Chapter 1944: Chapter 1937: A Change of Heart
“The most pressing issue right now is how to deal with the 300,000 troops of the Aud Army,” Luo’er replied calmly.
“Do you think you can’t hold the line?”
“I have confidence, but nothing is absolute.”
“Lipei has ample logistical support and is engaged in defensive operations, which should provide a significant advantage. At worst, we have the Mobile Troop on standby, so Lipei will not fall. Luo’er, when considering the situation, don’t forget us; the nation will always be your strongest backing,” said the General.
“I know, thank you.”
“Keep up this approach,” Lin Wei suddenly spoke, “You are the supre commander of Lipei’s defense forces; how you choose to act is your business. Regarding specific war matters, we will not interfere or give suggestions lightly, as I believe you can hold Lipei by yourselves, and that is sufficient.”
“Yes, thank you for the trust.”
“You should thank the citizens of Lipei who trust you,” Lin Wei laughed lightly and shook his head while speaking.
Returning to Lipei, Luo’er felt a bit restless; the words of those generals indeed provoked him, leading him to ponder this question:
Why not take the initiative and launch an offensive?
Insufficient troops?
Insufficient firepower?
These are not issues or shouldn’t be.
Because the current situation in Lipei, although seemingly very disadvantaged, is actually strategically very favorable.
Retreating provides insurance, dragging it out could lead to victory. So, given this, why not proactively launch an offensive and undertake sothing more aggressive?
With this thought in mind, upon returning to Lipei, Luo’er urgently convened officers of all levels to gather in the city conference room for a eting.
During the eting, in front of the staff and officers of all ranks, Luo’er directly asked:
“If we are to launch an attack, how should we execute it?”
Upon hearing this news, everyone’s first reaction was not to discuss but to feel utterly shocked.
It was indeed astonishing that Luo’er, who had always been accustod to defense, would unexpectedly propose launching an offensive; it was simply unbelievable.
“Luo’er, I dare to ask, are you not in your right mind?” Cheng Ziang, who was beside him, widened his eyes and cautiously asked.
“I’m not ill,” Luo’er shook his head, “Who can provide with an answer, how to fight, and what are our chances?”
“We lack sufficient troops; if we recklessly launch an attack…” Cheng Ziang hesitated to say.
“This has never been an issue,” Luo’er glanced at him, then looked around at everyone, and said loudly, “If the people of Lipei are willing to fight to the death, with tens of thousands against 300,000, who do you think will win?”
Luo’er’s words once again sparked intense discussion among everyone, most of whom believed that if it ca to fighting desperately, the Aud Army would certainly not be a match for Lipei’s defense forces.
Apparently, due to Luo’er’s policy, everyone had overestimated the 300,000 troops of the Aud Army. They, confident in their martial ethics and well-equipped, never believed the Aud Army could completely defeat the Lipei military.
The war had reached this point entirely because of Luo’er’s policy, which was to minimize casualties on their side to the greatest extent possible.
However, many soldiers saw Luo’er’s good intentions as more of an ignorant goodwill.
If even soldiers fear death, then what is the point of the country? Soldiers should be prepared to die on the battlefield.
Now that Luo’er proposed to go on the offensive, the previously cooling enthusiasm was reignited, and they all began to discuss excitedly.
At the eting, in addition to Lipei’s officers, there were so unfamiliar faces. For example, the Church Court’s Archmage and the forr Aud Army commander Oklo Laf.
Luo’er had no qualms about them being present, allowing them to participate in the eting and discussion with everyone.
“In my opinion,” the elderly Church Court Magic Conductor slowly raised his pale eyebrows and deliberately said, “let this old man activate the Forbidden Curse Magic Array and open up new prospects for you all.”
“Sir,” Luo’er’s tone was very polite, “Your suggestion is good, but Forbidden Curse Magic is magic that sacrifices life force. In your old age, you should not go to the battlefield.”
“What sort of talk is that,” the old Magic Conductor, upset, stabbed his Magic Wand on the stone floor, his white goatee quivering, “my family has loyally served the Church Court for generations; I was ready to sacrifice when I was sent here. Trading one life for millions, isn’t it a good deal?”
“Life is not calculated this way,” Luo’er said plainly.
“Then how do you calculate it?”
“You, sir, using your life to drive the Forbidden Curse Magic, would not just end one life. Those affected by the Forbidden Curse Magic, are their lives not lives too? I personally experienced the tragedy at One-Line Sky.”
“We weren’t responsible for that incident at One-Line Sky.”
The old Magic Conductor beca more upset, constantly hitting the floor.
“Please calm down, I’m not blaming you or the Church Court,”
“You even care about the enemy’s lives; whose side are you on? With such rcy, won’t you hide under the covers and cry quietly when the armies clash?”
Although the old Magic Conductor’s voice had vigor, his tone was sowhat sharp and sarcastic.
“I won’t,” yet Luo’er wasn’t angry, “When the armies clash, I will order my troops to resist bravely, order the artillery to bombard the enemy formations, and eliminate live forces. But I won’t launch nuclear weapons to wipe out tens of thousands of lives at once.”
“You…”
“Please let finish.”
Luo’er waved his hand, gesturing for him to remain silent.
“Currently, the Lipei army still holds tens of thousands of Aud Army prisoners of war. They were once captives but have now beco brave warriors against the Aud Army. The fact is, they can be transford; they can change from darkness to light…”
“Both defensive lines are now held by them. If one day, I tell them, ‘You don’t need to fight anymore because I have used a Forbidden Curse Magic to kill all the enemies, you can go ho…’ What do you think they would think?”
“My hard-won reputation, my painstakingly built image, would instantly be reduced to dust, disappearing without a trace. You can consider to be seeking fa and fortune, falsely compassionate. But in my view, at least in leadership work, personal charm is still very useful…”
“I do not endorse large-scale slaughter. This is my external image and has consistently been my stance, consistent inside and out. War is inevitable; the scenario of rivers of blood and corpses may happen…”
“But as long as I hold initiative, I will not employ the most extre ans to eliminate the most enemies to achieve my strategic goals. This does not align with my values, nor does it fit my strategic needs…”
“Therefore, I convened this eting today and summoned you all here to ask how we should defeat the Aud Army rather than how we should kill them all.”
Once Luo’er finished speaking, the previously turbulent eting room fell silent; everyone gazed silently at Luo’er, their eyes filled with both admiration and envy.
After about ten seconds of silence, it was finally broken by an unfamiliar voice.
“Why not consider taking out Brolan, and then launch a counterattack? This would undoubtedly lead to the defeat of the Aud Army.”
Everyone turned towards the voice to see Oklo Laf leaning against his chair, arms folded, speaking unhurriedly.
They were sowhat surprised that this forr highest commander of the Aud Army would voluntarily offer a strategy.
Actually, the main reason Oklo Laf spoke up was that he was moved by Luo’er’s words.
Even though he had surrendered to Lipei, this didn’t an he was completely detached from the war or the situation of the Aud Army.
Although he was a surrendered general, every ti he heard the casualty numbers of the Aud Army, he felt a deep pain, as most of those people used to be under his command.
“What makes you say that?” Cheng Ziang asked.
“Just as the Commander said,” Oklo Laf opened his eyes, glanced around, and then looked at Luo’er, saying, “in command leadership, personal charisma is very important, and I fully agree with this.”
Pausing, he continued, “The command structure of the Aud Army is not as robust as your forces. Should their commander face misfortune, their chances of collapse are significantly higher than yours. This is an opportunity, an opportunity for annihilation, rather than the killing of enemy troops.”
Reviews
All reviews (0)