Hu Hao and Li Jingsong stood before Commander Jiang Kai in the headquarters. Jiang Kai watched them intently, hoping the two of them would lead their troops back to the front line.
Because Li Jingsong could not effectively control those units, he had to rely on Hu Hao. And since Hu Hao was merely a Captain, he could easily claim that such high-level decisions had nothing to do with him. Thus, Jiang Kai offered Hu Hao a promotion to entice them into taking Sector 9.
“So that’s it? You want to retire?” Jiang Kai asked, looking at Hu Hao.
“That’s right. If you can let me retire, I’ll definitely go out and fight tonight. However, I still won’t make any grand promises. I wouldn’t dare lead those boys out there just for my own discharge; I couldn’t live with myself if I sent my brothers to their deaths for a ticket out. Hu Hao doesn’t do things like that,” Hu Hao replied with a nod.
“Retirement is out of the question. So tell me, what will it take? What do the two of you need to lead those troops back in?” Jiang Kai asked.
Li Jingsong immediately looked at Hu Hao, and Hu Hao looked back at Li Jingsong.
“What is the meaning of this silence? This is a direct order! Do you understand what an order is? You cowards!” Sun Qinxue shouted, pointing a finger at them in a fit of rage.
“Whoa, whoa, Chief of Staff. You can’t say that to us. We aren’t cowards, it’s just…” Hu Hao stopped mid-sentence.
“Just what?” Jiang Kai pressed, staring at him.
“Nothing!” Hu Hao shook his head quickly.
“Too afraid to say it? Or is it that you can’t say it?” Jiang Kai followed up.
“No, nothing at all. Regardless, we aren’t cowards!” Hu Hao emphasized once more.
“I told you, I’m not here for small talk. Either you lead your men in now, or neither of you will be officers anymore! I’ll demote you both to Private and find someone else to lead those troops!” Jiang Kai stood up, glaring at them. Neither man budged.
“Fine. Someone! Strip them of their ranks! Hand them Private insignias. I refuse to believe I can’t find anyone else to fight this war without you two!” Jiang Kai shouted, his finger trembling as he pointed at them.
They stood there, silent and motionless.
“Why aren’t you speaking?” Jiang Kai barked at Li Jingsong.
“What is there to say?” Li Jingsong replied.
“You realize you are a Major General? How many people in this Empire spend their lives trying to reach that rank and fail? If I strip you of those stars, you will never get another chance!” Jiang Kai growled.
“I know. But I can’t lead those brothers to a certain death. Besides, I can’t even command them. The man who can command them is standing right here. He doesn’t care about his rank. And while I do care about mine, I’ve realized I care more about those brothers now,” Li Jingsong stated firmly.
“Fine. You’ve got spine,” Jiang Kai nodded.
“Commander, attacking now is just a death sentence—a completely meaningless death sentence. Sir, you should consider a retreat. If you don’t, you still won’t be able to hold them back anyway.
I don’t know exactly how many Allied troops are out there, but they definitely can’t be stopped here! We might retake Sector 9 tonight, but we’ll lose it again tomorrow. And when we have to retreat tomorrow anyway, those brothers will have died for nothing!” Hu Hao argued.
“Reinforcements are arriving tomorrow! As long as you take it tonight, it’ll be enough! Li Jingsong, think carefully. Either lose the General’s stars, or get out there and fight tonight! Take that sector!” Jiang Kai barked.
“Hu Hao… Hao-ge… he’s really going to strip me of my rank!” Li Jingsong looked at Hu Hao, his expression one of utter misery.
“I’m not the one stripping you. Why are you telling me? Beg the Commander for mercy!” Hu Hao chuckled.
“Fine then. Commander, if you’re going to strip it, then strip it. I have no choice. I can’t do it alone anyway,” Li Jingsong said, resigned.
“Hu Hao, Li Jingsong… tell me your conditions. If you state your conditions, I will satisfy them. I need Sector 9 secured tonight. Out with it!” Jiang Kai said, his voice laced with desperation.
“Commander, why are you so fixated on us? There are plenty of other remnants. Why us? The 27th Corps barely has anyone left; can’t you leave us a few survivors?” Li Jingsong pleaded.
“Sigh. I wish I could. But your unit is the only one that has actually fought and won two engagements. The other stragglers are still sobbing; their morale is in the dirt. How am I supposed to send them in? They’ve been fighting all day!
Besides, I watched your unit’s performance today. It was disciplined and well-executed. That’s why I brought you here, hoping you’d lead the charge.
