Unlimited Ambition

I thought for a moment and then said to her, "Things have really gotten out of hand. If we don't handle the current situation properly, we will not only have to face the rebels in the south, but even the troops in the Central Plains and Jiangnan Military Regions will become our enemies. I have no choice but to go."

The little girl was still unwilling to give up: "What am I going to do if you leave like this? Can't you send another general and stay behind yourself?"

"Of course not," I thought to myself. At the same time, another idea came to me: "Right, haven't you always wanted to leave the Forbidden City and see other places? This is a perfect opportunity. Why don't you come with me?"

The little girl thought it was a good idea and nodded in agreement.

Three days later, the emperor announced that he would personally lead ten million elite troops from the Northeast Army south to quell the rebellion.

After learning of the Emperor's personal expedition, the powerful figures in the Central Plains Military Region and the Jiangnan Military Region gathered to discuss the matter.

Everyone felt that although any sensible person would know that this imperial expedition was a trick played by that wolf cub from the north, the vast majority of China wasn't exactly sensible. If they dared to oppose the Northeast Army, they would be traitors and rebels.

That won't do. We're not some barbarians from the south. There are plenty of loyal, patriotic fools in the army. If we dare announce this news, someone might cut off our heads and go to the wolf cubs in the north to claim credit. Forget it, let's think about it. If that wolf cub can guarantee our power and status, we'll just consider it a change of master. After all, Gao Hai is already a dead eunuch. It's not worth risking our lives for him.

Therefore, the Central Plains and Jiangnan Military Regions issued a statement acknowledging the Emperor's authority and affirming the Northeast Governor-General's actions in rescuing the Emperor. They also expressed their willingness to obey his orders and fight against the southern rebels.

"Very well, they know what's good for them." I chuckled softly. Meanwhile, at the welcoming banquets held in the Central Plains and Jiangnan Military Regions, I used Geass to gain initial control of the leadership of these two armies.

After the Northeast Army joined the battle, the southern rebels could no longer hold out. Although they obtained the design plans for the mechs through various channels, they were also hampered by the limited production of Sakura Stones and could not deploy them on a large scale (Lakushata will never be able to return to India in his lifetime).

This is also why the Southern Military Region made such a big fuss a few years ago, but didn't dare to actually rebel.

After acquiring data on radioactive energy and implementing it on a large scale, the South became overconfident. They mass-produced troops and planned a decisive victory—without considering that the "Glasgow" mechs they obtained from Brittany and the Federation's older "Steel Skull" models were all outdated, useless fourth-generation mechs. How could they possibly contend with the Central Government's latest sixth-generation mechs?

Adding to the internal turmoil, the Northeast Army marched south, and military power was unified, concentrated in the hands of my brilliant general. The annihilation of the southern rebels was now imminent.

"In other words, the countdown to marrying you has begun, my little darling." That night, while I was routinely "discussing military affairs" with the Emperor, I made a promise that I didn't even know if I could keep, making her feel very happy—in every sense of the word—when my phone rang.

"Hello, who is it? Don't you know I said you can't call me between 10 PM and 2 AM?" I frowned, only then realizing I'd forgotten to turn off my phone. I gently patted the curious little girl who was peeking in, then thought for a moment and turned the phone back on.

"My dear friend Mengde, how have you been?" A familiar voice called out.

Damn it, it's that guy, Schneider: "Brother, you're in high spirits, but you've disturbed my peaceful sleep. How are you going to make amends?"

When I mentioned compensation, Schneier trembled involuntarily, but his tone remained unchanged: "My friend's prestige can be heard even from thousands of miles away. I, your humble brother, offer my congratulations in advance."

"I dare not accept your praise, Your Majesty. I have merely done my duty, repaying the Emperor's kindness (in every sense of the word) and caring for the common people. That is all."

