Chapter 117: Hu Hao’s Analysis

Jiang Kai, He Jingzhong, and Tang Junjie were still arguing in the command post. Sun Qinxue couldn’t do much besides trying to mediate; after all, he didn’t have the status to criticize those two directly.

After a long time, it grew late, and Tang Junjie and the others left the command post in a huff. He Jingzhong even threatened to report Jiang Kai to His Majesty, but Jiang Kai didn’t care.

Once they were gone, Jiang Kai immediately had someone fetch Hu Hao. When Hu Hao walked into the command post, he saw Jiang Kai sitting there smoking, looking frustrated.

“Oh, you lit up yourself?” Hu Hao joked upon seeing him.

“Sigh, goddamn it, what a pair. Here!” Jiang Kai threw a pack of cigarettes across the table as Hu Hao approached. Hu Hao caught it, pulled one out, handed one to Sun Qinxue, and then set the pack on the table.

“I say, you should’ve known better. Why’d you call me over before you had them handled? You made me offend that young master,” Hu Hao said, sitting at the table and looking at Jiang Kai.

“I didn’t expect such a strong reaction from them. Tang Junjie was terrified we’d change his operational plan. They probably know about you already—they likely know it was your help that led to our last victory!” Jiang Kai said.

“They even know that?” Hu Hao asked, surprised.

“How could they not? Everyone in the Southwest Combat Zone knows. Why would it be a surprise that they found out?” Sun Qinxue said, handing Hu Hao a cup of water.

“Fine, forget it. Hu Hao, let’s go. We’re heading into the conference room. Men, take these maps to Conference Room 1 and bring in some fresh maps!” Jiang Kai stood up and headed toward the room next door. Hu Hao followed, water in hand.

Soon, the three were seated in the conference room. Once the staff officers finished hanging the maps, Hu Hao looked at the previous ones and shook his head with a bitter smile.

“High Command wants us to hold for two months, but look at these defenses. They wouldn’t even last two days.

Take the center section, for example. If the Allied forces suddenly concentrated two corps and charged through here, we wouldn’t be able to hold.

We wouldn’t even have reinforcements. Once they break through the middle, the units on both flanks are in trouble.”

“True. When I first saw this defense map, it looked good—too good, actually. It tried to cover everything, but something felt off. That feeling didn’t just come from the map; it’s because I don’t trust the Grand Marshal. I can’t trust anyone he sends over,” Jiang Kai nodded.

“We have 330,000 troops, but there are really only five key areas we need to defend. These main transport hubs, and these smaller spots that need some troops.

For the rest, we just need scouts. The Allied forces can’t break through here; it’s all forest without any major roads.

They’d have to use tanks, and if we place scouts at the forest entrance, we’ll know as soon as they move.

We can ambush them right there. They won’t dare come this way, especially if they know our scouts are watching. Coming here would just be suicide!”

“Moreover, only two of our defensive positions need heavy troop concentrations. In the other areas, one of our divisions can hold off an entire enemy corps.

By utilizing the rivers and our fortifications, it doesn’t matter how many troops the Allies send. The real danger is the Yangshan area.

This is where the river bends, and the Allied forces could find a spot to break through. However, if we have enough artillery, it shouldn’t be a problem.

We can cover the area. If they try to cross there, our artillery will teach them a hard lesson!”

“By doing it this way, we can still form a mobile reserve of about 100,000 men. This afternoon, I finished setting up the lines for our 27th Corps. There shouldn’t be any major issues there, and we still have one division from the 27th as a mobile unit.”

“We can still form a mobile reserve of 100,000?” Jiang Kai asked, looking at Hu Hao in astonishment.

“Yes, about 100,000. We’ll build it using armored vehicles and Air Cavalry. If the Allied forces make a mistake, we deploy the mobile units immediately and devour them.

If we can wipe out two of their corps, they won’t dare attack so aggressively. Wipe out three, and they’ll give up on trying to break our line entirely.

If we can take out four, they’ll retreat. Commander, the rainy season starts in less than a month.

