Empire Conquest
Chapter 356 - 352: The Super Persuader

Chapter 356: Chapter 352: The Super Persuader

After convincing Spur, Tanimoto analyzed the situation for Hal, Nizi, and other high-ranking officials of the Newland Navy, and successfully persuaded them.

The key point was just one: the battleships that the Liangxia Empire and the Newland Federation would build in the next two to three years.

Even in a state of war, undergoing full-scale mobilization, it would take over two years to build large warships like carriers.

The number of warships that could be acquired in the two to three years after the war’s outbreak was actually determined by the prior start of construction and the planned number of builds.

Compared to the Liangxia Empire, this was precisely where the Newland Federation fell short.

In the year 101 of the New Calendar, which is next year, the Liangxia Navy could obtain up to four newly-built large carriers. Then it would not be until the beginning of the year 103 of the New Calendar, in two years’ time, that it might receive the second batch of large carriers, with the number likely being eight.

On the Newland Navy side, if mobilization could be completed in time and enough resources invested, then at the earliest by the end of next year, and at the latest by the beginning of the year after next, it might be possible to acquire one large carrier. By the end of the year after next, there was hope of obtaining three to five large carriers. Once mobilization was completed and resources were directed towards shipbuilding, by the New Calendar year 103, the Newland Navy could hope to acquire five "Ethe" class large carriers within one year.

By the year 103 of the New Calendar, at the latest by the end of that year, the Newland Navy could possibly catch up with the Liangxia Navy in terms of the number of newly built carriers.

By then, the Liangxia Navy would have added twelve, while the Newland Navy would have nine new carriers.

There was still a gap of three carriers, but it was not significant.

From this, we could see that the actual difficulty lay in the two-plus years before this.

If neither side suffered losses in battle, then in the next year, New Calendar year 101, the ratio of carriers between the Newland Navy and the Liangxia Navy would be 5+2 to 8+1, with the former adding two small fleet carriers and the latter adding the "Heng River." By the New Calendar year 102, the ratio would be 6+2 to 8+1. By the first half of the year 103, the ratio would expand to 9+2 to 16+1, and by the second half of the year, it could be narrowed to 14+2 to 16+1.

If the combat power of the large carriers was taken into account, the gap would be even greater.

Of course, there would definitely be combat losses.

Here, Tanimoto pointed out a key issue.

The Newland Navy was not fighting alone; the Liangxia Navy was.

Even if the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom was defeated, Newland could still rely on the Bulan Kingdom, and the strength of the Bulan Royal Navy wasn’t much less than that of the Newland Navy.

Who could the Liangxia Navy count on?

So, what reason was there to fear a war of attrition with the Liangxia Navy?

According to Tanimoto’s analysis, as long as the Bulan Royal Navy deployed forces to the Fan Flame Ocean, even if only one carrier remained, the Newland Navy could still hold steady in the East Ocean.

If the Bulan Royal Navy could tie down the Liangxia Navy in the Fan Flame Ocean for a year and a half and destroy a few Liangxia carriers, there would be nothing to worry about.

Moreover, a mutually destructive battle with the Liangxia Navy would actually benefit the Newland Navy.

If the Newland Navy became a mud Buddha and could only take care of itself, even needing the support of allies, then the first thing the Bulan Kingdom would do after entering the war would be to blockade the Throat Strait, control the sea lanes in the Fan Flame Ocean, and prevent the Liangxia Empire from obtaining oil from Boss Bay.

Since the Luosha Federation was not entirely reliable and the efficiency of land transportation of oil was low, with the relationship with the Tiaoman Empire needing consideration, the Liangxia Navy had to send forces to the Fan Flame Ocean and simultaneously launch military operations in the Fanluo region to apply pressure on the Bulan Kingdom.

This way, whether or not a fleet was sent to the Fan Flame Ocean, the Liangxia Empire could only shift its focus there and engage in a desperate struggle with the Bulan forces.

