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 immediately 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 government office, then to the fishing village, and now is not resting, but discussing the plan to exterminate Dongyi. Doesnât she take a break?"
Jiang Huaisheng smiled silently, patting his comradeâs shoulder and simply saying, "Letâs 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 maritime map hanging within the tent. Liu Shucheng then introduced the naval commanders present to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan glanced at the maritime map, removed her cloak, and handed it to Wei Zhong. Listening to Liu Shucheng and the others discuss various strategies, when they mentioned the issue of warships, Jiang Huaisheng spoke up: "Previously, due to the disbandment of many naval soldiers, numerous 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 Majestyâs decision!" Jiang Huaisheng began to speak softly, explaining each strategy deemed 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, sometimes raising her hand to point out specific maritime areas and islands for confirmation if Jiang Huaishengâs statements were accurate. Jiang Huaisheng was indeed surprised that Bai Qingyan had not made a single error, indicating a thorough study of the maritime domain.
After Jiang Huaisheng completed the discussion of strategies, Bai Qingyan slowly began: "Our Zhou holds a fundamental advantage over Dongyi due to vast land and resources; Dongyiâs 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 Qingyanâs serious expression illuminated by candlelight, saluting Bai Qingyan: "Your Majesty has a strategy in mind already? I seek counsel..."
"Commence 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 Jinguanâs port entrance..." Bai Qingyan stood by the war map, pointing at the location of Jinguanâs port entrance, gesturing towards the position of Changdao within the maritime domain, "Zhou will launch a mighty offensive; Dongyiâs maritime patrollers will surely detect and oppose Zhouâs forces, and itâs right here... where Zhouâs several-fold warship advantage will engage Dongyi head-on, ensuring Dongyiâs 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, "Zhouâs forces shall be led by Liu Pinggao to safeguard the coastal perimeter, 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 Qingyanâs finger tapped heavily on the edge of the war map, standing upright: "Regarding maritime warfare... I am not familiar, so I wonât 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 meticulous 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 merely be minor concerns but could influence Your Majestyâs gambling nation strategic plan." Liu Shucheng couldnât help feeling worried, "If Your Majesty has prior arrangements, Bai family soldiers may act as planned, though our Zhouâs naval forces need not empty the nests!"
"The generalsâ strategies, I can see... are somewhat 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 Qingyanâs 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 means... 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 Qingyanâs voice was steady and powerful, accompanied by the imperial pride and dominance befitting a mighty sovereign.
These Zhou commanders stood listening to their Emperorâs words, feeling immensely motivated.
"Precisely! A small vassal is so daring as to be restless amidst Zhouâs gambling nation affairs, with Yan behind the scenes, letâs demonstrate that even during Zhouâs gambling nation matters, Dongyi and Tianfeng can be eradicated... and they shall not disrupt the national engagement!" Bai Jinzhi couldnât help but speak up, "Should Yan Kingdom lose and not acknowledge, our Zhou could also eliminate Yan Kingdom!"
Jiang Huaisheng comprehended that Bai Qingyanâs intentions held multiple objectives, with one explicitâperforming the battle for Tianfeng Kingdom and Yan Kingdomâs observation...
The entirety of Bai Qingyanâs plan held motives Jiang Huaisheng was unable to comprehend, not yet at the position of Bai Qingyan, hence unable to speculate.