Munitions Empire

The most wondrous thing about this world is that not everyone's affairs proceed according to the script. While all nations were actively preparing for a large-scale war, the planet's weather suddenly became unpredictable. Tang Mo, watching the raindrops pitter-patter against the window in his son's room, couldn't hide the sorrow on his face. The heavy rain had persisted for two days now, and the construction sites within Chang'an City were nearly submerged. The incomplete drainage system was facing its greatest test. All of Chang'an had turned into a marshland, with water levels almost reaching the ankles on the ground. Everywhere, workers in raincoats were hustling to repair various facilities amidst the rain, trying their best to maintain electricity for the entire city. Fat raindrops pounded on the billboards while children scurried below, rushing across the streets for school—unyielding obligations, untouched by rain or even if knives were to fall from the sky—they had no excuse to miss any lesson. "Your Majesty!" Alice, holding her child, walked up behind Tang Mo and began to comfort the man who now commanded a nation. Tang Mo turned around, forcing a smile, "Alas, I have no idea how the disaster-stricken areas are coping. It's really worrying." Indeed, while Chang'an was overwhelmed by ceaseless rain, it isn't where the rainfall was most extreme. The real disaster zone was actually in Chu Country, where the situation had completely spiraled out of control. The flood disaster in Chu Country had spread throughout the territory, with two-thirds of the region affected. Most of the farmlands were ruined, and many cities had lost contact. Intermittent downpours for more than twenty days turned rivers into reckless torrents in the valleys. The lands became marshes as far as the eye could see—with millions of people displaced from their homes. Under normal circumstances, Tang Country only had to watch the disaster befall its enemy country, but Tang Country's southern part was also enduring the ordeal of incessant rains. The rivers in upstream Chu Country were utterly beyond control. The floods rampaged down the mountainsides, rushing into Tang Country's southern region and devastating it considerably. The defensive lines both sides had built along the borders became flood zones. Trenches and bunkers constructed with great effort were now submerged in water, forcing the border troops to withdraw from these fortified zones to higher ground. Both countries were dedicating their full efforts to disaster relief. However, the results showed that Tang Country was managing somewhat more effectively, also suffering comparatively less damage. After all, Tang Mo, upon founding Tang Country, had invested in hydropower and cleared waterways, providing some level of preparedness for the floods. Dams built for power generation had played a buffering role at critical moments, and river embankments constructed for irrigation were indeed sturdy enough. The dredged channels for navigation had also slightly deepened the riverbeds. These measures, completed in advance, had helped Tang Country withstand the previous three flood peaks. "You've already done well. In the past, such torrential rains and floods would have normally led to a country's complete collapse. It's quite common," Alice said, trying to offer solace. She recalled a story her father had once told her about a devastating flood in the Leite Kingdom that had caused the deaths of nearly a fifth of the population, ruining a year's worth of cultivation. That flood seemed to be smaller than this one. "If I'm not mistaken, a conspiracy against our country is about to begin shortly," said Tang Mo as he stood up, sighing deeply. "I thought it would be next year or the year after. It seems I have been careless." He reached out and touched the Second Prince, who was now sleeping in his mother's arms, then bent down to kiss his eldest son in bed before stepping out. There was still much work he had to attend to personally; he had to be busier than anyone else now, needing to be aware of many things as soon as possible. "How's it going?" After closing the door behind him, Tang Mo looked at Luff, Roger, and others waiting in the hallway. "Things are worse than we'd estimated. Chu Country might completely give up now. They've almost exhausted their resources; expecting their help is out of the question," the Minister of External Affairs said, shaking his head as he explained to Tang Mo. "We're in talks with them to provide 100,000 tons of grain as initial aid, but they want us to increase the total aid to one million tons," the Minister of External Affairs mentioned, his expression sour. "They might as well come and rob us," Tang Mo's expression darkened upon hearing the figure. Clearly, the other side was not simply asking for aid, but trying to extort it. It was an utterly shameless move. They couldn't handle the floods upstream and were dumping everything downstream to Tang Country. If not for his side's superior infrastructure, stronger embankments, and better preparedness, he could have been inescapable this time. Actually, to say that Chu Country was completely laid flat by the disaster isn't entirely accurate; it's just that there are more mountains in Chu Country, and the