Chapter 52: Storm Is Coming (1)
Great Xia City, capital of Great Xia.
While Liu Wenyan and Su Yu were having their talk, an argument was happening in the prefect's manor. There were only a few people in the spacious hall. Xia Longwu was seated with his back perfectly straight and looking straight down from his throne.
Below him, an old man was seated to the left. That was a military advisor in the capital. A smile was on his face as he listened silently. Seated to the right was a scholarly and amiable old man with white hair. He also had a smile on his face as he listened silently.
Apart from the two, there was a middle-aged muscular man who was standing alone while loudly rebuking, "Wan Tiansheng, stop promoting that worthless idea. This is Great Xia, not the Knowledge Seeking Realm."
The muscular man was shouting at the white haired old man on the right. The white-haired old man was Wan Tiansheng, the sixth principal of the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy. Wan Tiansheng had a friendly smile on his face. Even with the muscular man shouting at him, he appeared calm. His voice wasn't loud, but when he spoke, everyone could hear him clearly, "Zheng Ping, speak normally. Don't shout. I'm not deaf. I can hear you."
He smiled as though this was only a casual conversation between neighbors as he softly said, "The Martial Dragon Guards should return. You already fought the battle you wanted. In the battle against the divine skywing race, almost a thousand of the three thousand soldiers sacrificed their lives. That is a heavy loss.
"When it's time to fight, we shouldn't be pulling our fists. I don't have an issue with that. But are you really going to destroy the entire divine skywing race?"
Wan Tiansheng looked at Xia Longwu and said, "Prefect, you should understand. We won't be able to do so. The divine skywing race only has an army of ten thousand in the Allheaven Battlefield. That's far from everything they have.
"If we continue pushing, we might be able to get more results, but we will also pay more lives as the price. Do you intend to lose all three thousand of the Martial Dragon Guards?"
Wan Tiansheng shook his head, "There is no need for that. This is too rash. The fight is done. Now, it's time to talk. Talk to the divine skywing race. Make them pay a price for permission to withdraw their defeated army from the battlefield..."
The muscular man shouted in fury, "We have them surrounded! They're near the optimal encirclement spot. We can clearly destroy the entire army. Wan Tiansheng, what are your intentions? Why do you insist on releasing them? Did they bribe you?"
Wan Tiansheng wasn't angry. He smiled, "Zheng Ping, there is no need to launch personal attacks. I don't deny that we'll be able to take down that army. But the question is, is it worth it? Three thousand Martial Dragon Guards. An army Great Xia had paid a large price to build. We're going to lose them all only for a single army of ten thousand?
"In that army, there are people from your war academy and people from our cultural research academy. These are all elites of humanity. Are we going to sacrifice them all just to exterminate a defeated army?"
Wan Tiansheng sighed, "Some people don't like to use their brain and can only use their muscles. These people should just remain a regular soldier instead of being in a commanding position."
The muscular man coldly said, "I've been in the army for thirty years. I started as a regular soldier and killed my way to my current rank."
Wan Tiansheng laughed. "In that case, you should just focus on your role as a muscle. Why do you insist on getting involved in strategic decisions?"
The muscular man roared, "I know you look down on me, but I do not need your respect. We only need to send the remaining two thousand Martial Dragon Guards in Great Xia to the battlefield to achieve our goal. We don't need to pay too much price to eliminate that army!
"After losing a thousand soldiers, we have successfully pushed the enemies into desperation. Wan Tiansheng, you want us to withdraw our army now? Have you considered what the Martial Dragon Guards will think? Will the soldiers at the front line be willing to accept that?
"I'm a military man. I know them best. They won't be able to accept it. They will not be satisfied. After losing one third of their own, they have finally gained the absolute upper hand. Nobody will be willing to stop now!"
The muscular man's eyes turned red in agitation, "We paid a high price for this victory! We must continue until we get our due!"
Wan Tiansheng softly said, "Fighting a war is not a matter of blind aggression. Zheng Ping, why do you not understand that after so many years in the military? At times, the number of enemies you kill does not determine the result of a war. Rather, our gains determine the result.
"I dislike Great Xia's combat doctrine. Never showing mercy and always pushing things too far. This is bad. Very bad. You will only provoke our enemies into making a last stand with us, ensuring that we will suffer alongside them.
"It is important to know when to stop. Let them pay for their lives with resources, cultivation methods, martial techniques, blood, and other treasures.
"That way, during the next war, they will be willing to surrender much earlier and buy their way out with treasures. We need to prioritize collapsing their will to fight, not arousing their will to fight."
