Resurrection Empire

Chapter 765 288: The Troubles of Growth, The Cost of Kindness_2

If Ren Zhong were to die prematurely in the war, who would they seek justice from?

However, there were comprador factions within the Tanggu Group, and these individuals quietly reported the matter to the Association's high-level Elder Council.

The comprador factions within the Elder Council joined forces to apply pressure, forcing the Tanggu Group to nod in recognition.

As a result, there was a short message from the Office of the President of the Tanggu Group attached to the notice that Ren Zhong received.

"None of the town-level resource recycling company owners will take the field personally, enjoying absolute safety and self-protection. This is a trap set specifically for you. It is advised you immediately return to Starfire Town."

After reading this information and glancing toward the city walls, Ren Zhong suddenly understood everything.

Liu Wanxiong must have gained promises and support from the other eight town-level resource recycling company owners in Yangsheng City.

This group rapidly united yesterday at the speed of light to oppose him, the giant.

Since Liu Wanxiong, the owner of Zhaoshan Resources, enjoys absolute safety.

Even if all his people perished, causing severe injuries, he could rest easy without worrying about retaliation.

Of course, Liu Wanxiong could confidently and boldly have his subordinates risk their lives.

"Mr. Ren, withdraw your troops. We have prepared a total of two thousand mobile city defense cannons distributed all over the walls. Even if you deploy engineering machinery, approaching the city walls' range is impossible. These are real war weapons, even you might not be safe. To be honest, you are already within our firing range."

Liu Xiaotao sent this voice message to Ren Zhong.

Ren Zhong, expressionless, replied, "According to the contract we signed yesterday, today you cannot use these scavengers' lives to threaten me. I have already lodged a complaint."

"It's useless, Mr. Ren. I didn't say anything at all. It's just their personal choice."

As the conversation reached this point, Ren Zhong understood the truth.

The opponent used deception.

The contract only stated that Zhaoshan Resources would not use the scavengers' lives to threaten Ren Zhong, but it didn't say they couldn't use the scavengers' relatives and friends to coerce the scavengers into battle.

There was a semantic trap here; the logical relationship between the two was not contradictory.

Ren Zhong gritted his teeth silently and waved his hand.

"Retreat three li, spread the formation, and completely blockade Zhaoshan Town."

He had already obtained the blueprints of these city defense cannons from Ju Qingmeng and knew their projectile speed performance.

After retreating three kilometers, the automatic defense energy cannons on the Qingfeng Heavy Trucks could respond in time and detonate the projectiles in advance.

"Mr. Ren, the town's supplies are sufficient. You are stationed in the wild and must rely on supplies from Starfire Town hundreds of kilometers away, facing Ruined Beasts' assaults at night. Prolonging this is unfavorable for you. While this corporate war seems like an opportunity, it is fraught with risk. Strong power doesn't guarantee victory, and Mr. Ren, your life is priceless; there's no need, truly no need. Withdraw your troops."

Liu Xiaotao urged again.

Ren Zhong remained silent and only activated the command system to observe the situation on Zheng Tian's side.

Similarly composed of thirty thousand Yangsheng troops, Zheng Tian achieved vastly different results.

Zheng Tian's army advanced all the way, with the enemy harassing along the way.

Although the army's progress was slow, the formation was very orderly and never breached; Zheng Tian's army suffered minimal casualties, while the scavengers sent by Wangdong Town for harassment suffered heavy losses.

Zheng Tian continued to deplete the enemy's living forces.

Simultaneously, Zheng Tian advanced ahead of time, sending elite forces in small groups to separate from the main force, traveling day and night, and arrived under the walls of Wangdong Town at two in the morning today.

Then, this elite force used pre-prepared medium-to-long-range weapons like individual rocket launchers to maintain continuous interference with the construction teams on the walls.

By now, Zheng Tian's army had advanced to within fifty li of Wangdong Town, yet only fewer than fifty city defense cannons were successfully installed in Wangdong Town.

Zheng Tian planned to launch a direct assault after arrival, following Ren Zhong's orders, aiming to capture Wangdong Town as quickly as possible.

There would certainly be casualties, but Zheng Tian and Chen Hanyu had already formulated a plan for appeasement.

After capturing Wangdong Town, Zheng Tian's army would replenish its ranks locally, easily maintaining thirty thousand troops.

In comparison, Ren Zhong's mistake was significant.

Strictly speaking, Ren Zhong's elite strength far exceeded Zheng Tian's.

If he had chosen to act yesterday, utilizing the rules to his advantage, he could have slaughtered over twelve thousand people from Zhaoshan Town by the riverside at a minimal cost.

Although he might have been forced into the role of a mass slaughterer, damaging his "benevolent" persona among the scavengers, Zhaoshan Town would become an almost undefended ghost town today.