In the South China Sea, a fleet is sailing, and the entire fleet consists of a dozen capital ships and a large number of heavy cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers. In the entire South China Sea and even the Western Pacific, except for the Chinese Empire, no country has been able to come up with such a powerful naval force. Even the U.S. fleet in the Philippines or the French fleet in French Indochina are merely existential fleets that are more symbolic than practical.

This fleet began with the battleship "Korea," the flagship of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet. This is the "Malaya" of the British Navy's "Queen Elizabeth class" battleships captured in the Great War with the British Navy. After repairs, it entered service with the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet and became the flagship of the Nanyang Fleet.

In addition to the battleship "Korea", there were four others, namely the battleship "Ryukyu", the battleship "Kuwait", the battleship "Iraq" and the battleship "Iran". The first three are the battleship "Resolve", the battleship "Ramillis" and the battleship "Royal Oak" among the "revenge-class" battleships of the British Navy, and the rear one is the battleship "Iron Duke" of the British Navy. It's just that these warships, which originally represented the glory of the British Navy, have now become the main warships of the Chinese Navy. It is precisely because of the addition of these five battleships that the strength of the Nanyang Fleet of the Imperial Navy has once again jumped to a new level.

In addition, in order to further strengthen the strength of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet, the Imperial Admiralty also intended to assign the battleship 'Jinghai', which belonged to the Pacific Fleet, to the Nanyang Fleet as its flagship. In the decisive battle with the British Navy, the battleship "Pinghai" sank, and only the battleship "Jinghai" remained. Although, both the battleships "Hirakai" and the "Yasukai" were converted from the "Nagato-class" battleships of the Japanese Navy. However, the 410 mm gun it is equipped with is still very powerful. The enemies faced by the South Sea Fleet, with the exception of the British Navy, were relatively weak. With the battleship 'Jinghai' supporting the scene, it would be enough. This can be regarded as a little compensation to the Nanyang Fleet after the four 'Yamato-class' battleships joined the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy. In comparison, after the four 'Yamato-class' battleships acquired from Japan joined the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy, the Pacific Fleet would be greatly strengthened. Even in the face of the US Navy, it has a strong advantage. What's more, when it really comes to the showdown between the Imperial Navy and the U.S. Navy, the battleships, the capital ships, may have to take a back seat. It will be aircraft carriers that will play a major role on the battlefield.

On the battleship 'Korea', Admiral Lee He, commander of the Nanyang Fleet, and Vice Admiral Lin Jianzhang, chief of staff, were discussing the next plan. According to the plan, after the main forces of the South Sea Fleet arrived off the coast of Manila Bay, an exercise was to be held there to deter the Americans. However, be careful not to misfire. This is a piece of cake for the Nanyang Fleet, and even the two of them think that this is really too trivial and a knife to kill chickens. With the small fleet deployed by the US Navy in the Philippines, where can the Nanyang Fleet send the main force! Even go to a small fleet of a few heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers, and the problem will be solved.

Of course, the order has already been given, and they can only do what they are ordered to do, and they must complete the task.

The fleet is okay in the South China Sea and will not encounter any obstruction. At this time, the South China Sea was completely an inland sea belonging to China, and no country dared to object to it. Even if the Americans' Philippine colonies are in the South China Sea, China's maritime boundaries in the South China Sea have reached the Philippines' doorstep. However, the Americans are not the slightest bit dissatisfied, and have long recognized China's ownership of the South China Sea.

As for the French Indochina colony in the western part of the South China Sea, there is also no dissent. Even these powerful countries obviously will not have a grudge against China over the South China Sea issue. It is really not worth offending a powerful country like the Chinese Empire for the sake of a small South China Sea.

Therefore, no matter what era it is, the strength of the state is the best way to resolve all disputes. If the country is not strong enough, no one will pay attention to what it says.

"Lao Lin, you said that if we accidentally destroy the Philippine fleet of the Americans this time, will we and the Americans do it?" Lieutenant General Li He said with a smile. Now he can be said to be an idle egg. Throughout the Western Pacific and even the Indian Ocean, the Chinese Navy has become the hegemon. Even the Royal Navy of the British Empire had to retreat. What I do every day now, in addition to routine cruises, is to fight pirates. Such days made Admiral Li He very unaccustomed to it.

