Chapter 1555: Chapter 1472: Taking the Fall

Mike Ravel walked into Sun Guang’s office with a hint of grievance. This general in exile from Qin Country had been helping Dorne establish a fortified coastal defense line.

But today, his good days seemed to be over. Mike Ravel awkwardly handed the document in his hand to Sun Guang, and began to explain, “You have been pardoned by the Great Tang Empire… Now you can return home.”

Sun Guang was taken aback, then instinctively took the copy of the pardon order from the other’s hand and looked down at its contents.

Indeed, it bore the official seal of the Great Tang Empire, which hardly seemed capable of being forged. Moreover, according to the contents of this pardon order, it wasn’t only Sun Guang but also all the Qin Country submarine captains in exile in Dorne, as well as the officers and soldiers they commanded.

“This is a ruse.” Sun Guang clutched the document, looked up at Mike Ravel, and began to defend himself in a strained voice.

“No matter what, you no longer have the position to continue working for us.” Mike Ravel sighed, then patted Sun Guang’s shoulder, “I trust you, and I believe you are an excellent general. If you were here, we would have a better chance when resisting the possible landing invasion from Tang Country.”

“But…” he continued, shifting his tone, “My superiors, including His Majesty The Emperor, do not trust you… Or rather, they have started to distrust me.”

“The Great Tang Empire’s hesitation to launch an attack has led many to question whether they are merely bluffing, without any actual invasion plans; their so-called offensive is mere intimidation.” The pressure was intense, as dissatisfaction had begun to brew within Dorne over the massive investment in the coastal defense line.

The conscription of a million troops had severely affected people’s livelihoods, and Dorne’s economy had already been dragged down. Now the truth proves that Tang Country had no attack plans; many Dorne investments were unnecessary. How could this satisfy the ministers? Naturally, someone had to be held accountable.

If not for the Great Tang Empire’s large-scale amphibious landing exercises near Qingluan Port a few days ago, it might have been a military policeman holding an arrest warrant who arrived instead of General Mike Ravel.

Still, Mike Ravel was not at ease. The military had been repeatedly investigating corruption, embezzlement, and shoddy work during the construction of the coastal defense line.

Although these matters were not easy to investigate and involved many parties, one of the top responsible people, Mike Ravel, and his vital aide, Sun Guang, had become key focus points.

So, Mike Ravel sighed and continued speaking to Sun Guang, “And I, you, and many others initially advocated for building the coastal defense line, investing substantial manpower and resources to counter Tang Country’s invasion… But now, Tang Country hasn’t come; everything we have invested seems to have been a waste.”

“His Majesty The Emperor is alright, though many ministers openly declare that we, who fled from Qin Country, are traitors… spies sent by Tang Country to weaken Dorne’s national power.” Lastly, Mike Ravel did not forget to offer some explanation for his emperor; to him, Dorne the First was not clueless, his mind was fairly clear.

Precisely because Dorne the First believed that constructing the defense line was still necessary, the military officers who advocated for its construction did not fully expose themselves to the verbal onslaught from the civil official groups.

“Are they joking? If we hadn’t built this defense line, Tang Country might have landed on Dorne’s coast months ago!” Sun Guang retorted with a sarcastic smile, defending his stance in disdain.

You can’t just feel full after eating the fourth bun and then conclude that the previous three buns were eaten in vain, can you? Without a seemingly solid defense line in place, how could Tang Country possibly have delayed a cross-sea attack?

Mike Ravel, somewhat disconcerted, tried to console Sun Guang, “I understand everything you’re saying! But Tang Country indeed hasn’t made any landing moves recently, and you… and those Qin Country submarine officers have become the targets of attack by those ministers. For now, His Majesty hasn’t said anything, and I still have the power to protect you… But the future, no one knows.”

Sometimes, it’s not about the facts, but from the perspective of the civil officials, they just have to attack the military officers; it’s a stance, and a habit.

For many people, defeat might still hold a future, but if the military general group overtakes the court, then the future days will be worthless. Qiuba ultimately remains as Qiuba, mere dogs incapable of ascending.

However, with the formidable enemy ahead, the pressure from Tang Country on Dorne was indeed too great, so those civil officials’ frantic maneuvers did not prompt Emperor Dorne the First to begin settling accounts with those crucial military generals.

But the domestic economy had deteriorated to an unsustainable state; if Dorne the First continues insisting on supporting the military general group, the situation will become completely uncontrollable.

Thus Dorne the First ordered Mike Ravel to pin the blame on Sun Guang, then halt the construction of coastal defenses, divert some funds, and first stabilize people’s livelihoods.

Regrettably, the construction and maintenance of the coastal defense line now hinge upon the livelihood of a million laborers, forming a vast cake of vested interests that cannot be easily moved.

The nobility and merchant magnates who have skimped and cut corners during construction naturally refuse to easily surrender the subsequent maintenance projects. They are afraid of their scandals being exposed, and they shamelessly wish to profit again.

The local military commanders, stationed in areas, would also not be willing to become the unlucky ones to be downsized and dismissed. They, too, naturally want to uphold their interests and would not easily yield.

Liaisons, who provide transportation and food supplies for these troops, are also vested interests, and if these things are all canceled, they would immediately become chaotic.

It’s like the Great Ming Dynasty having to sustain the Liao towns back then, because even a slight move would directly touch the fuse, igniting a thunder and burying the entire empire itself.

“Are you planning to arrest us?” Sun Guang had not touched those interests; as an outsider, he lacked the basis and ability to accept bribes. So he asked calmly, his tone filled with annoyance.

Mike Ravel, somewhat ashamed, answered Sun Guang’s question, “If the situation continues to develop this way, it is indeed possible. I’m here this time to remind you… perhaps you should consider a plan for yourselves.”