Seeing Tang Long still harping on this issue, the Emperor felt profound disappointment. If Tang Long's father hadn't helped him secure the throne back in the day, the Emperor would have kicked him out of High Command long ago. What time was it now? The Empire was on the brink of annihilation, yet Tang Long was still prioritizing his personal interests, still slandering Hu Hao and Jiang Kai! Right now, these two were the only capable generals the Empire could field, yet Tang Long continued to target them.
"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty. My loyalty to the Empire is absolute. I only hope that the Empire can defeat the Allied forces, and I hope that the generals in various regions will obey Your Majesty's commands!" Tang Long stated as he stood there.
"Sit down. Deliver the ammunition Jiang Kai needs immediately. If a strategic opportunity is lost because the ammunition is not delivered in time, I will hold you personally responsible!" the Emperor commanded, glaring at Tang Long!
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tang Long nodded upon hearing this!
"Alright. Luo Xin, and the rest of you, discuss this. Xiongwei, what are your thoughts on Jiang Kai's counter-offensive? You may speak!" the Emperor said, looking at Ma Xiongwei.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Regarding Jiang Kai's operation, I'm actually not very optimistic. The opportunity arose too suddenly, and coupled with our inadequate preparation, it might not achieve the desired results. Moreover, frontline ammunition is currently insufficient. Completely annihilating those enemy forces is entirely impossible. However, reclaiming some lost territory would still be an excellent outcome!" Ma Xiongwei stood up and addressed the Emperor!
"Sit down and speak!" The Emperor motioned with his hand, signaling him to sit.
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, regarding Hu Hao, I believe granting him the designation of ten corps is not an issue. However, we absolutely must send a Chief of Staff over to him quickly.
If Commander Jiang Kai can establish a connection with Hu Hao's forces, then a Chief of Staff must be dispatched immediately. After all, Hu Hao is a young man, inexperienced in the ways of the world. I worry he might be swayed by malicious individuals and make misguided decisions. For a young man in his twenties to have an impulsive nature is understandable. Therefore, we must send someone to guide him!
The Chief of Staff for Hu Hao's First Army Group must be chosen carefully so they can help Hu Hao make the correct decisions!" Ma Xiongwei stated.
"Hmm, General Ma's words are very reasonable. We must select the Chief of Staff for Hu Hao's side carefully!" Luo Xin nodded in agreement upon hearing this!
"Do we have any candidates?" the Emperor asked, looking at Luo Xin.
"None. We only have so many capable generals. If the person we send out cannot assist Hu Hao and instead clashes with him, it will be troublesome. Hu Hao's rise has been too rapid; many of us here are still unfamiliar with him!" Luo Xin replied to the Emperor.
"Currently, the heavy rain is pouring, grounding the Air Force, and the land routes are blocked by several enemy corps. It's difficult for us to even get there. We can only wait for good news from Jiang Kai's side!" The Emperor nodded, knowing that sending someone over right now was incredibly difficult!
"There's one more thing. I anticipate that once the rainy season ends, the Allied forces will definitely try to wipe out Hu Hao. Therefore, it will be very difficult for us to open a supply corridor to him. As Jiang Kai just mentioned, the Allied forces might retreat.
Once they retreat, they will press down on Hu Hao's location. When that happens, we will still be separated from him. Your Majesty, I hope you place great importance on Hu Hao's side.
Looking at it now, Hu Hao has rendered immense merit to the Empire. By being there, he has drawn the Allied forces' fire. If Hu Hao can disrupt the Allied logistical supply lines until the rainy season ends, it will be extremely difficult for the Allied forces to organize an offensive against our central front afterward.
Therefore, the pressure on the central front will not be as immense when the time comes! This is also Hu Hao's merit. Currently, we've only calculated Hu Hao's direct combat achievements, but we haven't factored in this strategic contribution!" Luo Xin explained to the Emperor.
He had a very favorable impression of Hu Hao. He genuinely hoped that Hu Hao could command the entire Army's combat operations; that way, the Empire's hope would be far greater. But for now, the resistance was too strong!
At noon, Tang Long returned home in a huff, sitting and sulking. He had lost a massive amount of face at High Command today. Jiang Kai had talked back to him, Luo Xin and Liang Kuan had opposed him, and even the Emperor had suppressed him. He was brimming with rage!
"Master, Mr. Wu is here!" one of Tang Long's stewards approached and informed him.
"Oh, show him in! Bring him to my study!" Upon hearing this, Tang Long immediately stood up and instructed the steward.
"Yes, sir!" The steward promptly left. Tang Long headed straight to the study. Just as he arrived, the so-called Mr. Wu also appeared!
"Please, sit. The rest of you, leave us!" Tang Long ordered his guards. The guards immediately turned and exited, closing the door behind them.
"Mr. Wu, when will my clan be relocated to the Mara Empire?" Tang Long asked Mr. Wu.
