Chapter 366
Extra: No War
Chapter 366 Extra Chapter: Unbreakable
The siege of Beast King City lasted a long time, but the city's defenses were ultimately not as impregnable as Thorin City's, so overall, it took less time than the Battle of Thorin City.
However, the casualty rate in the attack on Beast King City was ten times that of Thorin City.
Looking at the statistics after the war, Ling Chengen was still shocked by the data, even though he had expected it.
The difficulty in attacking Beast King City lies mainly in the sheer number of high-ranking warriors and special ability warriors in the city.
Just like the extremely rare wind-type warriors, only three people in the entire Northern Wilderness have awakened this ability, but in Beast King City, there are a total of thirty-seven people who have awakened this ability.
There are 121 mental warriors in total, four of whom are above the 15th rank.
Fortunately, Beast King City did not have any high-level space-type warriors, otherwise, if this battle had broken out, they would have really needed Shi Panxing's help, and might have even had to hand over control of Trident Whitewater City.
However, after the post-battle report, Ling Chengen analyzed the current troop strength of the Xiao Kingdom and realized a very serious problem.
We cannot afford to start another war in the short term, especially a war like the one that caused such heavy casualties in Beast King City; we must completely avoid it.
Because of the three battles in Nanyuan, except for the battle of Huangyan Beast City which was the easiest, the other two battles had reduced their accumulated forces over the years to less than 50%.
After entering the Nanyuan campaign, troops were replenished for each city captured.
However, new recruits need to undergo a certain period of training before they can be sent to the battlefield.
Otherwise, it would be tantamount to sending a bunch of defenseless cannon fodder to the hands of a well-equipped and experienced enemy.
Therefore, whether it's Three-Forked Whitewater City, Upper Aomori Valley, or Six Wind Dock,
It won't be possible to take it down in a short time.
Ling Chengen had already come to this conclusion, and although he was somewhat unwilling, it was the truth.
If the remaining troops continue their southward expedition, few members of this army, which they had taken away from their homeland in the Northern Wilderness, will be able to return to their homeland and reunite with their families in the Northern Wilderness.
Moreover, with the soldiers in the Northern Wilderness wiped out, the situation in the Southern Plains... would be very difficult to control.
After all, they had only recently taken over the three cities, and it would be a very time-consuming and laborious process to educate and gain the acceptance of these native orcs of the Southern Plains as their own, as well as to govern their country.
While Ling Chengen and Chang Tianchen were discussing this matter, Yu Heng and Su Weihua were also listening in.
Chang Tianchen sat in his chair, his right hand resting on the warm rim of his cup. He then let out a long sigh and said, "This result was within my expectations. The battle at Beast King City... resulted in too many casualties. If the fighting continues, it will shake the very foundation of the entire nation."
Su Weihua gently stroked the silver double rings on her left wrist: "Although I am very unwilling, this is the only way."
Ling Chengen felt the atmosphere was too stagnant, but she didn't know what to say. She sat in the main seat, her fingers interlaced and slowly resting on her chin, her eyebrows slightly lowered, and then looked at Yu Heng, who was standing in the corner, seemingly lost in thought.
"As I promised you before, I would take over Kamishiromoriya, and it might happen within the next two years..."
Yuheng looked up at her calmly, then suddenly smiled and said, "Would you like to hear my thoughts?"
"You said."
Ling Chengen always respects the opinions of each partner, and she will generally consider them seriously unless they are particularly excessive.
"It's almost impossible to take over Sikswind Dock and Trident Whitewater City within the next three years."
"But going to Aomori Valley is another matter."
Chang Tianchen and Su Weihua both looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
Yu Heng calmly said, "Do you remember when I told you before that almost everyone in Kamishōmori Valley has wood-type abilities?"
Ling Chengen would naturally not forget this.
The abilities of the beastmen of Kamishimori Valley are mostly developed through drugs used in their childhood, and the key to making these drugs is the flesh and blood of the Fuqing tribe.
Yuheng: "I think I told you back then that because of the use of drugs to stimulate their abilities, it is very difficult for these people to make significant breakthroughs in their abilities. Orcs who use drugs to stimulate their abilities will never be able to become warriors of the eighth rank or above in their entire lives. A large portion of them will only reach the second to fourth rank."
Ling Chengen lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment: "But the problem is that everyone in Shangqing Forest Valley is a superhuman warrior. Even if their superhuman level is not high, the environment of Shangqing Forest Valley gives them an absolute advantage. Xiao Kingdom warriors who are not familiar with the environment of Shangqing Forest Valley will easily suffer losses in such an unfavorable environment."
