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London, UK

When the news of the failure of the Hong Kong fleet came back, the people's protest team had already arrived at Downing Street.

Unlike the Boer War thirty years ago, although that war cost Britain a greater price, it was a more "symmetrical" victorious war.

First of all, a huge price was paid in exchange for huge rewards. The Boers were finally forced to sign an agreement to merge the two republics of Transvaal and Orange into the United Kingdom. Although they paid a huge price of nearly 100,000 casualties,

In the eyes of the British people, this was a successful war against the 'provocateurs', because it achieved the same final victory as previous wars waged by the empire.[

Secondly, it was a 'symmetrical' war. Behind the Boers were the Germans, and everything from rifles to artillery were supported by the Germans. Moreover, in the eyes of the British cattle, the Boers were of noble blood.

, they are descendants of the Dutch, pure white Europeans. This is a war between civilized people.

However, where is China?

China is the empire's hunting ground in the Far East. Since the Opium War in 1840, the empire has completely conquered this ancient country in the Far East. The empire can take whatever they want there, and even move priceless so-called national treasures from their palaces.

, the essence of national culture, which symbolizes the inheritance of ancient civilization, is loaded on a vehicle and shipped back to the UK, where it is placed in an exquisite cabinet as a testimony to the achievements of the British Empire in colonizing the world.

However, in the past decade or so, Britain has continued to suffer losses from this opponent that it bullied wantonly in the past.

In the Sino-Burmese War, the "government's" explanation was that the Imperial Army was unable to carry out an expedition, its logistics was disrupted, and its lack of preparation led to its failure.

The task force led by the deputy commander of the Far East Fleet was hit by iron thrown by a swarm of Chinese fighter planes and killed a captain. The "government" explanation was that the Chinese made a mistake and the captain of the Royal Navy was shamefully involved with the mainland.

The light of the base air force, and those combat aircraft, were described as shamefully sold by the Germans to the Chinese.

Until the war in Hong Kong broke out, the "government" first issued an announcement saying that all this was caused by the Chinese. It was the Chinese who were not willing to be leased to Hong Kong. They caused trouble and provoked the war. When Hong Kong was occupied, they

He also said that this was due to insufficient military spending, resulting in too few troops stationed in Hong Kong, and the empire needed more troops.

However, after one ship of the Hong Kong fleet was captured, one surrendered, and one was sunk, the British gentlemen could no longer remain calm.

They arrived in front of Downing Street, and some even hoped to take the opportunity to see the Prime Minister in the same embarrassing situation as France during the Sino-French War.

People shouted for the cabinet to step down and shouted various political slogans. They even wanted to see the prime minister.

As they wished, they met the British Prime Minister Mr. Macdonald.

"Citizens of London, not long ago, I received a report from the Far East. In the report, the brave cruiser captain Lieutenant Colonel Dorrance sent us back the last telegram, explaining some key issues.

The temporary defeat of the war is irreversible. So, please allow me the honor to read to you, gentlemen and ladies, this thought-provoking telegram sent back by the heroes of the Royal Navy.

Dear Mr. First Sea Lord, Dear Mr. Lord of the Admiralty, Unfortunately, we will suffer an unstoppable defeat in this local war. The warriors of the Empire have fought the most tenacious battle, but we are still being defeated.

Chinese aircraft launched air strikes from every direction in the sky.

What filled our ears was the huge noise of planes swooping down and the scream of 1,000-pound heavy aviation bombs breaking through the air. It was unbelievable, but we had to admit that the despicable Chinese, like the great Royal Navy, had

An aircraft carrier capable of offshore operations. For the first time, their aircraft can take off from the aircraft carrier to bomb our battleships. However, the three Imperial battleships, including the Warrior, lack sufficient and effective air defense means.

Here, I would like to suggest to the two ministers that some of the guilty personnel be exempted from their duties. It was they who put us on a warship in the Far East with only four or five anti-aircraft guns. It was they who stubbornly believed that the Far East did not dare to attack

The imperial warships launched a sneak attack by the air force, which left us alone on the sea in the Far East, waiting to be bombed by Chinese planes.

It is very sad that we can never use the main gun that symbolizes the majesty of the battleship to shoot the aircraft that fill the sky...

