In the south of England, in the military port of Portsmouth, huge warships are moored here. After the fall of Germany, the greatest enemy of the British Empire, the main forces of the Royal Navy were no longer to gather at Scarpa Bay.

Sir John Jericho, the British Lord of the Admiralty, stood on the dock and looked at the ships of the Royal Navy, which had begun to light fires and were preparing for departure, and his heart was filled with emotion. Although, the British Navy managed to defeat the German Navy and defend its position as the world hegemon. However, after the end of the world war, they found that their opponents seemed to be more numerous and stronger. The Americans on the other side of the ocean, as well as the Chinese in the far East, are working hard to develop their navy with the intention of surpassing the Royal Navy. This made him very stressful as the Minister of the Navy.

"Admiral Mountbatten, this time you are leading the main force of the Royal Navy eastward. It is important to remember that you must not provoke the Chinese too much, and you must find ways to avoid war with the Chinese. The full power of the Royal Navy is in your hands, and for the future of the British Empire, you must bring the fleet back intact. Sir John Jericho said.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency. I promise you'll bring back the main force of the Royal Navy intact. Admiral Louis Mountbatten said solemnly. He was appointed commander of the Royal Navy's main fleet, responsible for leading the fleet eastward.

John Jericho nodded. He was still reassured by Admiral Louis Mountbatten. That's why he insisted that Admiral Louis Mountbatten be the commander of the fleet, rather than David Beatty, who was bent on competing for the mission.

On the morning of April 18, 4618 (20), the main force of the British Royal Navy set off from Portsmouth and embarked on a long journey to Singapore. The whole fleet is very large, including almost all the main forces of the British Royal Navy. Five 'Vengeance-class' battleships. Five 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleships, four 'Iron Duke-class' battleships, three 'George V-class' battleships and four 'Orion-class' battleships. The total number of these battleships alone amounted to a terrifying 21.

In addition to these battleships, there were four 'Admiral-class' battlecruisers (the historical 'Admiral-class' battlecruisers only built the lead ship 'Hood'. However, the threat to the British Navy was even greater in this time and space. So all four 'Admiral-class' battlecruisers were built. This further increased the financial pressure on Britain, so much so that when the Navy proposed N3-class battlecruisers, it was directly vetoed), three 'Brave-class' battlecruisers, two 'Prestige-class' battlecruisers, the 'Tiger' battlecruiser and three 'Lion-class' battlecruisers. The total number of battlecruisers, amounted to 13 units.

Battleships and battlecruisers combined, a full thirty-four capital ships. You know, this is still the reason why a lot of battleships and battlecruisers are not counted. For example, the 'Giant-class' battleship. The battleships Neptune, the battleships of the 'St. Vincent' class and the 'Bellerophon-class' battleships, the 'Indefatigable' battlecruisers and the 'Invincible' class.

It can be seen that the title of the British Royal Navy is not given in vain. Even if the Chinese Navy has three 'Three Emperor-class' battleships and two 'Pinghai-class' battleships, it will be very difficult to defeat the British Navy in a dignified manner. Of course, it may be much easier if you are at ease.

In addition to these capital ships. The British Navy also sent more than a dozen armored cruisers, more than 20 light cruisers, more than 40 destroyers, and more than 10 supply ships. The size of the entire fleet. In total, it reached more than a hundred, which can be called the largest fleet in the world.

In order to avoid a repeat of the defeat of the Russian Navy in the Battle of Tsushima. John Jellicoe asked Admiral Louis Mountbatten not to rush along the way, and to do a good job of repairing the fleet, so as not to be caught off guard by the Chinese navy. As for time, it doesn't matter at all. In John Jellico's plan. When the fleet arrived in Gibraltar, Alexandria, India, it needed to be repaired before heading for Singapore. In this way, the fleet will not be caught off guard by the Chinese Navy.

Actually, according to John Jellico's idea. There is no need to fall out with the Chinese Empire because of the Xiangjiang issue. What's more, it was shameless that it had already promised the Chinese Empire, but now it wants to repent. This may be the reason why John Jericho is more of a military man than a politician.

The Royal Navy sent such a large fleet to the east, which naturally attracted the attention of the whole world. After all, as many as thirty-four capital ships are the first among all countries in the world, and no country can confront them. This fully demonstrates the Royal Navy's deep heritage as a maritime supremacy. It's definitely not something that the newly rising powers can compare.