Wan Tiansheng sighed, "Great Xia has been involved in so many wars over the years. Sure, we have been able to kill the most in every war, but each time, we're also the ones to suffer the biggest losses while gaining the least when compared with the other human prefectures.
"Our enemies' will to fight have all been aroused by you. The myriad races know that against Great Zhou, they can pay for survival if they can't win. But against Great Xia, they have to fight until the bitter end.
"In that regard, I think Zhou Potian did very well. Even Great Ming handled things better than us. Great Xia has powerful soldiers and commanders with unrivaled combat prowess. But what about our losses? What about the death compensation?"
Wan Tiansheng shook his head and sighed, "Zheng Ping, I really believe that the prefect should send you to our treasury. You can see for yourself how empty it already is."
Zheng Ping trembled. He looked up at Xia Longwu.
Xia Longwu had been remaining silent. When he saw Zheng Ping looking at him, he calmly said, "Our treasury is not very full at the moment, but it's fine. Great Xia's foundation is strong enough to withstand our losses."
Wan Tiansheng smiled, "So prefect, do you intend to continue the war?"
Xia Longwu looked at Wan Tiansheng and indifferently said, "Wan Tiansheng, some of the things you said are right. Great Xia has always been the one to kill the most and gain the least. I know that better than you. But even so, I've never listened to your suggestions. Do you know why?"
Wan Tiansheng wasn't surprised. He slowly said, "I understand. You want to forge the strongest human army, allowing humanity to possess a heroic vanguard army."
"It's good that you understand." Xia Longwu stood up and coldly said, "In the past, Great Zhou was the strongest. Their armies swept through the Allheaven Battlefield and were without rival. They did what you suggested, allowing their enemies to pay their way out of the war.
"That continued for a year, two years, ten years, and a hundred years. During one campaign, after pushing their enemies into a corner, they felt that it was time to stop again. It was time to reap their harvest. Alas, they were wrong. The elite army of the divine race they were facing had decided to make a last stand.
"With ten thousand soldiers, they defeated Great Zhou's army of one hundred thousand when they had their guards down. Great Zhou had forgotten how it feels to fight until the bitter end. They had forgotten how to fight with everything on the line. An army of a hundred thousand was defeated."
Xia Longwu sneered, "That battle came to be known as the Battle of Lazo Sea. Humanity suffered a crushing defeat there. An elite of a hundred thousand was defeated by a broken army. It was inconceivable. It shocked the myriad races. They discovered that the most elite army of humanity was merely a paper tiger."
Xia Longwu's face turned cold, "The unequaled Great Zhou Army has their legends shattered there. Why? Because they're used to it. They're used to not losing lives in war."
Xia Longwu looked at Wan Tiansheng and solemnly said, "The example of our predecessors is right before our eyes. Wan Tiansheng, do you still believe that there is no need to be harsh on the battlefield?"
"That was not what I meant." Wan Tiansheng shook his head. "But Great Xia is really on the verge of collapse. Prefect, we need a balance in everything. We can't deny everything the Great Zhou Army had done just because of a single defeat. They were able to rapidly rise up from that defeat. Their ample harvest from their past wars played a great role in that, allowing them to rapidly rebuild another elite army.
"But for us...if we lose the Martial Dragon Guards, it will be too difficult to rebuild another elite army."
Standing in front of his throne, Xia Longwu stared at Wan Tiansheng from above.
Wan Tiansheng did not give up. Meeting Xia Longwu's gaze, he said, "Withdraw, negotiate, and allow them to pay for their lives."
"I am the soul of Great Xia. I can't step back!"
"You still need to do it!"
The scholarly Wan Tiansheng suddenly became overbearing as his eyes turned sharp. "If you refuse, the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy will no longer provide the Martial Dragon Guards with any manpower. You won't see a single cultural researcher in the Martial Dragon Guards after this."
"Are you threatening me?" asked Xia Longwu with an overcast voice.
Wan Tiansheng stood up and solemnly said, "If you refuse to take a step back, I would rather have our teachers and students seek refuge at Great Zhou than to let our children throw their lives away for the sake of your reputation!"
"Bastard!" Zheng Ping was furious. "Wan Tiansheng, are you betraying Great Xia?"
"No. I'm saving Great Xia. I'm willing to fight for the human race, but I'm not willing to fight for a dictator."
Wan Tiansheng then removed the official's hat from his head and said, "Wan Tiansheng hereby resigns as the principal of the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy."
Xia Longwu stared at Wan Tiansheng silently for a long while.
Suddenly, the old man to the left laughed and said, "Principal Wan, stop messing with Principal Zheng."
Zheng Ping frowned unhappily. What did that mean?
