On the TV screen, a reporter from the Tang Army was interviewing a dwarf farr who had suffered greatly. The bearded farr was crying while recounting how he was robbed by dwarf soldiers.
"They gave no way to live; they took all my food and even took the iron pot. If you hadn’t co, I wouldn’t have known how to survive." The farr said to the cara, his eyes glistening with tears, his tone full of gratitude.
The Tang Army indeed gave him so food and promised to provide the ans of production so they could continue farming next year. Due to the Tang Army’s land reform policy, without the landlord’s oppression, the local farrs received more land.
"This is ngxi Village, only 110 kiloters from Furnace Fortress, bringing you this report is war correspondent Li Shiqi." The female reporter emphasized her location, regardless of whether others believed it, she indeed was standing there.
The village was less than 5 kiloters from the frontline, and there was indeed fighting there. However, the Tang Army was on the offensive, and the dwarf troops were exhausted from defending.
"You’ve worked hard." The officer of the military’s internal propaganda departnt, who specially arranged for these journalists to interview here, applauded with a smile, his task for the day satisfactorily completed.
"Thank you very much for cooperating with us to complete the interview mission." The female reporter flashed a sweet smile, causing the hearts of the soldiers in charge of security to race like deer.
It’s no wonder, after more than a year without going ho, seeing such a beautiful woman naturally left them sowhat distracted. The discipline of the Tang Army was truly excellent, and commanders placed great emphasis on maintaining this aspect.
Especially since this is the Ice Cold Empire, even a lunatic with evil thoughts would calm down upon seeing those dwarf won.
Thus, it’s rumored that a starving Navy Marine Corps soldier intruded into a female elf’s ho in Hotwind Port and was executed for his cri. But such incidents have not yet occurred in the Ice Cold Empire.
In fact, very few families in the Ice Cold Empire could afford a television, and among the dwarven nobility who could, few could receive channels from Tang Country.
In reality, only a few channels from the dwarf TV station remained, and there’s hardly any new programming. The frontlines have collapsed to such an extent that how could the rear television stations have the mindset to produce decent content?
Constantly airing outdated programs, there were few willing to watch. The news kept two hosts repeatedly stressing victories at the front. Anyway, as long as bombs didn’t drop on their heads, lies among the dwarf high command could continue.
"But the problem is, the bombs are about to drop on my head!" Binghan the First exclaid furiously at the group of generals standing before him: "You can’t even hold off the Tang Army for half a month! You can’t!"
"At this rate, by next month... before October 20th, the Tang Army might reach the city! The winter strategy will collapse!" He paced back and forth, his bushy beard trembling as he spoke.
The dwarves had developed a winter defensive strategy, thinking that, accustod to winter warfare, they would have the upper hand at that ti.
If the winter turned colder, they might even use the weather conditions to counterattack and decisively defeat the Tang Army, lacking winter combat experience.
But the problem is, they must hold out until that point: The Tang Army was nearing Furnace Fortress by late September, and co November, whether the fortress could hold remained uncertain.
"Your Majesty, calm down! Several corps are working hard to buy ti, their condition... this is already the best outco." The Pri Minister intervened with a few words, finally calming Binghan the First.
Everyone knew the state of those corps: lacking food, lacking ammunition, losing heavy equipnt, unable to be resupplied...
In such conditions, their continued fighting is already a heroic display. However, this retreat and looting along the way has indeed tarnished the Ice Cold Empire’s reputation quite a bit.
"Now we still have two main forces unengaged, plus several retreating corps, ready to make a stand at Furnace Fortress for a decisive battle with the Tang Army. There is no issue holding out until winter." Finally, the Pri Minister gave his assessnt.
Thinking of the 3rd and 13th Corps stationed at Furnace Fortress, Binghan the First’s face looked sowhat better. He indeed had so aces up his sleeve.
However, when these two corps engage, the lies over the airwaves will truly be exposed: the battle would be a slap to His Majesty the Emperor’s face.
Currently, the radio repeatedly emphasizes that the enemy remains hundreds of kiloters away... but in reality, the Tang Army’s vanguard is only 100 kiloters from Furnace Fortress.
"Once the Tang Army shells hit inside Furnace Fortress, our dignity..." Binghan the First snorted, glancing at the generals standing silently with lowered heads.
"Dignity will surely be lost, Your Majesty... but if we hold out until winter, there may be a turning point." The Pri Minister reminded him with a bowed head.
The winter in the Ice Cold Empire is quite extre, widespread snowfall will impact northern transportation and logistics, and the Tang Army-occupied north will almost certainly face more difficulties, becoming more passive than areas south of Furnace Fortress.
If the Tang Army assault slows, the Allied Forces could continue deploying troops: Dorne, Laines, Suthers, and other national forces could calmly move north, changing the power balance.
Thus, for the dwarves, holding on ant solutions! As long as Furnace Fortress could be defended for one to two months, at least 3 new corps could join the battle!
And that’s the minimum! Thinking bigger, it could be five or even ten corps! By winter’s end, the Tang Army would find everything changed!
With this thought, Binghan the First clenched his fist: "At all costs, defend Furnace Fortress! If need be, mobilize civilians to build anti-tank trenches! Have them dig fortifications!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! I suggest mobilizing 100,000 civilians for construction of defensive works, just to be safe." The generals offered a professional suggestion.
The Tang Army’s southward advance was lightning fast; if more manpower wasn’t involved, and the defenses were unfinished when the enemy arrived, chaos would ensue, no?
As for dignity... it couldn’t be preserved.
Reviews
All reviews (0)