On January 9, upon receiving the telegram concerning the Bai Zhizhan, Zhou Yongtao arrived at the front-line command with a dozen Fleet Headquarter staff members ahead of the main fleet, which was due to arrive in a few days. Although the fleet would not be there for a few more days, Bai Zhizhan decided to establish a temporary command center.
Zhou Yongtao's first task was to analyze the tactics that Cunningham might employ with the three Bulan Fleet carriers at the core of his fleet to assist the Bulan Royal Army in defending Lion Spring City and prevent the Imperial Fleet from entering the Fan Flame Ocean.
As in the past, Zhou Yongtao did not disappoint Bai Zhizhan.
Having received the news earlier, Zhou Yongtao had already organized his staff officers to analyze the situation and run several war-gaming exercises before his arrival.
Their final conclusion was that Cunningham's tactical options were limited.
The key was that three fleet carriers just weren't enough.
