Munitions Empire-Chapter 1047 - 969 is like a mirror image.
Chapter 1047: 969 is like a mirror image.
“They’ve secretly assembled 400,000 men at the border! Those bastards!” raged the deputy director of the intelligence bureau of the Poplar Empire from inside another estate on the outskirts of Chang’an City.
Just like the deputy minister of the Dwarf Intelligence Department had thought, the Elves had also purchased intelligence services provided by the Great Tang Group. The Elves, too, did not bring enough cameras, and they had spent quite a bit of money in vain.
Had he not spent over thirty million Gold Coin to purchase intelligence on the Ice Cold Empire from the Great Tang Group, he’d still be in the dark! Had he not bought a map of his own country, he wouldn’t have known that maps could be made so detailed…
Just like looking into a mirror, the Elves were also shocked by the level of detail in the intelligence provided by the Great Tang Empire. They were amazed, and after coming to their senses, began to make copies as well.
Those damned Dwarfs, not at all as kind and benevolent as they seem! These fellows are extremely cunning and deceptive, nothing but a bunch of snow foxes!
They’ve been secretly stockpiling troops at the border of the Poplar Empire without anyone noticing! And almost 400,000 strong!
The pictures marked the designations of many units; judging from these, one could infer that the Ice Cold Empire indeed had amassed at least 400,000 men at the border!
This is not just a simple mass of 400,000 troops; it includes the heavy artillery, automobiles, armored vehicles, and tanks of these units!
Previously, the intelligence department of the Poplar Empire did sense that the Ice Cold Empire was reinforcing its border, but they really did not expect the enemy to secretly add so many troops!
To be honest, such a large number of troops, and potentially the main force, already posed an intentional threat to the northern border security of the Poplar Empire.
Not just 400,000 troops, but the Ice Cold Empire had also stockpiled a large number of military supplies in the southern region and deployed at least 300 of their self-developed tanks.
With these troops, the Dwarfs of the Ice Cold Empire could initiate an unexpected rapid strike on the Poplar Empire whenever necessary.
“Sir, in this photo, the Dwarfs have also built five military airfields! We only managed to secretly build three…” one subordinate said resentfully while holding a map.
This was a satellite-taken photo, very clear, showing that the Dwarfs had indeed built a brand-new secret field airport at the border.
Another photo clearly showed another unknown airport—with these two airfields, the Dwarfs can assemble at least twice the number of airplanes as the Elf Air Force.
With these planes, the Dwarf Air Force could somewhat make up for the performance gap in their fighter jets, since their planes were the modified type I-16 fighters, which actually aren’t very good.
The Elves had purchased the Butcher Fighter Jets equipped by the Great Tang Empire, and in terms of aircraft performance, the Poplar Empire held a clear advantage.
Hearing a companion mention the airfields, another person joined the discussion while taking photos: “You’re right! They also constructed a new railway, we didn’t understand why they were building a new railway before, but now it’s clear! They are using it to transport supplies for their two airfields, and another division!”
Building a railway that goes directly to the border is obviously not something that can be hidden. The Poplar Empire had long known that the Ice Cold Empire was constructing a new railway to the border, but they didn’t understand its purpose.
Now, it’s clear, the photos very directly showed the purpose of the railway: the Ice Cold Empire is building a large-scale supply base on the border, flanked by two new airfields and a large barracks.
Relying on this barracks, the Ice Cold Empire has hidden at least two divisions of armored corps at the border. In this direction, the Ice Cold Empire could launch a sudden attack, catching the border defense forces of the Poplar Empire off guard!
“It’s infuriating! The Dwarfs hid two main armored divisions right under our noses!” Viewing the images marked with what might be tanks, several intelligence agents from the Poplar Empire shivered.
If it weren’t for the detailed intelligence data provided by the Great Tang Group, they would still be unaware!
Although they aren’t exactly the good guys either, always plotting to attack south onto the Suthers Empire, which is why they stealthily built an always-ready defensive fortification along the northern border.
According to the Poplar Empire’s plan, they believed they could rely on this defensive line to withstand the Ice Cold Empire’s attack, allowing the main forces of the Poplar Empire to expand southward and gain advantages!
Thus, they secretly constructed the northern defensive line, investing a great deal of manpower and resources, expanding the scale of the defensive line by at least threefold!
If the Dwarfs were to attack according to the previous assumption, they would smash their heads against this expanded defense line, which the Dwarfs could not possibly discover!
“We should immediately send a diplomatic note to the Dwarf Ambassador, demanding an explanation for why these troops are here!” another person chimed in.
