Empire Conquest
Chapter 158 - 154: Total Victory

Chapter 158: Chapter 154: Total Victory

"Report!"

As the communications officer approached, Zhou Yongtao turned to meet him, and, before Bai Zhizhan could get there, grabbed the newly received telegram.

It was the battle report from the lead aircraft.

The attack was a complete success, having sunk the "Fengxiang" and heavily damaged the "Longxiang," which they judged to be sinking rapidly by visual inspection.

Normally, this meant the "Longxiang" had begun to sink before the plane group returned, but it hadn’t completely submerged yet.

Additionally, the attack aircraft group had already begun to retreat to the southwest according to the plan.

Not flying towards Zu Island, but turning southeast after leaving the combat area.

Since the flight was too far, it wasn’t guaranteed they could rendezvous with the fleet, so the plane group was flying at cruising speed, with an expected return time of two hours.

It was now eleven forty-five.

After handing over the telegram to Bai Zhizhan, Zhou Yongtao returned to the command bridge.

By the time Bai Zhizhan entered, Zhou had already climbed over the nautical chart table, calculating the relevant navigation data.

"Now we must hurry to prepare; we can still launch another attack this afternoon," Zhou Yongtao continued as Bai Zhizhan approached, "Without air defense cover, the second main battle corps has become a sitting duck. Even if we don’t succeed, we can still heavily damage those battleships."

"No rush, we need to arrange something first."

Zhou Yongtao paused, not quite catching on.

"Immediately dispatch a ship-borne aircraft to Zu Island and use its radio station to send a message to the Domestic Fleet, instructing them to advance full speed towards Watcher Strait."

"You mean..."

"Don’t overestimate the shipborne air force. Two days of great victory were largely due to luck. Besides, what does it matter if we break the second main battle corps?" After a slight pause, Bai Zhizhan added, "At this point in the battle, Takano has no way out."

This time, Zhou Yongtao was momentarily taken aback, but then he understood.

Without further questions, he waved over a combat staff advisor.

Bai Zhizhan’s last comment hit the nail on the head.

Takano had no way out!

First, the Mobile Fleet was annihilated, then the fifth Air Corps was shattered, and now it was the third Air Corps’ turn—what did the Saiyi Navy have left?

Were there still a few carriers on the slipways that had been converted from fast cruise ships?

Speaking of which, Takano was the primary person responsible.

Why?

If Takano hadn’t insisted, the Saiyi Navy might not have started the construction project of two super battleships two years ago. The freed slipways and even more valuable steel production capacity could not only have allowed for the modified carriers to be commissioned in time but also for the construction of two additional fleet carriers.

With a few more carriers, even if they were all converted, the outcome of this maritime battle might have been entirely different.

Not to mention anything else, if they had those carriers that were all named "Eagle," then Bai Zhizhan certainly wouldn’t dare to be so aggressive in today’s battle. In a more conservative scenario, given the combat effectiveness of the third Aviation Mixed Fleet, such a significant victory would have been impossible. And if the battle had reached a stalemate, then at the very least, the Saiyi Navy could have blocked the vital Watcher Strait with naval mines as they did in the last war.

Now, what did the Saiyi Navy have left?

Ten battleships?

Actual combat had proven that in a battle dominated by shipborne air force, the most useful weapon on battleships was the numerous high-altitude guns.

Obviously, let alone these ten, even with the two unfinished super battleships considered, they couldn’t overcome the Liangxia Navy’s four fleet carriers.

The upcoming battle was actually quite predictable.

The Liangxia Navy would advance into the East Ocean, deploying the carrier-centered Special Mixed Fleet to blockade the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, intercepting all vessels heading to the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom and preventing any nation from providing aid. The Saiyi Navy would certainly strike first, but in the vast ocean, battleships simply couldn’t catch up to carriers and couldn’t withstand the onslaught of the shipborne air force, charging out would be tantamount to a suicide mission.

It would be better to stay and fight to the death now.

With Takano’s foresight, he would undoubtedly see such a future, and it was very likely that he would bet everything at this time, leading the two main battle corps to the Xu Sea to seek a decisive battle with the Domestic Fleet, perhaps even managing to take down a few of Liangxia Navy’s battleships. From his perspective, it would even seem plausible that he could catch the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet in the Xu Sea, thus maximizing the value of his self-sacrifice.

Of course, these were not the key points.

As long as Takano could tie up the Domestic Fleet in the Xu Sea, even just for a day, the Saiyi Navy’s transport fleet could take the opportunity to land the Landing Forces on the North and South Sado Islands. After taking control of Guard Island and Wang Island, they could emulate the last war and blockade the Watcher Strait by minesweeping.

If so, even if Takano led the main battle corps to total annihilation in the Xu Sea, he could still become a hero of the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom.

Clearly, this was Bai Zhizhan’s greatest concern.

It was for this reason that Bai Zhizhan had Zhou Yongtao make arrangements.

Now, the only ones who could rush forward to block the gunsights were the Domestic Fleet.

Of course, Zhou Yongtao also immediately realized another key issue.

What they had to withstand was not the second main battle corps, but Takano’s first main battle corps, especially those two "Damen" class battleships.

In any case, finding the first main battle corps was the first step.

Looking at the current situation, the only reliable force was the First Shipborne Air Force Wing stationed on Zu Island.

Don’t forget, the plane group commanded by Ji Yeshang would definitely need time for maintenance after returning, temporarily unable to carry out reconnaissance missions.

When commanding his combat staff advisor, Zhou Yongtao specifically mentioned this.

Moreover, if Takano wanted to rush to the Watcher Strait as soon as possible, the first main battle corps not only had to travel at full speed but also had to choose the shortest route.

This route would pass to the east of Zu Island.

According to the timing, the first main battle corps would arrive about four hundred kilometers from Zu Island at some time in the afternoon.

This distance was just within the striking range of the First Shipborne Air Force Wing.

Taking off from the naval base’s airport, the ship-borne aircraft could be overloaded, carry more fuel, and additionally consider landing at the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet.

All in all, the afternoon’s operations were extremely critical.

Not to talk of annihilating, as long as they could repel the first main battle corps, they could achieve a decisive victory.

According to Zhou Yongtao’s understanding, Bai Zhizhan’s goal was likely to repel the first main battle corps.

The reason was simple.

Having already achieved a significant victory, there was no need to fight to the death with the Saiyi Navy!

Moreover, it was the Domestic Fleet coming from the Xu Sea. Bai Zhizhan was originally from the Domestic Fleet, and its current Commander, Vice Admiral Gui Boyong, had a particularly special relationship with Bai Zhizhan. Sacrificing the Domestic Fleet would have no benefit whatsoever for Bai Zhizhan.

Of course, the same was true for the Imperial Navy.

Having already achieved the main strategic goals, avoiding a decisive battle to preserve strength was not a sign of cowardice.

The Saiyi Navy was just the first enemy to be defeated by the Imperial Navy before achieving a complete victory, and there were stronger enemies to come.

Then, should valuable military force be wasted on an enemy that has already been defeated, or is about to be defeated?

To speak more grandly and to win a more glorious total victory, should thousands of soldiers be sacrificed for no reason?

If indeed so, then Bai Zhizhan would not be a commander worth following!

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