"I can only confirm that the war will inevitably break out, but the scale will not be very large, and the war will be controlled within a certain range. However, if we cannot respond correctly, with Li Wufeng's character, our losses may not be greater than those of the Japanese. We have less things to seize in our hands." Mariinsky did not shy away from the most painful lesson of the Doton people. The Japanese had taught them the most profound lesson. If they cannot face the situation in front of them with a clear mind, In a complicated situation, I am afraid that the somersaults caused by Duodun people will be even greater.
As the eyes of Prime Minister Mariinsky and His Majesty Andrei fell on the tall and thin man who had remained silent, the eyes of the ministers in the palace also focused on this man who looked sleepy and had his eyes half-closed. A shabby and white noble robe even has a few patches and holes at the end. His hands are wrapped in the armholes, always giving people a look of sitting on the sidelines, and his mouth is always spitting out clouds and pungent smells. The smell of low-quality tobacco spread around him, and almost all the nobles kept a distance from him. They probably knew this guy's hobby, and no one wanted to go home smelling of low-quality cigarettes after the last court visit.
Although facing the gazes of everyone and His Majesty the King, this guy still maintained a nonchalant attitude. He just squinted his eyes and enjoyed the pleasure of inhaling the smoke from burning tobacco leaves into his nasal cavity. He seemed not to notice that everyone was waiting at all. following his speech.
Even the well-educated His Majesty Andre felt a little helpless towards this guy who had always been famous for his independent behavior in both the government and the public. Every time this guy goes to court, there must be thick smoke billowing out, causing the surrounding officials to stay away. Over time, an open space naturally forms around him, but he himself has no self-awareness.
"Crawford, what do you think of Mariinsky's opinion?" Andre had to patiently remind the veteran that it was time for him to express his opinion. As a representative of the military, this guy is not very popular among the military. But if we talk about qualifications and performance. Even General Liemei, who has always regarded himself as the number one figure in the army, has to admit that he is not as good as this veteran. But in Liemei's words, Crawford is too old, too old to see the situation clearly, and too conservative. His thoughts suppressed his tactical level, and it was time for him to leave the army. However, in Liemei, his too radical strategic thinking exceeded the reins of His Majesty Andre. When Liemai was sent to the north to guard the border. The DPRK had no choice but to use Earl Crawford when no one took the lead.
"Very good." His Majesty the King was dismissed with just two words, which made Andre also feel depressed.
"How are the military prepared to respond?" Andre was also a little annoyed, staring at the other party and asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, do you really want to hear the general's true thoughts? The general must first state that this is just the general's personal opinion and does not represent the military, because the military's opinion is exactly the opposite of the general's." Finally, the last part He took two long puffs on the cigarette to let it burn completely. The dark red cigarette butt flickered in the somewhat dark hall, and finally brought an arc and accurately fell into the round jade bowl two meters away. It was obvious that the technique was quite skillful.
"Oh? Then you might as well tell everyone to listen." Andre frowned. This guy has always been at odds with other generals in the army. Although they are not on the same page, they are deeply separated.
"The general believes that Western Xinjiang is on the moral side and will definitely use all its strength to launch an attack on our southern border. Among them, the Okhotsk region should be the focus of their attack. The general suspects that they want to seize Okhotsk through this battle. In order to maintain the pressure and threat to our kingdom in the Hotsk area, as for the Kutz area, the general feels that their greater possibility should be a gesture." There is almost no reason, the old guy's words are always so straightforward, it seems I don’t want to explain anything.
"What's the reason? I and several other generals believe that the enemy is creating a feint attack in the Okhotsk area to attract our main forces, but the purpose is to launch an offensive in the Kutz area, so as to insert a wedge into our hinterland. General Crawford, can you explain the reason why you came to this conclusion?" Andre frowned again. He is indeed an independent guy. The intelligence department has learned that the Western Xinjiang Rangers have begun to cross the clouds. When the government entered the northwest of Yanshan Mountain, it was clear that they wanted to launch a major offensive in the Kutz Plain area. However, this guy thought that the opponent would launch an attack in the Okhotsk area with complex terrain. Even his ideas were very different from everyone else's.
"The reason is simple. Kutz is of little value to the current Western Xinjiang, and the Okhotsk region may be more attractive to the Western Front." Still two cold sentences, and these two None of the words seemed correct.
