Empire Conquest
Chapter 113 - 109 Sudden Enlightenment

Chapter 113: Chapter 109 Sudden Enlightenment

Bai Zhizhan didn’t elaborate much and picked up the ruler and pencil, proceeding directly to the drawing stage.

For navy officers trained formally, drawing is an essential skill, not to mention that Bai Zhizhan had been a staff officer for the past two decades.

As Bai Zhizhan drew several routes and wrote the relevant annotations, the situation suddenly became clear at a glance.

Through drawing, he could also clearly demonstrate his thoughts, eliminating the need to waste words explaining to standing staff officers like Li Mingbo.

Indeed, this was one of the major advantages of drawing on maps.

Of course, it didn’t mean everything was done once the drawing was completed.

"Up to now, we only know that the Mobile Fleet entering the Flame Sea consists of the First and Second Air Corps, with a total of four carriers, of which two have been sunk and one severely damaged. The Fifth Air Corps is still in the South Nanzhu Sea of East Ocean, and the Third Air Corps just left from Long Sorrow Port in Saiyi homeland. From the battle report, we also know that there are four Fast Battleships in the Mobile Fleet. Obviously, including myself, we all overlooked the Main Battle Corps, commanded directly by Takano, comprising six Battleships."

Li Mingbo remained silent, his eyes fixed on the naval chart.

Furthermore, other staff officers gathered around, probably all eager to witness the map drawing skills of this legendary Special Mixed Fleet Commander.

Regardless, Bai Zhizhan also made a name for himself within the Empire Navy.

Coming from the civilian class, and having risen to the rank of general through personal effort and active striving, Bai Zhizhan served as a role model for civilian officers.

"Combining the intelligence we’ve already gathered, we have reason to believe that Takano is likewise in the Flame Sea. During the day, he should be behind the Mobile Fleet, at a distance of about three hundred kilometers," Bai Zhizhan paused briefly then continued, "Unless he is commanding the Mobile Fleet himself, there is no way he would confidently let a famously indecisive general command such a critical operation alone. As for Lan Yun’s character, there’s no doubt at all. I dare say, even if just to observe, he would follow behind the Mobile Fleet."

"To cover for Lan Yun?"

Bai Zhizhan smiled and said, "That’s pretty much the idea."

"If that’s the case, he might risk bringing everything he has. After all, this time, he’s betting everything he owns, staking his entire fortunes and life."

"In fact, I used to think the same."

Li Mingbo’s brow twitched a few times, but he didn’t respond, as he sensed a shift in Bai Zhizhan’s statement.

"The question is, can the four older Treaty Type Battleships keep up? I’ve recalculated, and you can review it to see if there are any mistakes."

Li Mingbo didn’t do it himself but turned and called over a staff officer from the navigation department.

Bai Zhizhan hadn’t made any mistakes.

Given the intelligence as known conditions, with four older Treaty Type Battleships, which have a top speed of less than twenty-five knots and shorter endurance, the Main Battle Corps commanded personally by Takano couldn’t possibly keep up with the Mobile Fleet and, therefore, entering the Flame Sea was meaningless.

Strictly speaking, during daylight operations, these four Treaty Type Battleships turned out to be a burden.

What if these four battleships weren’t brought along?

If only the two "Damen" class had been brought, and assuming the specific performance intelligence on these two battleships was correct, Takano could continuously follow behind Lan Yun.

Additionally, "Damen" was the flagship of the Permanent Fleet.

Unless absolutely necessary, Takano wouldn’t leave this battleship.

According to Bai Zhizhan’s analysis, the only ones entering the Flame Sea were the "Damen" and "Luo," with the Main Battle Fleet’s other four battleships staying in the South Nanzhu Sea.

Previously, these four battleships likely accompanied the Fifth Air Corps.

But now, they might have already turned north during the day.

The reason is clear; the Fifth Air Corps still needed to remain, at least until they completed support for the Mobile Fleet, that is, until they dispatched the ship-borne aircraft to the Mobile Fleet, which couldn’t happen until tomorrow morning due to the high risks of night landings. During the nighttime, the Fifth Air Corps could move north a few hundred kilometers and stay in the eastern side of the Two-car Strait.

Additionally, four extremely slow-moving battleships were left behind, but they were of no help.

The key still lay in the telegram sent by the Navy headquarters.

Knowing that the Domestic Fleet of the Empire’s Navy had already left Mast Harbor, the Saiyi Navy not only refrained from retreating but also prepared to occupy the North and South Sado Islands and block Watcher Strait.

From where did this confidence come?

There was only one reasonable explanation, the Second Main Battle Corps made up of these four battleships had moved north from the Nanzhu Sea and was headed straight for Watcher Strait.

In terms of timing, it also matched perfectly.

If these four battleships moved north on the 25th in the afternoon, they could reach Watcher Strait by the afternoon of the 27th, two days later. If they moved north last night, they could also arrive on the night of the 27th, with the fastest transporting fleet of ground troops arriving in the afternoon of the 27th.

Militarily, only the Second Main Battle Corps blocking Watcher Strait could successfully take over the North and South Sado Islands.

How would the ships carrying ground troops dock if the Domestics Fleet of the Empire’s Navy came out and still controlled the maritime supremacy of Watcher Strait?

However, there was a problem here.

"Looking at the timing, the Domestic Fleet could reach Watcher Strait by early morning on the 27th, at the latest by morning. Are we to just sit and wait for the enemy to come and face us in battle?"

"Why can’t we sit and wait?"

"This..."

Bai Zhizhan smiled and then said, "Do you think the Saiyi Navy hasn’t considered this?"

"If they have considered it, why proceed with the futile effort?"

"Firstly, it’s not a futile effort. Secondly, we have no other choice." Bai Zhizhan let out a sigh, "Before retaking the North and South Sado Islands, the Domestic Fleet won’t engage in other activities, as controlling the strategic entry to the East Ocean is the most crucial."

Hearing Bai Zhizhan say this, Li Mingbo understood.

"However, this also means our previous plan is not feasible," Bai Zhizhan added.

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it, even if Takano is very confident, he can’t be sure that the Domestic Fleet will wait at Watcher Strait to battle the Second Main Battle Corps of the Saiyi Navy. What if the Domestic Fleet enters the East Ocean? Either way, we have to find the Domestic Fleet first, don’t we?"

"Are you saying the Third Air Corps will move south?" Li Mingbo shivered slightly, clearly startled.

"It’s possible. Don’t forget there’s also the Fifth Air Corps."

"This..."

"If these two Air Corps join forces, we will have big trouble."

"One cannot swallow a whole fattened pig in one bite." Li Mingbo understood Bai Zhizhan’s intention; his statement was actually a reminder to Bai Zhizhan not to be overly greedy.

"Time waits for no one," Bai Zhizhan obviously didn’t heed the advice.

"Bai..."

"Go wake up the staff and let me think some more. Also, have a torpedo bomber ready for takeoff. Once I’ve thought things through, I need to communicate with Liu Xiangzhen."

"Alright, I’ll arrange it right away."

Li Mingbo did not continue to remind Bai Zhizhan, as he was just a staff member and Bai Zhizhan was a man of strong opinions. A single reminder was enough.

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