One person is so insignificant among thousands.
One person can hardly bear a thousand pounds, but many can move ten thousand mountains.
The principles recorded in books are seen and understood by everyone, but in practice, they are still very difficult.
With the ravages of war, no one can be a bystander.
Despite the close cooperation of major domestic forces, due to the vast economic gap and inferior equipment compared to the enemy, neither side could completely defeat the other.
However, the people on this land still had an advantage.
This was their country, and for whatever reason, the local people naturally tended to support their own countrymen rather than the invaders.
The longer the timeline, the more advantageous it would be for them.
Xing Yuan did not join the battlefield but shifted to another research and development industry.
She understood many things, and more importantly, Xing Yuan had truly seen the future. The efforts she had made back then had not been in vain and now had a practical application.
If domestic technology was lagging, she would personally build a technologically advanced nation.
As for the missing resources, weren't they delivered right to her doorstep?
She could easily abduct a couple of second-generation rich kids from Dongying who were just fulfilling their quotas and threaten their families to hand over some things.
They might say they would never compromise, but they didn't see them committing suicide!
If they were truly resolute, Xing Yuan would simply gather a few disciples with good martial skills and raid their territory.
What if they were discovered?
Firstly, Dongying was currently focusing its efforts on another land. Even if not, they could snatch a few cars and ships, and as soon as they got the goods, they would leave immediately.
Besides, who knew which target they would strike, making pursuit difficult!
Xing Yuan would strike and retreat, raiding when needed and staying home to research technology when not, making herself untraceable.
Moreover, who would know it was her?
My Huaxia is vast and rich in resources; it's normal to have people who look alike, isn't it?
It was impossible to incite international disputes through such means.
If the Dongying nation had succeeded and gained immense benefits from Huaxia, the international community might have used it as an excuse to intervene directly.
But what they saw was only Dongying's failure.
The insignificant bugs in his eyes were not easy to deal with, and they would bite him back, causing him pain but unwilling to give up, for fear of wasting his efforts.
As the sunk cost grew, he became more unwilling to give up, and in the end, his losses mounted.
From his initial firm belief that there would be no problem, to self-doubt, and finally seeing the people on this land begin to resist under his oppression.
From initial tickles of harm to later losing chunks of flesh, as his losses grew, he began to consider retreat.
Xing Yuan, as she wished, researched weapons with even greater destructive power. This technology was then generously shared, aiming to equip every region with such powerful weaponry.
Under the stark contrast between the stronger and the weaker, internal disputes within Dongying grew.
The sounds of their arguments often echoed in the large conference room.
Some believed in cutting their losses promptly, while others felt that things had reached this point, and it was a matter of success or failure. These disputes were also reflected in the soldiers on the battlefield.
Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion, the major domestic forces pursued their advantage, reclaiming multiple territories in one go.
The situation on the battlefield changed rapidly.
The number of people in Dongying who supported continuing the fight dwindled, and the peace faction gradually gained strength.
Finally, they decided to sue for peace.
Even when suing for peace, they did so with a condescending attitude.
"His Majesty has decreed that if you cede the territories occupied by our army and pay ten thousand taels of silver, our glorious empire will accept peace talks, and our warriors will return to our own country."
This was tantamount to a provocation. Zuo Bin, who was participating in the negotiations, felt a chill in his eyes and looked coldly at the arrogant man opposite him.
"I thought Your Excellency had seen the situation clearly, but it seems not."
"Peace talks?" Zuo Bin sneered, shook his head lightly, and stood up. "I think there is no need for peace talks between us. Let's just fight! Whoever wins, decides."
"Let's go!" Zuo Bin was the first to stand and leave.
Situ Ying, who had been watching quietly from the side, was also full of impatience. Ending the war sooner was a good thing, but if their side, with so many advantages, still had to submit to the enemy's tyranny, it would be too humiliating, and moreover, they were not worthy!
They were just a few pawns. If they couldn't make decisions for their superiors, then let's keep fighting and see who outlasts whom.
Shan Cai Liang did not expect the other side to refuse so decisively. Shouldn't they sit down and discuss the details? Just leaving like that?
Everyone knew that only the strong had the right to set the rules.
If they were not considered strong by others, then they would fight until they were acknowledged as strong.
Shan Cai Liang returned, indignant, and exaggerated, "Father, those people are too much. They insulted us. If you ask me, there's no need for peace talks, just beat them into submission."
Shan Cai Liang had always been proud of Dongying's strength, so he didn't think much of it.
Shan Luan's expression turned cold. Looking at his indignant son, he kicked him, sending Shan Cai Liang tumbling to the ground.
"What did I tell you before you left? I said this peace talk is very important and must succeed. I told you to be serious, and this is how you handled it?"
Shan Cai Liang lay on the ground, not daring to get up, looking guilty. He said in a small voice, "Father, it wasn't intentional. I couldn't help myself. Besides, we are much stronger than that barbaric small country. Why have peace talks? Wouldn't it be better to just fight and conquer them?"
"Better?" Shan Luan sneered and kicked Shan Cai Liang again. "Whether it's better or not, your father knows better than you. If we could really conquer them, would I have sent you to negotiate peace?"
"Useless trash, I really want to melt you down and recast you," Shan Luan scoffed.
Shan Cai Liang clutched his stomach, not daring to speak, for fear of accidentally displeasing his father again.
"So, what now?" Shan Cai Liang asked cautiously.
Shan Luan glared at Shan Cai Liang and couldn't help but kick him again. "What now? How should I know? Look at the stupid things you've done.
I'll have to be impeached by those guys again. Do you know how much we'll lose in the time you've wasted? So many soldiers are out there, and every second is burning money."
Shan Luan didn't want to look at this useless waste anymore. He took a deep breath and dialed the Emperor's number.