Empire Conquest
Chapter 408 - 404: Discuss in Advance

Chapter 408: Chapter 404: Discuss in Advance

"If we’re talking about it, the issue of insufficient naval strength for the Imperial Navy will not be alleviated until after next year’s Spring Festival or even around the Tomb-Sweeping Day.

By that time, not only will the "Imperial Capital" be repaired, but four "Province" class ships will also be commissioned.

In addition, there will be at least 10 fast battleships, and 10 old battleships.

Although four "Longxing" class ships were assigned to the 42nd Special Mixed Fleet and left Daban, Liu Changxun did not immediately return to the Empire but waited here for Bai Zhizhan.

The reason is simple, the current situation is not quite what was anticipated.

Even if the attack on Wei Island was just a feint, and the assaults on Sai Island and Guan Island were also feints, no one expected that such stubborn resistance would be met on Sai Island by the Newland Army.

That’s where the deviation from the plan occurred.

According to the original plan, Guan Island should be attacked before the Spring Festival, so by Tomb-Sweeping Day, there would be no issue of needing to divide forces to East Ocean.

In the initial plan, it was actually a Special Mixed Fleet consisting of four large carriers that would go to the Fan Flame Ocean, while three Fleet carriers would remain on East Ocean. The "Peijing" would return to the shipyard for routine maintenance, while the other two would undergo restorative training in the Xu Sea.

Only if a major accident occurred, such as the Newland Navy deploying carriers to participate in the Guan Island operation, would there be a need to make corresponding adjustments to the deployment.

Even then, it would just involve sending the "Imperial Capital" and the "Longjiang."

If really necessary, adding the "Peijing" would be sufficient.

But now, even by the most optimistic estimates, Sai Island could only be taken around Tomb-Sweeping Day, and it would definitely not be possible to deploy the Marine Corps onto Guan Island.

That is, a few carriers would need to stay and form a Special Mixed Fleet to attack Guan Island.

Given the Newland Marine Corps’ performance on Sai Island, by that time, it’s feared that four carriers would be needed to form two Special Mixed Fleets, and we’d even need to reconsider the feint attack on Wei Island.

If we still followed the original plan, with shore-based air force providing air support and anti-aircraft cover, then the attack on Guan Island would have to be postponed by several months.

Mainly, it would take more time to perfect the frontline bases, such as expanding the field airport on Ata Island into a base.

Moreover, the difficulty of the operation would increase significantly.

Judging from the operation on Sai Island, the shore-based air force still couldn’t replace the shipborne air force, as the support and cover provided were not as timely.

Even a mere delay would mean that the feint in East Ocean would become meaningless.

As the situation has changed, the plans that were made can no longer be used.

Liu Changxun waited for Bai Zhizhan to return to Daban precisely to discuss adjustments ahead of time.

The two agreed that they could immediately adjust the plan upon returning to the Empire.

Before meeting Liu Changxun, that is, when he knew that Liu Changxun was still at Daban, Bai Zhizhan guessed his intentions and thought of countermeasures in advance.

As for adjustments, there is only one way.

Keep the four large carriers in East Ocean, taking three or two Fleet carriers to the Fan Flame Ocean.

In this way, even if we have to forcefully attack Guan Island, we could use the four large carriers to form two Special Mixed Fleets, ensuring the ability to handle threats in two directions simultaneously.

If we seize the opportunity, we could even eliminate the last Fleet carrier of the Newland Navy.

"You mean, you and Liu Xiangzhen are both staying back?"

"There’s no need for that, just let Liu Xiangzhen stay. The other Special Mixed Fleet could be handed over to Zhang Guozhu or some other experienced Fleet Commander."

Liu Changxun furrowed his brows tightly, his expression very solemn, clearly worried, feeling as if Bai Zhizhan was just speaking off the cuff.

"Only when I go to Fan Flame Ocean is there a possibility to lure Spur to a decisive battle."

After Bai Zhizhan had spoken, Liu Changxun still furrowed his brows tightly.

