The Triumvirate
"The insectoids?" Xia Fei muttered. "I don't know much about the insectoids. There's a huge disparity in the intelligence of this race. They're not like humans. Though there are geniuses and idiots among humans, the vast majority of them have an IQ of around 120, while more than ninety percent of the insectoids are still primitive, low-level lifeforms.
"This also leads to their absolute loyalty to their leader. Wherever the Golden Tent points, their warriors will attack without any regard for their lives, unlike our Pan-human Alliance, where everything has to go through complicated deliberations between the upper and lower chambers. Be it law or morality, everything must be carried out according to the rules.
"Moreover, due to the biological differences between the species, humans are far from being a match for the insectoids in terms of individual combat. Compared to them, our only advantage is that we're more intelligent. Every human is an individual with their own worldview and values. When it comes to economic prosperity, the insectoids are no match for humans. After all, the majority of insectoids only know how to eat and kill, but when it comes to combat, we're at a disadvantage."
Xia Fei gave a very simple explanation. He was somewhat confused as to why Williams would suddenly ask about the insectoids.
"Then what do you think the Alliance's chances of winning a war against the insectoids with our current strength?" Williams asked jokingly.
Xia Fei was slightly taken aback. He could sense that something was amiss from Williams' words.
"Could the Pan-human Alliance and the insectoid tribal alliance be at war again?" Xia Fei cautiously probed.
Tai shook his head and casually replied, "As soldiers, we need to be prepared for war at all times. This topic is actually something we talk about daily, so it's nothing much. Just tell us what you think. We're also very interested in the opinions of the people."
Xia Fei thought for a few moments. "If possible, we should try our best to avoid a war with the insectoids. The trade between the two races has been closed for a long time, and it's hard to tell how much the insectoids have developed. It's a taboo for a military strategist to not understand the enemy. Besides, the insectoids are natural soldiers without any training, while humans need to go through a long period of training before they can have combat strength.
"Perhaps in the early stages of the war, we might be able to gain the upper hand by relying on the Alliance's consistent policy of elite soldiers, but as time goes on, we'll gradually sink into a quagmire and be unable to extricate ourselves. Ordinary humans have always had anti-war tendencies, and the longer the stalemate drags on, the more disgusted humans will become with war. On the other hand, the insectoid warriors are like machines, frenzied and bloodthirsty machines that have no feelings. Unless there's an internal problem, the insectoids will be able to fight on endlessly."
"According to my thinking, once war inevitably breaks out, we should try our best to avoid a full-scale battle with the enemy. Instead, we should send our elite troops deep into their territory and directly attack their elite leadership. No matter how great the losses are, as long as we can defeat the most intelligent insectoids in one fell swoop, we will definitely win."
Tai's eyes suddenly lit up. "Attacking the enemy's rear at all costs. That's an interesting way of thinking. Tell me your reasoning."
Beside him, Williams and Layton also listened with interest.
Xia Fei smiled. "I'm not a soldier, and I don't know much about war, but I do know a very simple principle. In my hometown, there's a saying that goes, 'A soldier bears a bear, a general bears a nest of bears.' Though the saying is crude, the logic isn't crude.
"The Pan-Human Alliance has countless professionals who have received high levels of education and training. Let me give you an example. If the Alliance's president, the cabinet, and all the members of the upper and lower houses all disappear overnight, how long will it take for the Alliance to make up for this loss?"
Williams did some calculations on his fingers. "If something like that really happens, we'll have to transfer officials from various departments to fill in the gaps. I estimate that it'll take two days for the personnel to be in place, and it'll take a week for normal operations to resume."
"What if something like that happens to the insectoids?"
"The insectoids? If their tribal elder council and Great Chieftain all disappear, it'll take at least three months for everything to return to normal. After all, they don't have a complete leadership system, relying entirely on their individual abilities and strength to rise to power. "
Xia Fei chuckled. "That's exactly what I'm getting at. If the president of the Pan-Human Alliance disappears, we'll just have to find a new one, and if the insectoid Great Chieftain dies, the various tribes will fall into a long period of conflict.
"Humans aren't as good at fighting as the insectoids, but we have the most perfect blood production system. Even if the upper echelons of the Alliance are wiped out a thousand times, someone will still step forward and lead the entire Alliance forward.
"But the insectoids are different. They have an elite leadership system, and the entire race only has a limited number of highly intelligent members. Once these people are wiped out, the remaining stragglers are nothing to be afraid of."
Tai nodded, seemingly very pleased with Xia Fei's analysis. The usually straightforward General Layton exclaimed, "Xia Fei, you should go to a military academy, not some Adjudicator Union!"
Xia Fei chuckled. "Elite warrior organizations also have their own value. Take the plan I just proposed, for example. The most suitable candidate to carry it out is a large-scale elite warrior organization. Normal soldiers will find it very difficult to accomplish such a difficult task."
