Empire Conquest

Chapter 615 - 611 The Expedition is Imminent

Many things, Wang Kaiyuan left unsaid; there was simply no need for explicit explanation.

Advancing into the Southwest East Ocean and attacking the Aus continent were indeed true reflections of the internal conflicts within the Empire.

However, many things were quite the opposite of what Bai Zhizhan had imagined.

According to Wang Kaiyuan’s intentions, it was not the Grand Secretary advocating the deployment of troops to the Southwest East Ocean, but rather the military, and especially Situ Jingde of the Imperial Guard Army.

At first, Bai Zhizhan did not believe it.

However, realizing that Lian Xusheng had not returned to the Empire, but had gone directly to Boi Country and, despite real-world difficulties, proposed using Boi Country as a springboard to cross the Caucasus Mountains and attack the Luosha Federation through the Chains Bridge, Bai Zhizhan had to admit that Wang Kaiyuan’s hints were not unfounded. Lian Xusheng had seen through the intricate relations long ago, choosing not to return to the Empire and avoiding the internal strife within the military.

As long as he stayed on the front lines, domestic affairs had nothing to do with him.

Returning home, he would only face pressures from both sides.

Let’s not forget, Situ Jingde is the Holy Emperor’s spokesperson, and Lian Xusheng’s relationship with the Holy Emperor is also extraordinary; he certainly could not act against the Holy Emperor’s will.

The problem was, personally, Lian Xusheng leaned more towards the Grand Secretary, embodying a greater desire to achieve comprehensive victory in this war.

Fundamentally, Lian Xusheng was an idealist.

Was Wang Kaiyuan an idealist as well?

In fact, this was also what Bai Zhizhan had not understood from the beginning, or rather had not wished to believe about Wang Kaiyuan.

However, after careful deliberation, Bai Zhizhan came to understand.

Considering the current situation, if there was any hope for the Newland Federation, it would be to hold out in the Aus continent and thus force Liangxia

From the Empire’s perspective, if they could capture Aus, they might be able to coerce the Newland Federation into surrender.

Undoubtedly, the difficulty of attacking Aus was certainly less than advancing into Newland’s homeland.

That’s precisely why the force led by the Holy Emperor was steadfast in the belief that before or at least after advancing into the Howay Islands, there should be a deployment of troops to the Southwest East Ocean.

Should they indeed advance in that direction, even if everything went smoothly, the best possible outcome would be to occupy Aus, negotiate a ceasefire with the Newland Federation and, like 20 years before, sign another ceasefire agreement that didn’t solve the fundamental issues.

In fact, this was the key point.

The Holy Emperor had considered this long ago and was prepared to negotiate with the Newland Federation.

From the standpoint of the Liangxia Emperor, this approach was defensible.

Having achieved victory and becoming the world’s leading superpower, controlling most of the world, and securing at least a 20-year period of peace, what more could one want?

Permanent peace?

In the eyes of politicians, it’s nothing but a pipe dream.

Indeed, Xue Yuanzheng was a politician, but not an ordinary one.

In Bai Zhizhan’s view, Xue Yuanzheng was a politician with a hint of idealism or rather, possessed an idealism rare among politicians.

In fact, this had a lot to do with Xue Yuanzheng’s early experiences.

Regardless, what Xue Yuanzheng pursued, if not comprehensive victory, was a more significant outcome that would ensure a longer-lasting peace.

Indeed, this was also where Xue Yuanzheng’s charisma lay.

This required a complete military defeat of all adversaries including the Newland Federation.

If possible, also considering dividing the post-war world order as the Commander of the Consortium Group before the conclusion of the great war.

In fact, Xue Yuanzheng had always been making efforts in this regard.

Before Bai Zhizhan returned to the Empire, an envoy sent by Xue Yuanzheng had arrived at the Tiaoman Empire’s Capital, officially proposing to the Tiaoman Prime Minister the establishment of an international organization encompassing non-Group member countries on the basis of the Consortium Group, to ensure stability in the post-war international community.

However, this was just the beginning.

First, they proposed to the Tiaoman Empire, not only to show respect to this top ally but also to eliminate the biggest obstacle.

Without the participation of the Tiaoman Empire, an international organization led only by the Liangxia Empire would see its value, as well as its influence in the post-war international community, greatly reduced.

Moreover, there was even the possibility of military confrontation with the Tiaoman Empire after the war.

In short, Xue Yuanzheng was striving for a more comprehensive victory, meaning he had to continue to adhere to the original strategic guidelines in his military operations.

Directly invade the Newland homeland.

Among all the strategic plans drafted before the war, it was particularly emphasized that they must concentrate all their forces to invade the Newland homeland after securing the strategic advantage.

They absolutely must not waste troops elsewhere!

Speaking of which, sending troops to the Fan Flame Ocean, taking Boss Bay, and entering the Land Heart Sea were all preparations for the siege of the Newland Federation.

As previously mentioned, the Tiaoman Empire would undertake the heavy responsibility of advancing into the Gu Continent from the Sunset Ocean.

Any division of forces would lead to the loss of a comprehensive victory.

Idealists existed not only in Xue Yuanzheng but also in Wang Kaiyuan.

This might be the single trait in Wang Kaiyuan that Bai Zhizhan somewhat appreciated.

Over the years, Bai Zhizhan did not develop any bias against Wang Kaiyuan because of his special status, simply because there was that glint of idealism in him.

This is what made Wang Kaiyuan different from other intelligence agents.

Undoubtedly, Bai Zhizhan was also an idealist.

Those like Bai Zhizhan, who participated in the last great war and later led the military construction of the Empire as young and vigorous generals, almost all harbored idealistic sentiments.

This was particularly prominent in the Navy.

Not only Bai Zhizhan but also Liu Xiangdong, Liu Xiangzhen, and Gui Boyong exhibited this idealistic luster, which could be seen even in Liu Changxun and He Yongxing.

In fact, this had a lot to do with the experiences from the last great war.

As Lian Xusheng put it, any soldier who participated in and survived that brutal war would harbor the desire to end warfare forever.

Even if this thought was so unrealistic.

This also highlighted another issue.

Those like Bai Zhizhan, who survived the last great war and became senior generals, all possessed exceptional personal talent.

It was their strong personal capabilities that enabled them to strive toward their ideals without waning for decades.

However, in the face of reality, the light of idealism would ultimately fade, and they would become more realistic.

Actually, it wasn’t until this moment that Bai Zhizhan finally understood why the Empire’s Commander, more than 20 years ago, decided to sit down and negotiate with the enemy.

Ideals were the main driving force for courageously moving forward, but they were not strong enough to overcome all difficulties and dangers.

In the end, even a great Commander like Emperor Shiwu had to bow down to reality, otherwise, he wouldn’t have turned his horse around at Leaf Castle.

Would Xue Yuanzheng bow to reality?

Or rather, when would he bow to reality?

Regardless of that, through Wang Kaiyuan, Bai Zhizhan obtained the most critical information and gained a comprehensive understanding of the current situation.

Three days later, after eating his last dinner with Zhao Yu, Bai Zhizhan boarded a transport plane and left Puzhou, heading straight for Nagiu Port.

According to the orders he had issued, Li Mingbo had already led the renamed Twenty-First Special Mixed Fleet to Nagiu Port.

As for the operation to conquer the Howay Islands, that would have to wait a little longer.