Others also expressed their relief: “Luckily we built a border defense line, otherwise they would have definitely launched a surprise attack on us!”
However, the countenance of the Deputy Director of the Elf Intelligence Bureau was incredibly grim: Clearly, the Dwarves had been reinforcing their southern military deployment without realizing that the Poplar Empire had strengthened their northern defenses.
This was an obvious sign of invasion ambitions; the Dwarves were planning an invasion against the Poplar Empire! And judging solely by the military forces, this conclusion was unquestionable!
If the Dwarves succeeded, his position as Deputy Director of the Intelligence Department would be at its end. He must immediately send a telegram to the homeland, reminding them to pay extra attention to the northern defenses.
Thinking again about those damned Dwarves who might have also purchased intelligence on the Poplar Empire made the Elf Deputy Director even more infuriated.
He did not dare vent his anger on the Great Tang Empire’s personnel, so he could only suppress it, while calculating in his mind how to make the intelligence obtained by the Dwarves become inaccurate.
It seemed that the only option now was to send more troops to the north and to reconstruct more defensive lines, in hopes of ensuring their own safety in the future battles.
From a macro perspective, the Poplar Empire’s strategy to move south must change; they should ally with the Suthers Empire and together resist the pincer attack from the north and the south.
The Poplar Empire’s previous strategy of attacking the Suthers Empire had to be modified; focusing on a decisive battle to the north with the Ice Cold Empire seemed like a better and safer choice.
It was regrettable that such strategic decisions were not within the power of a minor Deputy Director like him, and such abrupt changes also depended on the attitude of the Suthers Empire.
But since the Ice Cold Empire had already resolved to move southward, the Poplar Empire inevitably had to adopt countermeasures, so all subsequent plans needed to be revised…
…
“Look! Just by selling intelligence a few times, we’ve already recouped the cost of our reconnaissance satellite! And there’s still profit to be made,” an official from the Great Tang Empire proudly handed the bill to his colleague, boasting in the office.
The intelligence sold to both countries this time was dearly priced; not counting other incomes, it totaled 60 million Gold Coin. The cost for the Great Tang Empire to launch satellites on Dragon Island was approximately 60 million, which meant the finances were already balanced.
But the 60 million spent by the Great Tang Empire was the total cost for six satellites, and the intelligence sold to the Poplar Empire and the Ice Cold Empire was only a small fraction of the data captured by these six reconnaissance satellites.
Although including other data intelligence and accounting for many messages collected by the Great Tang Empire’s intelligence personnel, overall, the Great Tang Empire’s intelligence business was profitable.
As long as this kind of intelligence business could continue, the satellite launches of the Great Tang Empire could essentially break even.
In other words, the Great Tang Empire was spreading its own intelligence costs to other countries, making their satellite launches entirely free.
“Do you think they might guess that we’re also selling intelligence to the Ice Cold Empire?” His colleague mentioned with some concern.
The official from the Great Tang Empire nonchalantly explained: “They will surely guess that the other party is also purchasing intelligence from us… But what can they do? They’d still have to spend money to buy the other’s intelligence to feel at ease. These are trivial expenses that cannot be spared. If they skimp on this, they’ll suffer greatly on the battlefield.”
This intelligence wasn’t something only one country needed to buy; other nations also had to pay for it. Take for example the Laines Empire, situated between the Suthers Empire and the Dorne Empire, they certainly couldn’t afford to buy intelligence from just one direction of one country, could they?
Apart from the neighborless Ice Cold Empire and the Gobur Kingdom to the north, other countries had fronts on both the south and the north, so it was likely they would have to purchase intelligence twice.
Therefore, the 60 million Gold Coin at hand was just the beginning. All countries would spend money on more intelligence services, and the ultimate revenue could potentially surpass 200 million Gold Coin!
All nations would soon realize that their neighbors weren’t as honest as they seemed. Everyone had secrets on their borders; everyone was trying to surprise the other.
Some countries had hidden a large amount of troops on their borders, while others built sufficiently complex and sturdy defensive fortifications.
“As soon as we let the word out, they will swarm to us and willingly spend money, just like in the past,” the official from the Great Tang Group confidently told his colleague.
There were too many successful cases in the past: The weapons would eventually be bought by all countries. Knowing their competitors would also purchase them, they were even less willing to fall behind.
“I am quite curious if the Dahua Empire will come to us for intelligence on Fengjiang,” his colleague said with a sly grin.
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“Don’t know, we could make a bet,” the official in charge also grinned: “How about it?”
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Two chapters today.
