Him and their stars.

Chapter 1657: Can I Take the Initiative to Negotiate?

No wonder Teacher Yang waited until everyone had left before saying this.

After all, Yang Xiyi had a certain status in the eyes of the officers and soldiers of the community because of his achievements in the Unity Fortress and his record of playing with more than ten times the empire's troops in the battle of the Dawn Nebula for a year. The title of "Hell Puppet Master" sounded like a highly intelligent antisocial perverted pleasure offender, so it was naturally not spread; however, newspapers from the community to the alliance have already replaced his name with "War Magician" and "Miracle Yang".

However, the invincible magician was so pessimistic about the defense line of the far shore war zone. If this word really got out, the morale of the millions of soldiers in the fortress would be ruined.

Even so, Yu Lian was not surprised. He just nodded and smiled calmly: "I understand."

"No, you don't understand." Yang Xiyi said firmly.

"..." Yu Lian felt that as a protagonist, the experience of being treated like a fool was quite wonderful. Of course, he was a man of high moral character after all, so he decided not to argue with the other party.

After all, that was Yang Xiyi. Even if he didn't want to mock him, he would definitely mock him in a targeted way.

"You are just thinking that the Empire can abandon all plans to quickly pass through the fortress, and even give up those mysterious mystical tricks. It can just build fortifications in front of you, pile up troops, and fight a stupid battle with you with absolute strength advantage. Is that right?" Yang Xiyi said.

  "This is the only tactic I don't know how to crack. Laymen will be misled by the imagination of scholars and always think that fighting a stupid battle is the least technical, but this is actually the most technical." Yu Lian did not deny this;

"So, that's what those famous generals and military gods who fought divine battles were like. They just needed to think about taking risks and defeating the enemy with fewer troops. But if they wanted to build a strong camp and fight a stupid battle, they would have to consider a lot more."

Yang Xiyi glanced at Yu Lian and felt that this guy was mocking him. However, considering that he should have been mocked as well, he couldn't find any evidence.

He couldn't help but smile: "Is there a possibility that in the art of war, this is actually called a grand and upright soldier?"

Yu Lian nodded: "I know. The so-called "dazhang" is just a way of saving face out of envy and jealousy."

Yang Xiyi raised his glass to Yu Lian across the screen: "So, cheers!"

"Cheers to the battle!"

Yu Lian asked himself honestly, he was really not joking, there are indeed many things to consider when fighting a stupid war, combat readiness, morale, organization, scheduling, transportation, and even armament production and personnel training in the rear, etc., and of course the office politics of dealing with bureaucrats and elites from all walks of life in the military, politics, and business.

When all these various troubles are put together, it is no longer a war. Even if it is governing a country, it is no more than this.

Yang Xiyi shook his head and said, "But if this kind of stupid battle continues, the empire's losses will be greater than yours. You actually want to gamble and see whether the other side will break through your defense first, or will they be unable to bear the losses and take the initiative to propose peace talks first?"

Yu Lian did think so, but Teacher Yang didn't seem to agree, and he couldn't help but start to reflect on himself.

He asked himself again and had to admit that if someone else had said the same thing, he would not have been so serious. As expected, it was almost impossible to ignore all external factors and discuss the matter objectively.

"I know that you can gamble tactically but not strategically. However, as a mediocre person like me, I really have no other choice." Yu Lian spread his hands tactically.

"Of course we can gamble strategically. In war, the only truth is that there is no truth. We have no capital to begin with, so of course we can only do our best and wait for fate. Since ancient times, small states have always fought against big states in this way." He glanced at Yu Lian: "So, do you still expect the alliance to put pressure on the empire?"

"The Alliance won't be able to leave for the time being. Their Colossus will take at least another year." Yu Lian continued to spread his hands tactically.

The so-called "Miss Yulian" test was just a movie scene, which was of course the top secret of the alliance. However, Yu Lian did not deliberately conceal it, Feifei knew it, and Teacher Yang also knew it.

Of course, the Earth side doesn’t know about this. It must be because Yu Lian forgot to explain it. Anyway, the dignitaries didn’t ask.

...As for the Empire, they may have already guessed it.

Yu Lian added: "However, this has little to do with the Colossus. The biggest problem is that after the turmoil on the Gem Coast, the internal situation of the Alliance is not very stable. Even if it does not turn into a large-scale civil war, it will probably not be easier than the Empire."

