"Your Majesty, the Military Intelligence Agency has received definite information that the Japanese fleet will depart from Portsmouth, the southern British military port, in a week's time, on the day of the month, and return to Japan via the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Malacca! The entire voyage, more than 20,000 kilometers, is expected to take about 50 days. Wei Zhiyong, director of the Military Intelligence Agency, reported. Because warships generally sail at a cruising speed of 0 knots, plus stops and supplies on the way, it will take a long time.

Wang Yuze nodded, and then asked, "Has the specific route been decided?" ”

"We have information so far that the Japanese fleet will return to Japan from the Strait of Malacca, through the South China Sea, through the Bass Strait. It's just that after we analyzed it, we felt that it was a little impossible. The Japanese would not have imagined that we would intercept their fleet halfway. At this time, if you still go to the South China Sea, you are simply looking for death! So, we think it's most likely fake news from the Japanese! Wei Zhiyong said.

"So, can you get the exact route?" Wang Yuze asked.

"This is very difficult, the Japanese are very secretive about the successive return of the fleet, and only a very limited number of people know about it. Our intelligence officers can't find out yet! Wei Zhiyong said.

"Okay, that's totally okay too. The Japanese fleet always has to return home. Zhang Aiqing, the navy sent warships to stand guard in the Indian Ocean, the Strait of Malacca, and other places, and to follow the Japanese fleet as long as it spotted them. I don't believe they can run away! Wang Yuze said.

"Yes, Your Majesty! The Admiralty is already planning to send our 'Tianshui-class' light cruisers to this task. With the speed and endurance of a Tianshui-class light cruiser. This task can be accomplished very easily! Zhang Cheng said. Tianshui-class "light cruiser with a displacement of 4500 tons. The ship is 90 meters long, 2 meters wide, and has a draft of 54 meters, and will be powered by 6 drum boilers and a steam turbine, with a main engine power of 12,000 horsepower, two-shaft propulsion, and a maximum speed of 0 knots. Even the destroyers equipped in the Japanese fleet could not catch up.

"That's good! Meantime. The home fleet is to be combat-ready. Once the traces of the Japanese fleet were discovered, they had to be prepared to sink them all, and not a single Japanese battleship could be allowed to return to Japan. In addition, the two battleships in Japan also need to be well monitored. If they make a move, they have to react immediately! Wang Yuze said.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This time, the Admiralty intended to use two 'Sichuan-class' battleships and four 'Chengdu-class' heavy cruisers to monitor the fleet on the Japanese mainland. Once they are found out to sea. Just track them. As soon as the war starts, sink them! Japan's return fleet, on the other hand, was dealt with with by four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships and one 'Beijing-class' heavy cruiser. No matter which aspect, we have an absolute advantage! Zhang Cheng replied confidently. Although the number of battleships in the current home fleet of the Chinese Navy is only 6, its combat power is much higher than that of the Japanese Navy. Defeat them, it's not a problem at all.

"The Pacific Fleet also needs to be prepared. At the beginning of our naval war with the Japanese, the United States was forced to declare war on us by agreement. The Pacific Fleet needs to prepare for war and monitor the movements of the U.S. West Coast Fleet. I don't want to receive a telegram about the attack on Pearl Harbor! Wang Yuze said sternly. Hawaii has become an empire in the eastern Pacific region. One of the most important strategic points to deter the United States, if lost, is now. It will have a very large impact on the future strategy of the empire. So, he had to be reminded of this. Historically, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and inflicted huge losses on the Americans. And this time, the Americans may not have thought of such a strategy.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I'll get in touch with the Pacific Fleet! Zhang Cheng was also nervous. Compared to the home fleet, the Pacific Fleet is slightly weaker than the current US West Coast Fleet. The Pacific Fleet only has three battleships and four heavy cruisers, while the US West Coast Fleet already has six battleships and one armored cruiser. In the event of war, the Pacific Fleet would most likely suffer defeat, putting Hawaii in jeopardy. Therefore, the strategy that the Imperial Navy intends to adopt is still to avoid war with the U.S. Navy, wait until the naval battle in the Far East is over, and then send a part of its forces to Hawaii to support the Pacific Fleet. In one fell swoop, he established an advantage over the U.S. Navy, and won the victory,

"That's good! The Army also needs to be prepared. Once we start a naval war with Japan, it will be the time for us to go to war with Japan and the entire Pacific Alliance. The Army's Northeastern, Northern and Northwestern Military Regions must be combat-ready. At the same time, the troops in the DPRK must also be prepared, and the 4 divisions formed by the DPRK must also immediately enter a state of combat readiness! Wang Yuze ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty! The War Department has already given the order, and the ministries are ready for battle! However, because of the current climate, even if we go to war with Russia, I am afraid that the war will really break out, and it will drag on until about April, not the current time when it is freezing and snowy. The battle some time ago, the Russians have had enough! Cai Yun replied.