Chang Tianchen also reminded him, "The unfavorable terrain is actually secondary."
"The most troublesome thing is that the Kamishomori Valley is full of highly poisonous substances and has a very serious poisonous miasma."
"Not only can most orcs in their beast forms use poison, but even the local plants and insects are poisonous. If you're not careful, even a small wound can kill a mid- to high-level warrior in a short time."
Su Weihua looked at Yu Heng: "Unless you can provide a large amount of antidote, the casualty rate of taking down Shangqing Forest Valley will not be lower than that of the battle of Beast King City."
Yuheng sighed softly and said, "It was my oversight; this plan is indeed unworkable."
Ling Chengen comforted him, "There's no rush. When we took Huangyan Beast City, it took several years to prepare before we finally took Sergin City. We have a long time to study the situation of the other cities, stabilize the cities we currently occupy, and continue to prepare for war."
"Taking these cities is only a matter of time."
They are still young, they can wait.
Su Weihua stood up, patted Yuheng on the shoulder, and then silently walked out of the room.
Yu Heng looked up at Ling Chengen and smiled at her.
But Ling Chengen saw a sadness that was almost overflowing in his eyes.
She knew that he hated Aomori Tani to the core.
Chang Tianchen glanced at the two of them for a moment, then silently left the room.
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed in from outside the door, casting an excessively intense golden-red hue on the ground.
Ling Chengen stood in front of Yu Heng, tiptoed, and gently stroked his head twice.
"Feel sorry."
Yuheng reached out and gently hugged her, resting his chin on her shoulder, and said in a muffled voice, "Why are you apologizing to me? It was clearly me who was too impatient."
Ling Chengen wrapped his arms around his waist, rested his nose on his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Wait a little longer, I will definitely keep my promise to you."
Yuheng gently stroked her cheek with one hand, resting his forehead against hers, his gaze deep and calm: "For me, Kamishomori Valley is not really my home, nor does it hold any appeal for me. It is simply a place that holds my most painful memories."
"Yes, you are my true home."
Ling Chengen kissed his lips, said nothing, and simply leaned against him, tightening her arms around his waist.
……
Since there would be no more fighting for a long time, Yuheng led a group of lightly wounded soldiers back to the Northern Wilderness to recuperate.
Ling Chengen remained in Nanyuan to begin governing the three beast cities within his territory. He also transferred Chongzhen and Bai Qingyu from the Northern Wilderness.
Compared to Su Weihua and Chang Tianchen, who were skilled in battle but not in managing cities, Chongzhen and Bai Qingyu were more proficient in this area.
As for the Northern Wilderness, the overall situation has stabilized. Yu Heng has been transferred back to stay and guard the area. In addition, Shi Ruo'an, who has returned to the Northern Wilderness, is taking care of it. With Ling Xiao, Chong Guang, and others managing it together, there are no major problems.
However, Bai Qingyu and Chongzhen did not set off immediately after receiving the transfer order.
Because they have a lot of official business to hand over and arrange, they need at least three months of transition time.
Therefore, Ling Chengen has been extremely busy for the past three months, but fortunately, she is not completely without anyone to use.
Take, for example, Jingshan and Xuanyan, two natives who know Nanyuan extremely well.
Jingshan introduced her to some available personnel.
He is mainly a branch of the Firefeather Griffin clan, and also his family.
When he was exiled to the Northern Wilderness, his whole family provided him with full assistance. In addition, apart from him, there were no other warriors with particularly high talent in his branch, so they were never valued. Therefore, during the great battle, they were thrown out as cannon fodder.
Fortunately, Jingshan had contacted them in advance. After Jingshan's family led the expedition, they encountered the Xiao Kingdom's army and immediately chose to surrender, thus surviving the war unharmed.
As for the rest of the Firefeather Griffin clan, more than 70% died on the battlefield.
The Elephant Ape Clan suffered an even higher casualty rate than the Fire Feather Griffin Clan, with less than 10% of its members still alive. They are all currently imprisoned in the Beast King City's dungeon, guarded by warriors from the Northern Wilderness.
As for the original royal family of the Southern Plains, the Platinum Lion Clan, only Celeste survived as a direct descendant.
She was also imprisoned in the dungeon. Because her powers were sealed, she was very weak, but not to the point of death.
Ling Chengen didn't specifically inquire about her situation, but Chang Tianchen still brought it up on his own initiative.
