One man's resistance against Japan, I mobilized a million people to aid Shanghai.

"General Stark, tell me, can this attack be successful?"

Everyone looked at Stark!

The naval officer, known for his caution, did not answer immediately.

He walked to the nautical chart, picked up the compass stick, and drew an arc from Pearl Harbor, passing Midway Island and Wake Island, pointing to the vast "blank" area of ​​the western Pacific Ocean.

"Mr. President,"

Stark's voice was calm and deliberate.

"First of all, I agree with Minister Knox's assessment of the fleet's strength."

"The fleet that will assemble at Pearl Harbor in three days will be one of the most powerful single naval combat groups on Earth, especially in terms of air power, where it will have a huge advantage."

"Although Zhu Ganglie's navy had an amazing record, its core was likely based on captured weapons. Its system integrity, continuous combat capability, and especially the training and scale of its carrier-based aviation were likely to be outdated compared to ours."

"but,"

He then changed the subject.

"The risks of this operation are also enormous."

"From Pearl Harbor to the Philippines, it is more than 5000 nautical miles. Such a large fleet expedition would require an enormous logistics fleet to accompany it, which in itself would make it a vulnerable target and severely hinder the fleet's maneuverability."

"We have only a few rudimentary outposts in the central Pacific, lacking adequate maintenance and aviation support facilities."

"Once a ship is damaged, it will be extremely difficult to send it for repair."

"Besides that, we know very little about the exact location of Zhu Ganglie's main naval force and the true strength of its shore-based air force."

"It's like entering a room partially shrouded in mist. We know there's a dangerous opponent inside, but we don't know exactly where he's lurking or what weapon he's holding."

"One of the key reasons for John Bull's failure in Malacca was intelligence failure."

"And what are our specific objectives?"

"Should we bomb a few ports? Attack merchant fleets? Or seek a decisive battle with the enemy's main fleet?"

"If it is the latter, in the absence of reliable intelligence, we may be forced to engage in battle under unfavorable conditions."

He put down the pointer and concluded:

"Therefore, Mr. President, from a purely military perspective, this fleet is capable of launching a powerful offensive in the Western Pacific."

"But this is a high-risk operation."

"The key to success is not how many ships we have, but intelligence, timing, and a little bit of luck."

"If we decide to launch an attack, then the objective must be extremely clear, and we must be mentally prepared to suffer certain losses."

"At the same time, we must coordinate with unprecedented intelligence gathering and develop detailed contingency plans and evacuation routes."

Stark's calm analysis slightly dampened Knox's optimism.

The atmosphere in the operations room became heavy again.

At this moment, Secretary of State Cordell, who had been listening silently, slowly spoke.

His voice was weary, but his thoughts were exceptionally clear:

"Mr. President, generals, perhaps we have overlooked a lower-cost and lower-risk strategic option: political alliances."

All eyes turned to him.

Hel said slowly:

"Our enemy is Zhu Ganglie."

"But in East Asia, those who hate Zhu Ganglie are far more than just us and John Niu."

"Although Japan was defeated by Zhu Ganglie on its homeland and its remaining naval and land forces retreated to Manchuria, they were irreconcilable enemies of Zhu Ganglie."

"They are familiar with the hydrogeography of East Asia and have a number of experienced naval personnel and pilots."

"And then there's Baldy. They're sworn enemies with Zhu Ganglie. The North China and East China regions that Zhu Ganglie occupies were originally their core territories."

"Although the bald man is weak, he still has considerable influence and military strength in the southwest."

He leaned forward slightly: "Could we try to establish a united front against Zhu Ganglie with the remaining forces of Japan and with Baldy?"

"No formal alliance is needed, just tacit cooperation."

"For example, we can provide the bald man with more weapons and equipment to encourage him to launch diversionary attacks on the mainland against the areas controlled by Zhu Ganglie."

"We can secretly support the remaining Japanese naval and air forces to harass Zhu Ganglie's sea lanes."

"In this way, we can still achieve the goal of dispersing Zhu Ganglie's forces, without having to risk our brand-new fleet."

This proposal was like a stone thrown into calm water, creating ripples.

