887: Chapter 88: I May Not Believe, But You Must Believe_4 887: Chapter 88: I May Not Believe, But You Must Believe_4 Although they were lands of our allies, now that everyone has fallen out, there’s no need to be so courteous.
One county per family, we have the strength to assimilate them, while also tying the interests of the Kingdom’s major powers to the border.
When neighbors are weak, this place is a frontier base for outward expansion; when neighboring countries are strong, everyone can cooperate sincerely to face external threats together, making it a good choice for all sides.
“Your Marshal, are you really so optimistic about this war?”
Count Carlos asked in surprise.
Everyone was thinking of how to get through the crisis, and many had prepared plans to retreat and defend their castles after defeat, so it was hard to imagine that our Commander had already sharpened his blades, eager to—
“Count Carlos, risk and opportunity always coexist.
As long as we fight fast enough on the battlefield, we can win this war.
The Orc Empire has declined; the Prairie Seven Kingdoms are nominally seven nations, but the military strength of any single one might not even surpass any of yours.
Isn’t it telling that such opponents were not annihilated by the Orcs in one stroke?”
After all, we don’t border them, and there has been no animosity between us, so there’s room for compromise.”
Master Hudson, while persuading everyone, started to almost believe his words after repeating them so many times.
The slow progress on the battlefield of the Orc Empire wasn’t due solely to military strength but was largely due to logistical pressures.
Just how rich the Prairie Seven Kingdoms are could make a rat weep; the spoils of war are pitifully few.
There’s no need for scorched earth tactics; the lands themselves are already “bare”.
For the grass-eating factions of the Orc Species, this is not a major issue.
The local nobility had no intention of fighting to the death, and naturally, they wouldn’t forcibly keep their people around to add to the Orcs’ meals.
With an already sparse population that spread over the vast prairie, even fewer “vegetable people” were caught by the Orc Army.
The lessons from the last war had indeed taught the Orc Empire a thing or two.
Considering issues of internal unity, even the Five Royal Clans had to moderate somewhat, not daring to openly use the cannon fodder race as military provisions.
Plus, fearing too great a loss of troops during sieges, they didn’t attack as hard as before.
Especially upon realizing that the defending army was merely stalling for time, to provide an explanation to the Human Alliance, their interest in a blitz faded even more.
With multiple factors compounding, the Orc Army’s offensive seemed exceptionally feeble.
No matter the truth, when it came to Kingdom Commander Hudson’s mouth, it had to be framed as evidence of the Orcs’ decline.
Adhering to the principle of taking advantage of every situation, Hudson tirelessly brainwashed his peers again and again.
The subsequent strategies were all based on the assumption of a swift and decisive victory over the Orcs and achieving a great triumph.
Should any mishap occur on the battlefield, it was as if Master Hudson had never spoken.
From the current situation, major nobles who believed in this judgment remained very few.
Mainly because those of high rank not only had sharp minds themselves but also had a group of think tanks behind them for analysis, making them hard to deceive.
Knowing it was all deception yet still attending the gathering revealed that at heart, they were uncertain, seeking psychological comfort.
Of course, such doubts were limited to the gatherings of major nobles.
Outside, each of them appeared brimming with confidence.
Each time they returned, they would artistically embellish the Hudson-style brainwashing method before relaying it to their subordinates.
In short, the high-ranking officials of the Kingdom might have their doubts, but the middle and lower nobles and the common soldiers must firmly believe— the Kingdom can win the war.
Should setbacks occur on the battlefield, it would be after the joint efforts of everyone—that the Kingdom won the war.
Any question or problem must conclude with “the Kingdom can win the war,” for any argument or analysis.