be able to buy more time for the Japanese Empire. I hope that after we defeat the Chinese people, you will all be able to return safely. Admiral Isamu Takeshita said.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." All the captains replied.

"As for the issue of supplies, we will send camouflaged supply ships to provide you with supplies as much as possible. In addition, we will liaise with the British Navy and the US Navy to find a way to supply you. That way, you'll be able to hold on longer. Lieutenant General Keisuke Okada said.

The blockade of Japan by the Chinese Navy is almost complete. When the time comes, it will be difficult for Japan to break through the blockade of the Chinese Navy. This is especially true of these Japanese warships, which carried out the operation of breaking diplomatic relations, and they were not supplied at all. And after losing supplies, it is easy to be blocked by the besieging Chinese navy. Even the seven warships selected by the Japanese Navy to carry out the operation of breaking diplomatic relations are very strong. However, it was still very difficult to escape from the siege.

"Gentlemen, go back and prepare. Three hours later, you're on your way. Remember, sink all the ships of the Shina that you have seen. Whether it is a warship or a merchant ship, even a fishing boat, it must be sunk. We will let the coastal areas of China become so loud that they will have to send warships from the coastal waters of Japan to encircle and suppress you. The more warships we have in China, the more time we can buy, and the more likely we are to defeat the China Navy. Admiral Isamu Takeshita ordered.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." After the captains saluted, they came out one by one. Each of them was very excited. Because, they have the most dangerous mission to perform, but it is the most glorious mission. The fate of the Japanese Empire can be said to have been in their hands.

At 11 p.m., four of the Japanese Navy's 'Rank' light cruisers were the first to leave from the Sasebo military port. The 'Ultimate Class' light cruiser was the largest tonnage light cruiser of the Japanese Navy, with a displacement of 11,200 tons, which was even comparable to most heavy cruisers. This class of light cruisers, armed with five triple 155mm guns, is undoubtedly the most powerful of all light cruisers. Compared with the light cruisers of the Chinese Navy, there are two more guns with six 155 mm guns, and the firepower can be described as very powerful. The maximum speed of the 'most class' light cruiser also reached 35 knots. It's definitely one of the fastest light cruisers. The Chinese Navy's latest 'Wuyue-class' light cruiser has just reached this speed. In addition, the 'Gotsugaku-class' light cruisers are still deployed with three triple 155mm main guns, and it takes almost two to compete with one of the Japanese Navy's 'top-class' light cruisers.

When the Japanese Navy first built the 'Highest Class' light cruiser, it wanted to build the fastest and most powerful light cruiser in order to be able to suppress the light cruisers of the Chinese Navy.

After leaving the Sasebo military port at a slow pace, the four 'most class' light cruisers of the Japanese Navy increased their speed to thirty knots under the cover of night. Subsequently, the four light cruisers parted ways and went to different sea areas. If they want to break the enemy, they have to spread out. If they are gathered, they can easily be surrounded by the Chinese navy.

At half past eleven, two 'Tone-class' heavy cruisers of the Japanese Navy also left the Sasebo naval base. This class of heavy cruisers is the latest in the Japanese Navy, with a displacement of 13,000 tons, equipped with four twin 203 mm guns, and a maximum speed of 32 knots. Compared to the heavy cruisers of the Chinese Navy, the Tone-class heavy cruisers have a larger tonnage and are slightly faster. Of course, the four-seat twin 203-mm guns were not necessarily the match for the three-seat triple-mounted 210-mm guns equipped with the heavy cruisers of the Imperial Navy.

At 12 o'clock in the evening, the Japanese Navy's battlecruiser Hiei left the Sasebo military port. As the only surviving of the 'Kongo-class' battlecruisers, the 'Hiei' battlecruiser undoubtedly had a high status. With a speed of more than 27.5 knots, it was the fastest of all the capital ships of the Japanese Navy. The four twin 356 mm guns of 45 times the caliber also give it very strong firepower. Of course, because the armor was too weak, the battlecruiser Hiei may not be a match for most of the capital ships of the Chinese Navy. However, against the heavy cruisers and light cruisers of the Chinese Navy, it has an overwhelming advantage. Not to mention the execution of the operation to break the diplomatic relationship. (To be continued.) )

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