The currents in other oceans do not change direction, only fluctuating in strength with the seasons. In the Indian Ocean, however, the westward-flowing South Equatorial Current is only highly developed south of the equator. In the equatorial region itself, wind directions shift twice a year due to monsoons, meaning surface currents near the Indian Ocean equator can flow either west or east.

China had already acquired theoretical knowledge in this area, but when it came to collecting actual ocean current data, China was a layman. Every time the minesweeping fleet set sail, they would bring the latest collected information on Indian Ocean currents while simultaneously conducting data collection for the Chinese Navy.

On February 27, 1942, the 4th Anti-Submarine Formation left the port in Sri Lanka, sailing westward. Measurement instruments indicated that surface currents in the Indian Ocean were currently flowing from east to west. According to hydrological data, in just a few months, these surface currents would shift to flow from west to east.

Clarifying these details was not for scientific research, but a matter of life and death for the minesweeping fleet. Failing to navigate according to hydrological data could lead to deviating from the course, and sonar detection would also suffer significant deviations. Although the combat effectiveness of British Navy submarines was unknown, avoiding various detailed errors would better protect the fleet and destroy the enemy.

At 16:00 local time in the Indian Ocean on the 27th, the 4th Anti-Submarine Formation spotted a convoy consisting of three civilian ships. According to previously received intelligence, these were cruise ships carrying legal experts from France, Germany, Hungary, and other countries. Ostensibly, these people did not support China's trial of colonialism and were coming to China to participate in discussions. However, the Chinese side had still accepted their request to visit.

Because British submarines were active in the Indian Ocean and constantly attacking Chinese convoys, China did not send large warships to greet them, dispatching anti-submarine destroyers instead.

Ma Qianli, commander of the 4th Anti-Submarine Formation, watched the cruise ships slowly approach through his binoculars. Lowering the binoculars, he said to the sonar operators, "Comrades, be careful! Try not to let these signals affect you."

Hearing this reminder, the team leader of the sonar operators asked back, "Major General Ma, should we keep some distance from these ships?"

Ma Qianli frowned unconsciously. Keeping a distance from large cruise ships of tens of thousands of tons would indeed reduce the interference from their signals. But his mission was escort; if he stayed too far away, would it damage the national image?

After pondering for a moment, Ma Qianli clarified his thoughts. Headquarters stated that there were no British nationals among the foreign experts arriving this time. This indicated that the British did not want to communicate and were expressing their resolute opposition by not participating in the conference. Since the British side had expressed such profound hostility, they had every reason to cause trouble.

In the view of the anti-submarine commander, it was entirely possible for the British to use the noise generated by three large cruise ships to mask the sound of British submarines, thereby launching a close-range attack on the Chinese minesweeping fleet. If they could sink Chinese minesweepers in front of experts from France, Germany, Hungary, and other countries, it would achieve a demonstrative effect.

As for diplomatic disputes—such as foreign experts accusing Britain of putting their ships in danger—the current Britain had no need to care at all. If Britain lost India, it would merely be a European power, no longer possessing the strength to command awe from continental European nations.

Running the headquarters' analysis through his mind once more, Ma Qianli ordered, "Send a telegram to the commander of this convoy. My fleet will provide protection at a distance of 30 nautical miles, and the Chinese Air Force will provide continuous escort for the convoy."

30 nautical miles is about 54 kilometers, basically beyond visual range. However, due to continuous attacks by the Chinese Air Force near the Indian subcontinent, there were no British convoys at this time. There was no fear that the foreign experts' ships would be sunk by British surface vessels.

The telegram was quickly delivered to the convoy. On the ship chartered by Germany, the captain delivered the message to the cabin of Professor Karl, Dean of the German Academy of Sciences. As the leader of the German experts this time, Professor Karl's cabin was very large, complete with a drawing room. After reading the telegram, the professor handed it to the man opposite him.

This man was over fifty years old. Although dressed in civilian clothes, he was clearly a battle-hardened general. The sharp aura emanating from him suggested he was definitely not the type to sit in an office. However, wearing a monocle over his right eye and looking composed, he did not seem like a brute force commander either.

Once the man finished reading the telegram, Professor Karl asked, "Mr. Reichenau, as a military strategist, how do you view China's reaction?"

The German opposite Professor Karl was Walter von Reichenau, an active Field Marshal of the German Army. Hearing Professor Karl's question, Marshal Reichenau replied calmly, "Apologies, I do not understand naval warfare."

Professor Karl was somewhat surprised by Reichenau's answer. During the Western Campaign, General Reichenau commanded the 6th Army, consisting of 14 infantry divisions and two panzer divisions, within General von Bock's Army Group B, launching an offensive with ferocious action.

There was a non-mainstream view in post-battle discussions within the German military: if the panzer units had not been transferred to Army Group A after its breakthrough from the Ardennes Forest approached Army Group B—forcing Army Group B to transfer its two panzer divisions to Army Group A's command—but instead had continued to be commanded by Army Group B to attack the Anglo-French Allied forces, then the retreating Allied forces would have faced fierce pursuit from two German panzer divisions. With the power of the German armored forces, the main body of the Anglo-French Allied forces might not have been able to retreat quickly, ultimately failing to escape to Dunkirk at all.

