Munitions Empire

It should have been a bloody battle, yet the battle reports from the Tang Army commanders read exceptionally dull and uninteresting.

Almost all commanders described this battle, which should have been a significant tank showdown, in a lackluster manner: The enemy tanks charged at us, we deployed at our chosen positions, then opened fire, destroying one enemy tank after another.

And then? Then we counterattacked, charged forward... well, the enemy surrendered. Everything was so natural, everything was so uneventful, everything was so simple.

When the Tang Army tanks charged forward, the Qin Army troops did not even flee; they surrendered, handed over their weapons, and quite a few tanks were left there, yet not one dared to fire a single shot at the Tang Army's new-style tanks that were so close.

Later, Liu Guozhu and others met the captured division commander of the Qin Country's 2nd Armored Division, and they had a fairly sumptuous lunch together. After some exchanges, they learned that the terrifying combat power of the Tang Army's tanks had stunned the Qin Army commander.

The other party thought he was facing an entire tank division and even suspected he was surrounded. He couldn't get in touch with his adjacent friendly forces and didn't know where reinforcements were.

In the dark, fearing that the Tang Army's tanks would crush his troops, he gracefully ordered a surrender, stopping his unit's resistance.

Over a hundred of the IV tanks and Qin Type 4 tanks thus fell into the hands of the Tang Army. Seeing those IV tanks equipped with long-barreled 75mm tank cannons, many Tang Army commanders felt nostalgic.

There's no helping it; perhaps these tanks were the very ones they had operated before. Seeing this familiar equipment certainly evokes memories.

Several crew members from the Tang Army went to touch these long-unseen old comrades. Some even cheekily exchanged usage experiences with the Qin Army tank crew members...

They gathered to gripe about some problems and vices of the IV tank, just like a former husband and the current one discussing insights about a certain woman...

However, the good times are always short-lived. When the Tang Army's helicopter units began circling the battlefield once again, and when the Thunderbolt Attack Aircraft started attacking surrounding targets openly, the Tang Army tank operators knew they had to get moving again.

There's no choice; quickly dash behind the others to get ahead. Reaching the position might at least earn some soup, but failing to reach the position... means not even picking up a captive.

In the afternoon, the Dongqing City, where Ying An was, was turned into a salient by the Tang Army. The Qin Army hadn't even completed their battle preparations when their flanks collapsed.

Also, that evening, Marshal Tagge of the Great Tang Empire broke into Pingfeng, and another armored unit of the Great Tang Empire headed south straight into Shu City.

Once Shu City fell under Tang Army control, it meant that the two armored groups under Tagge's command had no worries about their rear.

They could freely attack Caili, the Imperial Capital, Dongqing... but all these seemed trivial to the Qin Army.

Because Dongqing and the critical Black Water Oilfield were already on the verge of falling into the Tang Army's hands. This was undeniably bad news for Qin Country's overall strategic defense.

While Ying Duo was dining, he received the message that instantly ruined his appetite: The Tang Army controlled Pingfeng, and virtually all efforts by the Qin Army to stabilize the battle lines had failed.

He didn't throw the tableware in front of him, as Qin Country had always led a frugal life, and Ying Duo wasn't in the habit of shattering valuable items.

However, he waved his hand irritably, signaling the waitstaff to clear the table. The Emperor of Qin Country returned to his office and immediately summoned his Prime Minister, Ying Ke.

"The situation is extremely passive... Our air force has suffered heavy losses, the army crumbles at the slightest touch... I don't know why it's like this, but it's evident that going to war with Tang Country... was indeed an unwise decision." Ying Duo did not conceal his agitation when he saw his Prime Minister.

Ying Ke was also worried about the collapse of the battle situation, yet he calmly shared his opinion: "Your Majesty! The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that we must consider the worst possible scenario."

"Wang Luo's forces are likely irretrievable, so we must think about how we can stabilize the front lines even after losing so many troops." Ying Ke had thought of some solutions before he arrived, and now he spoke smoothly.

He only paused slightly before continuing: "Your Majesty, the old capital... must be defended!"

The old capital Ying Ke referred to was, in fact, the Imperial Capital of the Dahua Empire. It wasn't merely a crucial large city but also Dahua's most important transportation hub, as well as an industrial and populous area...

As long as it is held, Qin Country can stabilize the northern front, and at least until victories are achieved elsewhere, they can hold off the Great Tang Empire's advance beyond Qin's home territory.

"It's too late..." Ying Duo sighed, somewhat helplessly passing a telegram from the frontline to Ying Ke: "Ying An reports... his troops seem unable to retreat safely back to the old capital."

With Dongqing surrounded on three sides, the Qin Army garrisoning there had no escape. The Tang Army's mobility in the field was far superior to that of the Qin Army. Retreating into the field for a speed race with the Tang Army was undoubtedly a death wish.

Thus, Ying An could only order a small portion of his forces to retreat to the Imperial Capital, while most had to hold their positions. Leaving the defensive structures would only accelerate their collapse.

"What he means is... to risk their lives to buy us enough time to strengthen the defensive structures of the Imperial Capital..." Ying Duo smiled bitterly, proud to have such loyal and brave generals yet sorrowful to send them to their deaths.

Although some were willing to stand in front and buy time for Qin Country, in reality, Qin Country seemed to have lost its last chance.

Ying Ke frowned, considering for a few seconds before speaking to Ying Duo: "Your Majesty... then, can the old capital be held?"

"It's too late to hold it." Ying Duo shook his head: "If Pingfeng were still ours, deploying reinforcements to the old capital was still possible. Now that Pingfeng has fallen, the Tang Army could attack the Imperial Capital from the north at any moment. Our reinforcement deployment speed will surely be slower than the Tang Army."

"What should we do then?" Ying Ke asked with some anxiety.

"First, have the troops gather around Wangdu... see if we can... hold Wangdu." Ying Duo sighed, abandoning a string of cities like Caili, Xiqing, and Beiku in one go.