Munitions Empire-Chapter 990 - : 912 along the way

Chapter 990: 912 along the way

Chu Country has had some good years, and as the saying goes, what’s so bad about being a dog to the rich?

Since becoming a vassal state of Tang Empire, Chu Country’s economy has developed rapidly, even managing to build an irrigation system in just two years that hadn’t been built in over a century.

The construction of dams finally allowed Chu Country to escape its dependence on the weather for agriculture, enabling flood control and irrigation in the surrounding areas, and the hydroelectric power generated also brought convenience to the surrounding mountain towns and farms.

With the improvement of infrastructure, Chu Country gradually developed many industries: the railway from Chu Country to Shu Country and then to Orc Empire also became an important source of income for Chu Country.

To meet the needs of Orc Empire, with the help of Tang Empire, Chu Country established a sound light industry, producing shoes, socks, and daily necessities, which made considerable profit in trade with Orc Empire and Shu Country.

With money, Chu Country continued to develop more advanced heavy industries. For example, Nanshan Port in Chu Country made significant progress, even securing several ship orders from Tang Empire.

Because of the Dragon Island incident, even the training of foreign pilots was relocated to Nanshan Port in Chu Country, which shows how fast Chu Country has developed in recent years.

Moreover, with the addition of oil exports, King Xiong Biao has been living a joyous life these past two years—although his son Xiong Xiao has not returned from Tang Country where he has been a hostage for two years, he still feels it’s worth it to send a son to Chang’an.

However, it seems the good days are coming to an end: the envoy of Tang Empire recently arrived at King City, Ye City of Chu Country, bringing not-so-good news.

As a suzerain, Tang Empire requested Chu Country to donate 100 Butcher Fighter Jets and 100 Il-2 Attack Aircraft to Fengjiang.

Chu Country possesses these types of aircraft; being a vassal state of Tang Empire, Chu Country’s Air Force was established with the help of Tang Empire, and their planes were naturally sold to them at a discount by Tang Empire.

Moreover, many C-47 transport aircraft, which are second-hand planes used by Tang Empire, were donated to Chu Country without charge.

Given the master-servant relationship, logically, Chu Country couldn’t possibly refuse the request of Tang Empire.

However, doing so would anger Dahua Empire, which has been the suzerain of Chu Country for centuries.

It’s like asking a current wife to slap the previous wife… Either way, it seems something disastrous is bound to happen.

In reality, this was also a last resort for Tang Empire: if the defenders of Fengjiang were competent, there would have been no need for Tang Empire to play such dirty tricks.

But the defenders of Fengjiang were not up to the mark—the plan to march south to Shanping was almost publicly performed, and as a result, they were intercepted by Zhao Zheng outside Shanping City, resulting in a failed attack and the war degenerating into a trench warfare of attrition.

Without supplying Fengjiang with some heavy military equipment soon, it’s possible that Fengjiang might lose. Thinking over again, Tang Empire thought of Chu Country Air Force, which is equipped with the same aircraft.

Thus, officials of Tang Empire came up with such a deceptive strategy: Let Chu Country take the lead and donate some fighter jets to Fengjiang.

These aircraft were just meant to create confusion. Later on, when losses mounted, Tang Empire themselves would replace with the same models. After all, Dahua Empire wouldn’t be able to distinguish which aircraft were donated by Chu Country and which were covertly supported by Tang Empire to Fengjiang.

The reason for not letting Poplar Empire with Butcher Fighter Jets “donate” is because Poplar Empire has spent a large amount of money on these Butcher Fighter Jets and delivery has not yet been completed.

From the perspective of Poplar Empire, shouldn’t Tang Empire, provide the Butcher Fighter Jets to them who have already paid the money? What’s the deal with giving them to Fengjiang?

After sending off the envoy of Tang Empire, the ministers in Chu Country started whispering among themselves.

The Minister of Rites of Chu Country glanced at the Prime Minister beside him and tentatively asked, “Dahua Empire is currently weakened, so there’s really no need to consider them right? Can’t we just agree to the requests of Emperor of Tang?”

The Minister of Personnel beside him shook his head, feeling that the matter still needed consideration, “But it wouldn’t look good… We were once a vassal state of Dahua Empire, now we are siding with Tang Empire, openly supporting a civil war within Dahua Empire… It doesn’t sound good if it gets out.”

Hearing the Minister of Rites speak, another military general immediately became upset, “Sounds bad? If we offend Tang Empire, how will we clean up the aftermath?”

A Vice Minister of Revenue, seemingly well-meaning, reminded from a distance, “The Crown Prince is still in Chang’an… these matters… we should tread carefully.”

But everyone present knew that this Vice Minister of Revenue was fiercely pro-Tang; he didn’t even need to act as he was a staunch supporter of Tang in his daily life interacting with merchants from Tang Country. Even if he was not biased towards Tang Country, no one would believe he was a loyal official of Chu Country.

