Hearing Zhao Yang say that Zhang Debiao had called, urging him to return to the command center as soon as possible, Hu Hao didn’t even hesitate. He stated flat out that he had only just come out. Having spent all his time cooped up in the command center, he was already thoroughly sick of dealing with High Command and the Emperor.
Now that he had finally managed to get out, he wanted to stay on the front lines and fight for a while. With Zhang Debiao in the command center, directing the troops would definitely not be a problem.
Furthermore, being on the front lines meant he had firsthand knowledge of the situation. Therefore, he had no intention of returning just yet. He planned to use this time to train the Special Operations Regiment.
He wanted to show them what the Special Operations Regiment was truly capable of. Assisting regular infantry in urban combat was only one facet of their role; there was so much more they could do, such as gathering intelligence—another core function of special forces.
Meanwhile, Vostok had already received word that the Allied command center in Tonglong City had been taken out by Hu Hao’s troops. Vostok’s office was currently in a state of utter devastation, having been thoroughly trashed by the Supreme Commander himself!
“Just a few hours ago, I told them to hold the line for five days! Five days! And what happens?! It hasn’t even been five hours, and our command center is gone! We don’t even know the extent of our casualties yet!
The Eastern Spirit Empire’s troops have already reached the railway station! Tell me, what are we supposed to do now?! If we lose the railway station, how are we going to transport our logistical supplies in the future?! The railways and highways from Tonglong City to Menghe City will all be destroyed!
It will take two extra days to deliver our supplies to the central front! Damn it!” Vostok roared, standing amidst the wreckage while Vitali stood nearby.
“And why didn’t they fight to the death?! To think they were actually captured! What will the kings of those nations think of us now?! Can we not even protect their subordinates anymore?! Four Lieutenant Generals captured in one fell swoop—how are we supposed to explain this to those kings?!” Vostok continued his tirade.
“Supreme Commander, the situation in Tonglong City is extremely critical. We might need to split the forces currently marching to attack Gunan City, and they need to move fast. We still don’t know exactly how many troops we have left inside Tonglong City, but I imagine they should be able to hold out for two days in urban combat.
After all, we had four corps stationed there. No matter how formidable Hu Hao’s troops are, they couldn’t possibly devour four corps that quickly! Right now, we need the troops from the central front to accelerate their march. What worries me is that the route from Menghe City to Tonglong City might not be an easy march!” Vitali analyzed the situation calmly.
“Exactly! Hu Hao will definitely deploy blocking forces! It’s a certainty! We don’t have many troops left around Tonglong City. We cannot move the forces in Tianxi City and Liangyuan City; they need to restrict Hu Hao’s troops from moving south.
Furthermore, we need those troops to coordinate with the forces attacking Gunan City. Damn it!” Vostok cursed.
“What if we mobilize two corps from the coastal military camps? Transport them by train to Mengshui City, the station right before Tonglong City, assemble them there, and then advance toward Tonglong City?” Vitali suggested.
“That works. It will take about two days as well. Mobilize two to three corps. We still have a massive stockpile of supplies in Tonglong City, including ammunition. As long as they can reach Tonglong City, they won’t have to worry about running out of ammo.
As for the troops coming down from the central front, they must continue their advance toward Gunan City! Sever Hu Hao’s forces, and wipe out the ones surrounding Tonglong City first!” Vostok considered the proposal, nodded, and issued the order.
He hadn’t intended to utilize the troops stationed at the coastal military camps, as they were being prepared to invade other nations.
Moreover, future offensives against the Eastern Spirit Empire’s central and western fronts would also require drawing troops from there. He hadn’t anticipated needing to deploy them to the front lines so soon.
Meanwhile, in the capital, within the Emperor’s office at the Imperial Palace, Tang Long and the Crown Prince sat across from the Emperor. The Emperor had just summoned Tang Long.
After his phone calls with Hu Hao, the Emperor realized Hu Hao was proving difficult to control. This immediately brought Tang Long to mind. It seemed Tang Long’s previous apprehensions weren’t entirely unfounded after all.
“Tang Long, how much do you know about the situation regarding Hu Hao?” the Emperor asked, looking at Tang Long.
“I don’t know much, but I firmly believe this person cannot be heavily relied upon. I do not deny his combat prowess. However, he is young, holds a high position, and now controls ten corps. In the future, he will inevitably become a threat to the Empire’s stability.
That is why I have consistently opposed promoting him to Army Group Commander. Nevertheless, since Your Majesty and the other generals value his command abilities so highly, promoting him is understandable. But we must strictly control the size of his forces, and we must dispatch a Chief of Staff to his side!”
