Empire Conquest
Chapter 244 - 240 Global Vision

Chapter 244: Chapter 240 Global Vision

"If there are three options, I’d definitely choose the middle route."

"And you’re still talking about Lan Yun?"

Zhou Yongtao was stunned and clearly did not understand the meaning of Bai Zhizhan’s words.

"From our perspective, from a defensive standpoint, we’d certainly choose the middle route because as long as we hold the middle firmly, we can take care of the east route. And the west route, that’s within the striking range of the Special Mixed Group. Even if we can’t get there in time, Liu Xiangzhen won’t let Lan Yun slip away."

Zhou Yongtao nodded; this time he understood.

"But what about from Lan Yun’s standpoint, that is, from an offensive perspective, how should he choose?"

"That depends on his objective."

"Coming from such a long distance, and in such haste, don’t tell me it’s to go home for the Spring Festival."

"The Spring Festival?"

Hearing Bai Zhizhan say this, Zhou Yongtao couldn’t help but laugh.

Despite the current animosity between the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom and the Liangxia Empire, bordering on outright hostility, historically, the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom had always regarded Liangxia as a role model for learning. Over the past thousand years, not only had they used the Liangxia script, but they had also adopted Liangxia’s culture and traditions.

The most typical example was the almost wholesale adoption of traditional Liangxia festivals like the "Spring Festival."

As a result, every year at this time, the Liangxia mainland and the Saiyi islands would welcome the New Year on the same day.

During the last major conflict, on the day of the New Calendar year 78 Spring Festival, both sides had temporarily ceased fire on the Ice Storm Peninsula, allowing soldiers on the frontline to experience a peaceful Spring Festival. But just two days later, on the second day of the first lunar month, as though to coincide with the custom of setting off firecrackers, both sides engaged in a fierce gun battle.

"So that means, he’s heading for Liuhuang Island."

Bai Zhizhan nodded and added, "I’m now eighty percent sure that the news of Li Zhong’s death was deliberately released by the Military Command Department, and it was Tanimoto’s idea. The purpose of this move is for us to attack Liuhuang Island prematurely, forcing the Landing Fleet to linger longer at the landing site."

"To create an opportunity for Lan Yun?"

"The opportunity has been created, whether Lan Yun can seize it, that’s still unknown."

"What do you mean?" Zhou Yongtao always saw Bai Zhizhan as an idol, so whenever he encountered something he didn’t understand, he would take the initiative to ask.

"Tanimoto is indeed formidable; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been promoted directly from Major to Major General. However, battlefield conditions change in the blink of an eye, and no one can predict what will happen the next second. Even the most formidable commanders cannot foresee everything, let alone cover all bases. Otherwise, the Imperial Navy wouldn’t insist on the principle of delegated authority, granting frontline commanders autonomous power," Bai Zhizhan paused briefly, then continued, "When making this deployment, Tanimoto certainly couldn’t determine how long the defensive forces on Liuhuang Island could hold out, nor could he know that the ’Heng River’ had already left Puzhou port, and he couldn’t predict what decisions Lan Yun would make upon receiving this intelligence."

"All of these are uncertainties."

"Among these, there are actually only two big variables."

"Lan Yun?"

Bai Zhizhan nodded and said, "Lan Yun is the commander of the Mobile Fleet. However, judging from the results of the engagement, his abilities obviously aren’t as formidable as they were touted to be before the battle. Honestly, when it comes to traditional Fleet battles, he might not even compare to the several generals who have already died. The key point is that after being with the Air Corps and the Mobile Fleet for so long, even if he hasn’t achieved much, his way of thinking has probably become fixed. If he commands the Permanent Fleet in the same way he commanded the Mobile Fleet, could that yield good results?"

"That..."

"However, we shouldn’t underestimate him either. In my opinion, his cautious attitude may once again lead the Saiyi Fleet into the gutter."

Another Yuzhou dialect term.

Zhou Yongtao scratched his head.

It seems he needed to find time to learn the Yuzhou dialect.

