Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 11: Visit to Japan (Part 1)
Three days later, the fleet met up with the supply fleet, and after replenishing fuel, fresh water and food, the fleet headed towards Nagasaki Port, Japan.
After nearly a day of sailing, the Nagasaki naval port appeared in the flagship's sight.
The ship that came to greet them was a light cruiser flying a plaster flag. It was a very ordinary warship of the Japanese local fleet (similar to the local patrol fleet of the Tang Empire). Because the Southwest Combined Fleet went to participate in the exercise, the local fleet had to be responsible for welcoming the visiting Fifth Fleet.
Nagasaki Port was once the largest commercial port in Japan. Before the ports of Yokohama, Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe were developed, Nagasaki was Japan's only port for foreign trade.
Thanks to this convenience, Nagasaki became one of the most important commercial cities in Japan. For thousands of years, it has been the main port of communication between Japan and the Tang Empire.
Since before the last war, Nagasaki has gradually developed into a military port.
After the war, Nagasaki developed very rapidly as the home port of the Southwest Combined Fleet, one of the four major fleets reorganized by Japan.
Now, it is not only one of Japan's largest trading ports, but also the most important military port on Japan's Kyushu Island.
The military port area is on the east side, while the commercial port area is on the west side, with a breakwater in the middle.
The entire Nagasaki Port is surrounded by mountains, while the city of Nagasaki is located in a small basin north of the port, connected to the port area by several roads.
The Nagasaki naval base is not large , and the third phase of expansion has not yet been completed.
In many cases, some warships of the Southwest Combined Fleet had to be anchored in the commercial port area.
When the Fifth Fleet arrived, there were only three destroyers and several small fast ships in the naval port area.
The Fifth Fleet was all anchored in the military port area. Obviously, the size of Japan's Southwest Combined Fleet was much larger than that of the Fifth Fleet.
A welcoming ceremony was indispensable. The Japanese emperor also sent a prince, and the mayor of Nagasaki and local officials also rushed over.
Obviously, this is a visit with far greater political significance than military significance.
General Liao Hanxiang had to represent both the Imperial Navy and the Imperial Government in welcoming the Japanese who came to welcome him. As a result, Liao Hanxiang had to attend various banquets for several days in a row. Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu also ran around and was even invited to visit the Japanese Naval Shipyard in Kumamoto.
As a result, the daily arrangements of the fleet had to be handed over to Colonel Ji Xiaobin.
Tan Renhao tried his best to avoid those tedious banquets, even though he was now a senior military officer and one of the main guests invited by the Japanese. After his last experience, Tan Renhao had no interest in Japanese cuisine, sushi, and sashimi, and naturally had no fondness for Japanese Kabuki.
While Hao Dongjue and Chang Jianxin were busy attending the banquet, Tan Renhao focused his main energy on analyzing the current situation .
Because the information at hand was very limited, Tan Renhao did not come up with much conclusion, but the question mark in his mind was getting bigger and bigger.
The cabin door was suddenly pushed open and Hao Dongjue ran in hurriedly.
"Renhao, good news, there is good news."
"Don't you know how to knock?"
Tan Renhao frowned. It seemed that even if Hao Dongjue really became a general one day, he would probably still be like this.
"Okay, okay, I'll knock on the door next time."
Hao Dongjue held Tan Renhao back and said, "Come out quickly. I just received news that Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu has been promoted to major general, and Staff Officer Ji Xiaobin has been promoted to brigadier general. In addition, your personnel appointment has been approved. General Liao Hanxiang has appointed you as the chief of staff for aviation operations."
Tan Renhao was stunned, and immediately put down the documents in his hand and picked up the coat hanging on the coat hook on the wall.
"When did this happen?"
"News just arrived. I heard that they even brought new general uniforms and military ranks. Marshal Sagittin was supposed to confer titles on the two generals, but in order to facilitate communication with the Japanese Navy, General Liao Hanxiang conferred titles on the two generals this time. Marshal Sagittin will hold another ceremony for the two generals to confer titles on them after they return."
According to the rules of the Imperial Navy, generals would be promoted by the Navy Commander, but Commander Liao Hanxiang only promoted promoted officers in the fleet.
The two of them soon arrived at the combat command center. Dozens of staff officers filled this cabin, which was not small to begin with. Wu Xianyu and Ji Xiaobin were naturally the focus of the crowd.
Both of them were very happy and looked very excited.
The two are accepting congratulations from everyone.
"Colonel, no General, congratulations!"
Tan Renhao had the best relationship with Ji Xiaobin, so he first congratulated Ji Xiaobin.
"thanks, thanks!"
Ji Xiaobin seemed a little excited. For any soldier , after crossing the threshold of brigadier general, he would be a naval general instead of an ordinary officer.
"Congratulations, Chief of Staff!"
Wu Xianyu smiled and nodded, then went about greeting other staff officers.
Because of the foreign visit being made and the limited conditions aboard the warship, the celebrations were simple.
After General Liao Hanxiang walked into the command center in formal military uniform, everyone fell silent.
"First, we would like to congratulate Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu on his promotion to Rear Admiral of the Imperial Navy. Second, we would like to congratulate the Fifth Fleet for having a third general."
Liao Hanxiang's words were brief. "Finally, we would like to congratulate you in advance. Perhaps, it won't be long before the fourth general of the Fifth Fleet will appear among you!"
Everyone cheered, and then Liao Hanxiang pinned the shoulder straps of major general on the shoulders of Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu, and the shoulder straps of brigadier general on the shoulders of combat staff officer Ji Xiaobin.
"Okay, everyone, let's celebrate today!"
Liao Hanxiang took a bottle of champagne from a staff officer. As the champagne was opened, the atmosphere in the cabin suddenly became lively.
"I heard that this is one of the five bottles of champagne that Commander Liao saved when he formed the Fifth Fleet!"
I don’t know where Hao Dongjue heard this rumor from. “At that time, General Liao Hanxiang said that the Fifth Fleet must have at least five generals. This is the second bottle of champagne he opened, but we already have three generals.”
Tan Renhao laughed. According to the Imperial Navy's organization, having four generals in a fleet was already a lot. Even the First Fleet only had four active generals. General Liao Hanxiang really had a big appetite.
"Renhao, let's go celebrate. Today is my treat!"
Brigadier General Ji Xiaobin came over, he was very happy.
Of course it was difficult for Tan Renhao to refuse, and of course he would not forget to call Hao Dongjue and Chang Jianxin. After all, they were Ji Xiaobin's dependants, so what was there to be afraid of?
