On the morning of August 5, the statements of China and the United States on the war in Europe reached the Bostan Palace. Feng. When Jia Gaochuang reported the statements of the Chinese and American governments, the inward-looking emperor ignored the neutrality of the Americans, but was angry with the chief of the general staff of the Baath Army, William. Leo's resignation, he said loudly: "Do the Chinese want to break the original agreement?" Why did the Chief of the General Staff resign, and still in this month? ”

"Your Majesty, this matter was already mentioned by the Chinese a few days ago. Their explanation is that it does not matter what nationality the chief of the General Staff is, the point is that the combat objectives of the troops will not change. Now they have issued an ultimatum to the Russian army, demanding that the Russian army retreat within 24 hours, and if it refuses, then China will attack again. Looking at the angry emperor, Prime Minister Bateman hurriedly explained, and finally emphasized: "They promised to annihilate the Russians first and then deal with the Japanese, compared with the previous promise, Yang Jingcheng has already given in." The Chinese attack on the Russian army will prevent Petersburg from focusing on the western front, and even if China does not occupy Vladivostok, Russia will have to worry about them seizing him, which will contain the Russians in some way. ”

"Your Majesty, if the Russian Siberian Army is really encircled, this will not only hurt the morale of the Russian army, but our soldiers will also be encouraged, and they will think that the Chinese have also joined the alliance, which will offset the misfortune brought by Italy." Moltke Jr., the chief of the General Staff, also said that he has been following the situation of several other allies, and that China's position is better than originally thought.

Little Moltke didn't mention Italy, but when he mentioned the Italian emperor's beard turned up again. The day after the war began, Italy declared neutrality, and he could not help but resent Bismarck, the prime minister who had messed up the qiē - the emperor looked back on the past few days. I also remembered my grandfather's last words when he was dying, "the United Russia cannot be ignored", and found that it was because of the German-Austrian alliance led by Bismarck. It was because of the 'Lombard Decree' that German-Russian relations became extremely bad. Eventually, Russia was driven out of Berlin and forced into France, culminating in today's Russo-French Entente.

It would be a foolish act to lose Russia for the sake of Austria-Hungary, and likewise relations between Italy and Austria-Hungary were so unfriendly that Italy would not declare its neutrality until 2 August, and it could be said that there was no alliance between the allies at all. On the other hand, the three Entente countries, even Britain, which has never been directly involved in European affairs. This time, they all declared war without hesitation.

The imperial meeting paused in the emperor's recollections, and the ministers did not know that the emperor had begun to delegate people again, but just stood quietly, waiting for the emperor to ask again.

After a long while, the emperor asked again: "It seems that the Chinese have also given us some advice, I want to know what you think of those words of His Excellency Yang Rui?" Does the Imperial Navy have to go out of port to fight the Royal Navy? ”

"Your Majesty, although China is currently strategically victorious, the Japanese have fallen into the trap of His Excellency Yang Rui, and the Chinese submarines have blocked the harbor. They can only face encirclement, but this does not mean that they have the right to dictate the war in Europe. The Army will be able to occupy Paris in two months, and if nothing else, we will be able to win the war with dignity at Christmas. Moltke was speechless and embarrassed by the emperor's questioning that day. Become extremely confident. As he spoke, the beard on his lips shook rhythmically, very majestic. "The war will end soon." He emphasized.

"Your Excellency Chief of General Staff's speech just confirms the accuracy of His Excellency Yang Rui's judgment. If we don't get a win before Christmas, then the victory will be lost forever. "The commander-in-chief of the High Seas Fleet, Marshal Tirpitz, reminded. Now is the time when the Imperial Navy and the Royal Navy are closest in strength. Once it's past Christmas, then ......"

