Hu Hao was preparing to graduate his current class of officers and recruit the next batch for training. With over 3,000 newly minted Company and Battalion Commanders, plus a handful capable of commanding regiments, Hu Hao finally felt a measure of relief.
These men weren't raw academy cadets; they were combat veterans who had previously served as Platoon Commanders or higher and had proven themselves under fire.
By graduating this class, Hu Hao ensured his frontline units would possess a solid theoretical foundation in tactical command. This allowed him to breathe a little easier. Even if his newly appointed Division Commanders were still finding their footing, the crucible of war would inevitably forge true leaders from this pool of trained junior officers.
The officers themselves were highly motivated. They knew the Group Army was expanding rapidly and there was a massive vacuum in the senior command structure. If they performed well, promotion to General was a very real possibility—a rare, golden opportunity.
If they waited until the establishment was full, climbing the ranks would be infinitely harder.
After announcing the final examinations, Hu Hao sat in his office, contemplating the strategic deployment of his forces. He had decided: no more passive defense. It was time to go on the offensive.
If he remained static, the Allied forces, having likely deduced his true strength, would simply wait him out and mass overwhelming force later. He needed to dictate the tempo.
Meanwhile, in Liangchuan City, General Kelly, Commander of the Mara 1st Corps, stood in his new command post, a dark cloud hanging over him.
His once-proud Imperial Guard corps had been reduced to fewer than 15,000 men, including the walking wounded. They had abandoned every single piece of heavy equipment during their desperate midnight withdrawal.
The Mara 14th Corps was in slightly better shape, numbering around 25,000 men including casualties, but they had also lost all their heavy armor and artillery. Even with the two fresh infantry divisions assigned to reinforce them—which totaled a mere 8,000 men—the combined Mara forces in Liangchuan City numbered less than 50,000, and more than half of those were wounded.
"General Kelly, High Command just transmitted a dispatch. Replacement heavy equipment and ammunition convoys will depart shortly. They estimate arrival in three days," General Felke, Commander of the 14th Corps, reported.
"I truly never imagined we would be played for fools. Ketonli's initial deduction was absolutely correct: Hu Hao did have a massive army, composed entirely of raw recruits, and he was using us for live-fire training!
"It's a tragedy we didn't take Ketonli's warning seriously. And Hu Hao played us perfectly, feeding us false intelligence to make us believe his forces were minimal!
"Now look at him! His forces have launched simultaneous offensives to the south, west, and east! They've overrun countless small towns and effectively encircled five of our major garrisons! Five full divisions are currently trapped!
"If Hu Hao launches a coordinated assault against those cities, losing the five divisions will be the least of our worries. The strategic depth he'll secure... this man is terrifying," Kelly lamented, staring at the updated tactical map.
"Mm. Speaking of which, General Kelly... I've been considering whether we should continue our withdrawal. If Hu Hao's forces push northwest, we'll be directly in their path. We could easily be encircled here in Liangchuan City!
"Furthermore, our ammunition relies entirely on the northwest supply corridor. If Hu Hao cuts that highway, we'll be starved of bullets within a week!" Felke voiced his deep concern.
"I've already brought that up with High Command. The Supreme Commander's orders are absolute: we must hold the northwestern gate. We cannot allow Hu Hao to advance any further northwest.
"If he pushes into this sector, he will directly threaten the primary logistical arteries supplying the hundreds of thousands of Allied troops assaulting the western front. High Command will not allow that," Kelly replied grimly.
"Sigh. I see," Felke nodded, understanding the strategic imperative.
Kelly had recognized the danger of encirclement long before Felke brought it up. He desperately wanted to retreat further northwest. If they were surrounded by Hu Hao, given the Eastern Spirit commander's terrifying track record, total annihilation was a very real possibility. Kelly no longer harbored any illusions about Hu Hao's brilliance or the massive army he commanded.
Swallowing an encircled, depleted force like theirs would be child's play for Hu Hao. However, Vostok's orders left them no choice but to stand and fight.
"We must accelerate the fortification of Liangchuan City. I fear Hu Hao's vanguard will arrive sooner rather than later. Any wounded soldier capable of holding a rifle is to be returned to active duty immediately!" Kelly ordered his Chief of Staff, Jasman.
"Understood. The orders have already been issued," Jasman nodded.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Capital of the Eastern Spirit Empire, the Emperor was in exceptionally high spirits. Following Hu Hao's advice, his nationwide address had been a resounding success.
Terrified by the threat of mob justice and military mutiny, the aristocratic families had capitulated. They had voluntarily relinquished a massive number of senior military commands.
Seizing the opportunity, the Emperor had personally presided over a massive promotion ceremony within the Imperial Palace, elevating over 400 capable, commoner-born officers to general officer ranks. This included 140 Major Generals and over 300 Brigadier Generals.
