Chapter 297: Dangerous Tendency

Chapter 297: A Dangerous Tendency

In two days, three hundred souls were gathered.

That aim had seemed unattainable.

Yet if the premise were endless arms and ample provisions?

The situation would change entirely.

No need for two days; three hours would suffice.

When He Shuo displayed piles of Model‑75 rifles and ammunition beneath the “Holy Elephant Ruins” in Han Shui City’s square, the townsfolk responded with an enthusiasm beyond the ordinary.

Though most came merely to claim a weapon for free, what of it mattered?

The rifles, whose cost was a mere three grams of gold—rising only to three and a half grams despite a slight surge in metal prices—could be given away without a second thought.

He Shuo’s strategy was simple.

No matter who you are, the guns would be there as soon as they arrived.

Yet, to obtain the matching ammunition, one must enlist in the “Expeditionary Force” and take part in the ensuing battles.

That condition screened out many, yet still over five hundred volunteered for the expedition.

They were no devout “nobles”; most were merely opportunists with a touch of daring.

Their aim in joining was not to fight, but to seize the weapons and then find a chance to flee.

Yet they soon realized their calculations were wrong.

The moment the roster was fixed, He Shuo immediately recorded and organized every combatant.

Then he employed the simplest, most brutal yet effective method to keep the ranks steady.

Collective responsibility.

Three hundred men were divided into thirty squads, each led by a veteran of the Guard‑Faith army, who would control and restrain the whole unit.

Should a single man flee, the entire squad would face severe punishment.

And if an entire squad deserted outside wartime, the city’s enforcement corps would exact retribution upon every family member.

Cruel, merciless.

Once the rules were set and orders issued, He Shuo’s image in Li Xian’s mind shifted instantly from lofty strategist to a bloodless tyrant.

The soldiers already enlisted in the “Expeditionary Force” fell into endless remorse.

Some regretted their greed for cheap gain; many more lamented having believed the rumor that “the Huaxia army is a benevolent force.”

Yet at this moment, words were futile.

After the personnel were fixed, He Shuo promptly organized the expeditionary force for training.

He set a low bar for training; they need not master intricate tactics, precise cover, coordination, or attack sequences.

The sole task for this force was to become intimate with the Model‑75 rifle—learn to aim, fire, and reload.

The more deftly they mastered this routine, the better.

As for everything else?

Once sufficient firepower was secured, He Shuo’s autonomous combat clusters would compensate for the unit’s tactical shortcomings.

Watching the expeditionary troops train on the open ground of Han Shui City under veteran guidance, Li Xian’s face grew troubled.

He stepped forward, closing the distance to He Shuo, who also watched from the heights, and asked:

“Do you truly believe such a force could muster enough might to help you fend off a tide of hundreds of monsters?”

“You’re wrong.”

He Shuo shook his head.

“They need not battle the tide; all they must do is hold it at the defensive line we have set.”

“You think it’s simple?”

Li Xian stared at He Shuo in astonishment.

“From our experience, even a single level‑four monster breaching a fixed line is no easy feat.”

“We must rely on the principle of early detection and swift strike to slay a level‑four beast while limiting casualties.”

“If the monsters launch the assault, we lack even the basic means to retaliate.”

“Now you face a simultaneous onslaught of hundreds.”

“You have only three hundred men.”

“You mean each of you must confront a level‑four or higher monster and emerge victorious?”

“Just the thought seems impossible, let alone actually fighting.”

“They differ from you, and from the Huaxia army; they lack such fine gear and such formidable strength.”

“Hold on.”

He Shuo raised his hand, cutting Li Xian off.

“It is true they lack superior equipment.”

“But lacking great firepower is not a certainty.”

“Look at them; after only a few hours of drill, they are no longer the same as when they first lifted a rifle, are they not?”

“Indeed.”

Li Xian sighed.

“Yet that is insufficient.”

“Indeed, it falls short.”

He Shuo smiled faintly.

“Therefore I require a flag‑offering ceremony.”

“A flag offering??”

