On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Chapter 1230 Money, People, and Time

In the incredibly luxurious captain's cabin of the "Black Pearl".

Lin Zhen sat down with an air of authority on the magnificent chair that originally belonged to Captain Elizabeth, carved from a single massive whale bone.

Murong Yan naturally sat on his lap and leaned lazily against his chest.

Yue Fei and Elizabeth stood respectfully before them, looking like two elementary school students waiting for their teacher to scold them.

As for that old monster, Chess Buddha, he didn't stand on ceremony at all. He directly pulled out a bottle of the finest rum from the far west, which Elizabeth had treasured for many years, from the wine cabinet in the captain's cabin.

Then he sat alone in the corner, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, sipping his drink and watching with great interest this rather "odd" pre-battle meeting.

"Yue Fei, Elizabeth," Lin Zhen cleared his throat and slowly began, "I know that you must have many questions in your hearts right now."

"For example, why did Your Majesty and I suddenly appear here?"

"For example, what exactly is the true purpose of our eastern expedition?"

Yue Fei and Elizabeth exchanged a glance, both seeing a clear understanding in each other's eyes.

They do have a lot of questions.

Especially Elizabeth.

She still can't understand why the Eastern Empress, whom she sees as more cunning and shrewd than the devil, would suddenly change her mind and abandon that seemingly flawless "war to sustain war" brilliant plan.

Instead, they chose what Westerners considered utterly foolish: a reckless, all-or-nothing gamble involving the emperor personally leading the campaign.

Aren't they afraid that if they lose, the entire empire will be doomed?

"I know what you're thinking." Lin Zhen seemed to see through their thoughts, and a profound and unfathomable smile appeared on his lips.

"I can tell you very clearly."

"Our objective in this eastern expedition has never changed."

"That is, money, people, and time."

“However,” he changed the subject, a sly glint in his deep eyes, “I have now come up with a completely new plan that is even more direct, more effective, and more ‘once and for all’ than the previous one.”

"Oh?" A hint of intense curiosity flashed in both Elizabeth's and Yue Fei's eyes.

They simply couldn't think of any other plan that could be more insidious and effective than the previous "devilish plan" that turned the entire Japanese nation into Daqian's ATM and training ground.

Murong Yan looked at her enchanting husband with curiosity; he always brought her endless surprises.

She knew he was about to pull off another amazing feat.

At this moment, she was still wearing the Phoenix Descent Dress, which served as her only nightgown.

In the captain's cabin, filled with the aroma of rum and a faint smell of the sea, her stunning figure and her incomparably luxurious dress seemed so out of place, yet they exuded a unique and intoxicating allure.

The extremely dark black Suzhou brocade, bathed in the bright sunlight streaming through the huge portholes of the captain's cabin, seemed to transform into the deepest and most mysterious black universe.

The colossal phoenix embroidered with real gold thread is like the most brilliant and dazzling star in the universe.

With piercing phoenix eyes, he looked down upon the world.

It seemed to be coldly looking down on this insignificant mortal world, which was about to be completely manipulated by its master, together with him.

"My previous plan was to support the Tokugawa and Oda clans, so that they would check and balance each other and weaken each other. We would then sit back and reap the benefits," Lin Zhen said slowly. "This plan, while sound, has a fatal flaw."

"That is, it's too slow."

"What we lack most right now is time."

"The situation in the Western Regions is constantly changing. We must not place all our hopes on that vague 'strategic buffer'."

"We must obtain everything we need from Japan as quickly as possible!"

"Then immediately, turn your attention to the west and launch a full-scale expedition!"

"Only in this way can we truly and firmly grasp the initiative in the entire battle situation in our own hands!"

Lin Zhen's words were resounding and filled with unquestionable absolute confidence!

Yue Fei and Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

They knew the prince was right.

Time is indeed their greatest enemy right now.

"Then what do you mean, Your Highness..." Yue Fei asked.

"It's very simple." A cold, cruel smile curled at the corner of Lin Zhen's lips.

"We're not going to play those fancy, underhanded tricks this time."

"This time, we'll play the most direct and effective game."

"—A decapitation strike!"

"A decapitation strike?" Elizabeth and Yue Fei were both stunned.

“That’s right.” Lin Zhen’s finger landed heavily on a super fortress located at the very center and most solid part of the entire Japanese country on the huge map in front of him!

——Azuchi Castle!

"Our previous target was Edo. It was to cut off Oda Nobunaga's financial resources and force Tokugawa Ieyasu to rebel."

“But now I have changed my mind.”

"We have only one goal!"

"That is Azuchi Castle, Oda Nobunaga's stronghold!"

"We need to do this when everyone thinks we're still dragging things out with Tokugawa Ieyasu at Edo Castle."

"With a thunderous force that none of them had anticipated!"

"Like a supreme divine sword descending from the heavens!"

"Pierce it deep into Oda Nobunaga's heart!"

"As long as we can capture Azuchi Castle in one fell swoop and capture or kill Oda Nobunaga alive!"

"Then all the local daimyo in Japan who are still watching and hesitating will surely surrender without a second thought!"

"At that time, the entire country of Japan will be ours!"

"That enormous silver mine, those highly skilled craftsmen, those fearless warriors—all of them will be at our disposal immediately!"

"So, do we still need to waste time fighting a protracted war of attrition with them?"

"Do we still need to worry about what changes might occur in the war situation in the Western Regions?"

Lin Zhen's strategy can be described as a brand-new grand strategy of "cutting through the Gordian knot and capturing the king first".

Once again, Yue Fei and Elizabeth were stunned and their blood was boiling!

They never expected that the prince would come up with a solution that was even more insane, bolder, and more incisive than the previous plan in such a short time!

This is simply a stroke of genius!

"Your Highness is wise!" Yue Fei's admiration for Lin Zhen had reached an unprecedented peak!

He truly believes it now.

There is nothing in this world that His Highness the Regent cannot accomplish!

There is no battle that their Regent Prince cannot win!

However, after a brief moment of excitement, Elizabeth's beautiful face once again showed a deep worry.

“Your Highness,” she said, looking at Lin Zhen with some uncertainty, “your plan, although it sounds perfect…”

"But have you forgotten?"

“That Azuchi Castle is not Edo.”

"That's a super war fortress, known as the 'most impregnable city in the world'!"