"Yes. The Empire uses alien races as cannon fodder, and it is harder for non-humans in the Alliance to become citizens than for the lower class to get into college. The Empire has slaves, and the average life expectancy of contract workers in the Alliance's sweatshops is shorter than that of slaves. For every rebel army holding the "Original Theory" in the Empire, there will definitely be more separatist organizations rising up in the Alliance, and they will also hold your and Mr. Qi's "Original Theory" as a blueprint." Yang Xiyi's smile was malicious:

"So, are you shooting yourself in the foot?"

Yu Lian still spread his hands tactically: "I try to tell myself that this is a good thing for the universe."

Yang Xiyi pointed at Yu Lian, his expression and tone were very sharp: "But you are isolated and helpless, you are still a tree without roots."

"This one……"

"Once the Saide Fortress is lost, you will be ready to retreat to Xinshuntian, then retreat to Nantianmen, and use Xinshenzhou as a base to harass the enemy's rear, right?" Yang Xiyi said.

"The war of resistance is like this. It is impossible to pin all hopes on one fortress. Only by resisting step by step and extending the front line can we have a chance of victory," said Yu Lian.

"You are ready to give up New Shuntian, Lumina, and even the entire Far Shore, right?"

"Not only that, there is actually a new continent and even the South Gate of Heaven." Yu Lian explained seriously: "But this is not giving up. All the lost territories, the size of the community is indeed a small country compared to the empire, but it still has some strategic depth."

Speaking of this, Yu Lian suddenly felt that the sense of déjà vu of this war was getting stronger and stronger, but he couldn't think of it for a while.

"But, since it's gambling, what's tested is not skills, but luck..." Yang Xiyi first put his hands together and said Amitabha, then pointed to his heart: "And, willpower."

Yu Lian had to agree. In a casino without a dealer, there were many cases where a timid rookie with a good hand was frightened into surrendering by an expert with a bad hand.

"I feel that I am determined." Yu Lian is still very confident about this.

"The key is, is it your will that has the final say?"

Yu Lian could not help but remain silent for nearly half a minute. It was hard to imagine that this was the line that Teacher Yang, a staunch believer in democracy and republicanism, could say: "... Teacher Yang, do you know what you are saying? You are trying to kill me!"

"Are you really done pretending? You delivered such a typical line so quickly." Yang Xiyi sighed: "What I mean is that it depends on the will of the people. And in many cases, the will of the people is decided by the dignitaries of the earth."

"You mean, the empire can directly threaten the earth? But, this..." Yu Lian was slightly stunned.

"Yes, we are directly adjacent to the Empire. Apart from the South Gate, there is the far shore. The Kingdom of Kaitai opposite the South Gate was crippled by you, and is still supporting the Terrabi people to establish a nation. It lacks the prerequisites to maintain a large fleet for three to five years. The threat comes from the New World, but Marshal Bonaparte's fleet can still cope with it for now."

After all, the armor of the Gibraltar Fortress at the South Gate of Heaven is thicker than that of the enemy, and a large fleet has to form a long snake formation to pass through the star gate, which makes it easy for the defenders to concentrate their fire.

Yang Xiyi said: "But, is this invincible? Will the enemies on Earth really only come from this direction?" "...How about you just speak frankly?" Yu Lian said.

"Haha, I'm not the Chief of the General Staff, nor even the commander of the New World Theater. Worrying about this much has violated my consistent low-carbon and environmentally friendly principles."

Indeed, after Admiral Picard died, the position of commander of the New World Theater was passed to Admiral Carter. Although the kind-hearted elder who had been engaged in logistics work all his life had not been involved in combat since the war began.

"If you really want to appoint me, I can write one for you now." Yu Lian said.

"..."

"I'm just kidding. I just think this line is very touching and I wanted to say it a long time ago."

"I remember someone said that an awkward sense of humor is also a standard feature of those in power. It's just stating a fact, not meant to be sarcastic." Yang Xiyi said naturally: "So, what you need to consider now is, what should you do if the fortress is lost?"

Yu Lian smiled bitterly: "So you are just against my retreat."

"Marshal Bonaparte and Admiral Sylvester should be given the task of retreating step by step. How foolish it is to use the sharpest sword to hit the thickest armor instead of piercing the vital point."

He should be boasting that he is the sharpest sword, but Yu Lian has no time to be complacent. He bowed and said sincerely: "Please teach me, sir."

Yang Xiyi felt like he had heard this line somewhere before, so he responded with a salute: "I don't know either."

"Hey!"

