I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 539 - 295: Commanding personally, inside-out cooperation plan_2

Chapter 539: Chapter 295: Commanding personally, inside-out cooperation plan_2

Everyone’s Daoist Soldiers, military force, strategy, and formations were on the same level except for Zhou Country’s, led by Xu Bu, which was slightly inferior. However, the advantage in military equipment was enough to determine the outcome.

On the side of Long Country, there was the presence of the Super Daoist Soldier program, but the problem was that it had not yet become widespread. The enemy attacked before it could be deployed, catching them off guard and leading to a routed defeat.

"It’s just a temporary setback, wait for the Super Daoist Soldier plan..." Jiang Lu still tried to be defiant.

"It’s too late now," Gu Shanhai interrupted without hesitation.

"I... I say it won’t work and it won’t work. I am Emperor Long!" Knowing he couldn’t out-argue Gu Shanhai, Jiang Lu resorted to a blunt and forceful approach.

"I’m saying, you’re an adult, how can you still act like a child?" Gu Shanhai was somewhat helpless.

Jiang Lu said nothing; he felt that anyone could go except for Gu Shanhai.

"Stop being stubborn. I’m confident I can retreat fully intact, even if I fail. With my skills, Zhou Ding can’t bother me," Gu Shanhai continued to advise.

"Teacher, I know you are capable, but at your age, why bother?"

"Even if Dalong can’t be held, we can still retreat overseas. The Navy has already found many suitable places to live overseas, with indigenous people as slaves, and lands rich with gold and black soil, enough to serve as an opportunity for ascendance."

Jiang Lu felt secure having an alternative, hence his thinking.

Gu Shanhai looked at Jiang Lu as if he were looking at a fool: "You don’t think Yan Country’s naval forces would be weak? Their warships are much stronger than ours. The entire military could have been wiped out if I hadn’t acted; otherwise, the port would have already turned to ruins."

In fact, Gu Shanhai understood Jiang Lu’s thinking. In the eyes of everyone in Dalong, the Central Plains were legitimate and affluent while the surrounding areas were impoverished, and going overseas was considered nonsensical. Thus, retreating overseas was akin to being exiled, tantamount to withdrawing from the power struggle, as no one would bother pursuing a defeated foe, adhering to the principle of not pursuing a desperately poor enemy.

If a temporary retreat could provide another chance for development, that would be fine. However, if they retreated this time, Long Country would likely never catch up to the development of Yan Country, ending up in a similar fate as encountering the Indians.

Gu Shanhai was also a bit puzzled about how Zhou Ding and Yan Country could have perished in such an absurd manner in previous times.

If they hadn’t perished, how could the world still be in the era of cold weapons and Daoist Soldiers ten thousand years later? Only if Zhou Ding had lost would the world still be in that era of cold weaponry and Daoist Soldiers.

In the past life, there was no Gu Shanhai to correct that.

However, this matter didn’t concern Gu Shanhai much; the past was the past, and this life was this life.

"This retreat will basically be the end of it; you might as well surrender now and possibly secure the position of Anle Duke," Gu Shanhai commented sarcastically.

"I... I’ll think about it." Jiang Lu initially wanted to keep arguing, but he quickly realized why he should bother arguing with Gu Shanhai. As long as he dragged it out without giving a clear reply, Gu Shanhai wouldn’t be able to leave, and any problems could just be laughed off.

"You’re just giving me the runaround, aren’t you?" Gu Shanhai skeptically looked at Jiang Lu, knowing that even though his current power prevented mind probing to detect his thoughts, understanding Jiang Lu wasn’t that simple.

"Alright then, teacher, let me put it another way. If I commit the might of the entire nation and attack Yan Country with ten million Daoist Soldiers, what do you think are our chances of winning?" Jiang Lu asked reluctantly.

"Well..." Gu Shanhai hadn’t expected Jiang Lu to ask that. After simulating scenarios with the Four Sacred Beasts System, he soon arrived at a conclusion: "About eighty percent, but such a massive operation would be difficult to manage."

If it were really Jiang Lu leading his ten million Daoist Soldiers to attack, Yan Country might not be able to withstand it.

