172 Guard For How long?
“Please help me defend this city.”
The mayor looked very sincere.
He even stood up and bowed deeply to show his sincerity.
Kang De narrowed his eyes.
He was a suspicious person.
Mayor Nick was undoubtedly a ruthless and mobile official. In fact, to a certain extent, if it was anyone else defending the city, they would not be able to do as well as him.
After the elves failed to seize the city, the garrison in the city immediately counterattacked layer by layer. The coordinated attack of the mages, the archers, and even the war machinery meant that Nick had completely grasped the organization and command of the garrison in the city. As soon as Hong San’s team entered the city, they had already been clearly arranged by the mayor who was long prepared. This meant that this scheming and ruthless city officer had already prepared for a long time to deal with the elves’ siege.
Moreover, there was no compromise or fantasy.
However, although he could understand the series of actions and decisions Nick had made to defend the city, Kang De could not accept it emotionally.
Most importantly, an almost cold and rational recruitment team that defended the city was divided into 369 ranks. Every army had its use and value determined, and their deaths were accurately placed on the balance of victory and defeat. Moreover, they calmly admitted that the militia troops they recruited were only cannon fodder to consume the elves’ attack…
Kang De really could not trust such a realistic and decent person.
This was because he was not sure if he had also been placed on the scale of victory by Nick, calculating how valuable he could be to defend the city.
Thinking of this, he was a little unhappy and even frustrated.
This was because the other party had really come prepared.
From the beginning, he expressed his sincerity. When Kang De suggested not to recruit guards from the Vidal Chamber of Commerce, he agreed and even freed everyone from the Heaven and Earth Association.
However, next, he said that they had insulted and destroyed the corpses of the elves.
This meant that the elves had already obtained a reasonable “excuse” to massacre the city.
This longevity race had a long history and was arrogant. Although they were restrained by the so-called civilization and morals and took into account the attack of public opinion and political enemies in the country, the act of insulting the corpses of the dead directly pointed to the proud self-esteem of the elves. No matter how gentle the elves were, they would not advocate forgiveness.
This way, it was useless to release Vidal and the people of the Heaven and Earth Association.
When the nest was overturned, there was no guarantee. Even if your Vidal Chamber of Commerce had a relationship with the Empire, could it be that you could definitely dodge the massacre of the irrational and murderous elves?
The honor and death of the entire city were already connected.
Everyone was smart. Nick chose the smartest method. He first showed his sincerity and went straight to the point. He did not have any threatening words. Instead, he sincerely pointed out his current situation and listed all the sincere gifts for Kang De to choose from.
He did not need the trash of the Heaven and Earth Association and traitors like Vidal. In the next battle, these cannon fodder were no longer useful. He valued Kang De and even Hong San.
The former raised his hand and dispersed the soil slope that the elves had forcefully gathered. He also used alchemy methods to blow up the elves, causing the dangerous situation to reverse. He could be said to have contributed the most to the siege.
In Nick’s opinion, that mysterious dispersion method was the most strategic. This meant that after this setback, the elves outside the city were afraid and did not dare to easily use the same trick again.
The latter’s military attainment had long been seen by Nick, and Hong San’s two predictions of the enemy on the city wall undoubtedly proved this.
He needed a talented military advisor.
Although Kang De also claimed to be the Chief Military Advisor of the Heaven and Earth Association, after the battle on the city wall, many puzzled people returned to their senses.
Although some people appeared to be military advisors on the surface, they were actually spell-breakers, alchemists, and berserkers behind the scenes. Before the battle, they never had any loyal words from the military advisor and only knew about light cannons, light cannons, and more light cannons.
However, this was not important.
Nick did not care which was the true military advisor, Mr. Hong San or Mr. Dong Zhuo, because only children made choices. He, the mayor, wanted both.
Most importantly, he had to take down Dong Zhuo.
This was because, through the reports and personal observations of the past two days, Mr. Dong Zhuo seemed to have extremely great authority over Hong San. If he was convinced, Hong San would listen to him. Moreover, what Hong San was worried about was none other than the lives of everyone in the Heaven and Earth Association. It was very easy to control them, but this Mr. Dong Zhuo… was unfathomable.
Nick had maintained his bow.
Dong, dong, dong.
It was Kang De’s fingers knocking on the table.
After hearing the mayor’s suggestion, Leona revealed a mocking expression and wanted to mock him, but she glanced at Kang De beside her and sat obediently beside him. She only quietly nudged him with her elbow, indicating not to believe this cold-blooded bastard.
