Chapter 3411
Take care in the future
...
Liu Tong possesses this awareness, but nowadays he guides the focus more on the logistics and people's livelihood within the Han Empire.
Ensuring the stability and logistical support of the officers at the front, so that they can perform their duties effectively and steadily contribute their strength, and then crushing the Kushans, is a normal and reasonable plan.
These logistical aspects, in addition to the vast lands of Kalmanta and Wenga, also included the rebuilding of the naval forces.
For the Han Empire's navy at this time, the war that had taken place at the Qiongzhou Shipyard was long over.
Both the Han Empire's navy and the Kushan navy paid an extremely heavy price, giving the world a deeper understanding of naval warfare.
In a naval warfare scenario, a navy that takes years or even decades to build can be completely depleted within a single day.
If we're talking about land warfare, small countries still have room to participate, and they can even occasionally achieve victory when facing large countries.
However, the situation is completely different in naval warfare.
Small countries simply do not have the capability to participate in naval warfare, and therefore are not qualified to do so.
Therefore, for the Kushan Empire and the Han Empire, in terms of maritime competition, neither had any allies nor many enemies; they only had each other.
Whoever wins will control the ocean and have dominion over it.
On the Han Empire's side, in addition to the shipyards going all out to process and produce replacements for lost ships, the training efforts of the naval academy were also intensified, the number of reserve soldiers was increased, and the teaching content and materials were further optimized based on the existing war to better adapt to the current war.
In the nearly six months that followed, the Northern Navy, led by Gan Ning and Taishi Ci, was re-established.
Even though the soldiers' combat effectiveness and proficiency are somewhat inferior to those of the Northern Navy six months ago, the upgrading of warships has made up for this gap to some extent.
Meanwhile, the Southern Navy, which had suffered relatively minor losses, demonstrated a strong deterrent capability under Zhou Yu's command after rounds of ship and crew replenishment.
Even without the northern navy, it still served as a deterrent to the Kushan navy in the Strait of Malacca.
This prevented the Kushan navy in the Strait of Malacca from diverting significant forces to deal with the Han army on land.
Cecissarian was indeed a master, a fact acknowledged by both the Han and Kushan naval commanders.
However, his advanced age and the hidden injuries within his body ultimately limited Cecissian's life.
In particular, after personally commanding and participating in a high-intensity naval battle at Qiongzhou, Cecissian, who led the navy in retreat, fainted immediately after escaping the pursuit of the Han army, almost scaring the commanders of the Kushan navy fleet to death.
After Cecissarian fell into a coma, the Kushan naval fleet commanders, who had already suffered heavy losses, chose to retreat directly, without engaging the Han army forces, which had also suffered heavy losses, and shed their last drop of blood for the empire.
As a result, when Cecislian woke up from his coma, he had already been lying in the Strait of Malacca area for several days.
Upon regaining his senses and learning about the recent situation, Cecissarian uttered only a sigh of relief and said little else. However, during his time in the Strait of Malacca, Cecissarian completely shed his sectarian biases and began instructing all the commanders of the Kushan naval fleets, teaching them naval warfare thinking, combat capabilities, and combat techniques.
It was this teaching that made Kapil realize a certain possibility, and his heart grew colder as he became aware of the seriousness of the matter.
In particular, an event that happened later chilled Kapil's heart and filled him with despair for the future.
"The elite Han army has launched a surprise attack on the Khyber Pass fortress, causing shock throughout the court and the country. To ensure the safety of the Khyber Pass fortress, you are required to go there with the Imperial Scepter. Use the power of the Imperial Scepter to deplete the Han Empire's elite army forces and ensure the safety of the capital." Ignoring the change in Kapil's expression as he listened, Cecissian stated his arrangements in an extremely calm tone.
"Grandpa, how can this be?" Kapil immediately retorted after hearing these words, his words full of incomprehension.
Even if the Khyber Pass fortress were to be attacked by surprise, it would be impossible for it to be taken. The number of elite troops gathered there is definitely not small, and in the narrow terrain, even if the Han army is strong, it is impossible for them to break through.
There is some risk, but it is by no means fatal.
However, the current state of the navy is truly like a candle flickering in the wind.
Even though the navy outwardly outnumbered the Han army, Kapil, who had actually participated in naval warfare, was well aware of the gap between the two navies, and that each had its own strengths and weaknesses.
They possessed a larger number of ships and troops, as well as more capable commanders.
The Han army possessed more powerful warships and terrifying long-range strike capabilities.
It is precisely because of this situation, where each side has its own strengths and weaknesses, that they have been able to maintain their current slight advantage.
And among them, the commander who held a significant advantage, Cecislian, simply couldn't hold out for much longer.
In this situation, how long can the Kushan navy's advantage last?
Although the Han army's naval commander was not as good as Cecissian, the talent and ability he displayed were absolutely no less than those of the enemy's naval fleet commander, and perhaps even better.
"Obey orders!" Cecissian simply reiterated without offering any explanation.
"This—" Upon hearing this, Capil looked at Cecissarian with a shocked expression, took a deep breath, and then said in an extremely solemn manner, "Yes! Commander Cecissarian!"
“Go ahead,” Cecissarian said casually, gesturing for Capil to lead the Imperial Scepter Legion away.
"Yes!" Kapil nodded in response again, then turned around and left the tent with heavy steps.
Just as he was about to leave the tent, Kapil heard a sound coming from behind him.
"Take good care of yourself in the future. The Ceci family can only rely on you, my dear grandson..."
The voice wasn't clear, even carrying a hint of weariness, but Kapil dared not hesitate or delay in this situation. He could only continue forward, returning to his camp. Carrying the pride of the entire Kushan Empire, the Imperial Scepter of the Military Soul Legion, he boarded the brand-new transport fleet and embarked on the journey home with the fleet. (End of Chapter)