Empire Conquest-Chapter 885 - 112: Essential, Part 2

At that time, it can still maintain five carriers in the East Ocean.

Half a year later, with the commissioning of preserved carriers and the entry of newly overhauled carriers, Liangxia Navy’s strength will reach the first peak since the start of the war.

The reality facing Newland Republic is very harsh.

If they miss this time window, they should no longer think about regaining the Howay Islands!

The Howay Islands are not a continent; the indigenous population totals less than 100,000, and maybe in a few decades, they will all become the subjects of Liangxia Empire.

Moreover, there is the Southwest East Ocean, which is the Ao Country.

In the late phase of the last war, after Bulan Kingdom was defeated, Liangxia Empire sent troops to Aus and controlled this colony originally belonging to Bulan Kingdom.

Strictly speaking, Ao Country was nominally a vassal nation of Bulan Kingdom at that time, merely possessing autonomy.

Among other things, the head of state of Ao Country, the governor, was still appointed by the King of Bulan Kingdom, and Ao Country was legally an overseas territory of the Bulan Royal Family.

After gaining substantial independence, the governor became merely a symbol, with the power residing in the hands of the Prime Minister.

Since Bulan Kingdom had been defeated, and Newland Republic lost the ability to launch a reprisal in East Ocean, with their entire East Ocean Fleet obliterated, the Ao Country authorities made a rational decision to surrender to Liangxia Empire under the pressure of its massive army. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The issue lies here!

During the planning of the surrender, the Ao Country politicians, whether due to lack of sanity or a miscalculated decision, decided to surrender publicly.

According to the post-war explanation, Ao Country leaders hoped to secure better conditions for concessions through public surrender.

For instance, ensuring that Ao Country remained an independent nation after the war, not reduced to a colony of Liangxia Empire due to defeat.

This is where the trouble began.

Before the East Ocean Fleet’s destruction, the Newland Federation dispatched about 2 million troops to Ao Country and took charge of Aus’s defense.

Clearly, these Newland soldiers did not want to surrender!

The outcome was that after Ao Country authorities announced their surrender, the Newland Army stationed there swiftly launched actions to control all major cities, including the capital Benermo and the major port Nixi.

As a result, Liangxia Empire had to postpone its advance into Aus and resorted to strategic bombing instead.

Fortunately, a few months later, the Newland Federation erupted into civil turmoil, Wallace fled his homeland to the Howay Islands, and subsequently, the East Ocean Fleet pledged allegiance to Wallace.

Had it dragged on for a few more months, the situation would have become more complex.

It was under this grand background that Liangxia Empire seized and controlled Aus.

Although they ultimately occupied Aus without bloodshed, there has always been a controversy on the key issue of whether Liangxia Empire’s sovereignty over Aus was legitimate.

If it was captured through battles, naturally, there would be no questions.

The crux is that Liangxia Empire occupied Aus and gained control under orders issued by the Newland Federation government led by Wallace, i.e., after the Newland Corps stationed in Ao surrendered, and whether Wallace’s surrender order was lawful is in question.

Nevertheless, globally recognized now is the Newland Republic, the Huacheng government at that time.

Thus, for decades after the war, Newland Republic never established diplomatic relations with current Ao Country authorities, nor even recognized today’s Ao Country regime.

Moreover, the exile government of Ao Country’s former regime continues to exist and is rooted in the Newland Republic.

However, the key factor remains the immigration policies Liangxia Empire implemented in Aus.

At the end of the last war, accurately speaking after repatriating all Newland soldiers and illegal immigrants who poured in during the war, such as approximately 4 million Saiyi refugees, Ao Country’s population totaled less than 25 million, predominantly descendants of Western colonizers.

Now, Aus’s population has exceeded 70 million!

The key point is that descendants of Western colonizers count only 35 million, naturally increased by about 10 million, while among the other 35 million, approximately 25 million are immigrants from Liangxia Empire, Gaoju Kingdom, Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, and other Eastern countries, plus about 5 million from the Southeast region, and another 5 million from the Southern Subcontinent, with roughly 3.5 million immigrants from Bakistan alone.

