ps: Make up for yesterday's, by the way, ask for votes......

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The successive victories against Italy boosted the morale of Japan, and the confidence of both the people and the government swelled, and they thought that the white-skinned ghosts were nothing more than that.

Britain and France were also satisfied with Japan's fighting power, and in order to win over this useful dog, they provided them with an interest-free loan of 300 million pounds on an unprecedented scale. Of course, this money was not given in vain, and the condition was that Japan would continue to send more troops and laborers, and they required Japan to prepare at least 60 regular divisions, and 1 million laborers, as for the number of "female laundrymen".

Although the Japanese agreed to the request to send more troops and personnel, they also put forward new conditions, which according to their words: Since the Japanese Empire has sent so many troops to participate in the war, it should have independent command, and the operations of the army must be commanded by ourselves, and the Allied Joint Command can only formulate a strategic direction, but cannot interfere in specific planning and command.

This was because the Entente often used the Japanese army as cannon fodder, and the front-line officers and soldiers of the Japanese army were very dissatisfied with this and reacted very strongly. The Japanese government is not stupid, and it is natural to negotiate the price now. Although they don't care about the casualties of the civilian officers and soldiers, they don't want to lose too much, it's all money.

Now is the time for Britain and France to beg for help, and their attitudes cannot be hardened, and after bargaining, the two sides finally reached a new agreement. Under the framework of the Allied Coalition Forces, the Japanese Army set up its own headquarters independently, which was responsible for the formulation and command of the specific action plans of the Japanese Army, but was subject to the strategic arrangements of the Allied Forces Command. When necessary, it was also necessary to cooperate with the other armies of the Entente to conduct joint operations. During the war in Europe, the replenishment of equipment and materiel of the Japanese army, as well as logistical support, was guaranteed by the joint logistics departments of the Allied powers, and the standard was not lower than that of the British and French troops.

It should be said that both sides were satisfied with this negotiation, and Britain and France received an allied army that was large enough and not low in combat effectiveness, or cannon fodder. And Japan also felt that it had made a lot of money, not only got this huge interest-free loan, but also forgave nearly 70% of its previous debts. Now he has finally obtained independent command as he wished, and with the same logistical support, his status in the Entente has been significantly improved.

The logistics aspect is also something that the Japanese army has complained about for a long time. It's fine if this kind of thing is not compared, but once there is a reference, it is easy to make people psychologically unbalanced. Because at the beginning, Britain and France really used the Japanese as cannon fodder, although the logistics department of the coalition army also undertook their logistics supply, but the standard set was the lowest, just like the colonial troops composed of Ah San and Hei Shu Huang. Of course, this made the Japanese Yan zhòng dissatisfied, how could Lao Tzu also be a great power, and he was actually on the same level as the colony, which was simply too deceitful!

In particular, when the meal was served, the British and French white troops (including South Africa, Canada, and Australia) next door were eating a lot of fish and meat, but they themselves were gnawing on hard dry food and eating moldy pickles. But now it's different, we have all flown the main force of Italy, and this treatment can't be the same as Ah San and Hei Shu Huang.

The white-skinned people also watch people put down the dishes, and since the Japanese can play and have shown their value, the treatment is naturally different. It would be stupid to make any mess because of this little thing, and besides, Britain and France are not bad for this money.

When the Japanese government is satisfied, it is also very efficient. They immediately set up the European Dispatch Command, which was responsible for commanding all Japanese troops to fight in Europe, and the commander was also Prince Zaihito of the Imperial Family, but he was only a name, and his main task was to attend various ceremonial entertainments and conduct various exchanges with the high-level leaders of the Entente countries, and was not responsible for the specific affairs of the Dispatch Army.

The real power was held by Deputy Commander Yoshiko Akiyama, who was promoted to army general after the conquest of Turin, and won a bunch of medals from Japan and Britain and France, of course, these are just false names. For him, being the deputy commander of the European dispatch army and wielding real power in the dispatch army is the best reward.

The chief of staff of the headquarters is Major General Kishimoto Kataro, but he is just a rubber stamp, and the real power of the staff is the chief staff officer Terauchi Shou Iisa, and this guy's son is the current Japanese Prime Minister Terauchi Masa. Obviously, this arrangement is to let Terauchi Shouichi go to gild, who let the family have a father who is the prime minister.