Hearing the Emperor’s question, Tang Long knew there must be friction between Hu Hao and the Emperor. Since there was friction, this would be easy to handle. He immediately laid out his thoughts with grave seriousness.
“But we currently have no way to establish a corridor to his location. Furthermore, it is the rainy season, so there are few opportunities for our aircraft to take off. Sending a Chief of Staff over is currently impossible,” the Emperor replied thoughtfully.
“We can do it after the rainy season ends. However, I have my doubts as to why Hu Hao hasn’t established contact with us. Since he has the capability to attack so many places, why hasn’t he opened a corridor to our side?
Looking at the map, the shortest distance between them is less than 300 kilometers. As long as Hu Hao and Jiang Kai’s forces coordinate, they could wipe out the Allied corps stationed between them.
Yet, neither Hu Hao nor Jiang Kai has done so. This alone makes them highly suspicious!” Tang Long continued to subtly sow discord against Hu Hao and Jiang Kai.
The Emperor was finally starting to suspect Hu Hao; if Tang Long didn’t seize this opportunity, he wouldn’t be Tang Long.
“Hmm. There is another matter. Why hasn’t the ammunition reached Jiang Kai yet?! The nearest arsenal to him is less than 400 kilometers away! Why are we dispatching ammunition from the arsenals near the capital?!
I know you and Jiang Kai have your differences, but in times of war, personal grievances must be set aside! What exactly is going on?!” the Emperor demanded, glaring at Tang Long.
“Your Majesty, I am deeply wronged! The weapons and ammunition produced daily by the arsenals closest to Jiang Kai are immediately sent to equip our new recruit units. There are simply no reserves!
The consumption rate for training new recruits is immense. We only have so few arsenals in the south; the majority are in the north. Dispatching ammunition from the capital is actually the fastest option right now.
Your Majesty, you also know that during the rainy season, the roads frequently flood, and sinkholes occur. Therefore, it’s completely normal for our convoys to encounter minor delays during transport!” Tang Long immediately stood up and knelt on one knee to plead his case.
“Hmm, rise. When will it reach Jiang Kai?” the Emperor asked.
“Your Majesty, I truly dare not guarantee it. But barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should arrive by tomorrow morning!” Tang Long replied quickly.
“It must be done as quickly as possible. The Allied forces are currently retreating, putting immense pressure on Hu Hao. Jiang Kai also hopes to wipe out a portion of the Allied forces to alleviate the pressure on our Empire once the rainy season ends, buying us crucial preparation time!” the Emperor stated.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have already issued them a strict order, under penalty of death!” Tang Long stood up.
“Tang Long, you are the Crown Prince’s father-in-law. You know how I treat the Crown Prince. I expect you to prioritize the big picture. Although you have been stripped of the Grand Marshal title, you should understand my painstaking efforts. The citizens’ criticism of High Command is currently overwhelming.
If I didn’t remove you, the citizens would direct all their fury at you. I hope you understand this. You are a Viscount and the Crown Prince’s father-in-law. Once peace is restored, even if you cannot resume the position of Grand Marshal, it is highly likely your son will. You must not let petty squabbles with Jiang Kai cloud your judgment now!” the Emperor consoled Tang Long.
“I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty! Also, I am not holding a grudge against Jiang Kai. If he didn’t have Hu Hao, I would have no objections to him being Grand Marshal. But now he has Hu Hao, and he personally controls over 600,000 troops.
Factor in the commoner generals recently drawn from his forces, and the total troops under his influence is rapidly approaching 1.5 million. Your Majesty, a single general controlling so many troops… we cannot afford not to be on guard!” Tang Long cupped his hands, feigning deep distress.
“Hmm. I know you are considering the Empire’s best interests. As for Jiang Kai, there won’t be any problems for now. Once our other troops finish their training, Jiang Kai will realize that 1.5 million troops is nothing to fear.
As for Hu Hao… hmm, that is a minor issue. Hu Hao is currently dissatisfied with us, and I have no idea where this dissatisfaction stems from. Therefore, we must observe him further before acting,” the Emperor mused.
“Your Majesty, regardless of the circumstances, we must force Hu Hao and Jiang Kai’s forces to link up! Once they do, we will be able to control Hu Hao!” Tang Long insisted. Hearing this, the Emperor began to consider the idea carefully.
“Your Majesty, Hu Hao must have given you some reason to make you believe his remaining isolated is more beneficial to the Empire. But consider this, Your Majesty: linking up with Jiang Kai is also beneficial to the Empire!
However, if Hu Hao wishes to do whatever he pleases within the First Army Group, linking up would make that impossible! Furthermore, our ability to control Hu Hao is what brings the greatest benefit to the Empire!” Tang Long continued to strongly urge the Emperor.
(End of Chapter)