Empire Conquest-Chapter 928 - 133: Internal Connections 2

That’s exactly why the Bakistan Army could reduce its standing forces to 600,000 and deploy all its main armored forces in the central and northern regions.

This arrangement is also related to Bakistan’s geographical environment.

Isolated by the Thar Desert, the southern region centered around Karachi is not closely connected to the central region.

With only one railway and mediocre highway traffic capacity, it is difficult for armored forces to maneuver between the two regions.

In short, the main force guarding Karachi is the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division.

The current issue is that the Fanluo Army is likely to focus on the south.

It’s not just about capturing Karachi, but also about defeating the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division, or rather, exerting pressure on the Liangxia Empire through the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division.

In fact, an assault on Karachi alone would be enough to compel the Liangxia Empire to intervene militarily.

Although the Empire increased its investment in Bakistan, including a significant effort to expand Gwadar Port, under Zhou Yongtao’s tenure as Imperial Chief Minister, within just a few years, even if Gwadar Port has the capability to support fleet operations, it holds little value.

The crux is the lack of a railway leading to Gwadar Port, with the only overland route being a desert highway.

The main reliance remains on Karachi.

As can be seen, if the Fanluo Country invests heavily in this direction, the Empire must deploy its forces and swiftly transport the main troops there.

The only thing faster than sea transport is strategic airlift.

There are numerous issues involved here.

The first being, whether to focus on strengthening the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division?

Although there are three combat brigades in Karachi, they all belong to the Western Campaign Zone and are planned to be reinforced by the 17th Armored Division, while the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division belongs to the Southern War Zone. Even though the command systems are similar, officers from the Western War Zone may be reluctant to take orders from the Southern War Zone.

Thus, consideration must be given to sending the 17th Armored Division to Bakistan.

If there are enough strategic transporters, especially the "Yun-10A" strategic transporters, theoretically, it would take only a week to transport all personnel and equipment of the 17th Armored Division near Karachi, followed by 2 to 3 days to get the combat units into operational status.

Unfortunately, the Empire’s Air Force does not have enough strategic transporters.

Currently, almost all "Yun-10A" are tasked with important assignments on the continental battlefield, unable to divert their attention elsewhere.

Additionally, even if there were enough strategic transporters, it would equate to reducing military investment in Boss Bay.

From this perspective, the Fanluo Country’s entry into the war at this time is to save the soon-to-be-defeated Iraq.

Looking further, it’s also to boost the Boi Country’s morale, allowing them to intervene quickly and reverse the situation in Boss Bay.

Is this truly the case?

Ding Zhennan didn’t fully agree with Shi Shouliang’s analysis.

Firstly, would Iraq be spared from defeat due to Fanluo Country’s entry into the war?

The answer is clearly no.

Even if the 17th Armored Division is immediately sent to Bakistan, with the 7th Armored Division already expanded and capable of expanding into a field army, the Hussein Regime might only survive a bit longer, a month at most, or perhaps not even a week.

Additionally, whether Iraq is defeated or not has a negligible impact on the overall war.

Undoubtedly, from any perspective, Fanluo Country’s involvement has nothing to do with Iraq.

As for boosting the morale of Boi Country, that’s even more unreliable.

It’s no secret that the Boi authorities are indecisive, and with Alliance Army forces gathering in the Boss Bay region, including the soon-to-be-expanded 7th Armored Division and the 14th Mechanized Infantry Division from the Western War Zone, Boi’s leaders are unlikely to have the courage to intervene at this time.

Even if Boi Country were to enter the war, it might not be aimed at Iraq, but more likely against Bakistan.

Simply put, it would attack Bakistan from the west.

If that were the case, Fanluo Country wouldn’t be the only one launching an unannounced war at dawn today!

If they truly convinced the leaders of Boi Country, both the Newland Republic and Fanluo Country would first settle the matter with Boi Country.

In other words, Fanluo Country and Boi Country would simultaneously go to war against Bakistan.

Given that Boi Country didn’t launch an immediate attack nor declare war on Bakistan, it’s unlikely they would intervene until Fanluo Country achieves decisive victory.

