When the Emperor revealed that Hu Hao had already recaptured roughly four provinces’ worth of territory, every general in the conference room was utterly shocked!
“It’s a pity Hu Hao cannot return to High Command right now. If he were here, a full-scale counter-offensive against the Allied forces wouldn’t be impossible!” the Emperor remarked from his seat.
“I agree! Order Jiang Kai to immediately force a link-up with Hu Hao’s forces, and then invite Hu Hao to take charge of High Command! I am willing to yield my position to him!” Luo Xin immediately offered. Liang Kuan also voiced his agreement. The other generals, however, remained silent.
“Do you all object to Hu Hao taking charge of High Command?” the Emperor asked, looking at Yu Hongyu.
“Your Majesty, it’s not that I object. I am simply considering the consequences. If Hu Hao is recalled from the front lines, what will happen to his First Army Group? Leading those troops, Hu Hao was able to recapture four provinces. The First Army Group is undoubtedly an elite fighting force. If Hu Hao comes here, what if it negatively impacts the First Army Group’s combat effectiveness?” Yu Hongyu countered quickly.
“Hmm. That is a valid point to consider. However, if any of you have thoughts regarding Hu Hao taking charge of High Command, speak freely. We are merely discussing this for now. After all, we can’t even contact Hu Hao right now; whether he would even be willing to come is another question entirely!” the Emperor stated.
“Well… having him come is fine. After all, Hu Hao’s military merit is immense. My concern is that the troops of the other Combat Zones might not submit to him. If that happens, Hu Hao might not be able to control those forces effectively!” Yu Hongyu elaborated.
“Can you not assist him? You are also members of High Command!” the Emperor stared at him.
“Yes, of course, we will assist him! But that situation is guaranteed to arise!” Yu Hongyu insisted.
Hearing Yu Hongyu’s words, Luo Xin knew instantly that the aristocratic military families of the Army still did not want Hu Hao in High Command. They refused to submit to a young man in his early twenties sitting above them.
“Hmm. We are simply having a discussion right now. We want Hu Hao to come, but he might not even be willing to!” the Emperor said, sounding somewhat dispirited.
He truly did want either Hu Hao or Jiang Kai to take charge of High Command. However, both of them were currently at odds with High Command. Both had explicitly stated that unless High Command reformed, they would not obey its orders. This left the Emperor deeply troubled!
“Your Majesty, has Hu Hao truly recaptured four provinces?!” Luo Xin asked, still finding it hard to believe!
“Correct. Jiang Kai informed me last night. Hu Hao’s forces have been engaged in continuous combat, which is why he harbors such deep resentment toward High Command. Of course, I know this has little to do with you. You’ve performed quite well since becoming Grand Marshal.
Our current priority is finding a way to pacify Hu Hao and Jiang Kai. The incident in Tonglong City has caused them to harbor massive grievances against us!” The Emperor nodded.
Luo Xin also realized that the Emperor’s recent handling of Tang Long—stripping him of his authority over the arsenals—was likely a show put on for Hu Hao and Jiang Kai. Whether those two would buy it, however, was unknown.
“Your Majesty, if Hu Hao refuses to come, Jiang Kai can come!” Luo Xin suggested after a moment’s thought.
“If Jiang Kai comes, what about the Southwest Combat Zone troops? Who will defend the central front?” the Emperor countered.
“Have Hu Hao and Jiang Kai link up, and then grant Hu Hao command over the central front troops! With Hu Hao there, I believe the central front will be secure. At the very least, High Command wouldn’t have to worry about the central front’s defenses anymore. The fact that Hu Hao managed to survive and thrive while surrounded proves his exceptional command abilities. I believe he would handle it perfectly!” Luo Xin proposed.
“Hmm. But Hu Hao already controls ten corps. On the central front, Jiang Kai also has nearly ten corps. That would give Hu Hao control over more than a million troops. Is that appropriate?” the Emperor questioned, looking at Luo Xin.
“This…” Hearing this, Luo Xin finally understood. The Emperor did not want Hu Hao to directly control too many troops.
If Hu Hao came to High Command to serve as Grand Marshal, the Emperor would have no objections. But granting Hu Hao control over twenty corps while he remained on the front lines? That made the Emperor uneasy.
“Hmm. Let’s wait and see. We’ll observe whether Hu Hao is willing to come to High Command first!” the Emperor concluded.
…
Meanwhile, riding in his car, Tang Long was seething with rage. He hadn’t expected the Emperor to not only strip him of his authority over the arsenals but also force him out of High Command! Although framed as an “inspection tour,” Tang Long knew exactly what it meant.
If the western front suffered defeats, he would be in deep trouble. Furthermore, the Emperor hadn’t specified when this “inspection tour” would end. Tang Long worried that while his son might secure a post in High Command, he himself might be permanently sidelined. He was only in his fifties!
