Jiang Ye convened an emergency military meeting, informing the assembled high-ranking officers of the news.
The officers were greatly shocked, and a long silence fell over the conference room.
"I had guessed that Yu Xiangyang might be withholding some information about the actual situation, but I never imagined it would be so egregious," Jiang Ye stated.
"Given the circumstances, what is your directive for our next course of action?" a division commander inquired.
"What do you think should be done?" Jiang Ye countered.
The officers were bewildered, exchanging confused glances.
From the moment they entered the conference room, they had been observing Jiang Ye's expression, but after a considerable time, they detected no discernible emotion.
Consequently, none of them knew Jiang Ye's thoughts and dared not express their opinions freely.
Following Jiang Ye's usual policy of appeasement, they would naturally be expected to halt this brutal "war to sustain war" strategy and stop Yu Xiangyang's devilish meat grinder.
However, from a practical standpoint, Yu Xiangyang's campaigns were exceptionally effective, achieving terrifying destructive power with minimal military expenditure and troop deployment, overwhelming the enemy with overwhelming force.
"This decision ultimately rests with you, Commander. Whether you decide to continue Yu Xiangyang's approach or halt it for remediation, we will give our full support," one division commander finally spoke.
Seeing that someone had voiced their thoughts, other officers nodded in agreement, their gazes fixed on Jiang Ye for his decision.
Jiang Ye sighed, "I am extremely disappointed in all of you."
The officers' expressions changed in unison.
"Yu Xiangyang's brutality has shocked me immensely. I certainly won't be able to sleep tonight. How could I have a general under my command who treats people like cutting grass?" Jiang Ye said. "But the fact that you are all accepting of it is astonishing. It's as if I've been speaking to deaf ears; you haven't absorbed a single word of what I've told you."
"Commander, we are your soldiers. A soldier's duty is to obey orders. We truly have no personal opinions. If you require us to reduce casualties, we will strive to do so. If you require us to slaughter indiscriminately, we will do so," a corps commander stated.
"Indeed, Commander. As individuals, we possess compassion, but once we don the uniform, we must be ruthless in command. Our profession is to fight and kill; we are not heads of charitable organizations," another division commander added. "If you wish to reduce casualties, we are one thousand percent pleased. If you desire a swift conclusion, we are also one thousand percent willing to do so with bloodied hands."
Jiang Ye let out a long sigh, still betraying no particular emotion.
"You are all my confidantes, and I never doubt your loyalty or your capabilities," Jiang Ye said. "However, to speak frankly, I have not been cultivating you merely as division or corps commanders. Your careers are not nearing their end; they are just beginning."
The atmosphere in the conference room shifted abruptly. The officers looked at Jiang Ye with surprise and astonishment.
"In ancient times, there was a term called 'fengjiang daxian' – a high official in charge of a frontier. In those days, the emperor resided in the capital, but the empire's frontiers were incredibly remote, and he could not personally oversee them. Thus, he would appoint a 'fengjiang daxian' to the border to guard vast territories, granting them immense power, effectively making them local rulers," Jiang Ye explained. "In the future, you could all become such 'fengjiang daxian,' the rulers of a planet."
"At that time, I will not be able to micromanage you. You will have to make decisions on all matters, big and small. If you do not possess certain essential qualities, how can I confidently entrust you with such great authority?" Jiang Ye scanned the room. "The first essential quality is the importance of human life and empathy for suffering humanity."
A profound silence descended upon the conference room. The officers lowered their heads in thought, their minds occupied with their own contemplations.
"Immediately dispatch an order to Yu Xiangyang's forces to cease their offensive and have him return to report to me. Deploy three hundred thousand troops to the war zone, and evacuate prisoners and civilians from the war zone as quickly as possible. Begin deliberating on the list of deployment troops and the deployment plan."
The officers' expressions transformed, shifting into the familiar demeanor of discussing operational plans, as if a switch had been flipped, engaging their minds at full capacity.
The conference room buzzed with activity. Officers eagerly volunteered to lead their troops for deployment.
The plan was rapidly formulated, and the invisible military machinery began to move swiftly. Throughout the meeting, orders were continuously issued from the conference room, and hundreds of thousands of personnel in space orbit, on major planets, in logistics departments, and military factories began to mobilize.
Su Yueming left the conference room to convey the order recalling Yu Xiangyang.
A few minutes later, Su Yueming returned. "Commander, Yu Xiangyang has replied."
"Read it," Jiang Ye commanded.
"My unit will commence its offensive tomorrow night, targeting six key enemy military strongholds: Spencer City, Blaze City, and the Luoshui Plains. Troops have already begun moving to designated positions. The opportunity is fleeting. I request your permission to return and report in three days, by which time this round of offensive will be completed."
"Repeat the order to him: all units are to immediately transition from offense to defense. Yu Xiangyang is to return immediately to report to me, without delay." Jiang Ye paused, then added, "He is not Yue Fei, so do not treat me as Zhao Gou. If he were Bai Qi, I would not wish to be King Zhaoxiang of Qin."
The officers in the conference room paled.
Most of the officers were graduates of military academies and had some exposure to military history, understanding the implications of Jiang Ye's words.
Yue Fei was achieving resounding victories, yet Zhao Gou, the emperor, issued twelve golden edicts recalling him from the battlefield. Zhao Gou was later reviled, while Yue Fei became a tragic hero. Jiang Ye's statement to Yu Xiangyang, "You are not Yue Fei," meant that he should not be naive, that his achievements were not so monumental, and that he, Jiang Ye, was not a foolish ruler who could be coerced by supposed opportunities.
As for King Zhaoxiang of Qin, who ordered Bai Qi's execution, Jiang Ye's implication was: Yu Xiangyang, return obediently, and I do not wish to order your death.
Su Yueming nodded and left. A few minutes later, she returned to report.
"As per the Commander's orders, our forces have fully transitioned to defense. I will depart immediately to meet you for my report."
Jiang Ye nodded. "When do you estimate he will arrive?"
"If all goes quickly, in about three hours," Su Yueming replied.
...
Three hours later.
Jiang Ye stood by the long table in the small conference room, holding a cup of jasmine tea, quietly reading a newspaper.
The newspapers were subscribed from the largest-selling publications on Jiang Ye Star, Birong Star, and the Exile Star. A young woman in Su Yueming's secretarial team was responsible for compiling this social media news daily. When Jiang Ye needed it, he would simply ask, and she would deliver it immediately.
Although Jiang Ye had an efficient intelligence system that provided him with daily reports on major events across the planets, he also paid attention to media trends and public opinion. During his free time, he would read them to understand what the common people on the various planets were discussing.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Jiang Ye asked.
"Yu Xiangyang, reporting to the Commander as ordered!"
"Enter." Jiang Ye straightened up and turned to look.
The door opened, and Yu Xiangyang walked in.
Jiang Ye's eyebrows twitched, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.