Wormhole

Along the way, nothing unusual was seen.

　　However, when the fleet was about to arrive near the junction of the mining area star field and outer space, the reconnaissance ship ahead sent a message and found suspicious signs. The unmanned space station on the channel ahead was destroyed, and there were traces of space mine explosions on the scene.

　　Wang Dong understood that this was because the battlefield where the Pond ambushed the reconnaissance ship of the Tianhu Caravan had been discovered.

　　Even if he took some measures to clean up the battlefield afterwards, it was out of consideration to cover up himself, not to completely annihilate the battlefield.

　　It is normal for a professional scout ship like the reconnaissance ship to discover abnormalities.

　　After discovering the abnormality, the fleet's alert level was raised again.

　　Under the command of Chen Shayi, the fleet withdrew from the channel and moved to a relatively open airspace to prevent sudden attacks.

　　After a full hour, the three reconnaissance ships conducted a detailed investigation and confirmed that there was no ambush nearby.

　　The fleet then set sail again.

　　"Combining relevant intelligence, we can confirm that the ship that was attacked was the only reconnaissance ship left in the Tianhu caravan. The ambushers sank the reconnaissance ship in one fell swoop through the space mines laid in advance. After preliminary investigation, it was not the local forces in the mining area who took action, but the external forces. The Star Pirates are the biggest suspects. Whether they are coming for the Tianhu caravan or for us, at least we can be sure that there are indeed traces of the Star Pirates nearby. Sir Wang Dong, perhaps your concerns are becoming a reality. Do you think we need to change our itinerary?"

　　Chen Shayi said to Wang Dong seriously.

　　Wang Dong waved his hand and said, "Even if there is an ambush, the addition of the patrol fleet is definitely a variable they cannot predict.

　　With the current strength of our fleet, relying on the mob of the Star Pirates alone, under the command of Sir Knight Shayi, even if we encounter multiple Star Pirates joining forces, we will surely be able to escape unscathed.

　　On the contrary, if we hastily choose to retreat and ask for help when the situation is unclear, it will be more in line with the expectations of some people."

　　Chen Shayi frowned.

　　He understood what Wang Dong meant.

　　If there is an ambush, it is calculated according to the original escort fleet, one fire warship, and ten assault ships.

　　The addition of ten assault ships from the patrol fleet was a temporary decision made by Ding Weichun last night. This is a considerable force.

　　As long as we are vigilant, most of the time nothing will happen.

　　On the contrary, if we have not encountered the enemy yet and are just speculating, we will retreat to the mining area and ask the baron for help.

　　To put it nicely, it is called cautious, and to put it bluntly, it is cowardly.

　　Especially when the initiative is in the hands of the other party, whether there will be an attack is entirely up to the other party.

　　It can be imagined that once the reinforcements arrive, the other party is likely to give up the attack and firmly put the hat of "cowardly" on Wang Dong's head.

　　This loss of reputation is a serious loss of points in the battle for succession.

　　Although he understands it, Chen Shayi still dares not take risks.

　　As a confidant of the baron himself, Chen Shayi knows a little bit about what the baron means.

Compared with the baroness's side or the family's side, it is definitely his own bloodline, which is more suitable for inheriting the title.

Considering the baron's own health and the current situation of the baron, it would be best to choose an heir as soon as possible.

As the eldest son of the baron, Wang Dong is of the right age and has good abilities. Even if there is no support from the forces behind him, he is still the most suitable candidate at present.

　　Among the vassals, even if some of them have their own little thoughts, if the baron officially recognizes Wang Dong's status as the heir and supports him for a period of time, then most people will still choose to accept it.

　　In that case, the baron's territory will also be restored to stability as soon as possible.

　　On the contrary, if Wang Dong encounters an accident, the only remaining bloodline of the baron, Wang Jujun, is still young and has obvious disadvantages.

　　Then, the opinions of the baron's wife and the candidates sent by the family will have more room for operation.

　　This will make the situation in the baron's territory more chaotic.

　　If the baron himself fails to hold on until the day when the heir is settled, who can suppress the arrogant soldiers and generals of the first generation of vassals.

　　Coupled with the intervention of other forces, the entire baron's territory will undoubtedly fall into an endless abyss of internal strife.

　　The Blackstone Barony was established not long ago, and it is far from the foundation of the Tianfang Earldom. It can only be regarded as the middle level among the bottom forces.

　　The Earldom of Tianfang has fallen from a top-ranked power in the North to a second-rate power due to long-term internal strife, which is a lesson for us.

　　It was still Wang Dong who saw Chen Shayi's hesitation.

　　He smiled and said, "Sir Shayi, since I have embarked on this path, I have no choice but to move forward. The choice is made by me, and I will bear the consequences myself. At the same time, I have confidence in your command ability. There is no need to consider other things. Your goal is to let us return to the Baron's Mansion smoothly. Just do it with confidence, I believe in you."

　　Chen Shayi was refreshed and freed from the entanglement.

　　He couldn't figure out those complicated problems, but if it was just a simple military problem, it would not be difficult for him to make a choice.

　　Putting aside political considerations, it is the best option to take advantage of the opportunity when the potential enemy did not expect that the ten assault ships from the mining patrol fleet would also join the escort fleet, and move forward with an upright army.

　　If you are more radical, you can also choose to temporarily distance the ten assault ships of the patrol fleet from the original escort fleet.

　　To induce potential enemies to take action, and then the patrol fleet will go around to surround them and attack from both sides.

　　Once this plan succeeds, it can achieve the goal of weakening the enemy's strength.

　　However, this plan requires a prerequisite, that is, the enemy has not received the news of the patrol fleet joining the escort fleet in time.

　　It is unlikely.

　　After all, this situation was not considered in advance, so Ding Weichun did not keep it secret when issuing instructions to the patrol fleet.

　　Since the enemy can grasp the itinerary of Wang Dong and others, it means that they have information channels in the Black Stone Baron Territory and are unlikely to miss this important news.

　　Of course, knowing the news does not mean that they can respond in a short time.

　　Wang Dong's intention is to take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness.

　　At that moment, Chen Shayi no longer hesitated and ordered the fleet to advance at combat speed.

　　Although maintaining combat speed is not as energy-efficient as cruising speed, it can further shorten the enemy's preparation time for response.

　　Four days later.

　　"After passing through the kh-04 wormhole not far ahead, we can reach the interior of the Blackstone Barony Territory. If someone wants to take action, this will be the last chance."

　　Chen Shayi pointed to a green dot on the star map and explained to Wang Dong.