Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1716: Chapter 1632: Reflections After the Battle

The weakened Gan Ning stood on the beach, watching the Great Kun leave. How much time had passed since those comrades who once stood behind him were now all gone, leaving only him?

[Kushan, wait for me, in this life, I will flatten you!] At this moment, Gan Ning showed remarkable determination, devoid of any foolishness.

[But the current issue is not the gap between the warships, but rather the problem of both sides’ naval battle tactics and skills. In this regard, we fall far behind Kushan. Although I am reluctant to admit it, I must say that even I have no way out.]

Gan Ning recalled the details of the previous naval battle. If Nanhua regarded Gan Ning’s moves as blunders, in Gan Ning’s own view, each of his steps was methodical. They only seemed disorganized because Kushan’s naval strength was overwhelmingly superior, making him feel so powerless.

[With this level of disparity, even if Zhou Yu came, he might also yield. The difference in experience accumulation and the application of naval tactics between us are completely at two different levels. What exactly do I need to use to defeat them?] At this moment, the weakened Gan Ning felt extremely troubled.

In truth, Gan Ning underestimated Zhou Yu. Frankly, while Gan Ning’s and Zhou Yu’s current naval battle skills appear equally matched, this is entirely because the Great Han Dynasty’s naval battle examination paper has limited Zhou Yu’s true capabilities.

If the opponent were swapped to the Kushan Navy, although Zhou Yu might also lose the first battle, he wouldn’t lose as miserably as Gan Ning, leaving only the resolute will to continue fighting. Instead, after the first battle, Zhou Yu would reorganize and engage in a well-fought second battle against Kushan.

It was similar to the Yangtze River naval battles of the past. Huang Zu studied naval warfare for decades, almost becoming the most potent naval tactician of his era, stronger than the deceased Sunx Jian, the renowned general in naval warfare. Yet, after a draw with the seventeen-year-old Zhou Yu who learned on the fly, Huang Zu lost seven consecutive battles, to the point of losing even himself.

Before seventeen, Zhou Yu hadn’t touched naval warfare, but once he did, he absorbed all your decades of effort and skills in just one battle, and not only absorbed, but surpassed you. Does such a person make sense?

Indeed, hard work is very important, but innate talent isn’t something to be taken lightly. Just one percent of effort from someone else can crush a lifetime of your hard work. When Huang Zu lost to Zhou Yu, he was probably consumed by jealousy. But what could he do?

While it wouldn’t be as exaggerated against Kushan, Zhou Yu’s speed of learning naval warfare far surpasses Gan Ning’s. Though Gan Ning is considered a natural naval leader, Zhou Yu is essentially a born naval commander-in-chief.

What truly limits Zhou Yu’s capabilities is the platform—the Great Han Dynasty’s testing paper on naval battles. Zhou Yu’s best is equivalent to Gan Ning’s full score. However, practically speaking, if we look at the greater world context, Zhou Yu and Gan Ning have much to learn still.

To be frank, Gan Ning and Zhou Yu’s current level of naval warfare barely passes, possibly even falling short. In today’s global naval scene, only two great empires stand out—Kushan and Rome.

As for the Great Han Dynasty and Parthia, they are at most capable of sailing ships. Parthia hasn’t even realized the skill of sea ships, while the Great Han Dynasty’s coastal warships surfaced in the last fifty years. As for the more extravagant ocean-going warships, only two have mastered the technology over the past ten years.

Therefore, as long as the Gongsun Family and the Lul Family don’t sabotage themselves, it’s relatively easy for them to partake in the future imperial endeavors. However, compared to the Lul Family, the Gongsun Family of Liaodong always harbors unrealistic dreams.

[Completely not a match!] Gan Ning analyzed and deduced every moment in his mind, using all his cards, locking the ships and the soldiers’ combat power in optimal states. Yet, he was still not a match.

After consuming a pile of fruits and roasting a big fish to eat, Gan Ning again conducted deductions, experimenting with every strategy he had concocted in the past, striving to perfectly demonstrate his tactics and avoid any decision-making errors. But after ten consecutive deductions, the final conclusion was always defeat.

These were merely the naval battle skills that Kushan currently displayed. Gan Ning is certain that the opponent still reserves some tricks. Nonetheless, even a weakened Kushan is still not something his peak marines can handle.

In the best of the ten simulated results, the outcome was only a halved loss, defeating half of the opponent’s fleet. Considering Kushan Navy’s strength, Gan Ning couldn’t help but bitterly smile. Unless he can utterly rout the opponent in simulations, there’s no way to defeat them in reality.

”Not at all a match; the gap is so vast that even if I return to retrain the navy and build a new fleet, deploying seventh-generation warships, we might still be inadequate.” Gan Ning smiled bitterly, unconsciously expressing the bitterness in his heart.

[This is an empire; such strength is truly intimidating. Am I really to return like this?] Gan Ning, satiated and although still weakened due to internal injuries, has now returned to the stance akin to Inner Qi Manifestation, ensuring security is no longer an issue.

[I can’t go back like this; the next time, failure will still follow. In the Central Plains, no one understands naval warfare. Even if Zhou Yu is stronger than me, it’s limited. To defeat them, I need to understand naval warfare better than they do!] Gan Ning silently resolved, his eyes burning with determination.