Chapter 1521: Chapter 1438: Qin Country Surrenders

“I’m not exactly clear on the specifics…” The representative from Qin Country wasn’t a professional, so he could only briefly describe the drug’s packaging, properties, and approximate effects…

Immediately, a large group of people began to busy themselves. Tang Country prohibits the cultivation and breeding of Shade Cluster Flower, so related research in this area is actually not extensive.

Even though some technical departments are conducting related scientific research, its management is quite strict, and related products are strictly monitored, prohibited from any outflow.

These related departments are actually very secretive; ordinary people don’t even know they exist, let alone think of these departments first.

Thus, the investigation of this item passed through many departments via phone calls until some clues were found in the police department.

“Yes, we know about this thing. Previously, customs confiscated a shipment. Yes, it’s called Black Crow! We classified it as a prohibited drug and withheld all the products… That’s right, we also sent some to the drug regulatory department for ingredient analysis.” The person on the phone from the police responded.

Then the call was disconnected. The pharmaceutical department was contacted next, and soon the information that this drug contained Shade Cluster extract reached the front line.

“Damn it, they really are crazy.” Upon hearing about this item, Li’ao from the intelligence department immediately linked it to the situation.

This drug is indeed something new in the Western Continent; it’s not surprising that not many people know about it. But in the Eastern Continent, Tang Country’s intelligence department has already taken notice of this substance.

Many nobles from the Eastern Continent are attempting to use this stimulant drug; it has hallucinogenic effects and can make people highly excited… However, it’s Shade Cluster extract and is strictly forbidden in the Great Tang Empire.

The other party only dares to smuggle this item secretly into the Great Tang Empire, but due to rigorous inspections, this type of drug hasn’t spread internally within the Great Tang Empire.

After all, the new nobility and official circles of the Great Tang Empire haven’t fallen to the extent of dabbling in such things, and the ordinary people of the Great Tang Empire aren’t wealthy enough to easily purchase them.

As the Black Crow drug spread, the Great Tang Empire’s intelligence department gradually uncovered some sources of this substance: all evidence pointed to one person, or rather, to one detestable woman.

“Sofia! That damned woman actually dared to give this stuff to Your Majesty’s father-in-law!” Li’ao grabbed the file in front of him, frustrated, and quickly walked out of his office.

He must report the situation to Tang Mo as soon as possible because the situation has become more serious than he imagined.

Upon hearing this news immediately, Tang Mo issued a rescue order for Ying Duo: “Dispatch a medical team to Wuyang! Bring the best equipment and drugs… to rescue… him.”

For a moment, Tang Mo couldn’t decide how to address his own father-in-law, so he simply referred to him as “him.”

Then he turned to Li’ao: “No matter what, I don’t want anyone or anything related to this type of drug to appear on the land of the Great Tang Empire! Even if I pardon Liu Zhian, I must eliminate those bastards supplying Black Crow!”

“No compromise! If you catch someone selling Black Crow in the toilet, drown them in the toilet! If you catch them in bed, suffocate them with a pillow! I don’t care if they’re a celebrity or an official, nobility or a civilian… kill them without mercy!” Tang Mo issued the harshest order in the most sinister tone.

“As you command, Your Majesty!” Li’ao nodded slightly, took two steps back, then turned to convey Tang Mo’s instructions. He was very cautious, for Tang Mo had never issued such a deadly order to him before.

In the past, even when assigning him to do some shady work, even using the dirtiest methods against the enemy, Tang Mo hadn’t displayed such intense aggression.

…

Strauss stood atop a highland, overlooking the distant plains through binoculars. The Tang Army was launching a limited offensive, a gesture towards Qin Country’s side.

Since the People of Qin wish to receive a blow, he’ll wave the stick to fulfill their desires. He didn’t see a need to attack Wuyang and ruin a city that’s almost within reach, so Strauss chose another direction.

His armored group, strengthened by the 1st Armored Division’s armored group, drew a graceful arc southward.

In just one hour, Liu Guozhu’s armored corps shattered the Qin Army’s defenses, piercing a huge hole in the railway and road lines south of Wuyang.

The follow-up infantry expanded this hole to both wings, eventually forming a broad front over 20 kilometers wide.

The Tang Army didn’t stop but charged forward like a sharp knife, penetrating deep into Qin Country. As Zhang Xuan had anticipated, the Tang Army chose to cut between Wuyang and Liu Zhian’s forces, severing the Qin Army’s connection with the southern reinforcements.

However, things completely slipped out of Zhang Xuan’s control on the second day. The 2nd Corps of Tang Country, which had been idle beside Strauss’s 3rd Corps, suddenly appeared on the battlefield.

The breach opened by the Tang Army kept expanding, and along this breach, the Tang Army’s 2nd Corps commenced a southward advance…

The opening in the south of Wuyang gradually transformed into a massive pocket arranged by the Tang Army; if Liu Zhian’s troops continued north, they would walk right into this trap, awkwardly falling into a self-inflicted snare…

On the same day, Ying Ke finally issued the unconditional surrender order: he was grateful that the Tang Army didn’t launch a direct assault on Wuyang but chose a relatively mild approach to end this final farce.

“Gentlemen, it’s all over.” After announcing the surrender, Ying Ke seemed to be relieved as he unbuttoned his collar, sighing with not a trace of bitterness or resentment.

Indeed, several months of warfare had morphed into torment, making him feel like he was living in hell every day. Now that it’s all over, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It seems that the Emperor of Tang Country didn’t actually intend for the Qin Emperor to die, for Tang Country’s medical team took over Ying Duo’s treatment quickly. Having researched beforehand, they could indeed handle Ying Duo’s condition better than Qin Country’s doctors.

Soon, Ying Duo’s condition stabilized considerably, although withdrawal symptoms would still last for some time, and the process would clearly not be pleasant.

“Go home and wait for news…” waving his hand to the slightly nervous ministers, Ying Ke closed his eyes. He knew… the reckoning had just begun.