"How are things?"
"Chairman, not good at all."
Wolfgang slumped to the ground, exhausted and distressed. "We're running out of ingredients. The number of wounded has exceeded half our forces, and we can no longer maintain basic combat strength."
"How can this be? We seized so much loot in the Fiery Sun Mountain. And the harvest from Sparrow City..."
Wolfgang explained, "The Cloud Kingdom's specialties are all vegetables and fruits. They might be great for nourishing the body and clearing the intestines, but this is wartime. Soldiers' stamina is being depleted at an alarming rate..."
The quality of food needs to be assessed based on the environment.
In times of peace, fruits and vegetables are good for supplementing one's diet.
But this is war.
The difference between gnawing on cabbage and steak before battle is immense.
What's needed now are buffs to attack, defense, and stamina!
Not soothing the spirit, dispelling dampness, or reducing fire!
"How much meat do we have left?"
Wolfgang calculated for a moment. "About thirteen thousand tons?"
Mo Du's brow furrowed, surprised that logistics had become so tight.
This number...
Was very low!
Soldiers participating in the punitive expedition were at least Level 7 in cell level. Their basic daily consumption was 70,000 calories.
This was roughly equivalent to eight kilograms of fat, or twenty jin of dried grain.
When converted to fresh meat and cuisine, this figure would triple.
And this was just basic consumption!
If they engaged in battle and expended their stamina, they could consume 10 to 15 times their usual amount of food in a single ton.
Furthermore, there were a large number of wounded soldiers in the camp, who urgently needed energy and nutrition for healing.
According to human growth principles, for every jin of flesh gained, 60 jin of meat would be consumed... and this was in the best-case scenario, with adequate medical equipment and regeneration seeds!
The camp had countless soldiers missing limbs or suffering severe injuries!
This amount of meat, if consumed freely, would only last three days.
"Brother, what would you do if you were here..."
Mo Du sighed deeply and continued, "And the vegetables, fruits, and grains? How much is left?"
"Countless, innumerable. But these things aren't suitable for consumption in battle!"
"Mr. Wolfgang, I am now issuing an order in my capacity as Chairman of the Northern United Government. From this moment on, meat supplies will be fully opened, and food distribution will be re-planned."
"Lightly and severely wounded soldiers will have their meat supply completely cut off to fully support the frontline troops."
"Those on the brink of death will have unlimited supply, but their meat ration will be immediately halved after they are out of danger!"
Wolfgang hesitated. "This..."
"This? This is an order!"
Mo Du then stated firmly, "Please trust me!"
"Alright, I will execute it!"
...
Not long after, Chu Xiang rushed over in a panic.
With a furious expression, she said, "Did you issue the order regarding food allocation?"
"That's correct."
"Do you know what this order truly means!"
"As Chairman, I have this right!"
Chu Xiang was incensed. "How could you be so reckless! Our offensive has been repelled, and morale is already low. Now you're cutting off supplies to the wounded, which clearly signals that the government is abandoning them!"
"Despair is already spreading through the casualty camp. Demonstrators will soon reach the command tent. You will be held entirely responsible for this situation!"
"The command tent... I understand!"
Mo Du pushed Chu Xiang aside and strode towards the command tent.
Outside the tent, wounded soldiers were already gathered, some lying on stretchers, some leaning on crutches, and some literally hanging onto their comrades.
Their faces were gaunt and their bodies emaciated, but their eyes were filled with anger and despair.
Even the soldiers lying on stretchers were shouting at the top of their lungs!
"Chairman, you've finally arrived."
"In this situation, what should we do?"
"Should we disperse them?"
"This is difficult to handle. If not handled properly, there could be a mutiny!"
"In my opinion, this matter should be resolved by the Chairman himself."
...
Mo Du was the nominal Chairman, and the elders of the North found it difficult to openly criticize him.
Among the liberated prisoners, including Elder Jun, many were high-ranking officials of the North. Mo Du's intelligence on the Cloud Kingdom was arguably the most crucial element of the counterattack.
Based on merit alone, his position as Chairman was well-deserved.
Moreover, Mo Du had the support of the King of Northern Chefs behind him. With Zhang Wei's culinary skills, building any power base would be effortless.
Never underestimate the influence of a top chef.
Mo Du said, "Hiding is not a solution. I will go and resolve the problem!"
"You few, you must protect the Chairman at all costs."
"No need!"
"Chairman, these wounded soldiers are very unstable!"
Mo Du said sternly, "The soldiers sacrificed themselves for the North. Should we, as the leaders who benefit from their sacrifice, hide behind bodyguards? The soldiers who follow us are our brothers! Always!"
"This..."
Everyone murmured in response.
The reasoning was sound, but what if something went wrong!
If something were to happen to Mo Du, the Chairman, at this time, it would be an even greater blow to the morale of the allied forces!
"Don't worry, everyone. While I'm not incredibly strong, I'm at least Level 30, so I won't get injured easily!"
Level 30?
Everyone was startled!
They had never seen Mo Du in action for so long, and his behavior was indistinguishable from that of an ordinary person.
Level 30 was no small achievement. Ordinary cell awakeners could hardly reach this realm in their lifetime.
Mo Du walked out with his head held high.
Facing thousands of wounded soldiers marching, he showed no trace of fear.
He walked step by step to a high point, his stride steady. The wounded soldiers in the front row unconsciously fell silent.
Under the herd effect, the entire assembly quieted down.
"Everyone, I am the supreme commander of the allied forces, Mo Du!"
"The order to prioritize meat distribution to combat personnel was issued by me!"
"I know what you're all worried about, and I can understand your feelings..."
A wounded soldier leaning on a crutch shouted angrily, "Nonsense! You are the high and mighty Chairman, how can you understand our feelings?"
"That's right!"
"You high officials always have a way to escape when the war isn't going well."
"My child is waiting for me at home."
"You're lucky, my wife hasn't married me yet..."
...
The scene descended into chaos once more.
Amidst the initial anger, a sense of sorrow gradually emerged from the crowd.
Many people even rubbed their red eyes, trying to hold back tears.
"Chairman, I want to go home..."
"Can we still go back?"
"This is tens of thousands of meters in the sky. There is only one road home."
After the sadness.
Came despair.
Numbness.
Countless negative emotions filled the military camp.
Mo Du took a deep breath and said in the most sincere voice, "Going home. What I'm doing is to allow you all to go home!"