Chapter 32: Battle Strategy

Zhan Xiaobai, Sword Tyrant, Qiushui, the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn, and the others returned to the administrative courtyard. He sent someone to fetch A-Fei and summoned all the player leaders. A-Fei and some of the leaders arrived quickly, and without waiting for everyone to gather, Zhan Xiaobai began to discuss how to deal with the bandits who might return at any moment.

The player leaders all offered their suggestions.

“Human wave tactics—let’s see if they can survive that, damn it.”
“Defend with all our might. As long as we hold them outside the palisade, we’re safe. Let them cause chaos out there!”
“That approach is too conservative. It’s better to lure them into the village and use the narrow terrain to wipe them out. That’s the best strategy.”
“But then the village itself becomes a battlefield. If anything goes wrong, the losses could be enormous. That’s not wise. I think we should fight outside the village, take the initiative, and destroy them.”
“How do we destroy them?”
“Well… human wave tactics, I suppose.”

Although there were many people in the hall, few effective strategies emerged. It wasn’t due to incompetence but rather limited strength; their options were pitifully few.

Zhan Xiaobai listened quietly as everyone discussed, pondering a solution.

Sword Tyrant said, “Xiaobai, in my view, open field combat doesn’t favor us. We can only rely on the village’s defenses—digging traps, laying tripwires, setting up stakes and chevaux-de-frise. Once their horses get caught, they’ll have no way to turn the tide.”

The Young Hero of Spring and Autumn wholeheartedly agreed. If not for the bandits’ superior mobility, his hundred-man team wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing defeat in the first battle.

Zhan Xiaobai said, “Hurry and test it out—see if we can make traps, tripwires, stakes, and chevaux-de-frise.”

A-Fei immediately volunteered, “Big brother, let me go.”

He took a group to experiment within the village. The players themselves could handle traps and tripwires, but making stakes and chevaux-de-frise required carpenters’ help. A-Fei simply mobilized a large number of idle farmers and began the work at once.

Soon, a player reported that the palisade wall, destroyed by the bandits, had been fully repaired.

Not long after, another report came: traps, tripwires, stakes, and chevaux-de-frise could all be crafted and deployed, and A-Fei was already producing them in large quantities throughout the village.

Zhan Xiaobai was greatly pleased. With these fortifications aiding in battle, dealing with the bandits would be much easier. Considering that A-Fei was not very familiar with tactical deployments, he decided to send the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn to help set traps and so on throughout the village.

By this time, all the player leaders had arrived in the courtyard.

Qiushui said, “Brother Bai, everyone you wanted to summon is here. Shouldn’t you give a pre-battle rally?”

Zhan Xiaobai nodded. He and the others left the main hall and entered the courtyard.

There were several dozen player leaders present, along with a few who had made significant contributions to the village.

Zhan Xiaobai swept his gaze over the group and said, “Brothers and sisters, I’ve witnessed your courage and sacrifice today. You fought bravely and fearlessly for our village. I, Xiaobai, thank you all here and now.”

The player leaders responded one after another:

“Boss Xiaobai, there’s no need for thanks. This is our duty.”

“Boss Xiaobai, just give the word. I, Wild Bull, would leap into fire or blades without blinking an eye!”

And so on.

Zhan Xiaobai smiled and greeted each leader of the many player groups in Xiaobai Village—guilds, factions, clans, associations, all manner of organizations, each formed by players rallying followers under their own banners.

He knew most of these people, having had occasional dealings with them, though not intimately. He was more familiar with Qiushui, A-Fei, and the others.

Meeting with them formally before the battle and offering encouragement would do much to boost morale.

When he came across a player he didn’t recognize, Qiushui discreetly provided the name.

Zhan Xiaobai asked in confusion, “And this is…?” He looked at a player who left no impression on him.

That player was a bit shy and not good with words.

Qiushui said, “His name is Xiao Zhuo. He ranks first in contributions to our village.”

Zhan Xiaobai was surprised—how could he not have known such a person?

He hurriedly said, “Brother Xiao Zhuo, well met. What contributions have you made?”

Xiao Zhuo replied, “Boss, you flatter me… just some trivial things.”

Zhan Xiaobai turned to Qiushui.

Qiushui quickly explained, “He’s transmitted dozens of critical pieces of intelligence for the village, sacrificed himself nine times, and has earned the nickname ‘Xiaobai Village’s Number One Errand Runner.’ He’s astoundingly diligent.”

Zhan Xiaobai was moved—there were players willing to sacrifice and contribute so much to the village. The rise of Xiaobai Village depended on such efforts, slowly accumulating until the village could truly flourish.

He solemnly patted Xiao Zhuo on the shoulder, encouraging him: “Brother, keep up the good work. I won’t forget you.”

Xiao Zhuo was deeply touched and nodded repeatedly.

As for “contributions” to the village, players could earn them easily—through trade taxes, selling herbs to the village, and so on. Special contributions included sacrifice, intelligence, or other significant deeds. All contributors were regarded as friendly players. Accumulate enough, and one could become an “Honorary Villager,” enjoying certain privileges.

The contribution system was designed by Qiushui and automatically tracked by the system, ensuring fairness.

After meeting the player leaders and top contributors, Zhan Xiaobai, Sword Tyrant, Qiushui, and the others personally led the leaders to deploy their battle plan and assign personnel within the village.

The main battlefield would be the farmland district. The plan was to lure the bandits into the village, trap and intercept them at the edge of the farmland, and annihilate them.

Qiushui, well-versed in military strategy, handled the operational details.

Whether the plan would succeed depended on the players’ teamwork.

They worked busily all afternoon. Suddenly, Zhan Xiaobai received a message from Xiao Zhuo: two neighboring villages upstream and downstream had been attacked by Sand Wolves and bandits, suffering heavy losses. Many players no longer wished to remain there and were moving to Xiaobai Village.

Zhan Xiaobai’s brow furrowed.

Sword Tyrant, hearing the news, looked at Zhan Xiaobai and grinned, “Heh, what a great chance to expand our influence.”