Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 10: Incomprehensible Task (Part 2)
Two hours later, before the fleet had dinner, Jiang Zhongmin took General Liao Hanxiang's reply to Admiral Guo Xianzhong, the Chief of Naval Staff, and boarded the plane that brought him and left the fleet.
Tan Renhao was also called to the conference room by Ji Xiaobin.
"This is the intelligence just sent by the Navy Headquarters."
Wu Xianyu placed a document in front of Tan Renhao. "The Southwest Fleet of Japan passed through the waters near Iwo Jima last night. One of our submarines spotted the fleet and they are still sailing eastwards to the exercise area. In addition, the Japanese home fleet has arrived at the scheduled exercise area less than 200 nautical miles from Midway Island. The Southern Fleet departing from the Truk Naval Base in the south and the Oriental Combined Fleet departing from the Hokkaido Naval Base are all heading to the scheduled exercise area at full speed."
"The Japanese have concentrated almost all of their main fleet, more than 80% of their main battleships, in this area. What on earth are they trying to do?"
Tan Renhao frowned.
"This is what we want to figure out, and we asked you to come here in the hope that you can give us a different opinion."
Liao Hanxiang handed over a cigarette, which could be considered a special reward.
Tan Renhao hesitated for a moment and asked, "So, what is the reaction of the United States fleet now?"
"We have only received two reports of the activities of the United States fleet. The Pacific Fleet stationed on Oahu left the port two days ago, and another fleet stationed in San Diego also left the port yesterday."
Wu Xianyu answered Tan Renhao's question.
Tan Renhao nodded slightly and said, "The strength of the US Pacific Fleet is not inferior to that of the Imperial First Fleet, but Japan has concentrated almost all of its main battleships. If a fight really breaks out, the Pacific Fleet will not have any advantage. However, considering the US air force deployed on Midway Island and the Hawaiian Islands, the Japanese Navy cannot easily defeat the Pacific Fleet. Even if it wins, it will be a miserable victory."
"you mean……"
Tan Renhao shrugged his shoulders.
"Commander, I think the Japanese are just putting on airs. Maybe they want to give an explanation to their own people, or they are doing this to increase the navy's military budget.
As long as the Japanese naval fleet does not pose a threat to us and the United States, and given the uplifting effect of the exercises, the Japanese government will certainly take this opportunity to increase military spending.
Of course, this is also the best way to get the Japanese people to accept and support the expansion of the navy."
"If that's the case, then we have nothing to worry about."
As Ji Xiaobin spoke, he glanced at General Liao Hanxiang.
Liao Hanxiang lit up a cigarette in slow motion.
"If Japan does not want war, then the current conflict is just political, and the time the Empire chose to send us to visit Japan is too coincidental, isn't it?"
Tan Renhao's heart trembled slightly, and his expression immediately became serious.
"Major, don't you think this is too big a topic?"
Wu Xianyu also reacted, "If we want to demonstrate to Japan, then sending the First Fleet will definitely be more effective. Moreover, the Southwest Combined Fleet is not in Nagasaki now. If we visit Nagasaki, it will obviously embarrass Japan."
"Perhaps this is to exert diplomatic pressure on Japan to make a decisive concession in the Iki Island negotiations."
Ji Xiaobin added something next to him.
"Major, what do you think?"
Liao Hanxiang asked Tan Renhao the question directly.
"General, I find it strange too."
Tan Renhao smiled bitterly. "If we want to exert diplomatic pressure, then the First Fleet can have a very obvious effect. At least, those ten-plus battleships will terrify all the Japanese. However, the Empire sent us to visit Japan, perhaps because they didn't want to create such fear, so as to gain more weight for the next round of negotiations."
"Okay, the fleet will rendezvous with the supply fleet in three days, and then head to Nagasaki. Let's also go to the Japanese ports and see how they react."
After leaving the meeting room, Tan Renhao breathed a sigh of relief, but he always felt that there was something wrong with Japan's consecutive moves. This was not a normal demonstration or diplomatic activity.
"Major, do you still think there is a problem?"
Ji Xiaobin and Tan Renhao came out together.
Tan Renhao nodded slowly.
“I always felt like something was wrong.
Judging from Japan's series of actions.
They first put pressure on the Kingdom of Korea on Iki Island, forcing us to intervene and mobilize four main fleets. The Imperial Navy also entered a full state of combat readiness.
Then, the Japanese suddenly turned their swords eastward and aimed their spearheads at the United States, causing the Americans to panic and be at a loss.
Don’t you think there’s something wrong here?”
Ji Xiaobin smiled a little reluctantly; he indeed felt the same way.
"If Japan is a samurai, he must be testing something by making these few fake swings of the sword."
Tan Renhao shook his head, feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't grasp the key to the problem. "Maybe they are testing our reaction, or testing the confidence of the United States of America?"
"You mean, Japan is doing all these things just to test whether we are determined to fight a war with it?"
Tan Renhao nodded.
"The Songjiang Treaty expired at the beginning of this year. Now all countries are busy expanding their military forces and preparing for war. Japan has already started building several large warships this year.
In addition, considering the reactions of other powers, even if we avoid war this time, I'm afraid peace will not last long.
If Japan really wanted to start a war, they would definitely take action.
Could this be a test from Japan before it decides to start a war?"
Now, Tan Renhao grasped the key to the problem . Then he looked at Ji Xiaobin in surprise, as if he did not believe the analysis he made at the beginning.
Ji Xiaobin's expression wasn't much better.
"If this is the case, then Japan will definitely take big action in the short term."
Both of them took a deep breath, that "big move" meant war.
"Major, you don't have a clear responsibility right now. You can study this issue in depth."
Ji Xiaobin patted Tan Renhao on the shoulder and said, "If Japan wants to go to war with us, what will they do first and how will the war break out? Although these are not what our fleet staff should do, it is much better than knowing nothing."
Tan Renhao nodded immediately, and he was also preparing to study it carefully.