"Not at all, my friend, you're too kind. Who doesn't know the Wolf of the Far North these days—no, from now on we'll probably have to call it the Wolf of China. Isn't that right?" Schneider said with a barbed tone.

I laughed and immediately retorted, "Whether it's the Wolf of the Far North or the Wolf of China, it's just a name the media came up with for ratings. My brother also has the title of Butcher of the Japanese Archipelago, so don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously at all."

"In any case, it's true that my friend has made further progress."

Hearing him say that, I didn't reply. I just waited quietly for him to continue.

"I wonder when my friend will have time to come to Brittany for a chat?"

"Your Majesty is joking. If Your Majesty would allow me to bring my army of tens of millions, I might consider it. How about Your Majesty comes to the Chinese Federation? I will certainly give you a warm welcome."

“I’ll return your words to you: if you were willing to let me bring my ten million Brittany’s army with me, I might consider it.”

After he finished speaking, we all burst into laughter.

Damn it, talking to these guys is such a hassle.

Then Schneider rambled on for a while. I finally understood what he meant.

The Britannian army on the Japanese archipelago could no longer hold out.

The Sea Wolves did a good job. Last month alone, they sank 300,000 tons of various military supplies, including ships and cargo. Their own losses were minimal.

The entire Japanese archipelago had become a living hell. Aside from an abundance of human flesh, there was nothing else. The second Breton army, having exhausted its supplies, was now facing starvation.

Are you kidding me?! You want me to go easy on you?! Why don't you just die?!

Schünell repeatedly stated that they had lost interest in that wretched place, the Japanese archipelago. "As soon as I cease my attacks, Brittany will immediately evacuate. After that, Japan can do whatever it wants. It's none of Brittany's business."

Do you think I'm a three-year-old? You lie without even thinking it through?!

I was just figuring out how to refuse when Schneider spoke up and said, "Even for Cornelia's sake, you should agree to this."

Cornelia?

I forced back my throbbing pain and asked, "She didn't...she didn't say...after the fall of Kyoto..."

“No, she was eventually knocked unconscious by her own guards. Then she was led out of the encirclement,” Schneider replied.

Oh, Cornelia... is still alive?

I took a deep breath and recalled the topic I had discussed with Xun Wenruo that day: Which is more important, the country or the beauty?

……

"Alright... I agree. But I also ask that you keep your promise, Your Majesty. You must know that the rebels in the south are about to be wiped out. My millions of troops will soon be left with nothing to do."

“Of course, I, Schneider, keep my word. Once this matter is completed, the Japanese archipelago will be yours, my friend. As for what you said, that your millions of troops have nothing to do... the vast lands of Europe, the magnificent rivers and mountains, the mighty army of the Chinese Federation... my friend, do you really have no thoughts about this?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I thought: Could it be that he wants to cooperate with me to divide up the EU?! This is something I really need to think about...

After I finished talking to Schneider and hung up the phone, I looked back and saw that the little girl had fallen asleep, drooling all over my arm.

"Really..." I shook my head, looked around but there seemed to be nothing I could use to wipe myself. So I took off another condom and then wiped away the drool.

Then I straightened the little girl up, held her close, and fell into a deep sleep.

A month later, the southern rebels were defeated. Their leaders, Liu Bei and Sun Quan, were sentenced to death in the first instance and immediately executed. Their entire families were exterminated, and their property was confiscated.

Just like that, a single wrong decision led to the annihilation of two ancient families. Local warlords throughout the Federation fell silent, hastily pledging their loyalty to the central government. For a time, the Chinese Federation seemed poised for a resurgence.

"You're smart enough to know your place." Seeing the congratulatory telegrams from all over the country addressed to the emperor, along with secret letters of loyalty to me, piled up to a person's height, I sneered and ordered my men to throw these worthless papers out and burn them.

I'll get my hands on you all one day. I swore to myself.

Unfortunately, the Federation has just been plunged into chaos and needs stability now. Anyway, these insects aren't that capable. Let's keep them around for a few more days.

