Empire Conquest-Chapter 883 - 111: A Matter of Vital Interests (Part 2)
Even if he is unwilling to risk everything for the Newland Republic, he must prepare to withstand the Liangxia Empire’s attack if necessary.
The key is to hold out until reinforcements arrive, such as the Newland Republic sending troops into battle.
Although Boi Country is just a small nation on the north shore of Boss Bay, it possesses a comprehensive and powerful intelligence network with its own sources of information.
According to the intelligence Jialazad has gathered, the Newland Republic is sure to join the war within six months.
As for exactly when, it is determined by three factors.
Firstly, the battles on the continent, and whether the Tiaoman Empire commander’s West Continent Group can quickly achieve victory and exert enough pressure on the Liangxia Empire.
Secondly, whether the Newland Navy can seize the opportunity to eliminate the Liangxia Navy’s East Wangyang Fleet, secure sea control and strategic initiative in the East Ocean, and reclaim the crucial Howay Islands, thus opening the route to the Southwest East Ocean and gaining a decisive victory...
The last is over in the Southern Subcontinent.
To put it bluntly, it’s whether Fanluo Country will enter the war in time.
Although theoretically, the first two points are decisive, from Boi Country’s standpoint, the third is key.
The reason is simple: Bakistan is sandwiched between Boi Country and Fanluo Country!
Although in Boi’s eastern region and Bakistan’s southwest lies vast desert wasteland, with few towns and even fewer roads, making it unsuitable for large troop engagements, there’s no reason to remain complacent. At the very least, the Tactical Air Force stationed in Bakistan can cover the entirety of Boi Country, reducing it to ruins in mere months.
Furthermore, by utilizing the air force deployed in Bakistan’s southwest, the Liangxia Air Force can blockade Oman Bay and impose a strategic blockade on Boi Country.
In this way, merely through strategic blockade, Boi Country could be doomed!
Unfortunately, Boi Country finds it impossible to resolve this issue by itself, with its only hope being that Fanluo Country sends troops to join the war.
To put it directly, Fanluo Country defeating Bakistan!
In fact, Boi Country has always been preparing for this.
In Boi’s military’s war plans, there’s a strategy for when Fanluo Country initiates war against Bakistan and the Liangxia Empire does not send troops in time—Boi Country must deploy troops to Bakistan at the critical moment, not to assist Bakistan but to control Bakistan’s southwest coastal area.
Of course, if a global war breaks out and such a situation occurs, they must still seize Bakistan’s southwest region before Fanluo Country’s forces arrive.
Only this way can Boi Country extend its strategic defense line and depth, ensuring homeland security!
Obviously, what Jialazad is most concerned about now is whether Fanluo Country will join the war.
In fact, at the Prime Minister’s Mansion in Fanluo Country’s capital, Digalla Gambara is also closely monitoring the war over by Boss Bay.
After dinner, he met with the special envoy sent by the Newland Republic, not an ambassador but the Secretary of State who flew in from Huacheng specifically for this visit.
The two talked for four hours, ending in the early hours.
Although the atmosphere was relatively harmonious, Digalla couldn’t feel pleased at all.
The reason is simple: the Newland Secretary of State explicitly mentioned that if Fanluo Country did not declare war on the Liangxia Empire before the Newland Republic enters the war, then the Newland Authority would certainly adjust its strategy, such as allocating more resources to the East Ocean, which would affect aid to Fanluo Country.
Clearly, this hints, or rather threatens!
As it stands, what Fanluo Country cannot do without most is the aid from the Newland Republic.
Despite Fanluo Country’s population not even reaching 1 billion, and many unregistered ’black household’ citizens, the actual population might be more, but what doesn’t match the population size is its weak comprehensive strength.
Strictly speaking, Fanluo Country is still a typical agricultural nation!
Even with the official count of 700 million people, over 70% live in the countryside, with the 200 million city inhabitants involved little in industrial production.
To speak frankly, this is what annoys Digalla the most.
After the war with Bakistan ended, Fanluo Country pursued an alliance policy with the Newland Republic but did not gain much benefit from it.
Or rather, the assistance from the Newland Republic has not fundamentally changed Fanluo Country.
