Chapter 48: Chen Wen's Decision

The hoofbeats of Liu Du Tou's envoy still seemed to echo in the ears.

That overbearing, oppressive pressure, however, had already enveloped the entire Jiao Tu Zhen like a tangible thing.

After a brief silence, came an exploding panic and argument.

Inside the wooden council house, the oil lamp's flame was swayed unsteadily by the night wind blowing in through the window.

It illuminated several faces equally uncertain.

Zhang Cheng slammed the table hard, wood chips flying:

"Fight! What else is there to say?"

"They're about to ride on our necks and defecate—do we still have to stick out our necks to be cut down?"

"We're now strong in soldiers and horses, with ample provisions—Black Wind Stronghold has fallen, so what do we have to fear from Liu Du Tou?!"

He was young and vigorous, and several similarly young militia squad leaders behind him also chimed in, their faces full of humiliation and fighting spirit.

"Fight? With what shall we fight?"

Aunt Wang's voice trembled, yet was unusually clear.

"Zhang Cheng, wake up a bit!"

"Liu Du Tou has over a thousand troops, well equipped, a proper Jun Ying that has seen battle—what about us?"

"At most, fewer than a hundred can fight, and most have trained less than half a year!"

"How can the few dozen rabble of Black Wind Stronghold compare?"

"Once war begins, it's like an egg striking a stone!"

"What will become of the town? What will become of the fields we painstakingly reclaimed? What will become of the elders and children?"

Her words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing part of the impulse.

Shi Dun lowered his head, rubbing a piece of iron with his rough fingers, and spoke in a deep, muffled voice:

"Aunt Wang makes sense."

"Our knives are quick enough to cut bandits, but against regular army armor they'd likely chip."

"To clash head‑on is a dead end."

"Or should we simply obey, handing over our grain and men?"

"What difference is that from death?"

Zhang Cheng stuck out his neck in rebuttal, his eye sockets reddening.

"Perhaps… perhaps we could discuss terms?"

"Pay a little less?"

A representative from Little River Village timidly made the suggestion, only to be glared back by Zhang Cheng.

The house fell into a heated argument, the pro‑war and pro‑peace factions each holding fast to their own views, unable to convince the other.

Panic, anger, and despair intertwined and collided within the cramped space.

Everyone's gaze eventually turned to Chen Wen, who had remained silent since the envoy departed.

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rough wooden table.

He did not join the debate, as if the outside clamor were cut off from him.

His mind was operating at an unprecedented speed, its thinking efficiency boosted eightfold to the limit, like a precise intelligence analysis center.

He gathered all known information about both sides—

—troop strength, equipment, terrain, morale, logistics, potential allies.

even the contradictions between Liu Du Tou and the Mountain‑piercing Leopard…

Countless variables were extracted, analyzed, simulated, and combined, generating countless possible future scenarios.

【Entering the "Earnest Self‑Forgetting" state! Strategic analysis, situation deduction, decision‑making ability increased eightfold!】

The result of a head‑on clash clearly surfaced in his mind:

Jiao Tu Zhen might hold out temporarily by relying on terrain and morale.

But under the absolute disparity of strength, it would inevitably be crushed.

Men would die in battle, grain would be looted, women and children reduced to slaves.

This land, just beginning to regain vitality, would once again turn to scorched earth.

This path leads to destruction.

The outcome of unconditional surrender is equally clear:

Resources would be drained, the able‑bodied conscripted.

Jiao Tu Zhen would lose the foundation of its development, becoming a vassal of Liu Du Tou that could be sacrificed at will.

It might even be directly annexed and dismantled.

Dignity would be lost, fate placed in others' hands.

This path leads to a slow death.

So, is there a third way?

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the vague border region on the map where Liu Du Tou's and the Mountain‑piercing Leopard's forces meet.

A bold, adventurous plan began to take shape, gradually clarifying and refining under the catalysis of eightfold simulation ability.

This plan is fraught with uncertainty, like dancing on a blade's edge!

Yet this might be the sole sliver of hope in a desperate situation!

The voices of argument gradually faded.

Everyone felt the focused, powerful aura emanating from Chen Wen.

Like the eerie calm in the eye of a storm.

Chen Wen finally raised his head, his gaze sweeping over every anxious face present.

His gaze was deep and calm, the previous anger and anxiety seemingly replaced by absolute rationality.

"Zhang Cheng is right; submission is worse than death."

