Hu Hao instructed his staff officers to relay the news of the incoming bombers to Yonghe City. Upon receiving the warning, the forces in Yonghe City immediately began towing their artillery pieces into the prepared bunkers.
These bunkers were essentially deep trenches, no more than four meters wide but extending over ten meters in length. On either side, additional anti-artillery dugouts had been excavated. The main trenches were roofed with reinforced concrete and layered with rolling logs. Unless a bomb scored a direct hit dead center, the shelters wouldn’t collapse, keeping the personnel and the artillery safe.
As soon as the artillerymen received the order, they used vehicles to tow the howitzers into the main trenches. Once the guns were secured, the soldiers squeezed into the smaller dugouts branching off the sides, sitting quietly as they awaited the arrival of the Allied aircraft.
Meanwhile, Jiang Kai’s headquarters also received intelligence regarding the Allied bomber deployment.
“This is troublesome. The Allied forces have deployed aircraft again. To deal with Hu Hao, they’ve scrambled planes multiple times now—once this morning, and now again. These are definitely bombers, sent specifically to obliterate Hu Hao’s ground defenses!” Jiang Kai stated from his desk.
“Yes, it’s a pity. If only we could extract Hu Hao, things would be much better. Right now, the pressure on our front isn’t that severe. After Hu Hao annihilated the Limaguo 11th Corps this morning, it freed up the 27th Corps.
“The Allied forces in other sectors haven’t fully moved into position yet, so we actually have a bit of breathing room. It’s just Hu Hao’s situation… He wiped out the Mara Empire’s 43rd Corps yesterday, and now he has to face the 1st Corps. Sigh!” Sun Qinxue sighed heavily from his seat.
“Once the rainy season arrives, it will be even harder for Hu Hao to retreat. The roads will turn to mud everywhere. Furthermore, we’ve already blown up many of the bridges. If Hu Hao wants to cross back over, he’ll have to build pontoon bridges, which is incredibly difficult during the rainy season when the rivers swell.
“That kid is just too stubborn. If he had just listened and taken the helicopter back at the start, how great would that have been?” Jiang Kai lamented regretfully.
“Do you really think that was possible? If Hu Hao was the type to retreat by helicopter, would he still be Hu Hao?” Sun Qinxue countered.
Jiang Kai paused, then nodded. It was true.
“Still, Hu Hao’s performance over there has brought immense glory to our army. His Majesty was overjoyed to hear that Hu Hao annihilated another two corps. When the other units heard the news, they couldn’t help but look at us differently. They can’t win their battles, but our troops can.
“You could say our current retreat is entirely due to being dragged down by the other units. We face far more Allied troops than they do, yet we held our ground while they collapsed. Now look at them! Haha!” Jiang Kai laughed.
“I don’t think this is a good thing,” Sun Qinxue warned, seeing Jiang Kai’s amusement.
“Eh?” Jiang Kai looked at him, confused.
“I feel like we’ve become a target. We win battles while the forces in other combat zones lose, which breeds resentment. After all, there’s no disparity without comparison.
“Our victories make them look bad and put pressure on them. Moreover, your promotion to Viscount has drawn the Grand Marshal’s hostility. I just feel uneasy, like we’re constantly being led by the nose. Think about how decisive and satisfying our counter-offensive at Nanlin City was. But now? It feels like we’re trapped.
“Mark my words: if our flanks collapse again, we might be forced to retreat further. And there’s another possibility—we might actually be transferred to the eastern front! We might very well be sent to fight in the east!” Sun Qinxue warned gravely.
“Impossible, right? His Majesty rejected that proposal previously!” Jiang Kai said, staring at his Chief of Staff.
“Impossible? If the eastern forces fail again, but we manage to hold our defensive line, the Grand Marshal will undoubtedly propose it to His Majesty again. Do you really think His Majesty will be able to resist the pressure a second time?” Sun Qinxue challenged.
Jiang Kai stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, and began pacing the office.
“Hearing you say that makes it feel like we are surrounded by enemies on all sides!” Jiang Kai stopped and looked back at Sun Qinxue.
“What do you think? You’ve offended the Grand Marshal. Among all the combat zone commanders, none have any merit except you. You held your ground while they failed.
“Furthermore, during the initial wave of the invasion, our Southwestern Combat Zone suffered significant casualties among our generals. But since the Nanlin counter-offensive, we’ve barely lost any, whereas the other combat zones have cycled through several batches of generals already,” Sun Qinxue listed out the facts.
“Then what are we supposed to do? Damn it! Is winning battles a crime now?” Jiang Kai cursed.
“Exactly. You’ve built prestige within our own ranks and gained influence among the other forces. But think about your peers, the other commanders—you’re constantly making them look bad. Do you think they won’t try to sabotage you in return?