Knox frowned and asked:

"What is the remaining naval force of Japan? How many operational ships do they have left? How many pilots do they have?"

"Instead of relying on these unreliable factors, we should rely on our own real warships."

But Hull insisted:

"Gentlemen, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"If they're willing to cause trouble for Zhu Ganglie, it will reduce our burden, won't it?"

As Roosevelt listened to these suggestions, his fingers tapped at varying speeds.

His gaze shifted between the nautical charts, the telegrams, and his arguing colleagues.

The pressure in London was real, and Chamberlain's desperate cries could not be ignored.

The military risks Stark pointed out are real; the Pacific Fleet is the Bald Eagle's most valuable counter-offensive asset and must not be squandered.

Hull's proposed political strategy is tempting, but its feasibility and side effects are equally apparent.

Time ticked by, and the clock on the wall ticked monotonously, as if urging a decision.

Finally, Roosevelt raised his hand.

The argument gradually subsided.

He said slowly:

"Gentlemen, I have heard your opinions."

"General Stark's risk analysis is essential, and Secretary Hull's alternative approach is also worth considering."

"but......"

"We have no other choice."

"If we choose Secretary Hull's approach at this moment, engaging only in behind-the-scenes political maneuvering and indirect support, what would that mean in London, in the eyes of the officers and soldiers of the upcoming expedition, and even in the eyes of Zhu Ganglie?"

"It means we are still hesitant, avoiding direct confrontation, and trying to push others to the front lines as cannon fodder."

"This cannot reverse the sense of collapse in London, nor can it truly deter Zhu Ganglie."

"He might just think we're weak and attack the Mughals even more recklessly."

He looked at Stark and Knox.

"Now that our fleet has such power, it cannot simply be an exhibit in a museum."

"It must be used; it must show its fangs at crucial moments."

"A cautious but powerful strike is both a military deterrent and a political necessity."

"but,"

He then turned to Hull, "Your idea is not without merit."

"Aid to the bald head can be strengthened, which is itself part of our Far East strategy."

"Any contact with the remnants of the Japanese forces... must be kept extremely secret and must never be made public."

"We can also secretly provide them with substantial military assistance, allowing them to launch an attack on Zhu Ganglie, thereby drawing Zhu Ganglie's attention and helping us launch a surprise attack on the Western Pacific."

He finally made a decision.

"I command!"

All the generals stood at attention, solemnly looking at Roosevelt.

"Immediately notify General Nimitz that all reinforcement ships and aircraft must complete their final assembly and resupply at Pearl Harbor within three days."

"A Pacific Task Force will be formed, with the main force of the Pacific Fleet at its core, and will be directly commanded by Admiral Nimitz."

"The fleet's mission is to launch a strategic offensive toward the western Pacific after completing its assembly."

"In the initial stage, the main area of ​​activity was the waters west of the Mariana Islands and east of Luzon."

"The primary objective is to search for and seize opportunities to strike Zhu Ganglie's sea lanes and isolated outposts, so that Zhu Ganglie will not dare to advance westward in large numbers and help the Mughal Empire get out of trouble."

"Reply to London formally through diplomatic channels."

"Inform Prime Minister Chamberlain that the Pacific Fleet of the Bald Eagle has been ordered to take significant forward operations to contain Zhu Ganglie's naval forces."

"Also tell Baldy and Hirohito to work together in three days to kill Zhu Ganglie!"

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp and piercing:

"Gentlemen, this is a risky move, but also a move we have no choice but to make."

"We must strike with lightning speed to hold up the collapsing Eastern front and buy the last window of opportunity for our Western allies' expeditionary force."

"May God bless our fleet and bless America."

Once the order was given, no one dared to object.

The only sound in the operations room was the rustling of pens taking notes.

The Pacific Fleet, the sharpest spearhead of the Bald Eagle, is about to head west to confront Zhu Ganglie head-on.

Americans are enthusiastic about it.

Everyone believed that the Pacific Fleet was invincible and would surely be able to eliminate Zhu Ganglie.

Just as America was celebrating wildly, MacArthur, with a few retainers, fled back to Honolulu in a sorry state.