God Three Group Chat: Three Kingdoms

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Faced with this casualty figure, Zhou Yu withdrew his hand, stood on the deck, gazed at the sea not far away, and fell silent.

The combined army and navy, which once numbered over 90,000, now number less than 20,000, and more than 80% of their warships have been destroyed.

It can be said that in this war, the Northern Navy bore the brunt of the main force and pressure, while the Southern Navy suffered very little loss in comparison.

"In addition, through the search and salvage operations at sea, approximately 7,000 Kushan naval personnel were captured..." Following the statistics, Ling Cao continued what he hadn't finished saying, "According to the prisoners, the Kushan naval fleet that went on this expedition had about 250,000 people and more than 1100 warships."

"I understand." Zhou Yu waved his hand gently, indicating that he already knew.

Seeing this action, Ling Cao stopped speaking further, stood calmly in place, and quietly looked at Zhou Yu.

The Kushan fleet was less than 40% complete. If the information obtained through interrogation was true, then the Kushan navy had suffered casualties of more than 150,000 men.

Judging from the casualties alone, having the initial advantage and even preparing an ambush in advance, the fact that things ended up like this left Ling Cao deeply shocked.

The Kushan navy was unlike its army; it was so powerful that it inspired awe.

"Send the message out, inform Yu Jin and the others that they don't need to wait for us anymore. Take over the entire northern part of the Strait of Malacca and deter the Kushan fleet." Zhou Yu also knew the scale of the Kushan fleet's retreat, so he could naturally guess the remaining manpower and troops of the Kushan fleet.

Even with an understanding of the adaptive loop system, it was finally possible to realize just how serious a threat this part of the Kushan fleet could pose to the land-based army.

If Cecissarian, commanding 250,000 naval troops, could render the permanent defenses of the Strait of Malacca useless under his command and blessing, then the Kushan fleet, now reduced to only 100,000 naval troops, would certainly not be able to do so.

When the number of personnel drops to a certain level, the deterrent effect of fortified defenses on the navy will be further enhanced.

In other words, if Yu Jin can successfully achieve his goal, then the entire Kushan fleet will only have two ways to pass through the Strait of Malacca again.

One option is to drive away or eliminate Yu Jin's troops and gain complete control of the Strait of Malacca, which would allow for easy and comfortable passage.

The second option is to take a longer route, which takes about half a month longer, and then resupply at various land locations near the shore.

It can be said that as long as Yu Jin takes control of the area north of the Strait of Malacca, regardless of whether the Kushan fleet chooses the first or the second option, the strategic task of buying time will be accomplished.

As long as they can buy time for the Kushan fleet, preventing it from resupplying and supporting Rahul's southern forces, or even evacuating them, they need to gain a significant window of opportunity.

"Since things have come to this, let's launch an attack!" Yu Jin looked at the information conveyed by the token, then glanced at Zang Ba, and said softly, "Xuan Gao, the navy has finished their battle. There was an unexpected turn of events, and it wasn't as perfect as we had imagined, so we're the only ones left to take action."

Zang Ba nodded slightly, picked up the weapon placed on the stand, indicating that he was ready.

On the one hand, they acted as a pressure relief valve for the navy; on the other hand, the entire Yu Jin army also undertook the task of buying time for Guan Yu's army.

Theoretically speaking, as long as the navy succeeds and achieves a great victory, it wouldn't be a big problem whether Yu Jin and his men could capture the area north of the Strait of Malacca.

The Kushan navy fleet temporarily stationed in the Strait of Malacca is simply insufficient to carry out large-scale support and threat missions. Without the ability to provide substantial resources and a strong, effective threat, the pressure on Guan Yu's army will not increase significantly.

However, the fact that the Navy has given such a message and response indicates that the Navy's situation is not much better.

"Should we prepare for the worst?" Zang Ba asked Yu Jin calmly, lifting the weapon in his hand and feeling its texture.

Have we prepared for the worst?

Essentially, it is also a way to compensate for the situation of the navy.

If their naval performance is too poor, they will have to face the powerful Kushan navy in order to achieve their goal.

Even if they manage to acquire a significant amount of permanent fortifications and defenses when that time comes, the time they can buy off will likely be very short.

The backup plan created under these circumstances is not a very good plan.

Under that plan, both he and Yu Jin, as the commander, faced considerable risks.

“No need. We only need to take over the entire north. There’s no need to risk crossing the Strait of Malacca to attack the Kushan cities in the south.” Yu Jin looked at Zang Ba, who already seemed to have a certain understanding, and felt a little more approval for him. He patted Zang Ba on the shoulder and said calmly, “Taking over the entire north is enough.”

"But hasn't the navy already been defeated?" Zang Ba frowned and asked in return upon hearing this answer.

"Our army suffered heavy losses, but the Kushan army also suffered heavy losses; both sides were severely weakened." Yu Jinyong described the outcome of this naval war in the most concise way.

"I see." Zang Ba breathed a sigh of relief, glanced back at the Kushan cities and defenses north of the Strait of Malacca, and nodded slightly. "In that case, let our army set out and complete this strategic mission."

"It's nighttime, which isn't so bad. Notify the army to assemble." Yu Jin glanced at the sky; the moonlight illuminated the earth, and the brightness seemed acceptable.

At least the soldiers without night blindness can still see clearly and obey orders under these circumstances.

Yu Jin himself was quite satisfied with this timeframe.

Attacking at night does indeed place much higher demands on command, and the environment faced during the attack is also much more challenging.

However, launching an attack at this time would mean less need to face long-range attacks from the Kushan fleet itself in the Strait of Malacca.

Without the heavy long-range strike support of the fleet, how could a mere city possibly withstand their attack?

"According to the previously planned method, strive to win in one battle and raise the flag!" Yu Jin gestured to the messenger, indicating that the plan was about to begin.

Upon receiving the order, the messenger immediately raised the banner of the Han Empire atop the empty central flagpole! (End of Chapter)