Chapter 1785
Chapter 1785 - 1781: Changing Skins
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"Our side is a neutral and friendly commercial team, and currently, due to severe humanitarian crises in certain areas, we have been commissioned by the Eastern Country’s Red Cross to conduct commercial activities in the name of the Redemption Church, while also providing some level of humanitarian aid."
The first priority is to clearly define one’s objectives.
Lu Ping’an, or the Rebirth Commerce, has sent formal notices to all surrounding forces and countries.
"I’m not pretending anymore; I’m here to do charity... although it sounds a bit far-fetched, that’s essentially what it means."
Is it useful? If it is.
In recent years, how few atrocities have been committed in the name of salvation, humanitarianism, and human rights, even making the originally positive connotations of humanitarianism and major human rights take on a strange smell.
But the same words, it still depends on who says them.
If certain Western countries say it, not even a ghost would believe it, and might even think it’s a precursor to an attack on you. But Lu Ping’an, after all, is an Easterner, and the Redemption Church is one of the Proper God Churches just recognized by the Eastern Country’s official, representing, in a sense, the reputation and intentions of the Eastern Country.
In assessing people and countries, it’s not about what they say, but what they have done, at least what they have done in the past.
The past style of the Eastern Country is rarely seen: aligning words and actions... this might seem foolish to some, but in the eyes of victims who have been deceived and threatened, "honesty" is the most trustworthy label.
"There should be a little less hostility," he speculated.
Lu Ping’an estimated that such declarations would at most make people give you a bit more patience, to see what exactly you do before responding.
And most forces probably wouldn’t care at all, like those pirates who wouldn’t let go of the prey in front of them, or those bloodthirsty warlords who won’t give up the wealth and population in front of them.
"As long as the two countries know..."
The real concern for Lu Ping’an has always only been state-level regular armies. It’s not that they can’t be beaten, but that once a fight starts, he won’t be able to do anything else.
The army is always a machine of violence, representing the interests and will of the rear... On one hand, Lu Ping’an doesn’t want to trigger a diplomatic incident at the national level, and if the Eastern Country orders a recall, it would be trouble. On the other hand, if he is really seen by those two countries as a threat to their ambitions, the fight would escalate to war, and the killing would last long.
Waving the flag of aid and charity should reduce initial trouble. At least, these two countries should watch what you do, and if you are truly here to save and do charity, even if they target you, they won’t do it openly, reducing many threats.
Of course, this isn’t just a good thing, but a self-imposed restriction... once you cross the line, you essentially ruin your reputation, and no one will believe you thereafter.
And it is this "restriction" that gives Lu Ping’an’s declaration some credibility.
Lu Ping’an is not afraid of trouble, but he truly doesn’t want to waste time and resources with the other side, throwing warriors into a meaningless civil war among the same clan.
Those cannibalistic, human trafficking warlords? In Lu Ping’an’s eyes, when they don’t treat others as humans, they themselves have become non-human.
"Everyone, prepare for slaughter."
Although chanting "Redemption" and "Humanitarianism," Lu Ping’an knows better than anyone that to reason with certain people, you first need to show the ability to erase them.
If it were just his subordinates, those who can easily switch from a commercial troupe to a legion, Lu Ping’an wouldn’t even need to say such things internally.
Veterans returning from the battlefield don’t habitually underestimate their opponents and won’t show mercy once they strike.
"On the battlefield, opponents won’t spare you just because you’re young. They will only relish your naivety, and if you hesitate, it’s akin to courting death..."
A small unexpected issue needed Lu Ping’an’s personal handling.
Because the original plan changed, and he might face upscaling battles, some people were not yet ready.
"...If you were strong, you might die at the hands of the weak, and the fact is, you are the weak."
The university students from Ancient City University, the elite newcomers from Ancient city, those taking the opportunity to gain experience, might find it too much stimulation to go to the battlefield now.
Lu Ping’an gave them options: continue training at the camp or on the ship, or simply enter the courtyard for continuous protection... but if they still chose to take the field, they needed to be mentally prepared for dying in battle.
But judging from the results, Lu Ping’an’s advice, instead of calming them, made them more enthusiastic... young folks are usually ignorant of limits.
Lu Ping’an shook his head and didn’t say more; saying more was pointless.
"At that time, keep an eye on them more."
Lu Ping’an told Meow and others to take care of them, let them fight a couple of battles and see blood, and they will understand.
At that point, anyone who quits will be thrown directly into the courtyard.
The middle and high levels of Lu Ping’an’s team are all seasoned explorers of the plane, moving from one battlefield to another almost without needing to say more.
However, the Sakura Islanders and the mercenaries they hired were becoming quite nervous.
"This is different from what was said before, let’s terminate the contract."
"We can continue... but please increase the payment!"
To stabilize and secure the territory, the Sakura Islanders hired many strongmen and mercenaries.
However, they originally thought they were only facing local skirmishes... the intervention of two countries’ regular armies had become impossible to conceal news, and naturally, these mercenaries had new thoughts.
Just quit? That would probably mean no more work in this line.
They were just taking the opportunity to raise prices, looking at those noisy mercenaries, Lu Ping’an couldn’t be bothered to intervene.
The truly trustworthy ones are always your own people...
"How’s the preparation for the new uniforms going?"
"Time was too tight... we’ve prioritized logistics personnel, others will make do with a Holy-emblem."
The white and red uniforms were distributed, and even though the courtyard factory worked overtime crazily, it still took time to produce these "uniforms" with some protective functions.
"From now on, we are all members of the Life Protection Battle Group under the Redemption Church." The new personnel structure wasn’t set yet; apart from Lu Ping’an appointing himself as Captain, everyone else was a member.
Given the use of the charity and humanitarian slogans, Lu Ping’an naturally wanted to switch to new "skins"... look at these uniforms, we are here to save people, attacking us is not kind, and will lead to you getting counter-attacked!
Perhaps back then, the Red Cross was so conspicuous because of its high recognizability.
The "battle group" structure explained it all, it was still a war organization, only its purpose was to save.
Lu Ping’an himself, for once, donned the white and red mixed uniform... and after he did so, most wavered cadres followed quickly.
The ships were also painted with various "Salvation Hand" marks, with the helping hand beneath the cross being the Holy-emblem of this "temporary organization" destined to be recorded in history.
In fact, to complete the "skin change" in all aspects before intervening, the ships stayed on the high seas for two days.
𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Lu Ping’an himself was exceptionally busy, busy drafting this new battle group’s code of conduct.
He was once again paying for his impulsive, whimsically conceived idea.
"Let history prove our choices." This time he played too big, even Lu Ping’an had no confidence.
And looking at the bustling crowds and the white-robed people training diligently, Lu Ping’an smiled with satisfaction.
"At least, I haven’t been alone for a long time..."
— End of Chapter 1785 —