Chapter 740 The Choice of the Cabinet

Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro, Minister of the Navy of the island country, arrived at the Prime Minister's Office by car. When he entered the Prime Minister's Office, other cabinet ministers had already arrived. Even several retired veterans arrived. It can be seen how much everyone attaches importance to this battle between the United Fleet and the German Expeditionary Fleet.

After all, this can almost be said to be a battle related to the fate of the island nation. If they win, they will be able to completely take the rich Southeast Asia as their own. If it fails, the consequences will be disastrous.

Although, these ministers and veterans also know that it is undoubtedly very difficult to defeat the German expeditionary fleet with the strength of the combined fleet. However, there is always a glimmer of hope in their hearts, that is, the combined fleet can perform at a super level, defeat the German expeditionary fleet, and win the naval battle.

"Sorry for the long wait!" Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro bowed his head and apologized.

"Yatsushiro-kun, it's all right. How's the naval battle between the combined fleet and the Germans going?" Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma asked.

"Your Excellency, the naval battle is over." Admiral Yashiro Rokuro replied blankly.

"Have we defeated the Germans?" Riku Sangoka Ichinosuke asked eagerly immediately.

A mocking smile flashed across the face of Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro: "The United Fleet was almost wiped out in this battle. Except for more than a dozen destroyers that escaped back, the rest of the warships were all sunk by the Germans. Including four of the most powerful 'Kong Kong-class' battlecruisers."

"What?" All the senior officials of the island nation in the meeting room were stunned. They did not expect that the United Fleet would suffer such a miserable defeat, losing almost all of its warships. This is undoubtedly a fiasco! What a complete defeat! The main force of the entire island nation's navy has been lost because of this!

"Baga! How did it fail so badly? The United Fleet has 19 capital ships, 8 armored cruisers, and a large number of protected cruisers and destroyers. In terms of the number of battleships, we have an absolute advantage!" Oka Ichinosuke seemed unable to accept this result.

"Our warships are vulnerable to the attack of the new German warships. Such a numerical advantage is useless at all." Admiral Yashiro Rokuro's eyes flashed a trace of grief. After the United Fleet suffered such heavy damage, it has already existed in name only. And the navy of the island country has returned to before the Meiji Restoration. If you want to rebuild the navy of the island country, I'm afraid I don't know how long it will take.

The senior officials of the other island countries all looked at each other in blank dismay. They realized that after the joint fleet's disastrous defeat, this presented them with a huge problem. That is how to deal with the German expeditionary fleet.

"So how much damage did we do to the Germans?" asked Takaaki Kato, the foreign minister.

"We only sank one light cruiser of the Germans, and severely damaged one of their battlecruisers!" Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro replied. Losing so many warships, but only achieving such a battle result, Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro felt a little ashamed. Of course, he also knew that there was no way to do it, not because they were too weak, but because the enemy was too strong!

"Bastard, what the hell is that guy Ijuin Goro doing? He lost so many warships, but only sank a German light cruiser. Could it be that the navy we spent so much money on building is so unbearable Hit?" Oka Ichinosuke was furious.

Such a result of the United Fleet shattered the last trace of luck in Oka Ichinosuke's heart. Originally, he still thought that although the combined fleet was wiped out, if they could severely damage the German expeditionary fleet, then they would still have a chance. The Germans, whose expeditionary fleet suffered heavy losses, are now busy launching an attack on the British mainland, so they should no longer send their fleet eastward. Then they can seize this time and consolidate their rule in Southeast Asia. Even if the Germans want to retake Southeast Asia in the future, they will inevitably pay a huge price for it. At the same time, they can also take this opportunity to plunder more wealth from Southeast Asia.

But it is a pity that the German expeditionary fleet was not severely damaged, which made all their expectations come to nothing.

"General Ijuin Goro has done his best! Such a result can't be blamed on him!" General Yatsushiro Rokuro looked angry.

"Is General Ijuin Goro back?" Shigenobu Okuma asked.

"He has committed seppuku!" General Yatsushiro Rokuro said.

The high-ranking officials of the island nation present here immediately stopped talking. Since Ijiin Goro had committed seppuku, it would be inappropriate to hold him accountable.

This is already the practice of the island country. One person commits seppuku, which means that he has assumed all the responsibilities. If you continue to pursue it, this will undoubtedly make other people dissatisfied.

"Okay, let's stop here about Yijiin Goro!" Shanxian Youpeng said.

"Hi, Yamagata-sama!" Everyone replied.

"Everyone, the strength of the Germans has exceeded our expectations. So, what countermeasures do you have now?" Shan County Youtomo asked.

"Your Excellency, the Germans defeated the United Fleet this time, and they will definitely be more unreasonable. It may be even more difficult for us to hold onto Southeast Asia." Foreign Minister Takaaki Kato was a little worried.

"Yes, Your Excellency Senator. If the Germans attack our coastal cities again and force us to withdraw from Southeast Asia, what should we do?" Minister of Finance Reijiro Wakatsuki looked worried. The German expeditionary fleet destroyed the three cities of Shizuoka, Hamamatsu and Nagoya, which has caused tens of thousands of casualties to the island nation. The three cities were destroyed, and the direct and indirect economic losses caused were even more astonishing. If the German expeditionary fleet continues to do this, then the island country will inevitably pay further and greater losses. This is absolutely unbearable for island countries.

"No, we took Southeast Asia with great difficulty. The rich resources there will be all the hope for the rise of the empire. If we abandon Southeast Asia, the empire will never have a chance to occupy it again. Once the Germans defeat Britain, it will inevitably We will send troops into Southeast Asia." Riku Sangoka Ichinosuke immediately expressed his opinion. In other words, his opinion also represents the opinion of the entire army.

The islanders are greedy. Their small homeland and lack of resources make them eager to acquire more territories, especially rich ones. And Southeast Asia is undoubtedly their best target.