Chapter 157: In the Clear

Tang Junjie heard Jiang Kai’s phone call with His Majesty and was highly displeased. He could tell that Jiang Kai was doing everything in his power to protect Hu Hao.

In truth, Jiang Kai knew perfectly well that if the Allied forces hadn’t sent reinforcements, and if the other Combat Zones hadn’t been beaten back into retreat once again, His Majesty definitely wouldn’t have let Hu Hao off the hook. He actually had the Allied forces to thank for this. Right now, His Majesty desperately needed Jiang Kai to hold the defensive line.

Furthermore, Jiang Kai had told His Majesty that without Hu Hao, he couldn’t hold it. Only because of this did His Majesty let Hu Hao go. Tang Junjie was also feeling incredibly frustrated staying in Jiang Kai’s office, so he quickly took his leave. Jiang Kai smiled and escorted him to the entrance of the command center. After watching him disappear down the corridor, Jiang Kai burst into laughter.

“Haha! Commander, Hu Hao is in the clear this time!” Sun Qinxue said to Jiang Kai with a smile.

“That kid… he just loves causing trouble for me! Tell me, why did he have to go and provoke Mu Zhifu for no reason? Ah? To get targeted by a Combat Zone Commander… that kid!” Jiang Kai laughed.

“However, we have to hold this place for two months this time. Are you confident?” Sun Qinxue stood there, looking at Jiang Kai with a smile.

“Sigh, I’m not confident. But I know the other Combat Zones are even less confident. I just told His Majesty: if the other Combat Zones can hold, then our Combat Zone can hold too. Think about it: as long as the other Combat Zones stop retreating and don’t let the Allied forces threaten our flanks, we are safe. Now that His Majesty has authorized us to increase our troop strength to 600,000, I think our chances of holding the line are much higher than the other Combat Zones.” Jiang Kai explained.

“Mm, that’s true. I’m just worried that we’ll get screwed over by the other units. Once they retreat, our flanks will be exposed, forcing us to retreat as well!” Sun Qinxue nodded.

“Mm. If that happens, we’ll have to retreat. Alright, let me call that kid Hu Hao first. Otherwise, who knows what he’s planning. He might already be deploying troops to kill Tang Junjie!” Jiang Kai chuckled.

“Mm, you should tell him. However, I’m very curious—why did you warn Tang Junjie? Why didn’t you just let him go?” Sun Qinxue asked.

“Sigh, it’s better to avoid more trouble. Hu Hao already has enough on his plate right now. If he actually killed Tang Junjie, do you think the Grand Marshal would ever let him go?” Jiang Kai replied.

“That’s true. But even if he doesn’t kill him, Tang Junjie and the Grand Marshal’s family won’t let Hu Hao off the hook anyway. After all, Tang Junjie lost a massive amount of face here previously and has become everyone’s laughingstock. If he doesn’t kill Hu Hao, Tang Junjie will probably never be able to hold his head high for the rest of his life. And getting promoted to Full General would be impossible. How could a general who pisses his pants at the sound of gunshots ever be promoted?” Sun Qinxue laughed.

“Mm, enough of that. I’m calling Hu Hao!” Jiang Kai picked up the satellite phone and immediately dialed Hu Hao’s number.

“Hello, Commander!” Hu Hao answered promptly.

“Hu Hao, I spoke with His Majesty about this incident, and you’re in the clear. The High Command investigators will be heading back shortly. But could you please stop causing trouble for me? Ah?” Jiang Kai said with a laugh over the phone.

“Ah? You actually managed to persuade His Majesty? Commander, you must have laid it all on the line, didn’t you?” Hu Hao asked with a grin.

“As long as you know. Let me tell you, His Majesty requires us to hold the line for two months. The other Combat Zones have been continually beaten back; our Combat Zone is the only one still holding its ground right now. Furthermore, His Majesty said that if we can hold this place, your previous transgressions will be forgiven, and you will even be promoted. Oh, right, His Majesty also told me to pass a message to you: Fight well. As long as you are wholly dedicated to the country, His Majesty will not be stingy with rewards!” Jiang Kai smiled.

“Commander, I, Hu Hao, have always charged at the very front lines! I do this entirely for the country and the civilians!” Hu Hao quickly affirmed.

“I know. But Hu Hao, you really must fight well this time. His Majesty has remembered you. As long as you continue to achieve merit, I believe a promotion to General is guaranteed. Right now, I want nothing more than to promote you to General. That way, the soldiers in our Combat Zone won’t secretly curse me behind my back anymore, and the men will fight with their lives on the line!” Jiang Kai explained over the phone.

“I will definitely fight hard. But whether we can win or not, I can’t say for sure. No one can guarantee that kind of thing, right?” Hu Hao chuckled.

“Of course I know that. By the way, the Allied forces have mobilized another four corps. One of those corps might be heading your way. You need to be careful!” Jiang Kai warned.

