Chapter 64: Navy Meeting
“For the Marine Corps, I plan to deploy 7000 troops, up to around 10,000 troops!”
“As for aircraft carriers, at least four will be deployed, namely the Akagi and Aircraft Carrier Kaga, as well as the ‘Hōshō’ aircraft carrier, and the ‘Wakamiya Maru’ aircraft carrier!”
“They will carry over 100 carrier-based aircraft to strike and assist in operations, because this is our Battle of Shanghai under the noses of all the foreigners from foreign countries, so we cannot lose face for our Navy Department, and our glory; we must achieve final victory!”
“Even if our original purpose was just to shift the foreigners’ line of sight from the Northeastern Army’s occupation of the Northeast to here in Shanghai, that doesn’t mean our Shanghai attack operation this time cannot reap certain benefits and advantages!”
“At the very least, once the Chinese Army is defeated by us, they will not only have to cede land, but also pay reparations to our Empire!”
“So we must achieve victory!”
“Moreover, this is also a battle for our Navy Department to earn admiration from all the foreigners from foreign countries!”
“It must be given solemn attention and importance!”
After Chief of Naval Operations Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu finished speaking,
Chief of Naval Operations Taniguchi Hisashi was the first to respond.
“I also agree with the Chief of Naval Operations’ operational proposal!”
“Me too!”
After Chief of Naval Operations Taniguchi Hisashi finished speaking,
Chief of Staff Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko, and Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu also unanimously agreed in unison.
“Yoshi! Since both princes agree so much, then I have no objections either!”
Seeing both princes agree so readily,
Chief of Naval Operations Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu also immediately agreed without hesitation.
Hearing this,
Chief of Naval Operations Taniguchi Hisashi, who had just made the suggestion, also nodded with a beaming smile to express thanks.
And Marine Corps Commander Kishii Wataru, who had the lowest rank among those present,
also let out a huge sigh of relief,
relaxing his expression and revealing a brilliant smile.
Because this time, the moment for their Marine Corps to strive for battle achievements and glory had finally arrived.
And moreover, without him having to beg the high-level officials here obsequiously for approval of their attack operation, they had obtained approval and appointment for the first batch of troops for the attack operation.
So he was very happy,
Achieving success and establishing a career was the top priority over life itself for every ambitious Japanese Army officer.
While the high-level officials of the Japanese Navy were holding a meeting for various deployments before sending out troops for the operation,
Zhou Wenhua, who had already set off for Yan’an and the nearby Shaanxi area,
led a Security Team with a relatively large number, exceeding 500 people, so the entire train was booked by him for his people to ride.
If it weren’t for all these security team members having changed into plainclothes,
it would probably have caused a sensation among many people, including attracting a large swarm of reporters to rush over for interviews.
Even agents would be drawn by such a big commotion to come for reconnaissance.
Unfortunately, for caution’s sake, Zhou Wenhua had all the security team members travel in uniform plainclothes.
Three days later,
Zhou Wenhua had also smoothly arrived in the Yan’an area with his Security Team, and had people check if there was any way to purchase land to carry out his plan to build a 10,000-mu high-quality green production base.
Of course, if not enough land could be purchased, Zhou Wenhua also planned to claim land in forests and uninhabited mountainous areas, to develop his plantation base,
Anyway, in this chaotic era, with money, guns, and cannons, one could obtain uninhabited land and forested areas.
One could even encirclement and suppression the local bandits here, occupy their mountain strongholds and territories, and modify them into plantation bases.
Methods are always more than difficulties,
Just as Zhou Wenhua started carrying out his plan to build a 10,000-mu high-quality green production base in the Yan’an area with such intentions,
At National Revolutionary Army Navy Headquarters,
Officer Yang was also in the midst of signing a contract with foreigners to purchase submarines,
The contract he signed was with the German Army’s submarine manufacturing factory,
But the price was extremely high,
However, to develop his own submarine force,
Officer Yang still agreed,
Anyway, the one paying the money was Zhou Wenhua, so he was confident.
After signing the contract, Officer Yang also enthusiastically hosted these foreigners who knew how to enjoy themselves, taking them to the best foreigner restaurant in the Foreign Concessions of Shanghai for dining and other consumption.
After Officer Yang finally entertained these foreigners who were very knowledgeable about enjoyment,
He also hurriedly took his guard team back to his Navy Headquarters, summoning Jiangnan Shipyard Director Ma Deji, and Chief Engineer Ye Zaifu.
As well as Second Fleet Chen Shaokuan and First Fleet Chen Jiliang, National Revolutionary Army Training Fleet Li Jingxi, Navy New Ship Supervising Officer Li Shijia, and other Navy high-level officials, all gathered for an emergency meeting.
“The foreigners have already signed a contract with us today for two submarines, agreeing to manufacture them at our Jiangnan Manufacturing Plant, but the price is really too high!”
“If it weren’t for Zhou Wenhua being the one donating the money this time, I probably wouldn’t know where to raise so much money to give to these foreigners with their lion-sized mouths!”
“So I summoned you all here in the hope that while the foreigners are manufacturing the submarines, you can find ways to steal their techniques, so that in the future, Jiangnan Shipyard can also manufacture our own submarines, without having to rely on foreigners everywhere!”
After all his senior officers and personnel had arrived,
Officer Yang said directly and straightforwardly.
“Mm! Rest assured! I will definitely steal the techniques. As long as they are willing to build submarines at our Jiangnan Shipyard, I will do everything possible to steal some submarine manufacturing technology!”
Director Engineer Ye Zaifu, who had recently been wanting to propose establishing a national merchant ship vocational school,
was the first to respond.
He was also very interested in building submarines.
Especially for his country to have its own manufactured submarines, without being controlled by foreigners, so he really wanted to obtain submarine manufacturing technology.
So he was the first to speak, quite emotional and excited.
“I will also assist Director Ye to complete the task!”
Jiangnan Shipyard Director Ma Deji also quickly stated his agreement.
“Good! Since that’s the case, then our Navy Department will also fully cooperate with you to obtain the technology!”
“However, obtaining submarine manufacturing technology from these cunning, shrewd, and greedy foreigners is not an easy task. They are not as careless as those United States warship designers, who let us see their design drawings and obtain a lot of data, allowing us now to also have the technology to replicate their warship manufacturing!”
“So we still have a huge gap with them, but we have already made good progress!”
Seeing that Director Ye and Director Ma Deji both strongly agreed with his decision,
Officer Yang was in a very good mood and continued.
While the other Navy high-level officials remained silently listening all along.