"

Prime Minister Macdonald, with great sadness and a regretful tone, slowly finished reading this letter, "Deceived Electrical Message from the Warrior Lieutenant Colonel Dorrance".[

"Gentlemen and ladies, I think at this moment, you are as angry as I am. In order for the courageous fight of this brave Lieutenant Colonel Dorrance to be recognized, we will do our best to rescue him and return him to his country, and we will follow his

We have proposed an unprecedented personnel change for relevant Navy officials. Next week you will see the personnel appointment and dismissal list, and we will publish it in the newspaper.

In addition, I will also announce an important decision. Our war with the Chinese will continue. At the same time, we will start building more battleships and more aircraft carriers. We must prove to the world that the great British Royal Navy is not only

With only the world's number one battleship, we will also have the world's number one aircraft carrier. I believe that when the battleships and aircraft carriers are perfectly arranged, neither the Chinese nor anyone else will be able to stop the empire's powerful fleet..."

After making one empty promise after another to the people, Prime Minister McDonald finally used his performance to disperse the crowd at the rally and even received cheers at the end.

However, when he walked back to the Prime Minister's official residence at No. 10 Downing Street, his brows were furrowed. Listening to the reports from the First Sea Lord and a Lieutenant General of the War Department next to him, he had already forgotten about the damn electric shock.

.

When Lieutenant Colonel Dorrance was about to surrender, in addition to suggesting that the Royal Navy build more aircraft carriers, he was also asking for help. He told how he fought bravely and how he missed his wife and children in London. He strongly requested the British Empire to take him as soon as possible.

Rescued from the East.

"According to intelligence analysis, the Chinese have a task force including two aircraft carriers. This fleet is not like a traditional fleet. They do not pursue large displacement and the most large-caliber main guns. According to our classification standards,

Look, they have at most a few destroyers and a few cruisers. In this naval battle, the real threat to us was the aircraft and ships aboard the two medium-sized aircraft carriers. Through intelligence collected from all aspects, we have to admit that

"The Chinese are already at the forefront of the world in the field of aircraft, and their development level is at least not much worse than our Imperial Air Force." The Sea Secretary reported cautiously, striving to minimize the navy's responsibility.

"Baron Chatfield, if I remember correctly, I just received your application report on increasing investment in naval battleship repairs a few days ago. Is it really difficult for the Imperial Navy to fight against the weak Chinese?" Prime Minister McDonald

It is hard to imagine that a battleship going to an unfavorable location would actually lose its effect on the Chinese.

The Sea Secretary had no choice but to explain, "In addition to blocking their shipping lanes, the battleships can only try to bombard their coastal cities. However, unfortunately, according to intelligence, the Chinese seem to have radars and the ones we are equipping."

Radar technology is very advanced. They are set up on high mountains and can detect ships approaching the sea in advance. What's even more damning is that coastal defense airports have been built in several key coastal cities, such as their Fangchenggang and Guangdong coasts. According to "

Judging from the death of Colonel Sim who committed suicide and Lieutenant Colonel Dorrance who surrendered, they originally tried to approach the Chinese coast and bombard those booming cities, but the Chinese air force, which was focusing on development, dissuaded them.

This idea. Just like building forts to block the sea, land-based aviation is also a killer of coastal fleets."

"That means we can only try to block their sea trade, or luckily attack some coastal cities, but we can't send the main force of the Far East Fleet to fight them decisively?"

"Yes, dear Prime Minister, if a decisive fleet battle breaks out, it is very likely that the Far East Fleet will suffer greater losses. At present, the aircraft carriers of the Imperial Navy are still in the establishment of the home fleet. And their number of aircraft is very limited."

What the Baron did not say is that compared to Japan and other countries, the development level of British aircraft carriers can only be said to be average.

McDonald said, "I will try to order two aircraft carriers to go to the Far East. Even if a larger naval battle does not break out in the end, Britain still needs a certain number of aircraft carriers in the Far East. The Chinese's shameful performance proves the value of aircraft carriers."

.”

"Yes, wise Prime Minister."

McDonald turned around and asked the Army Lieutenant General, "I heard that the Chinese are massing troops on the China-Myanmar border. Has the intelligence been confirmed?"

