In war, what military generals desire is to see through the fog of war and win the war. After all, war is a field full of uncertainty, and contingency and enemy resistance will increase uncertainty.

But how many people can see through the fog of war?

What if you can't see through the fog?

The Imperial Headquarters was the military command center of the empire in this war. They were the core figures of the empire's military. The Imperial Headquarters meeting was composed of the emperor, the chief and deputy chief of the general staff, the chief and deputy chief of the military headquarters, the first chief and chief of the operations department of the general staff, and the first chief and chief of the operations department of the military headquarters. The Minister of the Army and the Minister of the Navy attended the meeting but had no right to speak. Although the headquarters included the prime minister, he did not participate without invitation.

Today's meeting was a purely military meeting, so the Prime Minister was not invited to participate, but

When the generals walked into the meeting room of the headquarters in the palace, they saw the emperor standing by the wall, just below the large oil painting "Crossing the Andes". This painting is somewhat similar to "Napoleon Crossing the Alps". The gloomy sky and the dangerous terrain enhance the heroic momentum of the work, but the protagonists are different. The protagonist of the Alps is Napoleon, while the protagonist of this painting is an ordinary soldier. The young soldier pointed to the high mountain peaks among the marching troops.

Crossing the Andes... was the most important expansion in the history of the empire, it meant... the beginning of the empire.

From that day on, the empire began its journey of conquest.

The generals who walked into this conference room today seemed to once again feel the sharp mountain wind of the Andes and the danger of the mountain road, as if they had never left that place until now.

Yes, most of them are in the painting. It was they who started the empire's road to conquest, and now, the empire is facing a new crossroads.

Emperor Zhu held an unlit cigar between his fingers and whispered:

"Report it."

Army Chief of Staff Ren Huabang reported the situation briefly:

"At present, the main battlefield of the Empire Legion is Africa. The purpose of the war in Africa is to drive the forces of Britain and Germany to Africa. Although by the end of last year, the Empire had recruited more than 3.2 million troops in various African colonies, two-thirds of them were transferred to the European and North American battlefields. At present, our army has less than 1.1 million troops in Africa. Considering that no more than 500,000 people are used on the front line of colonial defense, the progress of the troops is limited. The suggestion of the General Staff is that the newly recruited troops this year should be used to enrich the local African legions to try to end the war in Africa..."

As the Chief of Staff Ren Huabang, when reporting all this, there was no color in his words. When he finished speaking, silence fell in the conference room. All the people attending the meeting turned their eyes to the emperor. But Emperor Zhu was also silent. He picked up the cigar with his thumb and lit it. The smoke and the unique vanilla and nut aroma of "Bawang Cigar" filled the conference room.

Finally, the voice of Emperor Zhu was heard in the conference room:

"Africa is not our main battlefield. According to the secret agreement of the four countries, we only included southern Africa in our sphere of influence. As for North Africa, Southwest Africa, Sudan, and Ethiopia, they have all been assigned to France, Rome, and Austria-Hungary. Even if we invest millions of troops now, what will be the final result? It is nothing more than making wedding clothes for others. I will not do such a loss-making business!"

Emperor Zhu's tone was the same as before, calm and majestic. Everyone who listened to him often could sense an unquestionable tone in his voice.

People have long been accustomed to this.

In fact, anyone who understands the empire's global strategy knows that the Ming Dynasty's ambitions for Africa have completely disappeared... there really is no ambition at all. Even in southern Africa, including Namibia and South Africa, they fought together with the Boers and would support the Boers' rule over South Africa in the future. Of course, the local mining industry would definitely be controlled by the empire.

"Our African policy is very simple, which is to digest, absorb and consolidate the current African colonies. Any more... will lead to indigestion."

After taking a puff of his cigar, Emperor Zhu secretly thanked God. What was he thanking him for?

Thanks to the tens of millions of men in the four provinces of Japan who have been working there without complaint and with all their heart and soul for twenty years. Not only have they used their hard work to turn the wasteland into fertile farms, they have also changed the local color. Further expansion is certainly unrealistic. After all, there are not many Japanese men who are brave enough to pick on black girls.

"What about the North American battlefield?"

Compared to Africa... North America, that is the most important place! It is also the key to the future of the empire.

Ren Huabang just pursed his lips slightly in response to His Majesty's decision, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. After hearing His Majesty's question, he immediately answered.

"We have currently occupied Washington State, most of Oregon, and parts of Iowa and Montana. According to the plan drawn up by the General Staff, the Northern Front will begin to attack the U.S. Army on the entire Northwest Front in mid-March. Based on the mission objectives, the General Staff formulated the "Tornado Plan" last winter to occupy California and advance into the central region..."

While Ren Huabang was explaining the "Tornado Plan" formulated by the General Staff, Emperor Zhu tilted his head back slightly and stretched his chin forward. His hand holding the cigar was supporting the table, while his left hand was supporting the dragon-head armrest of the chair.

Everyone in this conference room now - the generals sitting at the table, they all felt that His Majesty was now thinking about the success rate of this plan. Those who make more plans will win, and those who make fewer plans will not win. This principle has always been true from ancient times to the present.

"...According to the results of multiple war games, after the Battle of San Francisco, our army will not only occupy San Francisco and the entire California, but will also annihilate and capture 1.1 million enemies locally, which will lay a solid foundation for our army's next move."

After Ren Huabang directly gave the results of the war game simulation, Emperor Zhu did not say anything. He just sat there in deep thought, and occasionally he would take a puff of his cigar.

1.1 million enemies were killed or captured!

If the battle objectives can be achieved, it will definitely be an unprecedented victory. Of course, it will also be a heavy blow to the Americans. Americans have never truly experienced the cruel test of war, even the Civil War...so what?

After a moment, his eyes swept over the people present.

Finally, his eyes fell on the Minister of Military Affairs Zhao Shiji.

"Regarding the plan for the Battle of Jiujinjin, does the General Staff have anything to add?"

"The Military Command agrees with this plan."

Zhao Shiji replied quickly.

Nodding, Emperor Zhu looked at Zhao Shiji and said.

"We should send a telegram to Peng Guoliang and ask him if he has anything to add."

It seems that His Majesty agrees!

At this moment, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: His Majesty's words already implied some kind of agreement.

Now everyone is waiting for His Majesty's order.

Amid everyone's anticipation, Emperor Zhu spoke directly.

"Let's implement the battle plan!"