Empire Conquest

Chapter 500 - 496: Let Go and Do It

As dawn was breaking, the Communication Advisor finally brought the latest news.

Yes, it was the submarine reconnaissance report.

It wasn’t just one submarine; reports from several submarines had been received consecutively.

Previous intelligence was confirmed: two of Liangxia Navy’s Special Mixed Fleets had left their anchorages at local midnight, and the Landing Fleet had also weighed anchor before dawn.

Conservatively estimated, apart from the four large carriers, the Liangxia Navy had deployed at least a hundred vessels including four Fast Battleships.

Additionally, the Landing Fleet could transport at least two Marine Divisions.

This matched the earlier assessment that there were two Marine Divisions at the Volcanic Islands.

If the other intelligence was reliable, the Liangxia Navy was also poised to deploy two small carriers, two Fast Battleships, and several dozen transport ships soon.

With so many ships, they could capture any island in the East Ocean!

The key was the timing of the three fleets’ departures.

As Spur had predicted, the two Special Mixed Fleets had set out simultaneously, and the Southern Twenty-First Special Mixed Fleet had left the anchorage a bit earlier.

This meant that his conjecture was mostly correct.

The Liangxia Navy’s target was not Wei Island, but Transfer Island.

However, Spur was not pleased.

In fact, when the Communication Advisor delivered the telegram, he felt slightly disheartened.

The reason was simple; Nizi would definitely order him to take two small carriers and, at all costs, hold Transfer Island to turn the tide of the war.

Was that really so easy?

If it were easy to turn the tide, the Newland Navy would probably have taken strategic initiative long ago.

On the other side, in Bai Zhizhan’s hands, there were four large carriers!

Regarding the combat power of the large carriers, Spur knew very well since he had seen the large carriers still under construction in the homeland.

Moreover, there was ample intelligence proving that Liangxia Navy’s "Province" class large carriers were superior in all aspects to the "Ethe" class currently under construction, being the most powerful carriers of today, possibly surpassing all carriers the Newland Federation could currently build.

The reason was simple; Liangxia Navy’s carriers weren’t restricted by the Wangxi Canal’s lock dimensions.

Because of size restrictions, the "Ethe" class had a cramped design from the start, and the designers had to make compromises among several main performances.

Before returning to Treasure Harbor, Spur sent a telegram to Nizi, hoping Nizi could personally intervene and get the Ministry of Navy to allocate funds for the design and construction of the new carriers without any restrictions, especially those imposed by the dimensions of the Wangxi Canal locks.

Only by removing restrictions could a more powerful carrier be designed.

As for the transit between the two oceans, it wasn’t a factor that needed much consideration.

Before defeating the Liangxia Navy in the East Ocean, the Newland Navy had no reason to deploy large carriers in the Sunset Ocean.

Besides, even if carriers were to be deployed in the Sunset Ocean, they could build more of the "Ethe" class; this shouldn’t be used as a reason to limit the dimensions of carriers.

Nizi had provided a clear response.

He would strive to secure the best warships for the Navy, though he couldn’t guarantee perfect results since Wangxi Canal’s Lock No. 3 would be completed and operational within the year.

The dimensions of the new carriers might well be based on Lock No. 3.

If so, it would actually be enough.

In designing, Lock No. 3 had already increased the permissible tonnage of transit vessels to 100,000 tons and the requirements for ship dimensions were more lenient, with a maximum length of 350 meters and a maximum width of 75 meters, comfortably accommodating all carriers currently under construction or planned for construction.

As noon approached, the situation was essentially clear.

Nizi proposed to go for lunch, but after Hal and Frey left, he took Spur and left the headquarters without going to the restaurant.

They drove to the harbor.

"Before I joined the war last year, when President Rofuss asked me to take over the East Ocean Fleet, I had no confidence at all, or I was very confused. You should know that when the Liangxia Navy devastated the once mighty Saiyi Navy, even the fiercest generals would hardly have had any confidence in victory. At that time, I simply couldn’t refuse the president’s request."

"That’s a soldier’s duty."

"It’s also a citizen’s obligation, we are all citizens of the Newland Federation, as well as soldiers of the Newland Navy."

Spur sighed silently, fully aware of the purpose behind Nizi’s words.

"I know what you’re worried about and fully understand your concerns. The enemy is extremely powerful, and facing them would be akin to a suicide mission."

"Even if it means death in battle..."

"Now is not the time for those words," Nizi cut Spur off and said with a smile, "If the day comes that we must fight here, I’d be willing to bravely face the enemy with you and persevere to the last moment."

"General..."

"I’ve already called the Ministry of Navy, those two carriers might be repaired by next month."

Spur was shocked, looking incredulously at Nizi.

"That’s the best outcome, possibly by August. But, they will definitely return to East Ocean by the third quarter."

"We might not be able to hold out until then."

"That’s your mission."

Spur frowned deeply; Nizi’s words were not simple.

"You take the two small carriers and two fast battleships, along with any other active battleships you want, and buy us these few months. If by that time, we are still struggling on Transfer Island against the enemy, I will give the repaired carriers to you to command."

Spur exhaled sharply, his expression still unchanged.

"No confidence?"

"Would you believe me if I said I had some?"

Nizi laughed and said, "Confident or not, you must go because you are, so far, the only commander with a chance of leading the fleet to victory."

"Are there no restrictions on combat operations?" Being able to ask this question meant Spur had already made his decision, willing to shoulder this heavy burden.

"No restrictions whatsoever," Nizi replied very bluntly. Clearly, as long as Spur was willing to lead the fleet, everything else was negotiable.

Spur pondered for a moment and then said, "Without a fleet or shipborne air force, how long could we hold out on Transfer Island?"

"That depends on how many troops are committed and the extent of sacrifices we’re prepared to make," Nizi responded seriously, as any word from his mouth was a guarantee and promise.

Moreover, Nizi was not one to make reckless promises.

Spur did not say much, waiting for Nizi to continue, because he felt there was no need for assumptions—the commitment would undoubtedly be total.

"I won’t say much, but two months should be no problem."

"So what you’re saying is, we actually only need to hold out for one more month?" Spur’s expression somewhat lightened after hearing Nizi’s answer.

"Pretty much."

"I only need two small carriers, two fast battleships, several cruisers, and destroyers, as well as enough supply ships or oilers," Spur paused slightly before continuing, "Of course, yours should be the absolute authority to let me go all out!"

Nizi revealed a relieved smile; Spur’s requests were all manageable.