How Long Must We Hold?

"Please lend me a hand and help me defend this city."

The mayor's expression was very sincere.

They even stood up and bowed deeply to show their sincerity.

Kang De narrowed his eyes.

He was a suspicious man; as the saying goes, "Once you buy Warhammer, you're afraid of Sega for ten years."

Mayor Nick was undoubtedly a ruthless and decisive official; in some respects, no one else could have done as well in defending the city.

The Hong San's attempt to capture the city failed, and the city's defenders immediately launched a series of counterattacks. The coordinated attacks of the mage legions, archer units, and even war machine units meant that Nick had completely taken control of the organization and command of the city's garrison. Hong San's troops had barely entered the city when the Chang'an them. This showed that the mayor, who was cunning and ruthless, had been preparing for the elves' siege for a long time.

Moreover, there was not a single compromise or illusion.

However, while Kant could understand Nick's actions and decisions in defending the city, Kang De still found it emotionally unacceptable.

Most importantly, a cold-blooded rationality was employed in dividing the conscripted troops defending the city into different ranks, assigning specific uses and values to each army, precisely placing their deaths on the scales of victory and defeat, and frankly acknowledging that the conscripted militia were merely cannon fodder to wear down the elven offensive...

Kang De simply couldn't trust such an honest and respectable person.

Because he was unsure whether Nick had also placed him on the scales of victory, calculating just how much value he could bring, solely for the sake of defending the city.

Thinking of this, he felt somewhat unhappy, even irritable.

Because the other party came prepared.

He showed his sincerity from the start by proposing to stop recruiting guards for the Vidal Chamber of Commerce, which Kang De readily agreed to. He even offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal, releasing all the members of the Heaven and Earth Society as well.

However, he then said that he had insulted and desecrated the elf's corpse.

This means the elves have obtained a legitimate "excuse" for the massacre.

This immortal race, with its long history and arrogant pride, is somewhat restrained by so-called Civilization and morality, and considers domestic public opinion and attacks from political enemies. However, the act of insulting the corpses of the fallen directly attacks the pride and self-esteem of the Elven race, and even the most gentle Elf would not advocate forgiveness.

Therefore, even if Vidal and the members of the Heaven and Earth Society were released, it would be of no use.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Even if your Vidal Chamber of Commerce has connections with the Empire, do you really think you can escape the slaughter of the irrational, bloodthirsty elves?

The honor, disgrace, life, and death of the entire city are now intertwined.

Everyone here is a smart person, Nick chose the smartest approach: first, he showed sincerity, then got straight to the point, without any threatening words, but earnestly explained the current situation and listed all the sincere gifts to be given as a choice, thus giving Kang De ample face.

He didn't need the useless members of the Heaven and Earth Society or Vidal and his cronies, the imperialists. In the upcoming battles, these cannon fodder would be of little use. What he valued was Kang De and even Hong San.

The former easily dispersed the earthen mound that the elves had forcibly gathered with a wave of his hand, and then used alchemy to blast the elves into a rout, turning the tide of the battle. He can be considered the number one hero in the defense of the city.

In Nick's view, the mysterious and unpredictable method of dispelling magic was of great strategic significance, meaning that the elves outside the city, after this setback, were wary and would no longer dare to use the same trick again.

Nick had already noticed the latter's military prowess, and Hong San's two instances of anticipating the enemy's moves on the city wall undoubtedly proved this.

He needs a talented military advisor.

... Although Kang De also claimed to be the chief military advisor of the Heaven and Earth Society, after the battle on the city wall, many people who had doubts in their hearts also realized the truth.

Some people may appear to be military advisors, but in reality they are spellbreakers, alchemists, and berserkers. When it comes to battle, they never offer any advice from a strategist, and all they know is light cannons, light cannons, and more light cannons.

But that's not important.

Nick didn't care which of Mr. Hong San and Mr. Dong Zhuo was the real military strategist, because only children make choices; Mayor Nick wanted both.

The most crucial thing is to win over Dong Xiansen in front of me.

Based on reports from informants and firsthand observation over the past two days, it seems that Mr. Dong Zhuo wields immense authority over Hong San. If Dong Xiansen is captured, Hong San will obey his orders. Moreover, what Hong San is concerned about is the lives of the members of the Heaven and Earth Society, which are easy to control. As for Mr. Dong Zhuo... he can't quite see through him.

Nick maintained his bowing posture throughout.

Thump, thump, thump.

It was Kang De's fingers tapping on the table.

Upon hearing the mayor's suggestion, Leona's face showed a mocking expression. She wanted to say something sarcastic, but after glancing at Kang De beside her, she obediently sat down next to him, only subtly nudging him with her elbow to indicate that she shouldn't trust this cold-blooded, shitty bastard.