“Mayor, please rise.” Kang De pondered for a moment and said, “Hong San and I were ordered to lead the Heaven and Earth Association’s troops to guard a portion of the western city wall today and resist with difficulty under the elves’ artillery fire. When the elves rushed into the city, in order to protect me and snipe the enemy, I killed some sharp ears. It can be considered a battle to defend the city… You want us to help you defend the city. Is it because you hope that we can do more?”
Nick straightened up and looked at Kang De. He nodded and said, “Yes, with your talents, you can play a greater role. Protecting this city is not only beneficial to me, but also to the two of you.”
Kang De was unmoved and said indifferently, “Previously, Hong San and I were only the commanders of a militia cannon fodder unit. We guarded a section of the city wall. The width of the battlefield is only a hundred or two hundred meters. Looking around, they’re either enemies or allies. We don’t know where the enemy is, the condition of our allies, when the war begins, or the outcome of this battle… To the commander of a cannon fodder unit, there’s no need to know this.”
In other words, he had only been killing mindlessly previously.
“However, if you want us to bear more responsibility and contribute to this city, it means that our identity is no longer the commander of such a worthless army.”
Kang De said, “Other than issuing another call, we have to have the corresponding right to know.”
Now, it was time for him to play the Empire’s game.
Nick sat down and asked, “What do you want to know?”
Kang De asked, “What’s the situation of the enemy army?”
Nick replied, “It’s from the Twilight Royal Army, the Dragon Fang Army, and the Dusk Legion. There are 12,000 of them. They’re the champion troops composed entirely of pure-blooded elves, the elites among the elites.”
Twelve thousand… oh no, elves?
Kang De’s first reaction was that there were not many.
However, looking at Mayor Nick and Leona’s serious expressions, he immediately reacted.
Hmm, how should he put it? The Chinese basically did not feel anything about the large number of soldiers. There were hundreds of thousands of soldiers at any time. What could 12,000 people do?
However, this was clearly not the same.
In ancient China, there was a saying that quality was more important than quantity.
The quality of this army of only 12,000 soldiers… was definitely quite terrifying.
Kang De asked again, “Then, how’s our military strength?”
Nick looked at Kang De meaningfully, then shook his head. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Dong Zhuo. Trust is established between us. This is top secret. The current me can’t tell you the true situation, and I don’t want to lie to you, so I can only refuse to answer your question… At least for now.”
Although the general number of city defense troops was usually limited and could be analyzed with a little inquiry, who knew if the mayor had a private army secretly trained and gathered? How many private soldiers he had plundered from the various noble chambers of commerce in the city could fight was also unknown.
He could tell the truth and did not want to reveal the truth too early. This was already a calm move.
Kang De snorted and said indifferently, “Even if you didn’t say it, I could guess that the situation is very bad. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have done such a despicable thing without caring about the consequences.”
Nick sneered indifferently, then said calmly, “Don’t worry, Mr. Dong Zhuo. Although I’m a little domineering this time, it’s still to protect this city and protect everyone’s lives as much as possible… Although everyone will be unhappy, they’ll understand in the end. After all, this concerns everyone’s lives.”
Kang De frowned slightly.
Before he could speak, Nick said, “Of course, I won’t place my safety in the generosity and empathy of others. Regarding this, please don’t misunderstand my standards and methods.”
“To be honest, Valentine City has been run by our family for generations. My control over this city is not weak. The residences of all the nobles, businessmen, and even local celebrities who need to be paid attention to are closely monitored. No matter how dissatisfied they are, it’s too late to do anything… They don’t have the chance.”
The mayor ignored Leona’s ashen face and spoke slowly.
Kang De’s expression became very strange.
“Wait…”
He said, “The so-called corruption doesn’t refer to those great businessmen and nobles…”
Nick said in surprise, “I see. I was wondering. The cannon fodder in the city is only the farmers, workers, and servants under these people. Their true elite strength has not been mobilized. Logically speaking, although they’ll feel a little pained, they won’t be angry and resentful… Then, who are you talking about?”
When Kang De heard this, he looked at Mayor Nick seriously and confirmed that this guy was not asking the obvious. Then, he said with a subtle expression, “Those in extreme danger… Hmm, militia, aren’t you afraid that they’ll resist when you publicly announce that they’re only cannon fodder today?”
This time, it was Mayor Nick’s turn to be surprised. The other party also looked at Kang De’s expression seriously and confirmed that he was not joking or had other intentions. Only then did he ask curiously, “Resist? Do they dare?”
Kang De was puzzled, “If you order them to go up the city wall and die, why won’t they rebel?”
