Empire Conquest
Chapter 200 - 196: Prince Joins the Army

Chapter 200: Chapter 196: Prince Joins the Army

Upon reaching the upstairs office, Bai Zhizhan learned that Zheng Jiangming was now stationed at the Navy headquarter as an intelligence liaison officer, and it had just happened a few days ago.

That morning, when Bai Zhizhan arrived, Zheng Jiangming happened to be out on business, and they had not met.

After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Zhizhan thought to himself. He had achieved resounding victory in the West East Ocean, and Zheng Jiangming’s contributions behind the scenes were indispensable.

Indeed, many key pieces of intelligence were provided by Zheng Jiangming.

More precisely, they were relayed by Zheng Jiangming.

Though he was merely responsible for transmitting intelligence, without his insistence and emphasis on the value of the intelligence, the Navy headquarter might not have dealt with it in a timely manner.

For this reason, Zheng Jiangming had barged into Commander Liu Changxun’s office numerous times to explain the critical situation.

"I thought you were going to arrive last night."

"We got delayed at Mast Harbor, so we arrived late," Bai Zhizhan didn’t stand on ceremony, as Zheng Jiangming was his own brother; being too polite would actually be awkward.

"This arrived today, take a look." Zheng Jiangming took an envelope from the safe, pulled out a document, and handed it to Bai Zhizhan.

He didn’t give Bai Zhizhan the envelope.

It was a small gesture, but it clearly indicated the nature of their relationship.

Why?

It was obvious this was a top-secret document not meant for just anyone to see. By not handing over the envelope, Zheng Jiangming implied that Bai Zhizhan wasn’t fully aware of the nature of the document.

Should there be any issues in the future, it wouldn’t be traced back to Bai Zhizhan.

"Is this alright?" Bai Zhizhan asked an extra question, as implicating his own brother was no trivial matter.

"You’re the Commander of the Special Mixed Fleet; officially, you’re directly under the headquarter. What’s inappropriate about it?"

After Zheng Jiangming said this, Bai Zhizhan then opened the document.

It was a battle plan, classified as confidential, though not top secret. At least, at Bai Zhizhan’s rank, he was entitled to read such sensitive information.

However, it wasn’t a Navy battle plan but an Army one.

Clearly, Zheng Jiangming had gone out that morning to handle this matter.

The content was very detailed, though many parts had been redacted, retaining only the Navy-related portions that were almost entirely about logistical support.

Simply put, it outlined when, to which port or temporarily constructed dock bay, what kinds of military supplies should be transported, as well as the quantity of various supplies, the handover process with the Army combat units upon arrival, and the arrangement of liaison personnel, among other things.

As for the overall plan, one could infer it from the supply times, locations, and types of goods.

After flipping through it twice, Bai Zhizhan fell silent.

The news he heard from Gui Boyong was not wrong—the Army was indeed preparing to aggressively capture the Ice Storm Peninsula within the year.

This meant the Navy would need to make adjustments.

To ensure the capture of the Ice Storm Peninsula, should they revise the entire strategic plan, even reversing primary and secondary objectives?

In all strategic plans, the Navy was primary, and the Army secondary. Before sweeping through the West East Ocean and Fan Flame Ocean, it had to be Navy-led. If they were to start a war with the Newland Federation next, it was likely that the Navy would remain primary until a decisive victory was secured.

Thinking of all this, Bai Zhizhan looked up at Zheng Jiangming.

"Racing across the Ice Storm Peninsula is Situ Jingde, and behind him is the Holy Emperor."

At this, Bai Zhizhan was taken aback.

Obviously, he had overlooked this point before.

"The key thing is, the Eldest Prince is also there."

"You mean..."

"He’s in Lian Xusheng’s Armored Forces, serving as a frontline officer. As for his exact role, I don’t know, and even if I knew, I couldn’t discuss it recklessly."

Bai Zhizhan nodded, indicating that he understood.

In the history of the Empire, it was commonplace for Princes to serve in the military and fight on the front lines; it was nothing to be surprised about.

It must be said, this is one of the Empire’s most representative traditions of the Imperial Family.

Do not forget, during the last great war, the current Holy Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince, fought on the Western Front.

Although Emperor Shiwu, who established the rule that princes must lead by example, did not originally intend for the princes to reap military achievements but rather hoped the Royal Family could set an example and let the princes know how difficult it was to conquer the world so that they could one day become wise Emperors. However, as things developed, the princes’ service in front-line units became more about gaining the military’s support and laying the groundwork for future succession.

Essentially, having princes serve in the military became a means of protecting the interests of the Imperial Family.

Obviously, this was also the reason why the Imperial Guard Armored Forces were sent to launch a fierce attack immediately after the start of the war, turning a feint into the main assault.

Where does the crux lie?

Exactly, it was the Eldest Prince!

The current Holy Emperor is in the prime of his life, not yet at the point where he needs to designate an heir. In the current system of the Empire, whether to confer the title of Crown Prince, namely to appoint an heir, is not considered important.

The resultant situation is that several princes could potentially become the heir.

Crucially, three princes have such ambition and capability!

Apart from the Eldest Prince, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince are also considered paragons of virtue, possessing abilities and some influence among the populace and the military.

For those princes desiring to become the heir, military achievements are crucial.

Clearly, the Imperial Guard supports the Eldest Prince.

There’s nothing surprising about that; the Eldest Prince served in the Imperial Guard before reaching adulthood, starting from the grassroots, and can be said to belong to the Imperial Guard. In outsiders’ words, the Eldest Prince is following the very path taken by the current Holy Emperor, making the Imperial Guard his direct lineage.

Having the Eldest Imperial Prince serve in the Imperial Guard is also a tradition of the Empire.

The reason is simple: the Imperial Guard is the Imperial Royal Guard, nominally following only the commands of the Emperor and also responsible for the security of the Royal Family.

At any time, there are members of the Royal Family in the Imperial Guard.

So, where do the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince go?

The Fourth Prince is still young, not yet thirteen years old, and though exceptionally intelligent, has not reached the age to serve in the military.

As for the Third Prince, he was sent to the Imperial Naval Officer Academy five years ago.

To be exact, he is graduating this year, or rather, he has already graduated and may have already been assigned to a fleet.

According to tradition, the Third Prince is certainly using a pseudonym, and only the Principal of the Academy and a few direct instructors know the Third Prince’s real identity.

After joining the troops, the unit’s commander will also be informed.

Now, what more can be said?

The situation is clear; the Eldest Prince must achieve enough military accomplishments before his foremost rival for the throne, the Third Prince, makes a name for himself.

The throne might not be worth much, but it is still a throne!

It must be said, there is probably no more valuable throne in the world than that of the Liangxia Empire.

Bai Zhizhan gave a wry smile, perhaps the only emotion he could show now.

"Don’t think too much about it, the Navy is the same."

"What?"

Bai Zhizhan was visibly startled, looking at Zheng Jiangming with eyes full of surprise and confusion.

"I can’t say more, just be mentally prepared and pretend you don’t know when the time comes."

"How is that related to me?"

Bai Zhizhan had understood by now, but since Zheng Jiangming said he couldn’t speak further, he could only pretend to be unaware.

"It’s just that I didn’t ask you here for this matter."

"Is there something more important?"

Zheng Jiangming smiled and took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer.

Bai Zhizhan was somewhat anxious, but he didn’t ask, for he knew Zheng Jiangming was a methodical person and pressing him would only frustrate himself.

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