"The General Staff and the War Department should be prepared to reorganize the troops of the Northeast Military Region, the Northern Military Region, and the Northwest Military Region into group armies, which will be more convenient for command when the time comes. In addition, if the scale of the war increases, more troops will continue to be committed. So reinforcements must also be best prepared! Wang Yuze reminded. This war, however, is a war that gambles on the future fortunes of the country, and there is no room for sloppiness.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xiong Wuye Cai Yundu replied.

"Everyone, the success or failure of the empire is the next battle. Although the enemy is very strong, I believe that the final victory will be ours! Wang Yuze said firmly.

"The Empire will win!" The crowd shouted.

Portsmouth, the largest military port in southern England, has always been the main anchorage for the British mainland Cape Fleet. In '05, British Navy Commander Nelson commanded the British Navy fleet from Portsmouth Military Port to engage in a crucial naval battle with France. The two fleets met off Cape Trafalgar, Spain, and the decisive battle was inevitable, and the battle lasted for five hours, due to the superiority of British command, tactics and training, the combined Franco-Spanish fleet suffered a decisive blow, the commander Werneuve was captured, and two battleships were captured. British coach Horatio? Admiral Nelson was also killed in battle. After this battle, the elite of the French navy was exhausted, and Napoleon was forced to abandon his plans to attack the British mainland. And the position of British maritime supremacy was consolidated.

At the headquarters of the British Cape Fleet in Portsmouth, a stocky Oriental man was talking to an Englishman in a tuxedo, and the two spoke in a more encouraging voice, as if they were arguing. These two men were none other than Vice Admiral Heihachiro Togo, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and Walter, the second admiral of the United Kingdom? Lord Kerr, rumored to be on the verge of becoming Britain's First Admiralty.

"Your Excellency, Lord of the Navy, according to the information we have received, the Chinese Navy is ready. Four of their 'Zhonghua-class' battleships have entered the dock and begun to do pre-sea maintenance. As soon as my fleet appears in the South China Sea, it will face their blows. And my fleet simply has no way to compete with the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy. Therefore, I would like to ask your navy to send warships to Japan together with our navy! Please! Vice Admiral Heihachiro Togo bowed. Japanese Foreign Minister Shuzo Aoki once again contacted the British, hoping that they would send a fleet to escort the Japanese fleet home, but the British refused. Heihachiro Togo didn't give up and wanted to make a final effort. And Walter? Lord Kerr had come to see off the Japanese fleet.

"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency, Commander. My Government has made a decision, and I cannot change it. Your navy can fly the flag of our navy when passing through China's waters. I don't think the Chinese Navy would have the courage to attack the British Navy! "Walter? Lord Kerr said. This is completely nonsense with his eyes open, and even he himself will not believe such a bad excuse. Japan, the United States, and Russia, led and supported by Britain and France, formed the Pacific Alliance, ready to take action against China. How can China sit idly by? Fools know that this time the return of the Japanese fleet is an excellent opportunity. The Chinese side will certainly not let go of this opportunity. Britain's purpose is to let Japan fight hard with China.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese are extremely ruthless, and they will definitely attack our fleet. In the event of the defeat of our navy, there will be no country in the entire Far East that can threaten them. I'm afraid that your country's 'Chinese fleet' and the Pacific Fleet will also be threatened! Heihachiro Togo suppressed the anger in his heart and continued to persuade,

"I'm sorry, I can't promise you on this issue!" Walter? Lord Kerr continued.

Heihachiro Togo had no choice but to leave. Without the support of Britain, the Japanese navy would not have had any chance of developing, and it stands to reason that the whole of Japan should be grateful to the British. However, Heihachiro Togo hated it to death, and he knew that this was Britain's intention to use Japan as a pawn to confront China. And now, it's time for them to be pushed into battle. Thinking of this, Togo Heihachiro felt sad in his heart.

On the day of 99, the Japanese fleet embarked on a journey home from the British military port of Portsmouth, but what awaited them along the way, all the Japanese had already guessed.

PS: The fourth update is here! Tomorrow's fourth watch, there is an update in the early morning! It's the end of the month, ask for a subscription, ask for a monthly pass!