Tang Long didn't know Mr. Wu's real name; he only knew the man was from the Central Region. He looked incredibly ordinary—the kind of person no one would notice if thrown into a crowd. But Tang Long knew this man was far from simple. Especially when he spoke, his eyes would gleam sharply, and his half-smile made him entirely unreadable.
"General Tang, there's no rush. If your family were to move right now, I imagine your Emperor would become suspicious of you, wouldn't he?" Mr. Wu sat there, smiling as he looked at Tang Long.
"But it's not safe here. If I continue like this, His Majesty will only grow more suspicious of me. I can only do what needs to be done when my clan is safe!" Tang Long stated as he sat there!
"Isn't that why General Tang is considered a hero of a generation? Always thinking far ahead. However, General Tang, if your clan wishes to move now, there is only one way: arrange for your clan members to join your family's troops. Once they do, we will have a plan!" Mr. Wu smiled at Tang Long, maintaining his pleasant expression.
"What do you mean? There's a war going on at the front lines!" Tang Long looked at him and asked upon hearing this. Right now, he absolutely did not want the youths of his family entering the military. It was incredibly dangerous. Not only would they have to face the Allied forces, but they would also have to deal with their own subordinates!
"General Tang, for the long-term benefit of our Allied forces, our Mara Empire's Emperor intends for you to stop targeting Hu Hao and Jiang Kai for now. Instead, you should find a way to firmly control your family's troops. That is the only way we can achieve our grand ambitions!" Mr. Wu explained.
"Control our family's troops? And your idea is?" Tang Long pondered for a moment before looking at Mr. Wu and asking.
"The Allied forces need to push to Dongling City as quickly as possible. Once we eliminate your Emperor, I believe this nation will be finished. Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't help. I think you also know that the fall of your Eastern Spirit Empire is only a matter of time. With over seventy nations united against us, how could your single Eastern Spirit Empire possibly stop us?" Mr. Wu said as he sat there.
"True, true!" Tang Long nodded. Deep down, he agreed with this assessment. Otherwise, he never would have made such a choice.
"Therefore, we need your troops to abandon their defensive lines once the rainy season ends, allowing our Allied forces to march straight in and strike directly at Dongling City!" Mr. Wu stated.
"What? No, no! The troops below won't agree to that. If they find out, not a single youth from my family will be left alive. The risk is too great!" Tang Long immediately shook his head upon hearing this!
"Tang Long, you can rest completely assured about those subordinates; leave them to us to handle. As long as our forces break through the western defensive line, we can absolutely protect the safety of your clan members!" Mr. Wu continued. Hearing this, Tang Long's expression became unreadable.
He knew the Eastern Spirit Empire couldn't be held, but he still lacked the courage to actually carry out such an act.
If it were just dealing with Jiang Kai and Hu Hao, he'd be bold enough. The people at High Command, even the Emperor, all knew that Tang Long didn't get along with Jiang Kai and Hu Hao. No matter what he said about them, no one would suspect he was colluding with the Allied forces.
"General Tang, this is the land deed for an estate in the Kyrios Province of our Mara Empire. As you know, Kyrios Province is located on the northern coast. Our Emperor has bestowed a great gift upon you. This is the deed for an area of approximately 3,000 mu, containing several manors. It is more than enough for your clan to reside and live comfortably.
Our Emperor has already considered your future arrangements. Now, we need you to act for our Empire!" Mr. Wu pulled a land deed from his bag and handed it to Tang Long. Tang Long took the deed and examined it carefully.
"Furthermore, our Emperor has stated that once the matter is settled, our Empire will reward you with 300 million Mara Dollars. Combined with the wealth your Tang family has accumulated over generations, it will be more than enough for your clan to live incredibly well, won't it?" Mr. Wu smiled as he looked at Tang Long.
"Please convey my thanks to your Emperor!" Tang Long said, looking at the deed, immensely pleased.
"You should thank him in person. Your family's troops are currently all on the western front. As long as you open a gap in the defensive line and let our Allied forces surge in, you won't need to do anything further. We will ensure the safety of you and your clan.
I believe the word of our Mara Empire's Emperor is a solid guarantee!" Mr. Wu assured Tang Long.
"Yes, yes!" Tang Long nodded upon hearing this.
"As for how to execute this, that is for you to consider. For now, stop targeting Jiang Kai and Hu Hao. Focus on managing and asserting control over your troops. That will make it easier for us to act later. As for Hu Hao and Jiang Kai, once the rainy season ends, our forces can annihilate them at any time. You need not worry about them!" Mr. Wu told Tang Long. Tang Long nodded repeatedly.
"Then that settles it. Await my news!" Mr. Wu stood up as he spoke.
"Alright!" Tang Long stood up as well, agreeing to Mr. Wu's terms!
"Farewell!" Mr. Wu cupped his fists toward Tang Long, then turned and walked toward the door.
(End of Chapter)