Hu Hao continued to play the part of a desperately impoverished commander, while the Emperor suppressed a smile as he watched.
“You see, Your Majesty, we don’t even have proper uniforms left. Furthermore, my soldiers keep demanding the bounty money for the weapons they’ve captured. I haven’t even had a chance to turn those weapons over to High Command yet, and they’re already hounding me for cash!
“Where am I supposed to get that kind of money? I’ve just been writing them IOUs. But honestly, it’s a good thing I didn’t turn those weapons over; otherwise, we wouldn’t have enough arms to equip the massive number of troops we’re forming now.
“But, Your Majesty, could you perhaps allocate some funds to me? The men don’t care whether I’ve turned the weapons in or not; they just want their bounty!” Hu Hao pleaded, looking utterly pathetic.
“Roughly how much do you need?” the Emperor asked with an amused smile.
“About ten billion or so!” Hu Hao answered, his expression pitiful.
“Oh, ten billion. That seems reasonable. Very well, I will instruct High Command to allocate those funds to you!” the Emperor nodded. Allocating ten billion to a seven-corps Group Army was pocket change.
“And there’s more!” Hu Hao shouted immediately.
“More?” The Crown Prince stared at Hu Hao in shock. He couldn’t believe Hu Hao’s audacity. He had just successfully squeezed ten billion out of the Emperor, and now he was asking for more!
“Yes, Your Majesty! You mentioned the Air Force would airdrop ammunition, but what about food? A seven-corps Group Army is over 400,000 men! Do you have any idea how much grain they consume in a single day?” Hu Hao nodded emphatically.
“Hu Hao, do you truly not understand how the military works?” the Crown Prince asked, both exasperated and amused.
“Ah? Understand what?” Hu Hao stared at the Crown Prince, feigning complete ignorance.
“The state provides military rations. If physical rations cannot be delivered, the equivalent value is subsidized in funds. You do not need to worry about this!” the Crown Prince explained with a smile.
“Oh, is that how it works? I didn’t know. I haven’t been a division commander for very long. I thought we just didn’t get any!” Hu Hao scratched his head sheepishly.
“Understandable. Is there anything else?” the Emperor asked, still smiling.
“Yes!” Hu Hao nodded.
“What now?” the Crown Prince pressed.
“Uniforms! You have to send us uniforms! Otherwise, people will think we’re a ragtag militia!” Hu Hao demanded.
“Mm, airdropping that many uniforms is likely impossible. However, you can procure them from civilian manufacturers in your area. High Command will provide the necessary funds for that as well!” the Crown Prince explained patiently.
“Yes! Thank you, Principal! I was just afraid High Command might ‘forget’!” Hu Hao added pointedly.
“They won’t forget. Sigh, you really are…” the Crown Prince rubbed his temples in exasperation.
“Good, good! As long as they don’t forget!” Hu Hao nodded in satisfaction.
“Mm. Hu Hao, if you successfully annihilate the 1st Corps, what are your plans for your forces afterward?” the Emperor asked, his smile fading slightly.
“Afterward?” Hu Hao repeated.
“Yes, afterward,” the Emperor nodded.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead! My only goal was to defeat the 1st Corps and see if we could break the encirclement. Today, you promoted me to full General and gave me a Group Army… I simply haven’t had time to plan beyond that!” Hu Hao answered honestly.
He couldn’t exactly admit he had already planned a massive counter-offensive; that would undoubtedly arouse the Emperor’s suspicion. Playing the fool was Hu Hao’s specialty.
“Mm. Then I will tell you. Once you annihilate the 1st Corps, you are to launch an immediate counter-offensive and reclaim our lost territory. The more you reclaim, the better. I will reward you handsomely!” the Emperor ordered.
“Your Majesty, I cannot!” Hu Hao shouted instantly.
“Why… why not?” the Emperor was taken aback by the blunt refusal.
“My troops haven’t been trained properly yet! And the rainy season is almost here!” Hu Hao explained earnestly.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake… are you truly a student of mine?” the Crown Prince sighed deeply from behind the Emperor.
“Yes! My diploma has your signature on it!” Hu Hao nodded vigorously.
“Sigh. His Majesty means after you have trained your troops, and after the rainy season has passed!” the Crown Prince clarified.
“Oh! I see! In that case, please rest assured, Your Majesty! Wherever you point, I will strike! Tell me what territory you want back, and I will take it back for you!” Hu Hao declared with supreme confidence.
“Good! Excellent! When the time comes, you will push forward and relentlessly reclaim our land. Once the opportunity is ripe, you will punch through the enemy lines and re-establish a supply corridor. When that day comes, I will personally commend you here in the Imperial Capital!” the Emperor smiled warmly.
“Yes, Your Majesty! I guarantee I will complete the mission!” Hu Hao snapped a sharp salute.
