On the third day after entering the Principality of Lailin, Skye Hamm, the commander of the Third Legion of the Western Military Region, welcomed his commander, Paul Zhong. At the same time, there were less than 50,000 defeated soldiers. These people were disheveled and abandoned their armor appeared in front of the Third Legion, which was almost beaten by the Third Legion as an enemy. If the people who were rushing in front of him had not reacted quickly and raised their weapons in their hands and shouted at their own people, Skye Hamm might have become the first general to shoot at the troops of his commander.

"Chatra is gone, the enemy has put more than sixty steam cannons in it, and our volleyball tactics cannot be fought against. If I can come back alive, it is the guards who are desperately pulling it out."

Sitting in the temporary military tent, Paul Zhong, who had not seen for a long time, was deeply exhausted and desperate in both his expression and tone.

"The enemy attacked too quickly and didn't bring out many things. But your family members, we all retreated. This is what I did. There are a few prescient things you can send someone to find later. They are all in the middle of the team, which is very safe."

Sky Hamm looked at the old man in front of him and it was hard to imagine that this was the commander he once admired. Once upon a time, Paul Zhong was so brave and wise. He never doubted his decision, and his decision never disappointed. But now, is this old man sitting in front of him really the commander who once led him to glory?

"Commander, I can talk about my family's affairs later. The key now is what we will do next?"

The commander of the Second Legion, Tobias Pas, who stood aside, stepped forward. He was the same as Skye Hamm thought. The key at the moment was where they should go. The 50,000 people who escaped, plus Skye Hamm's 50,000 people, and half of the 200,000 people who followed Paul Zhong into the Principality of Lailing half a year ago. The remaining 100,000 people, to the west, are the army of the Negru Republic that cannot be confronted. To the east, is the country they almost betrayed. In this case, where is the way out for these 100,000 people?

"Now?" Paul Zhong looked up and looked at Skye Hamm, and then to Tobias Pas, "What do you think?"

"When we came here, we saw Bill Claflyn's Fifth Army building a border defense line. We can retreat into Ankenrien and establish a defense line with them. Now the soldiers of the Negro Republic are fierce, and they cannot defend the border alone. When we go back, even if they don't like it, we have to grit our teeth and pinch our noses and endure it." Sky Hamm came up with his own plan. In his opinion, returning to Ankenrien is not an unacceptable thing. And the current situation also gives them this opportunity.

"This won't work," Tobias Pas raised an objection, "If you go back, the soldiers may be fine, but we will definitely not end up well and will never give us a chance to lead the troops again."

"But if we don't go back, we have no way to go!"

"We can go to the Central Mountains!" Tobias proposed his own idea, "The current situation is that it will definitely be a death if you turn around and go back. Keep moving forward and go back to Ankenry because of the war, we will definitely not be able to survive. Instead of doing this, we should take people to the Central Mountains, where the terrain is complex and the terrain is rugged, and neither cavalry nor steam cannons can be used there. We have 100,000 people, and after we arrive at the Central Mountains, it is easy to control several local small principalities and hide in the mountains to be our own little emperor. Isn't it comfortable?"

Upon hearing Tobias's suggestion, Paul Zhong and Sky Hamm both opened their eyes wide. They both looked at Tobias at the same time, with surprise and admiration in their eyes.

"I have never thought about this method before, but the Central Mountains are located at the junction of the four countries. All our 100,000 soldiers are directly over there. Maybe they will be wiped out by the four countries," Skye Hamm put forward his own idea. In his opinion, instead of hiding in the mountains and waiting to die, it is better to stand up when Ankenry needs it most.

"And, sir," Skye Hamm continued to explain his reasons, "What Tobias is talking about is just the general situation. The situation of the war is so tense now, these people are our confidants, we have soldiers in our hands, are you afraid that he will catch our little whip?"

