Munitions Empire

Chapter 619: 578th return to King City

Tang Mo also felt that it was about time to stop worrying about the war in Qi Country, “All we need to do now is wait, they might start fighting among themselves! Qi Country is already mine for the taking, it’s just a matter of time.”

Indeed, from the moment the Tang Army had breached the border defenses and captured Nanye, they had already achieved strategic victory.

Or rather, from the moment the Tang Army revealed aircraft and tanks, dragging warfare into the era of three-dimensional combat akin to World War II, the outcome was already determined.

"What if the Dahua Empire gets involved?” Nangong Hong was still somewhat worried.

However, Tang Mo was very confident in his military forces, “If they get involved, we will devour as many as they send! My mines and construction teams are in dire need of slaves, I can even accept 200,000 POWs.”

One should know that the disadvantage, or rather the weak point, of the Tang Army lay in its lack of manpower, unable to rapidly expand its forces to the desired scale.

But now things were different. With the five divisions that had withdrawn from Northern Ridge, plus one division from Jade City and Brunas, the Tang Army now possessed the mobility of six divisions.

Previously, these troops could not be mobilized for combat. But now, as Alice’s dowry, they had been fully integrated into the command structure of Tang Country.

With these troops, whether it was defending against Chu Country to the south or withstanding the attacking pressure from the Dahua Empire, there was plenty to spare.

The five divisions from Northern Ridge were no improvised army of peasant slaves; they were elite forces trained by instructors from the Great Tang Group.

They already possessed formidable fighting capabilities, a powerful presence that could easily crush the military forces of other countries. They would be more than capable in field battles, let alone simply stationed at the permanent defense lines along the border.

Not just any country had the formidable breakthrough and field combat capabilities of the Tang Army. Therefore, simply filling the fixed positions with twenty thousand men would make an attack by one hundred thousand elite troops from the Dahua Empire akin to throwing their lives away.

"I thought our Tang Country had no more slaves,” Wes said with a chuckle, teasingly.

Tang Mo wasn’t embarrassed and laughed heartily, “Hahaha! Indeed, we don’t, but I’m not a good man. I’ll still make use of slaves from other countries.”

"I know, neither am I a good man,” Wes nodded and reaffirmed his stance.

…

In the southern part of Qi Country, at the border defense line, an officer looking at the empty granary knew the day would be incredibly long.

"We have run out of food,” he turned to his superior. The general’s face turned pale, aware of the consequences if the thousands outside discovered they had no food left.

"Quickly send someone to inform… His Highness the First Prince! Fast! Have him think of something!” Finally, with no other options, he ordered his subordinates, “Calm the soldiers down by telling them there will definitely be dinner.”

Not far off in the First Prince’s command center, under the dim light, a very dusty Jiang Xian strutted to the First Prince and carelessly tossed his feathered military cap onto the table.

He exhaled deeply and then said to the First Prince, “Your Majesty! Matters have become extremely difficult, we need to reconsider our strategy.”

On the road, Jiang Xian had already heard the news of King Qi’s death, and after much thought, he decided to stand with the First Prince. This also meant that Jiang Xian’s family left in King City might have rough times ahead.

"Summoning the General back was also for this reason,” upon hearing this ‘Your Majesty’ from Jiang Xian, the First Prince’s mood immediately lifted.

He displayed a gesture of profound respect for talent, patting Jiang Xian’s hand in comfort, “Since the General stands with me, I will naturally treat the talented well. From now on, we shall share both adversity and prosperity!” ꭆᴀΝȎBËⱾ

Jiang Xian didn’t dwell on such matters, knowing that glory and wealth were concerns for later; solving the current predicament was his priority.

So, he said to the First Prince, “I’ve heard that our food supply is almost exhausted, we need to think of a solution.”

The subject clearly agitated the First Prince, “Indeed, there’s not much surplus food left, I’ve gathered what’s left to distribute it collectively, and I plan to reduce the rations further

"Your Majesty! This matter requires more consideration,” Jiang Xian, as someone who commanded troops, was aware of some of the “bad habits of the military” that the First Prince wouldn’t consider.

He continued to explain, “Your Majesty! Please hear my explanation… What we can rely on now is the military strength we have! Without the army, everything is over.”

He stood up while speaking, “If Your Majesty withholds food and the troops starve, such soldiers will neither be willing to serve nor have the heart to fight! By doing this, we would essentially be destroying our own foundation!”

"Then…what should we do?” The First Prince caught on immediately, realizing that without his two-hundred-thousand-strong army, he would lose his advantage in the struggle for the throne, so he asked anxiously.

Qin Xiong quickly spoke, “Right now, our only option is to seize this one path!”

After saying this, he walked over to the map and pointed out the surrounding area to the First Prince, “There are still some civilians in the hinterlands, a thorough search might yield enough food for a few days.”

