Three days passed quickly. However, the Kingdom of Iran still did not reply to the imperial ultimatum.

On March 18, 4618 (20) of the Yellow Emperor Era, at nine o'clock in the morning, the Imperial Emperor Wu Haoxuan summoned the Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du, the Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi, the Imperial Chief of General Staff Marshal Shi Tianhan, the Imperial War Minister Marshal Zhao Xifu and the Imperial Navy Minister Marshal Sa Zhenbing in the Imperial Palace. General Chen Xudong, director of the Empire's Military Intelligence Bureau, was also in attendance.

At this time, it was only a few hours before the expiration of the Empire's ultimatum to the Kingdom of Iran. However, judging by the information now obtained, it seems that the Kingdom of Iran shows no sign of accepting the conditions of the Empire. In other words, the ball was kicked at the feet of the empire in the end.

"General Chen, tell everyone about the information obtained by the Military Intelligence Bureau!" Wu Haoxuan said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Admiral Chen Xudong nodded, and then said: "Ladies and gentlemen, the latest information we have received is that two days ago, Ahmad Shah, the king of the Kingdom of Iran, had left Tehran and headed south. His trip was purported to be an expedition to the southern part of the Kingdom of Iran, but in reality, it was to avoid the Empire. As for the ministers of the Kingdom of Iran, Said Giaddin, and the British minister Girat, they were in cahoots and had seized actual power in Iran. Iran did not agree to the Empire's request for a pretext, largely because the British were behind it. As it stands, they don't seem to take our ultimatum seriously. ”

"Hmph, as the king of a country, it is too irresponsible to run away. It is no wonder that it will become a puppet controlled by the British. Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du said disdainfully. He was apparently dismissive of what the Iranian king, Ahmad Shah, was doing.

"Prime Minister, you need to be considerate of each other. After all, the other side is nothing more than a puppet of a country. has no power at all, and may be pushed out to be a scapegoat, and it is possible for anyone to escape! Imperial Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi said with a smile.

Wu Haoxuan smiled, and then said, "So, what choice should the empire make now?" ”

"Your Majesty. The empire has given Iran an ultimatum. If the Empire doesn't take action, it will definitely be underestimated by the whole world. Now it's time to be ready to shoot. Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, said.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, although the Chinese Empire was called one of the four great powers in the world after World War I. However, among the four major powers, it is undoubtedly the one with the lowest background. If the empire does not take action this time, it is very likely that it will be underestimated by other countries. At that time, the position of the empire as a powerful country may not be guaranteed. This is what Wu Haoxuan does not want to see.

"Your Majesty. Iran is also a protectorate of the British, anyway. If our army openly entered the Kingdom of Iran, I am afraid it would provoke a fierce backlash from the British. When the time comes, there is a risk of triggering a new round of crises, even wars. Tang Shaoyi said.

"War? Lord Tang said seriously. Do the British dare to really go to war with us? No, they simply don't dare. The wounds of the British in the world war have not yet been healed. Their financial pressures are still very high. What are they going to do to fight a large-scale war with the Empire? Among other things, if war broke out, the Imperial Army could immediately move south from Central Asia and attack the Kingdom of Afghanistan and India. It is also possible to depart from the empire itself. Attack Burma and India, starting from the East Indies. Attack Australia. In this way, the British colonial system will inevitably collapse. War Minister Marshal Zhao Xifu said. It can be said that the most important colonies of the British are on the lips of the empire. If the Empire wants to bite, it can bite into it. Of course. Whether it can be digested or not, it's hard to say.

"War with the British is not just the army's decision. The British navy is still the best in the world. Tang Shaoyi said.

"Lord Tang, although the British Navy is still the first in the world. But. The Imperial Navy was also not muddy. Our 'Three Emperor-class' battleships are still in service, plus two 'Pinghai-class' battleships and five 'Five Emperor-class' battleships, which are enough to confront the British Navy. If the British come all the way to deal with the Empire, the Empire can fully cooperate with the submarine force, wait for work, defeat the British Navy in one fell swoop, and let the tragedy of the Russian Navy repeat itself. Imperial Navy Minister Marshal Sa Zhenbing said immediately.

"Okay, two marshals, Lord Tang didn't mean that. I know that the strength of the Imperial Army and Navy is strong, and in terms of combat power, it is no worse than the British. However, Britain is not the only enemy now. There are also the Japanese lackeys raised by the British, and the Americans who are eyeing the other side of the ocean. The French are probably also disgruntled with the Empire. So, we have to be cautious. If you can avoid war, it is better not to fight. Wu Haoxuan said.

