Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

"These prisoners will be in your hands next. Although you did not fight on the front lines, as the highest-ranking officer in charge of frontline command and deployment in this battle, you have made invaluable contributions."

Artoria, being no ordinary person, instantly noticed the hint of envy in Zhou Xianglin's expression. After all, Zhou Xianglin was still a nineteen-year-old young girl, and as a female soldier, she was at a time when she yearned for achievements to prove herself.

After dealing with matters here and replenishing their Iron Fist and fuel, Artoria and her group set off again, heading in the direction of Cao Yuanming. Hong Gu and his men joined them midway, and the group quickly arrived at the place where Cao Yuanming's army had been in disarray.

However, having learned that the two decoy units had been completely swallowed up, Cao Yuanming naturally could not sit idly by and wait for his death. Instead, he completely abandoned his previous covert operations and began to lead his army on a full-speed march.

Their direction of travel... was Hulao Pass!

"This is... insane! Are they planning to attack Hulao Pass under cover of night?"

Hong Gu's voice held a hint of disbelief, but then he seemed to understand and said, "General, it seems they've been driven to desperation. Are they planning to make a desperate last stand? That's right, if they don't do this, they might really have no chance!"

Indeed, he had no other way out.

Artoria nodded and said, "Standing in place for defense won't work, maneuvering to break away won't work, and splitting up to harass the enemy won't work. If they continue to be chased like this, once all their supplies are exhausted, they will truly become fish on our chopping board."

"Therefore, they are going all in. If they can take Hulao Pass, they might be able to get supplies from it. Then they can use Hulao Pass as a fortress for defense, or they can try to find an opportunity to escape down the Yellow River, or they can try to contact Xingyang and wait for reinforcements and logistics."

"Hmph, they came with such a fierce attitude, almost saying they could massacre Luoyang, but now they're like a stray dog. How laughable, hahaha."

Hong Gu mocked Cao Yuanming without reservation, harboring no goodwill towards such a traitor. Artoria smiled slightly; since Cao Yuanming had chosen this path, the outcome was already predetermined.

The defenses of Hulao Pass would have made Cao Yuanming truly understand what despair was.

……

Three more hours had passed, and dawn was approaching. Just as Artoria had predicted, Cao Yuanming, driven to the brink of desperation, marched directly towards Hulao Pass.

Although Hulao Pass is no longer of much defensive significance, it remains an important pass for the defense of Luoyang, and many troops are still stationed there, making it a small military base.

This caught Cao Yuanming's eye. If he could capture Hulao Pass, he could obtain some supplies. Moreover, with the help of Hulao Pass's defenses, there might be a way to defend against the terrifying bomb attacks from the sky.

Cao Yuanming had no other choice.

Cao Yuanming stared at the towering city wall in the distance, his eyes bloodshot. The night had been so long, so long that it felt like ten years had passed.

This time, it seemed the Cao family ancestors had intervened once more, preventing the strange, highly mobile force from catching up with them. Perhaps they had suffered a significant blow when they devoured their other two mechanical units, rendering them unable to pursue them further.

This gave Cao Yuanming a chance to catch his breath, and he finally marched through the night to a few kilometers away from Hulao Pass. However, this forced march not only exhausted the soldiers who had been living in fear and had not even had a proper meal, but also brought all the tanks, armored vehicles, and other mechanical equipment to the brink of exhaustion.

It's fair to say that if the upcoming battle turns into a major war, they might not even last until the battle ends.

However, Cao Yuanming had no choice and no time to wait; he had to take action.

So, under his command, the tanks with nearly depleted batteries took the lead and roared as they launched their final assault on Hulao Pass. The exhausted soldiers, having pent up their fear and anger throughout the night, turned it into a final roar and followed the tanks in the charge.

This is Cao Yuanming's last strength; as long as he can capture Hulao Pass...

"boom!"

A sudden, loud bang extinguished the last glimmer of hope that had risen in Cao Yuanming's heart.

After his astonished gaze, a tank, like a kite, leaped directly from the ground, flew into the air, performed a difficult spin, and then landed, crashing into the screaming soldiers.

What... is going on?

Unfortunately, before Cao Yuanming could figure it out, the second, the third... came next.

Violent explosions erupted beneath each tank, the sheer scale of which rivaled the bombardment from Lelouch's world's largest caliber cannon.

Even if only the tank next to it is blown away, the powerful shockwave and shrapnel will still penetrate the surrounding tanks. Tanks are nothing but paper in the face of explosives buried underground.

Why doesn't Cao Yuanming understand now?

Mines!

This is a landmine!

"stop!"

"Stop!"

"All troops halt!"

This time, Cao Yuanming did not issue an order, but the generals below immediately issued orders to halt the advance. Every step forward would inevitably result in more than a dozen tanks being blown into the air, and they were currently a full three kilometers away from the towering walls of Hulao Pass, even beyond the effective firing range of the tanks.

If the explosions continue at this frequency, all of their tanks will be destroyed in less than a kilometer.

Cao Yuanming stared blankly at Hulao Pass, which was already very close. It was only three kilometers away, but who knew how many landmines were buried in that three-kilometer distance.

Ten thousand, or one hundred thousand?

Cao Yuanming couldn't count them, but he knew he definitely couldn't trade tanks for landmines.

But what should he do next?

Should we turn around and leave?

The tanks' battery power wasn't even enough to travel thirty kilometers. The soldiers' energy was also at its limit; the final charge had come to an abrupt end, and many soldiers had exhausted their last breath, fatigue overwhelming their minds, and their bodies were already swaying precariously.

If they don't leave, the only option is a direct assault, but this three-kilometer-long minefield...

