Xinhua Palace, Inner Chamber.

An imperial meeting is under way with the participation of the five Cabinet Ministers, the Chief of the General Staff, the Minister of the Army and the Navy, and the Chief of Staff.

"Without further ado, Chen Aiqing, what is the final attitude of the Germans?" Her Majesty the Empress went straight to the point, straight to the topic, the atmosphere was vertical and horizontal, and it was quite the style of the first emperor.

Foreign Minister Chen Siguang personally went out to negotiate secret talks with the German ambassador for a week, and seeing that the flames of war were about to ignite, it was impossible to determine the direction of his own actions without thoroughly understanding the bottom line of the German side, and the burden on Chen Siguang's shoulders was not light.

"Your Majesty, it's a pity that it seems that the German side will not give up the war plan of first the west and then the east."

As a well-known pro-German diplomat, Chen Siguang can be said to have tried his best this time, but he had no choice but to fight with a piece of paper, and the German envoy gave instructions from the German emperor one by one, so that Chen Siguang was lost.

"But the minister thought that even if Germany carried out the war plan of first west and then east, it would not hurt for the Reich to enter the war......"

Chen Siguang wanted to fight again, but was poured cold water on the head by Yang Zhengjin, the most influential interior minister among the five elders: "If Germany does not settle Russia with us first, we will not enter the war, this is the established policy reached after many cabinet meetings and imperial meetings. ”

"Chen Aiqing, are you sure that the German side will not let go again?" To be cautious, the Empress asked.

Chen Siguang bowed his head helplessly and said: "Yes, Your Majesty, with the minister's many years of experience in negotiating with Germany, the Germans have already shown their hole cards." According to the minister's understanding, the German side generally believed that the war could be ended within three to six months, and that as long as France was quickly defeated, it would win the entire war and establish European hegemony...... The German side does not want China to seize too many interests in the South Seas and Siberia, still less does it want the United States to get involved in the war, but only hopes that China can contain part of Russia's forces and relieve pressure on its eastern front. ”

Yang Zhengjin sneered: "In this case, let them go and realize the dream of a quick decisive battle first, and then cry and shout to beg us when the dream is broken." ”

"Now that the German position has been determined, it is time for us to carry out the corresponding plan, first of all, the operation to seize the German Pacific islands, is the navy ready?" Secretary of State Hook asked about the two generals in crisp white naval uniforms on the left side of the long table—Admiral Lim Tae-tsang, Secretary of the Navy, and Admiral Yan Fu, Chief of Staff of the Navy.

The thinker of the Restoration, who was famous for translating the Theory of Heavenly Evolution in another time and space, was now scrupulously fulfilling his duties as Chief of Staff of the Imperial Navy.

"Yes, the action plan has been completed, codenamed 'Anlan'." As he spoke, Yan Fu quickly took out the documents from the briefcase at his feet and reported solemnly.

"The main purpose of the 'Anlan' operation -- the seizure of Germany's colonies in the Pacific, especially the strategic points that are of great importance to future operations in the Pacific."

"Among the points that must be seized are: Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands; Palau (Palau), Yap, Truk and Popeena in the Caroline Islands; Kwajalein, Majuro in the Marshall Islands and Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. ”

"In addition, maritime support must be provided for the proposed Army's 'Jingyuan' operation to take over the German-occupied West Irian, New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago."

"The sequence of operations was as follows: the 1st South Sea Task Force, the battleship 'Longwei', the loading cruiser 'Chaoyong', 2 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, and a number of transport ships, were responsible for the seizure of the Northern Mariana Islands. The 2nd Nanyang Task Force, the battle cruiser "Thunder", the loading patrol "Kunlun", 2 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, was responsible for the seizure of Palau and Yap Island. The 3rd Nanyang Task Force, the battle patrol "Thunder", the patrol "Qilian", 4 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, were responsible for the capture of Truk and Popena. The 4th Nanyang Task Force, the battle patrol "Thunder", equipped with "Tianshan" and "Qinling", 6 light cruisers and 3 destroyers, was responsible for seizing the Marshall Islands. The landing personnel required for the occupation were drawn from the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions. ”

"The Fifth and Sixth Nanyang Task Forces, which are scheduled to support the Army's 'Jingyuan' operation, include four Yuezi battleships of the Third Battleship Squadron, four water engine carriers of the Fourth and Fifth Squadrons of the Aviation, four Suzhou-class squadrons of the Second Squadron, and six light cruisers, 16 destroyers, and eight submarines. In addition, with the main forces of the 1st Fleet and the 4th Fleet as the backbone, they were organized into main forces and mobile units respectively, which were stationed at the Kaohsiung base as the general support. Above—"

After listening to the Navy's report, Chen Siguang was uneasy: "Do you really plan to eat all of Germany's Pacific colonies?" ”

Yang Zhengjin said disapprerovingly: "We don't eat, Britain and the United States will come to eat after the war." Even if we were to form an alliance with Germany, we would have to use it freely, and the Germans would not be able to protect these places and would not be able to play any role in their hands. ”

"After creating a fait accompli, if we sign a treaty with Germany to sell and transfer the colonies, there will be no problem in law." Prime Minister Ma Feng added.

"However, in this way, it is likely that there will be a conflict with Britain and the United States......"

Yang Zhengjin flicked the table: "It doesn't matter, anyway, sooner or later, the relationship will deteriorate a few points at most, it makes no difference." Is it really because of this fight that you just got your wish? ”

Chen Siguang had nothing to say.

"So, how is the army's 'Jingyuan' operation prepared?" Hook turned to General Wang Zhi, Secretary of War and Chief of Staff of the Army.

"Yes, the Eighth Group Army, which is scheduled to carry out the 'Jingyuan' operation, has jurisdiction over the 10th Army and the 56th Army, including two integrated infantry divisions and two light infantry divisions, and has also strengthened a large number of engineering and artillery units, with a total strength of about 80,000 troops.

"Isn't it a bit rushed? I mean, if the Alsace crisis were resolved peacefully, as it had been in the two Moroccan crises, the sooner it was mobilized, the more money would be wasted. ”

Admiral Lin Taizeng, the head of the Navy, who has gray hair and is two years away from the compulsory retirement line at the age of 65, seems to be in good spirits.

"Minister Lin don't worry, we can afford to waste this money." Chancellor of the Exchequer Han Lang raised his thin fingers, "The rental fee for carriages, horses and boats is only 100,000 yuan per day." If it goes to war, the money will be exempted, and the direct requisition will be - no way, for the time being, you have to pretend to be a neutral country. ”

Ma Feng nodded and sighed: "Yes, neutrality, neutrality is a good thing." Before the Germans' dreams are shattered, we must seize the time to perfect our preparations for war, gradually shift all aspects to the wartime track, and by the way, earn some gold from the participating countries - God bless my empire! ”

Ah the word is not finished, so I quickly added another sentence: "God bless my emperor." ”

……