Li Xian was stunned.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly grasped He Shuo’s meaning.

“You mean you wish this unit to fight a battle before the official expedition?”

“Exactly.”

He Shuo nodded.

“I want each of them to have faced a monster firsthand.”

“And I desire that some of them perish in that fight.”

“Impossible—that is uncontrollable!”

Li Xian instantly furrowed his brow.

"I do not know what you are thinking, but if a monster can kill one person, it can kill a crowd."

"If you blindly allow monsters to charge into your ranks, it will not bring limited casualties, but a total collapse!"

"Who said I was going to do that?"

He Shuo shrugged his shoulders.

"I will command them to focus fire and eliminate that monster the very moment they see it."

"I will not give the monster any chance."

"Then—"

Li Xian suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

To eliminate the monster at the very first moment, yet someone had to die in this battle.

Therefore, the only way was—

Their own people killing their own people.

The rule of collective responsibility.

Execute the deserters, punish the squads.

This was what he intended to do!

A sudden chill surged up Li Xian's spine.

He realized that although the man before him disdained the use of control methods akin to religion or brainwashing, his ability to manipulate rules and exploit human nature had already far exceeded the limits of what he could imagine.

Was it that he himself was too weak, or was the other man too strong?

Perhaps it was both.

By now, He Shuo had already stepped forward, walking in the direction of the drilling grounds.

He wore the mysterious armor that these expeditionary soldiers had only ever seen in the scriptures and missionary paintings of the Adeptus Mechanicus, holding a weapon of immense power in his hand.

The drones in the sky emitted a low, droning hum, the robots behind him marched with synchronized steps, and by his side followed a Bloodborn, expression solemn, carrying even a touch of the majesty found in a guard of honor.

When his footsteps halted, he issued an irresistible command.

Amidst a tapestry of panic, dread, and despair, the army was swiftly organized and marched out of the city.

Their objective was the monster that was still active outside the walls of Hanshui City. Li Xian knew this was a battle whose outcome held no suspense.

Yet, who would die in this battle remained unknown.

Hours later, inside Base 011.

Chen Jian had just received the report from He Shuo.

He did not disclose this report to anyone; instead, he went straight to Lei Jie, entering the combat command room to discuss it in private.

All communications were entirely cut off, and even Fuxi's authorization was barred.

Chen Jian's expression was grave; he quietly waited for Lei Jie to finish reading the report, then asked:

"What do you think?"

Lei Jie put down the paper document in his hand, remained silent for a brief moment, and then said:

"As things stand now, there is indeed a dangerous tendency."

"However, this can also be considered a method... born of absolute necessity."

"For the time being, I do not see the possibility of it spinning out of control."

"Moreover, judging from the combat process and the final punitive results, He Shuo deliberately avoided meaningless casualties, and he showed considerable restraint during the final punishments."

"To be honest, for an army whose level of organization is equivalent to the medieval era, 'enforcing military law' is not such an incomprehensible thing."

"It could even be said to be a common tactic."

"Even the Secutarii themselves frequently employ such means to maintain control over the military."

"The reason we feel He Shuo's methods are exceptionally ruthless is that, to some extent, he utilized the prestige we built up..."

"He did not utilize our prestige."

Chen Jian interrupted Lei Jie, then said:

"What he utilized was the gap left after that prestige was shattered."

"He took the initiative to damage our external image, and he exploited the consequences caused by that destruction."

"This is the point I am truly worried about... This cannot be called deception; it can already be considered a betrayal in a certain sense."

"I worry whether he is going to extremes."

"If this trend is allowed to develop, if we are not careful, we will gradually lose control over Hanshui City."

"Because that city is built upon a completely different set of rules; if it develops according to those rules, it is destined to part ways with us."

"So what do you plan to do?"

Lei Jie spoke and asked:

"Recall He Shuo, and abandon the second base we just established?"

"Or perhaps, directly send a newcomer over to take over his work, and use the 'correct method' to organize the battle?"

"Frankly speaking, neither of these two plans can be carried out."

