Apocalypse Gachapon

Chapter 1973: Strategic adjustment

One by one, the team leaders began reporting their achievements and losses for this phase. The numbers each person stated werenʼt too large on their own, but when combined, they formed an astonishing quantity.

Xia Lei listened while comparing them with the intelligence obtained from Chameleon to determine if anyone was lying.

Fortunately, even if there were some discrepancies with Chameleonʼs intelligence, they werenʼt too significant.

This indicated that, at least up to that point, the people of Cloud Peak, including those who joined later, had maintained their loyalty to Cloud Peak.

Initially, this was what Xia Lei worried about the most.

If Ye Zhongming were still at Cloud Peak, this naturally wouldnʼt be a problem. No one would betray Cloud Peak Mountain Villa with Ye Zhongming there; they wouldnʼt even form such a thought.

But now Ye Zhongming had gone to the sky, to his true battlefield. Whether these core members, whose strength had been cultivated and whose characters were arrogant, would still maintain their initial loyalty, Xia Lei couldnʼt guarantee.

The post-apocalyptic world was an era that created overlords. Everyoneʼs desire for power and their desire to control other lives would be infinitely expanded.

Human nature was not stable and couldnʼt withstand tests. Xia Leiʼs worry was not without reason.

She had to guard her manʼs family business, so she wouldnʼt overlook any possible danger to Cloud Peak Mountain Villa.
Now, since these people below hadnʼt hidden anything in terms of battle losses and gains, there was no problem.

This didnʼt involve trust or distrust; it was merely a precaution.

Of course, the final numbers left everyone somewhat shocked, followed by awe and a mix of emotions.

In just these few months, Cloud Peak had lost over twenty thousand members in battle alone. It could be said that this was an unprecedented loss since the establishment of the mountain villa. These people were all high-level soldiers. Cloud Peak had invested heavily in them: from evolution potions to various skill scrolls, from bloodlines to all kinds of weapons and equipment, from cultivating a sense of belonging to solving personal problems...

This series of costs was so high it made oneʼs flesh ache.

But money had never been a problem for Cloud Peak. What Xia Lei regretted more was that these people were the backbone of Cloud Peak, the inheritors of the Cloud Peak spirit, and they had died in various places across the countryʼs region!

The atmosphere in the room was quite heavy.

Admittedly, each team had replenished its losses, and the numbers even exceeded those before. But the newly added Evolved were not only far inferior in combat power to the original Cloud Peak soldiers, but they also had huge differences in loyalty and identification. It was uncertain how long it would take for them to reach the level of the sacrificed soldiers.

Apart from the sacrifices, there were also nearly twenty thousand soldiers who were severely disabled and no longer met team requirements. Settlements for these people were also an issue that needed studying.

As for the destruction of equipment and the consumption of various machinery, this was also a problem. With Ye Zhongming absent, the equipment needed to be solved by Cloud Peakʼs people themselves. Whether it was finding suitable wheels or purchasing from other craftsmen, many things were involved.

The battle deaths of war beasts and those too severely injured to continue fighting were also a problem. Soldiers who had lost most or all of their combat power could still become psychological counselors, instructors, guards, or enter logistics, etc. But these war beasts couldnʼt. Moreover, their owners wouldnʼt be willing to abandon or slaughter them and would choose to keep them. The consumption issue was manageable; the main problem was that the soldiers needed to go out to fight. These war beasts that could no longer fight had to stay at home. Who would look after them? Although they couldnʼt fight, they still had abilities in certain areas, such as some skills, great strength, or large bodies etc. If they lost control, they would certainly cause trouble and losses in the residential areas. How to solve this problem?

After the reporting, it was time to discuss these problems and find solutions.

Xia Lei listened to everyoneʼs opinions, then said, ”First, for the sacrificed and disabled soldiers, compensation must be done well. Strictly execute according to previous regulations. Their families must be treated well, with appropriate care in some aspects.”

Mi Ya, Lu Yi, and others nodded. They were the heads of the logistics department; these matters fell under their responsibility.

”Second, the arrangements for disabled soldiers must be done well. Respect their personal wishes and arrange as much as possible. If it cannot be satisfied, console them properly. Also, the proposal just raised by Xiu Ying to establish a Glory House is very good. Placing those war beasts that were severely injured while following their masters fighting everywhere for Cloud Peak and can no longer fight inside it, and having the less severely disabled soldiers take care of them, is a win-win method.”

”In this regard, Uncle Li needs to help, especially during the initial establishment period.”

Li Daqian nodded. To do a good job settling the retired soldiers and war beasts in the Glory House, they certainly needed first to train the soldiers to learn how to raise and train war beasts, or at least understand some basic knowledge about war beasts—this required professionals.

”Third, we can now say we occupy half of the country. The stability of the occupied areas is very important. Apart from the defending troops left behind with our Cloud Peak soldiers as the backbone, I think we can also select some loyal retired soldiers to serve as inspectors, supervisors, propagandists, etc., cooperating with the留守 troops for a double-insurance-like follow-up. Proceed in parallel in both spiritual and military aspects.”

Others nodded, showing their support for this. The loyalty of retired soldiers was beyond doubt, and their families and relatives were all at Cloud Peak. Having them conduct spiritual offensives in newly occupied areas was a very good idea.

”Fourth, solve the battle losses of equipment, war beasts, etc., yourselves. You can also have the headquarters solve them for you, but you have to buy them.”

Others laughed upon hearing this. Apart from Level Nine magic crystals, magic crystals of other levels all belonged to the teams themselves. If they still reached out to headquarters for equipment, that would be excessive. This point also served as a reminder from Xia Lei.

”Fifth, the unification plan continues, but it needs adjustment.”

Upon hearing this sentence, everyone immediately became focused.

”Guang Yao, Chief Commander Mu, your groups will each split into two to adjacent war zones, abandoning the attacks on the Glory Army and the Resistance Zone. The remaining war zones will also have their responsible areas adjusted. The new precise war zone maps will be handed to you shortly.”

”Sister Lei, why is this?” Little Tiger was still the first to stand up and ask.

”I will explain it to you later. In short, as long as the Glory Army and the Resistance Zone do not offend us, they will no longer be our attack targets.”

”Isnʼt this too passive? If they attack us first, we will suffer huge losses.”

Chief Commander Mu was still quite daring on such issues, not acting timidly just because he had recently joined.

Xia Lei smiled and shook her head. ”The probability is very, very small. If, by any chance, they take action, then we wonʼt care about anything anymore. Mobilize all of Cloud Peakʼs strength. Whoever makes a move, we eliminate them first.”