The old man said, "Like it or not, we still need to take that step back. Great Xia has been in war after war for decades. We have suffered and lost a lot. We have been gathered here today by the prefect to talk about this.
"Since you were able to guess the purpose of this meeting, what is the point of making the prefect lose face?"
Wan Tiansheng pretended to be confused, "What do you mean?"
The old man laughed and shook his head. "You're still the same. Why are you constantly arguing with each other? Can't you talk calmly?
"The prefect wanted to take a step back as well, but he can't do so. He is a rallying banner of humanity. He is also the soul of Great Xia. If he takes a step back, what will our soldiers at the front line think? After all, he's not the same as that shameless Zhu Tiandao..."
At the mention of that name, the mood in the previously solemn room changed.
Even Xia Longwu with his perpetual solemn expression sat down and coughed awkwardly, "Stop talking drivel. Prefect Zhu...cough, cough. He still cares a great deal about his face when it's needed."
Everyone continued laughing. The old man said, "You're right. I was wrong. Let's not talk about that person and return to our topic. There is no changing the fact that we will need to pull our army back. The Martial Dragon Guards will not sacrifice thousands of lives to eliminate an army of ten thousand from the divine skywing race.
"However, the order can't be made under the prefect's name. After killing several divine skywing experts, the prefect urgently needs to enter a secluded cultivation session.
"Today, the two of you are gathered to talk about the appointment ceremony a few days later. With the prefect in seclusion, Marquis Xia will be appointed as the acting prefect. At that time...Wan Tiansheng, you can repeat your performance today."
A grin unfolded on the old man's face, "Have Marquis Xia make the order to withdraw. Since the prefect is in seclusion, the order will have nothing to do with him.
"Even if our soldiers at the front line are unhappy, it doesn't matter. Marquis Xia does not mind. He has always been a merchant. He will take charge in the talks with the divine skywing race, asking for compensation from them. Even the divine skywing race won't suspect anything. The myriad races won't be able to detect Great Xia's weakness."
Zheng Ping was hit by a realization. He scolded, "Old fart, is that really fine? Marquis Xia...he has been the fall guy way too many times. Nowadays, his reputation is terrible."
"Since he already has a bad reputation, why does it matter if his reputation drops further?" The old man smiled, "Principal Zheng, what Principal Wan said is true. Great Xia's treasury is nearly empty. We can't afford to keep fighting. We won't be able to afford building a second Martial Dragon Guards. And after losing our current Martial Dragon Guards, Great Xia would be left with no elites.
"It's only a divine skywing race, not the entirety of the divine race. What's the point of sacrificing everything we have for them? Since our prefect is entering seclusion, Marquis Xia who loves money more than his reputation will take charge. Even the myriad races are aware of his reputation.
"And with him in charge, who will suspect him when he decides to withdraw our army for money?"
The old man had a bright smile on his face, "The divine skywing race will even rejoice that Marquis Xia has taken office during this critical moment. If Prefect Xia was still in charge, they would probably lose this army of ten thousand entirely.
"The prefect is known for being unyielding. If he is the one to make this order, everyone will be surprised. They will all assume that Great Xia is in some sort of trouble."
Zheng Ping found himself speechless. After a while, he asked, "Are things really that bad?"
"Yes. The treasury is almost empty." The old man sighed. "Why else would we withdraw now after fighting for so many years? In the past, we will not stop attacking a race that has created trouble in our prefecture like the divine skywing race until we damage them lethally."
"But now, we have no choice but to stop and recuperate." The old man solemnly said, "This is why the prefect has decided to enter seclusion now. We can't keep fighting. That applies to not only the Martial Dragon Guards, but the Devil Subding Army as well. They have suffered so many losses that they have been recalling veterans year after year. They will need to stop and recuperate as well.
"Great Xia looks powerful, but in truth, we're losing manpower faster than we can replenish it. After spending so many years building a resounding reputation, it is time for us to rest. There is no avoiding that.
"The prefect will end his seclusion after Great Xia is done recovering. At that time, the prefect will also be making his debut as an invincible expert!"
Xia Longwu indifferently said, "I have been planning to enter the Allheaven Battlefield and slaughter a king to push myself into that realm. But...to be safe, we will withdraw our army and delay this battle for the future. I believe that Great Xia will only need a few years to make a full recovery."
"Wise choice, prefect." Wan Tiansheng praised fawningly, "I see a bright future ahead of Great Xia with this choice!"
Xia Longwu was having none of that. He asked nonchalantly, "Aren't you resigning? How about this, you can officially submit your resignation during the ceremony a few days later. Since Zhou Potian is willing to take you, feel free to go there."