We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

The generals stared at the sand table with burning eyes, their brains working rapidly.

Xue Wei spoke first:

"Your Majesty, I believe we should concentrate all our strength and strike with thunder to capture Xiaguan City."

"Now Kaifu Munemasa is trapped. As long as we defeat his last main force, Japan will no longer be able to put up any serious resistance."

"Shikoku Island is isolated overseas, so it's easy to capture. There's no need to rush!"

"Not at all," Admiral Li Sheng retorted immediately. "Xiaguan is fortified, and the terrain is narrow, making it difficult for artillery to deploy. Naval commander Zong Zhen will surely fight like a trapped beast. Even if a strong attack succeeds, our casualties are unpredictable."

"The strait is also narrow, making it difficult for our large warships to launch a sustained artillery attack, and they are vulnerable to fire attacks from the Japanese small boats."

"Shikoku Island's defenses are weak, and our navy can easily blockade the surrounding waters. Our army can also quickly sweep the entire island after landing."

"Taking Shikoku not only eliminates the flank threat, but also controls the Seto Inland Sea, severing Japan's north-south connection and exerting immense pressure on Honshu."

"By then, if our main force attacks the pass again, Haibu Zongzhen will be attacked from both sides and will undoubtedly be defeated!"

"What Commander Li said makes sense," a military advisor added. "Furthermore, the Shikoku region is mountainous, making it ideal for hiding troops. If left unattended, it could become a gathering place for remnants of the Japanese army and bandits, causing endless trouble."

"It's better to take advantage of their weakness and wipe them out in one fell swoop to avoid the pain of subsequent harassment!"

"But will splitting the troops into two groups lead to a dispersion of strength?" Xue Wei raised his doubts. "If Haibu Zongzhen takes advantage of our troops landing in the four countries and launches a full-scale counterattack in the direction of Shimonoseki, or sends troops to reinforce the four countries, wouldn't that be..."

"He doesn't dare!" Li Che interrupted the argument decisively.

"Kaibu Munemasa has no way out. If Shimonoseki is lost, the gates of Kyoto will be wide open. How dare he split his forces? How dare he leave Shimonoseki?"

"I doubt he would dare to do that. He can only remain here like a nail, awaiting our army's final judgment!"

Li Che looked around at the generals, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Besides, you all seem to have forgotten that it is already late autumn."

"I have promised the entire army that within three months, Japan will be utterly defeated!"

"It's almost halfway through the year, and we've only just taken Kyushu out of the four Japanese islands."

"Winter is approaching and the New Year is drawing to a close. The sea will be windy and rough, making transportation and supply even more difficult."

"Soldiers on a long expedition are homesick. If the war drags on for too long, morale will suffer."

"Time!" Li Che slammed his palm on the edge of the sand table, making a dull sound. "We don't have time to follow the routine anymore, nor do we have time to let Haibu Zongzhen linger on!"

"The Dongfeng Army has arrived. Our military strength and morale are at their peak. Now is the time to sweep the fields and strike with all our might!"

Li Che looked around at the generals, and no one looked embarrassed. Li Lin and He Conglong nodded slightly, silently agreeing with their eyes.

He felt at ease and stood up straight suddenly, and all the generals immediately stood at attention.

"Pass on my military orders! Two-pronged attack, all-out!"

Li Che looked at Li Lin standing beside him and said, "For the first route, Prince Li Lin of Yan will be the commander-in-chief. He will mobilize four divisions of the main army, totaling 40,000 men."

"The Fourth Fleet and two heavy artillery units of the Dongfeng Army will set sail today and march northeast to cross the sea and attack Shikoku Island."

"We must use the force of thunder to razor the entire island and wipe out the remaining enemies."

"Control the Seto Inland Sea and establish a solid forward base!"

Li Lin stood up suddenly and said solemnly, "I will obey your orders!"

His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan has always placed himself in a very positive position.

He knew that in private he and Lao Liu were good brothers, and it didn't matter whether they laughed or scolded each other.

Once the war broke out, he, the King of Yan, became a general under King Feng's command, and it was his duty to obey orders and deployments.

Li Che continued:

"Second Route: I will personally supervise the battle. The main forces of the Army, the Dongfeng Army, and the Navy's First Fleet will assemble on the Kyushu side of the Shimonoseki Strait. Target - Shimonoseki Castle!"

"All departments must cooperate with each other, and logistics must be fully supported to ensure a complete victory in this battle!"

"I want you to plant the royal flag of Fengguo in every city in Honshu, Japan, before the cold winter completely blocks the sea routes!"

"The three-month deadline can only be advanced, not delayed!"

"My Fengtian Army will return to Fengguo to celebrate the New Year with news of victory!"

"Here——"

All the generals in the tent were so excited that their blood boiled and they responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

Li Che's decision was like a shot of adrenaline, giving absolute confidence to everyone in the army.

Although the journey since entering Japan has been smooth, the resistance and opposition encountered have also been strong.

In particular, when the local people heard that the Fengtian Army was going to attack the emperor, they were not very cooperative.

According to Li Che's inner thoughts, he would just kill them all with one blow, but that's definitely not the way to go.

After all, for soldiers, killing the enemy is one thing, killing prisoners is another, and killing ordinary civilians is another.

If this precedent were set in Japan, the impact on the Fengtian Army would be permanent.

Moreover, Li Che also needed the Japanese people to serve as laborers to stabilize the rear, and in the future he would use them to mine and grow potatoes.

Attacking on two fronts may seem risky, but in fact it is the most efficient and fastest way to strangle the remaining Japanese forces with absolute advantage, leaving the enemy no chance to breathe or regroup!

After the generals left, Li Che left He Conglong behind.

"Conglong," Li Che said softly, "After the army sets out, Jiuzhou will be handed over to you. Make sure to ensure the army's logistics and food supply."

Hearing this, He Conglong looked hesitant.

Li Che noticed it keenly and asked, "Is there any trouble?"

"Your Highness," He Conglong said, bowing, "I can guarantee the safety of Kyushu Island, but..."

"Our battle lines are stretched too far. The front lines are thousands of miles away from Feng State. Logistics have to pass through Silla, Baekje, and a large sea area to reach them. I'm afraid we have to worry about our rear."

Li Che smiled and said, "So this is what you are worried about."

"Don't worry, you just need to guard Kyushu Island, and I will take care of the rest."

"If that's the case," He Conglong said solemnly, "I will do my utmost to ensure that Your Highness can sleep peacefully at home."

. . . . . .

As military orders bearing the seal of King Feng flew out of the camp like snowflakes, the Fengtian Army on the entire Kyushu Island began to accelerate its operation like sophisticated war machines.

Under the command of Li Lin, the huge fleet, carrying army soldiers and Dongfeng Army's siege artillery, cut through the waves and rushed towards the undefended Shikoku Island with murderous intent.

On the west bank of the Shimonoseki Strait, Li Che went to the front line in person.

Countless camps were lined up in an endless stream, with flags fluttering, blocking out the sky and the sun.

The black muzzles of cannons protruded from the camp, pointing grimly towards the strait ahead.

The Dongfeng Army's artillery positions were being built intensively. Huge artillery pieces were slowly pushed to the preset positions. The soldiers were busy silently and efficiently, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur and steel.

Small naval warships cruised in the strait, blocking all possible reinforcement routes.

Li Che stood on a high slope, his black cloak fluttering in the sea breeze.

He looked at the Japanese fortress on the opposite bank with cold and sharp eyes.

"Your Majesty..." He whispered to himself, a cold arc appearing at the corner of his mouth, "Your doomsday has come."