Tirpitz, who did not want to fight the Royal Navy before the war, is now desperately demanding to fight. This was not only unexpected by everyone, but also unexpected by the emperor. However, before the emperor could speak, Admiral Müller, the head of the Naval Cabinet, and Admiral Boller, the chief of the General Staff of the Navy, spoke against it, and Admiral Müller said: "Your Majesty, once the High Seas Fleet goes to sea for a decisive battle, after defeat, not only the safety of the German coast cannot be guaranteed, but even the control of the Baltic Sea will change hands, and Russia will obtain a large number of weapons and materials from the sea, and the decisive battle at sea is to put the fate of the empire on the gambling table as a bargaining chip." ”

"Your Majesty, according to the comparison of the strength of the two sides, the ratio between us and the British's capital ships is two to three .6, far from the two to three that the marshal usually says, and it is difficult for us to win the decisive battle." Admiral Bol, Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, immediately reminded. "Even if we win, the fleet will suffer heavy casualties, and the remaining fleets of Russia and France, as well as Britain, will still blockade us. Keeping the fleet in order to maintain a deterrent to Britain and Russia is our best option. In addition, it is difficult for me to imagine that a country that does not even have dreadnoughts should think that a decisive naval battle will lead to a victory for Germany. ”

There were two people in the navy who opposed the decisive battle, and the emperor's heart finally breathed a sigh of relief, not to mention that the fleet was his beloved thing, even Britain did not want to offend too much in some way. Although the British distorted his original intention every time, but in the deepest part of his heart he still loved Britain, after all, he was instilled with the concept of British supremacy since he was a child, and King George V was his cousin, and the decisive battle of the fleet would only make Germany and Britain lose both, and eventually make the world hegemony fall aside, which he did not want.

The Emperor's expression of relief fell completely into the eyes of Tirpitz, the commander-in-chief of the navy, and he only sighed heavily. Germany has the best warships, the bravest sailors and officers, but no best leader, maybe the Chinese on the mainland becomes the German emperor in order to completely redeem Germany from the crisis.

Tirpitz was taken aback by his own thoughts, he quickly diverted his train of thought, and said again: "Your Majesty, even if there is no decisive battle with the Royal Navy, the submarine force of the Navy should carry out unlimited submarine warfare against Britain, which will not only make British military supplies not replenished, but also starve the British people, I think as long as the submarine blockade is maintained, Britain will eventually withdraw from this war." ”

Fleet decisive battle is the best way, unlimited submarine warriors are the way to go, and Tirpitz's idea is about to be agreed. Prime Minister Bateman hurriedly interjected: "Your Majesty, once unlimited submarine warfare is implemented. Sinking merchant ships without warning and inspection will only allow the civilized nations of the world to accuse us. Submarines were meant to be battleships. Its real role should have been to sink British royal warships, not to sink unarmed merchant ships. ”

"Your Excellency, then how do you explain why those warships of the Royal Navy are blockading the North Sea, and even non-military supplies and food are not allowed to be transported into our neighboring Denmark and other countries?" Tirpitz began to be a little angry, he felt that everyone present did not have a trace of the urgency of the war, "Your Majesty, if the navy does nothing in the war, then the council and the people will never give the navy a finney again!" ”

"Your Majesty, the marshal is quite right. But I think we still have to obey public international law, even if the British don't. "Admiral Pol, Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, built a yì road." So we can conduct submarine warfare. But not unlimited. ”

The Chief of the General Staff's speech was approved by everyone present and the Emperor, but Tirpitz objected: "What if the British disguised the warship as a merchant ship by trickery, as the intelligence said?" ”

"We can get the sailors to be on alert." Admiral Pol said: "And if something like this happens, we will gain the support of world public opinion." ”

"Then how do you know which British camouflage ship the submarines that did not come back were sunk?" Tirpitz asked. Only a few people who agree with Admiral Ball's point of view are given food for thought.

"Marshal, it is not appropriate for us to practice unrestricted submarine warfare before the arrival of victory at Christmas, and in order to guard against British camouflaged ships, you can have two sailors move together. While one is inspected, the other is on alert. "The emperor made a smart choice.

But Tirpitz was anxious about such a clever approach, there were only more than 70 submarines in total, and in the case of merchant ships sailing alone, two submarines would only reduce the combat efficiency by half. But thinking of the time limit given by the emperor and the so-called wolf pack tactics of the Chinese who were training the submarine force, Tirpitz couldn't help but endure it and nodded: "Yes." Your Majesty, I will command the sailors to be vigilant at all times against any merchant ships. ”

Seems to rejoice in solving a tricky matter. The Emperor shifted from his saddle chair, "All right. I think Turkey should be discussed next......"

