#591 - Chapter 591: Plan Finalized
Old Qin's deployment of troops from all four military regions was intended to create opportunities for certain lurking members of the Mani sect.
When Dongfang Chen said he could provide some 'indescribable cooperation,' it meant that he still had backup plans in various bases. Old Qin believed this 'indescribable cooperation' meant that these bases were still under his surveillance.
This was the reason why the Military and Political Department and the Security Department initially tried to prevent the rise of the Huatong Chamber of Commerce.
However, Baili Ji's change of attitude later became the key to the Huatong Chamber of Commerce's success.
So why did Baili Ji initially plan to suppress the Huatong Chamber of Commerce, only to later make a complete 180-degree turn? This was inseparable from Old Qin's promotion behind the scenes.
Old Qin's original words were: 'The common people are already struggling to survive. Is monitoring them really that important?'
How should this be understood?
It depends on where a leader's priorities lie. Is it emphasizing the council's absolute control over China, or prioritizing the safety of the common people?
Once these two issues cannot be balanced and must be reconciled, different choices will lead to completely different results.
Clearly, Old Qin had a broader vision.
The council is the people's council. As long as the people are safe, why dwell on who the administrator is?
Once this was understood, the train of thought immediately opened up.
On the surface, troops from all four military regions were transferred away, but in reality, to prevent lurking elements from taking the opportunity to cause sabotage, the Southeast Military Region and the Northeast Military Region did not go to the Aksu region. Instead, they temporarily entered the newly built Mossang Ark Base.
The Mossang Ark Base has been completed, but it has not yet been put into use.
The Moda Empire learned of China's military movements as soon as they happened. However, they did not react in any way, presumably because they did not take this small force seriously.
Soon, nine days passed.
On January 30th, Auk-Hungarian Will called again, extending a formal invitation to Dongfang Chen.
The military exercise was scheduled for 6:00 AM local time on January 31st.
Dongfang Chen replied to Will, promising to attend in person.
Of course, he couldn't go in person, nor could he. But if he didn't say so, who would know? When the combat suit is put on, who can tell who's who?
January 30th, 9:00 PM.
A stand-in 'Dongfang Chen' led 20 warships to Istanbul.
That night, they held a secret meeting that lasted five hours.
Finally, they agreed that after the start of the military exercise, the Auk-Hungarian side would divide its forces into two groups, launching attacks simultaneously from the eastern shore of the Black Sea and the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, attacking the important western cities of the Moda Empire: Tehran and Damascus. Then, one group would move east and the other south, completely blockading these areas.
Dongfang Chen's side would divide into three groups, launching attacks simultaneously from the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, the northern part of the Moda Empire, and the northwestern part.
The western army would coordinate with the Auk-Hungarian side, while the northern armies would attack the major northeastern cities of the Moda Empire: Almaty and Tashkent.
As for whether China would participate in the war, the Auk-Hungarians didn't even mention it, completely disregarding it.
Dongfang Chen sat in the control hall, shaking his head as he listened to their plan.
These Auk-Hungarians are definitely good at screwing over their teammates. With such a battle plan, they won't even know how they died.
Now that the Auk-Hungarian plan was clear, he had to help them along.
He first called Putian Xiaoyezi, asking him to transfer all 27 of the Auk-Hungarian warships to Zahedan.
Zahedan is also located on the border of the Moda Empire, in the westernmost location.
Putian Xiaoyezi relayed the message to the Elder Hall.
The Elder Hall still agreed.
Then, Dongfang Chen shared the Auk-Hungarian plan with High Priest Maya and Techas.
"Mr. Dongfang, if the Auk-Hungarians directly attack Damascus, can we cross the Red Sea and attack from the south?" Techas asked.
"No, I suggest you cross the Mediterranean Sea and attack Ankara," Dongfang Chen shook his head.
"Ankara? Why is that?" Techas didn't understand.
Ankara is very close to Istanbul. Logically, the Auk-Hungarians should be able to take care of it themselves.
"Don't forget what I said before, the Auk-Hungarians can't be trusted. Taking them too seriously will easily lead to falling into a trap," Dongfang Chen reminded.
Techas nodded.
He couldn't understand. Even if the Auk-Hungarians were untrustworthy, at worst, their combat effectiveness would be weak. What else could happen?
"Then why attack Ankara? The distance from there to the Moda Empire's heartland is the furthest," Techas continued to ask.
"I've always believed that the shortest route often has the greatest risk, the least controllability, and the highest cost," Dongfang Chen said.
"You're right. Only by minimizing risks as much as possible can we maximize the chances of success," Techas nodded in agreement.
"Mr. Dongfang, I think this is too conservative. If we can't find their altar before the sacrificial ceremony, then everything will be meaningless," High Priest Maya said.