The purpose of the Royal Navy's eastward march is well known to the whole world. Even, countries are speculating, will Britain go to war this time? Will the Battle of Tsushima more than 10 years ago be repeated? It's really exciting!

The Americans on the other side of the ocean are very excited about this, and they are eager to move to the small bench and sit back and watch this death between Britain and China; if Britain and China lose both sides in this war, then will the United States automatically become the most powerful naval power in the world? Then, the position of the world hegemon belongs to the United States, and it seems that there will be no surprises at all.

The small Oriental countries in the Far East are also looking forward to this expedition of the Royal Navy. They eagerly hoped that the Royal Navy would be able to defeat the Chinese Navy in one fell swoop. In this way, they will be able to take advantage of the victory of their master and be disgraced. These Japanese knew that even if their 'Kii-class' battleships were in service, but there were only four 'Kii-class' battleships and one 'Hiei' battlecruiser left in the capital ship, if they wanted to seek revenge on the Chinese Navy, it would be no different from seeking death.

Of course, the Chinese Empire, which is regarded by the whole world as the imaginary enemy of the British Royal Navy's operation, will naturally not ignore it. Anyway, the Royal Navy is out of the nest this time. All the capital ships of the Chinese Navy combined, they can't be compared with the British.

"****, look at the fleet sent by the British this time, and you know what it means to be wealthy! Although they haven't built a new capital ship in the past few years, this heritage alone is not something we can compare! Emperor Wu Haoxuan couldn't help but sigh. However, he did not seem to be worried about the British moving eastward this time.

"Your Majesty, are the British preparing for war with us with such an imposing attitude? Should we do something to avoid the outbreak of war? Prime Minister Yang Du was a little worried. There are thirty-four capital ships, which is much larger than the Imperial Navy. So much so that many civil servants in the cabinet are a little worried. They thought that the Empire had not pushed the British into a hurry this time. Rabbits bite when they are in a hurry, let alone a world hegemon like the British Empire.

"Avoid the outbreak of war? Is this necessary? The British are not fools, what good will it do them if they go to war with us? Let's not talk about whether they can beat us or not. Even if they defeat us, they will probably have to suffer heavy losses, doesn't this make the Americans pick up the cheap? Wu Haoxuan said. He believed that the British had come this time only for show.

"Your Majesty means that the British are here to deter the Empire?" Yang Du said.

"Prime Minister, the British Navy is indeed very powerful, but if they think that this will bring us to their knees, they will underestimate us." Navy Minister Sa Zhenbing said.

"Although, the main force of the Imperial Navy, all combined, is only 22 ships, which is far less than the size of the British. However, let's not forget that we are fighting on our own doorstep, and we are no better than the British on an expedition. In addition, our navy, three 'Three Emperor-class' battleships, two 'Pinghai-class' battleships and five 'Five Emperor-class' battleships are all better than the battleships of the British Navy. Moreover, the strength of the navy does not only depend on the number of capital ships. We were able to defeat the Japanese navy in one fell swoop, and now, if the British dare to send it to the door, we can defeat them in one fell swoop. Marshal Sa Zhenbing looked very confident.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, with the current strength of the Imperial Navy, if a decisive battle in the ocean is held, it is estimated that it will be difficult to defeat the British. However, if it was an offshore defensive operation, if the British dared to come, then they would surely die. The Imperial Navy is offshore, but there are quite a few submarines. Moreover, the performance is more advanced, enough to give the British a little hardship.

After waiting for a few more years, the construction of the Empire's aircraft carriers will be completed, and the performance of the supporting fighters will be improved, and the British will dare to send a large-scale fleet to the east, which is even more death-seeking.

"The actions of the British can be ignored. In addition, since the British want to deter us in turn, then we are fortunate to add a fire to let them know that the Empire is not to be messed with. Wu Haoxuan said.

"Your Majesty, do you mean that we are going to do something to Xiangjiang?" Yang Du asked.

Wu Haoxuan nodded: "Since the British do not hesitate to use such a big stroke to deter us. Obviously, they still don't want to give up on Xiangjiang. In that case, we don't have to waste any more time. Give orders to the front line, let our army march into Xiangjiang and recover it by force. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Shi Tianhan, Chief of the General Staff, nodded. (To be continued.) )

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