Chen Wen spoke slowly, his voice not loud.

Yet it carried a strange penetrative power, instantly calming the agitated Zhang Cheng.

"Wang Shen and Shi Dun said is also true; a head-on clash is like striking stone with an egg, inviting self-destruction."

He paused, letting these two seemingly contradictory sentences sink into everyone's hearts.

"So..."

Chen Wen's voice suddenly became firm and powerful.

"We can neither fight nor surrender."

Everyone was stunned, not understanding its meaning.

"We must 'drag' and 'deceive'!"

Chen Wen's finger heavily tapped the map.

"Liu Du Tou is powerful, but he is not without enemies."

"The Mountain Leopard to the east constantly rubs against him; this is our opportunity."

"What we need now is time, precious time to continue growing and developing!"

"Chief, what do you mean?"

Zhang Cheng seemed to have grasped a clue.

"I mean, 'hide one's brilliance and nurture obscurity'!"

Chen Wen said firmly and decisively.

"We can pretend to agree to 'submit', showing submission to Liu Du Tou."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room was astonished, even Wang Shen's eyes widened.

"But not unconditional submission!"

Chen Wen shifted the tone of his speech.

"We can agree to pay tribute, but the amount must be greatly reduced!"

"Moreover, we should mainly give what they lack least—hides and medicinal herbs—and give as little grain as possible."

"At the same time, we must insist on 'self-governance', rejecting his demands to send officials and conscript laborers."

"This is both our bottom line and a bargaining chip."

"This... can Liu Du Tou agree to it?"

Wang Shen asked anxiously.

"He may not sincerely agree, but he might temporarily accept it."

Chen Wen analyzed, his eight-times logical reasoning ability making his thoughts clear.

"First, we have just wiped out the Black Wind Stronghold, demonstrating a certain strength."

"If he launches a strong attack, even if he wins, he will have to pay a considerable cost!"

"This could give the Mountain Leopard an opportunity to exploit."

"Second, a Jiao Tu Zhen that superficially submits and periodically pays some 'protection fees'."

"Compared to a Jiao Tu Zhen that needs troops stationed and must constantly guard against rebellion, it is more 'cost-effective' for him."

"What he wants is smooth resources and expansion, as long as we do not directly challenge his authority!"

"He is likely willing to first stabilize us, focusing his energy on dealing with the Mountain Leopard."

"Then aren't we just kneeling to beg for survival?"

Zhang Cheng still felt somewhat stifled.

"Kneeling is so that we can stand forever in the future!"

Chen Wen gazed at him intensely, and also at everyone.

"Using some non-core supplies, we exchange for the most crucial development time!"

"During these days of feigned submission, what should we do?"

He asked and answered himself, his tone growing more impassioned:

"We must train the troops frenziedly!"

"We must fully produce weapons and armor!"

"We must desperately stockpile food!"

"We must reinforce our walls!"

"We must make every one of our men into true warriors!"

"Until we become strong enough, or until Liu Du Tou and the Mountain Leopard suffer mutual defeat!"

"Only then will be the time we truly straighten our backs!"

【In dire straits, making the strategic decision of 'hide one's brilliance and nurture obscurity' demonstrates outstanding strategic vision and endurance, boosting leadership decisiveness (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP)+200!】

【Current WP: 7501】

Those words, like parting clouds to see the sun, let the originally despairing crowd see a path that, though humiliating, was full of hope.

Yes, a temporary bowing of the head is to ultimately not bow!

Trading space for time, this is the wisest choice for the weak amidst strong enemies.

"I agree with Wen Ge's method!"

Wang Shen was the first to express her stance, her eyes becoming firm again.

「Boss, I'll follow you! Whatever you say to do, I'll do it! 」

Although Zhang Cheng still had some reservations in his heart, he was completely convinced by Chen Wen's judgment.

「Exactly! Endure a moment's anger for a long-term plan! 」

Shi Dun also bowed deeply.

Opinions quickly unified.

Chen Wen's decision was like giving the small boat of Jiao Tu Zhen, tossing in the raging waves, a clear direction—the only possible course to reach the opposite shore.

Although the road ahead remained full of hidden reefs, at least they now knew how to steer.

The next step was how to negotiate with the tiger for its skin—carrying out this dangerous negotiation.

Chen Wen's eyes grew sharp; he knew this would be another severe test of his eightfold ability and mind.