Her gaze fell upon the other naval generals and she said, "Having endured for so long without action, I reckon that everyone here is eager to proceed, so let us forego the formalities and enter the tent... discussing the plan for the extermination of Dongyi is of utmost importance!"
"Your Majesty speaks wisely!" Liu Shucheng nodded repeatedly, "Please, Your Majesty!"
Lu Yuanpeng noticed Bai Qingyan walking inside with General Liu, puffing out his chest, but then saw Bai family elder sister surrounded by the naval generals as they entered, seemingly oblivious to him. He quickly grabbed Sima Ping to chase inside, determined to find an opportunity to speak with Bai family elder sister and obtain her permission to imdiately go to Dongyi to find his sister.
The naval commanders who were unfamiliar with Bai Qingyan followed behind the Bai family army and Zhou army commanders into the tent, whispering to Jiang Huaisheng, "This Emperor truly acts swiftly; upon arrival, first went to the governnt office, then to the fishing village, and now is not resting, but discussing the plan to exterminate Dongyi. Doesn’t she take a break?"
Jiang Huaisheng smiled silently, patting his comrade’s shoulder and simply saying, "Let’s go..."
Jiang Huaisheng could guess part of why Bai Qingyan was in such a hurry; firstly, to demonstrate her determination to annihilate Dongyi, and secondly, perhaps to swiftly and decisively act to minimize disruptions related to gambling in the country.
As they entered the command tent, Liu Shucheng promptly ordered additional lamps to illuminate the mariti map hanging within the tent. Liu Shucheng then introduced the naval commanders present to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan glanced at the mariti map, removed her cloak, and handed it to Wei Zhong. Listening to Liu Shucheng and the others discuss various strategies, when they ntioned the issue of warships, Jiang Huaisheng spoke up: "Previously, due to the disbandnt of many naval soldiers, nurous warships were left unused. Now, many soldiers have returned upon your summons, Your Majesty. If you are eager for swift action and the shipyard cannot deliver new warships promptly, perhaps sending people to repair and revive the old ones would not be an issue..."
Bai Qingyan nodded slightly: "Large warships recently overseen are being expedited day and night as I arrived, coming by waterways, and will start arriving by the twenty-ninth at the latest! Yet, we must be prepared on multiple fronts!"
Xiao Ruohai, Xiao Ruojiang, and Chen Qingsheng have already gone to Dongyi, and Shen Qingzhu will soon bring warships.
"If that is the case, we shall dare to inform Your Majesty of the previously discussed warfare strategies, entirely subjected to Your Majesty’s decision!" Jiang Huaisheng began to speak softly, explaining each strategy deed most appropriate to Bai Qingyan, concerned that she might be unfamiliar with naval warfare, his pace was exceptionally gentle.
Bai Qingyan listened intently, never showing impatience, nodding periodically to indicate her understanding, sotis raising her hand to point out specific mariti areas and islands for confirmation if Jiang Huaisheng’s statents were accurate. Jiang Huaisheng was indeed surprised that Bai Qingyan had not made a single error, indicating a thorough study of the mariti domain.
After Jiang Huaisheng completed the discussion of strategies, Bai Qingyan slowly began: "Our Zhou holds a fundantal advantage over Dongyi due to vast land and resources; Dongyi’s population and resources collectively do not even equate to one-tenth of our Zhou... hence, so too our military strength and capabilities!"
Jiang Huaisheng stood upright, looking at Bai Qingyan’s serious expression illuminated by candlelight, saluting Bai Qingyan: "Your Majesty has a strategy in mind already? I seek counsel..."
"Comnce the battle on the fifth of October; by the twenty-ninth of September... newly arrived warships plus those repaired by October first shall depart from Jinguan’s port entrance..." Bai Qingyan stood by the war map, pointing at the location of Jinguan’s port entrance, gesturing towards the position of Changdao within the mariti domain, "Zhou will launch a mighty offensive; Dongyi’s mariti patrollers will surely detect and oppose Zhou’s forces, and it’s right here... where Zhou’s several-fold warship advantage will engage Dongyi head-on, ensuring Dongyi’s vessels are entirely obliterated!"
Bai Qingyan intends to engage directly, not adapting the minimal loss approach imagined by Jiang Huaisheng and others.
"Moreover, by October tenth at the latest... the second batch of giant warships will undoubtedly arrive at Jinguan!" Bai Qingyan turned her gaze to Cheng Yuanzhi and Liu Pinggao, "Zhou’s forces shall be led by Liu Pinggao to safeguard the coastal periter, while all Bai family soldiers board, circle eastward past Guan Island, then directly proceed to Dongyi, and by the ninth hour of October twenty-first, strike Guadu City in Dongyi, within three days, Dongyi shall be annihilated!"
Bai Qingyan’s finger tapped heavily on the edge of the war map, standing upright: "Regarding mariti warfare... I am not familiar, so I won’t plan, only decree. This battle... Zhou shall commit fully, ensuring Dongyi ceases to exist in this world!"
Jiang Huaisheng discerned that Bai Qingyan had already planned everything, even determining the hour for Bai family soldiers to reach Guadu City, indicating ticulous planning on the way to Jinguan.
"Your Majesty intends to achieve victory through sheer numbers, however, if things proceed this way... the military expenditures will not rely be minor concerns but could influence Your Majesty’s gambling nation strategic plan." Liu Shucheng couldn’t help feeling worried, "If Your Majesty has prior arrangents, Bai family soldiers may act as planned, though our Zhou’s naval forces need not empty the nests!"
"The generals’ strategies, I can see... are sowhat conservative, aiming to conserve silver for Zhou, yet, conserving silver remains the duty of the Minister of Revenue. You generals need not encroach upon these responsibilities, lest leaving Wei Bugong at the Ministry too idle." Bai Qingyan’s eyes showed a relaxed, faint smile, "Moreover, this battle, I do not require silver conservation, but emptying the nests... to inform Dongyi! Let Tianfeng Kingdom know! And let Yan Kingdom know, offending my strong Zhou ans... Zhou shall obliterate entirely!"
Additionally, Bai Qingyan must also find a justification for spending silver; thus, Shen Tianzhi can promote more bonds.
"If a war is fought, it must be grand and poignant! Showing everyone that Zhou... cannot be provoked by any nation!" Bai Qingyan’s voice was steady and powerful, accompanied by the imperial pride and dominance befitting a mighty sovereign.
These Zhou commanders stood listening to their Emperor’s words, feeling imnsely motivated.
"Precisely! A small vassal is so daring as to be restless amidst Zhou’s gambling nation affairs, with Yan behind the scenes, let’s demonstrate that even during Zhou’s gambling nation matters, Dongyi and Tianfeng can be eradicated... and they shall not disrupt the national engagent!" Bai Jinzhi couldn’t help but speak up, "Should Yan Kingdom lose and not acknowledge, our Zhou could also eliminate Yan Kingdom!"
Jiang Huaisheng comprehended that Bai Qingyan’s intentions held multiple objectives, with one explicit—performing the battle for Tianfeng Kingdom and Yan Kingdom’s observation...
The entirety of Bai Qingyan’s plan held motives Jiang Huaisheng was unable to comprehend, not yet at the position of Bai Qingyan, hence unable to speculate.
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