In the Name of Empress-Chapter 486 - 321: War or Performance Art? (Part 2)
Dailong’s heart sank with a bit of hesitation.
Was this just a simple inquiry or a test for him?
"No need to have concerns, we’re just discussing military matters," Christine added.
Dailong felt somewhat relieved and answered without hesitation, "Unless the enemy can bring in several hundred more heavy cannons or gather more troops, we can continue to hold strong."
Christine nodded with satisfaction, calmly saying, "Very well, begin evacuating the residents as soon as possible."
"Huh?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Dailong was stunned, never expecting Christine’s train of thought to be so unpredictable.
Wasn’t it agreed that we could hold the line, so why start evacuating the residents now?
He couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"
"Because Frank Castle is destined to fall. The enemy will eventually bring in more cannons and soldiers, and there is no point in continuing to hold the castle."
Dailong felt a bit defiant inside, stubbornly looking at Christine, sticking to his viewpoint.
"Lord Commander, there are no defensible barriers between Frank Castle and Hansa. If we do not stop the enemy here, the gateway to Hansa will open, and the enemy could advance swiftly, reaching Hansa within half a month."
"Do you intend to confront the enemy at Hansa? That place is our nation’s second capital overseas. If the battleground is there, it will be too passive."
Dailong couldn’t help complaining, "Lord Commander, I have repeatedly urged for the past two months to strengthen the fortress defense system, build military camps around the fortress, and deploy at least fifty thousand elites and more heavy artillery. However, these proposals were shelved by the command. I must complain to you that someone is obstructing the communication between you and the grassroots."
Though he said that, Dailong knew no one dared to conceal the truth. The lack of reinforcement in fortress construction was most likely because Christine herself did not value it.
He didn’t dare to blame Christine, but he would not avoid saying what needed to be said.
If Christine didn’t take notice, he even planned to bypass this Commander and report directly to the Governor.
Facing Dailong’s almost accusatory suggestion, Christine was not angry and merely smiled.
"Hansa is situated on a plain, and although it has the Rodinia River nearby, the river flows gently and is behind the city, its defense is not even as strong as Frank Castle."
Dailong breathed a sigh of relief, glad Christine acknowledged it, so he could continue to persuade her.
He certainly did not want to abandon Frank Castle.
The military importance of this fortress is self-evident, and it holds significant meaning to him personally.
If this fortress is lost, even if it was Christine’s deployment, it would be difficult for him to escape the stigma of losing the fortress.
If deciding to turn this fortress into a meat grinder, both sides would have to commit more forces, and his power and prestige would increase dramatically.
Holding the fortress is the optimal choice for both the country and him personally.
If not for Flower Sea, if not for Roland’s chosen final battleground, this would indeed be the best choice.
Christine fully understood Dailong’s plans.
In fact, she originally intended to turn Frank Castle into a meat grinder, constantly draining the enemy’s morale and resources, making it a hell to break the enemy.
However, a few months ago, a word from Roland changed her deployment.
The decisive battle point was set at Val City and White Mountain; only at White Mountain would there be a chance to defeat Sofia; all other cities could be abandoned.
Since Roland requested, Christine naturally had to implement it.
The Frank meat grinder plan was canceled.
The first battle at Frank Castle was a feint, the second at Hansa would show weakness, leading to the decisive battle at White Mountain.
This was her overall arrangement.
After all, Hansa is a political and economic center overseas; directly abandoning it would be too suspicious, so a defense of Hansa must be fought, and it should appear authentic and robust.
Since Hansa was to be the meat grinder, Frank Castle had no value.
Such deployments she could not reveal to Dailong.
She believed Dailong could keep a secret because she could too.
Seeing Christine acknowledge the importance of Frank Castle, Dailong’s confidence rekindled, continuing his persuasion.
He ardently explained the dangers of abandoning Frank Castle and the necessity of defending it.
If they could inflict pain on the enemy, they could even force them to accept a peace with no victor, agreeing to govern half the continent with Frank Castle as the boundary.
This was the result he desired.
"War is not for slaughter; it’s to win peace through strength. Frank Castle’s existence can help your motherland Wende ease its pressure. Please reconsider."
Dailong truly could not comprehend what good could come from abandoning Frank Castle, why Christine was so stubborn.
He even brought up the precarious Wende Empire to persuade Christine to change her mind.
"As long as we can eliminate the enemy’s effective forces at Frank Castle, the Wende Empire will have time and space to reorganize their troops. Once they recover, the course of the war will change."
Dailong became more and more excited, his passionate gaze fixed on Christine, unable to hide his hopeful anticipation.
However, Christine’s expression remained unchanged.
The name of the Wende Empire could not even stir her emotions.
Silence sometimes means acquiescence, sometimes refusal.
Dailong’s ardor gradually cooled; he reluctantly asked, "Are we to let the sacrifices of these thousands be in vain?"
"Winning this war is the only way to ensure they have not died in vain."
Christine spoke calmly.
This sentence was almost a direct refusal; Dailong’s expression turned somewhat sour, but he managed to control his emotions well, refraining from continuing the topic, but he held onto his own principles.
