Hu Hao and his staff officers frantically scrambled to make themselves look as destitute and ragged as possible.
Simultaneously, soldiers rushed into the conference room, tossing empty ration cans, spent artillery casings, and empty ammunition crates everywhere to create a scene of desperate chaos.
About ten minutes later, Hu Hao was notified that the video link with the Emperor was ready.
He immediately led his ragged staff officers to the camera.
When the connection stabilized, Hu Hao saw two figures on the screen, both wearing bright yellow imperial robes. The older man was seated, while the younger man stood respectfully beside him. Hu Hao instantly recognized them: the seated man was His Majesty the Emperor, and the standing man was his former academy principal, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!
“Hu Hao and the staff of the command center greet Your Majesty!” Hu Hao snapped a crisp salute at the camera.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” the staff officers echoed, saluting in unison.
“You… you… what happened to you all? Does the Empire no longer issue military uniforms?” the Emperor was visibly taken aback. The officers on the screen looked worse than beggars.
“Ah?” Hu Hao feigned ignorance, looking down at himself and then at his staff officers as if just noticing their state.
“You are Hu Hao, are you not?” the Emperor asked.
“Report to Your Majesty, I am Hu Hao! Commander of the 87th Division, Southwestern Combat Zone!” Hu Hao replied, saluting again.
“Hu Hao… where is your uniform?” the Crown Prince interjected, staring at the rags.
“This is my uniform. It’s just… well, a bit worn. There’s nothing we can do. We’re fighting a war, and supplies are scarce! Besides, with brutal fighting every single day, wearing a nice uniform is pointless anyway. This will have to do!” Hu Hao explained, gesturing helplessly at his shredded clothes.
“I see. You are currently engaged in combat? Are you fighting the Mara Empire’s 1st Corps?” the Emperor asked, his tone softening.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Mara Empire’s 1st Corps. They are a heavy mechanized force. Our equipment has been almost entirely destroyed. The fighting is incredibly difficult.
“I must thank Your Majesty for retroactively approving my troop recruitment. If I hadn’t expanded our forces, we would likely have been completely annihilated by now!” Hu Hao nodded gravely.
“Are your casualties heavy?” the Emperor asked.
“Extremely heavy, Your Majesty. We have suffered over 40,000 casualties! We’ve only managed to replenish a small portion of our losses,” Hu Hao nodded grimly. He fully intended to report those “casualties” (many of whom were fictional or from previous battles) to High Command so he could claim the associated pensions!
“Submit the casualty list. High Command will ensure their families receive the proper pensions. Sigh. Hu Hao, what are your thoughts on the current situation facing our Eastern Spirit Empire?” the Emperor asked.
“Thank you, Your Majesty! On behalf of my fallen brothers, I thank you!” Hu Hao saluted sharply, putting on an expression of gratitude.
“Mm. It is only right. They sacrificed their lives for the Empire. As their Emperor, I must ensure their families are cared for,” the Emperor nodded, pleased by Hu Hao’s display of loyalty.
“Regarding the current situation, Your Majesty, I believe the Empire is in grave peril. The Allied forces’ objective is not simply to invade our nation or seize our territory. Their ultimate goal is the systematic extermination of our people to clear land for their own citizens!” Hu Hao stated solemnly.
“Excellent. Your assessment is chillingly accurate. So, what should the Empire do?” the Emperor’s respect for Hu Hao deepened.
“Counter-attack. We absolutely must counter-attack. We must halt their advance to protect our remaining territory, and we must push back to rescue as many citizens as possible from their slaughter!” Hu Hao declared firmly.
“Exactly! We must counter-attack! Have you read the appointment decree? I have appointed you Commander of the 1st Group Army and promoted you to the rank of full General. This afternoon, television stations across the nation will broadcast your achievements. You are the first commoner in a century to reach the rank of full General in the Empire!” the Emperor smiled warmly.
“I am eternally grateful for Your Majesty’s favor! I swear to lead my troops in a relentless counter-offensive!” Hu Hao vowed.
“Mm, very good. But can you realistically assemble a full Group Army in your current position? I will order the Air Force to airdrop weapons and ammunition to you.
“However, I cannot send you manpower. As you know, the Allied forces possess massive numbers of fighter jets. Providing escorts for our transports carries extreme risks!” the Emperor explained.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Manpower is actually not an issue. There are countless refugees who fled here, only to find their path north blocked by Allied forces. I can recruit 300,000 troops from among them.
“It will be difficult and take time, but the objective is achievable. However… we are critically short on officers.
“Furthermore, Your Majesty, you only authorized five Lieutenant General positions for me. But currently, I have seven officers under my command who have earned the right to be promoted to Lieutenant General. I am struggling with how to distribute those five slots. It’s causing me a great deal of anxiety!” Hu Hao seized the opportunity.
