Empire Conquest
Chapter 221 - 217: Midnight Call

Chapter 221: Chapter 217: Midnight Call

"General Bai, there’s no need to escort me any further; I live right here."

"Ah!?" Bai Zhizhan was taken aback and pointed to the room across the hallway before he turned and pointed to the door behind him. "What a coincidence, I am staying in this one."

"Then... good night?"

"Good night!"

Without waiting for Zhang Xiaoqing to return to her room, Bai Zhizhan pushed open his door and fled into his room as if escaping for his life.

In fact, he could tell that Zhang Xiaoqing’s tone was inquisitive, indicating that there might be other options, like having another cup of coffee or something similar.

But, he pretended not to understand.

It wasn’t out of shyness, but rather a profound sense of puzzlement.

Was this a coincidence!?

No ghost would believe that!

During dinner, Bai Zhizhan thought it was a casual encounter with Zhang Xiaoqing. But now, he was almost certain, it was no coincidence.

The fiscal year was coming to an end, to be precise, it was the end of the financial year, and the audit had to be expedited.

Yet, of all the places in the country, why had Zhang Xiaoqing specifically come to Puzhou, to the shipyard, and was staying in the same hotel, in a room directly across from Bai Zhizhan’s?

What was Bai Zhizhan’s status?

He was a Major General in the Navy, representing the Navy headquarter to oversee the maintenance work on the "Heng River."

And who was Zhang Xiaoqing?

An auditor from the Ministry of Finance.

So, on what basis was she staying on the same floor as Bai Zhizhan?

This floor had only four rooms in total, all luxury suites typically offered only to VIPs and were generally not open to the public.

It must have been Fang Suqing’s arrangement!

Yes, it definitely must have been her doing, secretly contriving to make it seem as though the two had a destined connection, thereby fostering a favorable impression in Bai Zhizhan towards her little cousin.

Thinking it over, Bai Zhizhan concluded that it must have been Fang Suqing’s doing.

Actually, this indicated that Zhang Xiaoqing was interested in him.

"General Bai, is that Ms. Zhang your future sister-in-law?"

"Why are you still here?"

Hearing Zhou Yongtao’s greeting, Bai Zhizhan realized he was in his own room.

This guy was quite the sly one; he hadn’t shown up during the two hours of dinner, clearly aware that Bai Zhizhan had something to discuss with Zhang Xiaoqing and not wanting to intrude.

"I was just concerned about you," Zhou Yongtao said with an air of wounded innocence, picking up the briefcase on the chair, which contained the military green coat he had taken off.

"You’ve become quite devious. Don’t cause any trouble, sleep on that bed outside."

"This... wouldn’t that be quite inconvenient?"

"What’s so inconvenient about it?"

Zhou Yongtao finally settled down after being glared at by Bai Zhizhan.

The hotel had arranged for Bai Zhizhan the highest standard suite, which not only had a private bathroom but also an inner and an outer room, though there were three beds in total. Two single beds were placed in the outer room, and one large bed in the inner room. This setup was convenient for senior generals who brought adjutants.

Bai Zhizhan was a general but had never had an adjutant.

In fact, it was only customary for a Major General to have an adjutant; Bai Zhizhan had been promoted early after winning a battle when he was still a Brigadier General.

The key issue was, the promotion order had not yet been officially approved.

It wasn’t a matter of not being qualified, but a general’s promotion order had to be signed off by the Cabinet Chief, and before that, it would symbolically be sent to the Privy Council to be stamped with the National Seal.

Under normal circumstances, a special awarding ceremony would be held for newly promoted generals around the time of the Chinese New Year.

Besides, Bai Zhizhan had never considered getting himself an adjutant.

To say the least, the "adjutant" itself was a concept that old naval families, namely the Liu and He Families, had come up with, with strongly cliquish overtones. Bai Zhizhan wasn’t from a noble family; moreover, he always maintained a distance from noble families, representing officers from the civilian class.

Not to mention, Navy officers from civilian backgrounds, like Zhou Yongtao, considered Bai Zhizhan a role model.

