Empire Conquest
Chapter 421 - 417: With a Plan in Mind

Chapter 421: Chapter 417: With a Plan in Mind

"General Isenway, I trust you understand our predicament,"

After a prolonged silence, Chur finally couldn’t restrain himself and broke the silence.

Of all the Newland Army officers he had encountered, this one was the most reticent. If one didn’t know better, they might think he was mute.

Isenway remained stern and did not respond.

"You know, the threat from the Tiaoman Empire is just too great. Just a few months ago, we had to make a huge sacrifice to beat back the advance initiated by the Tiaoman Air Force. Even now, in the North Sunset Ocean, there are still hundreds of Tiaoman submarines hunting our transport ships. If we say..."

"There are less than sixty Tiaoman Navy long-range submarines in total, with only about ten deployed for combat," Isenway unabashedly corrected Chur’s exaggerated claim.

Chur chuckled awkwardly, clearly annoyed, but he did not dwell on this minor detail.

Only a Newland military man would be so direct, giving no regard to saving face.

"Even as you say, the Tiaoman Empire still remains our prime adversary. If the main battle ships in the port of Alger fall under the control of the Tiaoman Empire, along with the powerful Raleigh Fleet, we cannot ensure absolute sea dominance in Land Heart Sea. If the route through Land Heart Sea to Fan Flame Ocean is cut off, what is the point of launching an operation into Fan Flame Ocean? Or rather, after sending reinforcements to Fan Flame Ocean, how will we maintain our military presence there?"

Being agitated is one thing, but on critical issues affecting the nation’s core interests, Chur would not be confused.

"So you’re saying, Prime Minister, that you have already found a strategy?" Isenway controlled his anger, feeling that Chur was clearly trying to hike up the price.

"If your country does not object, we will take action as soon as possible."

"How soon is ’as soon as possible’?"

"In the next few days."

Chur responded so promptly that Isenway became suspicious, thinking that this "John Bull" had already plotted everything carefully, keeping many things hidden from him.

"Based on reliable intelligence, the Tiaoman Navy is planning to dispatch the ’Prime Minister’ to the North Sunset Ocean by the end of the year to break our communications. At that time, we will deploy our Domestic Fleet to intercept the ’Prime Minister,’ and the entire world will be focused on the North Sunset Ocean, paying no attention to other areas."

"You mean..."

"Before officially commencing operations, we will give the Locke Navy and the Locke Colony Government one last chance, hoping they will make a rational decision. If the proud people of Locke refuse our extended olive branch and are unwilling to cooperate, we will have no other choice."

"This is madness, too—"

Isenway suddenly became agitated, clearly terrified by Chur’s audacity.

"General Isenway, do you have a more feasible suggestion?"

Isenway’s eyebrows twitched rapidly, although he felt Chur was bluffing, he did not contradict, or perhaps he had no way to contradict.

Before the rise of the Tiaoman Empire, it was the Locke Kingdom, and later the Locke Empire, that challenged the Bulan Kingdom on the West Continent.

The two nations fought over the domination of the West Continent for centuries!

Indeed, the Locke Navy has always regarded the Bulan Royal Navy as its chief rival, frequently clashing over colonial disputes.

During the Locke Empire era, the two sides fought bitterly to the death.

Before the rise of the Liangxia Empire, the Locke Empire managed to become the second largest colonial suzerain after the Bulan Kingdom, supported by the world’s second-largest navy.

Actually, this is also why the Locke Navy is reluctant to hand over the main battle ships to the Bulan Royal Navy.

From another perspective, this is also why Chur refuses to let the matter rest, even if it means going against the Newland Federation to secure those ships.

But do we really need to worry about this?

Thinking of this, Isenway couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The root issue is still a lack of trust.

Although in the last war, Bulan Kingdom and Locke Republic were allies who defeated Tiaoman Empire together, the two nations went their separate ways after the war ended.

Bulan Kingdom did not want to see Locke Republic become the dominant power in the West Continent again.

The Locke Republic was even less willing to continue to act as Bulan Kingdom’s bulwark.

As the trust established between Locke Republic and Tiaoman Empire during the war evaporated.

Moreover, the Locke Republic had already announced its defeat, and the Vichy Puppet Regime had long since ordered a surrender.

Chur felt that once the situation eased, the Locke Navy would accept the puppet regime’s orders, since almost all the family members of the fleet’s officers and soldiers were in the homeland.

Similarly, due to a lack of trust, the Locke Navy was always unwilling to cooperate with the Bulan Royal Navy.

"No matter what, I hope the Prime Minister will consider this issue carefully." Isenway took a deep sigh before saying, "Locke’s homeland has already been occupied by Tiaoman’s forces, and the Locke Navy has a common enemy with us. All they need is time, we have no reason..."

"How much time does the general think we have left?"

At that, Isenway closed his mouth.

If they had enough time, he wouldn’t have come to see Chur.

"The Luosha Army failed to destroy Tiaoman Empire before the onset of harsh winter, already exceeding our plans. In my opinion, when we launch another attack in about four months, not only will the Locke Navy and the Locke Colony Government surrender, but the Raleigh Kingdom will also join the Consortium Group." Chur said coldly with a smile, then added, "Does the general think that by then, we will be able to defeat Tiaoman Empire as planned?"

Isenway did not respond, as there was no need to answer that question.

According to the revised strategic plan, Tiaoman Empire must be defeated by the latter half of next year, otherwise, they should be prepared for a prolonged war.

This meant that by then, they would have to shift their strategic focus eastward without having resolved Tiaoman Empire.

Because it was impossible to concentrate forces to besiege Liangxia Empire, even if they seized and maintained strategic initiative, they may not achieve a comprehensive victory.

Perhaps, they would ultimately still have to sit down and negotiate with Liangxia Empire.

If so, then this battle would have been for nothing.

Obviously, time was more precious than anything!

"General Isenway, you should trust us. No matter when, we are allies fighting side by side, everything our country does is for the ultimate victory, protecting your country’s interests as well. I believe, your country’s leaders share the same view."

Chur’s attitude was firm, clearly unwilling to budge.

It seemed that the negotiation was at an impasse!

Isenway hesitated for a moment before saying, "Does the Prime Minister know that several key figures from Liangxia Empire, such as Lian Xusheng from the Army and Bai Zhizhan from the Navy, have already returned to the Imperial Capital of Liangxia? According to the intelligence we have, these two are very likely to be deployed to the Flame Sea. If related to the troop movements to the Fan Flame Ocean, your country could possibly lose Lion Spring City by the end of this year, or at the latest by early next year."

"Is that so?"

Noticing Chur’s change in expression, Isenway was secretly shocked.

This old fox not only did not show any signs of panic, but wasn’t surprised either, seemingly having been waiting for Isenway to bring up this matter.

Clearly, Chur had already received the news.

Thereby, Isenway’s plan fell through.

According to his original plan, he wanted to pressure Chur by using Bai Zhizhan’s deployment to the Flame Sea and Fan Flame Ocean, forcing Chur to agree to send reinforcements to the Fan Flame Ocean earlier.

But now, it seemed that Chur was already well prepared.

So, apart from reinforcing the Fan Flame Ocean, were there any other options?

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.