On the first day of the war, the US Navy was taken by surprise by the Japanese -- in the middle of the night it was bombarded with naval guns by the Japanese Navy approaching the port, and in the morning it was desperately charged by their mini-submarines. As a neutral country, Japan's ability to be so resolute as a weak side naturally arouses a lot of admiration, but in the United States, it is really unforgivable for the seemingly powerful US Navy to be sunk by the evil Japanese as soon as the war began. Therefore, in the face of public opinion condemnation, Washington had to convene a small meeting on this.

"Mr. President, this mistake is forgivable!" In the Oval Office of the White House, Secretary of the Navy Knox had an angry face on his face, and in the face of the harsh abuse of public opinion, he must protect the honor of the Navy as Secretary of the Navy. "The Japanese slipped into the fleet's alert network because they used shipborne radars, and ours ......, damn it, it's still in the American radio company! The Navy asked for the purchase of radars for the Army several months ago, but it couldn't do it! ”

The U.S. Navy has eight major bureaucratic situations, and the historical MK14 torpedo is the best example -- it was not until two years after the attack on Pearl Harbor that the U.S. submarine force had effective torpedo weapons [Note 172]. This is true of torpedoes, and the same is true of naval radars: With a major war imminent, the Ordnance Bureau would rather wait for the radio company to thoroughly understand the technology of the signal company and develop a special naval radar than to purchase the Army's SCR-268 to be retrofitted and installed on patrol ships first.

However, it is not convincing that Knox blamed the reason for the attack on the patrol ship's lack of radar, and the attack on the Subic Bay base was due to the radar installed by the Japanese fleet, so the attack on the Krabi Sea naval base by Japanese mini-submarines was not because of the radar. Therefore, Admiral Raisi, the chief of naval operations who has always been a human being, said: "Sir, of course Mr. President is very aware of the reason for the attack, but we can't tell the people that the Navy is causing the attack because of the lack of radar, and we have to do something." ”

When Admiral Leahy said that something had to be done, Yu Guang couldn't help but glance at Roosevelt in a wheelchair -- he had already reached a consensus with the president to replace Admiral Bloch, a naval general with whom the president was unfamiliar and therefore distrusted, and now that such a big thing had happened in the Philippines, it was the best time to remove Admiral Clint Bloch.

"What must we do?" The Secretary of the Navy, Knox, repeated Admiral Leahy's suggestion, and seemed to have some understanding, his excited expression calmed down a little, and said: "Mr. President, as far as I know, Admiral Bloch is the most suitable general for the Pacific Fleet, and if he is to be replaced, James does not agree to arrange ......the fleet in the Philippines." ”

Because the position of commander of the U.S. fleet was abolished, and Admiral Clint Bloch, who was previously the commander of the U.S. fleet, was appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet (at this time, the Pacific Fleet concentrated most of the warships of the navy), and if Bloch was to be replaced, he should be replaced by Admiral James Richardson in order and seniority. Admiral James Richardson, however, was historically totally opposed to the transfer of the fleet to Hawaii, fearing that it would be too close to Japan and would be attacked. Since Hawaii is against it, the Philippines is even more against it, and if he is appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet, he will certainly demand that the fleet be withdrawn.

However, in order to hold the Philippines, some of the warships of the Pacific Fleet must be stationed in Cavite -- Vice Admiral MacArthur, the Navy's greatest enemy (there is no one), strongly demanded that the Pacific Fleet be stationed at the Cavite Naval Base, so that he could ensure the security of the entire Philippines and bomb those with thousands of B-17 heavy bombers. the children until they surrender and surrender.

To this end, the Krabi Naval Base is home to twelve battleships, eight aircraft carriers, and many more cruisers, destroyers, and submarines of the Pacific Fleet. According to the latest battle plan, after the war begins, the navy will rely on the three naval bases of Cavite, Subic, and Singapore to assemble the main force and engage in a decisive naval battle with the Royal Navy and the Sino-Japanese combined fleet. After the destruction of the Sino-Japanese combined fleet, the navy will completely blockade Japan and force it to surrender; For China, blockade, strategic bombing, and landing were carried out at the same time.