By then, the Army would certainly lead the charge.

After resources were shifted toward the Army, would it still be possible to ensure the construction progress of the main warships?

If not, by the New Calendar year 103, it would certainly not be possible to obtain more carriers, thus failing to maintain a strategic advantage in the East Ocean.

Of course, if the Liangxia Navy deployed forces to the Fan Flame Ocean and engaged in battle with the Bulan Royal Navy, it would definitely suffer losses.

After winding through all these points, Tanimoto’s intended meaning was actually quite simple.

Strive to destroy a few of the Liangxia Navy’s carriers in the first battle after the war began, even if just two, to force the Liangxia Empire to adjust its strategic plans.

To persuade the senior officials of the Newland Navy, Tanimoto conducted a more detailed wargame simulation.

If two carriers were lost, the Liangxia Empire would definitely slow its pace of expansion and shift its strategic focus to the areas around the Flame Sea, such as Nanzhu Country.

The greatest advantage of doing so would be the ability to replace shipborne air force with shore-based air force.

Deep-sea operations?

Without enough carriers, it would be impossible to suppress the enemy’s shore-based air force. Sending a fleet over would be like sending them to their death!

Even a small island like Wei Island can be carefully arranged to deploy hundreds of combat planes, as well as dozens of long-range patrol planes that don’t occupy airport space.

Hundreds of bombers can send any fleet without carriers to the bottom of the sea within a 1,000-kilometer radius.

There is no need for heavy bombers; medium bombers like the Type 96 ground attack craft are sufficient.

Without carriers or shipborne air force providing anti-aircraft cover, a fleet centered around battleships is nothing but targets in the face of a bomber group!

If it were possible to take out four of the Liangxia Navy’s carriers, that would be even better.

Not to mention slowing expansion; by then, they would have to switch from defense to offense, and even consider retreating back to the Xu Sea, relying on the North and South Sado Islands to defend their homeland.

As for the potential losses the Newland Navy might suffer, that is not the key issue.

Moreover, Tanimoto emphasized an issue unrelated to tactics.

Up to this point, the Liangxia Navy hadn’t been defeated yet!

At least at the campaign level, the Liangxia Navy is still undefeated.

Throughout several major naval battles, the Liangxia Navy has always been utterly victorious.

In fact, the Liangxia Navy is invincible once again.

The key lies in that among the commanders of the Liangxia Navy, Bai Zhizhan has not only repeatedly created miracles but has also never tasted defeat. It seems no one in the world can defeat him.

Isn’t this another Chen Bingxun?

Thinking back, Chen Bingxun, who once had numerous nicknames such as "Eastern Sea God," "Son of Sea Dragon," and "Invincible Sea Demon," was the nightmare of all the world’s navies.

At his peak, he didn’t even need to engage in battle; just the sight of his "Ocean Stabilizer" flag on a warship was enough to make the enemy fleet turn tail and flee.

That was his era!

In his era, no one could defeat him at sea.

If he hadn’t gone to the front lines to command the siege on Jibu Fortress, if he hadn’t stood on the open balcony outside the Command Bridge of his flagship at the most intense time of the battle, if he hadn’t been struck by a stray shell, perhaps the Liangxia Navy would have unified the world’s oceans 40 years ago.

There were also rumors that Chen Bingxun was killed by a sharpshooter from Jibu Fortress.

If the rumors are true, the shot that hit Chen Bingxun is no doubt the most valuable shot in human history.

To allow Bai Zhizhan to become a second Chen Bingxun?

If that were so, where would we find another sharpshooter with the ability to "slay gods"?

It is essential to break the myth that Bai Zhizhan is invincible, and the sooner the better.

Now is the time.

In the words of Tanimoto, Bai Zhizhan currently can only command two carriers; his full talent hasn’t been completely unleashed. Wait two more years, and when he can command four, even six carriers, perhaps not even a reborn Chen Bingxun could defeat him on the sea.

So, what are we waiting for?