Empire Conquest-Chapter 889 - 114: Unexpected Incident (Part 2)
Zhou Yongtao smiled, while Lin Shiping remained silent.
"What is the core conflict that led to Digalla’s assassination? Clearly, it’s not about when to join the war, but the reform he initiated and actively promoted. Those senior generals who opposed actively joining the war actually only wanted to use this method to deal with the reforms, rather than not wanting to make a fortune from war."
"This...
"If this problem can be solved, what reason is there to stay out of it?"
"The Newland Authority..."
"Although the Newland Authority has always put its hopes on Digalla, hoping that through him, Fanluo Country would quickly develop into an industrial power, thus playing a greater role in strategic confrontation, the Newland Authority is also very realistic. Obviously, they won’t let Fanluo Country become insignificant in this great war for the sake of a dead man, or someone dying. Even if they can’t accept it, they must face reality."
"You’re saying..."
Zhou Yongtao exhaled before speaking: "Given the current situation, as long as the Newland Authority is willing to step in, they can definitely stabilize Fanluo Country’s situation. To put it more directly, as long as the reformists agree not to implement land reforms in the near future, Fanluo Country can be reunited."
"Is this possible?"
"If Digalla is dead, then it’s possible."
"Even if Digalla is dead, there’s still the Gambara family and..."
"Then include the Gambara family as well."
"But..."
"Do you think it’s impossible?"
Lin Shiping pursed his lips but did not respond to this.
"However, the more likely scenario is that the Gambara family, for their own protection, will abandon Digalla, and all the reforms led by Digalla will cease. The Newland Authority can only accept this fait accompli, providing the corresponding support as promised, and discuss other matters after the war."
This time, Lin Shiping nodded slightly and didn’t refute Zhou Yongtao’s view.
Zhou Yongtao didn’t say more.
Actually, after reaching this conclusion, no one was happy about it.
If anything, on the World Island, Fanluo Country is considered to be the Liangxia Empire’s rival.
Ever since Fanluo Country became an independent nation, the Liangxia Empire kept a high-pressure state on the Southern Subcontinent, sparing no effort to suppress Fanluo Country.
As for the reason, it’s actually quite simple.
Fanluo Country is the only nation outside of the Liangxia Empire that is expected to have a population of 1 billion in a few decades and the only one that might surpass the Liangxia Empire in terms of total population. Therefore, from the perspective of population, that is, labor force, Fanluo Country poses a greater threat than other countries.
Once industrialization is completed, Fanluo Country is bound to become a superpower!
It can also be said that what Fanluo Country lacks is actually a way to organize 700 million people to participate in large-scale social production.
Of course, that’s a matter for the distant future.
Even in reality, Fanluo Country’s threat cannot be underestimated.
A very realistic issue facing the Liangxia Empire is how to strike and defeat this neighboring country during the great war.
The key here is not to achieve military victory, but to deal with matters after achieving victory.
To put it directly, it’s about how to occupy and control Fanluo Country, with over 700 million people, located in the tropics, with a terrible natural environment and basic conditions.
Sending troops to occupy?
That’s definitely a nightmare!
Even if the Liangxia Empire is very strong and has sufficient mobilization capabilities, it cannot easily occupy and control Fanluo Country.
This issue should actually be viewed in reverse.
What are the benefits of occupying and controlling Fanluo Country?
To let 700 million people live prosperous lives?
Clearly, this is absolutely impossible.
In the last war, facing the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom with less than 80 million people, the Liangxia Empire kept its distance, let alone a Fanluo Country with over 700 million people.
If 700 million people cannot be supported, then there is no point in occupying Fanluo Country.
This would mean becoming enemies with 700 million people!
Even in wartime, controlling 700 million people by force is no easy task.
Theoretically, simply occupying Fanluo Country and implementing necessary governance would require about 3 million troops.
In the last war, the Liangxia Empire never sent troops to the Southern Subcontinent; even after the Bulan Kingdom was defeated, it allowed it to retain colonial rule in the Southern Subcontinent, which actually relates to this, with the Imperial Authority unwilling to bear the enormous cost of occupying the Southern Subcontinent.