In the era of big ships and huge guns, it was common for a decisive battle to be won or lost, and this plan was considered perfectly feasible in view of the disparity in strength between the enemy and the enemy, but there were people in the navy who opposed it, and Admiral James Richardson was one of them.

Hearing that Knox had suggested that Bloch's successor, Admiral James Richardson, would oppose the dispatch of the fleet to the Philippines, Admiral Leahy, who understood the president's wishes, immediately said: "Sir, I privately think that James is not necessarily a suitable replacement......

"James isn't the right person, is it Kim?" Knox couldn't help but think of Lieutenant General Ernest Joseph King, who was qualified to take over, but then he denied himself. First, this person was not from the battleship fleet or the cruiser fleet, so it was impossible for him to hold such an important position as the commander of the fleet; The second is the most important, this person likes to screw women, especially the butts of subordinates' wives the most (many subordinates have to sacrifice their wives' butts in order to be promoted), and he often drinks heavily. So even though he was considered the toughest and most 'all-round' admiral in the Navy, the president still didn't like him.

When the last Chief of Naval Operations Stanley was in office, he and Admiral Leahy were strong contenders for succession, but Leahy was clearly more liked by Roosevelt, so King was defeated. If the successor is not Kim, then it can only be Vice Admiral Pai, commander of the battleship fleet, and Vice Admiral Kimmel, commander of the cruiser fleet. As for the aircraft carrier commander Halsey, it is rare, and even less in mind.

Knox was thinking about Admiral Bloch's successor, but Leahy said a name he had never thought of. "Kim didn't have any experience commanding battleship forces, so he wasn't suitable. The president and I both thought that maybe Nimitz was the right person......"

"Nimitz?" Of course, Knox had heard the name Nimitz, but he couldn't recall it in his mind. Just as he was about to say that this man was not from the battleship fleet, but only a submarine expert, Admiral Leahy added: "...... But he modestly declined the appointment, and Lieutenant General Pai was not fit for the position, so the president and I thought that perhaps Lieutenant General Kimmel would be a better fit. ”

"I ......" Knox saw Leahy directly tell the president what he meant, and then looked at Roosevelt and saw that when he nodded to himself, he was not completely opposed, but just euphemistically: "Mr. President, I don't know Lieutenant General Kimmel, I just think that Admiral Bloch or Admiral Kim is more trustworthy, and they will definitely hit the Japanese with a fatal blow!" ”

"Sir, if Admiral Bloch is not replaced, the government will face tremendous pressure from public opinion." Admiral Leahy explained, "And King, until he has changed his habit of drinking, would have served in the Admiralty." ”

"Okay, I agree." Secretary of the Navy Knox finally nodded. "But we must equip our warships with radar before the decisive battle, even if only on the battleships."

"Sir, the Ordnance Bureau is already working on this, and they promise to equip the warship with radar by October." Leahy explained. He had already explained it to Roosevelt before.

"Mr. President, there is one more thing I don't understand: why do we apologize to the Chinese this time? Didn't they cover the retreat of the Japanese? "After talking about the fleet, after Admiral Leahy left, Knox, the Republican pro-war faction, asked about the army aviation again." Since the Chinese are interested in covering the Japanese Navy, why don't we take the opportunity to declare war on them? ”

"Frank, it's not appropriate to declare war now." Roosevelt, who had been seeing Leahy and Knox discuss the choice of fleet commander, finally spoke. "We need China's tungsten now, once war is declared, state affairs. I was told that our tungsten source would be cut off, and that domestic production was extremely limited, and that it might be possible to purchase it in Russia and Portugal, but it would be best to purchase a batch of tungsten in China before the war was declared. ”

I didn't expect it to be for tungsten! Coupled with radar, Knox had to curse in his heart that he was a son of a bitch—although he had decided to declare war on China and Japan as early as last year, the preparations were so bad. There are reasons for taking public opinion into account, as well as internal reasons. He swallowed his unhappiness and said, "Mr. President, maybe we don't just lack tungsten. If the Chinese army attacks Burma and Malaya, the source of rubber and tin may also be cut off. ”

"Yes." Roosevelt nodded, but then added: "The Chinese Army may occupy Burma and the Malay Peninsula, but it is not possible to occupy Malaya and Jakarta." State. Last month, the House of Representatives considered the issue of wartime industrial raw materials and passed a bill, but the situation is optimistic, and only tungsten we need to rely on China for now. ”

"But the Chinese have declared their outside neutrality, will they sell it to us?" Knox asked.

