Volume 1: The Empire Awakens Chapter 19: The First Fleet (Part 2)
General Liao Hanxiang returned to the headquarters one day before the arrival of the First Fleet.
That evening, Tan Renhao was called to General Liao Hanxiang's office.
This was his second time here, and when he arrived, Colonel Ji Xiaobin and Brigadier General Wu Xianyu, Chief of Staff of the Fifth Fleet, were already chatting with General Liao Hanxiang about the visit of the Japanese fleet.
Wu Xianyu was also a subordinate brought by General Liao Hanxiang from the Army. When Liao Hanxiang was the battalion commander of a cavalry battalion of the Army, Wu Xianyu was the battalion chief of staff.
The two have worked together for more than 20 years, and Wu Xianyu has always served as Liao Hanxiang's chief of staff.
At the same time, Wu Xianyu was also a student of Liao Hanxiang, and most of his knowledge of aviation combat was taught by Liao Hanxiang.
"Jianqiang, make a cup of coffee for Lieutenant Tan Renhao!"
Judging from his tone, General Liao Hanxiang was unable to bring back good news from the Navy Headquarters.
“Second Lieutenant, your performance during this period has been very good. I have read both reports .
According to Colonel Ji Xiaobin, the fleet will begin training next month according to the plan you provided.
Besides, you are in charge of the deduction this time, right?"
Tan Renhao nodded, took the coffee cup from the orderly, and immediately took out the report.
"We have just completed the simulation of the first project. We have checked the simulation process more than ten times. The entire simulation process is described in detail in the report later."
Liao Hanxiang turned directly to the last page. After looking at the conclusion drawn by Tan Renhao, he immediately handed the report to Brigadier General Wu Xianyu next to him and lit a cigarette.
After a while, Wu Xianyu's expression changed, and then he gave the report to Colonel Ji Xiaobin.
"Second Lieutenant, are you sure your deduction is correct?"
Ji Xiaobin frowned slightly, and he was the first to look at the result.
“We reviewed the simulation process more than ten times, and I completed the final report independently.”
Tan Renhao smiled awkwardly, "The entire deduction and calculation process is in it. I checked it twice and I'm sure there are no mistakes."
Ji Xiaobin looked at Tan Renhao with a bit of disbelief, then immediately turned to the first page of the report and began to read it carefully.
"Old Liao, if this deduction result is correct..."
Liao Hanxiang raised his hand to interrupt Wu Xianyu.
"Chief of Staff Wu, go check the results with Colonel Ji Xiaobin and give me a complete report tomorrow. Second Lieutenant Tan Renhao, please stay."
Wu Xianyu and Ji Xiaobin said goodbye immediately.
Tan Renhao had no choice but to stay, feeling a little nervous.
Liao Hanxiang first took out a folder from the desk drawer and handed it to Tan Renhao, then said, "Second Lieutenant, do you know why the First Fleet was arranged to conduct confrontation exercises with the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet this time, and why I have to go to Zhoushan?"
Tan Renhao shook his head. He was not in a hurry to open the document.
Liao Hanxiang gestured for Tan Renhao to read the document first, and then said, "It's very simple. Marshal Sajiting wants to vent his anger on the Japanese and revive the First Fleet. You should know that Marshal Sajiting came from the First Fleet, right?"
Tan Renhao nodded. As soon as he saw the contents of the document, he immediately looked at General Liao Hanxiang in surprise.
This is a detailed report on the confrontation exercise conducted by the First Fleet and the Army Aviation Corps half a year ago, and there are two red words "Top Secret" on the first page.
"The First Fleet can be said to be the face of the Imperial Navy. However, half a year ago, the First Fleet suffered a huge 'failure'. Although it was just an exercise, it definitely has a greater impact than being defeated by any enemy!"
Liao Hanxiang looked very serious and spoke in a calm voice, "After the exercise, the army held a banquet and Marshal Sagittin was invited to attend.
I'm afraid anyone can guess what happened at the banquet.
Considering the personalities of Marshal Yan Dingyu and General Wei Boyu, it was good enough that Marshal Sajiting did not send Admiral Bu Xinghai to the military court after returning.
Later, Prime Minister Xue Xiyue summoned Marshal Sagittin alone, and the Marshal vowed personally to revive the glory of the First Fleet! "
Tan Renhao glanced at Liao Hanxiang, who was a little excited and slightly angry .
Lieutenant General Wei Boyu, commander of the Army Aviation Corps, was the sworn enemy of General Liao Hanxiang. The reason why General Liao Hanxiang "jumped ship" to the Navy was because Wei Boyu used dishonorable means to become the commander of the Army Aviation Corps.
However, Tan Renhao paid more attention to the content of this top-secret document. In that secret exercise, the First Fleet, which had twelve main battleships, was "completely wiped out" by the bomber unit of the Army Aviation. The twelve main battleships were either "sunk" or "severely damaged". This was completely beyond Tan Renhao's previous expectations. It would be strange if Marshal Sagittin was not angry with such a result.
"This is why the First Fleet is heading south to conduct confrontation exercises with the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet. In addition, Vice Admiral Pei Yuming has personally assured Marshal Sagittin that he will use victory to wash away the shame suffered by the First Fleet!"
Liao Hanxiang sneered, and after a pause, he asked, "Second Lieutenant, now you should know how important the report you submitted is. Can you guarantee that there are no problems with the report?"
Tan Renhao was shocked. He closed the document in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "General, I can guarantee that there is no problem with this report!"
"What guarantee?"
Liao Hanxiang's question was very direct.
"I will submit this report directly to Marshal Sagittin. If there are any problems, I am afraid that it will not only affect me, but also the Fifth Fleet will lose face and even face the risk of being disbanded..."
"General, I can guarantee with my honor as an officer of the Imperial Navy that there is absolutely no problem with the report!"
Tan Renhao also made up his mind that danger and opportunity are often only a fine line apart.
"If there are consequences, I will never back down!"
Liao Hanxiang nodded slightly, his eyes stayed on Tan Renhao for a few seconds, then he smiled.
"It seems that the fate of the Fifth Fleet will depend on the report of a lieutenant officer.
However, I believe in you and your abilities.
Well, that's all for today. Send the other two ."
"yes!"
Tan Renhao immediately stood up and let out a long breath.
Tan Renhao never thought that such a report would bring him and the Fifth Fleet to a turning point in destiny. If he had known it earlier, perhaps he would not have accepted this mission.
