On this day, as usual, when he entered the office of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Sam Max learned the news from his commander.
"Sir, how could this...have the action been leaked?"
Almost instinctively, Sam Max asked.
"Accident!"
Colonel Jerry said.
"The intelligence he provided was accurate, but what he didn't know was that the empire had strengthened their military deployment in Cuba. They sent two Sinde-class armored cruisers to Cuba, and they unexpectedly encountered the Revenge on the way.
"
"Is there such a coincidence?"
Almost instinctively, Sam asked the question directly.
"Indeed, but sometimes many things are just such coincidences..."
Colonel Jerry continued.
"As early as last year, the Ming Dynasty military stationed in Cuba repeatedly requested to strengthen Cuba's maritime power. At the same time, they also tried to turn Cuba into their maritime fortress in the Caribbean. That's why this accident happened, but the intelligence was accurate," Revenge
"" sent out the cargo manifest of the "Apollo". This mission failed. We can plan it again, as long as the information is accurate enough! The only pity is that we lost an auxiliary cruiser."
"Sir, it's not that we lost one ship, but that the Ming Empire gained one more ship! After all, the Revenge has been captured by the Ming Dynasty."
The subordinate's reminder made Colonel Jerry helplessly shrug his shoulders.
"In a war, this is inevitable, and we have to get used to it."
Then he said to Sam again.
"But compared to an auxiliary cruiser, I am more concerned about the intelligence provided by "Plum Blossom"!"
"Plum Blossom" is Jin Biyun's code name. Only a few people in the British know her identity, and even the Prime Minister does not know who she is. In the eyes of the Naval Intelligence Agency, "Plum Blossom" is simply the most successful spy in history.
"Intelligence? What intelligence? Another transport ship?"
"No!"
Colonel Jerry shook his head and chuckled,
"This information is very critical and is directly related to our next strategic deployment!"
"What kind of information?"
Sam asked in surprise.
"Although this intelligence is not direct intelligence, according to this intelligence, the empire will not launch operations in the South Pacific this year. They will concentrate their efforts on attacking the United States this year, and at the same time increase their offensive efforts in Africa. Their goal is to
We are completely pushing out of Africa! Especially South Africa!”
When mentioning South Africa, Jeduan said.
"As long as they occupy southern Africa, our connections with Australia and India will be in some kind of difficulty, and our merchant ships will lose the port to replenish coal and water. Therefore, strategically speaking, occupying Cape Town is equivalent to
Cutting off our sea supply lines to a certain extent! And..."
He looked at his close subordinate Jerry and said.
"They'll attack us from behind!"
From our backs!
Sam said in surprise.
"My God, is this a landing? We don't have enough troops in Cape Town to resist their attack. The main force there is in the north..."
"That's why this information is so important!"
Jerry said proudly.
"This will even be an intelligence that changes the war! Now, this intelligence has been sent to the Prime Minister. I believe they will make a judgment based on the changes in the situation."
After that, Jerry got up and walked to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey, and poured two glasses.
"Sam, let's congratulate us on a job well done."
…
Amidst the tapping of wine glasses, Robert Gascoigne-Cecil, the wartime prime minister of the British Empire and the Marquess of Salisbury, toasted with his nephew Arthur Balfour and drank.
After taking a sip of whiskey, Cecil said.
"So, do you think now is the time to break the deadlock?"
"Yes, uncle, the current predicament we are in is actually not much different from the past. A considerable part of the huge fleet we have built is used for maritime escort, because the empire needs supplies from the colonies, and our main fleet
, but it can only deter the French fleet on the mainland, which does not seem to actually exist."
The reason why Arthur Balfour said this is because 70% of the French fleet's strength is in the Mediterranean, but what about the British Empire? 70% of its strength is in the mainland, and only 10% of its strength is in the Mediterranean.
"Indeed, almost all of France's fleet is in the Mediterranean! If the Atlantic is our lifeline, then the Mediterranean is France's lifeline. They need supplies from Africa, and we are at an absolute disadvantage there. And in order to ensure our maritime security, we
We have to maintain a strong fleet at home. After all, there are only two fleets in the Atlantic Ocean, the Royal Navy and the Imperial Navy."
Cecil sighed helplessly.
"Before the war broke out, no matter what, we never thought that the "Great White Fleet" would be solved by a group of toy-like aircraft. Without the balance of the US Navy, the Imperial Navy would become a powerful enemy that we must face directly."
"Yes. The situation has changed."
Balfour took a bite of the veal steak and said.
"The most embarrassing part is here. Not only can our seemingly huge fleet not be used on the urgently needed battlefield, it can even only stay in the port in a daze. In order to stop the distant imperial fleet, we not only failed to trap the enemy, but instead
Trapped myself."
Putting down the knife and fork in his hand, Belfort said in a serious tone.
"For the British Empire, the current stalemate is extremely fatal, especially in the current situation. We and our allies are at a certain disadvantage on every battlefield, even the French battlefield. It seems that
It's a deadlock, but in fact we are at a certain disadvantage. After all, we have concentrated the power of two countries. Uncle, if we don't find a way to break the deadlock, the war will show an unfavorable tendency for us from the end of this year to next year.
.”
Cecil deeply agreed with Balfour's warning. Although Balfour was his nephew, to a certain extent, he was also his political heir and the family member he had focused on supporting over the years.
The reason why he supports Belfort is not only because he is a member of the family, but more importantly because of Belfort's talent. Otherwise, there is no need for him to choose Belfort when there are so many family members.
Although Belfort is still very young, he can always give some useful suggestions and opinions.
"Indeed. So, Arthur, do you have any good suggestions?"
"Now, we have a chance."
Balfour said.
"If we seize the opportunity, war will fundamentally change!"
"Opportunity, what kind of opportunity?"
Selsi was a little confused and looked at his nephew. At least for now, he really didn't see any chance.
"Uncle, as far as the current situation is concerned, what we want is to win at all costs. In order to win, we can do whatever it takes, and of course we can negotiate with our enemies."
Negotiate with our enemies!
In just a moment, Selsi knew what his nephew was thinking. He looked at Belfort in surprise and thought for a while.
"Oh my God! Do you know what will happen if this news gets out?"
Facing his uncle's reminder, Belf said directly.
"What will be the consequences? It will just cause an uproar, but by then they will know very well that this is our best choice to win the war."
Looking at Belfort's confident look, Selsi reminded him.
"But you also have to know that if the news gets out before it succeeds, it is likely to cause a political uproar. For politicians, such a decision requires paying a certain price."
"Then just don't let outsiders know."
Belfort said with a smile.
"Like now, this is just our private conversation."
The old group has died and a new book club group has been established: 739209015. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.