“More troops are coming? Four more corps?!” Hu Hao asked in shock.

“Yes. This time, His Majesty has authorized us to expand our forces to 600,000 men. By the way, how many troops do you actually have on hand? Tell me the truth!” Jiang Kai suddenly asked.

“Right now, including the wounded… roughly 34,000 men!” Hu Hao thought for a moment and gave an estimate.

“34,000 men… how many casualties did you suffer previously?” Jiang Kai was inwardly shocked.

“I included the severely wounded. I didn’t count the ones who died in action. I plan to formally integrate the deceased soldiers into the 87th Division’s regular ranks. That way, they died for their country, and their families can receive the pension!” Hu Hao stated.

“Oh, alright. In that case, don’t expand your forces any further. Keep it as is. Also, how many enemy troops are left on the opposite bank? Are you confident you can wipe them out?” Jiang Kai continued.

“Yes. But if another corps comes, Commander, our men will be exhausted. If we wipe out the current Allied forces and the next corps arrives, my 87th Division will have single-handedly faced four Allied corps. The Allied forces have committed a total of 13 corps to attack our defensive lines this time, and I’m blocking four of them right here. And you’re only giving me this many troops?” Hu Hao argued.

“You still want more troops?” Jiang Kai asked in astonishment.

“Of course! The more troops, the better!” Hu Hao nodded.

“No, no. Just maintain your current troop levels; you can’t have any more. The other divisions and corps need troops too. Normally, we wouldn’t have even doubled our size, yet your sector has already tripled. You cannot ask for more!” Jiang Kai quickly reasoned with him.

“But our division is facing so many enemy forces. How are we supposed to fight?” Hu Hao pressed.

“I will deploy some troops to your sector. Do not expand on your own anymore. Also, no more private conscription next time. That is a massive taboo in our Empire, do you understand? When it’s time to expand, I will keep you in mind!” Jiang Kai instructed.

“By the way, Commander, who exactly leaked the information this time? Logically speaking, they shouldn’t have found out this quickly!” Hu Hao remembered and immediately asked.

“Who else could it be? Mu Zhifu. I mean, you aren’t even in the same Combat Zone as him; how did you manage to offend him? You’ve offended enough people already. Can’t you give me a break?” Jiang Kai sighed.

“I knew it was him. Motherfucker, the next time I get a chance, I’ll kill him!” Hu Hao cursed.

“Alright, save that talk for next time. Right now, I need to figure out how to deal with the Allied forces. Do you have any suggestions?” Jiang Kai asked.

“No. What could I possibly do right now? We can’t launch a general offensive; we can only defend. So, we’ll just defend our lines well and that’s it!” Hu Hao shook his head.

“Mm, that’s true. Alright, I won’t say anymore. Fight well. This incident is in the past, so don’t let it weigh on your mind. I need to make arrangements on my end too!” Jiang Kai said.

“Yes, thank you, Commander!” Hu Hao replied with a smile.

“Hehe!” Jiang Kai chuckled and hung up.

“No problems on Hu Hao’s end?” Sun Qinxue asked Jiang Kai with a smile.

“No. However, if Hu Hao can really stall four Allied corps for us, our remaining troops will face nine Allied corps. With our upcoming expansion, we still have a chance. I’m not actually worried about our own defensive lines right now; I’m worried about the safety of our two flanks. If they retreat without notifying us, we’ll be surrounded. That would be lethal!” Jiang Kai stood up and walked over to the map, beginning to consider their next steps.

Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Hu Hao looked at Xiao Quan with a smile.

“Are you in the clear?” Xiao Quan asked, standing there.

“I’m in the clear!” Hu Hao nodded with a smile.

“Excellent!” The staff officers all smiled upon hearing this.

“Oh, right. Notify Ye Zifeng, Bai Ye, and the others. Tell them I’m fine, the incident is over, and the Commander took the heat for me!” Hu Hao instructed the staff officers.

“Understood!” the staff officers replied happily.

“As long as you’re fine. But Hao-ge, I just heard you ask the Commander who exactly leaked the information. Did you find out?” Xiao Quan asked.

“I did. Ah, right! Someone go call Huan Xingtao over here!” Hu Hao suddenly said to a staff officer.

“Yes, sir!” A staff officer immediately began contacting Huan Xingtao.

“What? Calling him over to head to Late City?” Xiao Quan looked at Hu Hao and asked with a grin.

“I just hope that kid hasn’t run off somewhere else and is still in the hospital. As long as he’s in the hospital, I’m going to drag him to the front lines!” Hu Hao laughed.

“Holy shit, Hao-ge, you’re going to grab a Full General’s son?” Xiao Quan’s eyes widened in shock.

“Not grab, conscript. I’m conscripting him as a soldier for our 87th Division! Mm, that’s a good excuse. A very good excuse!” Hu Hao looked at Xiao Quan, admiring his own reasoning.

(End of Chapter)