Munitions Empire-Chapter 975 - Fought for peace at the expense of 897

Chapter 975: Fought for peace at the expense of 897 Chapter 975: Fought for peace at the expense of 897 As they were checking their supplies, someone couldn’t help but complain, “Look at them, getting three pairs of socks, so thick, and underwear… we only get one and have no spare to change into, yet each of them gets three sets.”

In modern warfare, especially when it is undergirded by industrial power, the contest is all about supplies. The Tang Empire, as the country with the highest industrial level and strongest productive capacity in the world, naturally could provide the strongest backing for its soldiers on the front lines.

“What’s key is the material they’re using, you can feel how comfortable it is just by holding it, breathable and thin, really nice,” said one excited soldier as he looked at the unfamiliar underwear.

The underwear distributed by the Dahua Empire really left much to be desired. It wasn’t just an issue of poor quality; the main problem was how uncomfortable they were to wear, tightly gripping the buttocks and making one constantly want to scratch and adjust them.

“I shouldn’t have said what I did earlier, with the support from the Tang Empire, it truly is impressive,” said a soldier who had just claimed they didn’t need the support from Tang Country as he watched another soldier distribute three beautifully packaged candies and a starch ham sausage to each person’s bed. He immediately slapped his own mouth.

Another soldier beside him was dumbfounded at seeing two bags labeled with ‘sugar’ and ‘salt’: “It’s not just impressive, it’s fantastic.”

In the Dahua Empire, they’d never prepared such things for the soldiers; everything was lumped together in a communal pot, who cared about whether the flavors suited the palate of the common soldiers?

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Looking over at the Tang Empire’s side, every soldier could adjust their flavors to their own taste. Attention to such details was so touching that it moved people.

The squad leader was also stunned; he really hadn’t expected the aid provided by the Tang Empire to be so generous: “They’re giving sugar, salt… are they going to battle or going to enjoy luxuries?”

The officer supervising the distribution of supplies at the doorway laughed, “You got it right there. The soldiers of the Tang Empire are living it up on the front line, while we’re going there to meet our deaths.”

“Take a good look! This is chocolate! It’s hunger-sating candy! Don’t eat it carelessly! It’s part of the emergency rations! Understand?” As they were finishing the distribution of supplies, the officer standing at the door, as if going through the motions, raised a small red-wrapped object in his hand and shouted loudly.

“Understood…” came the scattered replies, for everyone was still reeling from shock.

Soon, people began to whisper to each other, “I heard about this stuff, that candy house on the street sells it, I heard it’s really tasty.”

“I know that candy house…” A soldier immediately responded while swallowing his saliva.

Someone else asked those around him, “Isn’t everything there really expensive?”

These novel items from the Tang Empire were generally not cheap. The candy house was a famous “internet celebrity shop,” frequented by many wealthy families from near and far.

Just looking at the huge colorful lollipop sign at the entrance, it was clear that the items sold there would be delicious and definitely out of reach for ordinary folks!

Chocolate, as a high-calorie food, had long become one of the standard rations for soldiers of the Tang Empire. However, overseas, it was still seen as a luxury item, something ordinary people had only heard of but never seen.

So, holding the chocolate in their hands, these soldiers began to feel nervous: “They’ve really just given it to us? And such a large piece for each person?”

“Do you think I could keep it without eating, and take it home for my son, would that be alright?” an old soldier asked his squad leader not far away.

Upon hearing this, the squad leader also came to a realization, “Huh? Now that you mention it… I also think it’s a good idea to take some back home.”

“Every seven days!” The officer at the door, having had enough of listening to these people getting emotional over charity, cleared his throat and interrupted, “We’ve got plenty of supplies!”

“What?” Upon hearing this piece of news, everyone couldn’t believe their ears.

And some just started shouting outright, “Really?”

“From now on, you will be issued supplies according to the Tang Empire’s rations! We are not just defending Fengjiang, but also protecting trade between the two countries! We are on the side of justice! We are defending the hard-won peace between our two nations! Victory will ultimately be ours!” Seeing the morale rising, the officer distributing supplies couldn’t forget to add an extra push for motivation.

Indeed, everyone began to embrace the narrative — they were defending the hard-won peace between the two countries!

With loud cheers, they began to don their gear and pack a hoard of supplies that they usually couldn’t even lay eyes on into their packs.

They changed their flags, put on new shoes, and donned their M35 Steel Helmets, ready to fight for their lives.

…

“Your Majesty…” Standing not far away and seeing Zhao Kai, Prince Zhao Chen couldn’t help but raise his voice and ask, “Are we really going to war?”

“It’s no longer about whether I want to start a war or not! Zhao Yu that traitor might have already fled to Fengjiang, do you think he would just sit there and wait for death?” Zhao Kai’s voice was hoarse, and he felt increasingly tired.

