The flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Duke Kutuzov.

In the command room, the Japanese Joint Fleet's first staff officer, Navy Colonel Akiyama, looked at the old man opposite him.

Stepan Osimovic Makarov, a world-renowned oceanographer and naval expert, set a precedent for watertight compartment design and torpedo tactics. He has made great achievements in various fields of oceanography and has made many naval inventions, and has built the dispersed Russian Far East Fleet into a well-trained and strong army.

He is the soul of the Russian Navy and one of the spiritual pillars of the Japanese-Russian joint fleet.

As long as this bearded old man is here, everyone will feel a sense of security.

Akiyama Shinji bowed sincerely and spoke in English: "Your Excellency Commander, it is my honor to be able to receive your praise."

As naval officers, there is naturally no problem with both of them in English.

"I have always wanted to have a good talk with the nobles." Makarov stood up and walked to Akiyama Matsuyuki, looking at him with interest, "You have made so many geniuses plans, and the staff on the flagship admire them... Speaking of which, I am also applauding your plan. I really don't know what is in your head."

Akiyama Matsuno felt a little ashamed and hurriedly said, "Senior, you have been awarded too much. Speaking of which, you are my idol. I have been reading your works on marine engineering."

"I like the sea." Makarov smiled slightly, "Colonel Akiyama, do you like it?"

"I grew up on the beach and can't say I like or not." Akiyama Mano said honestly, like a primary school student responding in front of a teacher, "But I like the Navy."

"Oh? Navy?"

"Yes. Because the navy is the patron saint of a country and the strongest fist of a country." Akiyama Matsuyuki raised his head, looked at Makarov, and said seriously, "I was a student in the preparatory class of the University of Tokyo back then. But when I first saw the Chuji cruiser, I vowed to be a navy. I would use my own efforts to make Japan a respected country a great country."

"I heard you are a student of General Ma Han?"

"Yes. General Mahan taught me a lot, but the most important thing is how to use the navy, that is, naval strategy." Akiyama Masao said, "The navy is first a strategic force, and it is an existence at the same level as the country. Secondly, it is a tactical force and a tool to gain advantages on the battlefield. Therefore, the use of the navy must be based first on national strategy, and secondly, it is a tactical need."

Makarov's eyes became deeper and deeper, staring at the Japanese officer with an inconspicuous appearance: "So, all your plans are actually a decisive battle for the fleet?"

"Yes, Commander. Our fleet is the most precious and important of all the war tools in this war." Akiyama Masao said seriously, "All my plans, whether it is the feint in Yingkou, the shelling of the Qinhuangdao-Huludao Railway, and even now landing in Jinzhou and Dalian, everything, the most important thing is to mobilize the Chinese mobile fleet and let them come to this preset battlefield according to our design. For me, the army is just a tool to use."

Marcolov was silent for a while and nodded slowly: "It's great to be young... Colonel Akiyama, how lucky it is to have a young man like you in your country. It's just like people, with young people and old age... As a powerful country, Russia is a little old. Japan looks very young."

"But don't underestimate the old man." The bearded commander smiled sly, "The old man's wisdom is often very useful."

"Colonel Akiyama, like you, I am considering national strategy." Makarov said slowly, "Russia needs a brilliant and rapid victory to solve our internal problems. A long-lasting war of attrition will bring disaster to Russia. Akiyama, you see, in the words of the Chinese, we will be together."

"The best choice is to take the Bohai Bay directly, land in the hearts of the Chinese, and shake their country." Makarov said slowly, "If you follow your strategy, this war will inevitably be delayed. In fact, it is not only Russia needs a quick victory, but Japan also needs a quick victory. Fighting a protracted war against a country like China with a vast land and a large population is not a wise move."

Akiyama is stunned.

"But I still support your plan," said Marcoov. "And I think your country's masters must understand this truth, but now they support your plan, I'm afraid that all of us will have the same idea."

Akiyama Masao said sincerely: "Your Excellency, I would like to hear the details."

"I am also a believer of General Mahan." The bearded veteran made Akiyama Matsui look up in surprise, "I have been in contact with him for a long time... Haiquan is indeed the core of the national strategy of this era. Although we all hope to win quickly, the price cannot be our fleet. If the fleet is gone, there is no need to continue this war."

"We don't know what the Chinese have in the Bohai Bay." Makarov sighed, "This is the Bohai Bay, their inland sea. There may be many secret weapons of the enemy, such as submarines, torpedo boats, and airships. When they recover from the panic, they may try to attack us from any direction at any time, weaken us, and finally destroy us with their mobile fleet."

