Imperial warlords: Cannons are the only truth

three days later.

"Good! Along the way, all we've seen are well-disciplined and ready-to-fight military formations."

"They truly deserve to be called the elite of our Independent Army."

"With these elite troops stationed in Jicheng, coupled with Jicheng's comprehensive defense system, it is virtually foolproof!"

As the saying goes, a good horse needs a good saddle.

"Placing these elite troops of the Independent Army here will allow them to exert their maximum effectiveness and realize their greatest value."

"How are you doing? Are you finding these newly issued Salo gear easy to use?"

"Reporting to the CEO! It's perfect!"

Zhuo Yongwang enthusiastically took a Salo submachine gun from a soldier and casually played with it for a couple of moments: "Wow! The Salo people's automatic weapons are really something else!"

As he spoke, Zhuo Yongwang returned the submachine gun to the soldier, then pointed to the heavy machine gun at the machine gun position next to him: "These heavy machine guns are also from Salo, which just arrived a few days ago, right?"

"Yes! Our division has been newly assigned 300 of these heavy machine guns, which means our firepower is now at its maximum!" Zeng Wannian, commander of the 3rd Division of the Independent Army, beamed with joy when he mentioned this.

During this period, the troops stationed in Jicheng received weapons replenishment and reinforcements almost every few days.

The weapons and equipment transported from Shaluo and Yi Kingdom were given priority to the elite troops stationed in Jicheng.

"If the Zhenguo Army dares to come, we'll make sure they run into a brick wall in Jicheng!" Zeng Wannian said with great confidence, "President, just you wait and see!"

"With our equipment, even without Jicheng's strong defenses, our Third Division dares to fight Zhenguo Army head-on in open field battles!"

"I refuse to believe it! Are the Zhenguo Army's troops really a bunch of invincible heavenly soldiers!"

"As long as they are still made of flesh and blood, our Third Division will not be afraid of them!"

"Excellent! Indeed, a strong general has no weak soldiers! Seeing Commander Zeng so full of ambition, I'm relieved..."

In front of everyone, Zhuo Yongwang praised Zeng Wannian highly: "If every soldier in our Independent Army could be like Commander Zeng, how could we have been forced into such a situation by the Zhenguo Army!"

"However, I believe that as long as every soldier of the Independent Army stays true to their original aspirations and is determined to fight to the death, our Yongchang Independent State will eventually win the final victory!"

"Please rest assured, President, I dare not speak of other places."

"But the troops stationed in Jicheng are all elites of our Independent Army, and they are all committed to defending the land with the intention of sharing life and death with the Independent State."

"The Zhenguo Army's idea of ​​taking Jicheng is simply wishful thinking!"

"Unless all the defenders of Jicheng are wiped out, the Zhenguo Army will not be able to lay a finger on Jicheng!"

Yang Guodong, the commander of the Jicheng Garrison who accompanied the inspection of military affairs, said with certainty: "As the commander of the Jicheng Garrison, I, Yang Guodong, have long been prepared to die for my country and live and die with Jicheng."

"Either defend Jicheng, or die in Jicheng!"

"Besides this, I, Yang Guodong, have not prepared a third option for myself!"

"So, what do you think? I didn't choose the wrong person to be the commander of Jicheng's garrison, did I?"

Zhuo Yongwang pointed with a sigh to Yang Guodong, who had just made a generous statement, and said to the people accompanying him, "I know that, in addition to the superior-subordinate relationship, Guodong and I also have a father-in-law-son relationship."

"Therefore, it was inevitable that some people would say behind my back that the reason I entrusted Guodong with such an important task was simply because he was my son-in-law!"

"But what I want to say is—recommending the virtuous should not be based on personal relationships."

“I believe that entrusting the defense of Jicheng to Guodong is the best choice.”

"He is absolutely capable of taking on this important task."

"Guodong, there's an old saying—a son-in-law is like half a son."

“But I have always regarded you as my own son.”

“Your two brothers are still young and haven’t finished their studies abroad yet.”

"Otherwise, I would definitely call them over to guard the city as well!"

“But now, only you, as the elder brother, can stand guard for them.”

"Let us, father and son, stand firm at our post in Jicheng, and let the world see, let the Shen family see—our Yongchang Independent State's determination to stand firm!"

"What Guodong just said is exactly what I wanted to say."

Zhuo Yongwang looked around at everyone with a serious expression and said with utmost solemnity, "As the first president of the Yongchang Independent State..."

“From the moment I took office, I made a firm decision in my heart.”

"That is—no matter what, I will dedicate my life to the survival and prosperity of the Yongchang Independent State!"

"Therefore, if the Zhenguo Army really does besiege Jicheng."

"I, Zhuo Yongwang, will defend the city to the death with the soldiers in the city!"

"If I'm going to die, I'll die in Jicheng!"

"This is the 'spirit of independence' that we, the entire Yongchang Independent State, should uphold!"

Yang Guodong immediately stepped forward and took the lead in raising his arms and shouting: "The spirit of independence will live on forever! We will defend Yongchang Independent Nation to the death!"

"The spirit of independence will live on forever; we vow to defend our eternally prosperous and independent nation to the death!"

