"Marshal Scheer is gone, he has watched the growth of the High Seas Fleet and the world he left after not being at its peak, he walked peacefully, without worry or sorrow." Looking at the senile Hipper, Raeder said cautiously, Scheer is gone. And Hipper, who succeeded him, was also in poor health, so he just missed his face at the funeral of his old boss and left, and when it came to Hipper's level, their physical health was no longer a personal problem. After the loss of Field Marshal Scheer, if the opponent finds that Hipper's physical condition is also unable to fight again, then the opponent will definitely make a small discount when assessing the combat effectiveness of the German Navy! The navy fights not only for equipment and national strength, but also for excellent commanders.

"No, he didn't walk peacefully, and he didn't feel at ease. He already saw the shadows hovering over the High Seas Fleet. Do you know what he was saying when I saw him at the sickbed for the last time? Hippel asked after a pause, taking a sip of black tea.

"He kept repeating the word Persian and didn't know what it meant." Raeder was also present at the time, watching the somewhat delirious old marshal muttering something. But because the distance is a bit far, it is not very clear to hear.

"I know! He meant to say not to let the German Navy cross Persia into South Asia! If this were the case, we would not have been able to avoid a direct conflict with the Chinese people, who had tried many times in private to persuade the Kaiser to stop in Persia, but had been rejected, and that I could take him over the affairs of the navy not only because of the old marshal's health, but because the emperor had become disgusted with the old marshal. Someone else needs to take his place! And now? I'm dying, so who's going to take my place? Hipperl said wistfully.

"Our future is not hopeless, and China needs a lot of oil. At present, we are the only ones who can provide so much fuel, we control the oil fields in the Middle East, Romania and Transcaucasia, and in the future, we will add the oil fields in Libya. They may not really meet us. Raeder on the side comforted.

"Really? I remember you once said in the naval salon that it was a very absurd thing that a country as vast as China did not have large oil fields, how could it have changed now? Hipper's smile tucked. You don't have to comfort me. There are some things you should know, right? Huaxia imported a batch of deep well drilling equipment from the United States. Do you think they have the money and nowhere to spend it, or do you mean that Nanyang needs such equipment? ”

"In fact, even if these equipment are imported, it doesn't mean anything. Maybe in the end, the oil layer they found was too deep to be mined, or maybe there was no oil down there? And even if a large oil field is discovered, it will take a long time to build the infrastructure. As long as we are not done with the operation in South Asia. When Britain is completely defeated, the Americans retreat to the Americas, and we gain a firm foothold in South Asia, even if China wants to oppose us, who can he unite? Raeder said with a pretended lightheartedness.

"You're right, it may be a false alarm, but what if it's true? Was the German High Seas Fleet ready for a full-scale war with China? Are you really so confident that the German fleet can confront the Chinese, British, and American fleets at the same time? Do not think that our victory at sea in the First World War was the work of the German High Seas Fleet alone, how many times have I said it. Without the support of Italy, Austria-Hungary, and our allies, we could not have won. No matter how well you fight, you can't fight against the Grand Fleet! Have you all forgotten? Hipper, who was excited, coughed violently, but he finished his sentence anyway. And we will now lose an important ally, the Italians must have felt it, but they decided to fight us to the end! ”

"Soon the Italian navy will fall into our hands, and we have already begun to set it up in Spain, and the Spaniards have expressed their willingness to cooperate with our operations. In three months' time, a detachment will go to the Mediterranean, in which case the Allied navy will have an advantage in the Mediterranean, as will the air forces of General Richthofen and Austria-Hungary, and with the internal response, we will surely succeed. "If it is said that against the Entente and the Chinese Navy, Raeder does not dare to say anything. But if the Combined Fleet of the Central Powers is against the Italians, isn't it nine out of ten? It's a piece of cake for Zhang Fei to eat bean sprouts!

"The Entente and Huaxia have already begun to act. If Ribbentrop's intelligence is correct, there are many French and Americans who have entered Italy through Guò customs, and some strange freighters in Tarant and other places, which are worthy of our vigilance. Are we ready? Hipper asked rhetorically.

