Empire Conquest
Chapter 380 - 376: Realization

Chapter 380: Chapter 376: Realization

"If we’re talking about it, the tactical exposition by Bai Zhizhan is indeed the exciting part," said one officer.

All combat operations revolved around enticing and forcing the Newland Navy to defend Guan Island staunchly, turning it into a meat grinder for the Newland Army.

They definitely couldn’t directly attack Guam.

The first step was divided into three directions and executed simultaneously.

To the west, the Navy deployed the First Fleet to support and assist the Army in capturing Nanzhu Country.

This course of action didn’t need much elaboration. Regardless of whether they attacked Guan Island or not, capturing Nanzhu Country was essential for tightly controlling the Flame Sea.

In the center, the Navy set out from the Volcanic Islands and headed south to take one of the islands in the North Ma Islands.

The reasoning was simple—it would serve as a stepping stone for attacking Guam.

Guam was south of the North Ma Islands, with more than a thousand kilometers from Liuhuang Island, making it extremely difficult to launch an attack from Liuhuang Island.

It would be much easier if they could capture a forward base.

Because the Imperial Navy had few carriers, it would undoubtedly rely heavily on shore-based air force during the assault, making capturing an island in the North Ma Islands more convincing to the Newland Authority that the Liangxia Empire was resolute in attacking Guan Island, possibly prompting them to hasten a decisive battle.

On Guan Island indeed, the Newland armed forces based their operations, sending fleets to combat the Liangxia Navy in the North Ma Islands to avoid battling directly on Guan Island.

This was also easy to understand.

If roles were reversed, the Imperial Navy would also choose to strike first rather than wait to be attacked.

Moreover, in the West East Ocean, Guan Island was the only foothold for the Newland Navy; therefore, no matter how the battle unfolded, they needed to protect the infrastructure on Guan Island.

If fighting centered around Guan Island, it would have to be based on the fleet.

Unfortunately, the Newland Navy also didn’t possess many main battle ships.

The key was to the east.

Attack Wei Island!

While discussing this, Bai Zhizhan emphasized that Wei Island was a solitary island. The nearest island was hundreds of kilometers to the south, with the nearest island manned by Newland forces being Guam to the west and Transfer Island to the northeast, all more than a thousand kilometers away.

To put it bluntly, Wei Island was easy to attack but difficult to defend. Without a strong fleet, it was simply indefensible.

This was precisely why the Newland Navy hadn’t invested efforts into fortifying Wei Island.

If the Newland Navy wanted to defend Wei Island, they would have to deploy a carrier mixed fleet, possibly sending out the surviving "Fenjin."

If the Newland Navy feared defeat, they might abandon Wei Island.

If the Newland Navy didn’t back down, they would engage in a decisive battle around Wei Island.

According to Bai Zhizhan’s analysis, if they succeeded in these three attacks, with the key being the western and eastern fronts, they could definitely turn Guan Island into a sore spot for the Newland Navy.

However, Liu Xiangzhen raised doubts about Bai Zhizhan’s tactical analysis.

"What will they use to attack Wei Island?"

The Newland Navy only had one usable carrier. Did the Imperial Navy really have more?

Moreover, the Newland Navy owned two small fleet carriers, while the Imperial Navy had only the troublesome "Heng River" and the exceedingly slow "Sea Dragon."

The two carriers from the Newland Navy, no matter how you saw it, were still not very slow fleet carriers, whereas the "Sea Dragon" could only count as a small carrier. Due to its slow speed, the "Sea Dragon" couldn’t be integrated into a mixed fleet, nor could it accompany fleet carriers in battle.

Sending the "Heng River" on a risky mission?

Then, who would guarantee its safety?

Or rather, who would be willing to command this carrier?

Relying on just one carrier, how could they seize Wei Island?

Several days ago, the Sixth Bureau had just obtained reliable intelligence that the Newland Navy had reinforced Wei Island, mainly with their Air Force.