By all reasoning, he was only in his fifties this year, not yet at the age where one is frail and feeble, but due to the series of recent events, his face had become creased with wrinkles, and his hair was starting to turn white.

In the span of a year, he seemed to have aged several years, and the recent series of events had caused him to suffer frequent and unbearable chest pains.

As an emperor, to be in such a plight was truly a bitter pill to swallow. The once easily angered and stubborn Zhao Kai now seemed to exude a sense of dejection.

The situation in the court was chaotic, with some people advocating for Zhao Yu’s pardon, while others suggested foolishly giving Zhao Yu the authority to manage Fengjiang as a way to defuse the situation, representing the true opinions of many ministers.

Many ministers even discussed privately that if Zhao Kai could decide to depose Zhao Ji and pass the title of Crown Prince to Zhao Yu, then all problems seemed solvable.

But everyone knew that Zhao Yu’s recent series of rash actions were indeed unwise, making it almost impossible for Zhao Kai to make any compromises.

Despite being fully aware of the situation, everyone was trying their best to avoid a conflict and its escalation. Prime Minister Chu Muzhou was extremely worried that the Great Tang Empire would take advantage of the situation and once again declare war on the Dahua Empire.

The current military power of the Dahua Empire was somewhat stronger than before, but the internal and external troubles were greater than ever. The dual crises had always been there, and it really couldn’t afford another round of war chaos.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Regrettably, these concerns of the ministers were not something they could resolve themselves; everything depended on the face of the Great Tang Empire and the development of subsequent events.

But the development of subsequent events became more and more chaotic, Zhao Kai was busy consolidating military power, preparing troops for battle, and the situation in Fengjiang also began to grow complicated.

“If we don’t fire… will it ease the situation?” Zhao Chen suggested, “If we don’t fight, and Zhao Yu also doesn’t fire, as long as the train and airplane traffic remain uninterrupted, there might still be a chance.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but… do you think that the Great Tang Empire will let us have our way?” Zhao Kai said as he massaged his temples.

In the past few days, he had been relentlessly busy, on the one hand, deploying and commanding troops, and on the other, pacifying the regions. He had to deal with the ministers in the court, while also guessing the intentions of the neighboring Great Tang.

In fact, two conflicts had already erupted in parts of the Dahua Empire—cities supporting Zhao Yu, unwilling to obey His Majesty The Emperor’s orders to surrender military power.

The result was that two places were besieged by Zhao Kai’s troops, struggled for two days, and then were crushed; one city lord fled, another was captured alive and beheaded for public display.

But despite this, there were still many places that outwardly obeyed but secretly defied Zhao Kai’s orders, and many localities publicly supported Zhao Yu.

After thinking it over, Zhao Chen suggested, “On the Great Tang Empire’s side, they just want benefits, advantages, nothing more. If all else fails, negotiate the tariffs!”

“Giving out some today and some tomorrow, might as well just give Tang Mo the position too, right?” Zhao Kai didn’t erupt in rage as he used to, but his words exerted enormous pressure on Zhao Chen.

He could only bow his head and say to his brother, “Your servant trembles with fear! Everything will be as Your Majesty arranges, whether to wage war or make peace, it is for Your Majesty to decide alone!”

“This is the civil war of our Dahua Empire, the Great Tang Empire won’t brazenly get involved so soon! Morally they can’t justify it, just like last time when we took advantage of the situation and lost our moral standing,” Zhao Kai pondered for a few seconds before slowly saying.

“Although they will secretly support that traitor Zhao Yu! But in the short term, the Great Tang Empire won’t send troops directly, that’s our chance! If you can lead the troops to annihilate Zhao Yu, then there’s still hope for a turnaround.” After saying this, Zhao Kai looked towards Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen bowed slightly, promising, “Your servant brother will do his utmost to take Fengjiang and relieve Your Majesty of this burden!”

“I can only rely on you now! Our Dahua Royal Family can only survive this crisis and protect the legacy left by our ancestors by sticking together as one,” Zhao Kai said as he waved his hand, “Go! At all costs, retake Fengjiang within a month! Quell this rebellion!”

“Yes!” Zhao Chen bowed and backed away.

“Take Zhao Ji with you! He has both new grudges and old ones against Zhao Yu, so he definitely won’t show mercy! Having him supervise the battle will have some effect,” Zhao Kai suddenly added.

Zhao Chen was taken aback, then bowed again, “Yes! Your Majesty can rest assured, your servant brother will take good care of the Crown Prince.”

This time, Zhao Kai said no more. After leaving Zhao Kai’s room, Zhao Chen’s expression became complicated. He didn’t know why Zhao Kai wanted Zhao Ji to go to the front lines or what kind of situation he would encounter there.

Without paying any attention to the guards saluting him in the corridor, Zhao Chen absentmindedly left the Imperial Palace and got into his car.

———

The next update will be delayed; it will be available for viewing tomorrow morning.