floods rushed directly along the valleys to Tang Country, resulting in less damage on the Chu side. This also has to do with the policy of governance: in Chu Country, the common people aren't usually taken seriously, so when disaster strikes, they tend to take it as something normal. In Tang Country, however, it's the exact opposite—the citizens have high expectations of the state. "How are the food reserves holding up?" Tang Mo looked toward Roger. Roger bowed his head and replied, "The food situation in the Northern Region is still manageable, and we are already supporting the south. We can ensure three meals a day for the civilians, which is about the limit." "Very good, better than I had estimated! You all have been very diligent! This time, as long as heaven doesn't break us, victory will follow!" Tang Mo nodded, offering encouragement to the civic officials. As he walked, he continued to ask Roger, "We must ensure the defense of Tongcheng. If it comes to it, we will have to take measures at the upstream. But before any action is taken, we must ensure that all civilians are evacuated—this is imperative." "Yes, Your Majesty, your servant understands," Roger continued to affirm. "We must protect Tongcheng at all costs; it's the industrial hub and cannot afford issues," Tang Mo's guards pushed open the conference room door, and Tang Mo strode in first. "Rest assured, Your Majesty! As long as the people stand, the city stands!" Roger assured once more. Tang Mo nodded, then turned to Luff who followed behind, "What's the situation with the military?" "Reporting to Your Majesty! We have mobilized 300,000 troops, positioned at the main three rivers and their tributaries, with the highest priority mission of securing the dikes," Luff promptly reported. "Additionally, another 150,000 servicemen are actively being mobilized to reinforce the disaster areas." "The roads are extremely muddy, making it very difficult for our troops to advance. Some sections have been destroyed by the floods, and most soldiers can only proceed on foot," he pointed to several areas on the hanging map. "In some areas the situation is slightly better, and heavy equipment can enter." He moved along the main rivers within Tang Country, sequentially introducing the deployment for the flood resistance operation: "Four light infantry divisions are deployed around Tongcheng, currently working on encircling the city with sandbags and concrete." "Apart from the Armored Division, almost every troop has drawn a portion of their forces to join the flood fight. The least contribution from any troop is one company from a division, and the most is two battalions from a division," Luff said. Then he stood beside the map, awaiting Tang Mo's further instructions. A Minister wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to someone beside him, "Looking at it now, having city walls isn't entirely without benefit." Roger heard the complaints from his subordinates and chastised with a cold snort, "What's the use of saying these things now! Redman's task is to defend Tongcheng at all costs!" "How is the breach handling coming along?" Tang Mo asked as soon as he sat down. Someone immediately reported, "All five breaches have been addressed; the contractors implicated in cutting corners are being pursued for accountability..." "The troops are working at the breach, with strict orders to seal it by sunset today," Luff assured, chin held high. Tang Mo nodded and said, "If we secure a region, the civilians there won't need to relocate, and won't have to suffer... If we secure a region, we have the crops of that region maturing, and we have an area that doesn't require extensive relief supplies." "This is a battle for our families! For our citizens! For our country! And for the spirit of Tang People!" he looked around at every Minister present: "We abandon not a single civilian! We fight for every Tang person to the end!" "Send telegrams to the countries of the eastern continent, especially those in the north unaffected by the disaster. We'll take however much food they have!" Tang Mo looked to the Finance Minister Simon, "As long as the price they ask is within a reasonable range, accept it all!" "I have been doing precisely that, Your Majesty!" Simon rose and answered, "I have also purchased cement and other materials from the Ice Cold Empire and Shen Country." "Good work! Additionally, let's transport some of the strategic reserve grain stored on Dragon Island... start with one-tenth, as a precaution," Tang Mo continued to order. Simon continued to nod in agreement, "I will see to it immediately after the meeting." "All border areas must remain vigilant! Our enemies may seek to trouble us through this disaster!" Tang Mo looked again to Luff, standing beside the map, and gave his command. Luff stood at attention, "By Your Majesty's command! I will instruct the Navy and the border garrisons to enter second-level combat readiness status!" "The intelligence department has to stay alert as well! Don't let any sign slip unnoticed!" Tang Mo turned his head, looking toward Li'ao. Li'ao also stood up, "You can rest assured, Your Majesty!" Outside the window, the rain continued to pour down unceasingly, the dense raindrops hitting the conference room window, making a pitter-patter sound.