"Actually, I personally think that it is a very foolish move for China and the Entente to declare war and compete with us in Italy, Italy is too close to us, and the export of the entire Mediterranean Sea is under our control, is it possible that China and the Entente are confident enough to force their fleets through the Strait of Gibraltar and then compete with our Mediterranean Fleet and land-based aviation? Are they crazy?! Moreover, from the perspective of national strength, the outbreak of a large-scale war at this time was a difficult price for the three Entente countries to bear. Raeder felt that what Hipper said today was more and more incredible, and even some of his words violated the most basic logic!

In the face of absolute strength, any scheme is powerless. Even the most lame officer could see the outcome of this confrontation, and Raeder really couldn't figure out what Hipper had to worry about. Is it because of the fear of excessive losses in the fleet? Or will the Italians destroy the shipyards and facilities before they fail? Thinking of the latter point, Ryder understood a little bit.

"Sooner or later, Italy will fall into our hands, and this is something that both China and the Entente know very well, and even Tycho will understand, so they acted, not to prevent us from acquiring this country, but to try to empty it! Some consortia in southern Italy have been investing in China for years. Various equipment and technicians also went quite a bit. It is said that the Italians can account for about 2% of the shipyards in Longtai, Huaxia! If the Italian Navy slips away again, what else will we get? Italian Army? Or is it the Italian aviation industry, which can't even build engines? If that's the case, who will be the winner in this game? Is it us? Or an opponent? Hipper asked.

"So I hope that our actions against Italy can be advanced, China and the Entente have already made their position clear with their actions, although they will not fight for Italy and us, but they will definitely turn Italy into a quagmire! Unfortunately, this time I didn't have a chance to fight with one of Tycho's or Huaxia seniors, so I hope you can take command of the Mediterranean Fleet in my place, and I will equip you with the best ships to help the Austro-Hungarian Navy hold off your opponents and then force the Italians to surrender! "Hipper had already gained insight into the intentions of China and the Entente in Italy. But alas, this time is already a little late, and he himself is unlikely to go into battle again, the German Navy has risen too fast, in addition to equipment, the successor is weak, and there are too few people who can take on heavy responsibilities, after the death of Schell and the serious illness of Hipper, it is difficult to find a person who can carry the burden in a short time.

In fact, not only Hippert was aware of this, but the German top brass also found something from this series of abnormal actions in Italy. The other party will definitely take action, but they don't know exactly when and how to do it. Immediately after his meeting with Raeder, Hipper, in his report to the Kaiser, mentioned the need to intensify the operational arrangements for the "L Plan". (Plan L was specific to Italy, while Plan K was for Persia in the future.) And built yì Raeder as commander of the Mediterranean detachment of the German High Seas Fleet.

But it's a pity that this time Hipper's construction was not fully adopted, because it was too late, Germany had just announced its withdrawal from the treaty, two new aircraft carriers were under construction, according to Germany's original plan, it was planned to wait until at least one aircraft carrier and one reserve aircraft carrier were completed before acting, and if according to Hipper's new proposed timetable, I am afraid that only one reserve aircraft carrier could be completed at most, and it would be good if two armored aircraft carriers could be launched!

"Then first concentrate resources and manpower to directly convert the two reserve aircraft carriers into aircraft carriers, and put the others first, and the weapons that can be used are good weapons!" Hipper, who was very angry when he learned the news, ordered the merchant ships Bremen and Europa to be taken back directly, and then accelerated to be converted into aircraft carriers. Raeder couldn't wait, and two months later, the German Mediterranean fleet was formed and left Wilhelmshaven for Crete in the Mediterranean.

Hipper's fleet included the new armored aircraft carrier Moltke, the battleship Bavaria, and the aviation cruiser Emden, plus two heavy cruisers and 14 destroyers. Together with the Austro-Hungarian fleet, they were to deal with the Italian Navy. The Allies sensed the other side's arrangement and began to speed up their own actions, and the Germans and Austrians did so to provoke their opponents as well. The three fleets of the North Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea began to be reorganized, and then the first transoceanic expedition of the Chinese Navy will be completed.

Thanks to the book friend zhouyu1976, hukaikaka for the tip~~~, as well as the book friend old students, rw1 monthly pass support ~~~. (To be continued......)