Happy New Year to everyone; may the Year of the Snake bring good fortune!

The young author wishes everyone a joyous year, with smiles ever-present and good luck naturally coming your way!

...

The "freedom of navigation" for the French Navy and merchant ships underwent significant changes and even reversals under Shire's leadership.

Previously, French ships had no freedom whatsoever in the Atlantic; they were essentially under the control of the Royal Navy.

Britain, citing war as the reason, controlled the traffic in most sea areas, especially the English Channel, where all ships had to undergo inspections and be guided and escorted by warships, including French merchant ships and fleets.

Britain's reasons were: inspections to prevent merchant ships from carrying contraband to Germany, guidance and escort to prevent ships from inadvertently entering minefields, and for the safety of all ships.

These seemingly reasonable actions actually disregarded France's territorial rights.

If the Royal Navy could do this, could the French Navy likewise blockade the side of the Channel near France and inspect British merchant ships and the Royal Navy?

Would the Royal Navy also need the consent and "escort" of the French Navy to pass through?

The rights of both sides were equal; the Royal Navy should be able to do what the French Navy could do.

But the French Parliament lacked such courage, they naturally revered the Royal Navy as the world's number one and believed the French Navy could not be its enemy, leading to thoughts of moving the Brest Shipyard and military harbor to Toulon instead of resisting.

As a result, when Shire's army came to Antwerp, the French Navy clearly had the capacity to reinforce Antwerp but continued to be choked by the Royal Navy.

Everything changed under Shire's operations.

Shire used the German Navy to restrain the Royal Navy. Although there was no explicit agreement, both sides had reached a certain degree of tacit understanding.

The German Navy only attacked British escort fleets and merchant ships while ignoring merchant ships flying the French flag, even those without escort fleets.

Shire explained it as: "The Germans know that French destroyers can detect their submarines; plus, France has torpedo planes, so the Germans dare not take rash actions."

The French escort fleets reciprocated, showing no reaction even when British merchant ships nearby were attacked and repeatedly called for help.

Shire's reasons were even more compelling:

"Our warships need to protect national merchant ships, and there are no spare ships for rescue."

"Moreover, we are not sure if the Germans are using a diversion tactic; they could attack French merchant ships when we go to the rescue."

"We must first ensure the interests of national merchant ships before considering others; any country would do so."

...

This left the British Minister of Military Supplies and the Minister of the Navy fuming but powerless, unable even to criticize.

Allied with the German Navy?

Impossible; we are merely doing what we should do.

The Royal Navy is the world number one navy. You always claimed not to need the involvement of the French Navy; now, the French Navy only has the ability to protect itself, not to help the Royal Navy!

Thus, a very peculiar scene appeared in the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea:

The Royal Navy continued to blockade the English Channel, inspecting, guiding, and escorting like guardians.

Meanwhile, merchant ships from various countries paid "protection fees" to join Shire's escort fleets, knowing only the French Fleet could ensure their safety.

...

Berlin Staff Headquarter, the map in front of Fajin Han has expanded to the North Sea.

Originally, the North Sea did not require consideration from the Chief of Staff Fajin Han, as he commanded the army while the German Navy had hardly any chance to join the battle.

However, the situation has changed.

The German Navy is becoming increasingly active, even overshadowing the army.

This could be seen as both good and bad for Fajin Han.

The good is that the navy's activity can relieve the pressure on the army, especially as material control shifts to Shire, weakening the combat power of the British Expeditionary Force.

The bad is that army resources are shifting to the navy, with even newly developed bombers and research teams handed over to the navy without compensation.

Fajin Han originally intended to use it as a secret weapon to bomb Shire's airport.

Unaware that Germany had bombers, Shire would be totally unprepared, and a sudden appearance of bombers over the airport could catch the French Army off-guard, destroying a large batch of "Camel" fighters.

At that point, Germany might regain air superiority with the new fighters.

Now, everything has turned into a bubble!

"General, Colonel Erwin is here." The guard reported.

Fajin Han responded with a "hmm" and closed the file: "Bring him to the conference room; I'll wait for him there."

"Yes, General."

...

The large conference room had only Fajin Han and Colonel Erwin.

This time, Fajin Han did not call Admiral Nicholas; after reading the battle report, he felt Admiral Nicholas restricted Colonel Erwin's performance.

In the battle of Antwerp's maneuver, Admiral Nicholas insisted on using heavy troops to secure the safety of both wings, severely limiting Colonel Erwin's available forces for maneuver.

Proving Admiral Nicholas's arrangement futile, Shire's troops directly maneuvered to Hasselt and did not return to aid Antwerp.

"I apologize deeply, General." Colonel Erwin spoke with a guilty look: "I have let you down."

Fajin Han raised his hand to stop Colonel Erwin from continuing.

"I will not hold you responsible, Colonel." Fajin Han said expressionlessly in a flat tone: "If I held every defeated by Shire accountable, Germany might now have no officers to command on the front lines."

But Fajin Han added: "However, there are no excuses on the battlefield, do you understand?"

"Yes, General." Colonel Erwin stood up straight in response.

Defeat is just defeat, no matter if the opponent is Shire; the loss and responsibility must still be borne.

Fajin Han gestured to Colonel Erwin to sit in front of him and straightforwardly asked: "What is your plan?"

Colonel Erwin showed a hint of helplessness:

"I believe it is very difficult for us to directly defeat Shire."

"In terms of strategy, equipment, and the quality of his Armored Army, he surpasses us."

"Trying to defeat him head-on is humiliating. If possible, it would be at a significant cost."

Fajin Han's eyes held a trace of doubt: "Are you suggesting we can bypass Shire to defeat the enemy?"

"The British, General." Colonel Erwin replied: "Shire's main forces are in Belgium, facing the Liege Fortress, leaving little room for maneuvers."

Fajin Han seemed to understand the meaning behind Colonel Erwin's words.

Liege Fortress serves as the Belgians' fortification to block the German Army, neighboring Holland to the north and the Arden Forest to the south, making it difficult for Shire's armored army to pose a threat.

This allows the German First Tank Division to move out and attack other locations.

Thus…

Fajin Han's gaze shifted to the map on the wall and found the position of the River Somme.