"If you have soldiers, no money, no food, your neck will be stuck at that time," Tobias also became serious. "Go to the Central Mountains, there are no enemies, and there are terrain protection. Apart from the three countries of Ankenrien, Nigru is busy fighting Ankenrien. The Third Republic of Vern is said to be in civil strife, and the great magicians of the Aronte Empire are still fighting. How can they care about us? We will use this time to control the good location of the Central Mountains, establish the country, and then can we live a comfortable life?"

"but--"

Skye Hamm wanted to tell the difference, but was interrupted by Paul Zhong. He waved his hand and signaled his two men to stop.

"Okay, that's all about this. I've heard your opinions and I'll think about it carefully. Now, we all need a brief rest and gather the team. The enemy has just captured Chadella, and now there should be no interest in chasing. Let's take a break first and then set the next policy."

Hearing Paul Zhong's orders, Tobias and Sky Hamm looked at each other and remained silent. How to go about the future? They have a rough direction, but Paul is the one who can determine the final route. Even if he is old and loses, the two of them are still used to obeying his orders.

The commander fell silent for a moment, and the noise of the soldiers outside chatting with each other came in from afar. Several generals and commanders looked at the light spots on the ground and began to think.

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"Your Majesty, the latest news is that the Western Theater Command is defeated, the Duchy of Lailin is occupied by the enemy, and the remaining troops in the Western Theater Command are retreating to Enspan Province. If nothing unexpected happens, they can reunite with the Third Legion withdrawn from Enspan Province."

The news brought by Emil Irving made Paul Gibson stunned for a while. Yesterday he had just received the news that Prince Wenfeng won the first victory after he went on the battlefield. Before his joy could pass, he heard the news that he didn't know whether it was good or bad.

"His Majesty?"

Emil Irving asked, his tone was a little uncertain. From the perspective of the country, the news was very bad. From the war between Ankenryin and the Negro Republic, which continued last year to the present, the balance of victory and defeat was tilting. Unfortunately, Ankenryin was not on the side of victory.

However, from the emperor's own perspective, it would not be a good thing that the Western Theater Command, which had been disobedient, ended in such a way. Paul Zhong, who had lost his final base, had no choice. As long as he came back, the emperor could once again realize the basic military unity of the country without any effort.

"How did he lose?"

After waiting for a few minutes, Paul Gibson finally responded. Emil bowed and replied.

"It is said that the Republic of Negru took out more than 60 steam cannons and destroyed their defense line. This weapon is very effective against the iron shield defense line and the formation of line-up shooting, which Paul Zhong could not defend."

"What about us?"

"this……"

Emil Irving did not give a positive answer. He paused for a moment before giving a vague answer.

"A war of the whole country cannot be determined by one or two new weapons."

"Isn't that boy from Enspan Province, because of his advanced weapons, that nearly 100,000 people can't do anything about him?"

Paul Gibson's thinking seemed to jump very quickly, making Emil Irving a little unable to keep up. However, Gastens is now a celebrity that Ankenryin is very concerned about, and he immediately realized what the emperor's thinking was.

Or a weapon.

"Yes, his glory rifle, the Brave rifle, the Thunder and the Luoshan one gave him the capital to use the small mountain plain to fight against the forces of our two legions. Although there are also uncoordinated factors, it cannot be denied that this kid is a genius in terms of weapons."

"It's not only weapons, but also tactical ideas," Paul Gibson frowned. "He also made the tactics of queuing and shooting, and he made the new weapons. Elliot said in his letter that he also created guerrilla warfare and strait line tactics, which are tactics that adapt to his new weapons."

Speaking of this, Paul Gibson turned around and walked towards the window, Emil followed him and listened to his thoughts.

"I don't know why, Emile." Paul Gibson's voice was not relaxed. "I always feel that if this kid is not controlled, he will become a big trouble for us."