“Excellent. By the way, Hu Hao, the Crown Prince is your Principal. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, contact your Principal directly. He will provide you with his private number shortly. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything. It is only natural for a student to ask his teacher for help!” the Emperor said, explicitly binding Hu Hao to the Crown Prince.
“Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Principal! I will undoubtedly be bothering you often!” Hu Hao nodded respectfully.
“I have already signed your appointment decree; it will be broadcast nationwide momentarily. Also, ensure you submit your list of recommended generals as soon as possible!” the Emperor reminded him.
“Yes, Your Majesty! I will attend to it immediately!” Hu Hao nodded.
“Very well. That will be all. I look forward to hearing your good news!” the Emperor smiled.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Hu Hao nodded one last time.
The video link ended. Hu Hao and his staff officers quickly exited the conference room.
Inside the room, Hu Hao had maintained an expression of solemn duty. But the moment the doors closed behind him, he burst into raucous laughter!
“Hao-ge, your acting skills are terrifying! You just swindled them out of ten billion like it was nothing!” a staff officer marveled.
“Are you kidding? If I didn’t put on an act, how would I wring benefits out of them for all of you? Do you think this is easy? Not only do I have to secure funding, but I have to fight for your promotions too! Ungrateful brats!” Hu Hao laughed, eagerly stripping off the filthy rags.
“Hao-ge, Division Commander Xiao Quan and the other division commanders called earlier. I told them you were speaking with His Majesty, and they said they’d call back later,” a staff officer reported.
“Tell them not to bother calling individually. Schedule a video conference for 1:00 PM. Have all seven of them attend!” Hu Hao ordered as he changed back into his proper uniform.
“Yes, sir!” the staff officer nodded and hurried off to relay the message.
Meanwhile, in Hu Hao’s hometown, his entire family had gathered. Schools across the nation had been suspended indefinitely, as many educational institutions were now located in enemy-occupied territory, and the frontline situation remained highly unstable.
Consequently, Hu Hao’s parents, his younger brother, and his younger sister were all staying at their ancestral home in the countryside. His parents had closed their business to wait out the war.
Hu Hao’s father, Hu Xingjun, was currently in the courtyard organizing farm tools. Even though their business was closed, they still had land to farm. In times of war, securing food was paramount. With the rainy season approaching, it was time to prepare the fields for planting.
While Hu Xingjun worked in the courtyard, Hu Hao’s mother, Wang Xueying, was tidying up inside the house.
“Hu Hao’s house is right here! Over here! Hu Xingjun! The military is here!” a villager shouted as he led over a dozen soldiers toward the courtyard.
“What?” Inside the house, Wang Xueying’s knees buckled upon hearing the words “the military is here,” and she nearly collapsed.
She knew all too well what that meant. Recently, whenever the military visited a family in the village, it was always to deliver a death notice. Having a son serving on the front lines was a source of constant, gnawing anxiety. The family prayed every single day that the military would not come to their door. No news was good news; it meant Hu Hao was still alive.
“Mom! Mom!” Hu Jing, Hu Hao’s younger sister, caught her mother just before she hit the floor. Hu Hui, his younger brother, rushed over to help support her.
“Haozi! What happened to our Haozi?!” Hu Hao’s grandparents, who were sitting in the living room, froze in shock. They were old, but they understood exactly what a military visit entailed.
“I… I…” In the courtyard, Hu Xingjun dropped his tools. Seeing the soldiers approaching, his legs gave out, and tears instantly streamed down his face.
“Xingjun! Xingjun! They’re here. There’s nothing we can do!” Several villagers, including Hu Xingjun’s cousins, rushed over, trying to help him up.
“How could this happen? That girl told us he wasn’t on the front lines!” Hu Xingjun wept, looking at his cousins in despair.
“Hello. Are you Hu Hao’s relative? Please present your identification,” a Colonel approached Hu Xingjun and offered a crisp salute.
“Yes… identification… I’ll go get it. I’ll get it!” Hu Xingjun tried to walk toward the house, but his legs refused to carry him. His cousins had to support him as he stumbled forward. The female relatives had already rushed inside, knowing Wang Xueying would be devastated.
“Oh heavens! My Hao’er! My poor Hao’er!” Wang Xueying’s heart-wrenching wails echoed from inside the house. Hu Xingjun sobbed openly as he forced himself inside to retrieve his ID.
“What is going on here? Does this entire family think we’re here to deliver a death notice?” the Colonel asked, scratching his head in bewilderment.
“Aren’t you?!” a villager asked, glaring at him.
“Of course not! Why would a full Colonel personally deliver a death notice?” the Colonel replied incredulously.
“Ah? You aren’t?!” The villager was stunned for a second before turning and sprinting toward the house, screaming at the top of his lungs: “It’s a misunderstanding! They aren’t here with a death notice!”
“Hu Xingjun! They aren’t here to deliver a death notice!” the villagers outside shouted, leaving Hu Xingjun and Wang Xueying thoroughly confused.
(End of Chapter)