Thus, Fanluo Country’s unannounced war has nothing to do with encouraging Boi Country to join the fight.

Additionally, Boi Country and Fanluo Country have never been on good terms.

Before Fanluo Country formally allied with the Newland Republic, Boi Country was the latter’s top ally, and their relationship was very close. After Fanluo Country came into the picture, the Newland Republic gradually distanced itself from Boi Country, reducing its focus on Boi. Many aids originally meant for Boi Country ended up in Fanluo Country, severely affecting Boi Country’s modernization progress.

So, why did Fanluo Country launch an unannounced war?

If Digalla is still alive, there is no special reason to adopt such a despicable manner, which would unite opponents in enmity, to wage war.

Historically, nations that wage unannounced wars didn’t end well.

If Fanluo Country’s involvement is unrelated to this side’s war in Boss Bay, could it be connected to the continental war?

Evidently, this speculation also doesn’t hold water.

After its independence, Fanluo Country leveraged its former status as a colony of the Bulan Kingdom to navigate between the two major Western blocs. The most representative example of this is, as long as money isn’t a problem, Fanluo Country can purchase any desired weaponry from these two major blocs with few difficulties. However, fundamentally speaking, Fanluo Country primarily relies on the Beigu Group and does not have close ties with the West Continent Group.

This is even more evident in economic exchanges.

The Newland Republic has always been Fanluo Country’s top trading partner, and the trade volume between Tiaoman Empire and Fanluo is even less than that of Liangxia Empire.

In terms of geopolitical relations, even with some significant interests, the ties aren’t strong.

Put plainly, isolated by the Pamou Plateau and the deserts and wilderness in the heart of the World Island, the outcome of the continental war has minimal impact on Fanluo Country, and even if the West Continent Group is defeated, Fanluo might not be adversely affected.

The one capable of saving the Tiaoman Empire is, and can only be, the Newland Republic.

If the Newland Republic hasn’t made a move, why is Fanluo Country in such a hurry?

Even if Fanluo Country could mobilize tens of millions or even over a hundred million combat personnel, it couldn’t traverse the Pamou Mountains, let alone rush to aid the West Continent Group.

"In any case, Fanluo Country relies on the Newland Republic, so we don’t need to ponder too much. Just keep a close watch on the Newland Republic..."

"The Newland Republic?" Shi Shouliang interrupted suddenly before Ding Zhennan finished speaking.

Shi Shouliang nodded, initially intending to respond, but upon noticing Ding Zhennan’s serious expression, he realized Ding was talking to himself.

Ding Zhennan had a habit of furrowing his brow unconsciously when pondering issues.

Those unfamiliar with him might think he harbored deep grievances against someone.

"We’ve mistaken the causal relationship," Ding Zhennan raised his head, noticing Shi Shouliang staring at him, "Fanluo Country’s actions are indeed related to the Newland Republic, but it’s not about pledging loyalty. If it were, Digalla wouldn’t need to stage such a ruse."

"Then why?"

"Is Bai Huawei commanding the Fourth Fleet of East Ocean?"

Shi Shouliang paused, then nodded, understanding Ding Zhennan’s implication.

Fanluo Country launched a sudden, unannounced attack on Bakistan as a distraction, creating an opportunity for the Newland Navy to launch a surprise attack.

As long as the Empire focuses on the Southern Subcontinent, other directions are inevitably overlooked.

"Is he okay over there?" Shi Shouliang wasn’t very confident, or perhaps a bit worried.

Faced with Shi Shouliang’s question, Ding Zhennan wasn’t sure how to respond.

Both of them were Army generals; even though Ding Zhennan was considered a rare talent, he dared not make conclusions about naval fleet operations.

Moreover, the Newland Republic hadn’t yet entered the war.

However, Ding Zhennan was using Shi Shouliang to alert Bai Huawei, far on the other side of the world—in other words, Shi Shouliang should warn the Ministry of Defense and General Staff Department that there might be dramatic changes in East Ocean, urging preparations for a potential surprise attack.

The crucial thing was to get the 41st Special Mixed Fleet out of Treasure Harbor and not stay there waiting to be bombed.

The fleet is key; as long as the fleet is intact, there’s still hope!