Last month, the Newland Navy did not carry out a surprise attack on East Capital Bay, nor did it dispatch the Special Mixed Fleet near Wei Island; instead, it continued to train southeast of the Howay Islands.

Having received this message, Liu Changxun sent a telegram to Bai Zhizhan jokingly telling him that he had scared Spur away.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely a joke.

According to intelligence later obtained by the Sixth Bureau, when the Special Mixed Fleet commanded by Spur left Treasure Harbor, it indeed prepared to launch a surprise attack on East Capital Bay. More than ten B-25s were all on the flight deck of the Fenjin carrier, and a modified B-25 had been used to carry out a takeoff test on the Fenjin, proving that such a medium-sized bomber could take off from the deck of a carrier after an appropriate reduction in weight.

Two days later, for some unknown reason, the Newland Navy suddenly abandoned the operation to rush at East Capital Bay. The more than ten bombers all flew back to the mainland, even heading to an Army Air Force base to land at night, and took off for the eastern region that very night.

By the time the Imperial Navy attacked Sai Island, those bombers had already reached Bulan Kingdom and were repainted with the Royal Bulan Air Force insignia.

Thus, the Sixth Bureau did not receive any related messages.

In retrospect, it was probably Bai Zhizhan’s disappearance that caused Spur to abandon the idea of taking a risk. The bombers secretly flew back to the mainland for the sake of secrecy.

At least before November 25, the Newland Navy could not verify that the Imperial Navy had set up an ambush at East Capital Bay, waiting for the Newland Fleet to fall into the trap.

Of course, there must have been voices of doubt within the Newland Navy, thinking Spur’s action was to shut the mouths of those doubting him.

Anyway, the Fenjin did not come over!

"The problem is, does Liu Xiangzhen have the confidence?"

"He is your cousin nephew; you know him better than I do."

Liu Changxun rolled his eyes and said, "Honestly, I really don’t feel at ease. Otherwise, he goes to Fan Flame Ocean, and how about you stay here?"

"If we arrange it that way, you’ll have to worry."

Liu Changxun forced a smile, looking embarrassed.

"We’ve worked on this for so long, Spur must be able to guess that our next move is to march into Fan Flame Ocean. Moreover, Nizi’s strategic vision is not beneath ours. By the time we march into Fan Flame Ocean after the Spring Festival, we might face more than just the Royal Bulan Navy."

"You’re saying..."

Liu Changxun was clearly startled because the implication of Bai Zhizhan’s words was that the Newland Navy would send the Fenjin to Fan Flame Ocean to assist the Royal Bulan Navy in combat.

"It’s just my guess," Bai Zhizhan let out a sigh, then continued, "However, this is the key point. If I take three fleet carriers to Fan Flame Ocean, we have to move the timetable up, ideally before the Spring Festival, at the latest after the Spring Festival, but absolutely not until around the Tomb Sweeping Day."

This time, Liu Changxun did not ask Bai Zhizhan to explain.

There was no need for explanation. Once the enemy was prepared and had completed defensive deployments, which meant that the Royal Bulan Navy had reinforced the fleet in Fan Flame Ocean, then dispatching troops to Fan Flame Ocean would be tantamount to fighting a tough battle. Not only would the difficulty of combat significantly increase, but we might also not achieve the desired results.

Only by actively taking the initiative is there hope for complete victory!

Furthermore, taking active offense was one of Bai Zhizhan’s major characteristics.

After pondering for a while, he finally nodded slightly. "If you think it necessary, arrange it that way. I’ll go back and talk to the Grand Secretary."

"We shouldn’t delay this matter, we..."

"There’s no hurry at this very moment. This must be your first visit to the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, right?"

Bai Zhizhan showed a surprised expression, not because Liu Changxun invited him to stay a few more days in Daban to experience Saiyi’s charm, but because of the person he saw standing outside the dock, beside the sedan.

It was actually Zhao Yu!