Chapter 148: The Path Forward

Hu Hao spoke of wanting to push the troops toward Gunan City. Advancing the entire army over 500 li forward, including this current area, would cover a territory roughly a third the size of a province, yet it spanned across parts of three different provinces.

Hu Hao wanted to push forward so that more refugees could use this route to escape to their side. But upon hearing this, Xiao Quan immediately countered by asking Hu Hao if the higher-ups would actually give him 100,000 men.

“Mm!” Hu Hao let out a long, heavy sigh.

“You really need to stop thinking about this. We still don’t even know how we’re going to explain the troops we currently have to the Commander! Even though having this many troops is the foundation of our victories, the higher-ups won’t care about that. All they’ll see is that you violated High Command regulations by conscripting troops on your own authority. That’s no small crime. But, considering all the merit we’ve accumulated, we probably won’t go to prison,” Xiao Quan advised, standing beside him.

“Prison? Fuck them!” Hu Hao scoffed, momentarily stunned before cursing out loud.

“You really need to drop it. They aren’t going to give you that many troops. We’re still just Colonels right now. Even if you get promoted to Major General, wouldn’t you still just be a Division Commander? What good would that do? I know that no matter how many troops they give you, you could lead them all. But do the people at High Command know that?” Xiao Quan pressed, looking at Hu Hao.

“If they don’t let me lead the men out to fight, I’d rather take an army made entirely of refugees and fight my way back!” Hu Hao declared resolutely, staring at the map.

“What did you just say? Listen, Hao-ge, don’t joke around with me like that. You can’t say things like that! You are a soldier of the Empire. A soldier must obey orders!” Xiao Quan said, his eyes fixed on Hu Hao.

Hu Hao simply stared back at him. Seeing his gaze, Xiao Quan felt a bit awkward but continued, “Yes, yes, I know the generals are fucking useless right now. But if you actually do that, it’s way out of line. The High Command would definitely have you killed!”

“Are you scared?” Hu Hao asked, looking at Xiao Quan.

“What do I have to be scared of? You’re the Division Commander, not me. I just follow you into battle!” Xiao Quan immediately replied.

“Then what’s the problem? Do you honestly expect the High Command to lead us to victory? Even now, the High Command probably doesn’t even have a counter-offensive plan! If you wait for them… hmph, God knows when that will be!” Hu Hao sat there and scoffed coldly, his voice thick with dissatisfaction.

“Then what can you do? Let’s say you follow through with what you said—you take the troops into enemy-occupied territory to fight. Leaving everything else aside, where are you going to get combat supplies and food? Without a complete logistics system, what are we supposed to fight with?” Xiao Quan challenged him.

“You say that as if the weapons and ammo we’re using right now were provided by the higher-ups! Do you know how much ammo we’re consuming today? Is what the higher-ups provided enough?” Hu Hao retorted, looking at Xiao Quan with disdain.

“Alright, alright, alright, I won’t argue with you. Let’s not count this time. But I’m asking you, are the points I just brought up real problems or not? Without a complete logistics system and an industrial base, how can you lead troops into battle?” Xiao Quan persisted, standing his ground.

“Mm, it is a problem. However… Late City!” Hu Hao said, a smile breaking across his face.

“Fuck me, you’re actually targeting Late City?! Enough is enough! If you really seize the assets in Late City for yourself, just watch—if Mu Zhifu doesn’t bring his guard troops over and kill you himself, I’ll admit you’re truly something else!

“What we’re doing right now isn’t crossing the line too far. But if you take control of all of Late City, just watch: Mu Zhifu will absolutely have you killed!” Xiao Quan stared at Hu Hao in sheer shock, issuing a stark warning.

Late City was Mu Zhifu’s personal backyard. If Hu Hao actually tried to steal it, Mu Zhifu would definitely fight him to the death.

“Is there no other way?” Hu Hao asked.

“No way will work. Let me tell you, most of the enterprises in Late City are tied to Mu Zhifu. Just think about it: if you rob the place and leave them with nothing but the wind to drink, those who depend on Mu Zhifu will definitely go crying to him.

“You know Late City has chemical plants, power plants, steel mills, coal mines, various machinery factories, and even an automobile manufacturing plant, an armored vehicle factory, and a light weapons factory. Do you have any idea how much profit is tied up in that? If you go rob it, Mu Zhifu might march all the troops of his Central Plains Combat Zone right over here!

“Moreover, if you seize it, think about the other Combat Zone Commanders—don’t you think they’ll want a piece of the pie? You absolutely cannot do this!” Xiao Quan warned Hu Hao emphatically.

“So we just sit here and watch them make money off of us? In times like these, they’re still thinking about making money?! Especially off weapons, power plants, and chemical plants! They’re still trying to profit off military supplies?!” Hu Hao shot back at Xiao Quan.

“What other choice do you have? That’s exactly why I said we have to find a way to handle these troops we conscripted properly. Otherwise, they’ll be a hidden danger. Seriously, it’s highly likely to affect your promotion to General! When the time comes, High Command could use this against you to ensure you never get promoted!” Xiao Quan continued.