"Hoho, General Crawford, are you a fool or do you have other ideas? The Kutz area is the most important grain and cotton producing area in the kingdom, and you actually said it is of little value? What do you mean? Is the Okhotsk region very valuable? Are the undulating barren hills producing gold or silver? Or are they rich in diamonds? Or is it because it is your hometown and you have a lot of land?" The words were full of sadness. Once again, Bentley seemed to enjoy quarreling with anyone and was not afraid of making grudges with anyone.
"Well, Viscount Bentley is right. There is a reason for this, because it is my hometown. I understand that from the current situation, Okhotsk may be more valuable to Western Xinjiang. A place like Kutz, any place in the territory of the Tanghe people in the south is better than Kutz." It seemed that he didn't want to argue with the other party, and the sloppy veteran didn't want to pay attention to the other party's offensive words.
"What is the value of Okhotsk? None of us seem to see it? Do you think so?" Bentley looked around with a look of disdain. For this country noble from Okhotsk, these capital nobles who claimed to have a higher bloodline have always looked down upon him.
"Nothing else, a harbor, an excellent harbor, a wedge, a wedge inserted into our hinterland, this is what the people of Xijiang and Li Wufeng value most now." After saying these words, the old guy closed his mouth tightly again, as if Worry that any more words would be a waste.
Everyone was silent. Since the Kingdom of Dodon lost the Cook Islands and the Crescent Peninsula, the navy has lost most of its control of the sea. It has been defeated by the Japanese navy several times when it went to sea. The navy is declining day by day. Now except in Okhotsk Apart from a pitifully small military port in the south of the bay, there is only one naval base in Nomenkan in the northeast. But even there is in jeopardy. If it weren't for the Tang River Civil War that brought the two sides together, Situ Tai would I'm afraid that the Japanese may already be spying on Nomenkan.
"But General Crawford, although I am not familiar with military affairs, I also know that the terrain in the Okhotsk region is complex. Although we do not have many troops stationed in this area, Hailan Fortress strangles the entire Okhotsk region. Throat, I'm afraid it won't be easy for the enemy to occupy this area, unless the Tanghe people intend to fight a full-scale war, but in that case, it doesn't seem to be in line with Li Wufeng's current intentions." Mariinsky couldn't help it. Yes, he is indeed not very proficient in military matters, but the reality before him is that nearly 200,000 troops of the Tanghe people may cross the border and enter the kingdom at any time. If it is not possible to determine which place is the key point of defense, then The outcome of this battle can be imagined.
Facing the highly respected Prime Minister, Crawford continued his style: "Mr. Mariinsky, although you don't know much about military matters, you should at least know that the enemy's attack method is not just one. , Didn’t Cheng Dayou successfully implement a landing in Dengzhou? Then he can definitely land in Okhotsk or even further north, so what is the use of Hailan Fortress? "
This sentence made Mariinsky speechless for a long time, and the atmosphere became a little tense. General Gumet was still a little dissatisfied with the other party's aggressiveness, and retorted: "But according to the confirmation of the intelligence department, in Huangdao Port, The Tanghe people have not collected many ships at all. The two divisions that have arrived can only rest on the spot. If they want to carry out the landing, how can they get so many ships at once? If they collect enough ships, I think we The intelligence department can also grasp it at any time. At that time, we can calmly deal with the time. However, if we misunderstand the direction of the enemy's attack, once the enemy breaks into the Kutz area, we will fall into chaos and lose the opportunity. Such a result will be fatal. General Lawford, have you considered this?"
Unexpectedly, it was this guy who was attacking him. Crawford glanced at the opponent with disdain. Although the opponent was not worth mentioning, his skills on paper were top-notch. Breaking through from the Kutz area has always been what everyone is most worried about. It is the most intimate area of the Kingdom of Dodon. Once it breaks through the Kutz area, it will pose a threat to the capital area. No matter from the strategic position or the psychological flexibility of the people, there cannot be any loss there.
"General Gumeite, where will the enemy break through? I'm not Cheng Dayou. I can't give you a satisfactory answer. I just put forward my own opinion. As for the final decision, it is up to your Majesty to make the decision." Crowe In fact, Ford was not very sure that the Western Xinjiang Army would choose Okhotsk. He also did not expect that the enemy's recruitment of civilian ships in Huangdao Port was an illusion, but he knew that the Kutz area was certainly important to Dodon. , it is really a dispensable place for Li Wufeng. His intuition told Crawford that it is unlikely that this guy Cheng Dayou would choose a place that the coach does not value. As Mariinsky said, this guy is very Smart, he should know where Li Wufeng wants to get most.