"Mayor, please rise." Kang De pondered for a moment and said, "Hong San and I were ordered today to lead the Heaven and Earth Society troops to defend a section of the western city wall. We struggled to hold off the elven artillery fire. When the elves charged the city, I killed some pointy-eared creatures in order to protect myself and snipe the enemy. That counts as my fighting in defending the city... The mayor said he wanted to ask me and him to help you defend the city. Does he hope we can do more?"

Nick straightened up, looked at Kang De, and nodded, saying, "Yes, with your talents, you can play a greater role, and defending this city will benefit not only me but also both of you."

Kang De remained unmoved and said calmly, "Previously, Hong San and I were merely commanders of a militia cannon fodder unit. We were guarding a section of the city wall, and the battlefield was only a couple hundred meters wide. Looking around, all we could see were enemies and allies. We didn't know where the enemy was, what the situation of our allies was, when the war would begin, or what the outcome of this battle would be... For the commanders of a cannon fodder unit, there was no need to know these things."

In other words, he was just playing Mount & Blade before.

"However, if they want us to take on more responsibility and contribute more to this city, it means we're no longer just commanders of an insignificant unit."

Kang De stated, "In addition to issuing a call to arms, we must also have the corresponding right to know."

Now, let me play Age of Empires.

Nick sat down and asked, "What would you like to know?"

Kang De asked, "What is the situation with the enemy army?"

Nick replied, "The Dragonfang Army, part of the Dusk Warband the Twilight Moon Royal Army, is a full-strength force of 12,000, composed entirely of pure-blooded elves—the elite of the elite."

Twelve thousand people... oh no, elves?

Kang De's first reaction was, "It's not that many."

However, seeing the solemn expressions on Mayor Nick's and Leona's faces, he immediately realized what was going on.

Well, how should I put it? China people generally don't have a real sense of the size of the military. They always talk about hundreds of thousands of soldiers, but where do those 12,000 or 10,000 come from?

But these are clearly not the same thing.

There is an old China saying that the quality of an army is more important than its quantity.

And the quality of this fully-staffed force of a mere 12,000 soldiers... must be quite terrifying.

Kang De then asked, "So, what about our military strength?"

Nick looked at Kang De meaningfully, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dong Zhuo, trust is built mutually. This is top secret, and I cannot reveal the truth right now, nor do I want to deceive you. Therefore, I can only refuse to answer your question... at least not now."

Although the general number of city defense troops is usually known and can be analyzed with a little inquiry, who knows whether the mayor has secretly trained and recruited a private army, or how many capable private troops he has plundered from the city's major noble families and merchant guilds? These questions remain unknown.

Being able to speak frankly and not wanting to reveal the truth too early is already a sign of openness.

Kang De snorted and said calmly, "Even if you didn't say it, I could guess that the situation is terrible, otherwise you wouldn't have done something so morally corrupt without considering the consequences."

Nick smiled faintly, then calmly said, "Please rest assured, Mr. Dong Zhuo, although I was a bit domineering this time, it was ultimately to protect this city and save everyone's lives as much as possible... Although everyone may not be happy, they will eventually understand, after all, it concerns everyone's life and fortune."

Kang De frowned slightly.

Before he could speak, Nick added, "Of course, I won't put my safety on the shoulders of others' generosity and empathy. Please don't misunderstand my methods or approach on this point."

"To be honest, Valentan is a city that our family has run for generations. I have a strong grasp on this city. The residences of all the nobles, merchants, and even local celebrities that need to be watched are closely monitored. Even if they are dissatisfied, they won't have time to do anything... They don't have the opportunity."

Ignoring Leona's ashen face, the mayor spoke slowly.

Kang De's expression turned strange.

"Etc..."

He said, "The so-called corruption of people's hearts does not refer to those wealthy merchants and nobles..."

Nick asked in surprise, "I see. I was wondering why. The cannon fodder on the city walls were just the farmers, workers, and servants under these people. Their real elite forces weren't deployed. Logically, they should feel some pain, but not be angry or resentful... So, who are you talking about?"

Upon hearing this, Kang De looked intently at Mayor Nick, making sure he wasn't feigning ignorance, before asking with a subtle expression, "Those... well, militiamen in grave danger, you openly declared today that they're nothing but cannon fodder. Aren't you afraid they'll rebel?"

Now it was Mayor Nick's turn to be curious. He looked intently at Kang De's expression, making sure Kang De wasn't joking or implying anything, before asking in surprise, "Rebel? Do they dare?"

Kang De asked in bewilderment, "You drove them onto the city wall, you used them, and since they're all going to die anyway, why don't you rebel?"

Nick was even more puzzled. "Kill whoever resists? That's how the common people are. They lack knowledge, are cowardly, and like to escape reality. As long as they're not the ones being killed, they'll hypnotize themselves into believing that the butcher's knife won't fall on their heads, and then they'll continue as before with a clear conscience... This is actually quite troublesome, because it's hard to convince them that the elves won't spare any of them after the city falls."

