Everyone saw the performance of the Golden Helmet Guard Commander. His performance caused some of those who were originally on his side to consciously distance themselves from this clumsy and unlucky fellow.
Yes, we are defeated and deserters, but we still have at least a sense of gratitude and shame. Although we are not used to an Aruru being giving orders and saving us, we at least know our bottom line and how to maintain proper boundaries.
The farce ended, and Yun Zhe was somewhat unsatisfied. He really wanted to get something out of the golden-helmeted guard. However, from his limited understanding, Yun Zhe only gleaned one useful point: the fall of the capital wasn't solely due to the strength of Belvado's forces, but also to the presence of an inside traitor. Moreover, this wasn't a simple act of opening a city gate, but a pre-planned scheme to overthrow the Galician family's rule with external help.
Unfortunately, Yun Zhe only saw this much before he was killed.
Yun Zhe was aware that Galicia's rule was unpopular. Moreover, there were rumors that the strange plague in Donic was unleashed by the Galician royal family to help the Lunlang family seize Donic's lands. Coupled with the behavior of the dukes and marquises when their homeland was invaded, it was impossible not to suspect that this was all part of a planned scheme. However, when Yun Zhe received this definitive information from the mind of the deceased Golden Helmet Guard Captain, he was still taken aback.
After all, Yun Zhe was far too familiar with this; he had seen it all too many times. Using foreign powers to overthrow one's own government and then seizing power as a proxy was a very common phenomenon in the era Yun Zhe arrived in, especially during times of war. What he didn't expect was that such things also existed in this world.
Yun Zhe took a deep breath. It seems that there's more to every war than meets the eye.
"My lord, shouldn't we give him a lecture?" Seeing Yun Zhe lost in thought, Gao nervously reminded him. This golden-helmeted guard captain had really opened his eyes today; were all the people in the capital really like this? No wonder no one came to their rescue when they were attacked. But if such a guy spoke so rudely and Yun Zhe took his anger out on him, he'd be in deep trouble. So Gao suppressed his relaxed mood and cautiously observed Yun Zhe's every word and action.
Yun Zhe had lost all interest in giving a speech; he was preoccupied with figuring out the mole within the war. If this mole wasn't found, the war might never end. After all, if he wasn't the one in power, the mole would undoubtedly continue causing trouble.
Yun Zhe noticed Gao's slightly sweaty forehead and suddenly realized the meaning behind Gao's words. He scratched his head, patted Gao on the shoulder, and then went to the soldiers.
"Soldiers, I want to ask you a question. The capital has been breached, and you have been defeated on the battlefield by Belvado's army. Do you want revenge? Do you want to defeat Belvado once again?"
The soldiers looked at each other. The answer to the question was too obvious, but even with such an obvious answer, they still didn't give it.
Only a few people hesitantly shouted "yes," while most remained silent.
"Oh no, this is getting awkward. These soldiers have completely lost their fighting spirit."
Yun Zhe felt a bit of a headache. He had thought that the soldiers lacked morale, but he hadn't expected it to be this low.
Yun Zhe paused for a moment, then said, "We just fought a battle with the Belvalid cavalry. The Belvalid cavalry were nothing special, and we defeated them. However, the Belvalid army has already withdrawn from the capital and returned to Gularburg. Perhaps you will never have another chance to fight them."
This awkward remark also had no effect. Yun Zhe paused again, "Alright, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it."
The soldiers perked up a bit. One young man mustered his courage and shouted, "Sir, Belvaldo's army has retreated. Can...can we go back?"
This question resonated deeply with many soldiers, who were concerned about it. Rumors had been flying around these past few days, with all sorts of claims. But now, they had received definite news from the Aruru man in front of them: Belvedere had indeed withdrawn his troops. Wasn't this a golden opportunity?
Yun Zhe shook his head. "Unfortunately, it seems not." Seeing the soldiers' puzzled looks, Yun Zhe added, "It's not that I don't want you to go back, but the Belvaldo army has retreated, but the battle in the capital is not over. Many dukes and marquises are vying for the capital. If you go back, you'll just be conscripted into the army."
Yun Zhe spoke frankly, and it was likely that most of the soldiers present had heard about this as well. Information transmission was underdeveloped in this era, but rumors seemed unaffected by modern technology, spreading rapidly and widely.
The soldiers were whispering amongst themselves when another soldier raised his hand and asked, "Sir, will war come to us?"
Yun Zhe shook his head. "Not for now, but as a viscount of the Donic family, I have an obligation to send everyone back to the battlefield!"
The murmurs grew louder, and Gao, sensing something was wrong, tried to stop it, but Yun Zhe stopped him.
After a long while, the murmurs subsided, and the soldiers gradually came to a consensus: they would all return to the capital to die sooner or later, but dying later was better than dying sooner.
“You will all return to the battlefield, and death is inevitable, but I have a way to increase your chances of survival,” Yun Zhe said, having keenly grasped this point.
This time, the soldiers' reaction was genuine and positive. They all turned their gaze to Yun Zhe, eagerly awaiting his next words.
Yun Zhe nodded to Blaze beside him and whispered, "Tell them the casualty ratio of cavalry combat."
Blazer understood immediately. He embellished the story, recounting the cavalry duel with exaggerated claims, greatly exaggerating the enemy's strength and downplaying his own. Of course, he didn't exaggerate the basic casualty ratio: roughly three thousand to six hundred, meaning one enemy soldier was worth five. This certainly shocked the routed troops.
"My thinking is very clear: if you want to survive this war, stay here and follow my instructions. However, my training is also very rigorous, so if you don't have much confidence, you can leave now."
Regardless of how harsh it is, the soldiers know perfectly well that you just want to train us and then take us to the front lines.
"Sir, do we have military pay?" a voice rang out from the corner.
Yun Zhe smiled slightly, "Of course there will be military pay, and it won't be lower than normal military pay."
The soldiers nodded in agreement. Money was all that mattered; who they fought alongside didn't matter. Following this man meant a lower chance of death and a decent paycheck. Wasn't this the best-case scenario?
Morale improved, and the soldiers expressed their willingness to stay and participate in training.
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