Additionally, supporting Bakistan after the war was for this reason.
As long as Bakistan stands in the way, no matter what happens to Fanluo Country, it has nothing to do with the Empire, and the Empire has no need to solve it.
Thus, from an occupation and control perspective, Fanluo Country’s "threat" to the Liangxia Empire even surpasses that of the West Continent Group.
The problem now is, Bakistan might not hold.
If Zhou Yongtao’s judgment is correct, then Fanluo Country will join the war soon, and the first target will be Bakistan, which the Empire must protect.
Given the current situation, how can the Empire withstand Fanluo Country’s million-strong army?
As far as military strength is concerned, Fanluo Country far surpasses Bakistan.
Even without the support of the Newland Republic, Fanluo Country can rely on its own forces to defeat and annex Bakistan within months.
In fact, in the past several decades, it has always been the Liangxia Empire balancing Fanluo Country, i.e., the military presence of the Liangxia Empire in Bakistan has deterred Fanluo Country from acting rashly.
At any time, the Liangxia Empire has tens of thousands of troops stationed in Bakistan.
Even after the Boi War, entering a phase of strategic contraction, the Liangxia Empire did not weaken its military presence in Bakistan.
Given the current situation, with what can the Liangxia Empire balance Fanluo Country, or support Bakistan?!
"How’s the battle at Boss Bay going?"
"About as planned, the Marine Corps is attacking Basra, and it’s expected to be captured this week. If nothing unexpected happens, Baghdad should be taken as planned."
"Is there a way to redeploy some forces?"
Lin Shiping was taken aback but quickly understood Zhou Yongtao’s intention.
Clearly, if some troops could be redeployed from Boss Bay, the military threat to Fanluo Country could be increased without affecting other directions, making the Fanluo Authority more rational, or requiring more time to prepare for the war.
"If I remember correctly, there are three divisions of forces there, the Fifth Marine Division is attacking Basra, and the plan is to use the Seventh Armored Division and the Seventeenth Armored Division to attack Baghdad." Zhou Yongtao paused slightly before continuing: "The first phase of mobilization for the Marine Corps has already begun, with all four reserve Marine divisions able to complete mobilization this month. If possible, after capturing Basra, let the Fifth Marine Division go to Bakistan, deploying them in the southern coastal area to strengthen the protection of major ports and cities like Karachi."
"What about Iraq..."
"In the battle plan sent by Shi Shouliang, there was no consideration of having the Fifth Marine Division participate in the attack on Baghdad, but rather to serve as a reserve team."
"This..."
"If I intervene directly on this matter, there will be no room for negotiation."
"Alright, I’ll talk to Shi Shouliang." Lin Shiping immediately understood that Zhou Yongtao wanted him to handle it. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
"Tell him, if there are difficulties, he can bring them up. Even if there’s no way to provide reinforcements for the time being, there’s room for negotiation on the timing of operations."
Lin Shiping nodded, indicating he understood Zhou Yongtao’s meaning.
"Keep a close eye on Fanluo Country, and also need to warn Bakistan timely." Zhou Yongtao exhaled before saying: "Regardless of whether Digalla has been blown up or not, and no matter who ultimately gains the upper hand, the war is already inevitable. Although we trust Bakistan’s military strength, and also trust the spirit and courage of Bakistan’s soldiers and civilians, it’s always right to be prepared in advance, such as setting up a command system first."
"Choice of commander?"
Zhou Yongtao smiled, as this was exactly what he wanted to discuss.
Lin Shiping pondered for a while before saying: "Temporarily, we can send a General from our country; after all, Bakistan’s senior generals have all come to us for training. If progress goes smoothly at Boss Bay, then when the fighting begins, I think we should give young people more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities."
After some contemplation, Zhou Yongtao nodded, accepting Lin Shiping’s suggestion.
More than 40 years ago, when Bai Zhizhan relied heavily on him, Zhou Yongtao was also very young.
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."
"No rush, stay for dinner."
"This..."
"Everything’s ready, why be polite with me?"
Seeing Zhou Yongtao’s determined attitude, Lin Shiping did not decline further, especially considering his relationship with Zhou Yongtao and the fact that he was indeed quite hungry.
