CH 211

Shenjing Imperial Capital.

Winter Palace.

In a small and shabby office, Chang Hai was throwing a tantrum. Due to his continuous failures, he had been demoted, but he was still in charge of handling the affairs of Changshan County.

Bang!

He angrily slammed the Imperial Economic Weekly on the table. "Is Changshan County rich enough to repair the steel mill?"

A council spy said, "Director Chang, it is said that they hired a world-renowned foreign engineering team to repair it."

"Can repairing the steel mill bring back the solidified steel in the furnace?"

"Uh, I don't know about that."

Chang Hai angrily tore the newspaper to shreds. "Changshan County will never be allowed to have an industry! Especially such an advanced steel mill!"

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"Go, order the ace spy An Desi to destroy the steel mill again!"

"If we can destroy it once, we can destroy it again!"

"And, why hasn't he poisoned the water source in Shangxi Town yet?"

"Give the order. If he doesn't poison it again and kills the rebels in Shangxi Town, I will kill all the males in his family, defile the females, record it as a video, and send it to everyone he knows, then publish it on the internet for the whole empire to enjoy!"

---

Southwest Military Region.

Supreme Command Headquarters.

Luo State was the territory of the council, and the Governor of Luo State was a staunch ally of Yu Zhongxian. Therefore, attacking Luo State was equivalent to attacking Yu Zhongxian.

Thus, their confrontation mainly focused on Luo State.

Spies from the Southwest Military Region infiltrated everywhere, causing destruction without considering that Luo State was on the western front of the war, where the rising star commander of the empire was fighting against the cavalry of the Papal States.

Good news kept coming from the front, and there was joy within the group. However, Qin Gang remained unmoved.

It wasn't until the Chief of Staff finished formulating the next round of attack plans and the meeting was nearing its end that the Deputy Chief of Staff mentioned the matter of Changshan County.

"The steel mill in Changshan County has been restored. Their equipment is at an advanced level in the empire and can save them a lot of expenses. It must be destroyed first."

Qin Gang, the third-in-command of the Qin Clan Group and the Governor of Xuzhou, said, "Their high-quality coke is imported from me. I can cut off the supply directly."

A military officer asked, "Are there no other places?"

Governor Qin smiled, "I am the empire's coal-rich province. Which coal merchant doesn't care about my face? Which coal boss doesn't show me respect? If anyone sells goods to Changshan County, they are disrespecting me and deliberately opposing me."

The Deputy Chief of Staff continued, "Also, we have received the latest intelligence. Changshan County has hired a cruise ship and is heading downstream. They have already made customs declarations, stating that their destination is the high seas."

The head of the group's smuggling operation understood immediately, "They are preparing to trade on the high seas, either evading taxes or selling prohibited goods. In large quantities."

"What kind of large-scale trade does Changshan County have?"

"Steel. Can they earn back the transportation costs?"

The person in charge of the group's usury suddenly said, "Changshan County used Stone State to obtain many young female slaves from us before. They must be going to buy and sell human trafficking!"

"But they are all trash goods," he added. "They are all defective, either weak or sickly. They can't be sold for much."

Qin Gang did not publicly disclose the matter of the gold within the group, so most people did not know that Changshan County was highly likely to be the mastermind behind the real theft of gold. They only knew that Changshan County had been listed as an enemy of the group, one of the many obstacles on the group's path to development.

The main influence of the Qin Clan Group was in the inland areas, and their influence on the water was not significant.

Since they couldn't sell for much, everyone didn't pay much attention to it.

After the meeting, Qin Gang returned to his office and had his secretary bring him the highest-level secure phone.

It was a red antique-shaped phone, a special phone that only generals above the rank of commander-in-chief possessed. It used a special defense cable line, and the Imperial Security Bureau was responsible for ensuring that it would never be interrupted or wiretapped.

Qin Gang picked up the phone and dialed the number of the Imperial Navy Marshal.

After a while, the call was connected.

A deep voice.

"Hello, Qin Gang, what's the matter?"