Williams took a sip from his teacup and smiled. "Xia Fei, while this plan of yours is crazy, and if it really succeeds, we'll be able to deal a heavy blow to the insectoids, but wiping out all their highly intelligent members won't be an easy task. We might have to pay a heavy price."
Xia Fei replied, "Everything has a price. If we don't do this and only rely on soldiers to fight, we'll suffer even more casualties. Even if we fight another thousand-year war, we might not be able to win."
Tai could not help but lightly tap his finger on the back of his chair as he thoughtfully said, "Penetrating deep into enemy territory and destroying the core of the enemy in one fell swoop isn't a simple task. We'll need to do a lot of preparatory work and develop our own intelligence network. Humans and insectoids don't share the same roots, so it'll be very difficult to plant our forces in their territory. "
Xia Fei replied, "There will definitely be difficulties, but from what I know, the insectoids aren't completely united. I've been to the Wild Star Region, which borders the insectoids' territory. There, the insectoids and humans coexist peacefully, and many insectoids are even willing to sell their lives for the sake of profit.
"From this matter, I've discovered a principle: the lower the intelligence of the insectoids, the more foolish and loyal they are. It'll be very difficult to win their hearts, but once the insectoids develop intelligence, they'll become as greedy as humans. They enslave inferior races, plunder wealth and beauties, and set up a strict hierarchy.
"If the Alliance really wants to infiltrate the insectoid territory, those aristocrats who have fallen from grace due to internal strife among the insectoids or those who have lost in the struggle for profit are not bad choices."
Tai and the other two nodded. Williams did not miss the opportunity to bring Xia Fei up to the topic of the Alliance's warship production. Xia Fei's instincts told him that this was a test, but he had no idea why the triumvirate was testing him.
Xia Fei was quite knowledgeable when it came to warships. After all, he had accumulated many years of combat experience, as well as the teachings of machine god Porter. His viewpoint was unique, taking the extreme route of elites. His greatest requirement for warships was to reject mediocrity, and every ship needed to have its own unique characteristics.
Many fleets with different combat styles would work together in battle. Some specialized in attracting firepower, some specialized in releasing electronic interference, and there was even a rapid response force to strike enemy reinforcements.
Unknowingly, the conversation went on for several hours. From warships to tactics, from martial arts to special abilities, from the way of doing business to how people conducted themselves, they talked about everything, and Tai and the other two gained a deeper understanding of Xia Fei.
…
After having lunch together, Xia Fei got up and took his leave, saying that he wanted to take a look at the trade fair.
After Xia Fei left, Layton furrowed his brows. "Seriously, Xia Fei. We were just talking about the advantages of laser weapons and cold weapons, and he left just as I was hooked."
Williams chuckled. "Xia Fei's a smart man. The reason he spent so much time chatting with us today was because of his title as an A-list supplier. After all, he's only just joined the ranks of the military's business partners, so he's trying to show us that he's a qualified supplier at the first opportunity to win our trust.
"After talking for so long, he's already achieved his goal. All that's left is to maintain a sense of mystery for himself. He's the kind of person who likes to keep the good stuff to himself. I dare say that if it were anyone else, even if he didn't play dumb, he wouldn't have said so much."
Layton seemed to have realized something. "At such a young age, his style is just like those old foxes. He likes to hold something back. I wonder who taught him that."
"I'd be the same if I were in his shoes. Think about it; he's just a nobody from Earth, only able to rise to the top circle of the Alliance by chance. He's surrounded by strangers, and there's no telling if they're friend or foe. If he's not careful, there's no telling if he'll be eaten alive one day."
Tai also said, "Williams is right. Xia Fei's background is different from ours. If he doesn't hold something back, it'll be very difficult for him to survive in this dog-eat-dog universe."
Williams took out a silver box of maple syrup from his pocket and popped two into his mouth.
"Tai, what do you think?"
Tai Ruo rubbed his temples. "Xia Fei's not a bad person. He's insightful and has cultivation. No one can deny that."
Williams continued, "Plus, he's not the kind of person who only knows how to talk. When it's time to speak, he can speak logically, and when it's time to act, his ability isn't any worse than his eloquence. Plus, his identity is suitable."
Tai agreed. "That's right. The military's newly promoted A-list supplier is indeed very suitable."
"Then what are you hesitating for?" Layton asked.
Tai very calmly looked at Layton and Williams. "Experience, seniority, and loyalty."
Williams helplessly shrugged. "There's no perfect candidate who can fulfill all your requirements. Sometimes, we need to take a gamble."
"It seems that the two of you agree with Xia Fei's selection?" Tai asked.
"Agreed."
"I agree as well."
Tai nodded. "Alright then. Xia Fei will be the second choice to enter the list. As for who will be in charge, I'll have to wait and see. Who will we be investigating next?"
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