Celeste's partner, Hugh, was critically wounded and near death in the final battle.
However, this person's physical condition was truly outstanding. In addition, after Hu He's defeat, the Elephant Ape Clan chose to surrender as a whole. Therefore, the Xiao Kingdom's army did not exterminate them, but spared Hu He's life. However, they sealed his supernatural abilities, imprisoned him, and awaited his exile.
More than 60% of the nobles in Beast King City died in the war, and the rest were all captured.
The issue of dealing with prisoners of war was discussed at a post-war meeting, and some orcs suggested that they be treated leniently.
But Ling Chengen didn't have this idea and was very averse to the suggestion.
She is indeed soft-hearted, but it depends on the person.
They have never shown much mercy or compassion towards their enemies.
Moreover, the conflict between the nobles and royalty of Nanyuan and the oppressed slave population was too deep.
If these prisoners of war are treated leniently, only stripped of their noble status and lands, and released to make a living on their own...
Ling Chengen was certain that these people would definitely go to the other three cities that had not been occupied by Xiao Kingdom, and contribute to their development, which would only make their attack mission more difficult.
The way of life and means of survival of the nobility are deeply rooted in their blood, making it almost impossible for them to understand the hardships of the lower-class slave groups.
Even Jingshan's family initially struggled to adapt to life without slaves and violated many regulations. Before Ling Chengen could take action, Jingshan swiftly executed two members of his clan, which finally subdued that branch of the clan and made them completely obedient.
But keeping these nobles imprisoned is just letting them eat for free.
Ling Chengen was very reluctant to support these unproductive nobles.
Listening to his subordinates argue and debate back and forth for a full two weeks, Ling Chengen completely lost his patience.
She tapped the table directly and said expressionlessly, "Release them? Absolutely not."
“Continuing to detain them won’t work either.”
"Execute them all... No."
Su Weihua, resting her chin on her hand, sat to the side and asked somewhat helplessly, "Then what else can we do?"
Ling Chengen looked up at him: "How's the energy-locking ring you were asked to research going?"
Su Weihua hadn't expected the discussion about the treatment of prisoners of war to suddenly jump to this topic, but she still answered truthfully, "It's almost over. Only mental and spatial abilities are uncontrollable. I'm still thinking of a way..."
Ling Chengen nodded slightly and said, "Hurry up and manufacture energy-locking rings. After putting them on these prisoners of war, send them in batches to the far north to build the Great Wall. Keep their ability control below the fourth level."
Without any special abilities, one cannot survive in the far north. Just avoiding those inferior beasts would be impossible, not to mention that building the Great Wall cannot rely solely on physical strength.
Having superpowers and not using them is a waste of resources.
That definitely won't work.
"Is this how it's all arranged?" Su Weihua asked uncertainly. "If those nobles knew, they might commit suicide in droves."
This is also highly possible.
In previous years, many nobles from the Southern Plains were exiled to the Northern Wilderness, but many committed suicide because they could not adapt to the harsh environment and the hordes of ferocious beasts in the North.
Jingshan suddenly said, "We must leave them some hope so that they can survive and dedicate themselves to the construction of the Great Wall."
Ling Chengen knew that he had to leave people a glimmer of hope, otherwise those nobles would have a hard time surviving in the Northern Territory.
"Depending on their crimes, they were sentenced to ten to thirty years of hard labor."
"The court will determine the sentence for each person one by one, thoroughly investigate their crimes, and sentence them accordingly."
"For people like partners and family members, if the casualties are not significant, the resistance is not strong, or the obedience is acceptable, they can be considered and arranged to serve in the same area. However, if they are people who have repeatedly plotted against the government and are stubborn and unyielding, they should be exiled separately to prevent them from having the opportunity to gather together and cause trouble."
"What happens after you finish your hard labor?" someone asked.
Ling Chengen raised his eyes and said, "What's wrong with giving someone who can serve in the Northern Territory for ten or even thirty years and still survive? Why not give them a chance to start over?"
The annual famine alone can eliminate a large number of people.
People who can persevere in that kind of environment for decades deserve this opportunity.
Ling Chengen's proposal was ultimately unanimously approved, and no one objected anymore.
After the meeting, Ling Chengen returned to her room, and Chang Tianchen shamelessly followed her in, closing the door behind her and taking off her coat.
Ling Chengen tidied his hair, turned to watch him hang up his clothes, and said with a smile, "What are you doing in here?"