Chapter 118: Hu Hao’s Disgust

Hu Hao warned Jiang Kai, making him realize that the Emperor’s true intentions were still unclear. He cautioned him not to let the news of his potential promotion to Grand Marshal go to his head, and Jiang Kai sat there in deep thought.

After a moment, Jiang Kai finally spoke: “I never really wanted to be Grand Marshal anyway. It’s not an easy job to hold, especially for someone like me. I’ve never managed the Air Force or the Navy, so it’s impossible for me to take that role. However, the Emperor did indeed reveal this to me, saying he wants us to manage the entire military. I told him I lacked experience and was afraid I wouldn’t do it well.”

“The Emperor told you all that personally?” the Chief of Staff asked, looking at Jiang Kai in shock. Jiang Kai nodded in affirmation.

“Forget about it. Take it slow. The Grand Marshal’s family still holds immense power. If you go there now, you’re just offering yourself up on a silver platter. You’re better off staying here and leading your own troops properly.

Win a few more battles. That way, the civilians across the country will know who you are. Even if the generals below aren’t your men, they will respect you.

If you go now, or even right after this battle, you’re just asking for death. You’ll end up with nothing, and your reputation will be in tatters!” Hu Hao laughed as he spoke to Jiang Kai.

“You’re right. I can’t go. As long as the promotion channels remain closed, I can’t go! Otherwise, the Colonels below will curse me.

They’ve followed me through so many battles, but in the end, they gain nothing while someone else takes the credit. That won’t work!” Jiang Kai nodded in agreement.

“I’m telling you this only because you seem like a decent person with a sense of responsibility. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother. The era of chaos has come to the Empire, and to the entire world.

We didn’t prioritize the military or its development before. We focused only on acquiring weapons. But weapons are just tools for people to use. People are the key factor.” Hu Hao continued to remind Jiang Kai.

“I know. Thanks,” Jiang Kai said, looking at him.

“It’s late, and I need to get some rest. I’ve barely slept a few hours over the last few days. Have you arranged a place for me?” Hu Hao asked.

“It’s all set. I’ve definitely got you covered. I’ll take you there myself in a bit!” Sun Qinxue said with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll head over then,” Hu Hao nodded and smiled.

“Hu Hao, how about becoming my Senior Staff Officer? I guarantee you a promotion to General—Major General or higher!” Jiang Kai stood up and said.

“Forget it. I don’t want to be a staff officer. Being a Division Commander is fine. Am I not giving you advice regardless?” Hu Hao waved his hand dismissively.

“True. Go on then, get some sleep!” Jiang Kai laughed.

Soon, Hu Hao and his guard unit followed Sun Qinxue to their arranged quarters.

The next morning, Hu Hao headed to Combat Zone High Command. As soon as he arrived, he saw He Jingzhong and Tang Junjie. Tang Junjie looked at him with pure hatred. If they were in the capital , Tang Junjie would have killed him immediately, but as Hu Hao was an officer in the Southwest Combat Zone, there was nothing he could do for now.

“Greetings, General He. Greetings, General Tang!” Hu Hao called out with a smile.

“Hu Hao , I’ve heard you’ve been doing well here and have earned many merits for the Empire. The Grand Marshal appreciates you very much!” He Jingzhong said with a smile.

“Then please thank the Grand Marshal for me!” Hu Hao replied.

“Hu Hao !” Jiang Kai walked over at that moment, followed by someone carrying a box.

“Commander!” Hu Hao stood at attention and shouted.

“Mhm. There are a few cartons of cigarettes in here, along with some fruit. I didn’t know what you liked, so I just got these. Have your guards put them in your car!” Jiang Kai said with a smile.

“Thank you, Commander!” Hu Hao replied.

“Right. I’m heading out to inspect the units today, so I won’t be able to host you. I’ll treat you to a meal once this battle is over!” Jiang Kai added.

“I only came to say goodbye to you and the Chief of Staff. Where is he?”

“He’s busy with other matters and probably won’t be back this morning. The thought is what counts; I’ll pass on your regards!”

“Alright, I’m off. General He, General Tang, I have orders and can’t stay away from my unit for too long. I’ll take my leave now. Farewell!” Hu Hao saluted them and left. His guards took the supplies and followed.