If we can hold them back until it starts, the next few months will be quiet. Fighting in the rainy season will be a nightmare for the Allied forces.

They aren’t adapted to our weather. And that’s exactly when we can counter-attack!”

“We’ll worry about the counter-attack later. As long as we can hold the line, we’ll definitely strike back if the opportunity arises. This is our Empire’s territory; reclaiming even an inch is worth it,” Jiang Kai nodded.

“Anyway, it’s late, and I’ve been wanting to sleep for a while. Let’s finish the deployment quickly. You’ll need to let the Corps and Division Commanders adjust based on the actual situation. I can only provide the basic principles and our overall objective. I’m sure those commanders will know how to adjust once they see the goal, right?”

“That won’t be a problem. I’ll personally go and inspect every unit,” Jiang Kai said.

“Alright, let’s start!” Hu Hao stood up and began drawing on the map with a ruler and pencil. Jiang Kai and the others watched closely.

As Hu Hao drew, he explained his reasoning to Jiang Kai while the staff nearby recorded everything. They finished nearly three hours later, around 2 AM. Once they were done, Hu Hao gave Jiang Kai the artillery deployment blueprints he had given Li Tianyuan. He explained that setting them up this way would help the artillery survive on the battlefield. With artillery support, the pressure on the front lines would be significantly reduced. Jiang Kai immediately ordered the staff to copy the blueprints and distribute them to all units along with the official orders.

Once finished, Hu Hao noticed the staff were busy elsewhere, leaving just the three of them in the room.

“Commander, there’s something I need to warn you about. If His Majesty really wants you to go to High Command and become the Grand Marshal, I suggest you don’t go yet.

Stay here and fight a few more battles first, or let the current Grand Marshal’s side handle some more. The Grand Marshal’s family has been in power for years.

If you go now, you’ll likely be sidelined and stripped of real power. Plus, you might not even be able to maintain control over the Southwest Combat Zone. I don’t know what His Majesty is thinking.

If he really wanted to support you, he wouldn’t have rushed to make you a Viscount so soon. He would’ve let you expand to 500,000 troops and opened the promotion channels so you’d have enough loyal, capable generals under you.

Those generals could help you control the Southwest Combat Zone, but that’s not the case right now. So, even though the Chief of Staff mentioned His Majesty might be backing you to become Grand Marshal, I think it’s only a possibility.

His Majesty might not have decided how to proceed yet. If His Majesty tries to transfer you after this battle, I recommend you don’t go.

However, you also need to explain it clearly to His Majesty. Going there to be Grand Marshal right now is useless. Ask him for more time to get our forces organized first.

Otherwise, if you go, not only will you be unable to control the military, but you’ll risk being marginalized. On top of that, we might lose the Southwest Combat Zone, and that would be a disaster!”

“You’re right. You’re right about that. If I go to High Command, the Grand Marshal’s family won’t listen to my orders, and the other Combat Zone Commanders won’t give a damn about me.

If I go, no one will follow my commands. Meanwhile, back in the Southwest, the Grand Marshal would definitely plant his own generals here to undermine me.

We could end up losing our grip on this zone entirely.”

“And do you really think His Majesty wants you as Grand Marshal? For His Majesty, is a compliant Grand Marshal with few merits more useful, or a disobedient one with massive achievements?

You’d just be a tool for His Majesty to strike at the current Grand Marshal. Once that struggle is over and the tool has served its purpose, you’ll be forced to retire!

Think about it properly and don’t cling to illusions.”

“Besides, if the Southwest isn’t stable, how could you possibly control the entire Empire’s military? If His Majesty really valued you, he would expand your forces and let you promote the field officers who have earned it.

Since the promotion channels are still closed, how can you know what His Majesty is truly thinking? The one sent here to take over might not be the Grand Marshal’s man, but they’ll likely be His Majesty’s man.

Once the promotion channels open under a new commander, will the officers below be grateful to you, their former commander, or the new one who just arrived?”

(End of Chapter)