"Hello, Marshal Lu, I have some news to tell you. There is a cruise ship carrying at least 3 tons of illegal gold, preparing to enter the Tianjiang River and then go out to sea from the Dalong River to complete an illegal transaction on the high seas."

"Belongs to?"

"Changshan County."

"Conditions?"

"Eliminate all the people."

"Hmph, I won't oppose the third proposal for the Army's coastal defense weapons research funding at the next military meeting."

"Thank you, Marshal Lu."

After hanging up the phone, Qin Gang gave another order.

"Tell the Director of the Tax Bureau at headquarters, Yan Gao, that Changshan County is involved in illegal smuggling of gold, and the amount is huge."

"Let the Meizhu Agency send out elite spies to gather evidence."

---

The next day.

Imperial Capital.

Emperor's Tower.

A grand meeting was held.

It was an important expanded meeting.

The atmosphere in the venue was very oppressive.

After the Prime Minister of the State Council reported the losses caused by the war, the Chief Logistics Officer of the military began reporting on the shortage of military supplies.

These supplies mainly included hemostatic drugs, long-staple cotton for medical use, and copper.

Afterwards, the Army Marshal Zhu Kewu reported on the war situation.

The war against the Sobo Kingdom on the banks of the Blackwater River was in a stalemate. Shanxin Wu held his ground on a 15-kilometer front, and the empire suffered heavy losses, but the war was far from reaching a decisive outcome.The war in Zezhou has gotten out of control. The Papal States dispatched a cavalry regiment to block the encirclement of the Imperial Double Stars, ignoring the possibility of being flanked. The main force continued to advance and launched a fierce attack on the defense line in Zhongzhou, advancing 32 kilometers.

The rebel Wu Jingtang spread rumors everywhere, bewitching the hearts of the soldiers and the people, plundering the population, and forcing refugees to charge into minefields and the Imperial defense line, causing countless innocent civilians to die tragically and the morale of the soldiers in Zhongzhou front line to plummet.

After a brief discussion, the Elder Council approved Zhu Kewu's plan and sent troops to assist the Imperial Double Stars, breaking through the blockade of the Adriano Cavalry Regiment and cutting off their retreat route.

If the rear is flanked, the main force of the Papal States must withdraw as soon as possible if they do not want to be surrounded within the Imperial territory.

The next debate was whether to send troops to support Zhongzhou. Army Marshal Zhu Kewu insisted on sending troops, saying:

"Everyone, the Papal States are cruel followers of the Burning Heaven Sect. Their main force is led by monks, nobles, and priests, and they love live sacrifices the most. They ruthlessly kill innocent civilians in Zhongzhou to please their main god, Burning Heaven. They use the bodies, heads, blood, and internal organs of the victims to complete their rituals. The bloody and cruel scene is indescribable."

"If the defense line in Zhongzhou is breached again, countless people will die under the butcher's knife. The Empire has a responsibility to defend its citizens."

However, Yu Zhongxian refuted this statement.

"Defending Zhongzhou is Wang Bo'an's responsibility. How can the Empire do it for him?"

"And if we strengthen the defense of Zhongzhou, what if the Papal States feel disadvantaged and retreat early? Once they return to defend Zezhou and block the Imperial Double Stars attacking from both sides, won't we have to fight a protracted war with them in Zezhou?"

"By then, the war will be prolonged, and countless lives will be lost. Who will bear this responsibility?"

Zhu Kewu looked at Yu Zhongxian with disgust, but what he said was not without possibility. Zhu Kewu could only try to persuade the elders from a humanitarian perspective.

But the elders obviously considered the interests of the Empire above humanitarianism.

His proposal did not pass.

The second issue was about the refugees.

Currently, more than 80% of the refugees generated by the war are concentrated in Zhongzhou, causing a heavy burden on Zhongzhou. Not only is it difficult to supply materials, but the resettlement and management of refugees also face great difficulties.

The neighboring Luzhou and Guangzhou are still constantly sending refugees to Zhongzhou.

The special envoy of the Governor of Zhongzhou, Wang Bo'an, shouted loudly at the meeting: "Why is this happening? Why are the refugees concentrated in Zhongzhou? Can't other provinces handle it?"