When the Bostan Palace was discussing naval strategy, Yang Rui, who was thousands of miles away, had just fallen asleep. During the day, despite the protests of Britain and France, he finally delivered an ultimatum to the Russians to withdraw his troops, and it is said that the Russian minister who accepted the ultimatum, Kupunschi, did not receive the ultimatum at all, so Xie Zhangtai had to put the ultimatum on the table of the Russian legation, and then left Dongjiaomin Lane.

Although Xie Jintai quickly reported his attitude towards the Russians, he speculated that the Russians would not withdraw their troops, but might attack again. In fact, he didn't need to be reminded that the Northeast Theater Command had already held a mobilization meeting three days ago and finally issued an operational order, and Li Liezu, who had endured for nearly two months, finally clenched his fists, and as soon as the time came for him to prepare an ultimatum, the Sixth Group Army stationed in Qingshuitai Xinchengzi, north of Shenyang, penetrated the Russian defense line and encircled and annihilated it in a narrow area 30 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide surrounded by the Liao River and the Chai River.

Although the distance advanced in this battle was short, it was the first mechanized joint operation of the Renaissance Army, and in order to obtain the weather needed for the battle, the meteorological troops were busy for more than ten days before hesitating to set this possible sunny day. However, in Li Liezu's view, even if the weather is important, even if it rains, he has to take advantage of the rain to attack.

At half past five in the morning of June 15, the first thing Li Liezu did when he woke up was to look at the sky outside the window, and when he saw the hazy outside, his heart sank, but he didn't seem to hear the sound of rain, and he was a little relieved. At this time, the adjutant who heard the noise in the room immediately reported according to his previous order: "Commander, the weather side says that today is cloudy, and if there is rain, it will be light rain. ”

"Good!" Li Liezu said in a deep voice. "What about the Russian army?"

"There is no reaction from the Russian side, and they probably won't take our ultimatum seriously." The adjutant replied.

"Good!" Li Liezu said again. He was suddenly a little excited, if the Russian army really withdrew, it would be wronged. "Notify the ministries and start a meeting immediately!"

Ten minutes later, Li Liezu, who had eaten a few bites of food indiscriminately, dressed up to attend the pre-war meeting, and looked at the commander in military uniform, the row of medals pinned to his left chest, and the already raised chest of the commanders of the various units standing up. After that, he put his hands on his knees and did not squint.

"Twelve o'clock at noon was the last time of the ultimatum. There are still six hours and twenty minutes until now, and all the ministries are ready, right? Li Liezu didn't lie at the beginning. Directly discuss the imminent offensive.

"Ready!" Lieutenant General Wang Shiqian of the 1st Armored Division, the three division commanders of the Sixth Army who were responsible for the main attack mission, and Major General Qin Guoyong of the Air Force Dive Bomber Wing all replied in unison.

"The order was issued yesterday, and it will not be repeated here. I have only one thing to say: the Russian Siberian Legion must be completely annihilated in this battle! Li Liezu said sharply, "This is not only related to the secrecy of the chariot and plane, but also to avenge the sacrificed comrades and people." Please do not stop after interspersing the enemy's formation, and be sure to cross the Chai River on the north side of Tieling County as quickly as possible until you occupy Pingding Fort. Remember, we are going to fight a war of annihilation, a war of annihilation! ”

"Yes! Sir. The generals shouted again. The thoughts of the commanders are the thoughts of each and every one of them, even. As long as the fuel is sufficient and the coordinated troops can keep up, the assault corps still wants to go to Kaiyuan, which is 60 kilometers away.

"Good!" Li Liezu was very satisfied with the reaction of the generals, stood up and saluted you: "Comrades, victory!" ”

"Victory!!" Several people saluted and repeated, and then walked out of the war room one by one. Although the orders had already been given, the men, either on horseback or in carts, hurried to their headquarters.

