C26 Whoever Can Last Longer

Many of our brothers didn't grasp what the marquis was getting at.

"Strike while the enemy is sick, take their life," isn't that a favorite saying of the marquis?

Right now, the major powers are faltering. It's the perfect time to strike them hard. We might even reclaim the Embassy Area. So why are we just standing guard?

Gao Shaoyi was wrestling with a complex dilemma. He was well aware of the aggressive move he could make, but what would be the repercussions?

There was a real chance that the empires would band together again, forming a formidable coalition to strike at the Qian Empire. His few thousand men stood no chance against such a force.

In the end, it would be the common folk who'd bear the brunt of the suffering.

Thus, after securing a modest victory, Gao Shaoyi reclaimed some authority and decided to quit while he was ahead.

There's a fine line in all things; cross it, and you pay the price. Besides, even by pulling back now, Gao Shaoyi stood to make a tidy profit.

Shabarov and the envoys from various countries emerged from a bunker, disheveled and covered in dust.

The bombardment had been so intense that they were forced underground, only daring to surface when the gunfire ceased.

Were they trapped?

Originally, there were two routes from the main battlefield to the Embassy Area, but now both were seized by the King Protector Army. Inside the Embassy Area, merchants were in a state of panic.

But even without the encirclement, their situation was dire. They had depleted most of their military forces, leaving behind a mere couple hundred guards. Those remaining were hardly enough to count on.

The Lord Ministers were filled with regret. Had they heeded Shabarov's advice earlier, they would still have a couple thousand soldiers at their disposal. Instead, they were left with nothing but a few hundred demoralized troops.

"These barbarians might just kill us all..." lamented the Envoy of the Windsar Empire. In the previous war, the Qian Empire had detained their empire's negotiators.

That incident had sparked a massive invasion war, with the Windsar and Galru Empires seizing the capital. They had assumed that, following that ordeal, their diplomats would be safe. Yet here they were, surrounded once again.

"They wouldn't dare touch us, not unless they want their capital city to fall into our hands once more," Ryoji Otomo from East Di Country declared with indignation.

"You're an utter fool. Even if your empire's forces were to march here again, if you're dead, what does it matter to you?" Shabarov held a modicum of respect for the other Lord Ministers, but he harbored a particularly low regard for Ryoji Otomo.

This was partly because their nations had disputes along the northern border of the Qian Empire. Moreover, East Di Country was considered the weakest among the world's great powers. Despite East Di Country's self-perception as a major power, it was seen by others as nothing more than a calf among bulls.

Ryoji Otomo was irked, but catching Shabarov's stern gaze and recalling the recent deaths of many East Di soldiers, he opted not to stir any further trouble. Provoking Shabarov, a man of impulsive action, could be fatal. With so many casualties, who would be held accountable?

"Let's not panic. Their halt in aggression could be a positive sign," the Morgen Empire's ambassador interjected, having been silent while assessing the situation. He had a theory but was hesitant to confirm it.

His words drew the attention of the group.

Indeed, given Gao Shaoyi's temperament, he would have likely ordered an attack by now. Why would he offer them any quarter?

Gao Shaoyi wants to negotiate...

No one becomes an ambassador by being a fool. This realization dawned on them swiftly.

Ryoji Otomo's mind raced back to the incident at Lee Mingshan's doorstep. Could history be repeating itself?

Impossible. Back then, it was only him, but now, envoys from six nations were present; that young upstart couldn't possibly outmaneuver them all.

Yet, as Ryoji Otomo glanced at the vigilant King Protector Army, he felt a twinge of doubt about his own reassurances.

"Are you even listening to me?" Shabarov nudged Ryoji Otomo, who had been lost in thought. Minutes had passed, and while everyone else had made their stance clear, Otomo seemed to be in a daze.

"Ah?"

Ryoji Otomo was baffled, which only fueled the others' anger. They had always scorned the East Di Empire, and now their disdain was even greater.

Shabarov had no choice but to explain it all over again to Otomo.

If the other side proposed negotiations, we would have to adopt a humble stance. Everyone knew the principle of bowing one's head under another's roof, and no matter how severe their demands, we had no choice but to accept them.

Even if it meant a significant loss, we had to bear it for the time being. Otherwise, we might not even live to see tonight's moon.

'Bow our heads again?'

Ryoji Otomo had already done so once, tarnishing his reputation in the capital. And now, he faced the prospect of another humiliation...

"It's our only option."

After several minutes of deliberation, Otomo reluctantly concurred. Our fate was in their hands; was there room for contemplation?

"Let's not rush. We'll wait it out patiently. Since they're reluctant to attack, we'll wait for them to come to us. The first to speak is at a disadvantage."

As Shabarov was about to depart, Otomo held him back. His advice was sound; it was a matter of who could keep their cool.

Gao Shaoyi might not have grasped Otomo's words, but he wasn't about to send envoys first either.

You think we don't understand the situation? Your East Di Country's history is so brief; we were the ones who crowned your original emperor. If you're thinking of outsmarting us, you might as well return to the womb and be reborn.

Our brothers will get the help they need. We'll replenish our food and water as necessary. Meanwhile, your forces are stuck on a hilltop with nothing. We'll see who can outlast whom.

Fifteen minutes ticked by without a peep from the King Protector Army. Instead, it was the allied forces who saw the truth of the situation.

Their wounded could do nothing but lie there, watching their life force ebb away, while the King Protector Army's camp bustled with activity. It was the injured soldiers who felt the strain most acutely.