Iron Dynasty Chapter 999

Upon exiting the imperial palace, Zhu Sansi gazed upward toward the clear blue sky.

For him, the current events seemed utterly dreamlike. Even though his role as Commander of the Eastern Military Region remained basically a position without real soldiers—relying solely on the survivors from the northern campaign—he felt profound thanks toward the Emperor.

During their discussion in the Imperial Study, the Emperor had stated plainly that achieving equality for his Eastern Command with the other five military regions would ultimately rely on his own efforts.

Beyond the palace entrance, Gao Yingfeng along with several generals stood awaiting his arrival. As he stepped out, excitement lit up their faces. Gao Yingfeng called out with enthusiasm, “Commander, congratulations! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, congratulations!” The rest of the generals grinned widely in delight.

A bitter smile crossed Zhu Sansi's face. Now that the imperial edict had been proclaimed, the news of his military region assignment was out in the open. It came as no shock that Gao Yingfeng and the others had heard it through fellow generals.

He remarked, “Hold off on celebrating too much—the real challenges lie ahead. Head back now and get ready for a shipment of machine guns. Soon enough, we'll set off for Alaska. The growth of our Eastern Military Region hinges on establishing a firm foothold in North America.”

“North America!” Gao Yingfeng and his comrades appeared stunned.

Zhu Sansi affirmed with a nod and shared with his followers the words Xiao Ming had imparted to him. These men formed his essential team and would serve as the solid foundation of the Eastern Military Region.

Only once he had wrapped up his explanation did the group finally ease their worries.

Gao Yingfeng commented, “That explains why the Eastern Military Region command landed on the Division Commander. It's no easy task, yet after enduring Yakutsk, Alaska holds no terror for us.”

“Right on. We've all emerged from the same heaps of corpses. We face trials side by side and share the rewards as well.”

“Division Commander, no matter where you lead, we'll be right behind you.”

“…”

The generals voiced their support in turn. The fierce clash at Yakutsk had strengthened their unbreakable camaraderie.

Deeply moved, Zhu Sansi nodded. Backed by brothers like these, he held no fears.

As the group chatted animatedly, an opulent carriage drew near at a leisurely pace. From it leaped a man whose features bore a striking similarity to Zhu Sansi's own brows.

Spotting the arrival, Zhu Sansi broke into a grin. It was none other than his younger sibling, Zhu Wuliu.

“Big brother, I've lingered here awaiting you. Mother and Father await your return home for the evening meal,” Zhu Wuliu announced. He had put on a bit of weight lately, a stark shift from his earlier slender build.

Over a year had slipped by since Zhu Sansi last visited home, and he longed intensely for his kin. Turning to Gao Yingfeng, he instructed, “You all should return this time to reconnect with your loved ones. We'll reconvene with the troops in a few days.”

Gao Yingfeng eyed Zhu Wuliu briefly. In Qingzhou these days, Zhu Wuliu enjoyed widespread renown. From constructing roadways within Qingzhou City to founding the Zhu Family Chamber of Commerce, he ranked now among the elite traders.

With an envious look at the Zhu siblings, Gao Yingfeng then guided the generals off into the distance.

Grinning, Zhu Wuliu added, “Brother, my heartfelt congratulations on rising to Commander of the Eastern Military Region. It looks like I'll never measure up to you in this life.”

“How did you find out?” Startled, Zhu Sansi creased his brow.

“Hahaha… As the proverb goes, money turns the world. Truth be told, my chamber of commerce runs a military provisions plant. A good portion of the canned supplies for the northern push came from that very factory. So, naturally, your little brother keeps ties with the General Staff's quartermaster. Moments ago, as he exited the palace, he shared this splendid update while passing through.” Zhu Wuliu wore a smug expression.

Zhu Sansi's scowl intensified. Observing his brother, he sensed an abrupt strangeness about him. The straightforward fellow of old now struck him as worldly and sly.

“Wuliu, did you disregard my advice? As your ventures expand, restraint becomes even more vital. Why won't you heed me?” Zhu Sansi scolded.

With a light laugh, Zhu Wuliu replied, “Brother, why the tension? It's merely a trade connection, and we exchanged a few idle words. Besides, with you as commander now, he sought to flatter our Zhu family on his own— I didn't approach him for it.”

Zhu Sansi's features eased somewhat. He found it impossible now to separate truth from fabrication in Zhu Wuliu's statements.

Letting out a sigh, he climbed aboard the carriage and headed home alongside Zhu Wuliu.

Following a pair of restful days at home, Zhu Sansi rejoined the forces to formally launch the Eastern Military Region, while the dynamic military overhaul kicked into full gear.

By the third session of the military reform assembly, each commander and chief clerk of the military regions departed for their domains to reshape the units below them per the guidelines.

Concurrently, Yang Chengye oversaw the steady refinement of the military production network. Factories dedicated to arms toiled around the clock, crafting weaponry to equip the primary military zones.

In merely six months, distribution reached the six key military regions with 3,000 machine guns and 2,000 pieces of Imperial Guard artillery, while Qi Guangyi's rifle-mounted cavalry finalized their gear enhancements.

These accomplishments left Xiao Ming thoroughly pleased. In his view, the military restructuring had unfolded flawlessly, paving the way for the Empire's outward thrust next.

Yet, right when he prepared to rally for battle, reports from Dengzhou revealed the arrival of British and French envoys there, seeking a meeting in Qingzhou.

“They dare show their faces in Qingzhou for an audience. Such brazen nerve, Your Majesty. I suggest we refuse them outright.” Pang Yukun's beard quivered in fury.

A full year plus had elapsed since the enemy combined fleet's destruction, yet the war's scars lingered deeply in the spirit of every citizen of the realm.

Shaking his head, Xiao Ming responded, “Nations must avoid rash moves. Shooing off the envoys proves simple, yet certain issues evade resolution through talks alone. Warfare drains lives and riches, stunting economic progress. If sidestepping it works, why resort to conflict?”

With the three savage clans eradicated, the court officials' sense of imperial might had swelled dramatically, frequently pushing for combat in a manner echoing modern America's fervor. Still, he remained clear-headed for now.

A mighty nation that craves war courts its own doom. This wisdom stayed ever fixed in his thoughts.

“Will Your Majesty engage in talks with them?”

Surprise flickered across Pang Yukun's face. At times, he struggled to grasp Xiao Ming's mindset. For Xiao Ming could appear bellicose one moment and remarkably composed the next, rendering his aims ever harder to predict.

A decade prior, Pang Yukun had nursed a degree of disdain toward Xiao Ming, convinced his own abilities allowed mastery over him. But these days, confronting Xiao Ming often stirred unease within him.

“Indeed, we'll discuss terms. Should agreement elude us, battle can follow soon after. Moreover, this presents a chance to slip agents into Europe for genuine intel gathering. The Dutch can't be our sole reliance,” Xiao Ming declared.

Pang Yukun inclined his head. “Then I'll direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange their welcome in Qingzhou.”

Nodding in turn, Xiao Ming's gaze wandered briefly before he pressed on, “One more thing: Instruct Lu Fei to send a thousand crack troops from the Central Army to form ranks at the city gates come morning, showcasing the Empire's formidable power!”