"As long as the fleet is still there, we can threaten all their coastal areas at any time, forcing them to disperse their troops. Take a step back ten thousand steps, and even if the army loses, we can still use the fleet to ensure that we will not be defeated too ugly and have bargaining chips for peace talks." Makarov said slowly, "But if the fleet is gone, it means that the enemy can use their fleet to force us to disperse our land forces. Our maritime traffic lines will be cut off, and maritime trade in the east will be cut off. This will be a disaster for Russia, especially for you, Japan. At that time, you may have to withdraw from the war, and Russia's failure in the East will be inevitable."

"As long as we conquer Lushun, we can advance and retreat freely. Whether it is to advance to Nanman or cross the Bohai Bay, all the initiative is in our hands." Makarov took a deep breath, "Jinzhou Bay and Dalian Bay can provide combat support for our army and navy, and North Korea's Incheon Port and Nanpu are also close. It is better to spend more time than defeat."

"Okay, the old man's nagging is over." Makarov squeezed his eyes happily at Akiyama Matsuno. "Colonel Akiyama, I heard that you like fish the most. Today you will stay here to taste the authentic Russian dish and see how the Volga white fish and caviar on our ship taste. We can also discuss how to deal with it if the situation that I, the outdated old guy, just said in the sea, also appears here, how, young man?"

Akiyama Matsuyu nodded vigorously.

Mongolia.

Coulun.

The night was low, and the Russian flag had risen in every corner of the empty city. Every household in this empty city was smashed by Russian soldiers. The soldiers who were overly excited by the continuous hard battles and sudden victory robbed and divided all the remaining items of value, searched for food and supplies, and buried precious metals. Many excited Russian soldiers used alcohol from somewhere to get drunk, tied up and stuffed them into the temporary custody center. Finally, with the strong intervention of General Kropatkin, the soldiers who were originally hoping to capture Kulun and indulge in a random manner had to restrain their luxury and began to seriously clean up the empty city, collect supplies, distribute military supplies, and rectify the troops.

The former Mongolian Provincial Government is now the Russian Post Baikal Front Command.

The door was heavily guarded, and officers were in and out, and the huge double-headed eagle flag was flying proudly on the roof, announcing the ownership of the city. Several modified 47mm Hatchacas machine guns and some heavy machine guns were already on the sandbag positions, ready to prevent possible aviation reconnaissance and even harassment by the Chinese.

The headquarters is busy.

The orderly soldiers hurriedly sorted out everything, not only cleaning the inside and outside the headquarters, but also preparing the officers' accommodation. The large number of shipments shipped must also be unloaded, classified, sent to the original owners, preparing beds, and even setting up family photos of the superiors, putting good vodka and cigarettes in their usual places.

Damn Mongolia is the season when mosquitoes and flies are flooded. The orderlies cursed and lit mosquito coils at the command center, and some people slapped the skin flies around.

The staff members didn't care about scolding these clumsy soldiers. The telephone number was set up. Now everyone was urgently contacting the various units, logistics and baggage teams, and front reconnaissance units to collect information and correct the latest situation of the enemy and us. The quarantine officers from all walks of life were in and out like fire. The long-distance pursuit made these technical officers feel in turmoil. The logistics transportation, which was already chaotic, is now driving these people crazy.

Fortunately, I finally won.

In a quiet corner, Admiral Cropatkin was drinking coffee leisurely.

Three whole months of hellish torture.

The moment Admiral Cropatkin stepped into Coolun City, he wanted to cry.

This was the honor God gave to Russia, and his luck. The tenacious Chinese once made Cropatkin feel ashamed of defeat, and he once used his tenacious resistance to make him deeply suspicious of victory. He even pessimistically expected that in this war in the Far East, he could not see the last impatient and soft-hearted Tsar, who might send guards to escort himself back to St. Petersburg for trial in the military court at any time.

But he still persevered. He did everything he could and should do. His performance was worthy of the most outstanding general in the Russian army.

Finally, under a series of blows, the Chinese lost their will to resist. God knows that if they persist, what a terrible thing would happen on the Russian side. Kropatkin knew very well that his troops were actually close to the limit and were in the depths of the enemy country. Once such a terrible problem occurs, the enemy will take the opportunity to counterattack, and an unstoppable collapse will likely occur.

That would be him, the Russian army, the devastation of the entire Russia

But after all, Cropatkin is the winner.

The Chinese are losers.

He never made a prayer before meals sincerely as he is today. He must give pious thanks for God's gifts.

But it was destined that this day would be the luckiest day in the entire war.

The voice of the communications staff almost changed tone made Kropatkin fall into madness in an instant: "The Commander, the Japanese successfully landed in Jinzhou Bay and Dalian Bay. They surrounded Lushun and they had already broken through the Yalu River Commander in Dandong. The Chinese defense in Manchuria is about to collapse."

Cropatkin was completely defeated by a huge happiness.

The Russian Army general, who had always been solemn, knelt on one knee, held the cross in his hand, kept kissing, and then placed the cross on his forehead and prayed devoutly.

