Su Ran stared fixedly at the map, his mind operating like a high-speed precision machine, swiftly analyzing every detail. He understood that this was a gamble concerning the very survival of Great Qing. A single misjudgment, a single port breached by the Anglo-French Allied Forces, would be like tearing open an irreparable wound, the consequences of which were unthinkable. At this moment, the accuracy of intelligence was like a lighthouse in the dark—absolutely vital. He urgently commanded the intelligence department to intensify reconnaissance on the movements of the Anglo-French Allied Forces, demanding they be as keen as hunting hounds and let not a single trace go unnoticed. Simultaneously, he summoned the military generals of the court, hoping to pool their collective wisdom to deduce the likely target based on current intelligence.
"Gentlemen, according to current reports, the Anglo-French Allied Forces are engaging in military maneuvers across multiple coastal regions. It is like an intricate web—the targets appear scattered, but there must be a focal point. Everyone, share your thoughts." Su Ran’s expression was grave. He pointed firmly at the map, his gaze sharp as lightning as he swept it across the generals.
An experienced naval commander stood up abruptly. Visibly agitated, he jabbed a finger at Tianjin Port on the map and declared, "Emperor, Tianjin Port is the gateway to the Capital. Its strategic position is vital; it is like the throat of the human body. If the Anglo-French Allied Forces seize this, they could drive straight in, strike at the heart of the Capital, and threaten the core of our Great Qing. In this subordinate's opinion, they are highly likely to make Tianjin Port their primary target." The commander’s face was flushed with certainty, as if he could already see the enemy forces surging toward Tianjin Port.
Su Ran nodded slightly; the naval commander’s analysis was not without reason. However, a moment later, an army general stepped forward, his brows furrowed, and countered sharply, "Emperor, Shanghai Port cannot be overlooked either. This place is a vital trading port for Great Qing; its economic status is significant, as it is the lifeline of our economy. If Shanghai Port is occupied, the economy of Great Qing will suffer a heavy blow, and the funding needed for the New Policies will be severely impacted. This would undoubtedly plunge our great cause of reform into jeopardy. I believe this is also a likely enemy target." The army general waved his hands in the air, as if trying to force his viewpoint into everyone’s minds.
In the imperial court, the generals expressed their views, arguing back and forth. For a time, various opinions interwove, and the atmosphere grew as heated as boiling water. Some supported the naval commander, believing the strategic significance of Tianjin Port to be irreplaceable; others agreed with the army general, insisting that the economic value of Shanghai Port would inevitably attract the enemy. Other generals either frowned in contemplation or whispered among themselves about the pros and cons of both arguments.
Su Ran’s brow was deeply furrowed. He understood that both generals were making valid points, but he had to make a precise judgment now. It was like searching for the right direction in a thick fog; the slightest deviation could lead to ruin.
Just then, a messenger from the intelligence department came jogging in, breathless, delivering an urgent report. Su Ran quickly unfolded the document, his eyes scanning the lines, and his heart leaped. Combining this with previous intelligence, a bold hypothesis gradually formed in his mind.
Su Ran stared at the map, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s, narrowing and then widening with intensity. His fingers moved slowly across the map as he quickly weighed the factors. His expression was solemn and focused, as if the entire world had shrunk down to this map that would decide the fate of Great Qing. He pointed to Ningbo Port and said, "Gentlemen, I believe the true target of the Anglo-French Allied Forces is, in all likelihood, Ningbo Port. Look here: on the surface, they are moving troops with great fanfare near Tianjin Port and Shanghai Port, creating the illusion that they intend to attack these two places, but this is merely to deceive us. The abnormal assembly in the waters off Zhejiang may look small in scale, but it is actually their main force. While Ningbo Port may not have the same strategic significance as Tianjin or Shanghai, if it were captured, the enemy could use it to maneuver around our defenses and utilize the surrounding transportation arteries to threaten Shanghai and Nanjing, thereby disrupting the defense layout of our southeast coast. It is like a game of chess; they intend to use the capture of Ningbo Port to open a critical breach and turn the entire board in their favor."
Having heard the Emperor’s analysis, the generals fell into deep thought. After careful consideration, they realized the Emperor’s words were highly insightful and nodded in agreement.
Su Ran made a swift decision and issued the order: "Strengthen the defenses of Ningbo Port immediately. The navy and army shall coordinate, establishing heavy defensive lines around the port. Make them airtight so the enemy finds no opening. At the same time, do not relax vigilance at Tianjin Port and Shanghai Port; pretend we are unaware of the enemy's true intent and maintain the original defensive deployments. If the enemy truly attempts a feint, ensure you deal them a crushing blow to let them know the might of Great Qing!"
Under Su Ran’s precise layout, all the coastal ports of Great Qing entered a state of emergency. Within Ningbo Port, lights burned bright, and the scene was one of intense activity. Soldiers chanted as they carried heavy sandbags to build fortifications, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads and soaking their tunics. Craftsmen nervously calibrated the new-style artillery, polishing the barrels with care to ensure every cannon would reach its maximum potential in battle. Naval warships were lined up in perfect order with their flags snapping in the wind. Sailors held their posts, gazing steadily at the sea as if to declare the determination of Great Qing to the incoming enemy. In the camps surrounding the port, army soldiers repeatedly drilled their defense and counterattack tactics, bayonets glinting in the moonlight, cries of battle rising one after another as morale soared.
However, the Anglo-French Allied Forces also sensed that the defenses of Great Qing seemed to have been reinforced. The allied commanders sat around the map in their war room, their faces grave. Some advocated for changing the target, arguing that since Great Qing was now prepared, attacking Ningbo Port might result in heavy losses. Others insisted on the original plan, believing that Great Qing had not truly seen through their intentions and that changing plans now would only disrupt their own deployment. Internal opinions were divided, and the debate was heated. Would they change their target, or proceed with the original plan to attack Ningbo Port? A heart-pounding naval battle was about to begin. Could the defensive line carefully laid out by Su Ran withstand the fierce onslaught of the Anglo-French Allied Forces? And could Great Qing reverse the situation in this great war to safeguard the results of the New Policies? Everything remained an unknown, as if the scales of fate were beginning to shake violently at this very moment.