At the same time, with the help of the Liangxia Empire, Bakistan has initially achieved industrialization and established its defense industry system.
Not to mention anything else, Bakistan already produces main battle tanks and fighters, with a localization rate of over 90%, while Fanluo Country still lacks its tanks and fighters, relies heavily on imported heavy weapons, and even the domestically produced rifles used by soldiers have less than 50% localization.
In terms of military industry, Fanluo Country is not much stronger than Bakistan, and in many aspects, it’s even weaker.
To challenge the Liangxia Empire with the support of the Newland Republic?
Clearly, this is courting death!
The reason is simple: the Newland Republic is on the other side of the Earth, while the Liangxia Empire is close at hand.
More importantly, the Liangxia Empire possesses the world’s most powerful navy!
Although the Newland Navy is reputed to be the world’s second, its overall strength is less than half that of the Liangxia Navy—it doesn’t even qualify to challenge the Liangxia Navy!
In fact, Fanluo’s high-level officials have long been prepared for this.
Put simply, wait until the Newland Republic and the Liangxia Empire are at war and at least wait until there’s a maritime victory before deciding to join the battle.
If the Newland Navy wins, then everything is negotiable!
Conversely, it needs to be carefully considered.
The reasoning is equally straightforward.
Only if the Newland Navy achieves victory can it ensure unimpeded sea lanes to Fanluo Country and provide support through maritime transportation.
Clearly, for Fanluo Country, which hasn’t realized industrialization yet, the assistance from the Newland Republic is indispensable.
The current issue is that the Newland Authority wants Fanluo Country to first declare war on the Liangxia Empire.
Isn’t this a joke!?
However, the Newland Secretary of State also explained very clearly.
The Newland Republic will definitely participate in the war, and it’s only a matter of finding the right opportunity, or having allies create favorable conditions. If Fanluo Country can draw Liangxia Empire’s attention and disperse its forces, the Newland Republic will be confident in gaining the initiative and achieving decisive victory once the war begins. If the situation is turned around, then aiding Fanluo Country will no longer be an issue.
In this regard, the Newland Secretary of State also hinted to Digalla.
Once the Newland Republic goes to war, focusing primarily on the East Ocean, and after reclaiming the Howay Islands, they will send troops to the Southwest East Ocean.
Importantly, the old immigrants, comprising over half of Ao Country’s population, are eagerly awaiting the Newland army.
From this starting point, it’s anticipated to take Aus within half a year.
Then, controlling the entire East Ocean and advancing into the Fan Flame Ocean would not be a difficult matter.
At this stage, even if they can’t completely defeat the Liangxia Empire, they can force it to acknowledge defeat and revert it to its previous state.
More accurately, it would bring the Liangxia Empire back to the state it was in before the last great war broke out.
The Newland Secretary of State also mentioned that, as long as Fanluo Country joins the war in time, after the war concludes, not only will the surrounding Fan Flame Ocean region but even Boss Bay would be included in Fanluo Country’s sphere of influence.
Evidently, this allure is simply too great!
Fanluo Country’s development to this day has never crossed the threshold of industrialization, primarily due to its severe dependence on imported energy.
The critical issue is that it mainly imports from oil-producing countries in Boss Bay!
In other words, Fanluo Country’s lifeline is in the hands of the Liangxia Empire. Merely by raising international oil prices by 10%, they could nullify Fanluo Country’s economic growth. Over the past decades, the Liangxia Empire has manipulated global oil prices to strike at potential competitors and plunder other nations’ wealth.
Clearly, if they could control Boss Bay and its oil fields, perhaps industrialization would be achievable in Fanluo Country within 20 years.
But is it really that easy?
The promises made by the Newland Secretary of State are all just drawing cakes in the air!
Even if the Newland Republic is certain to enter the war, success is not guaranteed, let alone fulfilling those promises.
To say the least, even if the Newland Republic secures final victory, there is no certainty that post-war promises would be fulfilled!
As long as oil remains the most crucial energy source, any global hegemon would strive to control Boss Bay.
If that’s the case, is there still a need to join the war!?
For this reason, after seeing off the Newland Secretary of State, Digalla convened an emergency meeting with ministers and senior generals.
