After Hu Hao returned to the command post, he stripped off his shirt. It was stiflingly hot outside. As mid-August approached, the temperature soared, a heatwave that would persist until the arrival of the rainy season.
With the rains not due until mid-September, the Empire was entering its most sweltering month. Usually, most citizens would stay indoors to avoid the heat, but with a war raging, Hu Hao’s men had to remain in the trenches.
Meanwhile, in a bomb shelter in Daman City on the opposite bank, Ren Kefu, commander of the Limaguo 7th Corps, sat with Abusai, commander of the Mara Empire’s 11th Corps, discussing their offensive.
“Our opponent is the Eastern Spirit Empire’s 87th Division. They were the ones who wiped out three of my divisions. Therefore, General Abusai, I hope you proceed with caution in the upcoming attack.
“Furthermore, it’s incredibly hot right now. Per our commander’s orders, once we launch the offensive, we must break through the defensive line in front of us within three days and push into Late City. Late City is a massive industrial hub, vital to all nations of the Allied coalition.
“It houses oil fields, steel mills, and munitions factories—critical resources for us. We need to seize it, and according to High Command’s orders, we are not to conduct massacres in Late City. We need those workers to keep the industries running!” Ren Kefu said, looking at Abusai.
“I’m aware of that; you don’t need to remind me. I just want to know why three of your divisions were defeated by a young master general from the Eastern Spirit Empire.
“The rumors say you are a cautious commander, so how did this happen?
“Don’t misunderstand; I’m not questioning your competence. On the contrary, I know what you’re capable of. Under normal circumstances, it should have been impossible to wipe out three of your divisions without a full corps launching a heavy assault for over half a month.
“Why did they fall so quickly? Is there some hidden detail I’m missing? Can you tell me?” Abusai asked seriously.
“Sigh, I was careless and underestimated their commanders. That young master general, Li Jingsong, actually knows how to fight. We didn’t lose for no reason.
“I’m relieved to see you asking these questions, as it shows you aren’t reckless. I’ve prepared a detailed report on our failure for you to review. It includes my personal assessments of Li Jingsong as an opponent. I hope it helps you, General Abusai,” Ren Kefu replied.
“Thank you, General! I truly appreciate it,” Abusai nodded with a smile.
“Will our troops set out tonight or tomorrow?” Ren Kefu asked.
“I think we should set out tonight and garrison near Santong County. Starting tomorrow, we’ll launch probing attacks on the opposite bank and several other locations. We need to identify the Eastern Spirit Empire’s firepower distribution. What do you think?” Abusai suggested.
“I agree with you, General. It’s so hot right now—something our Southern Region troops and Eastern Region civilians have never experienced. Many of my soldiers have already suffered heatstroke, so I hope you keep an eye on your men as well,” Ren Kefu warned.
“Yes, this damned weather! It’s never been this hot back home. Many of my men have suffered heatstroke too. We should try to avoid fighting during the midday and afternoon. We’ll strike at night. During the day, we’ll keep the soldiers under cover. It’s impossible to fight in this heat!” Abusai agreed, speaking from experience.
They were completely unaccustomed to the Eastern Spirit Empire’s climate. In the Southern and Eastern Regions, summer temperatures rarely exceeded 32 degrees Celsius, yet here, it had jumped straight past 40. Many Allied soldiers, especially those on sentry duty or in the open, were collapsing from heatstroke.
…
Back at the command post, Hu Hao sat at the entrance of the bomb shelter, fanning himself with his hat, but the heat remained oppressive.
“Dammit, Chief of Staff! Can we get an air conditioner in here? We can use a battery for power. This heat is going to kill us!” Hu Hao shouted to Xiao Quan inside.
“I want that too, but we can’t just put one in the command post and leave the other units with nothing. If we did that for everyone, we’d need thousands of units. Where would we get that kind of money?” Xiao Quan had also stripped off his shirt and came to sit by the door next to Hu Hao.
“God, it’s so hot!” Hu Hao muttered. Back in his old life, he never felt it this bad; he’d spend his summer holidays at home with the AC on, never venturing outside during the day.
“Haozi, Haozi! People are going to die of heat out there!” Wang Yao shouted as he returned with two soldiers.
“I’m barely holding on myself!” Hu Hao replied.
“Are the fortifications for the 4th Company finished?” Xiao Quan asked.