"I'm not a god, and I've never been to the far shore! You can know what's going on in the world without leaving your home. The idea that the masts and oars can be reduced to ashes while talking and laughing with a feather fan and a green scarf is just the imagination of the literati. The real war is one that requires all your efforts and hard work. Without investigation, you have no right to speak. This is the truth. It would be a laughing stock if I made irresponsible remarks through a star gate." Yang Xiyi also spread his hands tactically.

However, as Yu Lian's reliable comrade-in-arms who is both his teacher and friend, Teacher Yang is a respectable man after all, so he added: "I just think that you need to grasp the key points."

"The point?"

"Your focus is not to keep the empire out of the country, but to find ways to increase its losses and force it to come to the negotiating table. The losses are in many aspects, not just the loss of ships and personnel. In this regard, we cannot outlast the Dragon Kings of the empire." Yang Xiyi said.

"...I see. It means to bring out the Empire's war exhaustion."

  "That's a very apt metaphor." Yang Xiyi smiled, then said in a serious tone:

"I will try my best to look after the situation in the New World for you and relieve your pressure. However, you can only rely on yourself for matters on the mainland. Yu Lian, no matter what you want to do, the people need a hero to save the country. Only if you save this vast country will you be qualified to paint here."

"I understand." Yu Lian nodded slightly.

"...But, you actually have a choice. As long as you do something to that girl Fina, you will have the opportunity to paint in a bigger world, right?" Yang Xiyi looked Yu Lian up and down again, and began to marvel: "Oh my, what an enviable guy."

Yu Lian certainly understood what the other party meant, but he just said calmly and naturally: "I have done this painting before."

"what?"

“The so-called rise and fall of the Spring and Autumn Period is nothing more than not treating people as human beings. Once you get used to it, that’s it.” Yu Lianyun was calm and composed, as if he had seen through the clouds of the world and could break through the void and achieve positive results at any time.

Yang Xiyi carefully looked at the other person and determined that he was not crazy, so it could only be a matter of mysticism. He really didn't understand this aspect.

"You psychics are so hypocritical about this!"

"Yes, it's not only hypocritical, but also empty. Aren't the efforts and choices of ordinary people what ultimately determine the universe? But after all, I'm working hard with them, so please don't expel me from the human race." Yu Lian pondered for a moment, then smiled expectantly, "I hope we can all survive until the war is over. I actually want to invite everyone to visit my hometown. There's never a shortage of fine wine, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and beautiful women."

"Just don't fool me with hot pot." Yang Xiyi also smiled: "Of course, I am really looking forward to Gu Yan Liu Bi and Qing Cheng Die Cui. I have long wanted to take Jessica and the girls there. I hope we can go after the war."

"…Tsk, how unlucky! We are so arrogant and conceited, and have no sense of reverence at all!"

"It is indeed unlucky. However, whether it is a bad omen or death, if you are afraid of it, it will come to you."

"If you weren't afraid, you wouldn't have come?"

"Of course, what is supposed to come will come, but even if I die this way, I will still be dignified. Teacher, I still hope to dress properly before I die. Even if it's pretentious, I must be pretentious like a gentleman."

Tsk, you are obviously a magician, but you always want to add a persona to yourself. If we really talk about being pretentious, we psychics are far worse than you.

Of course, this is indeed Yang Xiyi's style.

In fact, both of them guessed that the next time they met, it would be either when the war was over or in the underworld. However, they were not the kind of people who were pretentious, and they didn't have the time to be pretentious. The communication ended naturally.

Yu Lian sat there for another half a minute, thinking silently for a while, and then opened the star map.

His sight followed the Saide Fortress all the way down along the Xinshuntian and Shanhai waterways, and finally stopped at the Nantianmen.

His sight stayed on the Gibraltar galaxy where the South Gate of Heaven was located for a while, then he looked at the large high seas area on the "left", and then swept to the earth again.

"Haha~~Aren't I the one who has the final say?" He let out a long sneer, and for the first time, he felt something burning in his heart.

……

"I just want to know, can we still have the final say in this war?" President Keith Nishita glanced at the cabinet ministers in the conference room with a somewhat stiff attitude.

His question was a bit abstract, and even Chairman Maxell didn't know how to answer it for a moment.

Of course, since the dangerous Alliance visit was forced to end and President Nishita returned to Earth, although everything seemed normal, the abstract situation had occurred several times and everyone was almost used to it.

Chairman Maxell tried to organize his words: "Sir, at least for now, we have not lost the initiative in this war."

The president raised his eyebrows slightly, probably not liking this ambiguous answer, but he still continued: "So, in this case, should we take the initiative to propose peace talks with the Empire?"