Imperial warlords: Cannons are the only truth

A few days later.

Linshan Province – Quzhou.

"Gentlemen, Zhuo Yongwang will soon be leading an army of 250,000 to the gates of Quzhou."

"I'm sure I don't need to emphasize how much importance His Majesty attaches to the Battle of Quzhou, do I?"

Gao Shengwu, the commander of the First Division of the Royal Guard Army, who was personally appointed by Xie Kangnian as the commander of Quzhou's city defense, sat solemnly in the main seat of the conference room, presiding over the Quzhou defense meeting.

"Before I came, His Majesty sent me with a message: 'In the first battle at Quzhou, victory is a must, defeat is not an option!'"

"According to the battle plan formulated by the capital, as long as we keep Zhuo Yongwang's central army in Quzhou for three months, our mission will be considered successfully completed."

"Quzhou City's fortified defenses were all built according to Western standards, and with Commander Gao personally leading our Great Qian's first steel army to garrison it, holding out for three months should not be a problem at all."

"Yes! Although Zhuo Yongwang came with great force this time and brought a lot of heavy weapons, with Commander Gao and the First Steel Division in charge, it will be extremely difficult for them to take Quzhou City!"

"The garrison in Quzhou numbers 100,000, and the food and fodder in the city are enough for us to last seven or eight months, even if we eat them while rolling around in the ground."

"Don't even mention holding out for three months, holding out for half a year is absolutely no problem..."

"Who says otherwise! If you ask me—Zhuo Yongwang came here purely like looking for shit in a latrine!"

"It's such a waste to have so much good equipment in Zhuo Yongwang's hands. This time, Zhuo is here to be our transport captain!"

The generals who attended the meeting spoke with an increasingly stubborn attitude.

However, looking at the confident and eloquent manner of each of them, Gao Shengwu not only did not feel relieved, but instead frowned.

Based on Gao Shengwu's years of experience and understanding of the people present, he knew that the louder these people were shouting now, the less reliable they were when it came to actually doing something.

Otherwise, Xie Kangnian wouldn't have allowed Gao Shengwu to bring the most capable division of the Royal Guard to Quzhou.

"Seeing how confident you all are in defending Quzhou, I feel much more at ease."

Gao Shengwu glanced around at everyone, then changed the subject: "However, there are some things we still need to say upfront."

"Zhuo Yongwang has brought his most elite troops from the five-province allied forces with him this time."

"Moreover, it is said that Zhuo Yongwang is accompanied by a military advisor from the Salo people."

"It's good that everyone is confident in defending the city; but we must not underestimate the enemy!"

Gao Shengwu solemnly reminded him, "Although Quzhou's defenses are relatively complete, it is also a fact that Zhuo Yongwang's troops have a superior number of heavy weapons."

"Therefore, I can tell you all with great responsibility that in the Battle of Quzhou we will face the enemy's most intense artillery bombardment."

"The Battle of Quzhou will be the most intense battle involving heavy firepower in decades."

"Therefore, the process of defending the city must have been extremely agonizing and brutal."

"In this process..."

At this point, Gao Shengwu paused, his gaze sweeping over each participant: "I hope that you can all restrain and lead your troops to hold fast to their positions."

"No one is allowed to abandon their position without my order."

"The Battle of Quzhou is of great importance, and His Majesty specifically instructed us on this before we came to Quzhou."

"Anyone in the army who fails to defend effectively, undermines morale, or retreats in fear of battle, regardless of their status, can be executed on the spot without trial!"

"Therefore, in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the Quzhou defense plan and to prevent anyone from being unable to withstand the pressure of the battlefield and showing signs of cowardice, the city defense command will send out a battlefield supervision team to perform the duty of supervision."

"The supervisory teams are all drawn from the First Division. You should all be very clear about the working style of the First Division of the Armed Police Force."

"My soldiers are not merciful. They will not hesitate to shoot any cowards who retreat."

"His Majesty personally arranged for the First Division of the Imperial Guard to assume the responsibility of supervising the battle."

"Furthermore, in order for the First Division to better fulfill its supervisory duties during the defense of Quzhou, His Majesty specially allocated a batch of new submachine guns to the First Division for the supervisory team's use!"

"I think everyone can understand His Majesty's good intentions—everything is for the greater good!"

Gao Shengwu's tone became increasingly stern: "Before coming to Quzhou to take up the post of city defense commander, I personally made a pledge to His Majesty."

"If I fail to fulfill His Majesty's important mission of defending Quzhou, I, Gao Shengwu, am willing to die to atone for my sins!"

As he spoke, Gao Shengwu stood up abruptly: "I and all the soldiers of the First Division of the Wuwei Army are prepared to live and die with Quzhou City to repay the great trust placed in us by His Majesty and the court."

"I am the same, and so are you all!"

“I, Gao Shengwu, am a straightforward person, so let’s get the ugly truths out of the box.”

"Anyone who dares to hold Quzhou back will be the first to face my wrath!"

After slapping him, Gao Shengwu immediately offered a sweet treat: "If we hold Quzhou, you and I will be the greatest heroes of the empire."

"His Majesty has made it clear that anyone who has rendered meritorious service in defending Quzhou will be richly rewarded and given priority in promotion and ennoblement!"

"As you all have probably already heard, the benefits that those who hold titles will enjoy in the future will be exceptionally generous..."