Munitions Empire-Chapter 1117 - 1038 anxious

"If we are to strike, we strike Zhao Ji! Zhao Jie poses little threat!" Tang Mo, observing the map, keenly pinpointed the crux of the matter: "Zhao Jie escaping merely leaves a hidden danger for Zhao Yu, whether we eliminate this danger for him or ignore it, it’s not fatal."

"Moreover, Zhao Jie’s stance in staunchly defending the Imperial Capital is not resolute. Once we attack him, he will run! Thus, attacking him is useless, just let him make his own judgment."

Then he continued: "But Zhao Ji is different, he can’t run! Once he retreats, he will inevitably lose half of the Southwest and Northwest, a loss he cannot afford!"

"Therefore, we strike Zhao Ji first, as he will inevitably be dealt with sooner or later. We cannot avoid this!" Tang Mo tapped twice on the northern part of the Imperial Capital’s map: "Keep Zhao Jie in place, don’t touch him for now. Once Zhao Jie flees, Zhao Ji’s defenses in the Imperial Capital will be consolidated, which would inadvertently aid Zhao Ji!"

Luff nodded in agreement and said: "Your Majesty’s judgment is very accurate, and the discussions at the Staff Department also reflect this... Attack the north of the city first, create a breakthrough! Always keep an eye on Zhao Jie’s movements, ready to take over his control area in the south of the city!"

"Hmm! The direction is correct, leave the specific operation to Luo Xiao... Having led the troops of Fengjiang to such military achievements, I am reassured to entrust the 8th Corps to him." Tang Mo nodded in satisfaction.

To be honest, he was very pleased with Luo Xiao, a top graduate from the military academy who had held a position within the Staff Department right after graduation and performed exceptionally well.

After being dispatched to Fengjiang, he notably excelled, leading the military advisory group of the Great Tang Empire and commanding Fengjiang’s military to a series of victories, establishing today’s Dahua situation.

"Luo Xiao is indeed excellent, but Hoge is also a promising talent," Luff said with a smile, sharing his opinion.

Tang Mo was slightly taken aback, then nodded his head. He knew this was a way for the locals to express their uneasiness after the native Luo Xiao’s rise.

The commander of the 1st Corps was previously Redman, who is now a Marshal. Continuing to serve as the commander of the 1st Corps would misuse his abilities, so the position has been vacated.

Redman recommended his deputy, who had been his Chief of Staff, Hoge to take over as the commander of the 1st Corps. This issue had already been discussed once, and Tang Mo was still deliberating the appointment.

Hoge was a veteran who came with Brunas, his loyalty was unquestionable. As a commander, his capabilities were also beyond doubt, so Tang Mo was not averse to this recommendation.

This kind of reaction is inevitable as the number of natives increases, and the outsiders are bound to react accordingly. It’s not surprising to see such reactions; it would be truly problematic if there were none.

Now, Tang Mo felt it was necessary to placate the outsiders by agreeing to Luff’s suggestion, so he also agreed to the proposal discussed at the earlier meeting: "Award the command of the 1st Corps to Hoge. Draft a document for this appointment."

"Where did Xu Guo go?" After discussing Hoge’s matter, Tang Mo suddenly remembered Zhao Yu’s dandelion. The topic of Luo Xiao just now brought Xu Guo to mind.

"Xu Guo applied to go to the Eastern Continent on his own," Luff replied promptly. As the Imperial Chief of Staff, he had some authority to know messages from the Imperial Security Bureau.

After all, there are times when the Staff Department needs to communicate with intelligence agencies. Although they have their own intelligence devision, they often work closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Security Bureau.

"Applied?" Tang Mo was surprised, as Xu Guo, who had just completed a mission, unexpectedly headed to the Eastern Continent for another.

"Yes, Your Majesty. He declined a holiday and requested a mission to the Eastern Continent," Luff nodded and said to Tang Mo: "He said that if his efforts can bring Your Majesty’s troops back to the Eastern Continent sooner, it was all worth it."

This was the information Luff knew; he knew about Xu Guo’s assignment to the Eastern Continent, but specifics of operation—where exactly... those specific details, he wouldn’t know.

Tang Mo was slightly stunned, having seen such characters in many movies before his time travel, the ones who fight selflessly for their beliefs and unswerving hope.

In the past, he had doubted such sacrifices because he was an arms dealer. He believed that sacrifice meant a deficiency in advanced weaponry, and embracing death was merely a manifestation of backward incompetence.

But later, he realized he was wrong. Only when enlightenment reaches a certain level, complemented with sufficiently advanced weaponry and technology, can one be truly invincible—thought and technology are indispensable to each other.

"Has he been commended?" Tang Mo asked casually.