"Only by continuing down the path he has already chosen can we achieve the best outcome."

"Otherwise, what other way do you have to organize a team with a certain level of combat capability and relative organization in a short period of time?"

"...I know we cannot."

Chen Jian let out a long sigh.

"But this is indeed a problem that cannot be ignored; you must admit this."

"Especially the last sentence you said."

"Only by walking down the direction he selected can we achieve the best outcome."

"Do you know how dangerous that sentence is?"

"That sentence contains almost all the omens of a split; if we do not restrain our divergence in paths, I am afraid it will soon be brought out into the open."

Having reached this point in the conversation, Lei Jie did not argue further.

He remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke:

"I believe in He Shuo."

"No matter what he has done, I believe he will not become corrupted."

"I vote to give him a chance."

"...Fine. Then we give him a chance."

Chen Jian nodded slowly, and Lei Jie looked at him in astonishment, immediately asking:

"Are we not bringing Shen Yue in to vote?"

“It’s unnecessary.”

Chen Jian shook his head.

“The battle in the southwest is about to erupt; he has more pressing matters to attend to.”

“A frontline commander should not have his focus scattered by such concerns; let everything wait until the fighting is over.”

“Moreover.”

“I trust He Shuo, and I trust you as well.”

“There’s no need for any vote; let it pass unanimously.”

“Agreed.”

Lei Jie nodded gravely.

“Then let us focus on the battle plan.”

“Thirty‑six hours.”

“We have a final thirty‑six hours left.”

“After thirty‑six hours, the hammer‑anvil tactic will be set in motion.”

“Up north the situation is dire; the Mechanical Cult has already begun massing troops north of Jinling City.”

“Yet they, too, must confront a tide of beasts, a horde of hundreds of monsters.”

“Whether they can endure is not the question— they certainly will not.”

“The crucial question is how long they can hold out.”

“Our current estimate is ten days.”

“In other words, we must annihilate the beast horde in the southwest within eight days, then swiftly marshal forces to relieve the northern pressure.”

“Time is tight, the task is heavy.”

“All of us must now take action.”

“I understand.”

Chen Jian rose to his feet.

“Then there’s no need for further words.”

“Let us move.”

An hour after concluding his discussion with Lei Jie, Chen Jian issued a full mobilization order throughout Base 011.

Every resource was marshaled, both living and non‑living.

The ant‑swarm robots entered a continuous twenty‑four‑hour operation; Fuxi disregarded wear, maintenance, depreciation, and any other constraints, pouring relentless effort into production and construction within the base.

The militia reserve was taken off all other duties, training at a grueling pace day and night.

Merchants, exploiting every channel and resource at their disposal, funneled supplies into Base 011, which were swiftly distributed to every citizen as nourishment for the arduous labor.

Lei Jie led his Huaxia Air Force pilots, sortie after sortie, taking to the skies to bomb and blunt the converging beast tides of the south and southeast, while ferrying the necessary supplies and materiel to the interleaved company stationed far at Huangshan City.

Simultaneously, he carved out ample time to work with Fuxi on the final assembly of the DF‑26 missile, perfecting the launch conditions of this ultimate weapon.

The thirty‑six hours slipped away swiftly; when the DF‑26 was hoisted out onto the main thoroughfare of Base 011 and erected upon its pre‑constructed launch platform, everyone within the base realized in unison that the horn of the final battle had sounded.

It was destined not to be an easy fight.

Yet, unlike the Mechanical Cult, they had already made every possible preparation within their power.

When Chen Jian again received word from He Shuo, confirming that his force had reached the front at Bang Lake and completed the defensive works, Chen Jian issued a decisive order to attack.

In Huangshan City, Shen Yue’s interleaved company surged like a descending tiger, leaping over the layered peaks of the Huangshan range toward the Poyang Lake sector.

When the first gunshot rang on the banks of Poyang Lake,

The heavy hammer of the hammer‑anvil tactic slammed down with brutal force!

(End of Chapter)