Empire Conquest
Chapter 148 - 144: True Gold Always Shines

Chapter 148: Chapter 144: True Gold Always Shines

Major Tanimoto took only about ten minutes to roughly clarify the situation.

There was only one thing that needed to be emphasized.

Yesterday evening, on the 26th, a submarine operating in the northeast waters of Zu Island spotted two large battleships traveling fast northward, determined to be the Liangxia Navy’s Fast Battleships. Furthermore, it launched four torpedoes at the closer of the two. Unfortunately, the enemy ship suddenly performed a zigzag maneuver and avoided the torpedoes. Worried about being discovered by the enemy ship, the submarine dove immediately after launching the torpedoes and did not attack again.

The key point was that the submarine measured the target battleship’s speed at over twenty-five knots.

Only a Main Battle Ship that could reach such speed would definitely be a Fast Battleship!

Moreover, there were two of them.

They were surely the two Fast Battleships that had just completed acceptance tests with the Domestic Fleet and left port on the night of the 25th, though not yet commissioned for service.

The question was, why were they appearing northeast of Zu Island and heading north?

Could it be that these two Fast Battleships had already entered the East Ocean from the east of Zu Island before?

It wasn’t a question of could it be; it was certain.

Then, why would they risk entering the East Ocean?

Let’s not forget, these two Fast Battleships had not yet passed all acceptance tests. Even if they could sail at high speeds, there was no guarantee that everything would go smoothly.

This was not a peace-time test; it was a dash through a war zone.

If the boiler exploded and it became impossible to maneuver quickly, and if it happened to encounter a submarine, it would take only a few torpedoes to send them to the sea floor!

Clearly, there was only one reasonable explanation.

The two Fast Battleships risked entering the East Ocean to meet and cover the third Aviation Mixed Fleet because they were meant for the two "Imperial Capital" class ships of that fleet. To be precise, they were constructed as part of the same project, but their commissioning was delayed.

Was there a possibility of this?

Logically speaking, the likelihood was not high.

The reason was simple.

In the afternoon, the third Aviation Mixed Fleet was definitely southeast of Zu Island, more than one hundred fifty kilometers away from where the submarine spotted the two Fast Battleships.

After recovering their shipborne aircraft, the third Aviation Mixed Fleet couldn’t catch up with the two Fast Battleships as they headed north.

In fact, by the time the submarine spotted the two Fast Battleships, the third Aviation Mixed Fleet was in the process of recovering its aircraft.

But, was there no other possibility?

Clearly not!

Last night, Military Command Department informed us that from the wreckage of an enemy plane fished out of the water, it preliminarily determined the enemy planes that launched an attack at noon yesterday were not from the first or second Shipborne Air Force Wing’s combat aircraft. By the serial numbers on the fuselage, they were additional combat aircraft.

The four captured pilots all came from the first and second Shipborne Air Force Wings.

During the interrogation, these four pilots only provided their military identification numbers and their unit numbers, which is what the "International Law of War" stipulates that POWs must truthfully provide. According to the tradition of the Liangxia Navy, there was no reason for captured pilots to deliberately give false information.

Combining other related intelligence, Military Command Department boldly speculated that in the combat on the 25th, the combat aircraft from the first and second Shipborne Air Force Wings did not return to the Mixed Fleet, but made emergency landings east of Foot Island, and then the pilots were picked up by seaplanes or search and rescue vessels.

In simple terms, to seize the opportunity, the Mixed Fleet’s commander lost hundreds of shipborne aircraft.

This move was not ordinary in scale!

So, would the commander of the third Aviation Mixed Fleet follow suit?

If the answer was yes, then after launching the attack, the third Aviation Mixed Fleet would head north at full speed and would be able to reach the submarine’s area by evening.

Attack the Shipborne Air Force of Main Battle Corps Five?

Like on the 25th, return in the direction of Zu Island and forced land after the fuel burns out; then just wait for the seaplanes and the rescue vessels.

If we could annihilate Main Battle Corps Five, even if it’s just taking out those two carriers, what’s the loss of a few dozen aircraft?

Besides, the acting commander of the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet is that spoiled brat named Liu Xiangbin.

This guy’s notoriety is absolutely on par with Bai Zhizhan and Liu Xiangzhen, except it’s an infamy.

Given his cowardly nature, even if he dares not refuse the combat orders from his superiors, like heading out to East Ocean and deploying shipborne aircraft to attack Main Battle Corps Five, he would, after completing the mission, come up with every possible way to save his own skin and never consider the lives of a few dozen shipborne aircraft pilots.

Moreover, when has he ever thought about his subordinates?

An arrogant egotist like him, he will surely consider only himself and expect everyone else to do the same!

It all makes perfect sense now!

After Tanimoto finished speaking, Takano did not take a stance.

"If this telegram is correct, we have enough reason to believe that the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet has already returned to Xu Sea last night, and maybe..."

When Takano looked over, Kuroshima immediately closed his mouth.

"There is indeed such a possibility, but it is not yet sufficient for us to make a positive judgment."

"What does the Major think we need to make a positive judgment?" Kuroshima was clearly irritated, as ever since Tanimoto came back, Takano no longer actively sought his opinions and rarely discussed combat matters with him, as if he, the Combat Staff Advisor, didn’t exist at all.

"Time."

"Really? What’s the issue..."

"By the latest, this time tomorrow, maybe even tonight."

Kuroshima’s eyebrows knitted, and as he was about to speak, he noticed Takano’s expression.

"Based on what?" Takano’s gaze turned towards Tanimoto.

"If this intelligence is correct, then the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet heading north last night only had one task, to cover for the Domestic Fleet. Based on the timeline, the Domestic Fleet could reach Watcher Strait by this afternoon and then encounter the Second Main Battle Corps by nightfall, at the latest early tomorrow morning. The problem is, the location of the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet now; it wouldn’t be able to catch up with the Domestic Fleet until tomorrow morning."

Takano nodded slightly but did not speak.

"If the Navy of Liangxia intends to occupy and control the Sado Islands, and they have concerns, such as the Third Air Corps that could certainly arrive this morning, they will slow down the Domestic Fleet and wait until they merge with the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet, to enter the Watcher Strait at the earliest by the morning of the day after tomorrow."

"So according to you, if the Domestic Fleet doesn’t burst into the Watcher Strait by tomorrow during daylight, we can prove that the Aviation Special Mixed Fleet has returned to Xu Sea?"

Tanimoto nodded, indicating Kuroshima was correct.

Although Kuroshima always regarded Tanimoto as his main competitor, Tanimoto did not entertain the thought of taking Kuroshima’s place, after all, Takano values capability above all.

Without capability, even a General wouldn’t catch Takano’s Dharma Eye.

Conversely, even a mere soldier could be highly valued.

Takano often said "True gold will always shine," which was actually a reminder to his staff to focus on doing their fundamental tasks well.

Tanimoto’s seemingly cavalier attitude infuriated Kuroshima, leaving him with a feeling of having nowhere to vent.

He could only bear it, however!

"Major Tanimoto’s analysis is correct; there is indeed such a possibility. Let’s proceed with this plan, we can’t make it back to Long Sorrow by tomorrow anyway."

Just as Takano was halfway through his words, preparing to give the order to turn, the lights in the bridge suddenly went out.

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