The tide-like influx of immigrants has become the main driving force behind Ao Country’s rapid post-war development.

To state, population itself is the foundation of national development.

However, it also altered Ao Country’s population structure.

Although Westerners, mainly from colonial descendants, remain Ao Country’s largest ethnic group, their proportion is below the 50% needed to exert dominant power, while other immigrants, especially Eastern immigrants, account for nearly 40%, securing high influence in Ao Country’s political system.

Interestingly, among these 25 million Eastern immigrants, Liangxia Empire’s immigrants are relatively few.

According to unofficial statistics, Liangxia immigrants in Ao Country total less than 6 million, by population rank, merely the fifth largest group in Aus.

The small number of Liangxia immigrants is mainly due to few wanting to come to Ao Country, since Liangxia Empire itself is sufficiently powerful.

However, these over 5 million Liangxia immigrants sit at the top of Ao Country’s social pyramid.

Many people think, since Liangxia Empire is the victor of the last war and occupied Aus post-war, so Liangxia immigrants received many concessions, naturally attaining dominance in post-war Ao Country. In reality, Liangxia immigrants succeeded primarily due to diligence.

This is also a common trait among Eastern immigrants.

For example, roughly 12 million Saiyi immigrants relied on diligence and hard-working spirit to not only become the second largest ethnic group in Ao Country but also achieve high social status. Immigrants from Gaoju Kingdom are similar, earning deserved social positioning through hard-working spirit.

Among them, Saiyi immigrants are most unique.

Post-war, the first batch of Saiyi immigrants to Ao Country more resembled ’settled’ refugees or fulfilled past promises to Saiyi labor. According to incomplete statistics, those voluntarily arriving as part of Liangxia Empire’s settlement policy in Aus numbered over 3 million.

This is why Ao Country became Saiyi Imperial Kingdom’s most major trade partner and immigration destination post-war.

This also created a very serious issue.

Ao Country’s social structure was inevitably torn apart.

After decades of development, the conflict between old immigrants and new immigrants has become irreconcilable.

Of course, this is also what the Newland Secretary of State referred to, having a good chance of controlling Aus if troops are dispatched to Southwest East Ocean after entering the war.

But the problem is, Liangxia Empire will certainly not sit and watch turmoil arise in Aus.

With the eruption of a Global War, Liangxia Empire will inevitably reinforce troops in Ao Country or have Ao Country form more military units, relying on military forces to maintain order.

Undoubtedly, Ao Country’s military forces will inevitably be dominated by new immigrants.

Furthermore, expanding the Army is just a matter of months.

Several months later, when Liangxia Empire strengthens control over Aus, Newland Republic won’t easily capture Aus.

A forceful assault on Aus?

Clearly, it’s a daunting thought.

Half a globe separates Newland Republic and Aus, not to mention Newland Navy’s insufficient power, even as a global leader, just the 20,000-kilometer supply line can daunt Newland military. In contrast, Liangxia Empire’s supply line to Aus is less than 10,000 kilometers, much lighter in burden.

Considering these issues, it’s clear that if Newland Republic intends to act, they must seize time and engage in this war soon.

So, what’s the harm in waiting a few months?

As for the Newland Secretary of State’s threats regarding Fanluo Country partaking later and losing Newland Republic’s support, it’s simply nonsense.

Just as Fanluo Country needs support and assistance from Newland Republic, Newland Republic likewise cannot do without Fanluo Country.

Without alliance with the second most populous nation globally, on what grounds could Newland Republic challenge Liangxia Empire?

Even if victorious in this war, with a mere population of over 300 million, Newland Republic could never dominate globally post-war.

The only supportable path for Newland Republic to ascend the throne is Fanluo Country!

Even in short-term or military strategy, Newland Republic requires Fanluo Country.

As long as Newland leaders wish to achieve victory in this war, even limited victory, such as retaking the Howay Islands occupied by Liangxia Empire, Fanluo Country’s support and collaboration are necessary. Without Fanluo Country’s backing, Newland Republic stands no chance!

Then, what rationale remains for rushing into the war?