CHAPTER 1421: 1338 INVESTIGATE CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

The tank company where Liu Guozhu was stationed passed by a Type 59 tank that was incapacitated on the road, and the crew of this tank looked quite disheveled.

Their heads were wrapped in bandages, one person even had a bandage on their arm, and three others were helping the military medic try to save their comrade who seemed gravely injured, traces of blood still visible.

From the broken tracks and their incapacitated position, it was basically confirmed that this tank had struck a mine.

Qin Country’s mine-laying method had changed; they no longer set up large-scale minefields because the Engineer Corps from Tang Country cleared mines with incredibly fast speed.

Qin Country’s engineers were ordered to lay mines anywhere they desired, this kind of extensive deployment of deceptive mines caused considerable trouble for Tang Army’s advance.

Thus, Tang Army began to deal more severely with Qin Country’s engineers carrying mines, sometimes even executing them directly! They had no choice, the rapidly advancing Tang Army truly hated these bastards to the core.

"Need any help?" Liu Guozhu poked half his body out from the tank turret and asked as they passed.

"No need! The bleeding has stopped. They hit a modified mine, the driver was unlucky and bumped his head..." the military medic waved his hand, briefly explaining the situation.

Liu Guozhu nodded slightly, and the tank continued moving forward without slowing down. His mood was also foul due to the widespread use of mines by the opponents.

As a tank commander, he and his troops had not scored any significant victories in quite some time. Due to concerns over heavy losses of the main tank forces, Tang Army had changed tactics, placing main troops in the second line to follow instead of leading the attack.

This change directly resulted in Liu Guozhu’s troops, including most equipped with Type 64 tanks, only being able to follow behind second-line tank troops to glean what they could.

Thus, the second-line tank troops equipped only with Type 59 tanks became the main attacking force on the battlefield, suffering losses larger than the elite Tang Army tank troops.

"These Qin countrymen are really vile, planting mines on our land!" The gunner said angrily from the side. In their view, this area already belonged to the Great Tang Empire—it’s all their wealth, their land!

Those scoundrels rampaging on this land must be thoroughly cleansed! The fact that the other side has planted mines on the territory of the Great Tang Empire is simply unforgivable.

"Just wait! This time, we’re heading to Wuyang! Capture the Emperor of Qin Country and present him to Your Majesty as a gift!" Liu Zhian said with determination.

Tang Army’s armored corps continued moving towards Qin Army’s flanks, compressing the defensive line Qin Country had built relying on the ancient capital.

Both sides continuously engaged in battle over a frontline of more than 150 kilometers, deploying massive troops. Waiting for subsequent supplies, Tang Army slowed its offensive, but as supplies arrived continuously, Tang Army’s firepower began to become terrifying.

On the wide front, Tang Army deployed twice as many artillery pieces as Qin Army, with more aircraft and tanks as well. Therefore, though Qin Army was resilient, they could only retreat step by step.

...

"Indeed! The Great Qin Empire continues illegally using mines, these inhumane weapons violate the war rules, Great Qin Empire being a signatory to the convention, now flagrantly defying it is a challenge to international order!" Confidently facing the reporters, the spokesperson of Great Tang Empire stated.

A large group of reporters shot photos incessantly, flashlights flickering, shutter sounds never stopping.

Before journalists from almost all countries, Great Tang Empire’s spokesperson, without pause, continued reading the statement: "This matter is absolutely unforgivable! This is yet another crime of Qin Country! They are straying further and further from the convention’s stipulations! The convention states, prohibits not only production but usage of all types of mines! Yet Qin Country continues production and usage! This is unacceptable!"

After finishing, a journalist raised his hand. Upon being called on, the journalist stood up to ask: "Sir, how does the Great Tang Empire intend to handle this breach of convention?"

Great Tang Empire’s spokesperson seriously answered: "We have already decided that the Great Qin Empire’s general Liu Zhian, who insisted on using mines at the front line, has become an intolerable criminal for us in the Great Tang Empire! He will no longer be protected by war rules; he personally will no longer enjoy any prisoner status!"

After a short pause, he continued with the coldest words: "We will use all means, whatever the cost... to execute Liu Zhian and hunt down his relatives, all the way to the ends of the earth!"

Everyone knows how formidable the Great Tang Empire’s intelligence agency is, if they resolve to hunt down a family, that family would certainly vanish from the world.

The only exception is a woman named Sofia, though this woman now lives a difficult life, hiding in the EastX like a mouse every day.

"Furthermore, the Great Tang Empire will also hold Qin Country accountable, in every stage of production, transportation, all participants will be pursued! None will be exempt!" After saying this, the spokesperson awaited the journalist’s satisfactory answer, who then returned to his seat.

The audience whispered, discussing whether the Great Tang Empire would keep its word, but soon a dwarf journalist stood up to ask: "Then, sir, will the Great Tang Empire hold the Emperor of Qin Country accountable in this matter?"

"Whether the Qin Emperor authorized this still needs investigation, we will publish the results immediately once available..." Tang country’s spokesperson formally answered the question.

The whispering below grew louder, knowing Qin Country also had a princess residing in the Great Tang Empire’s Imperial Palace, everyone guessed the Qin Emperor’s status would likely be far better treated than Mirage Country’s ruler.

At least, the Great Tang Empire didn’t treat Qin Country’s court like it did Mirage Country, not implicating the so-called "innocents."

That evening, the Imperial Concubine Ying Yue requested to see Tang Mo, and the two dined together once again, the atmosphere was extraordinarily pleasant. If Ying Yue weren’t already pregnant, she might have been able to "consume" Tang Mo.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Wuyang, Qin Emperor Ying Duo was not feeling well: he understood he had been cut loose by Tang Country, removing his culpability was aimed at disrupting his relationship with frontline general Liu Zhian.

Unfortunately, he still had to accept this arrangement because he did not dare refute Tang Country’s news release; he feared the Tang side might truly designate him as the responsible party for breaching the convention.

--------

Second installment will be delivered tomorrow, everyone need not wait longer.