If Bai Zhizhan, a military family disciple, got himself an adjutant, it would inevitably make civilian officers feel alienated and thus lose the support of civilian officers.

No words that night.

The next morning, bright and early, Bai Zhizhan left the hotel with Zhou Yongtao. To save time, they didn’t even go to the restaurant for breakfast, instead having the driver pick up a few bread rolls and two boxes of milk. But Zhou Yongtao felt that this wasn’t about hurrying; it was more like fleeing.

Of course, calling it seeking refuge would actually be more accurate.

The key point was that there wasn’t anything important that needed rushing to before the floating dock arrived.

Three days later, on January 9th, the large floating dock arrived at Puzhou Harbor, along with a group of Navy engineering personnel from Mast Harbor.

They worked until midnight before the floating dock was finally settled in place.

Mainly because the floating dock was so large, it could only be placed in a deep-water area, and its position had to be set in advance to ensure that the carrier could immediately enter the dock for repairs upon its arrival.

When he got back to the hotel, it was already early morning.

While Bai Zhizhan was taking a shower, Zhou Yongtao received a phone call.

"Whose call was it?"

"Headquarters, Zheng Jiangming."

Bai Zhizhan was drying his hair. Hearing Zhou Yongtao mention Zheng Jiangming, his hand holding the towel trembled slightly.

"The Army has launched an attack at dawn today, and so far, it’s going very smoothly. The vanguard Armored Forces commanded by General Lian Xusheng have reached Tianzhou, and they are expected to reach Quan City by tomorrow morning," Zhou Yongtao paused for a moment before adding, "According to the plan, the Navy’s landing operation will begin early tomorrow. Perhaps the ship-borne aircraft assigned the first strike mission have already begun to take off."

"Where are they striking?"

While Zhou Yongtao was briefing him, Bai Zhizhan had finished drying his hair and put on his jacket.

"Jeju Island."

Bai Zhizhan took a deep breath, but didn’t say much because it was as he had anticipated.

If there was to be an amphibious landing battle, Jeju Island would certainly be the choice. The difficulty of the operation was low, and with its sufficient area, troops would still need to be stationed there even after it was captured.

"Zheng Jiangming also said this is just a feint."

"A feint?"

Bai Zhizhan’s eyebrows rapidly twitched a few times before he finally looked up at Zhou Yongtao.

"Yesterday, four oil tankers belonging to the Special Mixed Group entered the West East Ocean from the Watcher Strait and did not head toward Nagiu Port."

"What!?"

Bai Zhizhan suddenly stood up with such a start that he startled Zhou Yongtao.

"The map!"

Without saying much, Zhou Yongtao hurriedly pulled out the map from his briefcase and spread it out on the dining table.

After staring at the map for a while, Bai Zhizhan let out a heavy sigh. He didn’t say anything but began vigorously rubbing his temples.

"What else did he say?" Bai Zhizhan asked after a moment of contemplation.

"The Navy’s operation plan was submitted by Liu Xiangdong, but it’s very likely the work of Liu Xiangzhen, after all, it’s Liu Xiangzhen who’s commanding the battle at the front line."

What the hell is Liu Xiangzhen planning to do?

If striking Jeju Island is a feint, then where’s the main attack?

And, is there any connection with the Army’s operations at the Ice Storm Peninsula?

If this is a Navy solo operation, then Liu Xiangzhen is likely just using the guise of supporting the Army, taking the opportunity to make a move on Liuhuang Island.

That’s it, it must be so!

After a feint at Jeju Island, the fleet would rapidly enter the East Ocean. Disregarding fuel consumption, they could reach there in four days with full speed.

The battle at Jeju Island could not possibly conclude within four days.

By the time the Saiyi Navy realized, the fleet could already have reached the Volcanic Islands, and perhaps the accompanying Landing Ships had already delivered the troops onto Liuhuang Island.

As for the Landing Forces, they must be from the Southern Fleet. The Landing Ships and fleet oil tankers stuck together, that’s why they didn’t go to Nagiu Port.

Bold move, unlike Liu Xiangzhen, or rather, unexpectedly bold.

But the risk is too great.

Has Liu Xiangzhen not considered the consequences of a failed operation?