From a tactical level, the Newland Navy could easily have the "Fenjin" lay in wait on the east side of Wei Island, comfortably waiting for the Imperial Navy fleet to head to their deaths.

Bai Zhizhan did not argue with Liu Xiangzhen, only mentioning one point, "Longjiang" should be able to be repaired before the attack on Wei Island commenced.

Are two carriers enough?

The discussion ended there.

It seemed Bai Zhizhan had caught Liu Xiangzhen’s weak spot, making Liu Xiangzhen appear very angry. Liu Changxun took this opportunity to take him away from the Prime Minister Mansion.

Bai Zhizhan indeed caught Liu Xiangzhen’s weak spot.

According to the report submitted to the Navy headquarters by Liu Xiangzhen, "Longjiang" would take three months to repair.

However, last night, Zhou Yongtao had sent a message from Puzhou stating that Puzhou Shipyard had analyzed the damage report submitted by the 21st Special Mixed Fleet, determining that "Longjiang" could be repaired in half a month, and this carrier didn’t even need to return to the shipyard.

That’s why "Longjiang" did not head to Puzhou but went to Mast Harbor for repairs.

Mainly because the floating dry dock that had repaired "Heng River" had returned to Mast Harbor and had provided repair services for more than a dozen large warships in the past few months. If it had gone to Puzhou Harbor, it would have entered the dock for repairs too. All the necessary equipment for repairs was available at Mast Harbor.

Liu Xiangzhen misrepresented the damage report of "Longjiang," partly out of self-interest or perhaps concern.

If "Longjiang" were repaired within half a month, it would definitely be teamed up with the "Peijing," and the commander would undoubtedly be Bai Zhizhan.

From the previous few battles, it had been determined who was more formidable between Bai Zhizhan and Liu Xiangzhen.

Only two carriers could form one Special Mixed Fleet; unless Bai Zhizhan and Liu Xiangzhen could tolerate each other, one of them would have to stay behind.

What if "Longjiang" weren’t repaired?

Clearly, Liu Xiangzhen knew very well that the military operation attacking Guan Island absolutely couldn’t be delayed for three months.

In that case, Bai Zhizhan could only take "Peijing" into battle, and at most he could bring "Heng River."

After three months, he might return to the battlefield with "Longjiang" and possibly even with a repaired "Imperial Capital."

All in all, stalling for a few months was to his own benefit.

Bai Zhizhan didn’t call out Liu Xiangzhen’s ulterior motives, simply not wanting to complicate the issue.

If everything were made clear, it would turn into a personal vendetta.

What Bai Zhizhan wanted was merely to expedite the repairs of "Longjiang" and incorporate it into the 41st Special Mixed Fleet to accompany him on the expedition to Wei Island.

As long as he could make Liu Xiangzhen back down, that was enough.

Liu Changxun also saw this point, which is why he took Liu Xiangzhen and left early, to avoid embarrassment in front of the Prime Minister.

After all, tearing face wouldn’t benefit anyone, so why bother causing oneself trouble?

They still had to fight side by side in the future; even if Bai Zhizhan didn’t expect much help from Liu Xiangzhen, having someone cover on the battlefield wasn’t a bad thing.

It could be said, this was also the most noticeable change in Bai Zhizhan after a brush with death.

On the morning of the 12th, when the "Imperial Capital" was bombed, Bai Zhizhan truly felt the threat of death for the first time.

At that time, the undetonated 500-pound aerial bomb was less than 50 meters directly away from Bai Zhizhan.

Though there were several layers of decks between them, and the command bridge was armored, the blast wave alone was lethally powerful.

Crucially, Bai Zhizhan witnessed the bomb hit the flight deck and pierce into the hangar.

In that instant, he felt trapped, certain of his death!

In previous battles, even when being pursued by the Saiyi Heavy Cruiser, he never felt this way.

It was this sensation, or perhaps enlightenment, that made Bai Zhizhan understand many truths, see through many things, and become more open-minded.

Why be aggressively confrontational in every matter when one could show mercy?