However, there were many such non-mainstream views. The Western Campaign was ultimately very successful, and everyone wanted to look good. Reichenau himself did not express any opinion on this, because his command art in this campaign was extremely outstanding, flexible, decisive, and smooth. His offensive was fierce, his coordination rapid, his division of forces timely, and his pursuit fast and ruthless.

In particular, the battle to capture Fort Eben-Emael, with close ground-air coordination and a raid perfectly timed with the assault, was a miracle in military history, setting the first such model example in World War II (German soldiers' military quality was fully reflected in this battle).

Reichenau also performed very bravely in combat, personally commanding assault teams to advance, leading by example and crossing walls under a hail of bullets, greatly boosting morale. Of course, this was also related to his love for sports in his youth, his abundant physical strength, and his personality that loved self-expression, all prompting him to be heroic on the battlefield for once. Because of his significant military exploits, Reichenau was promoted to Field Marshal by Hitler on July 19.

Since Reichenau had already become a Marshal, making remarks to claim credit would obviously be considered ungenerous. Moreover, Reichenau was very confident in himself and couldn't be bothered with such talk.

For such a renowned Marshal to frankly admit he knew nothing about the navy... Professor Karl scrutinized Reichenau's expression and found that Reichenau was truly not pretending to be profound, but simply stating a fact. This demeanor impressed Professor Karl quite a bit.

Reichenau was not pretending to be aloof either. After expressing his ignorance of the navy, the topic returned to the upcoming conference. "Professor Karl, I believe Mr. He Rui will not meet with us. do you have any channels to change Mr. He Rui's view?"

Professor Karl shook his head. If possible, he naturally hoped to meet He Rui in person. The strength China was currently displaying made Professor Karl look forward to cooperation between China and Germany even more. Although from a geopolitical perspective, He Rui could not change the basic posture of strategic mutual trust between China and the Soviet Union, communicating with He Rui face-to-face could still yield information very important to Germany.

Although considered "one of us" by Hitler, Professor Karl only entrusted his ideals to the German national movement stirred up by the Nazi Party; he did not feel he was a lackey of Hitler.

After thinking for a moment, Professor Karl shook his head, "I don't have any means either. However, I believe perhaps some heavyweight personnel will meet with us."

Marshal Reichenau thought for a moment and asked, "Do you think China can understand Germany's national needs?"

Professor Karl nodded, "I believe China possesses top-tier strategists; they will certainly be able to understand Germany. But they do not support Germany's solution."

Reichenau took off his monocle, his gaze sharpening. "Professor, do you believe the Chinese side has a strategy more suitable for Germany?"

Professor Karl recalled Reichenau's personal history. Walter von Reichenau was born in 1884 into a noble family in Karlsruhe; his father was also a soldier, later rising to General of Artillery. In 1903, Reichenau enlisted and began serving in the 1st Guards Field Artillery Regiment stationed in Berlin, promoted to Second Lieutenant the following year. He loved sports and joined the Berlin Sports Club as a Guards officer, excelling particularly in javelin and discus, gaining fame for a time due to his excellent results. In 1912, after graduating from the War Academy, he returned to his original unit. Two years later he was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, and went to the front lines with his regiment in World War I. He participated in battles in the Masurian Lakes, Lithuania, Flanders, and other places, performing outstandingly in combat.

In terms of background, Reichenau was the traditional template of an excellent German soldier.

After Hitler came to power in 1933, Reichenau served as the Chief of the Ministerial Office in the Ministry of War, actively engaging in military expansion and war preparations, becoming a loyal member of the National Socialist Party and a fanatical Nazi. He made no secret of styling himself as a faithful believer in Hitler, deeply convinced that Hitler's National Socialist movement was the only path to reviving Germany.

His actions of loyalty to Hitler were highlighted on August 2, 1934. Within twenty-four hours of the death of the aged President Hindenburg, Army Commander-in-Chief Fritsch ordered the Wehrmacht to swear allegiance to Hitler. This oath of allegiance, which violated the then-still-valid Weimar Constitution, was dictated by Reichenau and recorded by another major. At the time, many officers foresaw the evil consequences it would produce. General Beck, then Chief of the Troop Office, called this day "the darkest day of my life."

Although he strongly doubted whether Reichenau's political leanings would affect his political philosophy, Professor Karl, who was also a Major General during World War I, was willing to trust Reichenau once. He replied, "Marshal, have you seen the European Coal and Steel Community proposal put forward by Mr. He Rui?"

Reichenau frowned slightly, thinking for a moment before answering, "I am not aware of it."

Professor Karl then explained it. The Coal and Steel Community proposal put forward by He Rui involved formally establishing a supranational power institution—the High Authority. The High Authority, composed of nine members, would hold the power of the Coal and Steel Community, responsible for coordinating coal and steel production among member states and ensuring effective competition within the community. It would possess powers over production, investment, prices, and raw material distribution within the community, as well as the power to develop or close certain enterprises or sectors, and manage the community's relations with third countries and relevant international organizations. Decisions made by this institution must be executed by all member states. In addition, the European Coal and Steel Community would also have a Council of Ministers, a Common Assembly, and a Court of Justice.

Reichenau listened quietly. After hearing it out, he asked with a frown, "What is the purpose of this proposal by He Rui?"

"For peace in Europe," Professor Karl answered decisively.