Kelly sent a telegram to Allied High Command requesting reinforcements, but Supreme Commander Vostok was displeased when he read it.
The Allied forces were currently focused on a massive push northward, aiming to advance as far as possible before the rainy season hit. Their strategy relied on securing forward airbases to launch devastating bombing campaigns deep into the Eastern Spirit Empire. Their original, highly optimistic plan had been to conquer the entire Empire before the rains even began.
However, the Battle of Nanlin had cost them hundreds of thousands of troops. Then, the stubborn defense on the central front had stalled the invasion for over twenty days. All told, their timetable had been delayed by more than a month.
Now, the rainy season was looming. Everyone familiar with the Central Region knew its rainy season wasn't apocalyptic, but the unpredictable, daily torrential downpours turned roads to mud and made large-scale troop movements and combat operations excruciatingly difficult. Therefore, High Command was feeling the pressure of time.
"You told me Kelly was a proud man. If he's so proud, he should defeat Hu Hao himself! Hu Hao only commands a single corps! Kelly has an entire heavy corps plus two infantry divisions at his disposal!
"Furthermore, we still have two divisions pinning down a portion of Hu Hao's forces in Bopa City. That means Hu Hao doesn't even have a full corps defending Yonghe City. And Kelly still can't win?!" Vostok demanded, glaring at Vitali.
"Commander, how about this: I will mobilize two Mara Empire corps currently stationed in our southern staging areas. I will place them under the direct command of this headquarters and dispatch them immediately to reinforce the 1st Corps. Will that suffice?" Vitali offered with a bitter smile.
"And what do you think the troops currently fighting and dying on the central and western fronts will say about that? Late City is a prize every nation in this alliance covets. The Limaguo and Kabuguo forces both wanted to take it previously. Your Mara Empire deployed troops there, but repeatedly failed to secure the objective.
"Then, your government insisted on dispatching the elite 1st Corps to finish the job. You personally guaranteed they would succeed. Based on that guarantee, I approved the deployment, over the strong objections of the other nations!
"Everyone knows the value of Late City. It's not just the advanced industrial base; even if there were no factories, the massive subterranean oil reserves and nearby iron mines represent astronomical wealth. Does the Mara Empire intend to swallow it all alone?
"Previously, because Mara troops were already concentrated in the southern sector, it made logistical sense to assign them the objective. But now, the vast majority of our forces have been pushed to the front lines.
"On the central front, we have troops from the Holy Ancient Empire, Limaguo, Kabuguo, and several others bleeding for every mile. If we are to mobilize fresh corps from the southern staging areas, why should they exclusively be Mara troops? Every nation has reserves there!" Vostok pointed out coldly.
"I understand. But there simply aren't any other uncommitted forces in the immediate vicinity of Late City. If we pull troops from the active front lines, we risk stalling our primary offensives!" Vitali argued smoothly.
He was acutely aware of Late City's strategic and economic importance, which was precisely why the Mara Empire was so desperate to secure it.
"I will not approve deploying fresh reserves from the rear. Consider this alternative: we pull one corps belonging to my Holy Ancient Empire from the western front, and one Mara corps from the central front.
"We dispatch both to Yonghe City to eliminate Hu Hao. Once Late City is secured, our two nations will divide the spoils. If you agree to this, I will authorize the reinforcements," Vostok offered a compromise.
"This... I cannot make that decision on my own. I must consult His Majesty," Vitali demurred, neither accepting nor declining.
He knew the 1st Corps' situation must be dire. They had banked heavily on Kelly taking Late City swiftly. Requesting reinforcements after only a few days of fighting was a massive humiliation.
"Many nations within the alliance are already voicing strong dissatisfaction with the Mara Empire. You have already claimed several of the most resource-rich territories we've conquered. Now you want to monopolize Late City as well. It places me in a very difficult position as Supreme Commander; the troops of other nations are growing resentful.
"Furthermore, as you know, the Vaal Kingdom's forces currently engaging Bopa City have also requested a full corps in reinforcements. We still don't even know the exact strength of the enemy force they are facing! I haven't approved their request yet either.
"However, their casualties near Bopa City are significant, and we must factor that in. If your forces remain stalled at Yonghe City, we will be forced to shift our primary breakthrough efforts to other sectors, perhaps the eastern or southern fronts!" Vostok warned.
"They are simply jealous! The Mara Empire committed a million men to the initial invasion—one-third of the entire Allied force! We recently reinforced with another 300,000! When we first proposed invading the Eastern Spirit Empire, those other nations were too terrified to join! Now that we're reaping the rewards, they're suddenly green with envy!" Vitali shot back indignantly.