“Commander Jiang , this Hu Hao has been with the military for less than two months, right? To be precise, just over a month. How did he reach the rank of Colonel so quickly?” He Jingzhong asked as he watched Hu Hao leave.

“He has earned more than enough merit, so of course I would promote him. Everyone in the Southwest Combat Zone knows his contributions are immense. Promoting him to Colonel was actually doing him a disservice. General He, General Tang, please. I’ll take you to inspect the troops!” Jiang Kai gestured for them to follow.

“Now?” He Jingzhong was surprised. They hadn’t come to inspect the troops; they were there for the operational plans. Now, forced to inspect without seeing the plans, He Jingzhong was caught off guard.

“Yes. If we wait, the Allied forces will be here, and I won’t dare take you out then!” Jiang Kai nodded and gestured again.

“Haha, alright, alright!” He Jingzhong nodded. He knew what Jiang Kai was thinking. After spending the morning inspecting, Jiang Kai would likely claim he was too busy to continue and suggest they go on alone if they wished. It was a clear hint to leave.

Hu Hao didn’t care about what happened behind him. He sat in the car, thinking about the future. Relying on High Command to fix their strategy was impossible. By the time they finished their adjustments, the Empire would be finished.

He couldn’t rely on the Emperor either, and he wasn’t sure what the Emperor was thinking. He didn’t even dare rely on Jiang Kai. Jiang Kai certainly had ambitions, and once he held enough power, who knew if he would turn against him? People change.

Moreover, if the Emperor knew Hu Hao was the brain behind Jiang Kai , he might move against Hu Hao as well. The Emperor wouldn’t want Jiang Kai to hold too much power; that would just create another Grand Marshal Tang.

So, if Jiang Kai really became Grand Marshal , both Hu Hao and the Chief of Staff would be in trouble. Even the Li and Lu families would suffer. The Emperor would surely purge them!

Hu Hao understood this perfectly. This planet was different from Earth; peace was a rarity here. He knew that when interests were involved, most people were unreliable. The Emperor likely felt the same way.

Hu Hao was deeply irritated by all of this. He had fought so many battles in his previous life and played these political games before. He found them meaningless.

He hesitated: should he keep going, or just quit? But if he quit, he wouldn’t be able to protect his family or his brothers, let alone the civilians. He hated war, but war had arrived, and it didn’t care about his wishes.

He couldn’t stand by and watch the civilians be slaughtered. They were the ones who suffered the most and were the most innocent victims.

“Sigh!” Hu Hao let out a deep sigh.

He sat in the car and eventually drifted into a hazy sleep. By the time he woke up, he had arrived at his division headquarters. He got out and stretched.

“Hao-ge is back?” Xiao Quan saw him and breathed a sigh of relief. There had been too much to handle lately.

Li Jingsong was already across the river, and Hu Hao had been away at meetings. Xiao Quan had been left alone at the command post, worrying that he wouldn’t be able to handle an emergency. Seeing Hu Hao back made him feel much better.

“Mhm, I’m back. Did the Chief of Staff head over?” Hu Hao asked.

“He left secretly already. He called last night to say the troops are all in position and waiting for our word!” Xiao Quan nodded and followed Hu Hao into the command post.

The command post was much busier now. Unlike before, when there were only a few of them, Wang Yao and the others were now moving about. Seeing Hu Hao, they immediately walked over and saluted. “Greetings, Division Commander!”

“Get out of here, get back to work! Are you trying to annoy me?” Hu Hao laughed and cursed.

“Hehe, we’re going. The Deputy Division Commander has given us quite a few tasks!” Wang Yao said with a smile. Xiao Quan pointed at him and laughed.

“Come, Lao Xiao , sit down and talk,” Hu Hao said, taking his seat.

“Any new news from Combat Zone HQ ?” Xiao Quan sat opposite him.

“The Allied forces will likely launch a probing attack in five days at most. A large-scale offensive should start in about a week. High Command has ordered us to hold for two months. Hah!” Hu Hao laughed toward the end.

“Two months… as if we can just leave after that. It’s almost like they think we can just retreat once the clock runs out!” Xiao Quan laughed as well.