“Mm, seven, you say? As a commander, you must learn to make difficult choices. But I understand your dilemma. Are you asking me to grant you seven Lieutenant General slots?” the Emperor asked with an amused smile.
“That would be ideal, Your Majesty. But if that is impossible, I will simply have to find a way to placate the other two. However, they will undoubtedly feel it is deeply unfair!” Hu Hao sighed heavily.
“But your Group Army structure only allows for five corps commanders. Even if you leave the Chief of Staff position vacant, that’s only six slots. How would you even arrange seven Lieutenant Generals?” the Emperor reasoned, still smiling.
“That… is indeed a difficult problem. Then forget I asked. Five it is. I will do my best to placate them!” Hu Hao nodded, looking resigned.
“You certainly don’t mince words, kid. How about this, Hu Hao: if you can completely annihilate the Mara Empire’s 1st Corps, I will increase your Group Army’s organization by two corps. The 1st Group Army will consist of seven corps!” the Emperor offered a challenge.
“Ah? Annihilate the Mara Empire’s 1st Corps? Your Majesty, that is incredibly difficult! I barely have any troops left!” Hu Hao gasped, feigning absolute shock.
“Difficult? Haha! The fact that you say ‘difficult’ instead of ‘impossible’ means you already have a plan, doesn’t it?” the Emperor chuckled, catching Hu Hao’s hidden meaning.
“I do have a plan, but it will take a long time—probably half a month. Their forces are simply too powerful; I cannot engage them in a direct confrontation. I have to grind them down slowly. Once I’ve exhausted them and finished recruiting more troops, then I can finish them off!” Hu Hao explained his “strategy.”
“Are you confident you can achieve this?” the Emperor asked, his smile fading into a look of serious assessment.
“I am, but not entirely. It will require a bit of luck, and it depends heavily on how the enemy reacts,” Hu Hao replied earnestly.
“Mm. Then I will grant you the organization for seven corps right now. I shall await the good news of the 1st Corps’ annihilation! Then we can broadcast your victory to the entire nation, proving to the people that the Allied forces are not invincible. How does that sound?” the Emperor declared.
Standing beside the Emperor, the Crown Prince was utterly dumbfounded. In the span of a few sentences, Hu Hao had managed to wring two entire corps out of his father!
“Ah? Your Majesty, please rest assured! I will risk my life to annihilate the Mara Empire’s 1st Corps! If the Eastern Spirit Empire’s 1st Group Army cannot even defeat a single Mara corps, I would have no face left to show you!” Hu Hao promised, looking moved.
“Good! But there is no need to risk your life. You are my full General. I expect you to win many more battles for the Empire. Submit your list of Lieutenant Generals, Major Generals, and Brigadier Generals immediately. Also, you must prioritize re-establishing a supply corridor with our main forces!” the Emperor instructed.
“Yes, Your Majesty. However… I believe we should not open a supply corridor right now!” Hu Hao stated boldly.
“Why not?” the Emperor asked, surprised.
“If we open a corridor, the Allied forces will simply mass more troops to assault our other Combat Zones, significantly increasing the pressure on them.
“But if I remain isolated here, the Allied forces will be desperate to eliminate me—especially once they realize a full Group Army is stationed here. They will inevitably divert massive forces to attack my position. By acting as a magnet, I can relieve the pressure on our other defensive lines.
“Most importantly, our newly promoted generals need time to gain experience. If the Allied forces concentrate their heavy units against our main defensive lines right now, the Empire will be in grave danger. Therefore, it is far better for me to hold the line here, drawing their fire and giving our other generals the time they need to mature.
“Once we are truly ready to launch a general counter-offensive, then we will open the corridor and strike back at the Allied forces together!” Hu Hao laid out his strategic vision.
“Mm. Hu Hao, I never imagined you possessed such foresight. You are considering the strategic situation of the entire Empire, not just your own front. Excellent! Truly excellent!” the Emperor nodded in deep appreciation.
“Your Majesty, I must consider the big picture! If the Imperial Capital is threatened, the people will panic. And if our main forces collapse, we will have nowhere left to retreat. As long as the Capital is secure, the people will have hope, and they will fight to the death to defend it!” Hu Hao declared passionately.
“Well said! Very well said! But… can you truly hold out on your own?” the Emperor asked, his admiration evident.
“I can. Hehe, Your Majesty, the rainy season is almost here. Once the rains start, massing massive armies to attack my position will be nearly impossible for them!” Hu Hao grinned, rubbing the back of his head, intentionally acting a bit naive.
“Mm, haha! Excellent! You’ve even factored the climate into your strategy. Do you have any other requests?” the Emperor asked, thoroughly pleased.
“I do, Your Majesty! I am incredibly poor!” Hu Hao blurted out.
“Ah?” Not only was the Emperor stunned, but the Crown Prince standing beside him was equally bewildered.
“Poor?” The Emperor struggled to suppress a laugh as he stared at Hu Hao.
(End of Chapter)