Chapter 1141: They Need a Victory

"But act reluctant."

Guilliman added.

"Show that we would prefer to remain in silence, but are forced to respond to false accusations."

"Exactly so."

Luojia said with a smile.

"Forced transparency is more persuasive than proactive propaganda."

Yingzhou looked at the two Primarchs and nodded.

"Very well. Proceed as planned. But remember: this is only the first step. The narrative war requires sustained effort.

Every battle, every diplomatic interaction, must be incorporated into this framework."

Yingzhou walked to the star map and pointed his finger at the Fengqi Core Star Region.

"Valken's counterattack is about to begin. That will be the next stage for us to demonstrate our power.

And the narrative... must let everyone see that it is Fengqi's desperate last stand, a struggle destined for failure."

"Will the Fengqi really launch a counterattack?"

Luojia asked.

"After losing the 'Oathkeeper' fleet, do they still have the capability?"

"Pride will force them to act."

Guilliman replied.

"And Speaker Ravenna needs a victory to consolidate her position. She will bet everything."

Yingzhou said in a calm tone.

"Then let her bet. When her fleet is annihilated in our counterattack, we will harvest another batch of 'evidence': the stupidity and recklessness of the Fengqi leadership, and the legitimacy of the Star Alliance's defense."

Yingzhou turned to face the two Primarchs.

"Go. Continue your work. Remember: we are not just conquering space, we are conquering the narrative. And ultimately, the narrative will decide who owns the future."

Luojia and Guilliman saluted and withdrew.

Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, Yingzhou's office.

Yingzhou stood before the holographic star sea, where tens of thousands of light points hung in the dark void, each representing a planet, a fleet, or a key spatial node.

Yingzhou's gaze locked onto the southern part of the Fengqi Star Alliance core region, where dozens of purple light points were converging from different directions.

On one side of the hologram, real-time data flowed.

Number of Fengqi Capital Ships: 63 (confirmed)

Auxiliary vessels: 2100+ (estimated)

Guardian Super Soldiers: 987,000 (deployed)

Length of logistics supply lines: 37 light-years

Estimated time for full assembly: 11 days 4 hours

"Valken's movements are faster than expected."

Luojia stood at Yingzhou's side, tapping his finger to zoom in on several key assembly areas.

"They have established a forward Command Center near the Xide Nebula heading toward the Seventh Star Sector, deployed heavy forces along the Eighth Star Sector's passage, and the same for the Sixth Star Sector."

Yingzhou did not respond.

His gaze shifted from the star map to the other side, where seven smaller holographic images were suspended.

Yingzhou spoke.

"Robert, your assessment."

Guilliman's image stepped forward.

The background was the Bridge of the 'Xiuluosheng Glory', where one could see the Xiuluosheng Fleet re-forming outside the window.

"Father, Valken's tactical intent is clear: a three-pronged advance, simultaneously attacking the core hub planets of the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Star Sectors."

Guilliman pulled up a superimposed map of the enemy and friendly situation.

"They want to use their numerical advantage to force us to split our defenses, then concentrate superior force to break us one by one. This is a classic tactic of using many to strike few."

"Is it feasible?"

The question came from Sanguinius, his image radiating a faint golden glow.

"Theoretically feasible, if they were facing an ordinary fleet."

Guilliman's reply was very calm.

"But the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is no ordinary opponent.

And Valken has made a mistake: he is too eager for success.

The mobilization of over sixty capital fleets requires coordination and synchronization, and the various Fengqi naval fleets have long been stationed in different war zones, lacking experience in joint exercises. Their assembly schedule leaves too many gaps."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lifted slightly.

Ferrus Manus spoke up.

"Gaps are opportunities. We can exploit these time differences to break them one by one before they are fully assembled."

"No."

Horus shook his head.

"That would be a waste of time."

Horus's projection traced an arc over the main assembly areas of the Fengqi fleet.

"Valken's core strategy is: use massive forces to create pressure, force us to disperse our defense, and then look for weaknesses to break through.

Then we shall do the opposite: do not disperse, do not defend."

"We shall concentrate all our strength and launch a devastating strike where they least expect it."

The other primarchs in the holographic projection waited in silence.

"Guilliman."

Hearing Horus's proposal, Yingzhou called his name.

"Your fleet will continue to hold its current position and maintain a defensive posture.

Make the Fengqi believe you are pinned down at the border of the Sixth Star Sector and dare not redeploy easily."

"Understood."

Guilliman nodded.

"But my fleet alone cannot withstand a three-pronged attack."

"You do not need to withstand it."

Horus pointed his finger toward the Seventh Star Sector.

"Because the attacks will not arrive simultaneously.

Of the three Fengqi grand armies, the one in the Eighth Star Sector is the furthest away and will assemble the slowest.

The one in the Seventh Star Sector is the strongest, but its command echelon is the most conservative.

The one in the Sixth Star Sector... will be the breakthrough point."

Horus pulled up an intelligence report.

"According to Luojia's intelligence network, the one commanding the Third Star Sector's offensive is Fengqi Admiral Listuo, a young upstart eager to prove himself.

He is anxious to achieve merit and may launch his attack early, attempting to secure results before the other two prongs."

"Lure the enemy deep."

Angron's projection let out a laugh.

"I like this idea. Let him charge in, then surround and annihilate him."

"It is not just about annihilation."

Horus's gaze turned to the projection of the Salamanders primarch, Vulkan.

"Brother Vulkan, where is your legion right now?"

"Horus, the Salamanders Seventh Company, along with the Third and Fifth, are currently refitting, about fifteen light-years from Guilliman's defensive line.

The rest of the main force is scattered across various other planets; regrouping will take time."

"The Third, Fifth, and Seventh Company will be enough."

Horus's finger moved across the star map and stopped at a star system on the flank of Guilliman's defensive line.

"I want you to take these three companies and jump secretly to the 'Grey Ring' star. It is one of the important industrial worlds in the Fengqi Core Region, with six colony planets and a population of about eighty billion."

Vulkan wore a thoughtful expression.

"Brother, are you asking me to attack civilian targets?"

"No."

Horus shook his head.

"I want you to create a 'threat.' Make the Fengqi believe that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is preparing to attack their core industrial zone from the flank.

This will force them to divert forces from their main fleet to defend—perhaps five to ten fleets, along with corresponding ground troops."

He turned to Guilliman: "Once this portion of their forces is diverted, the strength ratio between Listuo's Third Star Sector fleet and your own will drop from 3:1 to 2.5:1, or even 2:1. At this ratio, do you have the confidence to defeat them head-on?"

Guilliman calculated rapidly.

"If it is just a fleet engagement, a 2:1 ratio is acceptable.

But the Fengqi still have one million Guardian Super Soldiers; that is the biggest variable."

"That is why we need a second force."

Horus's gaze turned to Ferrus.

"Brother Ferrus, how many warships can the Iron Hands legion mobilize right now?"