"I don't know. However, I am sure that if we do that, His Majesty the Emperor will not let us go. Lieutenant General Lin Jianzhang said.

"Yes! We have just taken Japan, and His Majesty the Emperor does not want to go to war with the Americans again. Wars are too frequent, and it's not good. The damage to national strength is too great. Our industrial strength cannot be compared with that of the Americans, and it is very difficult to win a real war. Admiral Li He said.

"Well, though, it's only temporary. We and the Americans, sooner or later, there will be a war. When the time comes, the task of the Pacific Fleet will be to defeat the US Navy. And our task is probably to cover the Marines and the Army, and take the Philippine Islands, as well as those large and small islands in Australia and the Pacific. Lieutenant General Lin Jianzhang said.

The starting point of the South Sea Fleet was much worse than that of the Pacific Fleet. The Pacific Fleet was the main force of the Imperial Navy. If there are any powerful warships, they will be sent to the Pacific Fleet. The South Sea Fleet was nothing more than a number of captured warships. The overall strength of the South Sea Fleet is naturally incomparable with that of the Pacific Fleet.

However, although Admiral Li He and Lieutenant General Lin Jianzhang were a little unhappy, they could also understand it. The reason for this is entirely determined by the national strategy. The biggest enemy of the empire is the United States, and it is impossible for the empire to become a world hegemon unless it defeats the United States. Therefore, as the main force against the United States, the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy, naturally needs to be strengthened.

"The Americans supported Hirohito this time and became the Japanese government-in-exile, and they simply wanted to give the empire a pill! This time, if the empire doesn't let them see how good we are, they will think that the empire is easy to bully. Admiral Li He said.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Empire's action against the Philippines this time is a counterattack to the United States for supporting the Japanese government-in-exile.

In the face of the condemnation of the Chinese Empire, the U.S. government also realized that something was in trouble, and they immediately issued a statement expressing regret about what had happened in the Philippines. However, they will immediately investigate the matter thoroughly and give an explanation to the local Chinese. Finally, they also particularly stressed that the Philippines is a colony of the United States, and any hostile action against the Philippines is a provocation against the United States, and the United States will not compromise and make concessions on the Philippine issue.

Of course, when the Americans make such a statement, they are merely expressing their attitude. In addition, it is to use procrastination, want to procrastinate, and try to be perfunctory.

On December 21, 4621, more than a dozen capital ships of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet gathered in the waters off Manila Bay to begin exercises. The small fleet deployed by the US Navy in the Philippines was so frightened that it hid in Subic Bay and did not dare to come out. They only had a few old armored cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers. If you provoke the Nanyang Fleet of the Chinese Navy, you are simply looking for death.

The Chinese navy suddenly conducted exercises off the coast of the Philippines, which immediately shocked the United States. The U.S. government is also well aware that its military presence in the Philippines is very weak. If you want to confront the Chinese* army, it is simply impossible. That's why they're like a great enemy.

At the White House, President Calvin Coolidge convened senior cabinet officials to discuss countermeasures.

"Damn yellow-skinned monkeys, what are they trying to do? Could it be that they want to attack the Philippines? "President Calvin Coolidge was furious.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese should not have such courage. If they attack the Philippines, it will lead to an immediate war between our two countries. That does not do the Chinese the slightest benefit. They shouldn't be so unwise. Secretary of State Hughes said.

"However, the Chinese often do things that are unexpected. For example, before the Chinese went to war against Japan, we did not expect them to dare to do so. President Calvin Coolidge retorted.

Hughes shrugged helplessly and said no more. After all, President Calvin Coolidge's statement is quite possible. Compared to Westerners, Oriental thinking is simply too complicated.

"If the Chinese attack the Philippines, how long will our troops in the Philippines be able to hold out?" President Calvin Coolidge asked.

Secretary of War John W. Weeks and Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby had a wry smile on their faces.

"Your Excellency, if the Chinese want to make a move, our fleet in the Philippines will simply not be able to resist their attack. I'm afraid that within an hour, the whole army will be wiped out. The difference in strength between the two sides is too big. Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby said.

"Your Excellency, the Army is in the Philippines, and there are 18,000 men. But if the Chinese attack, they only need to send a Marine division to land, and we will be defeated. If we send more troops, we will be able to hold out for a maximum of three days to a week, depending on God's blessing. Secretary of War John W. Weeks said. (To be continued.) )