--Damn, what this guy said makes a lot of sense.

Kang De hesitated for a moment, then continued, "If they unite and resist together..."

Nick laughed, "They are countless cowardly individuals, not ants commanded by the queen. Each one has their own selfishness, how can they unite? In the whole city, who has the prestige to unite them? Besides me, who else is there? Without guidance and command, they are just a heap of loose sand, some going left, some going back, unable to exert their strength in one direction, how can they unite?"

At this point, the mayor even began to doubt the intelligence of this Mr. Dong Zhuo. How could a mere commoner dare to talk about resistance? It was unheard of, more absurd than the sun rising in the west.

However, considering that this chief military advisor's actual role is to blast the elves' burly warriors, there's no need to worry about his intelligence... making him even easier to fool, isn't it?

Even so, he patiently explained, "Perhaps things are different in Cathay, but on the mainland, you have seriously overestimated these civilians. No offense intended, but take the eight hundred militiamen of the Heaven and Earth Society, for example. If they weren't led by powerful figures like you and Mr. Hong San, and were just fighting on their own, how many men do you think I would need to suppress and defeat them?"

The mayor raised his hand, holding up four fingers. "Forty men, forty fully armed regular soldiers, the veteran unit I sent to assist this militia. Add a few more, and they'll be able to handle it."

"In a battle between the two sides, they are arrayed in formation. This rabble has no tactics whatsoever, is poorly equipped, and their individual combat skills are far inferior. My soldiers attack in formation, killing about thirty men. Fear and retreat will then spread, and when the number of dead and wounded exceeds one hundred, this militia force will be completely defeated."

"Run away, kneel down, beg for mercy, trample each other. If my soldiers continue to execute those who surrender, killing another one hundred to one hundred and fifty, then the remaining people will not even feel fear. They will simply become dumbfounded lambs waiting to die, and no matter how they are dealt with, they will not struggle or resist."

"Only forty men are needed—some experienced and well-trained soldiers, plus two or three formidable officers with decent martial arts skills, or even those who have cultivated Dou Qi —to easily defeat them."

Nick smiled and said, "Then, what about adding a few magic apprentices or even a novice mage?"

Kang De opened his mouth, but said nothing.

But a realization dawned on me.

This is another world; simply applying common sense from Earth won't work at all.

Because the power of individuals in this world is amplified infinitely, knowledge and inheritance are held by the upper class, the strong emerge from this, and the oppressed have no power. The gap between the two sides is like an insurmountable chasm, or even like two different races. How can ordinary people and workers resist? A few hundred-strong uprising force would scatter and flee if hit by a fireball.

Therefore, Mayor Nick was not worried at all that the so-called cannon fodder would rebel or cause trouble.

They don't even have this awareness.

Because... it's really not necessary.

Tsk.

For a moment, Kang De couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

But there's no need to argue with Nick about this anymore.

For example, if he traveled to ancient times and told others that ordinary people should be the masters of the country, that the emperor would be dragged off the throne and despised and trampled on for a hundred years, and that all the powerful families would be wiped out—the other person would definitely think he was crazy and send him to jail or behead him.

Although those are just common sense in modern society.

But in ancient times, his statement... was considered madness.

Although Nick had his doubts, with a formidable enemy at hand, this curiosity was insignificant. What he valued was the strength and worth demonstrated by the other party, not his strange ideas.

So the mayor asked, "Mr. Dong Zhuo?"

Kang De snapped out of his reverie and sighed inwardly.

But now, the idea of oppressed civilians... is too far-fetched.

Let's focus on the immediate situation first.

He said seriously, "Then, Mayor Nick, there is one more crucial question."

"Speaking."

Kang De slowly said, "The city's fighting strength is inferior to that of the elven warband. Today's surprise attack failed. Next time, when the elves launch a fair and square attack, the pressure will inevitably be greater. Defending the city is extremely dangerous. Relying solely on the strength of one city, the chances of victory are extremely slim. But war is not about the gain or loss of a single city or place... Therefore, I ask you..."

He slowly stood up, leaned forward, and stared intently into the other man's eyes. "Is there any hope for this city? How long must we hold out before there is any hope?"

Nick met his gaze without backing down, then abruptly stood up.

He said decisively, "Yes! Reinforcements will arrive in three to five days at the earliest!"

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PS1: It's updated! At least half an hour earlier than a few days ago! I did it!

PS2: Well, seriously, it is indeed quite late... I'll update twice tomorrow. How about this, let's discuss it: if I can finish both updates before midnight, then those who are too lazy to vote will have to vote, how about that? Consider it encouragement so I can try to adjust my schedule.