In a huge box formation of 71 warships off the south-southeast coast of Bhubaneswar, the flagship of the Combined Fleet of the Entente "George V" was heading in a northeasterly direction, in the direction of Calcutta, in a chopping wave.

On the bridge, Jericho, who had just finished breakfast, was listening to the intelligence staff officer's report with a half-empty coffee cup in his hand.

"Rear Admiral Westland reported that at 9:20 a.m., our shore-based reconnaissance planes discovered a large enemy formation in the waters east-southeast of Bhubaneswar, with a base strength of 5 battle cruisers and 2 aircraft carriers, at a distance of 120 nautical miles, latitude 18 degrees 43 minutes north, longitude 87 degrees 11 minutes east, course 200, speed 16 knots."

"It was the enemy's avant-garde unit, and we finally caught it first." Captain Anson, a fair-skinned baby-faced adjutant, said in half-incomprehensible surprise.

Colonel Willy, a senior staff officer with white sideburns, casually measured twice on the map, and shrugged his shoulders expressionlessly: "There are still 110 nautical miles away from the Betty fleet, and 160 nautical miles away from us, the Betty fleet should soon be discovered by the opponent's carrier-based aircraft, and the other side should still retain a certain aviation attack capability, and our aircraft carrier force is no longer able to organize decent air strikes, and the attack capability of the shore-based aviation force is also questionable...... No, judging by the Westland report, there is no way to rely on it. ”

Jellico's slender fingers caressed the gilded blue porcelain coffee cup, and a faint, self-deprecating smile crossed the corners of his mouth: "Even so, you still advocate moving on, Willy, which side are we on?" ”

Willie smiled and said calmly: "The plane in Hood's hand is not enough to attack, but it can be used for self-defense, and the cuckoo without torpedoes can also be used as a low-altitude patrol aircraft to block the enemy's torpedo plane." Westland's shore-based air forces were poorly trained to attack ships, so there was no need to attack, and camels and cuckoos could be sent to the skies over the fleet on a rotational basis. The V100 was all converted into a reconnaissance aircraft, with ammunition for reconnaissance, and it was not bad to occasionally scare the enemy. When the enemy's carrier-based aircraft are exhausted, the battle will naturally turn into artillery mode, and when the time comes, it will be our turn to play to our advantages. ”

"Judging from yesterday's battle, the main target of the enemy's carrier-based aircraft is our aircraft carrier, I wonder if the road will change today?" Another younger staff officer took advantage of the gap to speak.

Willy fixed his eyes and said: "There is no reason to change, so we have to protect the remaining two aircraft carriers today, but I don't know if the other party's shore-based aviation will participate in the war." Although we were as close to the coast as possible, there was already a lesson from Lingayan ahead, and the enemy's shore-based torpedo planes suddenly appeared over impossible distances and took the Bernie fleet that broke into the bay by surprise......"

"The Ground Burnie fleet, completely without air cover, cannot be compared with the current Combined Fleet, and this time we are not going around in a narrow bay either. The room for maneuver is much greater. Another young staff officer retorted in high spirits, "It is extremely difficult and risky to find and attack a large fleet that is constantly maneuvering over a vast area and adequately protected by air across a vast area, and even if the enemy does so, the effect will be very limited." ”

Hearing this, Jericho suddenly put his cup down on the chart table in front of him. Grasping the handrail, he made up his mind: "It is unbearable to sit back and wait to be beaten, and we cannot allow the enemy's planes to wreak havoc on our heads, while their own motherships are at ease hiding behind - let me tell you what to do, first, let Westland send a fleet of fighters to cover the main force while attacking, and second. Let Hood use all the planes to protect the avant-garde, and that's it! ”

About 200 nautical miles away, the "Pinghai," the flagship of the East Asian Combined Fleet, is rushing southwest with the remaining 59 large and small ships.

General Sa Zhenbing, who had changed into a full snow-white uniform, unconsciously stroked the glorious medal on his chest. Sitting high on his thick and simple oak seat, he couldn't take his eyes off the sea antenna outside the bridge, and listened to the report of the mobile unit delivered by Major General Ye Fei, chief of staff behind him.

“…… Heading 40 and speeding at 15 knots, it was planned to launch a wave of attacks with the remaining forces to completely destroy the enemy's aircraft carrier forces. ”

After hearing this, Sa Zhenbing nodded slightly, raised his hand and ordered, "Well, you don't need to call back." Let him do it. ”

Ye Fei made a note while proposing, "Do you want to give Commander Yuan an instruction?" Sa Zhenbing closed his eyes and said, "What do you indicate?" He knew what to do. ”

Ye Fei blinked. The expression was a little surprised: "Don't do anything, just keep up?" ”

"What's the problem?" Sa Zhen Bing is as immobile as a mountain.

"No...... Nothing......"

The corners of Sa Zhenbing's mouth frowned slightly: "Simple is the most effective." Liang Shuming just forgot this truth, so he made a mess of things, and now we have to make up for the losses he caused - fortunately, Jericho was not scared back by him. ”

Ye Fei nodded hurriedly: "Yes, if Jericho runs, our trip will be in vain, and we will have to suffer it in the future...... Not to mention this, I think Yuan Feng is a bit wild, if he doesn't give him a little special instructions, once he gets addicted, I'm afraid that he will throw the fundamental task of luring the enemy deep into the Pacific Ocean. ”

"It's not bad to let him pretend to be addicted......"

"Pretending to be addicted? Is it ......?"

Sa Zhenbing's erected right index finger pointed at the armrest of the chair with clear lines: "The more similar they are, the more likely Betty and Jellico are to take the bait, even if they pay a little sacrifice for this, it is understandable...... Yuan Feng is not Liang Shuming, he has always been straightforward and will not go around in circles, so I know what he will do and what he will not do, understand? ”

Ye Fei nodded vigorously: "Yes, then what we have to do next is ......"

"Drink tea, wait, nothing drastic, 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon is the moment of the decisive battle, before that, eat well, drink well, and nourish your spirits - the order goes down, and the ships of the main force begin to distribute pre-war meals, until before the engagement, smoking is allowed at will."

Ye Fei excitedly joined his legs: "Yes, this is conveyed." ”