The economic arguments among the courtiers did not affect the preparations for the war against Hesi Luo, Kaman and the three Japanese kingdoms. Everyone knew that if the threat of the Liberians could not be completely eliminated, the Tang Empire would always hang on its head. With a sharp sword, once some unexpected situation occurs in the empire in the future, the Liberians may come back at any time, and conquering them now can at least reduce this danger to a great extent.
Both Liang Chongxin and Cui Wenxiu recommended suitable candidates for the Northern Expedition to Wu Feng and the Privy Council. Cheng Dayou, Song Tianxiong and Shenei became candidates. Originally, Mu Lige was also a suitable candidate, but he declined the offer. His identity may bring him a chance of glory. For him, after going through the long northern campaign, beating up the drowned dog doesn't mean much anymore. In contrast, he and Kang Jianguo both intend to represent the empire to the New World. Expanding a bit, especially when they learned that the powers of the Western Continent had begun to intensify their efforts to colonize the New World, their interest became even more intense. The Marine Corps was obviously unlikely to be qualified for such a grand project. War on land In the end, it is up to the Army to decide. This is something both Mulige and Kang Jianguo firmly believe.
It should be said that the Lulong Arsenal and the Lahore Arsenal, which were wholly owned by the central government of the Empire, were quickly put into production, kicking off the equipment update of the Imperial Army. After learning that the powers in the Western Continent were already at the forefront in this regard, Wu Feng Under strong urging, the Imperial Privy Council and the Ministry of Finance quickly formed a consensus to speed up the replacement of army equipment as quickly as possible, and at the same time began large-scale targeted training for the army. The first to be replaced were the First Army Corps, The Third Army, the Sixth Army, and the Eighth Army will all be the main armies that may be deployed in the Battle of Liberia and the battlefields of the New World.
At the same time, the Yuhang Arsenal, which was built in Yuhang, also started production. This arsenal was 70% funded by the central government of the empire. At the same time, the remaining 30% of the funds raised from national debt funds were invested in construction, mainly to produce military equipment for the Imperial Navy. It also marked the initial formation of the three major military industrial enterprises among the seven major military industrial systems of the Empire.
At Cui Wenxiu's request, Wufeng finally agreed to Cui Wenxiu's opinion on regaining Nan Meili. In fact, this opinion caused considerable controversy in both the Imperial Privy Council and the Government Affairs Council. Bo Jinchen supported this suggestion, but both Ling Tianfang and the Government Affairs Council were opposed to it. Wu Feng was also hesitant about this, and finally decided on Cui Wenxiu reluctantly agreed to the war plan after ensuring that it would not trigger a large-scale war with West Orland and Jutland. However, after Wufeng agreed, he also left a trail for Cui Wenxiu, asking Cui Wenxiu to The right time must be chosen, and before launching a war, it must be submitted to the imperial central government for approval, and it is not allowed to launch it without permission. This also makes Cui Wenxiu extremely depressed. Fortunately, he finally won the approval of His Majesty the Emperor, which was not satisfactory. He originally thought that his plan was likely to be rejected. Even Bo Jinchen, who supported his plan, was not optimistic about it.
In view of the fact that the production capacity of the newly commissioned Lulong Arsenal has been exhausted by the needs of several army regiments of the empire that are about to launch the Northern Expedition and travel to the New World, and there is no potential to replace the equipment required by the army stationed in the mid-continent area, Cui Wenxiu strongly requested the establishment of a military factory in Luxor, a place with relatively developed industrial capabilities in the Central Continent, in order to speed up the empire's army replacement plan in the Central Continent. This plan received strong support from Qin Tieliu, Governor of Meili, and the industrial and commercial class of Meili. support. After obtaining the approval of the Imperial Privy Council, the Economic Development Department of the Imperial Government Council finally agreed to the plan to build a new military-industrial complex in Luxor, with the empire funding 60%. Local businessmen in Meili invested 40% to build a comprehensive military industrial enterprise, which will not only produce various weapons and equipment for the army, but also for the upcoming West Sea Fleet.
However, although Luxor has a strong industrial foundation, it is of course impossible for the newly-built military-industrial complex to start large-scale production in a short period of time. Such a military-industrial complex not only requires comprehensive planning, but also requires strict security and confidentiality issues. It also needs to be carefully arranged. This is the main reason why the Ministry of Economic Development has not been able to make a decision easily and has to seek the opinions of the Imperial Privy Council. Fortunately, the Imperial Privy Council also considers that the Baltic and Aegean coastal areas will be increasingly important to the Empire. . In order to ensure the empire's interests in this region, it is necessary to have a strong army and navy, especially naval power. It is more important to have the newly approved West Sea Fleet appear in the Baltic Sea and the Baltic Sea with a new attitude and advanced equipment as soon as possible. The Aegean Sea plays a very important role in deterring powerful neighbors and safeguarding the rights and interests of the empire.
