Upon seeing the previous night’s casualty report from Liangcheng, Vostok thought of the troops stationed in Tonglong City. He immediately asked Vitali if there was any news regarding the captured generals.
Vitali believed they had likely been killed, as several days had passed without a single word from them. Vostok, however, deemed this impossible!
“If Hu Hao wasn’t going to kill them, why capture them in the first place? It’s common knowledge that neither side takes prisoners in this war! When we capture Eastern Spirit soldiers, we execute them as well! Hu Hao couldn’t possibly be trying to persuade our generals to surrender, could he?” Vitali reasoned, looking at Vostok.
“I don’t know. We haven’t received any news from Hu Hao’s side, so we have no idea what his true intentions are. Oh, right, have our troops reached Xiuyang City yet? When can they launch a counter-offensive against Mengshui City and Tonglong City?” Vostok shook his head, shifting his focus to the troops that had just deployed from the military camp and asking about their readiness.
“Report! We estimate they will be fully prepared by tonight. Our plan is to commence the counter-offensive tomorrow!
Last night, Hu Hao’s forces appeared in Dingze City. However, they haven’t deployed their main force yet; it’s still just small units conducting harassment operations. They do not pose a fatal threat to our forces in Dingze City. Therefore, tomorrow during the day, our troops will launch offensives against Hu Hao from both directions simultaneously,” Vitali reported.
Vostok was now standing before the large map in the command center, his eyes fixed on the blue area representing Hu Hao’s controlled territory. The area had grown considerably large.
“Do you believe we can succeed?” Vostok asked.
“We can. We are committing eight corps to this two-pronged offensive. No matter how many troops Hu Hao has, he couldn’t possibly devour eight entire corps, could he?” Vitali stated confidently.
“It will be difficult. Think about how many of our troops Hu Hao has already devoured! Back in Late City, his single corps wiped out four of ours! Now that Hu Hao possesses a massive mobile force, eliminating him will be incredibly difficult!” Vostok shook his head. Vitali stared at him in surprise.
“Order our troops: their ultimate objective is Gunan City! Once they reach Gunan City, they are to halt! If we attempt to push into Hu Hao’s core territory, this number of troops will not be enough!
We must wait until the rainy season ends to mobilize more troops to besiege him. Damn it, why do I feel like Hu Hao’s meager forces are much harder to fight than their Emperor’s entire army?! On the Eastern Spirit Emperor’s side, only Jiang Kai is somewhat capable of fighting! Everywhere else, the moment we launch a fierce assault, their troops retreat!” Vostok cursed.
He felt that although Hu Hao’s forces were relatively few in number, they posed the greatest threat to his army.
“Exactly. I share the same feeling. Hu Hao’s troops might not look like much, but their combat effectiveness is truly terrifying,” Vitali nodded in agreement.
“For this offensive, our primary objective is to regain control of Mengshui City and Tonglong City to secure our supply lines! Our secondary objective is to push Hu Hao’s forces back toward Gunan City, or even capture Gunan City itself! As long as we achieve these two objectives, our eight-corps offensive will be considered a success!” Vostok instructed Vitali!
“Yes, sir!” Vitali nodded in acknowledgment.
“Mhm. If there is any news regarding our captured prisoners, notify me immediately. Also, look here—Zhengren City and Jianchang City. We do not have enough troops stationed here. We only have a single corps located in Zhengren City!
Jianchang City is currently controlled by Jiang Kai. If Hu Hao and Jiang Kai decide to coordinate their actions, our corps here will be in grave danger. More importantly, if Hu Hao’s forces link up with Jiang Kai’s forces, dealing with the two of them will become exponentially more difficult! Dispatch reinforcements there immediately! Send an entire corps to Zhengren City posthaste!” Vostok ordered.
“Understood. We cannot allow those two to link up. If they do, annihilating Hu Hao will become exceedingly difficult!
Furthermore, if Hu Hao returns to the territory controlled by their Emperor, the future risks will multiply. After all, Hu Hao is a capable general who has amassed massive military merit. We cannot let him return to his Emperor’s side!” Vitali nodded, fully agreeing with Vostok’s assessment.
The very reason they had stationed so many troops between Hu Hao and Jiang Kai in the first place was precisely to prevent Hu Hao’s forces from successfully returning!
…
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Spirit Empire’s capital, the Emperor arrived at High Command shortly after waking up. The other generals were already present.
“Report! Your Majesty, yesterday evening, Jiang Kai dispatched troops to seize control of our arsenal in Zhongzhou Province! What exactly is he trying to do?! I beseech Your Majesty to order Jiang Kai to withdraw his troops from our arsenal immediately, and to demand an explanation for his actions!” Tang Long stood up and reported the moment he saw the Emperor arrive.
“What?! Jiang Kai seized control of our arsenal?!” Luo Xin stared at Tang Long in shock.
