Empire Conquest
Chapter 253 - 249 Rofuss’s Call

Chapter 253: Chapter 249 Rofuss’s Call

The Special Mixed Fleet No. 1 arrived at Nagiu Port on the 28th at night.

Because the "Heng River" had to undergo a comprehensive inspection, and two fast battleships also needed to perform performance tests, Bai Zhizhan and Zhou Yongtao took a transport plane back to Puzhou that very night. They left in such a hurry that they had not even been aware of the tremendous changes that had occurred in Nagiu Port.

All they noticed when docking was the engineering ships and transport vessels moored in the harbor.

There was no doubt that the Imperial Navy would carry out extensive construction work here, redeveloping Nagiu Port into a naval fortress that faces the West East Ocean and shields the Empire’s mainland.

When they arrived in Puzhou, it was already the early hours of the morning.

The two only rested at the airport for a while before taking a transport plane back to the Imperial Capital.

It was morning by the time they arrived.

The only person who came to pick them up at the airport was Zheng Jiangming.

"Liu Xiangzhen has also returned; he just arrived last night."

"When it comes to grabbing credit, he sure is fast."

Bai Zhizhan glared at Zhou Yongtao, motioning him to shut his mouth.

This was the result of unabashed talk from Shen Pu and Zhu Huasheng; after all, Zhou Yongtao was a young man in his twenties and most susceptible to influence from those around him.

It came as no surprise to Bai Zhizhan that Liu Xiangzhen hastened back.

Three days earlier, on the 25th at night, less than ten hours into their return journey, Bai Zhizhan received a battle report from the Marine Corps’ frontline commander stating that the last group of Saiyi soldiers holed up on Bobo Mountain had been annihilated, and the operation to attack Liuhuang Island had thus come to an end.

On the afternoon of the 25th, which was before the Special Mixed Fleet No. 1 set sail, it had been possible to take Liuhuang Island.

By then, the final Saiyi force was trapped in underground bunkers on Bobo Mountain, and Li Mingbo had sent several inquiries, suggesting they use the heavy artillery from the "Xu Sea" and "Flame Sea" to end the battle, or to dispatch shipborne aircraft to drop bombs. All suggestions were turned down by the frontline commander. The reason given was that the marines surrounding the enemy could not retreat from the frontline and that both bombing and artillery would pose a threat to friendly forces.

But the frontline commander’s concerns were not really about friendly fire.

The 7th Marine Division, which attacked Liuhuang Island, hailed from the southern region of the Empire, and previously stationed on Foot Island, the 5th Marine Division, also from the southern region and a reserve team.

Before the outbreak of the war, these two Marine Divisions had already completed their mobilization. They later accompanied the Southern Fleet on a feint mission, boarding landing ships from Chengjiang Port, moving south with the Southern Fleet, pretending to attack Lion Spring City and seize the Throat Strait leading to the Fan Flame Ocean.

These two Marine Divisions were, in fact, the direct lineage troops of the Southern Fleet.

Of course, one could tell by the numbering.

Among the Marine Divisions, those with odd numbers were deployed in the southern region, facing the Flame Sea and Fan Flame Ocean, while even numbers were in the eastern region, facing the East Ocean.

Clearly, the Marine Corps’ decision not to wipe out the last enemy forces on the 25th afternoon was a reluctance to allow Bai Zhizhan to claim the credit.

It was hardly surprising; such internal rivalries were commonplace throughout various parts of the Imperial Navy.

Over ten days ago, near the Xu Sea, Gui Boyong led the Domestic Fleet to take the risky action of bombarding Long Sorrow, also not wishing to let Liu Xiangzhen monopolize the credit.

During peacetime, such competitiveness could be beneficial to the Navy’s development.

During wartime, that might not be the case.

One could say that it was utterly meaningless internal friction.

Bai Zhizhan strongly opposed such factionalism, or else he would not have repeatedly rejected the olive branches from He Yongxing, maintaining his independence.

He would never allow his subordinates to form cliques.

Supporting each other was allowed, but to attack each other was not.