The Panzer 1st Division was ready as soon as it received the combat order three days ago. Each tank was carefully overhauled, and after more than a month of retreat, the wearing parts were exhausted, and three days was enough time to replace them all, and the tank itself was swept away from the mud of the days. The camouflage nature of the surface was exposed, and the ammunition and fuel were all prepared, and it could be said that the whole division was ready. Just wait for the order.

A few kilometers away from the camp, Wang Shiqian heard the roar of diesel engines one after another. He couldn't help but be glad that the troops were at a disadvantage, otherwise Ou Maozi would have been suspicious when he heard this voice. The car waddled along the dirt road that had two deep furrows pressed out to the headquarters. Fortunately, this car is four-wheel drive, and the horsepower is also large, otherwise the muddy road after the heavy rain will not be able to pass with this rubber wheel. After walking along the dirt road for more than ten minutes, Wang Shiqian returned to the headquarters. Unlike the soldiers who were busy repairing and refueling, the officers waiting in the headquarters were very leisurely, and only when they heard the salute of the guards outside, these officers put out their cigarettes and hurriedly stood up to salute.

After Wang Shiqian hastily returned the salute, he asked, "Is the bridge ready for the sappers here?" This time, we will fight to Pingdingbao in one go, and it is possible to advance to Kaiyuan. I don't have to worry about anything else, I'm worried about how these rivers will cross, not to mention the Wanquan River, the Chai River is nearly 100 meters wide, and the water depth is more than four or five meters. ”

"Report to the division commander, the engineer battalion is ready for everything, just wait for the bridge. If the chariot can't cross, our battalion will jump into the river and pile up this bridge. Yu Dayong of the engineer battalion stood up and said loudly.

"All the iron pontoons are ready? How many bridges can you build? Wang Shiqian did not take it seriously, but asked the truth.

"Report to the division commander, they are all ready, and they can build two iron bridges to ensure that they will not delay the comrades' assault." Yu Dayong said again. So many people didn't ask, but the division commander only asked himself, which made him very proud as a middle-level officer.

"Good! Sit down. Wang Shiqian nodded. I won't mention the others, how to break through, how to cooperate, I have taught them all during training, don't be afraid of making mistakes, remember: my order is to occupy Tieling County at any cost, cross the Chai River and the Shahe River, and occupy Kaiyuan. Wang Shiqian's order had gone beyond the scope of the operational plan issued by the theater command, but the officers present who understood the joints did not express any objections at all, and they were eager to reach Harbin.

Only the commander of the chariot brigade, Li Yinpei, stayed, Wang Shiqian looked at the map and saw the Chai River past, pointed to the section about one and a half kilometers wide and about twenty kilometers long that was sandwiched by the Liao River, the Shahe River on the left and the mountains on the right, and said, "Zhichu, this road is very dangerous, and the chariot brigade must be arranged accordingly." ”

"This section of the road is more difficult to walk, but I think as long as the assault is fast, the Russian army should not have time to lay fortifications, and as long as it is daytime, there are comrades from the air force, and it is difficult for the Russian army to stop our army from advancing. My main concern is that it is too narrow for the troops to swing out. Assault to Kaiyuan, the number of troops cannot be too small, but judging from the road conditions. I think a tank battalion is best, and the rest of the units have to keep up. "No one has ever fought a blitzkrieg. But everyone knows the truth, and Li Yinpei has studied it deeply. He is a native of Yixian County, Jinzhou. The military academy had excellent results, and the regiment in which he was in Xinhai was decisive in battle, so he was selected by Wang Shiqian to the armored division.

"Is it enough for the infantry regiment in the division to transfer a battalion?" Wang Shiqian asked.

"Okay." Li Yinpei nodded and said, "There is also a self-propelled artillery battalion that has to go to one." Although there is an air force, it is not wrong for the assault troops to bring self-propelled guns themselves. ”

"You kid!" Wang Shiqian felt that he had fallen for him, but when he thought that the infantry had passed, he had no choice but to say, "Then give you another self-propelled artillery battalion, and don't think about 150." Give 75 to it. This one is light, and the shells are also loaded more, and there are fewer failures. ”

"Okay!" Li Yinpei calculated in his heart, and felt that the infantry artillery carriage was complete with all three types, and he was satisfied at the moment.