Nick had an even stranger look. “We’ll kill whoever resists. Civilians are all like this. They lack knowledge, are timid, and like to escape reality. As long as we don’t kill them, they’ll hypnotize themselves and make them believe that the butcher’s knife won’t land on their heads. Then, they’ll continue to maintain their original state with a clear conscience… This is actually very troublesome because it’s very difficult to make them believe that the elves won’t let all of them off after the city is broken.”
—D*mn, this person made sense.
Kang De hesitated for a moment before continuing, “If they unite and resist together…”
Nick smiled and said, “They’re countless timid individuals, not ants ordered by the ant queen. Everyone has their own selfishness, so how can they unite? Who in the entire city has this prestige to make them unite? Apart from me, there’s no one else, right? Without anyone guiding the order, they’re only in a state of disunity. Some go left, and some go back. They can’t even use their strength in one place. How can they unite?”
At this point, the mayor even suspected the intelligence of this Mr. Dong Zhuo. A mere commoner actually talked about resistance. It was really unheard of. It was even more ridiculous than the sun rising from the west.
However, considering that the duty of this Chief Military Advisor was actually to kill the ferocious male warriors of the elves, there was no need to worry about intelligence… It was easier to fool, right?
Although this was the case, he still patiently explained, “Perhaps Cathay is different, but on the continent, you’ve really overestimated these commoners. There’s no offense. For example, if not for powerful heroes like you and Mr. Hong San leading the 800 militiamen of the Heaven and Earth Association and only letting them fight on their own, how many people do you think I need to suppress and defeat them?”
The mayor raised his hand and raised four fingers. “40 people and 40 fully armed regular soldiers are the veteran troops I sent to assist this militia. With a few more people, they can be qualified.”
“The two sides will fight in formation. This motley crew has no tactics to speak of. Their equipment is extremely poor, and their personal martial strength is far inferior. My soldiers will form a formation and attack. After killing about 30 people, the fear of retreating will spread. When more than a hundred people are killed or injured, this militia army will completely collapse.”
“Escape, kneel, beg for mercy, and trample on each other. If my soldiers continue to execute the people who surrendered and kill another 100 to 150 people, the remaining people won’t even have any fear and will directly become stupid lambs waiting to die. No matter how I deal with them, I won’t attract any struggle and resistance.”
“We only need 40 people. Some experienced and well-trained soldiers, coupled with two or three powerful officers with good martial techniques and even cultivated battle aura, can defeat them easily.”
Nick smiled and said, “Then, how about a few magic apprentices or even a junior mage?”
Kang De opened his mouth but said nothing.
However, he was already enlightened.
This was another world. It was completely impossible to use common sense on Earth to force it.
This was because the individual strength of this world was infinitely magnified. Knowledge and inheritance were kept by the upper class. From then on, the strong appeared, and the oppressed did not have strength. The difference between the two sides was like a chasm, or even like two races. How could the commoners and workers resist? A fireball from a few hundred rebels had to escape in all directions.
Therefore, Mayor Nick was not worried that the so-called cannon fodder would resist and cause trouble.
He did not even have this consciousness.
This was because… there was indeed no need.
Tsk.
For a moment, Kang De could not tell what he felt.
However, there was no need to argue with Nick about this anymore.
For example, if he transmigrated to ancient times and told others that ordinary people could become the decision-makers of the country, the emperor would be pulled off the dragon throne and trampled on for a hundred years, and all the aristocratic families would be finished—the other party would definitely think that he was a lunatic and send him to be beheaded.
Although that was only common sense in modern society, in ancient times, his words… were crazy.
Although Nick was suspicious, this curiosity was not worth mentioning in front of a great enemy. He valued the strength and value displayed by the other party, not his strange thoughts.
Therefore, the mayor asked, “Mr. Dong Zhuo?”
Kang De returned to his senses and sighed in his heart.
However, it was too far away to want to help the oppressed civilians now.
He had to consider the present first.
He said seriously, “Then Mayor Nick, there’s another important question.”
“Please speak.”
Kang De slowly said, “The combat strength of the city is inferior to the elf battle group. Today’s surprise attack failed, and the next time the elves attack the city openly, the pressure will definitely be even greater. The defense of the city is dangerous. With the strength of a city, the chance of winning is extremely small, but war is not a loss for a city or a place… Therefore, let me ask you…”
He slowly stood up and leaned forward, staring into the other party’s eyes, “Is there hope in this city? How long must I guard it before there’s hope?”
Nick looked at him without backing down and suddenly stood up.
He said firmly, “Yes! There will be reinforcements in at least three days or at most five days!”
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