"The spirit of independence will live on forever; we vow to defend our eternally prosperous and independent nation to the death..."

Led by Yang Guodong, deafening slogans and shouts immediately rang out at the scene.

Feeling this exhilarating scene, Zhuo Yongwang's heart was filled with an indescribable sense of emotion.

At that moment, many people probably believed it—perhaps they really could defend Jicheng......................

-------------------------------------

In high spirits, Zhuo Yongwang led the military inspection team to wander around the various defensive positions until after 2 p.m.

Only after Yang Guodong's repeated reminders did they get into the car and head towards the Jicheng Garrison Command.

"President, you must take good care of your health, especially now!"

"When I was inspecting military affairs just now, I asked them to prepare some food for you so you could have a bite to eat."

Yang Guodong, who was riding in the same car as Zhuo Yongwang, said with concern, "It will probably be almost four o'clock by the time we get back to the garrison command."

"Your stomach isn't very good to begin with, and you only had lunch this late in the afternoon..."

"It's alright!" Zhuo Yongwang waved his hand. "Didn't you already say that?"

"The garrison command has already prepared the meal."

"It just so happens that we have to hold a high-level military meeting at the division level or above at the garrison command this afternoon."

"At worst, we can have the meeting while we eat."

"I ate a lot this morning, and I don't feel hungry yet."

Zhuo Yongwang smiled, in a good mood: "I'm so happy today that I've lost track of time while walking around."

Are you all hungry?

"The CEO isn't hungry, and neither are we!"

In front of Zhuo Yongwang, Yang Guodong always maintained a selfless demeanor, addressing him as "President" repeatedly.

“You…” Zhuo Yongwang smiled and patted Yang Guodong’s hand meaningfully: “Guodong, what I said today wasn’t just empty talk for others to hear.”

"At this time, I kept you here, but let Yuanzheng and Yuanxing continue their studies abroad. Do you know what my intention is?"

"President, Guodong is a soldier. Soldiers are duty-bound to protect their country and obey orders."

“Yuanzheng and Yuanxing do not hold military positions; they should prioritize their studies!”

"I'm so glad you think that way..."

Zhuo Yongwang sighed: "As long as you and I, father and son, can understand each other, it doesn't matter what others say!"

"Guodong, since we've come this far, I might as well give you the whole truth."

Zhuo Yongwang glanced at Yang Guodong beside him and said seriously, "The reason I appointed you as the Jicheng Garrison Commander is actually for my own selfish reasons!"

"Let's talk about this privately, just the two of us."

"I appointed you as the commander of the Jicheng Garrison for one reason: I really couldn't bear to let someone else take on this important responsibility."

"Secondly, having this experience in your military career will be crucial for your future promotion."

Zhuo Yongwang said in a serious tone, "Once the Zhenguo Army arrives at the gates of Jicheng, this defensive battle will definitely be extremely fierce."

"The intensity of Zhenguo Army's siege and the difficulty of this battle will be unprecedented."

"That's beyond doubt!"

"Whoever defends Jicheng will be the greatest hero of the entire Yongchang Independent State!"

"I hope you can be the biggest contributor to this..."

"So, no matter what others say, I insist on making you the garrison commander of Jicheng."

"Because only in this way can you rightfully claim this honor when you achieve success!"

As he spoke, Zhuo Yongwang gave Yang Guodong, who was deep in thought, a meaningful look: "Guodong, I'm grooming you to be my successor."

“I have mentioned this matter to Yuanzheng and Yuanxing as well.”

"Their ambitions lie elsewhere; one is obsessed with so-called art, and the other yearns for an ordinary life. Neither of them has the affairs of the nation and its people on their minds!"

"Fortunately, I still have a good son-in-law to rely on."

"Otherwise, I really wouldn't know who to entrust this legacy to!"

"I didn't want to tell you all this so soon..."

"But at this critical time, I think it's better to tell you some things privately."

"Neither Yuanzheng nor Yuanxing is cut out for this."

“I am not at ease handing this foundation over to Yuanzheng and Yuanxing, and it would be irresponsible to the entire Yongchang Independent State.”

"So, after much thought, this responsibility can only be shouldered by you!"

"President................."

"Guodong, I'm absolutely not just saying this or making empty promises to you."

Zhuo Yongwang immediately stopped Yang Guodong, who was about to say something, and said seriously, "I have already thought this through."

"Once the Yongchang Independent Nation overcomes this crisis, and you become its greatest defender, I will announce that you will serve as the Vice President of the Yongchang Independent Nation..."

Zhuo Yongwang turned his gaze to the car window and continued, "After I've smoothed out this road for you in a couple of years, I can retire in peace and enjoy my retirement."

"President, you are in your prime now. Even if you retire and enjoy your retirement, there's no need to rush."

"Our Yongchang Independent State certainly can't function without your presence in handling all matters, big and small!" Yang Guodong advised, looking flattered.

"What? You want this old man to keep working so hard?"

Zhuo Yongwang pretended to be angry and said, "Alright, it's settled then."

"I believe my judgment is correct."

"I trust you with the Yongchang Independent State!"

"You can take over once everything has settled down."

"It's time for me to enjoy my retirement..."