No Matter the Hardship, We Push Forward!

"Guarding the People: Words Alone Aren't Enough"

Guarding the people isn't about shouting grand ideals. True righteousness resides in the hearts of the people.

In the hours that followed, Mike and General Wang engaged in a detailed conversation about the current situation in Jinling and the specific crises facing the two nearby cities. Their discussion stretched long, and during this time, General Wang shared critical intelligence, along with valuable insights from his own extensive management experience. It was clear that he valued Mike highly, and their dialogue held a tone of mutual trust and camaraderie. This sense of connection seemed to stem from the fact that both men were comrades, walking the same difficult path, offering each other support.

Through Wang's words, Mike gained a deeper understanding of the state of the post-apocalyptic war. According to the General, the space they found themselves in resembled a parallel Earth, devoid of life, except for military forces and government personnel from various nations. The national borders were shrouded in mist, rendering it impossible for any army to cross into another's territory, leaving every nation's military trapped within its own parallel space. Fortunately, the basic infrastructure here was still intact, and the army had begun to efficiently deploy resources from major cities to restore military and logistical capabilities.

From what Wang described, the situation was not as dire as it seemed at first. As long as the army did not opt for the highest difficulty in the apocalyptic battles, there was little risk. This reassured Mike. At least for now, he was no longer in danger of being wiped out due to a failed battle. But that was only temporary. To ensure long-term safety, it was essential to unify the will of the nation's leadership. If any commanders were to sabotage the efforts, it could not only jeopardize the people's survival but also threaten Mike's own security.

After the conversation, Mike immediately sought out Jiang Xiaoci. His confidence in taking on the mission above stemmed largely from her. After all, they had their strategist, their brilliant mastermind.

"…Xiaoci, here's the situation," Mike explained calmly. "Where should we begin?"

"Let me think, Sir," Jiang Xiaoci replied thoughtfully. She had been coordinating resources on the streets when Mike's call came in. After hearing the details, she quickly returned indoors to reflect.

"Sir, the problems in both cities are interconnected, so we shouldn't divide our forces. We must concentrate our power to tackle one threat first."

"Comparing the two cities' current situations, Xinchang appears to be in more immediate danger."

"Based on the intelligence provided, Guangling is relatively stable for now. The commander there has already gained control over most of the population, though through exploitative methods. Despite the cruelty, the situation is somewhat stabilized."

Jiang Xiaoci's tone remained composed as she explained, "A ruthless leader may not kill everyone, as they see the population as their property. While Guangling still needs to be liberated, it's not the most urgent matter."

"Xinchang, however, is in chaos. The local commander is caught in violent struggles with powerful local factions. We can't predict his morals, but it's clear that those opposing him are formidable. The people there are at great risk, with constant threats of death, injury, or resource theft."

"We should focus on Xinchang first, and then tackle Guangling afterward."

Jiang Xiaoci's analysis was concise, offering clarity on the situation. In a direct comparison, the people in the war-torn areas would certainly be suffering more. Prioritizing urgent relief was the logical course of action, and she fully supported Mike's decision to first address Xinchang.

"That's also what the higher-ups suggested. Deal with Xinchang first, and then work together to liberate Guangling."

Mike smiled. "They still doubt my ability to handle this. They're advising me to focus solely on Jinling."

"Seems they don't fully understand you, Sir."

Jiang Xiaoci's calm response hinted at her disapproval of the higher-ups' approach. Her loyalty lay solely with Mike, and she was always keen to understand the motivations of anyone who interacted with him.

"To be honest, I'm not entirely in favor of sending you, Sir," she said, her voice softening.

"Jinling is still unstable, and diverting attention to other regions could be detrimental."

"The best course of action would be to remain in Jinling and shift responsibility. The higher-ups won't fault you for it. After all, your achievements are immense; they still rely on you."

Mike laughed, shaking his head. "Xiaoci, you know me. In this matter, I can't just think of myself."

"If I were a common citizen in Guangling or Xinchang, I'd want a hero to show up and save us."

"I refuse to make disaster relief just a hollow slogan."

Mike's eyes burned with determination as he spoke. His resolve was clear: no matter the cost, no matter the pain, he would rise to the occasion.

"I understand, Sir," Jiang Xiaoci sighed softly, then smiled. "So, have you decided when to move?"

"Of course, the sooner the better. We can't afford to delay when it comes to disaster relief."

Mike was confident—his newly acquired 5,000-strong S-rank defender legion was a powerful force. While it wouldn't be able to sweep the entire country, liberating one or two cities was certainly within reach. Unless the forces in Guangling or Xinchang were much stronger, the task should be feasible.

"Who would you like to lead the charge, Sir?"

Jiang Xiaoci asked, knowing that Mike needed someone capable of leading the military, someone both strategic and trustworthy. There were few candidates for this task, but her keen understanding of Mike's needs meant she was already considering the best choice.

"Let Qin Dashan lead the team. He'll take ten thousand modern troops, and he can bring the new 5,000 to train them as well."

Mike had carefully considered the matter. Qin Dashan, one of his two S-rank legion commanders, was the most suitable for large-scale warfare. The other commander, Lin Yue, was too valuable and sensitive at the moment, so he couldn't afford to risk her.

"Xiaoci, what do you think?"

Jiang Xiaoci offered a small smile. "If you trust me, Sir, I would recommend Chen Dafu to lead the troops."

Her suggestion was confident, and Mike trusted her judgment. While the decision might seem reckless, he knew Xiaoci's wisdom would guide them to success.