Empire Conquest

Chapter 489 - 485: Everything is Ready

The impact of the Ter Republic’s entry into the war quickly became apparent.

On June 5, the Navy Headquarter sent a telegram requesting Bai Zhizhan to finalize the battle plans as soon as possible, and it explicitly mentioned that no additional troops would be sent.

Subsequently, Liu Changxun personally sent a telegram detailing the current situation.

In essence, the key point was just one.

Even the Grand Secretary was contemplating whether it was necessary to secure a victory on the west side of the Giant Continent if there was absolute certainty of quickly capturing Boss Bay.

Simply put, it was not only necessary to seize Boss Bay but also to assist the Tiaoman Army in attacking the Xifan Canal.

In addition, the Army Headquarter also presented a new plan.

Supporting and assisting the Ter Army to move north from the Chains Land Bridge to provide effective support for the main forces of the Empire Army that were advancing westwards through the hinterland of the Giant Continent.

If successful, there was a great chance of capturing Baku before attacking Leaf Castle.

According to the report submitted by the Army Headquarter, in an ideal situation, the Liangxia Empire even hoped to force the Luosha Federation to surrender within the year.

Once Baku was taken, it wouldn’t matter whether the Luosha Federation surrendered or not.

This proposition from the Army Headquarter received Lian Xusheng’s absolute support, and he even offered to assume the role of Commander-in-chief with the Ter Alliance Army.

In any case, forming an alliance with the Ter Republic had become another option.

From a strategic level, this was an ideal choice.

The key was that as long as Baku was taken, along with control over Boss Bay, even without the Tiaoman Empire and Raleigh Kingdom, the Liangxia Empire could still fight on.

Furthermore, after defeating the Luosha Federation, the strategic focus could be shifted to East Ocean.

It must be acknowledged that the Luosha Federation had always been the number one reason for the Empire to maintain a strong Army.

Without this threat, the Empire, having no powerful neighbors, would also have no need to maintain a large Army during peacetime.

It had to be admitted that the proposal to deal with the Luosha Federation before cleaning up the Bulan Kingdom was highly attractive.

Fortunately, Xue Yuanzheng did not lose his senses.

A critical issue was that the Ter Army might not be able to cross the Caucasus.

Then, how could they threaten the Luosha Federation?

Let’s not forget that, before the Luosha Army turned sides, it took them several months to cross the Caucasus with almost no resistance.

Thereafter, the Luosha Army had not been able to occupy the Boi Country, also because the logistical supply routes through the Caucasus were too fragile. During winter they even had to close the mountain pass, making it impossible to send sufficient supplies to the front lines, and thus difficult to deploy heavy troops there.

If the Luosha Army was in such a state, could the Ter Army do better?

The answer was obviously negative.

Even if it was the Empire Army, they would not fare much better.

To put it bluntly, in the face of nature, everyone was the same.

It was after recognizing this that Xue Yuanzheng believed it was a fool’s dream to rely on the Ter Army to cross the Caucasus and capture Baku.

In the last war, the Ter Army had tried to do just that, and the result was a complete defeat.

The Ter Republic’s proposal to march on Baku was merely a negotiating tactic with the Empire, aiming to secure more benefits from it.

Of course, it could also be seen as the Ter Authority’s attempt to prove its value, so as to obtain more dividends after the war.

At this point in the conflict, casting a glance around the world, only the Liangxia Empire was capable of external expansion.

Regardless, having served in the Army for decades, Xue Yuanzheng was very familiar with Army operations and would absolutely not be confused in ground warfare.

From a strategic perspective, the entry of the Ter Republic into the war actually offered two major advantages.

The first was that it expedited the attack on and occupation of Boss Bay, fundamentally easing the oil crisis faced by the Empire and other members of the Consortium Group.

The second was that it opened up ground transportation lines, restoring material exchanges between the two heavyweights of the group, the Liangxia Empire and the Tiaoman Empire.

As for the rest, at most, it could provide some help when advancing towards the Xifan Canal.

However, the problem was that the Imperial Navy still hadn’t taken Boss Bay, and the crucial Xifan Canal was still under the control of the Bulan forces.

Even if they didn’t attack the canal or forcefully assault the Jibu Fortress, they had to seize the oil fields in Boss Bay.

Therefore, they had to assemble heavy forces to capture Boss Bay!

Because there was no forward base, and it was impossible to seize and construct a forward base, they had to rely on the Special Mixed Fleet during the advance on Boss Bay.

Of course, this also meant that for the coming few months, Bai Zhizhan couldn’t expect to receive the support of any of the 3 fleet carriers, no matter what happened.

In fact, Liu Changxun’s phone call had been to inform Bai Zhizhan of this very matter.

If Bai Zhizhan felt that attacking Transfer Island would be very difficult without the guaranteed support of the 3 fleet carriers, he could consider delaying the operation.

Of course, if he still decided to proceed with the original plan, Bai Zhizhan would have to take full responsibility.

Liu Changxun was also a bit worried, feeling that even with 4 large carriers at his disposal, Bai Zhizhan might not be able to capture Transfer Island in a single effort.

If operational issues arose, Bai Zhizhan would be in big trouble.

Let’s not forget that over at the Fan Flame Ocean, even if Liu Xiangzhen did nothing, he would definitely become the great hero of capturing Boss Bay within a few months.

If he still proceeded with the previous plans and successfully landed on Socotra Island, he could hope to surpass Bai Zhizhan, or at least stand on equal footing with him.

When he returned, he would definitely continue to promote the operational plan to advance on the Southwest East Ocean.

Let’s not talk about the benefits of advancing on the Southwest East Ocean, if the attack operations in the Middle East Ocean were blocked, the Imperial Navy would have no other choice.

As mentioned before, once they took the first step, it would take several years to attack and occupy Aus.

Fight for several more years?

Even if they won in the end, it would only be a Pyrrhic victory.

More likely, after dragging it out for several years and neither side being able to bear the costs anymore, they would have to sit down for negotiations.

Regardless of the outcome, it would all amount to wasted efforts!

Perhaps, 20 years later, the next generation would don their armor to complete the mission that their predecessors and parents didn’t finish.

If the operation could be delayed by a few months, even if it gave Liu Xiangzhen an advantage, Bai Zhizhan would still be the Commander-in-chief during the attack on Transfer Island.

However, was it necessary to delay for those few months?

Bai Zhizhan knew that Liu Changxun had his best interests at heart, so he didn’t outright reject the idea.

But he was equally aware that if things were dragged out for those few months, it was likely that the opportunity would be missed.

Let’s not forget that the Newland Navy’s 2 fleet carriers might re-enter service by the end of the year.

For this reason, Bai Zhizhan sent a telegram to Zheng Jiangming, instructing him to personally find Wang Kaiyuan and clarify the situation with the Newland Navy.

By June 11, Zheng Jiangming responded with confirmation.

Both the "Fenjin" and the "Lek" were in the shipyard, and with the current status, these 2 carriers would not be possible to repair by next month.

Even if everything went smoothly, the 2 carriers wouldn’t be repaired until the end of the year.

Being able to return to the East Ocean by the beginning of the next year and re-enter the East Ocean Fleet would already be quite an achievement.

This completely dispelled Bai Zhizhan’s concerns.

Early on June 15, after consulting with the newly arrived Li Mingbo, which was really just a formality, Bai Zhizhan sent a telegram to Liu Changxun.

All preparations were in place, and the attack operation on Transfer Island could begin at any time.