Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 539: The insidious and experienced Chang Tai has everything under control

The atmosphere in Chang Tai's office was extremely solemn. Secretary Cohen walked up quickly and handed a report to Chang Tai with a serious expression.

"Mr. President, this is the latest situation regarding the Second Army." Cohen's voice was filled with a hint of worry.

Chang Tai took the report, quickly glanced through it, and frowned. He put the report down and said in a deep voice: "Why is there no movement from the Second Army? The other troops are already moving towards the north of the bay."

Cohen said hesitantly, "Mr. President, we understand that the Second Army's Chief of Staff Zhao Wei has called several times to inquire about Li Jun's whereabouts, and his tone has become increasingly impolite. They seem to have begun to doubt us."

Chang Tai sneered and said, "Suspicious? Who do they think they are? Just a bunch of traitors!"

Cohen was slightly stunned. He did not expect Chang Tai to call the Second Army traitors so directly. He asked cautiously: "What should we do? If the Second Army really gets out of control, it will be a huge threat to us."

Chang Tai stood up, walked to the window, and looked into the distance. He took a deep breath and said slowly: "Tell Zhao Wei that we have evidence that Li Jun is colluding with China and intends to surrender to the expeditionary army. Now, he is under our control. If the Second Army does not follow my orders, Li Jun will be killed!"

Cohen was stunned. He had never expected Chang Tai to make up such a reason to threaten the Second Army. He hesitated and said, "But...but wasn't Li Jun killed by you at the meeting?"

Chang Tai turned around and stared at Cohen with a sharp gaze: "Cohen, you have to remember that politics is always a game. What we need is the result, not the truth. The specific situation in the conference room will never be spread out. This also means that the news of Li Jun's death is still unknown to the Second Army. Therefore, we can use this information gap to fabricate the illusion that Li Jun is still alive to threaten the Second Army to act according to our requirements."

Cohen nodded. Under the current circumstances, this might be the only solution.

The Second Army seemed like a time bomb that could explode at any time, but in fact, they were within Chang Tai's calculations and control from beginning to end.

Poor Li Jun, he was used as a chicken to scare the monkeys by Chang Tai and died. Now he is used as a bargaining chip for Chang Tai to control the Second Army. I wonder what Li Jun feels in his grave.

The Second Army under Li Jun's command was the former First Army of the Taizhou Garrison Group Army of the Southern Kingdom. It was known for its sophisticated equipment, strong fighting will, and powerful combat effectiveness. It was called the First Tiger Army of Taizhou and was also a well-known ace army in the entire Southern Kingdom.

Li Jun has a very high prestige in the entire Second Army, and his words are his final words. As long as Chang Tai uses Li Jun as a bargaining chip, he will not worry that the Second Army will not act according to his orders. This old fox has been in control of the situation without any mistakes from beginning to end. It can be seen that Huang Guangtai's handing over the entire Southern Government to him is not a move of nepotism. Chang Tai's foresight and talent are extremely outstanding.

"Go ahead, do as I say and be tough."

So, Cohen called Zhao Wei back according to Chang Tai's instructions.

When Zhao Wei heard that Li Jun was still alive, he was stunned for a moment, then he shouted angrily: "You are playing with fire! If anything happens to Commander Li Jun, the Second Army will never let it go!"

However, Cohen was not moved at all. He said coldly: "Chief of Staff Zhao, you should know who holds the initiative now. If you don't want to see Li Jun's head fall, just follow the orders of the President."

"Also, you are nothing but traitors to the Southern Government. Your behavior of colluding with China to defect is extremely shameful. What qualifications do you have to shout in front of me?"

After saying this, Cohen hung up the phone neatly.

Zhao Wei smashed the receiver in his hand in anger, his heart filled with anger and helplessness.

"How's it going, Chief of Staff? Have you found out any news about my second uncle?" Li Meng, a young and handsome general, looked a bit like the commander of the Second Army, Li Jun. His face was filled with anxiety and worry. He stared at Zhao Wei intently, as if trying to read some clues about Li Jun's safety from the expression of the chief of staff.

Zhao Wei took a deep breath and tried to calm down his anger. He knew that the current situation would not allow him to lose control of his emotions. He spoke slowly, with a hint of comfort in his voice: "The military commander should be safe. Even if Chang Tai is brave, he dare not do anything to the military commander, otherwise the Second Army will skin him alive!"

Hearing this, the anxiety in Li Meng's eyes eased a little. He knew that Zhao Wei had a calm personality and would not easily draw conclusions. Since he said that Li Jun was safe, he should be somewhat confident.

"Chang Tai should have some evidence of our contact with China, so he placed the military commander under house arrest, hoping to use this as a threat to make us follow his orders." Zhao Wei continued to analyze.

Although his voice was calm, his eyes were gleaming with anger.

Li Meng's eyes flashed, and he understood what Zhao Wei meant. Chang Tai had grasped their weakness and wanted to use Li Jun to control the entire Second Army.

This sinister and cunning guy really does everything he can!

"Then what should we do?" Li Meng asked. Now they must make a choice, whether to continue to confront Chang Tai or temporarily succumb to his threats.

Zhao Wei sighed. He knew that this decision was not easy to make. However, he had to consider the future of the entire Second Army.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "Let's do as Chang Tai asked first. No matter what, we must ensure the safety of the military commander."

Li Meng nodded, he understood Zhao Wei's intention. Now they had to temporarily succumb to Chang Tai, otherwise it would only put Li Jun in a more dangerous situation.

They must be patient and wait until the time is right before taking action.

The three important division commanders of the Second Army were either descendants of the Li family or were brought up by Li Jun. The middle-level generals below also respected Li Jun very much. It can be said that Li Jun was the soul of the Second Army. Chang Tai's move really firmly grasped the lifeblood of the Second Army.

Under Chang Tai's careful deployment, the First Army under Situ Hao, the Ninth Army led by Liu Zhi, the Twelfth Army commanded by Wang Hongquan and the Fifteenth Army led by Wang Ding, these four army-level forces, totaling 15 elite soldiers, began to march towards Wanbei City in a mighty manner according to Chang Tai's orders.

However, Chang Tai did not let them enter the city, but ordered them to set up a series of solid defensive positions outside the city. These positions, like a steel Great Wall, stretched across the periphery of Wanbei City, ready to face the fierce attack of the Chinese Expeditionary Force at any time.

This move was undoubtedly Chang Tai's conspiracy. He knew that the goal of the expeditionary army was to capture Wanbei City, and the existence of these four troops would undoubtedly bring great trouble to the expeditionary army. If the expeditionary army wanted to successfully capture Wanbei City, they had to deal with these four troops first. However, the commanders of these four troops were all controlled by Chang Tai, and they had to act according to Chang Tai's orders and attack the expeditionary army.

As a result, the expeditionary army's final offensive against Wanbei City had to be put on hold. They had to resolve the threat of these four forces before they could continue to attack Wanbei City. This undoubtedly brought great obstacles to the expeditionary army's offensive.

Chang Tai's move not only reflects his strategic vision, but also shows his cunning and ruthlessness. He knows that although these four troops originally intended to defect to the expeditionary army, they have now become a sharp weapon in his hands that can be used to contain and consume the strength of the expeditionary army.

As for the expeditionary force, faced with this sudden change, it had to readjust its tactics and plans to meet this new challenge.