On August 19, 702 in the Continental Gregorian Calendar, the Imperial Ninth Army Corps, which had completed preparations, and the Dodon Army Corps, which had regained the reorganization area, jointly launched a comprehensive offensive in the northern part of the Crescent Peninsula. When everyone's attention was focused on intensive preparations, When the First, Third, and Sixth Legions of the Northern Expedition were attacked, no one thought that the war would first break out on the Crescent Peninsula in the northeast corner.
It should be said that the timing chosen by Kim Jong Yang and the Dodon Army was quite good. Since the Imperial Navy's Atlantic Fleet frequently conducted large-scale military exercises near Kamchatka Island and Treasure Island, and even conducted landing operations drills with the Kingdom of Milan near Treasure Island, This made Tatehara Yamakawa seem to be aware of the approaching crisis. Not only did they mobilize a large number of Japanese local armies to be stationed on Treasure Island and Kamchatka Island, but the army on the Crescent Peninsula has also dropped to an unprecedented level. This has also created a problem for the empire in Optimum conditions were created for military operations on the Crescent Peninsula.
On August 21, 702 in the Continental Calendar, the Dodon Army, under the cover of the Imperial Ninth Army, suffered considerable casualties and broke through the Niuguan Fortress, a fortress built by the Japanese at the throat of the Crescent Moon Peninsula, and controlled the march to the Crescent Peninsula in one fell swoop. gate. Immediately after the Ninth Army and the Doton Army were overwhelming, the Japanese were able to reach the main fortresses such as Zhuguan, Maguan, and Bungoguan built on the west coast in Crescent Moon. The Japanese were defeated and retreated to the southernmost tip of the Crescent Peninsula. In the end, the entire army destruction.
The battle lasted no more than twenty days, and everything went smoothly as expected. Tachihara Shanchuan was not even in time, and he did not dare to mobilize troops from Kamchatka Island and Treasure Island for counterattack. What he needed to consider now was Kamchatka Island and Treasure Island. How long can he hold on? Once his rule on Kamchatka and Treasure Island collapses, will it affect his dominance in the Japanese mainland? He has abandoned areas like the Cook Islands and Ryukyu Islands without hesitation. , I don’t even want to put it there.
Wu Feng glanced at the document presented on his desk. He didn't even bother to look at it. At this time, these Japanese people knew that they were here to ask for peace and surrender. This made him feel sick. These guys who bully the weak and fear the strong are better than Everyone is more powerful and cunning. When they see that the situation is unfavorable, they will think of how to maximize their own strength. Letting such people stay will only add trouble to themselves.
"Su Qin, what do you think?" Seeing that his deputy prime minister seemed thoughtful, Wu Feng knew that the other party must have some ideas, but he did not think that Su Qin was mentally retarded enough to accept the other party's conditions.
"Your Majesty, I just find it a bit funny. These guys should have surrendered when Doton and Poole collapsed, but they always have a glimmer of hope, as if they hope that the empire will forget them, or they still want to see The fate of the Sisluo and Kaman people never expected that Kim Zhengyang would suddenly come to them. Now I finally can't sit still." Su Qin shook his head, "Your Majesty must have read their request and is willing to return everything. They occupy territory, but they want us to guarantee their freedom of trade and not sanction them. They are so tough that people who don't know think we have lost the war."
"Humph, these Japanese people are like this. Breaking promises is commonplace for them. However, we have to admit that if Baodao and Kamchatka had not mobilized too many of their troops, Niuguan would not have been so easy to win. I think Jin Zhengyang sent The battle reports that came in are pretty high on the Japanese's will to fight." Wu Feng nodded, "Now the initiative is in our hands, how we attack depends on our attitude."
"Is Your Majesty prepared to let them go?" Su Qin was a little surprised. As far as he knew, His Majesty the Emperor didn't seem to have a good impression of the Japanese, except of course the Japanese girls. In this case, it didn't seem to be His Majesty's style to surrender the occupied territory and then cease all activities.
"Well, why not? Let them return Treasure Island and Kamchatka Island to us first. We will wait until we take Treasure Island and Kamchatka Island into our hands before we talk about anything else. They have occupied Treasure Island and Kamchatka Island for so long. Don't we need to pay a price?" Wu Feng shrugged, "Of course we don't need to give them such detailed calculations now. In short, it is enough that they will never meet our requirements. What we need is a reason. I was thinking It’s easy, right? They can do it, so why can’t we do the opposite?”
Su Qin felt a chill. It turned out that His Majesty the Emperor had no intention of accepting this peace letter at all. Everything was just a cover. Everything would be exposed as soon as the Treasure Island and Kamchatka Island were recovered. He would retaliate in the same way. There is indeed not much morality between countries, let alone a country that likes the same tactics. This can be regarded as retribution.