"But… a few days… what’s the use?” The First Prince became somewhat timid upon hearing this. If King Jiang Xian of Qi were here, plundering the civilian’s food would certainly be a death sentence.

"Your Majesty! With these few days’ worth of food, we can make our way eastward! To seize the Second Prince’s food supplies!” Qin Xiong darkly offered his solution.

It should be known that it was only the Third Prince and the First Prince whose supply lines had been cut off; the Second Prince still had a railway supply line! Therefore, while the First and Third Prince’s troops were suffering from food shortages, the troops left behind on the Second Prince’s defense line were living comfortably.

As long as they retreated eastward along the defense line, they could seize the food supplies of the troops left behind in the Second Prince’s defense area, thus solving the famine problem.

The First Prince suddenly saw the light, “Right! We can take his food supplies! But

He raised his concerns as he spoke, “Do we abandon our current defensive area then?”

"Abandon it! We have no choice! If we’re slow, we might be surrounded!” Qin Xiong had returned from the front line and knew all too well the strength of the Tang Army in Luo Town.

If they left late and the Tang Army’s Armored Corps from Luo Town advanced, they would be trapped and unable to escape—The Tang Army’s ability to supply their forces in the field was far superior to that of the Qi Army, and they could sustain an offensive relying on the not-so-reliable highways.

The First Prince continued with another concern, “But what if he orders his troops to resist?”

"Then we fight!” Qin Xiong was resolute. He feared the Tang Army but not the mix-matched troops under the Second Prince. Especially since he was attacking along the defensive line without the need for a stronghold, he was confident of victory.

"General Qin, I’m completely at a loss and have become disoriented. I fear my brother might reach King City first and be enthroned by the people. What should I do?” Full of worries, the First Prince asked for advice.

Qin Xiong smiled and spoke, “The Tang Army forces that launched a surprise attack on the late king’s manor might not necessarily have aimed for the king; they are likely targeting Donghe Bridge!”

"What?” The First Prince’s eyes widened, as if grasping at a lifesaver.

"The late king’s manor is extremely hidden, and the Tang Army might not be aware of it.” Qin Xiong speculated, “That force is very likely trying to seize Donghe Bridge! Their goal is to block our army’s reinforcements and then capture King City!”

"Oh The First Prince felt like he had an epiphany.

"Therefore, that Tang Army unit should be near Donghe Bridge right now. They cannot retreat, nor do they have the means to retreat!” Qin Xiong explained, “Thus, your brother’s return to King City might not be as smooth as expected.”

"Our pursuit of the Second Prince is met by the Qi Country’s military behind us, and they may not truly dare to fight against Your Majesty with all their strength! But the Tang Army is in front of the Second Prince. Can he win against them?”

A smile began to spread across the First Prince’s face: If both his First Army and the Third Prince’s Third Army couldn’t break through the Tang Army’s defense line, what chance did his younger brother’s Second Army have?

"So… is it possible that by the time we reach Beiyuan, the Second Prince will still be blocked at Donghe Bridge?” The First Prince asked Qin Xiong with a crafty smile.

"Exactly, Your Majesty! By the time we pursue him all the way to Beiyuan City, King City might already have been occupied by the Tang Army, and You will be in command at Beiyuan while the Second Prince is still out in the field Qin Xiong continued.

"Haha! Good! Hahaha! Excellent!” The First Prince, having come to a realization, clapped his hands and said, “Let’s do as you suggest, General! Order the troops to requisition food locally!”

"Yes, Your Majesty!” Qin Xiong quickly bowed and then summoned the commanders, beginning to issue orders.

The Qi Country’s troops near Luo Town commenced their retreat, then halted almost all attacks against the Tang Army, immediately easing the pressure on the Tang forces.

Supplies began to become abundant, with the frontline troops receiving more food and ammunition, as well as plenty of fuel.

Meanwhile, the Tang Army paratroopers stationed at Donghe Bridge, on that very morning, were finally joined by the vanguard of the Fourth Armored Division. With tank cover, the paratroopers took the bridgehead on the other side of the bridge, securing complete control of the important crossing.

At the same time, the Qi Country’s Second Army, which was returning to defend King City, also arrived at Donghe Bridge and launched an attack on the nearby Tang forces at noon.

However, their probing attack was swiftly repelled. Though they lacked artillery support, the paratroopers were shielded by tanks. The Qi forces had traveled a long distance, and, similarly, their artillery had fallen behind and were not able to catch up, leaving them without artillery support as well.

In a context where both sides only had infantry firepower, the Qi forces, intent on storming the position, were clearly unable to capture it. Therefore, they could only station their forces there, waiting for follow-up troops to advance.

It was at this moment that the Second Prince, who was eager to return to King City to claim the throne, learned that Donghe Bridge had been seized by the Tang Army.

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