“Sigh, it’s a mess. We can’t afford to lose, but we can’t afford to keep succeeding either. How are we supposed to fight like this? It feels like our army is on a leash,” Sun Qinxue sighed.
“His Majesty. It’s His Majesty!” Jiang Kai suddenly exclaimed.
“Hm?” Sun Qinxue looked up at him.
“Yes, it’s him! Damn it, I finally understand! I never offended Tang Long in the past. On the contrary, my relationship with him used to be quite amicable. My only ‘offense’ was requesting that the promotion channels be opened.
“The Grand Marshal opposed it back then, but now he’s agreed. Logically, he should be thanking me, since I was the one who initially proposed it to prevent our military clans from suffering excessive casualties. The only reason Tang Long is so hostile toward me now is because of this Viscount title hanging over my head!
“That was the catalyst. Combine that with our continuous victories, and Hu Hao bringing us glory by wiping out several Allied corps… the other combat zone commanders see our merits, and with Tang Long fanning the flames, I’ve become public enemy number one!” Jiang Kai analyzed rapidly.
“That makes sense!” Sun Qinxue nodded.
“No, I can’t remain passive like this. I can’t! I don’t care if I die, but I absolutely will not drag my subordinates down with me. Going to the eastern front? Hmph. If Tang Long cuts off our supplies over there, our army will be doomed. I won’t let that happen!” Jiang Kai resumed pacing.
“Then what can you do?” Sun Qinxue asked.
“There has to be a way. His Majesty wants to make me a target, a tool to weaken Tang Long’s military authority. During peacetime, I’d gladly play that role to secure the Grand Marshal position.
“But not now. Absolutely not now. I don’t want to fight for the Grand Marshal position; I just want to ensure my brothers survive. If my actions lead to our army’s defeat, let alone the Grand Marshal position, my own survival will be in question. I refuse to die at the hands of our own people. I refuse!” Jiang Kai declared as he paced.
“But what can you do? His Majesty has already set the board. If you back out now, do you think His Majesty will let you off?” Sun Qinxue challenged.
“Come here, Old Sun. Sit down!” Jiang Kai stopped, thought for a moment, and walked over to his desk, gesturing for Sun Qinxue to take a seat opposite him.
“What’s your plan?” Sun Qinxue asked, looking at him intently.
“Just sit first!” Jiang Kai insisted.
“Alright,” Sun Qinxue sat down.
“Tell me, why has the Crown Prince been visiting us every single day recently, constantly asking about our well-being?” Jiang Kai asked.
“You… you want to side with the Crown Prince?” Sun Qinxue was taken aback.
“Don’t ask me whose side I’m taking yet. I’m asking you: why is he doing it?” Jiang Kai pressed.
“Why else? He hopes to gain your support. Or at the very least, ensure you don’t oppose him!” Sun Qinxue replied.
“And do you think Tang Long knows about this?” Jiang Kai continued.
“Tang Long? I assume he does! If he didn’t, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare act so openly, considering how strongly Tang Long supports him!” Sun Qinxue reasoned after a moment’s thought.
“Exactly!” Jiang Kai slapped his thigh.
“So, you have a plan?” Sun Qinxue asked eagerly.
“I do! Listen closely. I’ll call Tang Long later and tell him this: ‘I support the Crown Prince. He is intelligent, has served as Crown Prince for many years, and is fully qualified. He will undoubtedly be a wise Emperor in the future!’ I won’t say another word about anything else. Do you think that will work?” Jiang Kai asked, leaning forward.
“You want to use your support for the Crown Prince as leverage to ensure he doesn’t send us to the eastern front? And leave everything else for later!” Sun Qinxue instantly grasped his meaning.
“Exactly. Do you think it will work? I believe he’ll take the deal. Even if I lose my defensive line on the eastern front, His Majesty won’t execute me. Furthermore, I am still a Commander. His Majesty might reduce my troop numbers, but I would still control at least seven corps. Think about it: unless Tang Long can completely destroy me in one fell swoop, if he tries to mess with me, I will definitely mess with him. No one wins!” Jiang Kai explained.
“Mm. It makes sense. It’s viable!” Sun Qinxue pondered for a moment before nodding.
“His Majesty cannot know about this. I can’t use my official satellite phone. Damn it, find me a civilian satellite phone. I’ll call Tang Long’s residence directly!” Jiang Kai decided.
“That’s easy. There must be some among the lower ranks. I’ll have someone find one!” Sun Qinxue promised.
“Good. Have it delivered to my office tomorrow morning. I’ll call him then. Sigh. Damn it, I really don’t know what game His Majesty is playing. The situation is so dire, yet he still hasn’t opened the promotion channels. He keeps saying ‘soon,’ but who knows when it will actually happen!” Jiang Kai sighed, leaning back in his chair.
(End of Chapter)