"Yes. Chinese Premier Weng and his entire cabinet have been hoping that we can help transform China into a democracy, and we are working in that direction. They've helped us a lot before, and they'll definitely help this time. Roosevelt smiled as he spoke, but Knox was puzzled.

"But Mr. President, aren't we going to declare war on China, so what are they going to do......?" Knox asked, coming from the Republican Party, he always had a little more conscience and integrity than some of the rudderless.

"They can not declare war!" Roosevelt gave an unbelievable answer.

"No declaration of war?!" Knox was immediately confused, the Army Aviation will bomb the two giant battleships still under construction in the dock at the beginning of next month, how could the Chinese not declare war on the United States after being bombed? Is this still a country?!

"Yes, at least that's how they answered." Roosevelt smiled even more, "Maybe there will be many people in China who want to declare war, but the government can refer this matter to the League of Nations for investigation, as Japan did last year." ”

"Oh God!" Knox was shocked by the behavior of some people, and after sighing, he immediately suggested: "Mr. President, I don't advise us to ...... These shameless people cooperate! ”

"Frank, this is the reality in China. Just like thirty-seven years ago, as soon as there was a foreign war, there would be a lot of people on our side and hope that the children of the Marine Corps would land in the city to keep them safe. Roosevelt also had no affection for the shameless men who had blasphemed their integrity, but this reality made him think that East Asia was a land of redemption, and that only God could influence the savage and depraved souls there. The bombing of the Chinese shipyard was just a firefight. After that, I believe that the navy has eliminated the Japanese navy, and at that time, the Chinese government will surrender to us. ”

"They ......, China ......" It was the first time Knox had heard such a confidential thing, he had been shocked incoherently, and after a while he looked at Roosevelt and asked seriously: "Mr. President, is this true?" ”

"Of course it's true, Frank." Roosevelt nodded earnestly. "There may be fierce resistance elsewhere, such as Manchuria, but most of the provinces in China itself, which is within Shanhaiguan, will choose to surrender."

"Yang Jingcheng won't stop them?" Knox said a person's name, with his own concern.

"Yang Jingcheng? His army was all outside the Shanhaiguan, and he could not ask the provinces inside the pass to resist like him. Roosevelt said. Once we wipe out the Japanese navy, most of the Chinese will choose to surrender according to their previous custom. MacArthur told me that if I'm lucky, the kids will be home this Christmas. ”

"Oh my God! It's unbelievable! "Knox started to think he was dreaming. He has attended numerous military meetings throughout the year, and everyone has a headache if he forces the huge China to surrender, and does not want the war to end in a few months in the president's mouth.

"Yes, I was unbelievable at first." "But when they handed over the entire set of Chinese military codebooks and other military secrets to Ambassador to China, Stuart Leiden, I believed it to be true." As far as I know, the Chinese are very afraid of war with civilized countries, and in their words, democracy is completely victorious. This truth was proven during the Russo-Japanese War, in the last world war, and even more so at war with us. Roosevelt said no more about it, and when Knox left the White House, he emphasized: "Frank, be sure to keep this secret." ”

Roosevelt told his secretary of the Navy to keep the secret that China's current cabinet had surrendered, and in Beijing, Weng Wenhao also told his secretary of the industry, Ma Junwu, known as Dr. Pidan, to keep a secret: 50,000 tons of tungsten concentrate would be sold to an American company, so he had to arrange for competent personnel to handle it urgently.