“Done. I checked them myself; everything is up to spec,” Wang Yao said as he threw his shirt into the adjacent bomb shelter.
“No, we have to get AC. We’re trapped under these concrete slabs; it’s hot during the day and even hotter at night. We can’t sleep. Go get them—if we need thousands, we get thousands!” Hu Hao decided.
“What about the batteries?” Xiao Quan asked.
“We buy them!” Hu Hao snapped.
“How? Do you have any idea how many batteries that would take? And then there’s the power. Where would we even charge them? If we charge them at residential homes, do you know how much that would cost? The command post has its own power line, but would the utility company let us use it like that?
“We’d be using tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours a day. Would they ever agree to let us charge for free?” Xiao Quan countered.
“Wait, I have to pay for electricity?” Hu Hao asked.
“If you don’t pay, they’ll cut the line. Then the command post will have no power at all!” Xiao Quan explained.
“The hell they will! Where is this power company? I’ll take my men there. Dammit, if they dare ask for money, I’ll take their lives!” Hu Hao growled.
“I say we just forget it and endure. Don’t go looking for trouble!” Xiao Quan urged.
“I don’t believe this. They want money for the rebar, they want money for the cement, and now they want money for power? I’m fighting a war for this country! I’m putting my life on the line, and they still have the gall to charge me? Wang Yao! Go get a company of soldiers and find that utility company. Dammit! Bring your weapons!” Hu Hao shouted to Wang Yao.
“Enough! Don’t cause a scene. If you go through with this, I’m telling you, we won’t be able to get any more supplies later. Sigh!” Xiao Quan shouted as he saw Hu Hao was serious.
“Then we won’t get them! I refuse to believe I’ll starve without their support. Get the men!” Hu Hao told Wang Yao.
“Yes, sir!” Wang Yao replied and ran off immediately.
“Hey, where can I buy the air conditioners? I’m going to buy them now,” Hu Hao asked Xiao Quan.
“They have them in the city, but Hao-ge, you really shouldn’t go. If you do, our troops will be in trouble. The logistics departments will definitely start making things difficult for us. You’re breaking the rules!” Xiao Quan stood up and argued.
“In this place, I am the rules! Breaking rules? Is this how it works? We’re risking our lives for the country, and they’re charging us? Are they insane for money?” Hu Hao put on his helmet.
He slung his shirt over his shoulder and shouted to a senior staff officer in charge of funds: “Bring the money! We’re heading out!”
“Yes, sir!” the officer replied.
“Sigh!” Xiao Quan let out a heavy sigh.
Soon, Hu Hao led his troops into the city. They drove their armored vehicles to a shopping mall that was still bustling with people. As Hu Hao and his men entered, the civilians stared at them. Hu Hao ignored them and walked straight inside. The moment he entered the air-conditioned mall, the chill made him shiver.
“Holy shit!” Hu Hao cursed and headed straight for the appliance section.
“Hey! Who’s in charge here? Who’s the manager?” Hu Hao shouted when they reached the air conditioners.
“Officer, how can I help you?” a young man in a suit and tie hurried over, greeting Hu Hao with a smile.
“How much for an air conditioner?” Hu Hao asked.
“Well, it depends on which model you want. Prices range from 500 to 1,500.”
“Which one is the cheapest?” Hu Hao pressed.
“This one-horsepower model is 519 yuan,” the youth replied.
“I want 3,000 units. Can I get a discount?” Hu Hao asked.
“Huh?” The young man stared at him in shock.
“3,000 units. Ask your boss if he can lower the price,” Hu Hao demanded.
“What do you need so many for?” the youth asked.
“It’s boiling at the front lines. The men can’t even stand in the trenches!” Hu Hao explained.
“Well, let me ask. But officer, since you’re fighting at the front, do you really need air conditioning?” the youth asked, looking at Hu Hao.
“I say, don’t you people have a war to fight? Coming here to buy air conditioners—are you even soldiers of the Empire? Does the Empire only have soldiers like you? How can we expect you to win a war? Truly, a bunch of profligate sons!” an old man shouted from a distance, pointing at Hu Hao here.
“Exactly! Thinking about AC while you’re supposed to be fighting!”
“How can we count on them? We should just run when the Allied forces arrive. We can’t rely on these people!”
Soon, the entire mall was filled with voices criticizing Hu Hao and his men.
(End of Chapter)