Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 8 The Storm Subsides (Part 2)
The "Li Jing" began to turn, the wind and waves gradually became stronger, and Liao Hanxiang also brought Tan Renhao back to the bridge.
"I received a telegram from Xiaoyu a few days ago. I heard that your relationship is developing very well?"
Tan Renhao was shocked and didn't know how to start.
Liao Hanxiang stopped, looked at Tan Renhao from a distance of less than two feet, and then patted Tan Renhao on the shoulder.
"Xiaoyu is a good girl, but she has a bit of a willful temper. It's all my fault. When she was little, I was away from home for 360 days a year. However, as a father, I am very happy that she has found someone she likes."
Tan Renhao felt a little nervous. The commander's words at this time naturally had another meaning.
"But I won't interfere in your affairs."
Liao Hanxiang walked towards his command cabin. "Your aunt and I are in a free love relationship. We can be regarded as role models for young people of your generation. However, you have to be nicer to Xiaoyu. This girl is too willful. Sometimes she doesn't even listen to me. So, you have to be more tolerant of her..."
The more Tan Renhao listened, the more confused he became. Why did Liao Hanxiang's tone become more like that of an older father?
As soon as I walked outside the command cabin, Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu came over.
He glanced at Tan Renhao who was following behind Liao Hanxiang, and pulled Liao Hanxiang into the command cabin.
"Old Liao, I just received news that the Seoul negotiations have yielded results. Japan has temporarily cancelled its ultimatum to North Korea and agreed to participate in the trilateral talks to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Iki Island through negotiations."
"you sure?"
Liao Hanxiang's tone was clearly filled with distrust.
"I am absolutely certain. It is a telegram from Marshal Sagittin . It arrived only ten minutes ago."
Tan Renhao walked to the door. Although he had no intention of eavesdropping on the conversation between the two generals, he was very curious.
Iki Island is located in the northwest of Kyushu Island, only 50 kilometers away from Karatsu on Kyushu Island.
Originally, this was Japanese territory, but after Japan was defeated in the last war, the Kingdom of Korea, which fought alongside the Tang Empire, sent troops to occupy Iki Island and refused to return Iki Island during the post-war armistice negotiations.
The Tang Empire acquiesced to the Kingdom of Korea's actions, resulting in the issue of the sovereignty of Iki Island remaining unresolved.
"Major, come in!"
Liao Hanxiang asked Tan Renhao to enter the command cabin, and then asked Wu Xianyu: "So, what are the further orders from the Navy Command?"
"We will still patrol the designated waters and try to avoid any friction or conflict with the Japanese fleet, but we must not make any concessions."
Wu Xianyu nodded to Tan Renhao and continued, "Marshal Sajiting has already gone to the capital, and Prime Minister Xue Xiyue has convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss policy toward Japan. However, another matter is more important."
Liao Hanxiang and Tan Renhao both frowned.
"This is the news that was sent at the same time. Japan and the United States of America have also had a dispute over the sovereignty of Midway Island. Now Japan seems to be preparing to hold a large-scale naval exercise in the waters east of Minami-Torishima. All three fleets have gone there. Maybe the Southwest Combined Fleet will also participate in the exercise."
Now, Liao Hanxiang and Tan Renhao were even more surprised.
Midway Island was originally a deserted island and no one took it seriously.
Later, the Japanese occupied the island, and during the last war, the Tang Empire occupied Midway Island, but did not set up a military base here.
In the post-war negotiations, the Tang Empire ceded Midway Island and the Mariana Islands to the United States, so Midway Island became the "territory" of the United States. Later, the United States established an air force base and a small dock on Midway Island, making it a transit station connecting the Hawaiian Islands and the Mariana Islands.
"Commander, Chief of Staff, are you here too?"
Colonel Ji Xiaobin ran over quickly and said, "The Japanese fleet is turning left and heading east. Should we follow them?"
"It looks like the Southwest Combined Fleet will also be rushing to participate in the exercise."
Wu Xianyu glanced at Liao Hanxiang.
"Follow them, but increase the distance to 150 nautical miles. Have our combat aircraft ready to take off at any time, and the seaplanes should closely monitor the activities of the Japanese fleet."
Liao Hanxiang quickly gave an order, "Go to the Commander's Headquarters. Also, tell all officers and soldiers to be on high alert."
The fleet began to turn again, and Tan Renhao followed Liao Hanxiang and others to the commander's headquarters.
The commander's headquarters is located on the third level of the bridge, above the combat headquarters, while the fourth level is the navigation bridge.
"Report, the Japanese fleet has begun to accelerate and is heading towards the Togara Channel."
Ji Xiaobin asked the communications staff officer to stand aside. There was no need to report these matters directly to the fleet commander.
Liao Hanxiang walked directly to the nautical chart and began to ponder while looking at it.
Tan Renhao stood behind the general, also looking carefully at the marks on the nautical chart.
After a long while, Liao Hanxiang finally let out a sigh of relief, and then asked Wu Xianyu: "Chief of Staff, what do you think?"
Wu Xianyu said: "The Southwest Combined Fleet will definitely participate in the exercise."
Liao Hanxiang nodded slightly and shifted his gaze to Ji Xiaobin.
"At least now they don't want to play cat and mouse with us."
"It seems that the Japanese really don't want to start a war at this time. Or, they think they can't beat us, so they changed direction and went to cause trouble for the Americans."
"General."
Tan Renhao definitely didn't think so. When he saw Liao Hanxiang was about to make a decision, he immediately said, "I think there's something wrong here."
Liao Hanxiang frowned slightly and motioned Tan Renhao to continue.
"If the Southwest Combined Fleet of Japan was going to participate in the exercise, it should have taken the Bungo Channel. Why did it have to go around the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea?"
Tan Renhao marked the route of the Japanese fleet on the nautical chart. "This is obviously a big detour. In addition, Japan's joint exercise of the four major fleets was definitely not a temporary decision. It must have been carefully planned. Then why did they cause trouble on Iki Island in advance? None of this makes sense!"
The officers in the cabin fell silent, and even Liao Hanxiang and Wu Xianyu realized the problem here.
"Major, why do you think the Southwest Combined Fleet took such a detour?"
Ji Xiaobin glanced at Tan Renhao. It would not be enough .
Tan Renhao shrugged his shoulders and laughed awkwardly.
"I don't know, I just think there's something wrong."
Some young staff officers laughed secretly, and Liao Hanxiang and Wu Xianyu's expressions also relaxed. Obviously, they would not decide the fleet's actions based on a suspicion.