The army was victorious and returned to the capital. The emperor naturally bestowed a reward upon them (or, of course, one could say, "my own reward").

The former leaders of the Central Plains and Jiangnan Military Regions received a host of empty titles and honors. They were then placed under house arrest in the capital to retire. The real power vacated in various regions was all taken over by my trusted confidants. Only then did the entire Chinese Federation truly come under my control.

As for my own rewards, they were naturally more numerous: I was promoted from Duke of Wei to King of Wei, Chancellor, and Chief of the General Staff; I was also granted the Nine Bestowments, the authority to hold the imperial regalia, and the privilege of not kneeling before the Emperor when attending court—and most importantly, I was betrothed to the Emperor, to be formally married upon his coming of age. I was also appointed Regent Prince, in charge of all domestic affairs.

I observed the little girl's expression at the time, and her face was beaming with joy. I suppose this is the title she most wanted to bestow upon me.

Whatever. Anyway, this little girl is quite adorable. She's totally my type.

However, the day after the matter was made public, Brittany came knocking on their door.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Japan and Nuclear Bombs

With the internal affairs of the Chinese Federation resolved, I turned my attention back to the Japanese archipelago. After confirming once again that the remaining Britannian troops on the Japanese islands were no longer of significant strength, I fulfilled my promise and lifted the blockade of the Japanese archipelago.

Schneider, however, dared not violate the treaty. Although the Chinese Federation had just fought a civil war, it was now under my iron-fisted rule. Leaving aside whether they could win the war, Brittany simply lacked the strength to wage war.

The series of battles in the Japanese archipelago certainly devastated the entire Yamato people. The damage to Brittany itself was also extremely severe. During the war, Brittany lost seven million skilled soldiers, millions of tons of military supplies, and nearly two hundred thousand mechs of various types.

Brittany was terrified. They could not bear a second war like the one that raged over the Japanese archipelago.

So, compromise was the only option. Less than three million Britannian survivors, tears streaming down their faces, left this land of sorrow. The first thing they did upon returning home was to undergo psychological treatment.

Another piece of news caught Schneider's attention. Some survivors of the Battle of Kyoto, some of whom appeared to have suffered extremely powerful radiation burns, claimed that they witnessed the enemy using a highly powerful bomb. Military satellite observations from Brittany confirmed that a horrific explosion did indeed occur at the site—affecting almost the entire Kyoto area.

I received the report at the same time. Looking at the satellite photos of that crater, its diameter measured in kilometers, I gave the same order as Schneider: obtain this weapon at all costs.

It's a great pity that, according to intelligence, the genius high school girl who independently created this monstrous weapon apparently vaporized instantly upon the explosion. The computer hard drive she used was also destroyed in the blast. Currently, the only understanding of this weapon is the vague statement that it's likely an effect of nuclear fission.

"Whatever! What does 'whatever' mean? Nuclear fission or nuclear fusion doesn't matter! I just want to see the results! Within a year, I want you to produce a weapon of equal strength!" I shouted, slamming my hand on the photo on the table.

It must be said that after so many years of my exploitation, Lakushata had long since resigned herself to her fate. Besides, under my control, Indian independence was nothing but a pipe dream. She had completely given up on this idea and accepted the appointment as Minister of Central Research without a second thought.

But my order is a bit unreasonable. Knowing the principle is one thing. Being able to use that principle to create something is another. Upon hearing that she was to produce research results within a year, Lakushata immediately dropped her pipe to the ground: "Within a year?! How is that possible in such a short time?!"

"Stop talking nonsense! That's what you said when I asked you to bring out the radioactive engine!" I said.

“My research was already finished by then! It was just a repetition of what I had done. But now, all I know is that it’s nuclear energy, nothing else. What am I supposed to do?!” Lakushata protested.

"Something a high school girl can easily do! You're a world-class scientist, leading a group of China's top talents, with ample research funding and the best experimental environment, and you're saying you can't do it?!"