In fact, I’ve already made up my mind: I’m folding the remnants of the 28th Army into your command. They’re ready to move—but only if Hu Hao leads. The 28th’s Corps Commander and Division Generals were clear: if Hu Hao goes, they go!” Jiang Kai revealed.
“Me? Wait, Commander, that has nothing to do with me! I don’t even know those guys, really!” Hu Hao pointed at himself in shock.
“But they believe in you! They know you’re a beast on the field, and they’re willing to follow you into battle. Hu Hao, I’m telling you: if you go and fight with everything you’ve got, your Major’s commission will be on your desk by morning. And that hurdle to becoming a Brigadier General? I will personally clear the way for you. How about it? My promise is worth a hundred million outside, yet why is it so worthless to you? Is a four-star General’s word worth nothing?” Jiang Kai roared at Hu Hao.
“Commander, don’t yell at me! I… I don’t have an ‘officer addiction,’ I swear! I really don’t! Forget Brigadier General—even a four-star General like you means nothing to me,” Hu Hao said, spreading his hands.
“Sigh. Then tell me what you do want. State your conditions!” Jiang Kai waved his hand, done with the arguing.
“Is it absolutely mandatory?” Li Jingsong asked.
“Mandatory. I’m telling you now: if you don’t go, I’m taking your commission and your father’s!” Jiang Kai threatened, pointing a finger at him.
“Crap… Brother! Real brother! Grandpa! Let’s just go!” Li Jingsong grabbed Hu Hao, babbling frantically.
“Get off me! I’m way younger than you, stop calling me that!” Hu Hao tried to shove him away, and Jiang Kai actually broke into a smile at the sight.
“You’re my grandpa, I swear! Just go! I don’t care about the stars, but if my dad falls, our whole family is finished! Hao-ge, I’ll give you a million credits. One million! Cash, gold, whatever you want right now!” Li Jingsong held onto Hu Hao, refusing to let go.
“Are you mental? You’re a Division Commander!” Hu Hao cursed.
“What good is being a Division Commander if no one follows me? Those soldiers are all staring at you! Hao-ge, listen: if you go, whether we win or lose, the Li family will owe you a massive debt of gratitude. Seriously! Give me some face here!” Li Jingsong begged.
“You son of a…!” Hu Hao looked like he wanted to cry.
“Are you going or not?” Jiang Kai asked.
“We’re going! We’re going! Uh, Commander, I have a condition: Give him a million. And I’ll give him another million myself. Put it in his account immediately, okay? If you agree, I’m accepting for him!” Li Jingsong shouted.
“Done. Find Hu Hao’s file and transfer a million to his account immediately!” The Commander nodded toward a staff officer.
“And the Major’s rank! Don’t forget the Major!” Li Jingsong added.
“YOU BASTARD! WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO DECIDE FOR ME?” Hu Hao roared.
Li Jingsong immediately lunged forward and slapped his hand over Hu Hao’s mouth.
“Commander, you can go now! We’ve agreed!” Li Jingsong yelled.
“Good. You two handle the rest. Departure is at 22:00 sharp!” Jiang Kai laughed and led his staff out of the room.
“Are you insane? You’re sending the brothers to their deaths! And you dragged me into it!” Hu Hao exploded the moment the door closed and Li Jingsong let go.
“Brother, I had no choice! He wasn’t playing fair—he was going to take down my dad and me! I don’t care about myself, but my dad can’t fall. If he does, the Li family is dead.
We have over twenty family members in the military, including eleven Generals! Hao-ge, I’m begging you!” Li Jingsong pleaded.
“Get lost! Dammit, we were doing so well, standing our ground. Then you flip the moment they mention your dad. You traitor!” Hu Hao cursed at him, then sat down and pulled out a cigarette.
“Give me one!” Li Jingsong saw him smoking and asked immediately.
“Don’t you have your own?” Hu Hao snapped.
“Ran out!” Li Jingsong shook his head. Hu Hao tossed the pack over. “You’re sick!”
“Yeah, I am. Sick in the head. What are we gonna do? Help me out, Hao-ge. You’re my real brother!” Li Jingsong said, looking at him pitifully.
“Shut up! I’m younger than you, stop with the ‘brother’ crap!”
“Seriously though, don’t worry. As soon as we’re out of here, I’ll make sure my dad sends you that million. Brother, you’re a man worth 2.2 million credits now! No, 2.3 million!” Li Jingsong leaned in with a shameless grin. “Think about it, Hao-ge. Didn’t you want to travel? Use this as your travel fund. Once you retire, you’ll be the richest tourist around, right?”