Chapter 77 Another Military Aid Secured!

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Within the spacious room of the General’s Mansion, an atmosphere taut with tension and anticipation began to settle in. Jiang Bai stood by the window, his gaze deep and contemplative as it pierced through the glass, as if seeking the potential for future alliances somewhere in the distant horizon.

When Chief of Staff Wang Xiao entered to announce the arrival of the Grand Consortium’s envoy, Jiang Bai’s eyes shifted, pausing for a brief moment before a barely concealed delight blossomed across his face. As he strode toward the entrance, his steps were measured, his heart brimming with conjectures regarding the meeting about to unfold.

The Grand Consortium Dynasty, which had risen to power as a global industrial titan during the First Dynasty War, was a force not to be underestimated. Jiang Bai knew well that this encounter might prove pivotal to his schemes.

As Douglas was ushered into the general’s residence, a glint of caution and curiosity flashed in his eyes. Yet, when Jiang Bai himself emerged to greet him, a rare smile broke across his typically stern features, a sign of his satisfaction with Jiang Bai’s high-level reception.

Once they were seated, Douglas wasted no time with pleasantries and cut straight to the heart of his inquiry. Facing the envoy from the Grand Consortium Dynasty, Jiang Bai responded with his customary candor and directness.

“Commander Jiang, I’ve heard along the way that you appear to maintain quite close ties with Ambassador Fong En of the Welding Wire Dynasty?”

As they conversed, their eyes met, each searching the other’s gaze for hidden truths.

Jiang Bai’s reply was firm and laden with meaning. “Indeed, we enjoy a close private relationship.”

At this negotiation table, charged with subtle tension, Jiang Bai maintained his habitual composure, his eyes profound, seeming to see through all pretense. Douglas, meanwhile, appeared slightly uneasy, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, betraying his hesitation and uncertainty. At last, he drew a deep breath and, summoning his courage, looked squarely at Jiang Bai, his tone probing:

“General Jiang, is your meeting with Fong En on this trip in pursuit of support from the Welding Wire Dynasty?”

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Jiang Bai’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at the question, but soon regained their calm. He waved his hand lightly, his expression both frank and appraising as he returned Douglas’s gaze and replied slowly:

“Mr. Douglas, your question seems to conceal a deeper intention. I would much prefer we address your actual concerns directly, so that our dialogue may be more honest and constructive.”

In this atmosphere of directness, Douglas set aside his earlier reservations. Sitting up straighter, his gaze grew more resolute as he looked at Jiang Bai and voiced his true doubts:

“From the intelligence I’ve gathered, your cooperation with the Welding Wire Dynasty is not without risks and vulnerabilities.”

A subtle air of tension pervaded the room. Standing by the window, Jiang Bai faced Douglas, his expression as composed as ever, though the glint in his eyes betrayed the rapid workings of his mind.

After careful deliberation, Jiang Bai shook his head slowly, a fleeting shadow of worry passing across his face before being swiftly replaced by a look of steely resolve. He did not divulge the massive military loan promised by the Welding Wire Dynasty, for he was still weighing Douglas’s true intentions in making this visit. At the same time, he was unwilling to let the world glimpse too soon the depth of his cooperation with the Welding Wire Dynasty, lest it attract unnecessary attention and speculation.

Sensing Jiang Bai’s brief silence, Douglas seized the opportunity to shift the conversation, hoping to dispel the barely perceptible tension. Adjusting his posture with a tentative smile, he asked, “Commander Jiang, I’ve heard that during the Battle of Wangkou, you managed to wipe out an entire brigade of the Little Devils. Is that true?”

Jiang Bai met Douglas’s question with an easy smile and a dismissive wave, his gaze deep, as if concealing fathomless thoughts beneath a placid surface.

“Ambassador, you may have misunderstood that engagement.”

“In the Battle of Wangkou, several well-equipped squads of the Ribbon Troops fought with a prowess not inferior to certain elite divisions.”

“But let it be clear—there must be no confusion on this point—my forces eliminated only those regular troops clad in the uniforms of the Ribbon Army.”

Though Jiang Bai’s tone was calm, when he mentioned the ‘elite divisions,’ a faint emphasis crept into his voice, making his words particularly intriguing.

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Douglas caught the subtle shift in Jiang Bai’s words and could not help but feel a surge of respect. A more pronounced smile appeared on his face as he responded admiringly, “Commander Jiang, you truly are as brilliant and extraordinary as the rumors claim.”

However, as the conversation turned to the looming threat posed by the Enemy Dynasty, Douglas’s expression grew grave. His brows knit together, and his tone carried a sincere note of concern. “But you must be aware, should the enemy find an excuse, those ravenous wolves will not let slip a single opportunity to devour you. Your forces could suffer a grievous blow.”

Jiang Bai’s eyes deepened with Douglas’s concern. He nodded slowly in agreement, but his confidence never wavered. “You are right, Mr. Douglas. Since their reforms, the Little Devils have grown considerably in strength. Their ambition and desire for expansion are indeed cause for alarm. What we face is nothing less than a ticking time bomb.”

“Once it explodes, who knows how many innocents will be swept into disaster.” Jiang Bai’s voice was heavy with worry, his brow furrowed and his gaze clouded with deep unease.

In this moment, he was not only a general, but a sage well aware of the horrors of war.

Douglas regarded Jiang Bai with quiet admiration for his keen insight and depth of thought. Engaging with him was indeed like a gentle breeze—refreshing and pleasant.

He realized that with only the slightest guidance, Jiang Bai could swiftly grasp his intentions, providing a solid foundation for their upcoming negotiations.

Soon enough, Douglas took the initiative to steer the conversation to the next stage. “Commander Jiang, with your remarkable intelligence, I believe you have already discerned the purpose of my visit. So I will not beat around the bush.”

“On behalf of the Consortium, I wish to express my deep respect and to sincerely congratulate you on your destruction of a well-trained enemy force,” Douglas continued, his tone full of admiration and esteem. “Furthermore, we believe that when conditions are ripe, cooperation between us in certain fields is entirely possible!”

Jiang Bai’s heart was stirred by these words, though his expression remained as calm as ever, betraying no emotion. He replied evenly, “Mr. Douglas, please go on.”

Douglas nodded and spoke candidly. “We believe the Little Devils threaten not only our own dynasty, but yours as well. Clearly, they are a common adversary. Therefore, I believe cooperation between us in the military sphere is feasible.”

He outlined in detail the Consortium’s plan to support Jiang Bai in building an invincible army, one capable of curbing the Little Devils’ ambitions and restraining the expansion of their naval power.