"How can this be the same?!" Lakushata exclaimed, both amused and exasperated. After much arguing, I finally gave her leniency, extending the timeframe to three years. Even so, Lakushata's expression remained unpleasant.

If this still-unknown, incredibly powerful weapon was an unexpected delight, then the Sakura Stone mine at Mount Fuji was something I'd long coveted. Now that I've finally obtained it, I'm naturally overjoyed. Everything else can be ignored, but this Sakura Stone mine is truly a treasure of unparalleled power. It must be protected with utmost care.

Therefore, you can imagine how I felt when I heard that the Japanese liberation front had split and was in a standoff along the Mount Fuji line.

Just as I had imagined, Todo and Katase each established their own governments, one in the east and one in the west, while declaring themselves the legitimate successors of Japan and applying to become constituent republics of the Chinese Federation.

However, the word "federation" in the Chinese Federation is now somewhat misleading. After the southern rebels were defeated, their status as member states was revoked, and their administrative and territorial defense powers were transferred to the central government, making them directly administered territories. Currently, within the entire federation, only a few sultanates in Central Asia retain member state status. These are precisely the key targets I will be targeting in my next round of attacks.

Therefore, it is really not the right time for Japan to apply to become a member state now.

However, I had told Kaguya before that I didn't care about anything else in Japan except for Mount Fuji. And that's what I've been doing ever since.

After returning to the Chinese Federation with me, Kaguya fainted three times in one day after hearing about the devastation in Japan. When she woke up again, she was somewhat mentally unstable. In the end, I had to use my Geass powers to barely bring her back to normal.

So, Japan joining is no big deal, one or two Japans are no big deal either—but these bastards wanting to touch my Mount Fuji is a big deal.

"Send Cao Zilie! The first and second battalions of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry are all going! Tell them to get as far away as possible! If they want to fight to the death, they should go somewhere else. If they dare to damage even a single piece of land on Mount Fuji, I will wipe out their entire family!!"

Ever since I wiped out two powerful families in the south, I've found it really satisfying to slaughter entire families—especially when it comes to scaring people; I'm almost always successful.

Cheng Yu, who was in charge of intelligence, was starting to regret his choice. He thought to himself, "Why did I choose this major? Now I have to report everything to the King. I get spitting in his face for no reason. It's really..."

Seeing that I was about to make a phone call, Cheng Yu quickly continued, "The governments of both the East and West Japan have sent representatives. Will Your Highness not see them?"

"I won't see them! I won't see either of them! If they want to beg me, let Todo and Katase come in person! They can kneel outside this Forbidden City for three days and three nights, and then I'll consider whether I want to see them!"

Cheng Yu was spit on again, feeling somewhat helpless: "Your Majesty, I think it would be better to meet with them... Even if we can't meet with the representative from Eastern Japan, we should at least meet with the representative from Western Japan."

"Who is the representative from Western Japan? How much did they give you to make you speak up for her like this?" I asked.

Cheng Yu smiled wryly: "She said her name is Hong Yuehua Lian."

……

Alright, let's not hold a grudge. Let's meet him then.

And so, I met Hua Lian once again.

"You, you are... Hua Lian?" If it weren't for her undeniably 34D bust (no, with today's advanced technology, you can just add some silicone), I really wouldn't have recognized her.

Several months ago, unlike Kagura and Viletta, Hua Lian didn't return to the Chinese Federation with me. Instead, she stayed in Japan, participating in various battles that were comparable to hell. She truly earned the reputation of a raging inferno.

However, besides this, Hua Lian lost more than she gained. The strength and stubbornness that once graced her pretty face had long been smoothed out by cruel reality. Only utter haggardness and unease remained.

Hearing my question, Hua Lian forced a smile, but instead of answering, she knelt down in front of me and pleaded, "Please have mercy and save Japan."