The invasion had been the Mara Empire's initiative. Now that they were claiming the lion's share of the spoils, the other nations were predictably complaining.
"Consult your Emperor. See if my proposal is acceptable. Otherwise, my hands are tied," Vostok replied neutrally, ignoring Vitali's outburst.
Vitali stood up and headed to his private office to place a secure call to the Mara Emperor. He knew the situation with the 1st Corps must be critical.
If things were even remotely manageable, Kelly would never have sent that telegram. While Kelly wasn't a Prince, he belonged to a branch of the royal family extremely close to the throne, and he was groomed to eventually command the Mara Imperial Guard. Vitali couldn't afford to let Kelly suffer a catastrophic defeat.
Ten minutes later, Vitali emerged from his office. "His Majesty agrees to your proposal. Regarding the resources of Late City, our two nations will divide them: two shares for the Mara Empire, one share for the Holy Ancient Empire."
"Acceptable. Begin mobilizing the designated corps from the front lines. Sigh. Redeploying forces across such distances right now is incredibly risky. It's already the 16th. The torrential rains could begin any day now. If the storms hit while our troops are on the march, it will be a logistical nightmare!" Vostok agreed, though his expression remained grim.
"Indeed. It's not just the rain. The daytime heat and extreme humidity are brutal. Our soldiers are struggling to adapt. We've even had civilian colonists who immigrated to the occupied territories complain that the climate is unbearable; the humidity is simply too high!" Vitali added.
The entire Central Region was situated in a tropical zone. Its massive landmass created a climate characterized by intense heat and heavy rainfall.
"Mm. Issue the deployment orders," Vostok nodded.
Back in Yonghe City, the surviving Allied troops who had breached the perimeter were desperately trying to establish defensive lines. Despite suffering horrific casualties, Kelly's absolute order to hold their ground forced them to dig in among the ruins.
Hu Hao stood in his command center, monitoring the frontline reports.
"When will the follow-up units arrive in Yonghe City?" Hu Hao asked a senior staff officer.
"Report: we have two divisions scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. Two more divisions will arrive the following evening. Within five days, three more divisions will complete their deployment. By then, our total strength in Yonghe City will exceed ten divisions," the staff officer replied, consulting his clipboard.
"Ten divisions. That should be sufficient. Order the remaining newly formed units to deploy to Jinhe City. Jinhe City requires a garrison of one tank division and three infantry divisions.
"Simultaneously, reinforce Bopa City with one tank division and two infantry divisions. Order Li Jiahang's forces to remain in Bopa City and maintain their defensive posture. Once the rainy season begins in earnest, they are to withdraw into the city proper!
"Furthermore, order the engineering battalions to construct several elevated pontoon bridges across the river near Bopa City. We must ensure our forces can still cross the river even after the floodwaters rise!" Hu Hao rattled off a series of rapid-fire orders.
"Yes, sir!" the staff officer saluted and hurried away.
"I want all of you to analyze something. Why is the enemy commander willing to pay such a horrific price in blood just to establish a foothold inside the city? This is a crucial tactical question!" Hu Hao turned to the junior officers.
"Report! By establishing a foothold, they significantly reduce the casualties of their subsequent assaults. It provides a secure staging area, allowing them to rapidly funnel reinforcements directly into the urban combat zone rather than crossing the open ground under fire!" one officer answered promptly.
"Mm. Is there another reason?" Hu Hao probed.
"I... I cannot think of one, sir. While their immediate sacrifice is massive, it is smaller than the cost of launching a completely fresh assault from the outside later. With a controlled sector inside the city, they can launch deeper penetrating attacks," the officer added.
"Correct, but incomplete. Keep thinking," Hu Hao nodded encouragingly, returning his gaze to the screens.
The officers fell silent, their minds racing.
"Report! The Allied forces are expecting reinforcements!" Long Yagu suddenly stood up and declared.
Hu Hao turned around, a wide smile spreading across his face. "What leads you to that conclusion?"
"They lack the necessary troop strength. We inflicted devastating casualties on them tonight. While we cannot compile an exact body count yet, based on the intensity of the engagement, they must have lost at least half their assault force!
"They suffered these catastrophic losses in the opening hours of the battle, not to mention the casualties inflicted by our preliminary artillery bombardment.
"That means the Allied forces outside Yonghe City possess, at most, two full-strength infantry divisions—roughly 20,000 men. With that meager force, it is physically impossible for them to capture Yonghe City. Therefore, they must have requested reinforcements. They are holding their foothold to await those reinforcements!" Long Yagu explained his deduction confidently.
"Excellent!" Hu Hao nodded, thoroughly satisfied with the young officer's tactical acumen.
(End of Chapter)