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No monarch dislikes loyal subjects, nor will they pass up an opportunity to commend loyal and able generals. This is their core interest and their instinct.
They will spare no effort in extolling those warriors who sacrificed their lives to uphold their rule, even elevating them to the status of deities.
Even the culturally barren, cruel, and tyrannical Qing Emperor knew to praise Shi Kefa, so it's nothing unusual for the King of Leite Kingdom, Leite VII, to commend his officers who died for him.
Making a show of it wholeheartedly is naturally for the living to see. On one hand, he wanted to show those still fighting for him that their bravery and loyalty would be rewarded; on the other hand, he wanted to show the Great Tang Group that the talent provided by Tang Mo was highly valued.
Only this way could he recruit more students from the Great Tang military academy, as Leite VII had been convinced that these individuals were truly precious and capable.
In just a few months, only seven or eight intern officers trained a legion to such a state.
The border legion, under the assault of several times their number of enemies, managed to hold out for days and even executed an orderly retreat in the end, preserving their basic formation—an achievement even the most elite troops of Leite Kingdom dared not claim they could accomplish.
Only now did Leite VII truly understand why the Great Tang military academy strictly controlled the quota for intern recruitment from various countries, making it seem as though everyone was clamoring for these interns.
Now he was truly clamoring for these interns, even feeling an impulse to recruit the entire graduating class under his command.
"I am proud of them! I've called you here to tell you that, if you are willing, I am prepared to promote your ranks immediately," said Leite VII, composing himself as he looked at the young officers standing erect before him.
"We are willing to stay," replied several of the young men standing in the front row after a few seconds of silence, their hoarse voices responding.
Their eyes were already red; they too had just received the news that some of their classmates had fallen.
Some were the upperclassmen of those who had perished, some their underclassmen, and even some were their direct classmates, from the same graduating class.
They even knew the names of the fallen, their academic performances in school, the numbers of their dormitory doors, and which beds they had slept in.
Their eyes moist, rims red, these young people, who had never frowned from hardship during training, were now choking with sobs.
"I will order that all the interns from the Great Tang military academy be granted promotions. I have already ordered approval of the report submitted by the commander of the border legion. In every battalion, and units above battalion, the position of staff officer will be established, and you will take on these roles!" Leite VII promised, looking at the distressed interns in front of him.
"I hope you can train the Leite Kingdom's military to be even better, to forge it stronger! I will not forget the blood debt owed to Germelin! Next, we shall make Germelin... pay with blood for blood!" he unsheathed his sword and lifted it high above his head, crying out loud.
"Make Germelin pay with blood for blood!" The young officers swung their fists in the air, shouting loudly in unison, "Make Germelin... pay with blood for blood!"
Leite VII did indeed have the power to take revenge; he had even already thought about how to begin his retaliation!
He had already assembled two legions of troops, with two more legions converging from different directions toward the eastern front.
This was a first—the first time six graduates from the Great Tang Military Academy had died at once. Although there had been sacrifices before, they were usually isolated incidents involving just one person.
But this time, six had died in one fell swoop—this weighed heavily on Tang Mo's heart, as if he had lost a group of relatives.
He was still clutching the telegram, which emphasized Leite VII's decision to promote all the trainees from the Great Tang Military Academy.
Additionally, Leite VII had made a request in the telegram, asking for the Great Tang Military Academy to support the Leite Kingdom with more graduates, expressing a willingness to collaborate for this purpose.
Leite VII even showed rare generosity: On the matter of this collaboration, I am willing to pay whatever it costs; we can discuss anything...
The end of the telegram announced Leite VII's conferring of the title of Earl upon Tang Mo—an attempt to placate him.
"It's definitely not just a small move," Tang Mo clenched the telegram in his hand and, looking at Li'ao, suddenly spoke.
He squinted his eyes and continued, "If it were simply Germelin's attack, the scale would be too insignificant! They should know that merely with such tactics, it's impossible to defeat me!"
As he spoke, he stood up, leaning forward with his hands on the edge of the table: "Suthers, Dorne! Even Poplar and Songmu Kingdoms! They will surely act from all directions! Send the message out, let everyone be prepared!"
"Yes!" Li'ao immediately nodded in agreement.
"Have the fleet stay at Hotwind Port! Until we understand just how big a storm Shireck is prepared to stir up, adding new enemies is irrational!" Tang Mo instructed further.
Li'ao paused, then nodded again, "Yes! Master."
He hadn't anticipated Tang Mo's restraint; the young man had easily let go of an enticing opportunity, making the most rational decision.
If these decisions had been made by a 60-year-old man, Li'ao wouldn't have found it surprising. But the fact that they came from the mouth of someone who was not yet 21 years old demanded admiration.
Although, Li'ao had witnessed Tang Mo's shrewdness and steadiness more than once. Yet, each time he was still a little shocked.
Li'ao did not know that this command would place the fleet, which was ready to head south, at the position where they most needed to be. Because a colossal navy fleet of the Taren Kingdom was advancing towards Hotwind Port.
However, Tang Mo did not foresee that in Dorne, where the Great Tang Group's intelligence network was not fully spread out, a storm was also brewing.
At the same time, the borders between the Poplar and Songmu Kingdoms were also stirring, with a larger scale war in preparation.
As an experienced player, Shireck certainly had its own influence. With their deep roots, they had more surprises in store for Tang Mo.
And now, those involved in this matter were still unaware that a war in which 11 nations were participating, a conflict that spread across a third of the Endless Sea's Eastern Continent, and alarmed more than half of the world, was gradually unfolding due to their actions.
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