“Motherfucker, I recruited troops just to defend this place! Otherwise, with two enemy corps attacking us, could our single division hold the line?! Isn’t that complete bullshit? Does my merit count for nothing?” Hu Hao demanded.

“It counts! Your merits will offset your faults! At most, they’ll cancel each other out. Moreover, you’ve definitely left a bad impression on His Majesty. That is crucial, Hao-ge! The brothers are following you. If you don’t rise up the ranks, how can the brothers rise?” Xiao Quan reasoned with him.

Hearing this, Hu Hao looked at Xiao Quan. He knew Xiao Quan still placed his hopes in the High Command, hoping they would eventually promote him to General. Trying to convince him to disobey the High Command would be incredibly difficult. After all, this mindset was deeply ingrained: if you wanted to become a General, you absolutely needed the approval of the High Command and His Majesty.

Thinking of this, Hu Hao let out a sigh. Thinking Hu Hao still harbored designs on Late City, Xiao Quan reiterated, “You really shouldn’t target Late City. We’re at war right now. If you do that, when we inevitably need help, many people probably won’t lift a finger. Especially regarding your promotion to General—if Mu Zhifu says a few words against you to the Grand Marshal, think about it: how could you possibly be promoted?”

“Mm, fine. I get it. Let me think about it!” Hu Hao said, standing up in frustration. He walked out of the trench and into the blazing sun!

Looking up at the sun, Hu Hao felt a bitter pill lodged in his throat. He hadn’t wanted to fight a war in the first place. But seeing civilians being slaughtered, he wanted to do his part. Yet, above him stood the High Command blocking the way, and below him were officers who relied entirely on that same High Command. For a moment, Hu Hao didn’t know how to handle this situation!

“Hao-ge, all the wounded have been evacuated, and the units have reported their casualty figures for today!” Xiao Quan walked up to Hu Hao, holding a compiled report. Hu Hao took the document and reviewed it carefully: 7,239 killed in action, 8,192 severely wounded! Innumerable losses of various other supplies!

“Over 15,000 casualties?” Hu Hao noted aloud.

“Yes. And that’s with our brothers fighting exceptionally well, and with no mistakes in our command. If another unit had been defending here, the numbers would likely be far worse!” Xiao Quan told Hu Hao.

“Xiao Quan, let me ask you something!” Hu Hao paused, then asked.

“Go ahead, Hao-ge!” Xiao Quan took the document back from Hu Hao and looked at him.

“What do you think about us recruiting troops ourselves to fight the Allied forces? Regardless of what the High Command thinks, after we wipe out the enemies in front of us, we continue conscripting troops and launch a counter-offensive across the river. What do you think?” Hu Hao asked, his eyes locked on Xiao Quan.

Hearing this, Xiao Quan stared right back at him.

“It won’t work, right? Just pretend I never said it!” Hu Hao said, seeing Xiao Quan’s reaction and knowing he didn’t have the nerve.

“Hao-ge, you really can’t harbor thoughts like that! It’ll cause a massive disaster! Recruiting troops on your own to launch a counter-offensive is impossible. Leaving aside anyone else, our own Corps Commander and our Commander would never forgive you. They’d be the first to kill you; otherwise, they’d face severe punishment from the High Command! Do you really think it’s possible?” Xiao Quan urgently advised him.

Hu Hao quickly replied, “I was just saying it. Just talking. I just want to push across the river quickly and save the surviving refugees. Only by doing that can we be worthy of our identity as soldiers. If we just listen to the High Command’s orders, we probably won’t have a counter-offensive plan anytime soon. And in the meantime, the civilians in the enemy-occupied zones will slowly be slaughtered. For every day we delay, massive numbers of civilians die! That’s why I’m forced to think this way!”

“I know. Sigh, sometimes I think the same thing. But I wouldn’t dare. For now, let’s just listen to the High Command. Otherwise, we’ll get ourselves killed!” Xiao Quan nodded, sighing deeply.

“Yeah. The High Command still controls the majority of the Empire’s troops and supplies. If we don’t listen to them, we’ll have to figure things out on our own!” Hu Hao sighed in agreement.

Through his conversation with Xiao Quan, Hu Hao finally understood. Trying to lead them away from the High Command’s control was currently impossible. The soldiers wouldn’t follow him. However, it wasn’t a completely unsolvable problem. Hu Hao firmly believed there had to be a way to resolve the soldiers’ mindset. But for now, it was best not to bring it up again.

Otherwise, Xiao Quan’s misgivings would be the least of his problems; Li Jingsong would be the real issue. Even though they had a good relationship, Li Jingsong represented the aristocratic families. If Hu Hao truly intended to lead the troops away on his own, Li Jingsong would be the first to object.

Therefore, it was better to wait. He would wait until this battle was over and then assess the situation.

Meanwhile, in the Allied command center in Santong County, Abusai and Ren Kefu sat in heavy silence. The casualty reports had arrived. Upon seeing the numbers, neither man could bring himself to speak.

(End of Chapter)