"Kaiyuan is the enemy's military station." Wang Shiqian explained, "I gave you everything you wanted, and you have to promise to block all the Russian Maozi for me, and don't let go of their commanders." We are encircled and annihilated. If the Russian generals all escaped, who would believe that this was a siege and annihilation. ”

"Understood, Commander." Li Yinpei replied. He was gearing up, and his mind was all on the battlefield.

"Alright. Everything that needs to be explained has been explained. Go back to the army, this battle must be fought. Wang Shiqian saw his appearance and immediately issued an eviction order and sent him away. However, even after the meeting was dismissed, he still looked at the battle map again and again. The last slap slapped on Kaiyuan's position and scolded. "Saunen!"

Ultimatum XII expired, and an hour and a half before that, Rutte and the last Counselor, Xin Ci, arrived at the Chancellery. Today is fifteen. The Chancellery doesn't go to work, they go into the backyard from the side; And because it was a family banquet, Lu Te brought a bottle of high-end red wine, while Xin Ci didn't know where to get a bouquet of flowers, which was given to Han Xianfeng.

When Xin Ci left the Prime Minister's Office yesterday, he deliberately said something loudly, making the French think that Yang Rui promised to form an alliance with Germany, and today look at his flattering appearance, although Yang Rui is disgusted in his heart, but he also has a seizure for the sake of Rutte's face, after all, Rutte helped a lot during that time in Shanghai.

Cheng Ying is not there, according to the rules of the family, there must always be a female relative to accompany him, so in Yang Rui's opinion, it can be regarded as a family banquet. After chatting with the three of them, they sat down under her courteous greeting. Lu Te looked at Han Xianfeng a few times and smiled at Yang Rui: "Yang, you are really God's favorite, and I heard that you also have a beautiful wife. ”

"If I were God's favorite, I wouldn't be in this position." Yang Rui only answered the first sentence, avoiding his last sentence, and then pointed to the dishes on the table and introduced: "Although it is in Beijing, today's dishes are all Cantonese cuisine, I hope the two of you can like it." ”

"Of course!" Rutte and Xin Ci replied together, but Xin Ci's eyes kept looking at the clock in the restaurant, and seeing that it was almost twelve o'clock, he finally couldn't help but say: "Your Excellency, please forgive me for my rudeness, it's almost twelve o'clock, may I ask if the attack has started now?" ”

"Really?" Yang Rui generally doesn't care about state affairs on holidays, he also looked at the table clock next to him when he heard the words, at this time the seconds were exactly pointing to twelve o'clock, and after a slight sound of the machine, the clock left by the Manchu prince began to 'dang! While! While! 's timekeeping. Yang Rui looked at the two of them and said with a smile, "Well, the front line should be fired." Okay, today's family banquet, don't talk about the war, don't talk about the war, after eating and drinking tea, there will naturally be good news in the Northeast. ”

It is estimated that it takes an hour and a half to eat because of drinking, and it is half an hour to talk about tea. That is to say, there will be good news in two and a half hours, not to mention Xin Ci, even Lu Te doesn't believe it, but Yang Rui is very emotional, and the two of them have to pick up their wine glasses and start eating.

When the Beijing Prime Minister's Office moved its chopsticks, Li Liezu, commander of the Ninth Group Army, who had received an order from the Theater Command to attack, shouted into the microphone with a straight face: "I am Li Liezu. I command: the general offensive begins! ”

"Yes!" The voice of the artillery commander came from the microphone. "Our department will open fire immediately!"

Not long after the words fell, suddenly, the ground and the air shook, and the rumbling sound of cannon was overwhelming and deafening. As the 1,500 artillery pieces drawn from various group armies in the past 10 days began to roar, the long-dormant battlefield in the northeast began to fill with gunpowder smoke and bloody rain again. (To be continued......)