"Is it more serious than the Republic of Negro and Roninger?" Emil was a little surprised. "Although Gastens's technology is advanced, the foundation of the Elena Plain is too weak, and it is difficult for him to grow. If the Republic of Negro calls, if we don't help him, he will die. Does Your Majesty value him too much?"

"No, you don't understand," Paul Gibson stood by the window and looked at the silent mage tower in the distance. "This is a feeling that this kid and the thoughts he represents are the most terrifying than our old opponent and the dying Grand Duke of the Ice River."

"Then let's talk to His Highness the Sixth Prince and kill him completely?" Emil still did not understand where Paul Gibson's worries came from. But as the prime minister, he naturally knew when to say what to say.

"Liu'er has made him harassed recently. How can he fight if he doesn't increase his troops? If he increases his troops, what should he do if the soldiers of Niglu have? And Paul Zhong, we don't know how he chooses. Although the second brother has done a good job recently, the overall situation is still not optimistic."

"Your Majesty, you may have to make a decision quickly in the Western Theater Command. If Paul Zhong couldn't think about it for a moment and surrendered to the Republic of Negro, it would be a devastating blow to us."

"Destruction is not a question, it's just harder to fight." Paul Gibson turned around and sat on the sofa by the window. When the great mage was still there, he often sat on the sofa, doing nothing, just looking at the mage tower in the distance and thinking.

"Your Majesty, it is better to persuade Paul Zhong to surrender as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he is anxious, we will suffer a lot of unnecessary losses."

"This is OK, I will write a handwritten letter and ask someone to bring it to him. As for whether he accepts it or not, it is his business." Gibson leaned on the sofa, lazy, "But I know this person. Although he doesn't like me, he is not a person without a stance. You don't need to worry too much."

"clear."

Emil nodded and then asked.

"His second prince has submitted a report and plans to wait for an opportunity to attack Muenze after recovering the Zidai Plain. He hopes that we can provide more glory rifles. The production of glory rifles is still limited now, and most of them are given to the Sixth Prince. Look..."

"Split 50% for him," Gibson waved his hand, "If you are all sons, you can't be more generous than others. Just give me a bowl of water and let me see who can do better."

"Understood."

Emil nodded and took out a stack of new documents.

"Your Majesty, this year's agricultural production..."

In this huge and empty room, Annkin's supreme leader is deciding the future of the country. In the small conference room of Elena, the members of the Communist Party's council are also making careful decisions.

"I oppose capital cooperation with the Mage Tower. Capitalists, especially the big capitalists, are our enemies, and we should destroy them instead of embracing them. If we can even accept such capitalists, then we have no hostile class in this world. So, sorry, I don't agree with this proposal."

As a person who worships Gastens as an idol, Ivan Warren rarely contradicts Gastens. However, he rarely insisted on his position on the issue of deciding whether to cooperate with the capitalists of the Mage Tower.

"It's okay, I'm glad you have your own ideas." Gastens' expression was not dissatisfied. "I can't hold on to this matter, so I took it out to discuss it with everyone. Everyone should tell me your true thoughts like Ivan. After all, compared to outside forces, the most important thing is to maintain the openness, transparency and unity of our party's opinions, right?"

"Head, we are not short of money, and pyroxene is enough now. Even if there is an undiscovered huge pyroxene mine in Enspan Province, it is not something we can dig now. If the revolution is victorious, we can dig as much as we want, without the need for the mage tower. If the revolution fails, even if the mage tower supports it, we cannot dig. Therefore, the factor of the pyroxene vein cannot be used as a bargaining chip for the mage tower."

Unlike Ivan, Daisy is trying to sort out the bargaining chips provided by the enemy, which are really useful to her side. Although the trading conditions proposed by Martinez are very generous, she is now very alert to capitalists and is always worried about the traps in it.

"I understand, and the other comrades, let me hear your opinion."

Gastens nodded and looked at the comrades who had not spoken yet. Several comrades hesitated for a while, and Sink stood up.
Chapter completed!