Seeing there were still ministers pretending to be indecisive, the General who spoke earlier couldn’t help but shout again, “Stop thinking nonsense. If Tang Empire invades, can you hold them off?”

It was a joke. The civil ministers might still pretend, but if things truly escalated, the ones who would die were these military generals. Everyone cherished their own lives; asking them to go to the frontline to fight to the death against Tang Army was unthinkable for them.

Hearing his words, a civil minister immediately objected sarcastically, “Isn’t it your duty as soldiers to defend our land? Why are you asking me to do it?”

The military general became even more agitated, vehemently retorted while being held back by a few colleagues, “Bah! Old fool, you propose to antagonize Tang Empire, and then have me go die against Tang Army, is that it?”

“Shut up! Everyone shut up!” King of Chu Xiong Biao slammed the armrest of his throne and roared angrily.

“Your Majesty, calm your anger!” The civil ministers immediately quieted down.

The military generals also shut their mouths: “Your Majesty calm your anger!”

“Stop arguing! Now we do not share a border with the Dahua Empire, it’s just a matter of losing face… What is there to fear?” Xiong Biao had his own ideas; he believed he should just lay low and be Tang Mo’s underling, after all, his current prosperity and glory were achieved by this very tactic.

“Minister of Rites! After you leave the court, go and reply to the envoy… Just say our Chu Country will follow through with everything, no delays!” He waved his hand, issuing a direct order.

“Your servant obeys!” The Minister of Rites bowed low, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

…

At a pilot training base outside Nanshan Port, a group of pilots gathered together, their faces filled with joy: “This is good news, the air force of Dahua Empire isn’t unbeatable, we get to earn the tuition fees, and learn even more.”

They had just received news that Fengjiang was recruiting pilot mercenaries, offering quite generous conditions, and allowing applicants to gain plenty of combat experience.

These pilots, some training to fly commercial aircraft, and others learning to fly fighter jets, were all very tempted by the generous offer.

Not only could they earn a sizeable amount of money, but they could also gain abundant combat experience, which could very well boost their careers for a lifetime.

Another trainee nodded in agreement: “You’re right, once we return home, with this experience in our resumes, we’d definitely get a chance to become officers!”

A roommate, however, saw the bigger picture: “I heard there’s insurance for everyone, even if we die in battle, there will be a large sum of compensation!”

The group immediately shushed him: “Shut it with that crow’s mouth! No more talk of compensation… With our skills, what dangers could possibly befall us?”

“Be careful what you say, next door… are all students from Dahua.” As they spoke, their voices grew louder, and soon a cautious student reminded them.

“Are they also going back to their country?” Hearing their classmate’s words, everyone became more alert and confirmed in a lower voice.

A pilot from Shu Country familiar with the situation nodded and said: “Yes, I heard that they are going back to participate in a war…”

The pilots here were from all over the world, including some from Laines Empire, Dorne Empire, and even some elves and dwarves.

The roommates exchanged glances and then looked towards the wall, reflecting: “In the future, we will be foes, not friends, and will face off on the battlefield.”

The leader of the group seemed to make up his mind: “Remember what our instructor told us? ‘Share the cup of gold, but spar not with the blade spared.’ That’s our fate in the pilot class!”

“Right! Let’s see who’s better!” Everyone got excited again when they heard the words that the flying instructor often taught them.

“Knock, knock, knock!” Just as they were speaking, someone knocked on the room’s door.

The student closest to the door walked over and opened it: “Who is it?”

“It’s us! From next door.” The door was opened, and a group of pilot students from the Dahua Empire stood outside.

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“You… why did you come here?” The student who opened the door was somewhat embarrassed, unable to close the door again.

The leading student from the Dahua Empire calmly expressed his purpose for knocking: “We are here to say goodbye.”

The leading student inside the room feigned ignorance: “Are you going back to Dahua?”

The pilot from the Dahua Empire nodded: “Yes! Our country is in trouble, and we need to return to join the battle. Although we are commercial pilots, our tuition was sponsored by a benefactor, and now we must go back and repay this kindness.”

“Then, till we meet again!” The students inside the room replied in unison, unevenly: “Just like our instructor said, ‘Share the cup of gold, but spar not with the blade spared. On the battlefield, show no mercy!’ Besides, we’re all going to Fengjiang to hone our skills.”

“Ah?” Upon hearing this, the Dahua Empire pilots outside showed a surprised expression.

Then one of the Dahua Empire pilots awkwardly explained: “Then, perhaps we can go together, it’s on the way…”

“Hmm?” This time, the people inside the room were perplexed.

“That, we… we were sponsored by a merchant company from Fengjiang to study here.” The pilot from the Dahua Empire outside embarrassedly explained: “We are going to Fengjiang to fight, not returning to Dahua.”

“Uh…” The awkward atmosphere spread inside the room, followed by a burst of laughter.