Especially since the opponent had at most a million Daoist Soldiers. The disparity was too great.

It would essentially be no different from a crushing defeat.

But if they were to really proceed with this, it would set off a chain reaction, and this wasn’t about a mere thousand Daoist Soldiers, but ten million—Jiang Lu couldn’t fully control them. If he were to personally lead such a large force, whether they could defeat Gu Shanhai was unknown, but if they prolonged the battle, Long Country would definitely collapse first.

"Then, I shall personally lead the charge!" Jiang Lu declared resolutely.

Since his power had increased, Jiang Lu hadn’t led his troops into battle himself but had remained secure at the rear.

"Ah, but haven’t you considered the remaining twenty percent chance of failure?" Gu Shanhai quipped.

"An eighty percent success rate is worth a gamble," Jiang Lu retorted. Gu Shanhai said if they didn’t gamble, they’€™d die, so why not bet the entire nation’s efforts.

"That could work, but your plan isn’t stable. It needs modifications," Gu Shanhai wasn’t opposed either. At this point, they really needed to take risks; otherwise, waiting for a slow death would be even more tragic.

"How should it be changed?" Jiang Lu was puzzled.

"You station troops on the border and spread the news that you’re mobilizing the nation to attack Yan Country. Meanwhile, I’ll sneak to the rear and attempt to assassinate Zhou Ding. If I can kill him, good, if not, I’ll find a way to move him to the border for you to kill," Gu Shanhai explained.

His idea was simple; although the enemy had fewer than a million Daoist Soldiers under his command, it wouldn’t be easy for Gu Shanhai to kill him. Therefore, if it proved impossible, he could use the Universe in Sleeve and the Five Elements Great Escape to directly drag the target to the border for Jiang Lu to kill.

After all, Jiang Lu, who was at the border, controlled ten million Daoist Soldiers and could likely kill the enemy with a single strike.

"..." Jiang Lu was speechless—his plan had been for Gu Shanhai not to attempt the assassination, but after going around in circles, they were back to it.

At this moment, he realized he couldn’t persuade Gu Shanhai, so he could only sigh resignedly and say, "Master, your assassination plan also has flaws and risks of failure."

"How about we do it all in one go? I station ten million troops at the border and release news to attract their attention while you teleport him here for me to strike. What do you think?" Jiang Lu could only step back, as both sticking stubbornly wouldn’t help.

"That works. Let’s do it your way," Gu Shanhai considered for a moment—the plan was feasible, but actual implementation could be decided later.

Gu Shanhai also had a secondary agenda, considering whether he could acquire the enemy’s technology—something he greatly coveted.

Specifically, how the enemy applied the particularity of Daoist Soldier military equipment onto firearms. This meant turning fixed damage into a combination of fixed damage and enhanced Daoist Soldier attributes, making the arms capable of development.

A firearm that could improve and be mass-produced would undoubtedly be top-tier.

Under normal circumstances, if Yan Country developed airplanes and cannons, they would at most be on the level of World War II technology, which was nothing compared to the Daoist Soldiers. But once turned into Daoist Soldier military equipment, it could compare to future technology.

A submachine gun firing like a laser cannon—who could withstand that?

"However, it will take some time. Mobilizing ten million Daoist Soldiers will take at least half a month," Jiang Lu remarked upon seeing Gu Shanhai agreeing.

Ideally, if Gu Shanhai didn’t go, it would be best. But since Gu Shanhai was adamant and unable to be persuaded, Jiang Lu could only offer his full support.

The master and disciple shared a deep bond.

"Half a month is sufficient. I need to prepare for various emergencies as well," Gu Shanhai thought. He’d use the half-month to produce about ten Big Ivans for self-defense, useful for anything from burglary to arson.

"If you need anything, just go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They’ll take care of it for you," Jiang Lu didn’t suggest Gu Shanhai gather things himself as it was unrealistic; naturally, using Long Country’s national strength was the best way.

"Yes, I know," Gu Shanhai nodded. Previously, all the resources he needed were documented through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Hence, all of Gu Shanhai’s expenses were essentially reimbursed by Long Country. Otherwise, why would Gu Shanhai bother maintaining Long Country and aiding Jiang Lu?