CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 214: PEOPLE ALWAYS PREFER COMPROMISE

"If I use simple machinery to divert canal water to flood the tunnel, steadily eliminating this army, then bypass Hansa City and directly capture Brookberg and Selinix, how would you respond?"

Christine spoke softly, casually moving the chess pieces, dividing the forces into two to head straight for the capitals of the other two provinces of the Three Overseas Provinces.

This move was indeed vicious, rendering the cannon positions Roland had set up in advance completely ineffective.

"Then I would..."

Roland picked up the light cavalry and temple warriors and pushed them forward forcefully.

"Swap bases!"

When at a disadvantage, swapping bases is an attempt to break the stalemate.

When in a balanced position, swapping bases opens up the game.

When at an advantage, swapping bases consolidates the victory.

The tactic of swapping bases has been widely used throughout history, and many famous generals have left a lasting mark in history with it.

Roland hasn’t read much on military strategy, but he has read a lot of history books.

Faced with Roland’s unconventional move, Christine remained silent for a long time, then smiled and clapped her hands.

"You’ve won."

Christine’s politeness made Roland feel a bit embarrassed.

"The outcome is still uncertain, after all, my forces are somewhat insufficient, continuing to fight, the result is hard to predict."

"In a military chess simulation, I could indeed rely on rich experience to defeat you, but that doesn’t represent the outcome on a real battlefield."

Christine’s expression was very relaxed, she wasn’t dejected from admitting defeat to Roland, she was even happy about Roland’s excellent tactic.

After the battle, Roland pulled her aside to review the game and took the opportunity to ask for guidance on military command.

Christine, of course, understood his motives but agreed readily.

She felt that an imperfect victory wasn’t enough to repay all her favors, but adding a few unreserved military lessons might be.

Christine didn’t hold back, sharing all her insights on warfare through the military chess simulation with Roland.

Roland’s perceptiveness exceeded her expectations.

Originally, she thought Roland hadn’t received formal military training, a complete outsider, but over these days, Roland often had some ingenious ideas that left her amazed.

Just like the swapping bases tactic earlier, most who had received formal military training wouldn’t come up with it.

Military skills can be gradually developed, Roland is not short of enemies, there will be plenty of opportunities for practice, but an imaginative mind cannot be cultivated.

Imagination is equivalent to combat power.

Christine suddenly remembered her teacher’s teachings, and her admiration for her teacher grew even more.

Unfortunately, her teacher passed away too early, she no longer had the opportunity to listen to his teachings.

The military chess simulation has its limits, pieces are cold and thoughtless, base values and parameter correction determine victory or defeat, there are no miracles in chess simulation, but there are on the real battlefield.

The steadfast defense of over three thousand soldiers in Helentz Castle exceeded the expectations of both commanders, becoming an unpredictable factor.

This is a change that military chess simulations can never predict.

Basic military skills can be learned, but Roland’s agile mind and imagination are something that ordinary commanders can never achieve.

Christine has high hopes for Roland.

But in Roland’s eyes, Miss Saintess seemed to want to walk away from her duties.

Though Christine praised him lavishly, he was all too aware of his own capabilities.

In theoretical discourse on warfare, he did not even take Zhao Kuo seriously; in practical command, all he could do was hand things over to the true experts.

Naval battles were entrusted to Bridges, and land battles to Christine.

If Christine wanted to withdraw early, Roland certainly wouldn’t allow it.

His mind raced, thinking about how to keep Christine working for him.

Being a Saintess, Christine is pious, and temptations such as promotions, wealth, and beauties have no effect on her; what she desires is to become a formal Saintess, perhaps even to take on the Pope’s crown one day.

Roland’s eyes lit up.

"Christine, you’ve been a great help to me this time, the number one contributor to our victory. But since you don’t need a title, nor do you want to hold office here, it’s quite difficult."

"It’s nothing, I owe you a favor." Christine remained calm.

She could see Roland’s sincerity, but she truly didn’t need these.

She only wished to be slightly closer to the Great Goddess.

She knew Roland wanted to win her over, but she couldn’t agree, so she smiled and changed the subject.

"His Majesty Sylph hasn’t formally ascended the throne yet, titles and rewards should be jointly reviewed and decided by both the Noble House and the House of Commons, right?"

"That’s right, you’re quite familiar with our political system."

Christine nonchalantly said, "I’m a Saintess, a candidate for the Archbishop or even the Pope, having received formal political and military training. I hear you’re asking for an earldom for yourself?"

"How much are you willing to pay for that earldom?"

Roland pursed his lips and smiled, the earldom he was asking for was the Count of Suyige.

The main territory of the Earl’s Domain was the new territory he seized from the Oden Kingdom, plus Helentz Castle.

He even planned to merge the Helentz Castle area in northern Hansa Province with the Suyige Region to establish a fourth overseas province.

As long as the propaganda was in place, to the masses, he and Sif would be seen as superheroes expanding new provinces for the Empire.

As for the fact that the Suyige Province had little territory and a small population, with half of the land coming from Hansa Province, no one would care.

Facing Christine’s curious gaze, Roland spread his hands, "I don’t plan to pay any cost, not a single penny."

Christine was stunned.

She didn’t expect such a politically naive statement to come out of Roland’s mouth.

She didn’t think Roland could be so foolish.

The mocking words remained on her lips, and Christine was lost in thought.

A moment later, her eyes lit up, "You never actually intended for the title application to go through, did you?"

Roland nodded, indicating approval.