Chapter 117: Making a Feint to the East and Attacking in the West

"Based on the above analysis, it is certain that Garden is planning an attack on us, and we believe that he wants to divert our main force through a feint attack, and his real target is Port Fulan."

In the meeting room of the naval base, everyone discussed the latest news obtained from Clement, and an officer who was responsible for analyzing intelligence said so.

Austin was a little bit surprised. Fulan Port is the headquarters of the Navy. "If that's the case, then they are really brave."

The intelligence officer speculated: "According to other captured pirates, Jarden has recently annexed several pirate groups and his strength has increased greatly. His men have increased to 600 to 700 people. This may be the reason why he has the confidence to fight against us."

Austin nodded: "It seems that while we are targeting Jarden, he is also planning to deal with us."

Captain of the Hope, Quick, asked: "Commander, what should we do? Should we take advantage of the situation and keep the main force in Fulan Port and wait for Jarden's attack?"

Austin shook his head: "We have to think about it again. There is no direct evidence that they want to divert us and attack Fulan Port. We can't just stay in the base and watch them plunder other places. What if they are not feinting in other places?"

Damn! It would be better if the Navy had more manpower. After the large pirate groups of hundreds of people like Shark and Quick were finished, the remaining ones were small gangs of at most a hundred people. The Navy can divide its troops without scruples. Now that the Loach Pirates have become stronger, it would be a bit risky to disperse the troops.

At this time, someone spoke up: "As long as we have enough troops, we can assist other places while ensuring the safety of Fulan Port, and Major Joyce's Third Infantry Battalion is training nearby."

Everyone turned their eyes to the officer, the captain of a galley named Alman.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Captain Alman shrank his neck and said hesitantly:

"Uh... Shouldn't we rely on the power of our army brothers? After receiving the distress signal, let the Third Infantry Battalion help us defend Fulan Port, and we can concentrate our forces to the scene of the incident."

"This... How can this be? Eliminating pirates is the task assigned to the navy by Lord Graman. Letting the army intervene, doesn't it make us look too incompetent?"

Sure enough, someone immediately came out to refute, it was Captain Quick of the Hope.

When this guy was a pirate, he was beaten up by the First and Second Battalions in Lake Heart Town, and he had some grudges against the army.

When Austin asked him to join the navy, he also specifically asked about the composition of the navy. After learning that except for Commander Austin, who had an army background, the others were either new recruits or pirate captives, he made up his mind to join the navy.

Although the other officers did not speak out, it can be seen from their expressions that they were still very inclined to Quick.

However, the naval commander Austin agreed with Captain Yarman's suggestion and said:

"Everyone, we should give priority to how to complete the task. Any means are acceptable, even with the help of others."

"The construction of the second batch of sailing ships is going very smoothly. Once completed, we will go south to open up the route. The pirate issue cannot be delayed any longer."

"Originally, our first goal was to kill Loach Garden. If he came to us himself, it would be great. Moreover, he has annexed other gangs, which saves us from dealing with them one by one."

He ordered the intelligence officer: "You should make good use of Clement and try to find out Garden's true intentions."

Seeing the naval commander's statement, the other officers had to agree.

The meeting finally decided to jointly eliminate the pirates with the Third Infantry Battalion, but this must be approved by the General Staff. Austin immediately sent people to the Lake Center Town.

...

In the following days, Garden's pirate group suddenly became quiet. Not only was Alda not attacked by him, but there was no news of him from other territories.

It is obvious that the other party is accumulating strength, perhaps repairing weapons and warships, or digesting the newly annexed pirate group to prepare for the upcoming war.

In order to deal with the pirates' attack, the navy once again strengthened training. Austin obtained the authorization of the General Staff and the Third Infantry Battalion stationed near Fulan Port was temporarily under his command.

During this period, intelligence officer Duran arranged for brothel owner Clement to contact the Loach Pirate Group several times. The information obtained through these contacts showed that "Loach" Garden did have the intention of making a feint to the east and attacking the west, and his target was indeed Fulan Port, but the specific date of the pirates' action was still unknown.

On October 10, a beacon signal for help was suddenly observed in the distance. The navy immediately dispatched warships to rush there, and the defense of Fulan Port was taken over by the 3rd Infantry Battalion. At the same time, under the instruction of intelligence officer Duran, Clement released the harpoon, which carried the message: the main force of the navy had set out.

When the rescue fleet arrived, the pirates had already retreated. According to the local militia report, the pirates just ran outside the fortress to bluff and left, and the number of people who came was not large.

Austin concluded that this was a "test" action by Garden to determine whether the feint attack could draw out the main force of the navy.

…

A week later, at noon on October 17, Hope and several other ships ended an exercise and returned to the base port. Recently, they were practicing how to use new flags to communicate at sea.

The officers and soldiers lowered the canvas and checked the hull. After confirming that there was nothing wrong, except for the personnel who stayed on duty, the others went ashore and walked to the cafeteria, discussing lunch dishes along the way.

Suddenly, the bell in the base rang, indicating that the alarm signal had been received.

Quick muttered, "I hope this time it's for real! Garden, that bastard." He immediately rushed to the combat meeting room with other officers. The sailors regrouped and were ready to set off at any time.

No mistakes, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar, one look!

At the combat meeting, Austin decided to let the navy stay in Fulan Port and send the third infantry battalion to rescue, because according to the observation of the soldiers on duty, the place where the signal was sent this time was most convenient to go by land.

The fish falcon carrying the message "the navy has left" also flapped its wings again and flew away.

A few hours later, 10 pirate ships with skull flags appeared in the waters near Fulan Port. After receiving the news, the pirate leader Garden immediately commanded his fleet to rush to Fulan Port.

He stood on the deck and ordered loudly: "After landing this time, rob as much as you can, and make a big noise to make our pirate group famous."

Then he emphasized: "But you must remember that there are only five hours. You must return to the ship in five hours. At that time, no matter whether everyone is there or not, I will order the fleet to return."

"Long live!" "Long live!" The pirates shouted in response to their leader, rubbing their hands and preparing to do something big.

Garden drew his sword and pointed to the east: "Order the slaves to speed up! Attack Fulan Port!"

"Boss, that's not right!"

A shout from the lookout ruined the atmosphere.

Garden, whose good mood was disturbed, held back his anger and asked loudly: "What's wrong!"

The lookout on the mast pointed to the east with a look of fear: "The navy didn't leave, they... they rushed towards us!"