Luff was startled; the Emperor personally inquiring about someone’s promotion and commendation was in itself a great honor. He nodded, "He was awarded the second-class Blade Medal and promoted to Colonel."

"The reason for not awarding him a Major General is because his sizeable rank during behind-enemy-line operations could affect tactical decisions." To satisfy Tang Mo, Luff quickly added an explanation.

Tang Mo nodded slightly, agreeing with Luff’s opinion: Working behind enemy lines is dangerous, no matter how arrogant the intelligence department of the Great Tang Empire is, there still exists a certain degree of risk.

Since there is danger, giving a military rank of Major General to an intelligence officer operating behind enemy lines is equivalent to giving the enemy a greater bargaining chip. If the Major General were to be captured, the standards and ranks involved in the rescue operation would be entirely different.

Furthermore, there is an issue of hierarchy. It’s feasible for an intelligence officer to apply to fight behind enemy lines, but if this intelligence officer is a Major General, how would the intelligence network formed around him operate?

The person commanding this Major General might be a locally undercover Lieutenant Colonel or Major, which could affect the Commander’s judgement and operations, and during dangerous times, it might even lead to mission failure.

"Next time he comes back, just pin the Major General rank on him and have him work directly at the Imperial Security Bureau!" Tang Mo, with a rebellious spirit, insists on keeping the person, who wants to sacrifice his life for his country, alive and well.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Luff immediately responded.

...

Dahua Empire, Imperial Capital.

Inside the Imperial City, looking at Zhao Kai lying in the coffin, Zhao Ji felt not a shred of sadness, as he was here only to tell his father that he was about to become the new Emperor of the Empire.

With Zhao Jie still controlling the south of the city and Zhao Yu’s troops added outside, none of these could stop his ambition to become Emperor or shake his desire to ascend to the throne.

"Father, father... I am ready to accept the worship of the officials in the Imperial Palace and become the new Emperor of the Dahua Empire. Unexpected, isn’t it? You vigilantly guarded against me, set traps and harmed me, yet in the end, it is I who will take your place..." Zhao Ji stood by the coffin not yet buried, his tone smooth yet ice cold.

"You must be quite unhappy, perhaps you had already planned to pass the throne to Zhao Jie?" Zhao Ji sneered, mocking his father inside the coffin.

"Or perhaps, you’re actually regretting, regretting having driven away Zhao Yu... Look, he’s come back now, he’s about to take my position again! Are you not pleased to hear this news, are you not?" he grew more agitated as he spoke, almost lying on his father’s face.

The entire room was incredibly cold, Zhao Ji could even feel a slight chill emanating from the corpse. But he still refused to stop, almost looking like he wanted to flip the coffin over.

The priests and guards next to him trembled with fear, but not one dared to step forward to dissuade him. If the officials from the various ministries had still been around, perhaps they might have had the courage to say a few words. But now, only some newly promoted minor officials remained in the Imperial City, none daring to speak out.

Indeed, after contemplating for a day, Zhao Ji, disregarding all else, hastily prepared to ascend the throne amidst internal and external troubles.

He completely ignored the rebel troops from Fengjiang outside the city, as well as the traitor Zhao Jie occupying the south of the city.

No matter what, he was determined to become Emperor, even if it was only for ten days, he must do it! That was Zhao Ji’s thought, so he went ahead and did it.

To make himself appear legitimate, he first promoted Li Mingshun to "Great General", then had Li Mingshun submit a list recommending some generals. Whoever Li Mingshun recommended, he promoted, a clever move that effectively won over the military officials.

At the same time, he scoured the city for officials who hadn’t escaped in time. Those who were originally in charge were promoted to director, directors directly to deputy ministers, and if the deputy ministers were still there, they were immediately appointed as Chief of Staff.

In short, Zhao Ji was unscrupulous, dispensing offices and granting wishes, and in just one afternoon, he put together a so-called provisional government.

The next day, he flaunted himself by Zhao Kai’s casket, sending those who had just been promoted one or even three ranks to organize the so-called coronation ceremony.

Actually, the entire Imperial Capital was in no condition to organize a coronation ceremony: the south of the city was filled with gunsmoke, artillery had left craters everywhere, gunshots rang out throughout the city, and even half of the court officials were unaccounted for.

But Zhao Ji didn’t care about these; he just wanted the feeling of sitting on the throne. Li Mingshun, responsible for commanding city defense, was too busy to bother with Zhao Ji, who thus freely continued his folly.

"You see, you’re lying here now..." Actually, the entire Imperial Capital was in no condition to organize a coronation ceremony: the south of the city was filled with gunsmoke, artillery had left craters everywhere, gunshots rang out throughout the city, and even half of the court officials were unaccounted for.

"You see, you’re lying here now..."