The first three additional divisions departed from Yokohama, Japan, on 25 November, because of the limited number of Japanese merchant ships, a large part of which were chartered from China. Because Italy and the Ottomans were now in the Allies, the Mediterranean route was no longer safe, so the Chinese fleet would not send them directly to France. When the Chinese fleet arrived at the port of Suez in Egypt, they unloaded their cargo and returned to the sea, and as for how they went to France, it was the Allies' own business.

To fit the personnel, weapons, and materials of the three integrated divisions, the scale of this fleet will naturally not be small. Not counting the Entente countries, the ships provided by China alone include 36 liberation ships with a cargo capacity of 5,000 tons, 15 victory ships with a cargo capacity of 10,000 tons, and 15 Mingyue-class high-speed troop carriers capable of carrying 3,000 soldiers. The total number of ships of the entire fleet, plus the escort warships, exceeded a hundred.

Just as this huge fleet had arrived in Singapore, a major naval battle broke out between the fleets of the Allies and the Central Powers in the Mediterranean.

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31 October, Singapore.

Because there were so many people in this fleet, the British were afraid that something would go wrong, so they limited the personnel of this fleet. Except for the crew and Japanese officers, who could go ashore, the big-headed soldiers had to stay on board.

It was noon, and there was a burst of cooking smoke over the European fleet moored in the harbor, and the smell of food was also permeating the ships.

In the galley of the Huanghai No. 23 troop carrier, Master Wang shouted at the top of his voice: "It's time to eat...... It's time to eat......"

Because there are now more than 3,000 people on the Huanghai 23, it is certainly not enough to rely on the original crew of the kitchen, after coordination, the Japanese officers took turns to send 100 people to the kitchen every day to help with the work, washing rice, washing vegetables, cutting vegetables, washing dishes, etc., and also sent 100 people to be responsible for distributing and carrying meals, anyway, they have nothing to do on the ship. Now the master has turned the two hundred Japanese into a group.

A group of Japanese soldiers waiting outside hurriedly ran in, and the leader of the Oda Army, Cao, bowed to the master and said in unskilled Chinese: "Wang Sang, I'm sorry for you again......

"Okay, Xiao Tian, the food is ready, you can take it out and divide ......" The master pointed to the rice steamer and buckets of vegetables next to him.

"Thank you very much!" Oda bowed again and shouted to his subordinates in Japanese, "Come and help, move the food to the cafeteria and divide it according to the squads, and let each team take turns to receive the ......"

The Japanese soldiers hurriedly rushed up and carried the food to the canteen hall outside to begin distribution.

"Wow, it's this luncheon meat again, that's great!"

"Sweet sweet potato rice, I like it the most! The food on the ship is so good!"

The Japanese soldiers let out a cry of surprise while they were busy. These people are in charge of distributing food, helping in the kitchen every day, and they are a little calmer. When it was time to start the meal, it was even more lively, and the Japanese soldiers ate the meal almost in a reverent manner, and some of them even burst into tears while eating large pieces of luncheon meat.

This scene made several Chinese sailors basking in the sun next to them roll their eyes, and a young man couldn't help it, and said in a low voice: "Is our food really so delicious? Look at the one next to the railing, it's just a piece of luncheon meat, he's eating it like dragon meat...... Is that exaggerated?"

An older crew member lit a cigarette and said with a smile: "Hey, I've heard that these Japanese people rarely have a full meal in their country, let alone meat, and it's normal to have this kind of table now." ”

"Hahahaha, I see. No wonder they're so short......" The young crew laughed.

At this time, an old crew member glared at them and said, "Hmph, you young people are just ignorant, don't laugh at the Japanese for this kind of thing." Our Chinese used to have a much better life than them, like in the former Qing Dynasty, when did we not starve to death? You are all well-born, born in a prosperous age, and have never lived a hard life. In days like now, when there is meat to eat every day, even the landlord's old wealth can't live in the past......"