Infected by the commander's actions, all the officers in the command knelt on the ground, holding their hands tightly in front of their chests, murmured to thank the Lord for their grace

This is God's will, Yes, the Eastern Empire, which once caused great Russia to suffer, is about to collapse and the victory of the entire Far East War. From this moment on, there is no doubt anymore.

After a long time, General Kropatkin slowly stood up with a deep gaze. He looked at the excited officers in front of him, and came to them with his hands behind his back, with a majestic voice: "My officers, God's will is unshakable. The yellow monkey pagans are on the verge of disintegration, and their warriors are deposed to the south by their emperors. The eighteen-year-old child, at this moment, has no ability to resist Russia's power."

"In the name of Russia, I command you," the Admiral at this moment, as if an unshakable giant, his bright eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the mist. His arm pointed to the south, and his tone was extremely serious, "Wave your saber, put your cannons on wings, catch up with the yellow monkeys, and destroy them Our goal is...their capital."

"Ulaula"

After the commander's order, the troops started to operate as if they were hit with hormones. The staff gathered together to make emergency corrections to the original plan of march. The quarantine officer set fire to dispatch supplies, replenished ammunition, food, and tents for the cavalry troops that were preparing to pursue in advance, added baggage teams, distributed car towels, and dispatched military industry. The commanders were sent out one by one, and the linemen immediately began to route to the south.

Cropatkin looked at all this with his hands behind his back, his face as calm as water.

The Chief of Staff next to him, Major General Sakharov, seemed to remember something and asked in a low voice: "Your Excellency Commander, about the establishment of the Great Mongolian Kingdom Government..."

"Let them go to trouble. Just don't be here, wherever they go." Cropatkin smiled slightly, "Chief of Staff, you have to remember a little about these savages..."

"As Emperor Nicholas I said," Cropatkin said lightly, "Once the Russian flag is raised, no matter where it is, it is not allowed to drop again."

"Estraordination? Sovereignty?" Kropatkin closed his eyes, his expression slightly intoxicated, "Where our sabers are Russia."

Russian Coastal Governor-General District, Vladivostok, Russian Eastern Front Command.

The commander-in-chief of the Russian Eastern Front and commander of the Far Eastern Front, Grand Duke Nikolaevich stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back, frowned and said, "General Kropatkin is a little greedy for merit... The state of Baikal's front troops is not very ideal. Now that he has just occupied Kulun, he is going to advance south. I am too anxious."

"The south of Kulun is a Gobi Desert hundreds of kilometers, deserted and lacking water sources. Kropatkin thought that replenishment could be completed by relying on a double-line railway? Although the Chinese seem reluctant to destroy the railway they built huge amounts of money, hundreds of thousands of troops rely on this railway alone, which is too risky." Operational staff officer Liu Mengxiong sighed and frowned, "Water, the key is water. People want to drink water, and carts have to drink water. There are not many oasis there, but there are some salt lakes. It takes time to dig wells, and the troops are moving."

Grand Duke Nikolaevich nodded: "The best strategy now is to leave some troops to defend Kulun, and other troops are transported to Chita-Manzhouli by railway, join the Chita cluster to capture the Manzhouli Fortress, and then break Hulunbuir's Chinese army with absolute superior forces, drive straight from the southern foot of the Xiaoxinganling Mountains, defeat the entire defense system of the Chinese army in North Manchuria in one fell swoop, and annihilate their heavy army."

Liu Mengxiong frowned and sighed: "General Kropatkin has sent a letter to His Majesty the Tsar directly, which shows that he no longer cared about your objections. He went directly along the railway line and took advantage of the fires everywhere to head towards their capital. Such a grand plan, such a plan full of Russian national offensive spirit and courage... Commander, with your wisdom and understanding of His Majesty the Tsar, will he reject this suggestion put forward by his most trusted army general and famous military expert?"

"Grand Duke, I'm for your fault." Liu Mengxiong bowed slightly, "If you write to the Tsar to oppose this plan, your Majesty may have some bad ideas for you. You are the commander-in-chief of the Russian Army on the Eastern Front, and have so many troops in charge. Now you have to mobilize most of General Kropatkin's army. In your opinion... Even if your Majesty does not doubt that you have other ideas, your prestige is already too high. If you make a peerless military honor, what will your Majesty think? General Kropatkin will also think that you will stop him from making a military honor, and may become more and more resistant to your opinion. In any case, we can only follow the flow now."

Grand Duke Nikolaevich's face turned dark.

In the Romanov royal family, his status was embarrassing. When his brother Alexander II passed away, the Empress Dowager Maria, the Danish princess, announced at the meeting of the Romanov family that his son Nikola was weak and could not become a competent Tsar. Many people elected Grand Duke Nikolaevich.
Chapter completed!