"However, if we can think of this, Tanimoto can as well. Don’t forget, Takano initially assigned him to the Mobile Fleet, so he must be quite familiar with Lan Yun and knows that Lan Yun is prone to confusion at critical moments. Thus, he will definitely have made corresponding arrangements to target this weakness."

"What kind of arrangements?"

"For instance, telling Lan Yun how many gains can be made by successfully raiding the landing site on Liuhuang Island or making similar guarantees to dispel Lan Yun’s doubts. If necessary, he will also restrict Lan Yun by issuing orders. After all, Lan Yun is a defeated general and may not dare to defy Tanimoto, who has the Prime Minister’s support."

Zhou Yongtao nodded thoughtfully, as if he understood Bai Zhizhan’s meaning.

"As for the other uncertain factor, Tanimoto might have anticipated it, but he definitely hadn’t made any preparations in advance, and may not even mend the pen after the sheep are lost."

"You’re saying..."

"Isn’t that us?"

Zhou Yongtao furrowed his brows.

In fact, he had guessed that the second uncertain factor Bai Zhizhan mentioned was referring to the first Special Mixed Fleet, but he didn’t think it was an advantage.

Saiyi spies had already discovered the secret of the floating dock and had sent a telegram.

Even if Tanimoto was foolish, he would have certainly thought that the Liangxia Navy, with the "Heng River" as the core, had formed a fleet and that this fleet had likely already entered the West East Ocean.

After making this guess, Tanimoto would inevitably adjust his deployment.

So, what was there to be happy about?

Even if they didn’t have to worry about encountering the Permanent Fleet at night, the two "Xu Sea" class were not just there for show, but Lan Yun could easily slip away.

As long as they didn’t visit the landing grounds on Liuhuang Island, the Permanent Fleet only needed to detour eastward to successfully return to the Saiyi homeland.

"Do you think Tanimoto knows we’re on this carrier?"

"He should know you’re on this carrier," Zhou Yongtao answered honestly, aware that Bai Zhizhan meant "I" when he said "we."

"Not just should, but definitely can guess. My visit to Puzhou Shipyard was not a secret, and I haven’t shown up in Puzhou for many days."

"If he knows you’re commanding the first Special Mixed Fleet, then he’ll be even more cautious."

"There are two possibilities."

"Which two?"

"The first, he will suspect the first Special Mixed Fleet is in the West East Ocean, and right near Liuhuang Island, hidden in the sea area not far from the Special Mixed Group."

"This..."

"However, if we don’t attack the Permanent Fleet today or tomorrow morning, Tanimoto might think that this concern is actually unnecessary."

Zhou Yongtao didn’t speak, seriously pondering the words Bai Zhizhan had said.

It was less about listening to Bai Zhizhan analyze the situation and more about humbly learning.

Such opportunities to teach in actual combat were truly once in a lifetime.

"By then, he will believe the second possibility, that we are operating in the Xu Sea, and we may soon go to Jeju Island to participate in the combat operations there."

"The battle on Ice Storm Peninsula is over, so there..."

"If we want to land on the Saiyi homeland, where do you think is more convenient to depart from?"

He had thought of even this!

Zhou Yongtao truly admired Bai Zhizhan wholeheartedly.

"In short, according to my deduction, as long as we stay hidden and do not show ourselves, by lunchtime tomorrow at the latest, Tanimoto will order Lan Yun to rush towards Liuhuang Island at full speed. And before that, even if he hasn’t adjusted, Lan Yun is likely to choose the furthest route."

"The eastern route?"

Bai Zhizhan nodded and said, "Lan Yun’s mission is to prevent us from landing on Liuhuang Island, and to assist the defenders on the island in repelling the Landing Forces. Theoretically, as long as the Permanent Fleet arrives at the landing grounds on Liuhuang Island, that would be enough; there is no need to defeat the Landing Fleet and Landing Forces."

At this moment, Zhou Yongtao had completely understood.

Bai Zhizhan wasn’t planning to let Lan Yun off the hook; he was waiting for Lan Yun to fall into the trap of his own making.