Chapter 1989: Island Siege

At this moment, on the Pacific Ocean.

The Longyan fleet had been sailing for over a month and was finally about to reach Australia.

Watching an object the size of a black dot on the horizon rapidly enlarge, Longyan Navy general Wu Kunpeng ordered in a deep voice: "Surround the island!"

In the distance, the French Fleet saw the Longyan military's group of battleships charging toward them in such a mighty formation, and their expressions changed drastically.

"Quickly report to the General!"

"Tell him the Longyan military's fleet has already sailed over, and ask him what our next operational plan is!"

The news soon reached Delu at the General's Mansion.

He was in Sydney, a distance of over one thousand kilometers from where the French troops had spotted the Longyan fleet.

It took Delu three days to receive the news, with Cavalry relaying the information day and night without sleep.

More than a dozen horses had been ridden to death on the road.

Upon learning that the Longyan fleet was attacking, Delu was not overly shocked; he had long anticipated the arrival of this day.

Australia had fallen, and he had transported the captured Longyan scientists and engineers to the French Empire; this matter would sooner or later be known to Longyan.

Given the aggressive stance of that Lord Liu Zheng of Longyan, he would inevitably deal a devastating blow to the French troops.

Delu said indifferently: "Understood. Let our troops remain still, and notify our people not to engage in battle with Xie Fang's troops for now."

Hearing this order, the soldier who came to report was full of confusion.

Now that the Longyan fleet was about to strike, were they making such a gesture because they intended to surrender?

"Do as I say."

The soldier could only say: "Yes."

After watching the soldier leave, Delu took out a letter he had written long ago and secretly sent someone to deliver it.

At the very beginning of this war, Delu had already foreseen the outcome.

Although what the higher-ups wanted was Longyan's technology, invading and plundering Australia was indeed a good choice.

But once the French troops faced the Longyan troops, they were absolutely certain to lose.

Now, no one in the world could clearly state just how powerful Longyan's strength was; their supply ships had already given the French a deep shock.

Especially after Delu saw the information that Longyan had dispatched ten battleships this time, along with countless strike group units, it completely confirmed his thoughts.

Longyan would absolutely use the most hardline stance to make the French troops completely perish.

Delu felt not the slightest stir at the arrival of the Longyan military, and even felt a bit of relief—thankfully, it was now.

"It is fortunate that I can still control the situation now; if it were any later, I fear..."

Delu shook his head; what awaited him was definitely death.

At this time, inside the temporary palace where Xie Fang was located—this was a safe residence near the interior.

Xie Fang was currently very decadent, forced by civil officials to only display his general's demeanor within a den of pleasure.

Today, as in the past, he summoned the most beautiful women of the local area into the palace to serve him.

"Beauty, let me taste your nectar." Xie Fang gnawed down with an evil grin.

The Beauty in his arms was extremely shy, but the moment Xie Fang lowered his head, the beautiful woman, whose face had previously been full of seductive charm,

suddenly turned cold. She covered Xie Fang's head, and at this moment, the other palace maids subdued Xie Fang in a flash.

Drunk as he was, he had not yet figured out what was going on when his vision went black, and he was carried out of the palace by someone, the journey being very bumpy.

As for the guards watching over Xie Fang, they seemed completely unaware that this ruler of Australia had been kidnapped, and continued to stand guard at the door, dozing off.

Just at this moment, Wu Kunpeng received a letter from Delu.

Seeing the contents of this letter, Wu Kunpeng was slightly stunned.

"Where is the person who delivered the letter?"

His subordinate soldier replied: "The person who delivered the letter is now in the prison cell. We have already interrogated him; he knows nothing."

"However, the clothes he is wearing are the military uniform of the French Navy."

Wu Kunpeng nodded, looking at the letter in his hand, which read: Meet tomorrow on the nameless small island in Australia—Delu.

Marked behind it were the specific coordinates of this small island.

Wu Kunpeng was stunned, not understanding what Delu wanted to do.

If these coordinates were true, then if Delu really appeared on this island, their Longyan troops could round up Delu in one fell swoop, or even capture him alive.

According to the current strength of the Longyan military, Wu Kunpeng should not be afraid of such a meeting.

But a trace of an ominous thought arose in his heart.

He asked his subordinate: "Does the French Fleet have any movements today?"

"No. After seeing our troops approach, the French Fleet did not take the initiative to attack, but they have all entered a state of combat readiness; it looks like they want to fight a battle with our troops."

Hearing this, Wu Kunpeng let out a breath.

Looking at the letter paper in his hand again, he murmured to himself: "For such a meeting, there is no reason for me not to go..."

He said: "Prepare a strike group to ambush near this small island."

"Tomorrow morning, we will go to this small island first."

Wu Kunpeng tore up the contents of the letter, leaving only the coordinates, and said.

After glancing at the coordinates, his subordinate immediately went down to make arrangements.

When the next day arrived, Wu Kunpeng arrived as scheduled.

And Delu had long been waiting for Wu Kunpeng's arrival on this uninhabited, very small island.

He had set up a tea table in front of him, though it was much larger than a tea table, covered with a black cloth. Delu had not brought soldiers, only attendants.

Wu Kunpeng brought his own soldiers and walked over. Looking at the defenseless Delu, he sat down opposite him of his own accord and scanned the surroundings.

His men had already surrounded this island last night; as long as Delu stepped onto this island, he would absolutely not be able to escape.

Wu Kunpeng said indifferently, "You must be Delu, the interim commander of the French Fleet."

Delu nodded slightly, acknowledging his identity.

Wu Kunpeng said indifferently, "Since you invited me here, you must have something to say. Speak; I have already arrived."

Delu raised his eyes to look at the general before him, whose face was rugged but who possessed a meticulous mind beneath a rough exterior.

Delu did not need to guess much to know his identity.

He was certainly a general of the Longyan Navy, and he smiled, "General, I was a businessman before. I feel that fighting a war is just like doing business; victory or defeat is merely a matter of balancing the accounts."

"Your capital is large enough; although the fighting hasn't started yet, I already know that we are bound to lose without a doubt."

"If one wants to cut losses in time, one must be willing to amputate; General, name your price, and we can withdraw from Australia."

Wu Kunpeng looked at Delu and let out a laugh; this was the first time he had encountered such an interesting method of negotiation.

"Not bad, not bad. You are more interesting than the troops I have fought before. Before the fighting even begins, they all think they have no problems, but once they truly clash with the Longyan Army, all they think about is surrendering."

"Since you are so sensible, this matter is easy to handle: your French Fleet shall disband, declare surrender, and pay reparations to us in Longyan."

"As for you, you must come with me to Longyan to be a prisoner of war."

Delu let out a laugh, interrupting Wu Kunpeng, and said, "General, I forgot to tell you just now: merchant negotiations also rely on bargaining chips. Your bargaining chip is merely the formidable military force of the Longyan Army, and that cannot threaten me."