After Ma Junwu took office as Minister of Industry, he did not agree with the set of regulations left by Xu Huafeng earlier, especially after the national industrial reform, even military factories became privately owned. He and Song Jiaoren argued many times about this, but the premise of the Kuomintang's coming to power was to agree to the privatization movement of compensating the landlords with state-owned factories, roads, and mines, and finally had to compromise. As soon as the state-owned company left, the lively Ministry of Industry became a deserted yamen. Even Leng Yamen is full of old people left behind during the Xu Huafeng period, and he, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, can't do anything.

This time, the prime minister explained the matter of tungsten concentrate, and he thought about it only to explain to his classmate Shi Chu when he was in Germany, and Shi Chu also studied mining. It's just that Shi Chu had stayed in the tungsten company before entering Beijing, and knew that this pool of water was very deep. After Ma Junwu finished explaining what he was going to explain, he said with a bitter face: "Houshan, you don't know, everything else is easy to say, this tungsten ......." He looked at Ma Junwu, whose face was full of differences, and then said: "Behind the Great China Tungsten Company, Yang Jingcheng, will he let tungsten be sold to the Americans?" ”

"Yang Jingcheng?" Ma Junwu heard the news for the first time, and he said: "Isn't the general office of the Great China Tungsten Company the woman named Lu Bicheng?" She bought a large amount of tungsten shares during the stock market crash that year......"

"Oops! This Lu Bicheng, everyone said that she was Yang Jingcheng's outer room. Shi Chu patted his thigh. Why don't you know? ”

"The Outer Room?" Ma Junwu was confused again, he couldn't figure out how this famous strange woman in Shanghai became Yang Jingcheng's outer room.

"That's what people in the circle say anyway." Shi Chu said, "There are many tungsten in Jiangxi, and there are also some in eastern and northern Hunan, and there are many in Beiting." During the economic crisis, Lu Bicheng not only collected the shares of domestic tungsten companies, but also foreign Portugal, Myanmar, North Korea, Bolivia, and Soviet Russia, wherever tungsten was produced, either bought mines and shares, or signed underwriting agreements, all of which were controlled by the big trust of Greater China Tungsten. You ask me if there is 50,000 tons of tungsten concentrate? Not to mention 50,000, 500,000 tons are available. But what can you do if people don't sell it? ”

"Since there are 50,000 tons, it will be easy to do." Ma Junwu was worried that there would be no 50,000 tons of goods, so he stood up proudly, "You take the documents of the Ministry of Industry, if they dare not sell them, then let the Ministry of Land revoke their mining license." ”

"Houshan, is it really good to do this?" Shi Chu looked at Ma Junwu a little crazy, although he was not very political, he also knew that the revocation of the mining license was a big deal, and if it was not good, it would cause civil unrest.

"Nothing bad." Ma Junwu had a righteous face, still as jealous and hateful as he was in Tokyo more than 30 years ago, he gritted his teeth and said: "Those state-owned industrial and mining mines that were sold earlier will be taken back by the state sooner or later!" If the tungsten company does not sell, then the tungsten company will start to collect. ”

Ma Junwu had made up his mind, and Shi Chu, who was dominated by him, had no choice but to go south to Shanghai to try. As he thought, as soon as he heard that 50,000 tons of tungsten concentrate would be required and that it would be delivered within a month, Lu Bicheng, who was dressed in luxury, immediately said that he couldn't do it.

"Then how much can General Manager Lu's office deliver within a month?" Shi Chu, who hurried to Shanghai for Ma Junwu's support, was dressed in a four-grade official robe, but his tone was polite, and he did not bully others.

"Where is Lord Shi's goods going to be shipped?" Lu Bicheng looked at Shi Chu and smiled. "50,000 tons of tungsten concentrate is equivalent to the annual output of tungsten company, so I think it is used for export, right?"

"The Ministry of Industry orders, where the freight goes, Mr. Lu's office don't ask more. Just tell me how much tungsten can deliver in a month. Shi Chu was panicked by Lu Bicheng, and before he came, Ma Junwu had explained that he must not leak the tungsten and it was shipped to the United States.

