Volume 1: The Empire Awakens Chapter 22 Friendly Exercise (Part 1)
Tan Renhao put down the work at hand. The other two reports were no longer important. He joined the team headed by Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu and began to prepare for the Fifth Fleet's strength demonstration exercise.
A few days later, the Japanese Southwest Combined Fleet, with the Akagi aircraft carrier as its flagship and more than 30 large warships, arrived at Naha Port. The exchange activities between the navies of two neighboring countries, two countries with hundreds of years of brotherly relations and hundreds of years of hatred, began.
Marshal Sagittarius prepared a grand welcome ceremony for the visiting Japanese Navy Minister, that is, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Navy, and then the two of them jointly reviewed the Imperial Navy Guard of Honor.
The next day, Marshal Sagittin boarded the aircraft carrier Akagi and reviewed the Japanese Navy Guard of Honor accompanied by Japanese Navy Commander Marshal Prince Hiroyuki.
Subsequently, exchanges between the two navies began in full swing.
Accompanying Marshal Prince Hiroyuki on the visit were Admiral Miyoshi Nagano, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet (actually a command organization under the Japanese Navy Ministry, responsible for commanding the four major fleets), Vice Admiral Yoshida Gozen, commander of the Southwest Fleet, and many fleet generals and officers.
This was the largest visit by the Japanese Navy to the Tang Empire since the end of the First World War, with the largest number of visitors and the highest-ranking generals.
In addition to promoting the "traditional friendly relations between Tang and Japan", this was also a threat and provocation by the Japanese Navy to the Tang Empire.
Low-ranking officers like Tan Renhao were not qualified to participate in the reception activities. Even the officers of the Fifth Fleet were not included in the reception staff. Most of the activities were hosted by the First Fleet, and the Fifth Fleet's task was only to provide venues and assist the First Fleet in organizing reception activities.
However, Tan Renhao did not want to participate in such a "lively" event, and he did not have any extra time.
Most of the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Fleet watched the friendly activities between the First Fleet and the Japanese Southwest Fleet with a mentality of watching the fun.
Of course, it’s not that there are no people who like to watch the fun. Lieutenant Hao Dongjue is an outlier in the Fifth Fleet.
"Do you know the Japanese Navy lieutenant named Genda Minoru?"
While Hao Dongjue was doing the things in his hands, he was still asking Tan Renhao, as if he was more interested in what was happening outside.
Tan Renhao shook his head. It was not that he didn't know this person, but he didn't want to continue talking to Hao Dongjue about things that were not related to his current work.
Since accepting the new task, Tan Renhao realized that there were still many things to do and knowledge to master. He simply had no time to talk about anything that was not related to the work at hand. At the same time, he also understood why Colonel Ji Xiaobin was so busy.
“I heard that this guy is the most determined aviation officer.
Although he was just a major, he made great contributions to the Japanese naval aviation force.
Now, he is responsible for aviation operations in the Southwest Combined Fleet of Japan."
Hao Dongjue shrugged his shoulders. "It's just that Yoshida Gozen and Nagano Mitsuhide are both firm believers in the 'big ships and big guns' theory. They don't pay attention to aviation operations at all. And Prince Bo Gong doesn't care about naval affairs at all. He just uses it to save face. I'm afraid that Genda Minoru's life is no better than the rest of us!"
"Dong Jue, give me the data sheet of the aerial torpedo!"
Tan Renhao hardly heard what Hao Dongjue said at the beginning.
"The torpedoes used previously were not powerful enough, so we must come up with this plan as soon as possible. By the way, do you have a performance data ?"
Hao Dongjue immediately handed the two documents to Tan Renhao.
"Renhao, didn't you listen to me at first?"
"What did you say?"
Tan Renhao looked up at Hao Dongjue and said, "If you are free, go and sort out the information about the combat aircraft we have, is that ok?"
Hao Dongjue shrugged helplessly and stopped talking about things related to the Japanese Navy.
Within three days, there was no peace at the Naha Naval Base, and social activities of various departments and levels were going on almost every moment.
On the third night, which was the first night of the friendly exercise between the two fleets, all officers and soldiers of the Fifth Fleet were invited to attend a banquet hosted by Yoshida Gozen, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet.
This time, Tan Renhao did not refuse, and his work was almost completed. Several important reports had been sent to Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu, so he could finally relax.
"I heard that the Japanese spent more than half a million dollars to host this banquet!"
Hao Dongjue still looked like he enjoyed the fun. "But the beer is really too bad. Did those bastards at the base headquarters sell all the expired beer to the Japanese?"
Chang Jianxin immediately laughed. This was indeed a good idea, but most of the people attending the banquet were officers of the Imperial Navy. If someone fell ill after eating expired food, the Imperial Navy would be the one to suffer the loss.
Tan Renhao could only smile secretly and shook his head. After working together for some time, he found many similarities between Hao Dongjue and Lei Shaoqing. Both of them were very extroverted, generous, and informal.
However, there are some differences between the two, especially those caused by their different backgrounds.
"Do you see that guy? He's wearing a major's uniform, not very tall. Yes, the one in the middle."
Hao Dongjue pointed at the Japanese naval officer, and Tan Renhao immediately pulled his hand down, which was a very impolite behavior .
"He is Genda Minoru. He doesn't look much older than us, but he's actually a major!"
"He's already over 30, but he's taken better care of himself!"
Tan Renhao said softly: "However, judging from his appearance, he is not very outstanding."
"You know him?"
Hao Dongjue looked at Tan Renhao with a little surprise.
"Of course I know . At least in our area, he is the most outstanding among the many young Japanese officers. He is also someone who shares the same goals with us!"
Tan Renhao sneered, "However, there's no telling when he will become our most formidable opponent."
Tan Renhao's words were immediately agreed by Hao Dongjue and Chang Jianxin. The three young officers couldn't help but take a second look at the Japanese.
Tan Renhao had already regarded the young Japanese major as his biggest potential opponent.
If the Empire and Japan go to war one day, then Genda Minoru will definitely be a huge threat!
