Chapter 125: Beyond Explanation

Hu Hao told Xiao Quan that if the Allied forces attacked tomorrow, they should only use thirty artillery pieces. Xiao Quan looked at him, confused.

“Why only thirty? We have over a hundred large-caliber guns!” Xiao Quan asked.

“Think about it. Tomorrow is just a probing attack.

If they don’t know our total number of guns, they won’t dare commit a large force. And if they haven’t tested our firepower, would they really dare to come?

I want them to commit a massive unit so I can set them up. Otherwise, how am I supposed to ambush them?

Furthermore, if they don’t move the day after, we’ll send out the tanks, fire a few rounds, and retreat.

That will make the Allied forces believe our tanks and artillery are fully deployed. They’ll send in bombers to take out our rear batteries, thinking they’ve neutralized our firepower.”

“That makes sense,” Xiao Quan nodded. “The Allied forces don’t know our tank or artillery strength.”

“The most important thing is to cover for Li Jingsong,” Hu Hao added. “We need them to think our tanks are all here and haven’t crossed the river. By the way, are the bridges blown?”

“All of them,” Xiao Quan confirmed.

“Good. That way they won’t think our troops crossed over, and they won’t scout the forest. Li Jingsong and his men will be safe.” Hu Hao felt much more at ease.

“I have to say, this AC is a lifesaver,” Xiao Quan remarked. “But Wang Yao mentioned you shot a Combat Zone Commander’s son?”

“Are you scared?” Hu Hao laughed.

“Scared of what? So what if he’s a Commander?” Xiao Quan snorted.

“If you hadn’t won those battles for our Commander, do you think any of the regimental commanders would actually fear him? A General who can’t fight is useless. He can be killed just like anyone else. Dammit!”

“Exactly. But Xiao Quan, we must control Late City. If we’re going to be stationed here long-term, we need to seize that city’s munitions factories, power plants, and chemical plants. We need to make them work for us!” Hu Hao declared.

“Control them ourselves?” Xiao Quan hesitated. “Those are owned by the powerful elite of Late City. If we move against them, they’ll pressure the Commander, and he might not be able to protect you.”

“Do I need him to protect me? Can he?

Who we really rely on are the brothers below us, not the high-ranking officers.

If we control those companies and push our lines forward by 300 kilometers, those industries will be secure.

A steady stream of ammunition will then reach our front lines!”

Xiao Quan nodded. With enough ammo, nobody cared what the higher-ups thought.

“So the Allies won’t bomb them?” Xiao Quan asked.

“Would they dare? They won’t blow up munitions factories, power plants, or refineries unless they’ve lost all hope of winning.

Those plants can provide the Allied forces with massive amounts of war materiel.

You can see it in the two corps they’ve sent against our single division—they’re in a hurry to occupy Late City for its industry.”

“Makes sense. If I were them, I wouldn’t bomb them either. It’s better to keep the factories intact and put the workers to use immediately,” Xiao Quan said.

“Haozi? Haozi?”

Mo Qin called out from the other door of the command post. The other staff officers frowned at the informal nickname, but Mo Qin didn’t notice.

“Your classmate is calling,” Xiao Quan noted. Hu Hao nodded and walked over.

“What’s up?” Hu Hao asked with a smile.

“Come here. We need to talk,” Mo Qin said, leading him into a small conference room. Inside, Wang Yao was fuming while other classmates tried to calm him down.

“What’s wrong now?” Hu Hao asked, playing dumb.

“Hao-ge … sigh, how do I say this?” Mo Qin closed the door and looked at Hu Hao awkwardly.

“He’s a big shot now! We were only brought here to watch him show off!” Wang Yao snapped.

“Where is this coming from?” Hu Hao sat down and offered them cigarettes.

“Look at this. Cigarettes worth sixty yuan a pack, a gift from the Commander,” Wang Yao muttered.

“Come on, just say what’s on your mind. We’re brothers, aren’t we?” Hu Hao handed him a cigarette.

“You’re not being a good brother, you know? Why does Huan Xingtao get to sit in your car while I, your classmate, am left standing right next to you? Where am I supposed to put my face? Huh?” Wang Yao glared.

“Hah!” Hu Hao shook his head and lit a cigarette.

“Well? Explain it! Is it because he followed you out of that pile of corpses? We’ve been brothers for years, and we’re worth less than a few days with those people?” Wang Yao was clearly upset, just as Hu Hao expected.

“Yao-yao, settle down. It was probably a misunderstanding,” Mo Qin said, patting Wang Yao’s shoulder.

“Misunderstanding, my ass! I had to sit in that armored vehicle while everyone watched. I’ve lost all my face!” Wang Yao cursed.

“Look, I won’t explain it now,” Hu Hao said. “You wouldn’t understand. But tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, you will.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m too stupid to get it?” Wang Yao countered.

“It’s not about being smart. Forget it, just think about it yourself!” Hu Hao stood up.

“Wait, Division Commander, give us an explanation!” Wang Yao said sarcastically.

“Are you sick? Use your brain! I already told you that you won’t understand right now. Just wait until tomorrow, goddammit!” Hu Hao barked back.

“Why tomorrow? Just tell me now!” Wang Yao asked again.

“I can’t explain it. If you want to be mad, be mad. It’s your own funeral!” Hu Hao moved toward the door.

“Haozi , wait!” Mo Qin grabbed him.

“Something else?”

“Why did you shoot the Commander’s son? His father is the Commander of the Central Combat Zone.

You fired twice! You can’t just go around offending people like that. How are you going to survive in the army?” Mo Qin urged.

“Let me guess… Wang Yao told you that too?” Hu Hao pointed at his roommate.

“Damn right! I wanted to talk you out of it at the plant, but I didn’t want to make you look bad in front of your men. But then you turn around and slap me in the face!

You let that platoon leader hit the manager too. You’re a Division Commander now, so you think you’re untouchable? That man’s boss is a Full General and a Combat Zone Commander!” Wang Yao yelled.

“So you don’t understand. None of you do.

Do you know why that platoon leader dared to strike him? It’s because he knew I’d agree. If he didn’t do it, the other veterans would have.

If no veterans were there and you were the only officer present, the brothers would have cursed you to death.

And you’re still babbling at me? I told you that you don’t get it, but you just keep arguing!”

“Why?” Wang Yao was genuinely confused.

“If Huan Xingtao had been in that office, he would have slapped that man himself. You just stood there like a wooden post, and then you have the nerve to complain to me? I’m doing you a favor by not scolding you!” Hu Hao said.

“But Haozi, you shot the Commander’s son! Aren’t you afraid? I don’t even know what to say to you!” Mo Qin added.

Hu Hao remained silent for a moment before looking back at Wang Yao. “Do you know that if Mu Qian’s guards hadn’t dropped their guns, they’d all be dead? Huan Xingtao wouldn’t have hesitated to open fire. Think about that.”

“What?” Wang Yao stared at him. He had assumed Hu Hao was just bluffing. He never imagined the soldiers would actually kill them.

“What’s a Full General worth? A General with no skill is just a target for his own men. You guys just don’t understand.” Hu Hao pulled the door open and left. He didn’t want to explain further; they would only understand once they had tasted the battlefield.