"The Ministry of Industry should also pay attention to the first come, first served. The tungsten company has set a plan for this year a year ago, and the purchase of more than 1,000 tons after the year must be ordered three months in advance. As soon as Lord Shi came, he asked for 50,000 tons, how could the company get it? ”

Lu Bicheng replied while teasing his pug, Shi Chu was fine, and Zheng Lanzheng, an official of the Ministry of Industry who came with Shi Chu, immediately said angrily: "You can open your eyes and see clearly, this is what the Ministry of Industry wants!" ”

"What does the Ministry of Industry want?" Lu Bicheng and the pug who stroked him didn't even look at Zheng Lanzheng. "The number of goods ordered by adults is too large, not to mention the specific whereabouts. As soon as the 50,000 tons of tungsten concentrate enter the market, won't the world's tungsten price fall sharply? China is a big tungsten producer, and raising the world tungsten price is the original intention ......of the establishment of the Great China Company. ”

"You dare! Aren't you afraid that the Ministry of Soil will revoke your mining license?! As Ma Junwu's childhood friend, Zheng Lanzheng was not familiar with the domestic political ecology at all, thinking that when the signboards of the Ministry of Industry and the imperial court were displayed, the noble lady in front of him would be soft.

"Hehe, tungsten company does not have a mining license, and it does not want a mining license." Lu Bicheng finally glanced at him, although she was old, but the charm and nobility that she relied on made Zheng Lanzheng's heart sway. "Tungsten is only a sales company and is not involved in mining. If you want to play prestige, you should go to Jiangxi or Beiting. ”

Lu Bicheng didn't eat hard and soft, and Shi Chu had no choice but to take Zheng Lan to retreat. After discussing with Ma Junwu in the capital, the two of them went to Jiangxi wearing official skins. Dayu Xihuashan tungsten mine is a large tungsten mine in the country, if you can directly purchase a batch from the mine, whether it is more or less, it can be regarded as a part of the difference. I didn't think that when the Ganzhou Mansion asked the prefect to accompany him to Xihua Mountain, the prefect's face immediately turned white, and his head shook like a rattle, and he said: "My lord, this tungsten mine has long become a private industry, in order to prevent traitors from stealing, the tungsten mine is full of ore protection teams......

There are audit courts in Beijing, and there are provincial, government, and county audit courts in the local area. In some places, there are many bullies and gentry, and the Inspectorate has long set up the official mansion, except for the annual festival of filial piety like feeding dogs, the magistrates don't care about other things, and let those people in the Inspectorate toss; In some places, it is not the case, the fight between the government and the Inspectorate is fierce, but after the reform of the military system, the military power belongs to the locality, so the main battlefield of the two sides is only in Dali Temple.

Dayu belongs to Nan'an Mansion, is Yang Jingcheng's ancestral hometown, poor and remote people, the people are fierce, which can be seen from the word "An" in Nan'an Mansion - since ancient times, all the county names, the name of the prefecture has 'An' or 'Ping', is the most troubled place. Nan'an is not a border place like Anton, and an inland state capital is called 'An'an', so how chaotic it must be -- after the prefect arrived, he didn't even go out of the city gate of the city a few times, and he didn't want to go to the Dayu tungsten mine 100 miles away.

"If Lord Han doesn't go, the Prime Minister will be very unhappy." Shi Chu had to raise the prime minister's signboard to scare people.

"The prime minister here also ......" Han Zhifu just wanted to say that he was not under the control of the Prime Minister's Office, and he was afraid of offending people, so he had to swallow the last few words again, he said: "The tungsten mine is far away, and there is a tungsten mine office in the city of Ganzhou, why don't the two adults talk to the general office of the mine here?" ”

"Nope." Zheng Lanzheng thought of the closed-door soup he ate in Shanghai, and felt that tungsten concentrate was really important, and he really did it, even if he had to wear a green robe, the grade would definitely be able to rise by one liter, so he immediately said resolutely: "If you want to talk, go directly to the mine to talk, and negotiate a contract directly to pull the ore away." If you don't want to go, please help us find a few guides, and if this is done, we will definitely give you a few kind words in front of the Prime Minister......"

As long as the Han Governor does not go to the tungsten mine, it is very simple to arrange a few guides to accompany him. It's just that what he never expected was that this arrangement directly sent these two adults from Beijing to the point of no return. (To be continued.) )