Although the Chinese Empire is powerful, it seems too reluctant to challenge the whole world on its own. Wu Haoxuan is still waiting, waiting for a better time. When the European war breaks out again and the head of state sweeps across Europe, the strength of Britain, France and other countries will be weakened to a minimum. When the time comes, the empire will attack in one fell swoop, and the colonies of Britain and France will fall into the hands of the empire like ripe peaches.

When the time comes, let the Führer contain Britain, France, and Soviet Russia, and the Chinese Empire will be able to concentrate all its efforts on competing with the Americans for supremacy in the Pacific. As long as the Americans are squeezed out, then the empire wins.

"Your Majesty, how are we going to deal with the problem of the Kingdom of Iran this time?" Yang Du asked.

"Now that the empire has given an ultimatum, then, without saying anything at all, it will undoubtedly make the whole world look down on the empire. So, the empire has to do something. Prepare the 7th Army to cross the border and enter the Kingdom of Iran as soon as the time comes. However, as long as the Kingdom of Iran does not attack on its own initiative, we will not attack them, we only need to pass through the territory of the northern part of the Kingdom of Iran and enter the South Caucasus. Of course, if the Iranians dare to attack, they will have to fight back. And to beat them up, let them know the power of the Empire. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Well, what about the reaction of the British?" Yang Du continued to ask.

"The British, they don't want to go to war with the Empire at this time, at most a few words of protest. However, the necessary preparations still need to be made. The Imperial Army was ordered to be brought to the highest combat readiness, and the troops were assembled in the province of Caiyun, the East Indies. All the main warships of the Imperial Navy were also put into combat readiness, giving the British the feeling that the Empire would not hesitate to fight. I don't think David Lloyd George's head is caught in the door, they won't be at war with us at this time. Otherwise, they really don't want the position of world hegemon. Wu Haoxuan said conceitedly.

With the current strength of the empire, if there is a war with Britain, it will definitely not lose. However, if France and the United States join them, the empire will not win, and in the end it may be a lose-lose outcome. This is definitely not the result that Wu Haoxuan wants. A victory that the Empire needs, a decisive victory, a victory that will allow the Empire to reap the maximum benefit at the minimum cost, a victory that will allow the Empire to become a true world hegemon!

"Yes, Your Majesty." Several military officials nodded. They all know that Wu Haoxuan is using the old method to deter the British.

Of course, although the Empire does use this method regularly. But as long as it works, it's a good idea.

After several ministers left, Wu Haoxuan was also a little excited in his heart, this may be the first confrontation between the empire and the British, I don't know what choice the British will make this time?

"British, let's see how you're going to pick up this time." Wu Haoxuan thought secretly.

Minutes and seconds passed, and soon, the time for the ultimatum of the empire arrived. However, the Kingdom of Iran still did not give an answer to the Chinese Empire. It is clear that the Iranians are not going to reply.

The northeastern border of Iran, the border between Iran and the Chinese Empire. More than 100,000 soldiers of the 7th Army of the Imperial Army have long been assembled here. Everyone, waiting for an order from the General Staff.

General Duan Tianwei, commander of the group army, was constantly looking at the watch on his wrist. Every few minutes, he would ask the adjutant if there was a telegram from the General Staff.

At 10 a.m. on March 18, Iranian time, a communications officer anxiously wanted Admiral Duan Tianwei to run.

"Commander, telegram from the General Staff." The communications officer reported loudly.

"Okay, it's finally here." Admiral Duan Tianwei immediately ran up, snatched the telegram from the communications officer's hand, and read it carefully.

After reading the contents of the telegram in three or two clicks, he immediately gave the order.

"The ministries prepare, and twenty minutes later, enter the territory of the Kingdom of Iran. If attacked, return fire immediately. If the Iranians do not resist, then we will not attack them. Admiral Duan Tianwei ordered.

Several division commanders and generals of the units directly under the group army nodded their heads and understood what he meant.

Less than a kilometer from the station of the 7th Army of the Imperial Army, the Iranian army was secretly observing the movements of the Imperial Army.

"Sir, what should we do in case the Chinese attack? Are we going to attack? A young soldier asked.

"Fools, fight with the Chinese, isn't that looking for death? If the Chinese enter our territory, we just pretend not to see it. The older officer said.

"But didn't Tehran order us to stop the Chinese from invading our country?"

"Tehran told us to die, so that fools would listen to them."

"Sir, the Chinese have crossed the border."

"Let's go, get out of here right now." (To be continued.) )

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