Chapter 587: Southeast Asian Naval Battle (1)

The news of Manggu's fall has not yet fully reached the Japanese Army's headquarters, and in the command cabin of the Combined Fleet's flagship, the Red Castle, an oppressive atmosphere had already pervaded.

Nan Yun Zhongyi clenched the urgent telegram from headquarters in his hand, his face so gloomy it seemed it could drip water, and each character on the telegram hammered his heart like a heavy mallet.

"Baka! The headquarters is forcing me!" he shouted, slamming the telegram onto the table, his tone full of resentment and anger.

The conflict between the Japanese Navy and the Japanese Army had always existed.

Just like this time's loss of Myanmar's territory, the fall of Singapore, and now the fall of Manggu.

At every war council, the Japanese Navy would openly berate the Army's "baka" incompetence.

Nevertheless, in the end both sides still had to sit down to resolve the issue.

If China and Nanko capture Sumatra and Java, the Japanese Combined Fleet's fuel problem will become Japan's greatest dilemma.

Therefore, regardless of what the Combined Fleet is doing now, it must turn back and deal with this problem behind it.

Beside him, Chief of Staff Cao Lu Longzhijie lowered his head and gently urged, "Commander, headquarters is also under pressure from the Southeast Asian situation; Manggu is in imminent danger. If we do not dispatch troops to support it, the gains in Southeast Asia will be completely seized by Nanko."

Nan Yun Zhongyi gritted his teeth, his tone icy: "I understand! But what about reallocating aircraft carriers for the containment battle at Brisbane?"

Cao Lu Longzhijie bowed and said, "Brisbane is already being contained by the American forces; we only need to leave a portion of troops, and reallocating the Red Castle and Kaga aircraft carriers will be sufficient to counter the Nanko Fleet."

A direct landing at Brisbane is now impossible.

The Combined Fleet also prepared to continue transporting the Quinary Division from Moersby Port to the Gold Coast, consolidating the 2nd Division and the Quinary Division, the forces of both divisions.

On land, they would launch an attack against the American forces defending Brisbane.

Pressed by the headquarters' death order, Nan Yun Zhongyi ultimately had no room to resist.

He lifted his head and, into the communicator, issued a grave command: "Send the order down: reallocate the Red Castle and Kaga aircraft carriers, pair them with some destroyers, under Lieutenant General Li Tian Jiannan's command, form the Fifth Fleet, proceed immediately to the Thai Sea Area, and be sure to annihilate the Nanko Fleet, supporting the Southern Army!"

Shortly after, Li Tian Jiannan boarded the Red Castle aircraft carrier, saw Nan Yun Zhongyi, bowed and saluted: "Commander, Li Tian Jiannan reports as ordered, please give instructions!"

Nan Yun Zhongyi patted his shoulder, his tone solemn: "Li Tian, this mission to the Thai Sea Area carries great responsibility; the Nanko Fleet's whereabouts are mysterious, so be extremely cautious."

Li Tian Jiannan lifted his head in reply: "Commander, rest assured, I will not disgrace the mission and will completely annihilate the Nanko Fleet!"

Just as the Fifth Fleet was preparing to depart, a telegram from Japanese intelligence personnel inside Manggu was simultaneously delivered into the hands of Southern Army commander Terauchi Hisaichi and Nan Yun Zhongyi.

The communications soldier hurried into the command cabin and loudly reported: "Commander, urgent telegram from Manggu intelligence!"

Nan Yun Zhongyi quickly took the telegram, skimmed it, and furrowed his brows: "Detected Chinese Air Force approaching from the sea, suspecting that the Nanko Fleet has an aircraft carrier present?"

Terauchi Hisaichi's telegram simultaneously reached Li Tian Jiannan's hands; he looked at its contents, a sneer curling his mouth: "Nanko has an aircraft carrier? That's pure fantasy!"

The nearby staff officer quickly reminded: "Lieutenant General, the intelligence mentioned aircraft numbers; perhaps the enemy truly has an aircraft carrier—we must be prepared."

Li Tian Jiannan waved his hand, his tone arrogant: "Even if there is one, what of it? I have the Red Castle and Kaga aircraft carriers, and our carrier-based aircraft count is twice theirs; the advantage remains in our hands!"

"But Lieutenant General, the Nanko Fleet's combat power is unknown; we should still be cautious," the staff officer urged again.

Li Tian Jiannan's gaze hardened: "No need for excessive worry! Send the order down, the fleet at full speed, and be sure to reach the Thai Sea Area before Manggu falls, to intercept the Nanko Fleet!"

"Aye!" the subordinate replied and stepped back, the Fifth Fleet slowly set sail, racing toward the Thai Sea Area, the carrier-based aircraft on deck lined up orderly, bristling with murderous intent.

Meanwhile, Singapore.

Jiang Anguo stood before the temporary command post's map, his eyes bloodshot, the relentless toil of recent days leaving him exhausted, yet he dared not relax at all.

Since capturing Manggu, he had been staring at the map, analyzing the Japanese Army's movements.

"Sir, you haven't rested for two days; take a break first," Deputy Officer Wang Fei gently urged.

Jiang Anguo waved his hand, his tone firm: "No, the Japanese will never settle peacefully; the support fleet could appear at any moment."

He pointed to the Liao nei qundao on the map and ordered the nearby communications soldier: "Immediately send a telegram to Jiang Zhiyuan, ordering him to lead the Nanhua Pacific Fleet to the vicinity of the Liao nei qundao, stand by, and prepare to ambush the Japanese support fleet!"

The communications soldier replied: "Yes, sir!"

Deputy Officer Wang Fei, somewhat puzzled, asked: "Sir, how do you know the Japanese support fleet will definitely pass through the Liao nei qundao?"

Jiang Anguo smiled and pointed at the map: "You see, we've already taken Singapore and Manggu; the Malaya Peninsula and Thailand are under our control, which exerts huge pressure on the Japanese rule in Southeast Asia."

He paused, then continued: "The Japanese cannot just watch their gains be taken by us with open eyes; they will inevitably dispatch a fleet to support."

"But Southeast Asia has many islands; the Japanese might also come from other seas," Deputy Officer Wang Fei asked again.

Jiang Anguo shook his head: "Although the Japanese Southern Army has many troops, they are too scattered to concentrate their main force. The Liao nei qundao is the inevitable route for the Japanese to support Thailand and a key node for them to retake control of Southeast Asia; they will certainly pass through here."

At this moment, aboard the flagship of Jiang Zhiyuan's Nanhua Pacific Fleet, after receiving Jiang Anguo's telegram, he immediately summoned his subordinates for a war council.

"Sir, Commander Jiang orders us to proceed immediately to the vicinity of Annanbas Island, preparing to ambush the Japanese Fifth Fleet," the staff reported.

Jiang Zhiyuan nodded, his tone firm: "Send the order down, the fleet at full speed, navigate covertly, and upon reaching Annanbas Island, keep the radio silent; do not reveal our position!"

"Yes!" the subordinates answered in unison.

Over in the United States, they had already cracked the Japanese code and informed Stilwell of the news that Japan was dispatching aircraft carriers.

Stilwell naturally shared this information with the Expeditionary Force and Nanko.

Jiang Zhiyuan looked at the map and said to the staff: "The Japanese are sending the Red Castle and Kaga aircraft carriers this time; their strength is not to be underestimated. Tell the brothers to be fully alert, prepare for the ambush, and never let the Japanese break through our Defensive Line."

The staff nodded: "Understood, sir, we are ready for battle, just waiting for the Little Devil to walk into the net!"