This was Bai Zhizhan’s principle: do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

"However, this time, there certainly won’t be any objections regarding the evaluation of military achievements. Commander Liu Changxun has already signed the commendation order, and the award ceremony will take place at the Privy Council, and it’s the Grand Secretary himself who will confer the ranks to this year’s newly promoted officers. Although it is mainly the Army, as the Eldest Prince has established remarkable military exploits on the front line and the Holy Emperor is delighted, everybody has to show respect. But if we were to speak frankly, you and Liu Xiangzhen are the real leading men of this year."

"Is there a leading lady as well?"

After Zheng Jiangming finished speaking, Zhou Yongtao immediately asked a question.

Is this guy the court jester Bai Zhizhan brought back?

Zheng Jiangming rolled his eyes, completely speechless towards Zhou Yongtao. It was just a metaphorical expression; what difference does it make between men and women?

"When will it take place?" Bai Zhizhan didn’t joke around.

"The first day of the New Year."

"In that case, it’s not many days away."

"Which is why I say, it was the right time for you to come back."

Bai Zhizhan smiled; he hadn’t anticipated the award ceremony.

It was Zhou Yongtao’s idea to rush back, whereas Bai Zhizhan simply wanted to quickly find someone to pull some strings, like going to see Li Yunxiang to check if the Air Force had an appropriate position. If all else failed, he would turn to Liu Changxun to try to get Li Mingbo reassigned. Even if it wasn’t to the Special Mixed Fleet, anywhere else would do.

"I came to find you, actually, because there is something even more important."

Bai Zhizhan furrowed his brow.

Zhou Yongtao also looked toward Zheng Jiangming.

Although he had only met Zheng Jiangming upon his previous return, after several encounters, Zhou Yongtao already knew that this plain-looking middle-aged man was incredibly resourceful.

"Yesterday, Federation President Rofuss of the Newland Federation officially issued a ceasefire appeal and expressed his willingness to mediate."

"What?" Zhou Yongtao, excited, bumped his head against the car ceiling. "This is really timely. Just as the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom is on the verge of defeat, he steps in to mediate. What was he doing before? Clearly, he’s trying to give the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom a lifeline! Tell me the Grand Secretary won’t accept this bullshit proposal."

"He has already accepted it."

Zhou Yongtao was immediately stunned, though not agitated this time.

The car ceiling was made of hard metal. The bump earlier was not light, and Zhou Yongtao did not repeat his folly.

"Acceptance is just that. As for how the talks will be conducted, and at what time and place, the fundamental tone of the negotiations, the predetermined results, the main topics, and whether any preconditions should be set for initiating negotiations, none of these matters have been discussed yet, and it’s not for Rofuss to decide."

Negotiations have so many intricacies?

Zheng Jiangming’s words left Zhou Yongtao dumbfounded, as he had no experience in this area.

"The Grand Secretary is countering public opinion," Bai Zhizhan sighed.

Bai Zhizhan wasn’t surprised; he had been fully involved in the negotiations for the "Huacheng Treaty" and the "Luntai Treaty," qualifying as a semi-expert in negotiations.

Zheng Jiangming nodded and continued, "Whether the talks can happen, and what results they might yield, are not important. The key still lies in quickly defeating the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom."

Bai Zhizhan didn’t respond; he certainly understood the rationale.

Just as Zhou Yongtao had initially pointed out, Rofuss’s proposal was not just about buying time for the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom; it was also about giving the Newland Federation the time it needed to complete its war preparations.

With the situation developing to this stage, Rofuss’s intentions were an open secret.

In a nutshell: to complete domestic industrial adjustments as much as possible before formally deploying troops or engaging in warfare with the Liangxia Empire, ensuring that the full potential of wartime capabilities can be immediately unleashed after joining the war; and to make as much use of allies like the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom to wear down the Liangxia Empire, weakening its war capabilities, all so as to try and defeat the Liangxia Empire before getting bogged down in protracted warfare.

If Bai Zhizhan could see through it, could Xue Yuanzheng possibly not see through it?

After seeing through it, would he still fall for it?

So, how would Xue Yuanzheng respond?