"Prime Minister, the intelligence has been confirmed. Judging from the intelligence provided to us by Chiang Kai-shek, at least two Chinese main divisions have already moved to the Ruili area, and their secondary main divisions (garrison divisions) have also shown signs of mobilization.

According to Mr. Chiang Kai-shek's intelligence, there may be a larger-scale mobilization plan in southwest China." The Army Lieutenant General answered the Prime Minister's question faithfully.

"Is the war at sea not over yet, and another land war will break out?" MacDonald felt a little headache. If the war broke out in Europe or the Mediterranean, it would not be such a huge difficulty, but it might break out in the Far East.

And it was only a hair's throw away from the empire's most important colony, India.

"Judging from the current situation, the Chinese have no reason to take the initiative to start a war. However, if the situation changes, they may take further action."

Macdonald, "Can three Burmese divisions hold off the Chinese? Perhaps, counting the two eastern Indian divisions?"

"If there were only two main Chinese divisions, we might have a chance..." The Army Lieutenant General's words were already very reluctant. He knew very well that during the Sino-Burmese War, the British Army had several divisions in total. As a result,

They also couldn't beat their two main divisions.

He never thought that after all these years, the British troops there had become good at fighting, nor did he think that their equipment had made a qualitative leap. Because he knew that looking at the entire British Army, there was nothing but damn deficiencies.

.

All because the damn navy needs to continue to get stronger and build warships. Perhaps now, the Prime Minister needs to worry about how to stop the enemy from attacking the British colonies from land.

"I need further intelligence, and at the same time, I need a steady diplomat to go to the southwest and test the Chinese people's bottom line." McDonald knew that it was too early to say anything at this time, but he believed in his heart that a negotiation would definitely be better than

The next ocean war, which may never end, and the even more worrisome land war are coming soon.[

At the same time, he couldn't help but think of another thing, "Perhaps people should meet Chiang Kai-shek in Nanjing. This man is very active in opposing the Southwest issue and is very consistent with us."

The British were already preparing for negotiations before the war was over, but thousands of miles away in southwest China, Zhang Shusheng was reading a detailed piece of intelligence in his hand.

"Very good, well done. Follow the plan and cooperate with the Army Department's next actions."

Zhao Ziyun stood at attention and said, "Teacher, through the intelligence we deliberately disclosed, several of Chiang Kai-shek's secret spies who had been lurking in our southwest for a long time were finally exposed. According to the feedback information, Chiang Kai-shek's intelligence department

I feel very satisfied to be able to learn this information.”

Zhang Shusheng smiled and said, "He will be satisfied with anything that can weaken the Southwest. What's more, this kind of thing can also greatly please the British. The follow-up reorganization plan of the Kuomintang troops will have to rely on the powerful powers with deep pockets."

Zhao Ziyun: "Chiang Kai-shek likes to engage in conspiracies. Didn't it happen some time ago that Kuomintang agents tried to use gold bars to bribe grassroots officers in the southwest at the junction of the two armies? What's funny is that not only did the officers surrender without anyone or a gun,

, instead they defrauded the gold bars and gave them to the troops, which were included in the food allowance."

"Haha, you don't know, this Chiang Kai-shek did more than just take advantage of others." Zhang Shusheng recalled the original history of Chiang Kai-shek. It's hard to determine his merits and demerits, but he really did a lot of things that made future generations laugh.

Regardless of position and victory or defeat, being called the captain of a logistics and transportation brigade of a certain army is an example.

But this time, his idea was right. He repeatedly tried to deceive the West, like peeling off the cocoon, and actually let him defraud the second batch of reorganized equipment from the Three Kingdoms. Even if it was half-obsolete equipment from Britain and France,

The equipment of the local army is also better than that of the original, at least the artillery and the like have been supplemented a lot.

Obviously, this crisis between the Southwest and the British once again provided him with an opportunity. This is why, instead of standing still, he went around lobbying the British to increase their support for him.

"Yes. Teacher"

Zhang Shusheng nodded to Zhao Ziyun of the Special Intelligence Department and indicated that he could go out. He called the combat secretary and he ordered: "Draft an order to have the 3rd Division and the 6th Division set off overnight to Longling and Yongde lines, to the opposite side.

The British formed a comprehensive threat"
Chapter completed!