Almost at the same time, the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Marshall, the chief of staff of the United States Army, welcomed a heavyweight guest, who was Sir Deere, the chief of staff of the British Army.

After more than four hours of secret discussion, the two sides finally reached a consensus.

Sir Deere said: "General Marshall, can I think the United States and Britain have reached a consensus?"

"Oh, yes." Marshall said in a very affirmative tone, "Europe first and then Asia, there is no problem."

"Good." Sir Deer nodded happily and continued, "With this consensus between the United States and Britain, the next thing will be very simple. General Marshall, what do you think?"

"Yes." Marshall nodded and said, "The American war machine cannot be activated at once. It takes time. The British Empire set up personnel and supplies from various colonies, which also takes time. Therefore, we should not over-stimulate the German-Italy-Japanese Axis Alliance, but should let them concentrate on dealing with the Soviet Union and China."

"The population and supplies of the Axis Alliance are ultimately limited."

"Even if they defeated the Soviet Union and China in the end, their own consumption would be very serious."

"In order to increase the consumption of the Axis Alliance, we can also provide appropriate assistance to China and the Soviet Union."

"With the aid from the United States and Britain, the Soviet Union and China should be able to hold on for at least three more years."

"By then, the war machine of the United States has been fully activated, and the human and material resources of the various colonies of the British Empire have been concentrated. At that time, the decisive battle with the Axis Alliance will be greater in the league!"

Sir Deer said: "But, General Marshall, I don't know if you have any questions?"

"What's the problem?" said Marshall. "Is the Sir trying to say that the Japanese army may send troops to Southeast Asia?"

"Yes." Sir Deer nodded and said, "The Japanese have always been short-sighted. This may exist. If Japan does not send troops to the Far East, but instead send troops to Southeast Asia, what will the United States do?"

"We have thought about this question," Marshall said. "As long as the Japanese did not overdo it, they stopped moving forward after occupying the Indochina Peninsula and the East Indies, and did not aim their fingers at the Philippines and Australia, there was no need to overstimulate them. Then, they would still be able to turn around and go north to send troops to the Far East."

Speaking of this, Marshall said: "In short, our American principle is to first Europe and then Asia. In Asia, as long as the core interests of the United States are not involved, any concessions can be considered."

Sir Deere said, "Then we'll feel at ease."

...

In Japan, Tokyo.

Hirohito convened a meeting of military and political officials such as Hideki Tojo to convene an imperial meeting.

There is only one issue at the meeting. When will the war start against the United States?

Although the issue has been determined, Navy Secretary Minumasa Minuta decided to fight for it in the end.

Minai Mitsumasa said: "Your Majesty, and you guys, I wonder if you have read Yamamoto's report?"

Just three days ago, Iroku Yamamoto, commander of the Navy Joint Fleet, submitted an analysis report to the cabinet, which elaborated on the situation in the world today and proposed the response measures Japan should take.

Yamamoto Iroku firmly believed that Japan should not send troops to Southeast Asia, but should first send troops to the Far East.

Only by forcing the Soviet Union to surrender first can China surrender. Only when China and the Soviet Union surrender, will the Axis Alliance led by Germany, Japan and Italy have enough manpower and material resources to fight a strategic decisive battle with the Anglo-Sachsun Alliance led by the United States and Britain. Otherwise, the chances of the Axis Alliance's victory can be said to be slim.

There is a saying that Zhong Yi is actually wrong. Japan actually has several strategic talents.

Not only Usa Mitsuru saw this, but Okamura Yamamoto Izuru, Ishihara Kanir and Izuru Yamamoto Izuru did not say this, but only Yamamoto Izuru submitted a report to the cabinet.

Hearing Minumasato's re-handling of the northward journey, Hirohito's face immediately collapsed.

The war is imminent, and the most taboo thing is to be unhappy. Mine Guangzheng actually wants to mention this again.

Hirohito winked at Tojo Hideki, and Tojo Hideki immediately retorted loudly: "Why did Minejun mention the fact that he went north? Didn't we have discussed it repeatedly?"

"It was the time, now it is now." Minai Hiroshimasa, "The world situation is different. The United States did not come out of isolationism at the beginning, but now the United States has passed the Concession Act, and its willingness to participate in international affairs has risen unprecedentedly, so the empire must also make targeted changes."

Hideki Tojo said: "It is precisely because the United States has given up isolationism and has a tendency to participate in international affairs that the empire must seize the time and send troops to Southeast Asia!"

Minehiro Masato said: "What is this? The correct logic shouldn't be easy first and then difficult. Taking advantage of the opportunity that the United States and Britain are still implementing appeasement policies against the empire, first solve the Soviet Union, then solve China, and then concentrate all their strength to fight the Anglo-Saxon Group?"

"That's just your wishful thinking." Tojo Hideki said flatly, "In fact, there is no appeasement policy at all. The US Congress has officially passed the Concession Act and will soon implement military material assistance to the Soviet Union and China. In other words, this is simply the use of the hands of the US and British governments to consume the power of the Axis Alliance. If we concentrate our efforts on dealing with China and the Soviet Union, we will fall into their trap! So we must free up our hands to attack the US and Britain first!"

Mine Hiroshimasa said: "It is too reckless to start a war with the United States and Britain before the Soviet Union and China are resolved!"

Hideki Tojo said: "It is stupid to just get entangled with China and the Soviet Union and wait for the United States to start the domestic war machine! Minejun may lack sufficient understanding of the United States' industrial manufacturing foundation. Then I will tell you now that once the United States starts to move its domestic industry at full speed, the consequences will be very serious!"

"So what we have to do now is to drive their navy out of the Pacific Ocean before the industrial machines of the United States start to move, and burn the war to the west coast of the United States! Only in this way can we prevent the industrial machines of the United States from starting, destroy the United States, and win this battle for national destiny!"

"It's too reckless." Mine Hikaru Masato said, "We should be more stable."

"Be more stable?" Hideki Tojo said, "You are not stable, you are stupid!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Hirohito finally interrupted: "Enough!"

Tojo Hideki and Minuchi Mitsumasa obediently closed their mouths and stopped saying a word.
Chapter completed!