Empire Conquest

Chapter 609 - 605 New Message

After hearing Liu Changxun’s advice, Bai Zhizhan stayed in the Imperial Capital for only three days. During that time, he visited the Empress Dowager and spent the rest with his family.

Then, he went to Puzhou on the pretext of organizing an offensive operation.

Of course, going to Puzhou wasn’t just about clarifying the construction situation of the second batch of large carriers, but also about getting insider information from Zhao Yu.

As for preparing the offensive, with Li Mingbo and Zhou Yongtao present, Bai Zhizhan basically didn’t need to worry.

Moreover, Liu Changxun was there urging him!

This time, Bai Zhizhan called Zhao Yu before he set off.

Before he arrived at Puzhou airport, Zhao Yu had hurried over.

To Bai Zhizhan’s slight surprise, Zhao Yu had come driving himself.

"Old Brother Zhao, you really do have some free time on your hands, even learning to drive."

"It’s not some high-tech gadget, purely a skill anyone can learn."

Bai Zhizhan rolled his eyes, feeling that Zhao Yu’s words had an implication, because he hadn’t learned yet, and had never even touched a steering wheel.

"Why didn’t you stay in the Capital longer this time?" Before Bai Zhizhan could say anything, Zhao Yu continued. "I visited your little nephew last time I was on a business trip to the Capital. I’ve never understood how someone with your talents ended up having such a handsome son."

"Old Brother Zhao, what do you mean by that? Sons, ah, they take after their mothers."

"That’s true." Zhao Yu chuckled then changed the subject, "Couldn’t sit still at home, so you came to Puzhou for a break?"

"Aren’t you asking the obvious? You’re not unaware of the situation back in the Capital."

"I’m definitely aware, but I was actually worried you wouldn’t come." As Zhao Yu spoke, his expression turned very serious.

"What can I do?" Bai Zhizhan didn’t continue to waste words with Zhao Yu, as his trip to Puzhou wasn’t about getting comfort from him.

In fact, on the flight over, Bai Zhizhan couldn’t help reflecting, realizing both Lian Xusheng and Li Yunxiang were no simple characters.

These two guys had been active elsewhere and hadn’t returned to Empire’s mainland, let alone the Imperial Capital.

Especially Li Yunxiang, who had already been in the Fan Flame Ocean region for half a year.

Clearly, the Army Headquarter had sent Lian Xusheng to the Commander of the forces on expedition to the Xifan Canal as a pretext to avoid the coming storm.

As for Li Yunxiang, obviously, he had clarified the situation through his own connections and left the Imperial Capital ahead of time.

Although Li Yunxiang was still an Army General, it was clear that after the war ended and the Air Force was established based on the Land Air Strategic Air Force, the Army Headquarter no longer regarded Li Yunxiang or the officers and soldiers of the Land Air Strategic Air Force as their own, failing to treat them equally.

Regardless, both had perfectly avoided the storm that had occurred in the Imperial Capital, successfully positioning themselves as external generals.

Clearly, as long as the war wasn’t over, they didn’t have to worry about being targeted.

"All you can do is march forward bravely."

"Old Brother Zhao..."

"Am I wrong?"

Bai Zhizhan was speechless but didn’t argue with Zhao Yu.

"You came to me to get deployed with the fleet sooner because as long as you’re in the country, even if you don’t go looking for trouble, trouble will find you."

Bai Zhizhan couldn’t help but smile bitterly; Zhao Yu was very frank, but he wasn’t wrong.

"No matter what, just do your best. However, your trip here wasn’t for nothing."

"Do you have good news?"

"The first four ships of the second batch are expected to officially join the combat sequence in the first quarter, and the four large cruisers that are built alongside them will also be able to enter service simultaneously. As for the last four large carriers and the subsequently added four large cruisers, they may have to wait until the fourth quarter to be completed. The shipyards have long been in a state of war mobilization, so even if we’re not short on materials and workers, we can’t speed up the construction process."

"What about the smaller carriers?"

"They are being built according to plan."

Bai Zhizhan was taken aback because Zhao Yu’s tone had a very obvious change when he said these words.

"We’ve received definite news that the Newland Federation has begun construction on a brand new type of fleet carrier, more like a large version of the small carriers."

"What?"

"These enlarged small carriers, or so-called quasi-fleet carriers, are actually quite good, with combat capability even higher than the pre-war built Treaty Type fleet carriers. The key is, by reducing the less important performance indices, they’ve effectively lowered the construction cost and shortened the construction period."

"How much shorter?"

"Including fitting-out, the total construction period is less than a year."

"This..."

"By the third quarter, or at the latest in the fourth quarter, these carriers of the Newland Federation will be able to enter service in numbers."

Bai Zhizhan let out a breath and suddenly did not know what to say.

The reason was simple, because given the current situation, even if they could capture the Howay Islands, there was no way they could attack the Newland mainland within the year.

As for defeating the Newland Federation, that was even more impossible.

Furthermore, the economic and industrial heart of the Newland Federation was in the east and northeast; there were only a few shipyards on the west coast. Therefore, even if they relied on the Howay Islands for strategic bombings of its west coast regions, they couldn’t stop the Newland Federation from building more quasi-fleet carriers.

So, by the end of the year, or at the latest the beginning of next year, the strategic situation over the East Ocean would change.

"However, you don’t need to worry. We have already received reliable intelligence months ago that we were considering building large versions of the small carriers to improve tactical flexibility rather than be hampered by a lack of carriers during operations."

"You mean..."

"Because we hold strategic superiority, plus the constant defeats of the Newland Navy, even if I personally intervened, I couldn’t persuade the Grand Secretary to approve the construction plan. After all, these neither-here-nor-there carriers have no value after the great war ends, having too great limitations. Now, well, that’s another story, as we definitely need to build more carriers to face the upcoming challenges."

Bai Zhizhan nodded, indicating he understood what Zhao Yu meant.

"However, the earliest we could see the first batch of quasi-fleet carriers completed would be next year. And to integrate them into the combat sequence, well, that will take even more time."

"So what you’re saying is, we need to hurry up and take the Howay Islands?"

"How to fight, that’s the business of you generals, I have no say. However, Wang Kaiyuan also seems to be in Puzhou. If you’re not too busy, it would be best to go have a chat with him."

"He’s here too?"

"He came to see me the day before yesterday, specifically inquiring about the construction of various main battle ships. It sounds like the higher-ups are probably considering adjustments to the existing strategy."

Bai Zhizhan was visibly startled and looked at Zhao Yu in disbelief.

Noticing Bai Zhizhan’s exaggerated expression, Zhao Yu laughed and said, "I heard about it by chance. The high command is considering it in relation to the Southwest East Ocean."

"Advance into the Southwest East Ocean now!?"

"At the moment it’s just a consideration, far from the time to take action."

"But with the current situation, this..."

"What kind of serious implications there are, I don’t understand either, so I’m suggesting you go talk to Wang Kaiyuan, who may have more information."

Bai Zhizhan took a deep breath and then nodded in agreement.

Actually, the information Zhao Yu provided was very important.

If the Imperial High Command was indeed considering advancing into the Southwest East Ocean and taking action against Aus, then it was definitely necessary to have a good talk with Wang Kaiyuan.