Great Xia's Three Plans

Ark Underground Base, Bell City.

Lin Mo opened his eyes.

The fresh scent of the World Tree's greenery was gone.

Before him were plain walls, and the steady hum of the ventilation system filled his ears.

He shook his head, pulling himself out of the disorientation of moving between two worlds.

He pressed the communicator beside his bed.

"Big Brother Zhao, I'm back."

Fifteen minutes later, Lin Mo had showered and changed into clean, dry clothes.

Zhao Gang was already waiting outside. The two guards behind him took up positions at the door.

Zhao Gang entered the room, and Lin Mo pulled out a chair for him.

"All right, what happened?"

Lin Mo handed him a cup of hot water. "An epic diplomatic incident."

Without wasting words, he recounted the entire banquet at the Elf Royal City in one go.

He described Elder Valerius's arrogance, his own blunt retort, Queen Ellari's use of the incident to her advantage, and finally her sincere plea for aid.

When he finished, he picked up his cup and took a long drink.

Zhao Gang had listened quietly throughout, his fingers tapping unconsciously against his knee.

Only after Lin Mo finished did he speak, approval in his voice.

"Good. Well done."

"When you're facing that kind of deeply ingrained arrogance, backing down will only earn you contempt."

The corners of Zhao Gang's mouth lifted.

"That tongue-lashing showed them Great Xia's backbone. More importantly, it gave the Elf Queen an opening-an excuse to put her own house in order and rein in the hardliners."

"Judging by the outcome, you helped her carry out a political reshuffle. You handled it perfectly."

"Heh, right?"

Lin Mo raised his eyebrows. At least he hadn't disgraced his country.

"But!"

Zhao Gang's expression darkened instantly, the trace of a smile vanishing without a trace.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and stared straight at Lin Mo.

"You took far too big a risk!"

"Did you ever consider what would have happened if that Queen thought the same way as Valerius, or if she couldn't keep those people under control? What would have happened to you after publicly humiliating an Elf Elder?"

Zhao Gang's expression was stern.

"You might never have made it back!"

"I have to stress this again! Your safety is the highest priority of Project New Hope! Nothing comes before it!"

"You're not a soldier charging into battle!"

"You're our only bridge to that world! You might even be the hope for Blue Star's civilization to survive!"

"We... can't afford that gamble!"

Zhao Gang made no attempt to hide the concern and lingering fear in his eyes.

Warmth filled Lin Mo's heart.

This wasn't a reprimand. It was a sign of how much his country valued him.

Lin Mo smiled.

"I understand, Big Brother Zhao."

"Like I just said, I only did it because I was confident. I'll make sure to keep myself safe."

"As long as you understand."

Zhao Gang's expression softened, and he leaned back in his chair.

He tapped the table, shifting back into work mode.

"As for the Elves' request for comprehensive cooperation, during the few hours you spent meeting with the Queen, the Joint Think Tank formed by the General Staff, the Academy of Sciences, and the Strategic Support Department has already put together a preliminary plan."

Lin Mo immediately sat up straight.

Zhao Gang swiped across his tablet, bringing up a heading.

"First, industrial development."

"Elf weapons are works of art, not industrial products. Their production is far too inefficient and depends entirely on a handful of master craftsmen. That won't do."

With a wave of Zhao Gang's hand, clear engineering drawings appeared on the screen.

"We'll provide a simplified set of industrial process designs that we know they can implement with their existing technology."

"Everything from efficient charcoal blast furnaces and water-powered forging hammers to standardized bow and crossbow components and arrow production lines."

"There's only one goal: enable them to achieve repeatable, standardized, semiautomated production using their existing materials and magic."

"Free their craftsmen from basic smithing so they can work on more precise components and research and development."

"Let the masters do the masters' work, and let machines do the machines' work."

Zhao Gang raised a second finger, and the screen changed.

"Second, a revolution in military thinking."

"Their tactics are still stuck at formations charging head-on into each other. Against the Demon Clan's human-wave tactics, that's suicide."

The covers of The Art of War and On Protracted War appeared on the screen, alongside modern military training diagrams.

"We'll compile a selection of classic tactical manuals, covering everything from concentrating superior forces to guerrilla warfare principles like retreating when the enemy advances. You'll translate them orally."

"At the same time, we'll provide a complete soldier training system!"

"Teach them formation drills and coordination between three-man combat teams. Turn those Elf Rangers who fight alone into an army that follows every order!"

Lin Mo grew excited as he listened, already picturing Elves marching in ranks and chanting, "One, two, one!"

"Third, information superiority."

Zhao Gang swiped his finger across the screen, revealing construction diagrams for telescopes, tactical terrain models, and mapping tools.

"We'll provide instructions for making these support tools."

"Let them see farther and command more accurately, so they no longer have to wage war in the dark."

When he finished, Zhao Gang set down the tablet and looked at Lin Mo.

"According to our data-model projections, once these three measures are implemented, the Elves' overall combat effectiveness will at least double from its current level!"

Lin Mo was stunned.

"That much?"

"That's a conservative estimate. The actual results will only be better!"

Zhao Gang smiled, his expression carrying the absolute confidence of an entire civilization.

"Don't forget how we once fought our way out of the most desperate disadvantage with nothing but millet and rifles, and forged a whole new future!"

Lin Mo felt a jolt.

He was right.

Combined, these basic measures would produce a reaction far greater than the sum of their parts.

He nodded firmly. "All right. We'll do it your way."

"Mm."

Zhao Gang acknowledged him, but his tone grew heavy again.

He stood and walked to the porthole, looking out at the simulated blue sky and white clouds.

"But this plan will only keep them alive a little longer."

"It can help them hold out for a few more years, perhaps ten. It can spare many of their lives and buy us more time."

The enthusiasm that had just flared in Lin Mo faltered under that splash of cold water.

His brow furrowed.

"Only... a few more years?"

"They won't be able to counterattack?"

Zhao Gang shook his head, his expression grave.

"Based on the intelligence you've provided, the Demon Clan's size, war-making potential, and high-level combat power give it an overwhelming advantage over the entire Terra Continent."

"Once the Demon Clan discovers that the Elves have suddenly become a tough nut to crack, it only needs to muster two or three times as many of its main forces to crush them."

"When that happens, the Elves will still be unable to hold out alone. Their destruction will only be a matter of time."

"Unless..."

"Unless what?"

Lin Mo immediately pressed him.

Zhao Gang fell silent for a moment, then turned around.

"Unless an entirely new and powerful third force enters the fray-one strong enough to overturn the board."

"A force that can break the stalemate from outside and completely upend the war!"

He enunciated every word.

"Like us!"

"Great Xia's soldiers!"

"Of course, that depends on whether we can get there."