At this moment, Cao Yuanming began to feel hatred, hatred for whoever had created such a heinous thing.

The walls of Hulao Pass were already not a threat, but now, the dense minefield beneath them has turned Hulao Pass back into a formidable barrier that inspires despair.

Author's Note:

Third update, one more update around 12 o'clock.

115 I will take care of your wife and daughters, so you need not worry.

Mo Mo claimed that he would take the blame for driving Cao Yuanming to despair.

Luoyang, as a trading hub and home to its own military region, has seen the Emperor invest heavily in its various resource reserves. This naturally benefits Mo Mo, and compared to other industries in this world, with Sakura Stone as its foundation, materials science in this world is remarkably advanced.

With the high-efficiency explosive formula brought by Momo, Luoyang could easily produce explosives. After all, compared to various more advanced materials, the mature synthesis methods brought by Momo were merely child's play.

In fact, the various explosives produced were completely unnecessary, because the production and manufacturing of weapons became the bottleneck, and such a large quantity could not be used at all.

Adhering to the principle of not wasting resources, landmines—simple, practical, and quick to manufacture—became Momo's choice. Countless landmines were manufactured and buried along several main roads leading to Luoyang.

This is also why Artoria and her group had to travel by boat from the Yellow River to outside Luoyang to launch a night attack on Cao Yuanming.

Mo Mo originally saw this as a tactic to hinder Cao Yuanming and his various armies, buying time. Then, Mo Mo could use the advantage of night fighting, along with the weapons he had prepared, to continuously wear down the 300,000-strong army.

However, the success of the Divine Dragon Cannon, as the ultimate deterrent weapon, changed the entire situation. Moreover, the information warfare tactics Momo had previously employed were surprisingly effective, directly driving various armies to the brink of defeat.

Thus, this dense minefield became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

"General, General... what should we do!"

The chief of staff approached Cao Yuanming, utterly bewildered. The terrifying number and power of the landmines had completely shattered his spirit. Cao Yuanming, looking at the confused face, had lost all will to strike him, for he, too, was at a loss.

Aside from the soldiers and their weapons, all other mechanical equipment was destined to break down soon. Was it really possible to rely solely on the infantry to overcome this minefield and capture Luoyang...?

and many more!

Cao Yuanming's eyes lit up.

Minefield...

A three-kilometer-long minefield...

This seemingly invincible natural barrier...

so what?

"Hahaha!"

Cao Yuanming laughed again, but this time his desolate laughter carried a chilling undertone.

"chief of staff!"

"To!"

The chief of staff stood still, yet he felt a chill run down his spine. Cao Yuanming, who was staring at him, seemed to have transformed into a raging beast, a bloodthirsty and mad animal.

"Are your family members alright?"

Cao Yuanming suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question, which immediately made the chief of staff feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

His voice instantly became hoarse as he said, "Thanks to the general's care, I have grown from an ordinary peasant's son to where I am today. My family... is all doing well. My daughter is now in university and engaged to a member of the Cao family. She will surely have a bright future."

Cao Yuanming nodded in satisfaction, patted the chief of staff on the shoulder, and said, "Now, if I need you to be loyal to our Cao family... no, to our Northeast Army, to contribute your strength to the lives and power of everyone, are you willing?"

The chief of staff trembled. Although Cao Yuanming hadn't explained it clearly, he already understood what Cao Yuanming meant.

"Don't worry," Cao Yuanming said, seemingly to emphasize his words, "I will take care of your wife and daughters, so you don't need to worry!"

"Yes, obey!"

The chief of staff finally lowered his head, answered Cao Yuanming painfully, and then walked out. After seeing the chief of staff off, Cao Yuanming's eyes still held a cruel look. He beckoned, and several of his personal guards immediately came over.

Everyone was still reeling from the terrifying power of the landmines, and no one noticed the conversation between Cao Yuanming and the chief of staff. Moreover, their voices were very soft; even if they noticed the unusual behavior, they couldn't hear what they were saying.

Soon, the chief of staff climbed onto an armored vehicle, stood on the roof, and suddenly roared.

"Fellow colleagues, brothers, men of Northeast China!"

The chief of staff's words immediately drew everyone's attention, and tears welled up in his eyes as he faced the gazes of those around him.

"Right now... we can say that we're out of ammunition and supplies, and we're in a desperate situation. Even if I don't say it, everyone can see that."

The chief of staff's words tore away the last fig leaf in everyone's hearts, pointing out their current situation and dispelling any remaining hope.

The soldiers, who were still half-asleep due to exhaustion, instantly fought off their sleepiness and perked up.

"All of this... has nothing to do with General Cao's decisions. It's just that the enemy is too cunning and inhumane. They developed such powerful weapons just to kill us Northeastern men!"

The chief of staff gathered all his grief and anger, made it into a large cauldron, and threw it towards Luoyang.

"Now, facing a desperate situation, we have no choice but to take Hulao Pass and seize the military base behind it. Only in this way can we obtain supplies, defend against the cunning enemy in Luoyang, and wait for reinforcements from the rear!"

The chief of staff's tears were almost stained with blood; his passionate speech was the final ode of his life.

Unfortunately, these last words were all lies.

"Now, we're being held back by this tiny minefield. Is this how it should be? Isn't it ridiculous? When did we Northeastern men become so cowardly? Just a short while ago, we all said we'd die for the general, and now we're afraid of these tiny landmines?"

"Where's your guts!"

"Without the general, there would be nothing in Northeast China, and you wouldn't have the life you have now. So, brothers, show your courage, just like we said before, truly serve the general to the death, and give everything for him!"

"I'll be the first to go, to die for the general! Long live the Northeast Army!"