“Exactly! Last night, the official in charge of the arsenal called me and reported that Jiang Kai’s troops are guarding every corner of the facility! You all claimed previously that Jiang Kai had no intention of rebelling! Look at him now! He has already seized our arsenal!” Tang Long shouted at Luo Xin.
“Enough! I am already aware of this. Jiang Kai reported it to me last night. Tang Long, let me ask you: when Jiang Kai’s troops launched their combat operations, did the arsenal in Zhongzhou Province possess a massive stockpile of ammunition?!” The Emperor cut Tang Long off and glared at him, demanding an answer.
“Ah?” Tang Long was caught off guard.
“I asked you! When Jiang Kai launched his counter-offensive, did the arsenal in Zhongzhou Province possess a massive stockpile of ammunition?!” The Emperor raised his voice, glaring furiously at Tang Long.
“I… I am not clear on that! The data reported by the arsenal stated that those munitions were meant to be sent to equip the new recruit units!” Tang Long immediately claimed ignorance.
“What?! The arsenal in Zhongzhou Province had a massive stockpile of ammunition?! Tang Long, what exactly is going on?! Explain yourself immediately! Why did you refuse to send the ammunition to Jiang Kai when it was sitting right there?! Damn it, do you have any idea how massive a strategic opportunity we missed?! Tang Long, you… you…!” Luo Xin was so furious he could barely speak, pointing a trembling finger at Tang Long!
“I don’t know if there was ammunition there or not! Besides, the prior plan was to equip the new recruits with it!” Tang Long shouted defensively.
Smash! The Emperor violently hurled the teacup in front of him onto the table. Tea splashed everywhere, soaking the table. All the generals shot to their feet, and Tang Long was visibly startled!
“Tang Long! Oh, Tang Long! Our frontline soldiers are fighting desperately! Hu Hao and Jiang Kai have not ceased their combat operations for a single moment since the Allied invasion began, all to recapture lost territory! And you… you… are you trying to anger me to death?!” The Emperor stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Tang Long.
“I… Your Majesty, I truly did not know!” Tang Long stood there, feigning complete innocence as he looked at the Emperor.
“You manage the arsenals, yet you expect us to believe you didn’t know about this?! Ah?! Is this how you manage the arsenals?!” Luo Xin roared.
“Issue my decree: full authority over the arsenals is hereby transferred to Luo Xin!” the Emperor ordered the generals.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the generals acknowledged.
Tang Long was left somewhat stunned. Having just stepped down from the position of Grand Marshal, being stripped of his authority over the arsenals as well left him deeply resentful.
However, he dared not show his anger. Here in the capital, all troops belonged to the Royal Family.
“Tang Long, combat readiness along the western defensive line has consistently been subpar. Starting tomorrow, you will head there to conduct an inspection and ensure the security of our western front! The western front is currently defended by your family’s troops; you must arrange the defenses properly!
Furthermore, Yingjie has performed well on the front lines. He just recently returned to the western front, correct? Have him return tomorrow to serve as a walking official in High Command!” the Emperor declared.
“Ah? Yes, Your Majesty!” Tang Long was even more shocked. The Emperor was essentially banishing him from High Command! While bringing Tang Yingjie back seemed like a concession,
His son was a Full General, yes, but only a three-star Full General! If he returned to High Command, the highest position he could hold would be Vanguard General. Ultimately, the Tang family was still taking a massive loss! Furthermore, sending him to the front lines while recalling Tang Yingjie clearly demonstrated the Emperor’s lack of trust—he was bringing Tang Yingjie to the capital to serve as a hostage!
“You may return and prepare. Regarding Army affairs, Ma Xiongwei and Yu Hongyu, you two will discuss and resolve them. If you cannot reach a decision, report to Grand Marshal Luo Xin!” the Emperor instructed from his seat.
“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave then!” Tang Long cupped his hands to the Emperor, then to the other generals, and exited the High Command conference room!
“Luo Xin, can you establish contact with Jiang Kai and Hu Hao?” the Emperor asked Luo Xin.
“I might be able to contact Jiang Kai. But regarding Hu Hao… to be honest, I am not familiar with him. We have never even met. However, I am well aware of his combat capabilities!” Luo Xin replied.
“Hmm. Jiang Kai is familiar with Hu Hao. When you contact Jiang Kai, ask for more news regarding Hu Hao. Hu Hao has already recaptured nearly four provinces’ worth of territory and is still currently engaged in combat!
It is a pity Hu Hao refuses to contact High Command or me. I know he harbors deep resentment toward High Command. I simply cannot think of a way to resolve this issue right now!” the Emperor lamented!
“What?! Hu Hao recaptured four provinces?! This… this… we haven’t received a single piece of intelligence regarding this!” Luo Xin and the other generals were utterly shocked. They truly had no idea.
“This… Hu Hao… isn’t he a little too good at fighting wars?” Yu Hongyu couldn’t help but marvel.
(End of Chapter)