"At this time, the patrol monitors of the Council are still constantly driving away refugees. They seem to have just remembered the existence of the regulation on sheltering, as if to remedy the previous losses, they are inspecting the implementation of this law everywhere, even willing to stay at the front line just to drive the refugees to Zhongzhou!"

The angry special envoy couldn't hold back anymore and pointed at Yu Zhongxian's face, saying sternly:

"At the critical moment of the Empire, you are still busy with internal strife! Even using the lives of refugees for political attacks, you are truly shameless and heartless. How can you be qualified as an imperial-level official controlling the Council's law and order?"

The venue quieted down, and Elder Lin Yabo sneered, "Just a special envoy, dare to roar at the garrison commander in the Elder Council. Are your ears deaf?"

But Emperor Li Longxing stopped him.

"This matter needs an explanation. The unity of the Empire is of utmost importance. Throughout history, dynasties that were busy with internal strife during times of crisis almost all perished."

This statement touched the four senior elders, and they all said together, "Yu Zhongxian, explain your actions immediately."

Yu Zhongxian remained unchanged in expression, bowed to the elders, and calmly said:

"Zhongzhou has the largest area and the longest depth in the entire Empire. It should be the place to accommodate refugees."

"Luzhou and Guangzhou have narrow and weak terrain. Once breached, it is equivalent to expanding the war front. They bear the ultimate task of the war and should be the first to be guaranteed."

"In the face of war, the provinces of the Empire should cooperate sincerely. Zhongzhou bears the responsibility of accommodating refugees and attracting the main force of the Papal States to attack, while Luzhou and Guangzhou break through from the side and cut off their retreat. Only in this way can we annihilate the invading enemy and restore the glory of the Empire."

"But..."

Yu Zhongxian's voice became stern.

"Governor Wang Bo'an only cares about his own interests and only cares about his own gains and losses, completely disregarding the overall situation of the Empire. He even sent such a lackey to roar at the highest council, slandering and attacking me!"

"May I ask, who is attacking political opponents recklessly? Who is ignoring the safety of the Empire and engaging in political attacks?"

The special envoy's face quickly turned red. He never expected that things could be turned upside down like this. Zhongzhou has become a refugee camp, under heavy pressure, it still has to fight against the main force of the Papal States, coordinate with a part of the Empire's main force, and struggle to get delayed assistance that has been postponed with various excuses.

The special envoy witnessed with his own eyes that Wang Bo'an, who used to be full of vigor and had a loud voice, became haggard and weak. He spent almost day and night dealing with countless affairs. The hearty laughter that used to be heard in the Governor's Mansion had long disappeared.

"You, you are distorting the facts! You are spouting bloodthirsty lies! It is clearly you who are obstructing the assistance, you who are..."

"Enough!"

Li Longxing interrupted him in time. He glanced at Yu Zhongxian, who had a flickering and unpredictable murderous intent in his eyes, knowing that the special envoy would not be able to harm Yu Zhongxian in the slightest even if he continued speaking, but would only expose more flaws for him to attack."Yu Zhongxian makes a valid point, but Zhongzhou also needs assistance."

Li Longxing knew what to say to get the Grand Elders on board. The empire was in a critical situation, with major incidents occurring frequently. The Grand Elders were increasingly involved in politics, showing a tendency to take control of the situation.

The First Elder was technically one of the Grand Elders. As long as Li Longxing could reach an agreement with the four Grand Elders, there would be nothing in the empire that could stop them.

Sure enough, all the Grand Elders nodded in agreement.

"That's right, Zhongzhou indeed needs to make sacrifices, but it also needs assistance."

"Refugees should indeed be taken in by Zhongzhou, but the neighboring states should also bear some responsibility."

"Aid is also indispensable. The imperial headquarters need to prepare enough supplies to support Zhongzhou."

"The neighboring states should also provide some supplies as much as they can."

And so, the matter was settled.

This was the best outcome they could hope for.

Yet, most people were unaware.

As the Grand Elders' interference in imperial affairs deepened, the power of the First Elder, who was also the Emperor Li Longxing, was unknowingly strengthened.