Tang Long sat in the car, staring silently out the window. His expression shifted constantly, occasionally grinding his teeth! Upon returning to his mansion, Tang Long walked toward his study, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Master, you’re back early?” one of Tang Long’s concubines asked.
“Mhm. Some matters arose,” Tang Long replied vaguely before entering his study and sitting down.
He picked up the satellite phone in his study and dialed his eldest son, Tang Yingjie.
“Father!” Tang Yingjie answered promptly.
“Yingjie, High Command will issue an order shortly recalling you to the capital immediately. You must stall for two days! Do you understand?” Tang Long instructed.
“Ah?” Tang Yingjie was highly surprised, not understanding his father’s intentions.
“Tomorrow, I will depart for an inspection tour of the western front. I will bring your two younger brothers with me, as well as my grandson!” Tang Long stated.
“Father, you… now?!” Hearing this, Tang Yingjie immediately recalled what his father had told him previously and asked urgently.
“The Emperor is currently extremely dissatisfied with me. Not only did he just strip me of my authority over the arsenals, but he also ordered me to inspect the western front. I didn’t have an opportunity to leave before, but now he’s handed me one! He thinks High Command and those fools in the Empire can hold the defensive lines! Keep dreaming! We have no intention of dying alongside them!” Tang Long hissed through gritted teeth.
“Father, isn’t this a bit rushed? Perhaps you should reconsider?” Tang Yingjie suggested.
“There is nothing to reconsider! The entire Central Region will be slaughtered clean eventually! You stall your departure for two days! Wait until I arrive before doing anything else! Remember that!” Tang Long ordered!
“Understood. Second Brother and Third Brother still don’t know about this. You must keep it from them, especially Third Brother. He’s too arrogant and reckless; do not let him know our true objective!” Tang Yingjie reminded his father.
“I know!” With that, Tang Long hung up.
Next, Tang Long dialed another number and spoke a single sentence: “Come to my house for a chat!”
He hung up and waited in his study.
Roughly half an hour later, the Mr. Wu who had previously visited his home reappeared in his study!
“Greetings, General Tang!” Mr. Wu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Mhm, good. Please sit. I invited you here because a massive variable has occurred! You need to contact your superiors immediately!” Tang Long gestured for him to sit and got straight to the point!
“A variable? What kind of variable?” Mr. Wu asked.
“I am heading to the western front for an inspection tour. Therefore, this is a golden opportunity!” Tang Long declared.
“An inspection tour of the western front? Now?!” Mr. Wu looked at Tang Long in surprise!
“You can have your forces on the western front prepare! Once I arrive, our plan can be executed at any moment!” Tang Long smiled at Mr. Wu.
“Impossible. We cannot do that,” Mr. Wu immediately shook his head.
“What do you mean, impossible?! Why not?!” Tang Long was caught off guard and demanded an explanation in astonishment.
“General Tang, it is currently the rainy season. The western front is over 1,000 kilometers away from the capital! Even if we breach your western defensive lines, attacking the capital is impossible.
Firstly, we simply do not have enough troops here. Your Emperor has deployed nearly 700,000 troops around the capital.
Secondly, it is the rainy season. Launching an offensive requires massive amounts of combat supplies. Our logistics cannot guarantee that supply chain. Transportation is incredibly difficult. Furthermore, Hu Hao’s forces are currently threatening our logistical supply lines!
Not only are the central front supply lines threatened, but the western front supply lines aren’t far from Hu Hao’s position either. If we launch an offensive, Hu Hao might deploy troops to sever our supply lines! Therefore, this is impossible!” Mr. Wu explained.
“Supplies are not an issue! I have massive stockpiles of supplies on the western front! And the troops around the capital are not an issue either! I know exactly what kind of stuff they are made of. Those officers are all Royal Family scions with zero actual ability; they’re only good at playing politics!
As long as your troops charge over, I guarantee the forces defending the capital will rout instantly!
Furthermore, we have quite a few airfields on the western front. The heavy rains will ease up soon. In five days at most, the rain will begin to weaken, and we’ll start seeing some sunlight every day. Your air force will be able to launch sorties then!” Tang Long argued passionately, trying to persuade Mr. Wu.
“Hmm… hearing you put it that way, there does seem to be an opportunity here!” Mr. Wu nodded thoughtfully.
“Exactly! It’s a golden opportunity! If I don’t go to the western front this time, who knows when the next opportunity will arise? Primarily, my safety must be guaranteed, correct? If I am in the capital when my troops open the defensive lines, could I possibly survive? Am I right?” Tang Long asked Mr. Wu.
“That is true. We must guarantee General Tang’s safety!” Mr. Wu nodded immediately.
“Therefore, you can request instructions from your superiors. I depart tomorrow and will arrive at the western front the morning after next. Five days from now, you can commence operations! If we don’t act now, who knows when the next chance will be!” Tang Long pressed Mr. Wu.
(End of Chapter)