"Do you know? Today in Berlin, we signed a contract with the Germans, in which we lost the entire Africa, Ceylon and the former base of the Fleet - the Orkney Islands and the Shetlands. There was also a compensation of up to 5 billion pounds. The Fleet was tied up by a shackle called the Treaty, and I saw the sun set." In a private club called the Old Sailor in Aberdeen, Lieutenant General Duff, the former commander of the Royal Navy squadron, delivered a newspaper to General Thomas.

That's right, Thomas is now an admiral. He is the only British Royal Navy commander who rose instead of decline after the end of the Norwegian Navy! Now, he is the acting commander of the British Royal Navy. As for the reason? It's very simple. His fleet maintained the last face of the empire in the Norwegian Navy! Perhaps in order to boost morale, Thomas was promoted to the top of his life!

Of course, he did not stay with his fleet in Forth Bay or elsewhere, nor in the office of the Royal Navy Headquarters in London. The current large fleet is now paralyzed, and all damaged warships are either moored in the port and let the wind and rain or are ready to retire. A few people on the ship are only for some maintenance, and a large number of naval personnel have been dismissed. Within a few years, the Royal Navy may not be able to serve as a combat force! And this is also part of the treaty.

So Thomas is very leisurely. He is the commander of the Royal Navy, but now there is no main ship to mobilize. However, don’t think that Thomas has forgotten his responsibility! Even every British Royal Navy officer who survived the Norwegian naval battle has not forgotten his responsibility! Whether they are active or not! And now, these Royal Navy elites are concentrated in a place called Aberdeen, planning for future things. Some things may take decades to achieve, while some things may be verified within the next year!

"The sun will eventually rise again, now it is just darkness before dawn! All of us, the entire British Empire, are preparing for the revival of the empire. War has never gone far away. The so-called peace is just a 20-year armistice!" Thomas said. "Okay, Lieutenant General Duff, talk about your recent work."

"I am no longer Lieutenant General of the Royal Army, Mr. Thomas, in the naval battle, I failed Commander Jericho's expectations." Lieutenant General Duff's eyes were a little dim.

"Okay, let's talk about the serious business. Our matter is going very smoothly. There are many people who have been forced to retire from the Royal Navy, but you know, the domestic economy and employment situation are not good, and it is difficult for them to find a suitable job. So, even if you go to the Japanese Navy to be a volunteer, they are still willing." Lieutenant General Duff said.

The British are essentially merchants! In order to overcome this difficulty, the British government is working hard enough. It not only provides a large amount of equipment to the Japanese Navy, but also decides to send some personnel and retired officers and soldiers. Of course, in order to avoid some unnecessary trouble, most British Navy personnel are responsible for rear technical and logistics work, such as maintaining Japanese aircraft at the base. This is nothing wrong, because more than 80% of all Japanese aircraft that can fly use British engines!

Of course, this is not just for making money. For Thomas and others, it is very important to participate in this naval battle, grasp the pulse of future naval battles, and use the Japanese to verify their own guesses and tactics. As I said just now, the war has never gone far away! Even though their generation can no longer see the next war, they always have to leave something for their descendants!

"That's good, are there any arrangements in Japan?" Thomas asked.

"They have agreed to let some of our retired personnel enter their naval staff and participate in the formulation of combat plans. Overall, the decisions and strategies and tactics of the Japanese Navy in the future will be transparent to us. Of course, our contacts with the country will definitely be strictly controlled. The Japanese are using us and are also wary of us," said Duff.

"How are the materials we are going to sell to the navy?" Thomas continued to ask. Although there were Germans acquiesced, the British were still doing things in a sneaky way to minimize trouble. A large number of equipment, such as aircraft engines, fire control systems, and other precision instruments, must not be transported to Japan in the name of military products. So what should I do? The British will first retire them, then dismantle several key parts on it, in the name of harmless treatment, and then sell them to a company at the price of scrap iron, and then transfer them to Japan!

"It has been prepared and the first batch has been loaded and shipped to Japan. The payment has also arrived, and the transaction process is very smooth. In the end, in addition to part of the subsidy for the government, 20% of the payment will become the secret funds of the Royal Navy." Duff said.

45 minutes later, Duff reported all the recent work to Thomas, and then handed the last document to Thomas for review. Duff was about to get up and leave. He knew that Thomas would be very busy today, and some colleagues would come to report on work and discuss some issues.

"Stay here, Lieutenant General Duff, as the main officer of the Royal Navy, you must have your own understanding of this war. Today, everyone comes to your own people, don't worry, don't be restrained, just say it out." Thomas spoke and kept.

"Not very good, I'm retired after all," Duff said.

"Nothing is not bad. This is the old sailors' club, not the Royal Navy office, anyone can come." Admiral Thomas said again. At this moment, a knock came from outside the door.

"Guess who is here," Thomas said with a smile.

"It must be Hood?" Duff said.

"Why not guess it's Betty?" Thomas asked.

"I don't like this guy." Duff's answer was very straightforward. As the door was opened, Major General Hood's figure appeared in front of the two.

"Lieutenant General Duff, welcome you. I think with you, our party will be very interesting today. I specially brought black tea produced in Ceylon today. The ones I have in my hands are produced by the British Empire. Maybe the next time you drink it, you may be labeled as a German." Major General Hood was very happy when he saw Duff.

"Then I would rather not drink it." Duff's answer was straightforward. Under Major General Hood's persuasion, Duff also regained his position.
Chapter completed!