Several young men were immediately deflated, and one of them said weakly: "Uncle, we also know what you said." However, you are also wrong, Mr. Wen is the president, not the emperor, and he cannot be called the Son of Heaven ......"

"Hmph, you know what. Isn't this president and emperor's just a name, what's the difference between sitting in the world. The old crew member said disapprovingly.

While he was talking, suddenly a crew member ran over and shouted: "What's new! What's new! Mediterranean fighting! Mediterranean fighting!"

"What's wrong?" everyone was shocked.

The crew member panted and said: "Just now it was said on the radio that the Entente and the Central Powers are fighting in the Mediterranean, and the British and French fleets have lost the battle......

"Ah, the Anglo-French are defeated, so what are we going to do?"

"Damn, isn't this Italy a waste? Why did this win again?"

"Yes, if the Allied fleet rushes through the Suez Canal, then our ship will not be able to pass......"

Everyone immediately talked about it.

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Hankyung.

The news of the defeat of the Allied fleet was also discussed by Wen Desi and other high-ranking Chinese officials, who knew the details earlier and better than the crews.

"I really didn't expect that the British and French fleets were defeated, is this really Italians?" Vice Premier Yuan Shikai looked like he had seen a ghost.

In the history of the original plane, he was already hung up at this point. But now that Xingke is here, it's completely different, and after receiving comprehensive treatment beyond the times, he now has no problem living for another twenty years.

The big head is now in charge of the affairs of the new territory, and with his flexible and changeable methods, and with the strong support of President Wen, he can easily deal with those natives. In recent years, the new territory has been in good order, immigration is increasing day by day, and various industries are also thriving.

Italy's name for waste firewood is not a day or two, and during the first Italian-Egyptian war, it was beaten by Ethiopia and became a laughing stock all over the world. Even I don't like them in the Qing Dynasty, and Vice Premier Yuan also came from that era, so he naturally looks down on Italy. What's more, the current national strength is far stronger than that of my Daqing Dynasty at that time, and he naturally looks down on Italy even more.

"Uh, this...... Premier Yuan, Italy's navy is still very good...... "Vice Foreign Minister Lu Zhengxiang said.

The commander-in-chief of the navy, Wang Tiehammer, nodded and said: "Yes, although their army is waste, their navy is excellent, and it is stronger than Germany...... What's more, this time the strength of the Allied fleet was much stronger than that of the Entente, and it was quite good that the Entente was only a small defeat. ”

This time the Mediterranean War was fought in the waters of Corsica, with the combined British and French fleets against the Italian-Austrian-Turkish combined fleet.

The Mediterranean has been a place of mixed forces since ancient times, except for the Roman Empire, which was once completely controlled, no one can fully control it at any other time, not even the British Empire.

Originally, the Mediterranean Sea was under the control of the Entente, and after Italy and the Ottomans joined the Central Powers, of course, they would not tolerate the Mediterranean being controlled by the Entente. What's more, the Mediterranean route is crucial for both sides, and once it is controlled, it will cause serious losses to the other side.

For example, the Entente countries, now from Asia and Oceania, the personnel and materials are all taking the Mediterranean route, if this is stuck by the Allies, then it can only take a detour to the Cape of Good Hope. In this way, not only will the transportation time increase by at least one month, but the transportation cost will also double, or even increase several times. For the Allies, it is equally important, and after mastering the Mediterranean, it is equivalent to opening up the connection with Africa, and their actions in Africa will be much easier.

Although Britain and France are the top powers, their naval power in the Mediterranean is really not superior to that of the Central Powers.

Britain already attached great importance to the Mediterranean, and their Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet stationed in Gibraltar was the second largest fleet after the home fleet, and although all the dreadnoughts were transferred before the Battle of Jutland, there were now 16 former dreadnoughts and 8 armored cruisers, which were not as good as dreadnoughts, but they were also the latest. In addition, there are 14 protective cruisers, 33 destroyers, 44 torpedo boats, 16 submarines.

After the Treaty of Understanding with the British, the French Navy concentrated its naval forces in the Mediterranean, and now their Mediterranean fleet consisted of 21 battleships (17 dreadnoughts), 7 armored cruisers, 8 protective cruisers, 46 destroyers and mine-strikers, and 20 submarines.