These newly minted generals were immediately dispatched to form the core of the newly authorized Group Armies or deployed to the various Combat Zones to serve as Division Commanders. Even some Brigadier Generals who lacked the formal seniority were granted temporary command of divisions by direct Imperial decree. Across the Empire, a renewed, unified training effort was underway.
"Your Majesty! General Hu Hao has transmitted a priority flash! The Mara 1st and 14th Corps have abandoned their siege of Yonghe City and retreated!" a communications officer reported, entering the Emperor's newly established military office.
"Oh?! He beat them back?! Excellent!" the Emperor exclaimed, his face lighting up.
"Speaking of Hu Hao, has he finalized the recruitment for his Group Army? The last roster he submitted only listed two Major Generals. Is that all?" the Emperor asked the assembled generals.
With his newfound authority, the Emperor had relocated his primary workspace to the Ministry of Defense, alongside the Crown Prince, allowing him to directly oversee military operations and hold daily staff meetings.
"Report: not yet, Your Majesty. General Hu Hao currently commands over 300,000 men, but he suffers a severe shortage of qualified senior officers. He has the troops, but not the commanders, which is why he hasn't submitted further promotion requests.
"However, Your Majesty, since Hu Hao has successfully repelled the 1st Corps, should we order him to push north and link up with the central front? This would allow us to establish a secure supply corridor to his Group Army. Furthermore, from his current position, a push east would support the central front, while a push northwest would relieve pressure on the western front!" Grand Marshal Luo Xin proposed.
The Emperor had executed his sweeping reshuffle: Luo Xin was the new Grand Marshal, Liang Kuan was General of the Right, and Tang Long had been demoted to the ceremonial role of General of the Left. Ma Zhenling had "voluntarily" retired, and his eldest son, Ma Xiongwei, was appointed Vanguard General to appease the family. He Jingzhong had been demoted to a standard full General and reassigned as Deputy Chief of Staff.
When these changes were publicly announced, the civilian populace had rejoiced. The previous military leadership had suffered catastrophic defeats; seeing Tang Long demoted and Ma Zhenling retired felt like a much-needed reckoning. The people were desperate for competent leadership that could actually defend the Empire.
The Emperor's address and the uncensored news reports detailing the Allied massacres had united the nation. Driven by the stark reality of extermination, civilian support for the war effort and military recruitment was at an all-time high.
"I discussed that exact maneuver with Hu Hao previously. He also wishes to link up with our lines. However, the Allied High Command has strategically placed two full corps directly between him and the central front. Furthermore, there is an Allied corps stationed on both his eastern and western flanks, specifically to prevent him from pushing north!
"Hu Hao possesses significant manpower, but the overall combat effectiveness of his raw recruits remains low. Attempting to smash through a four-corps blockade is highly risky. If the offensive fails, his army could be routed and corralled into an even smaller, indefensible pocket!" the Emperor relayed Hu Hao's strategic assessment to Luo Xin.
"Ah, I see. Four corps blocking his path north... and we currently lack the strength to launch a supporting offensive from our side. Yes, a breakout is indeed problematic," Luo Xin nodded in understanding.
"However, Hu Hao has also reported positive developments. To secure a larger operational area, his forces have launched simultaneous offensives to the south, west, and east!
"If he can successfully expand his territory to the east and west, he will directly threaten the Allied logistical supply lines feeding their primary offensives! But, as he noted, his forces are currently too inexperienced to mount a decisive, deep-penetration strike. We must wait until his divisions are fully integrated and trained!" the Crown Prince added, updating the staff on Hu Hao's maneuvers.
Across the Empire, five newly formed Group Armies were currently undergoing intensive training. The Commanders of these Group Armies reported directly to the Emperor. Two were loyal, veteran full Generals, while the other two were members of the Royal Family.
The Emperor intended for the royals to manage the administrative and logistical aspects for now; if brilliant tacticians emerged from the ranks later, they would be promoted to replace them.
The fifth Group Army was commanded by Hu Hao. The Emperor placed immense hope in him, as Hu Hao was the only commander consistently delivering victories—victories the Empire desperately needed to sustain public morale.
"Your Majesty, General Hu Hao's army is operating entirely beyond our direct supervision. This presents a potential political hazard. I strongly advise Your Majesty to dispatch a Chief of Staff to his headquarters as soon as possible to ensure proper oversight!" Tang Long spoke up from his seat, offering a thinly veiled suggestion to embed a political commissar in Hu Hao's ranks.
"The position of Chief of Staff in his Group Army remains vacant because we currently have no secure means of transporting personnel through the Allied blockade. Hu Hao has repeatedly requested that I dispatch a Chief of Staff, citing his inability to manage the administrative workload alone!
"Once the rainy season concludes and we open a supply corridor, we will select a suitable candidate to join his command," the Emperor replied evenly, dismissing Tang Long's insinuations.
(End of Chapter)