Siege.
Chen Yu was actually a bit tempted.
If he could capture a city and become its lord, dictating the nation, it sounded rather appealing.
However, the geographical location was somewhat lacking.
Chen Yu had paid attention to the surroundings when he went to the black city, which was called a city-state. It was all wilderness, lacking the earthiness of mountains or the presence of lakes and rivers.
The climate was relatively dry, belonging to fire.
From the perspective of the Five Elements, the environment of this city was not an ideal choice for a main city.
It wasn't a main city, after all.
Where would a main city be abandoned? Even provinces with relatively poorer GDP have their capitals as prefecture-level cities, still ranking as second-tier cities.
They wouldn't be abandoned!
Otherwise, wouldn't the investments made in the city back then be wasted?
Although it couldn't be a main city, it wouldn't be impossible to make this small city a subordinate territory.
"What do you think?" Black Bean's eyes were eager. "That city-state looks like a bandit's den. If we take them down, we'll be upholding justice, like the dawn light driving away darkness. We'd be accumulating virtue and doing good deeds. Operating a city, collecting taxes, that's a huge source of income."
"Hiss!"
Chen Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Taxes!
This actually had some potential.
If that city were developed well, with Chen Yu's modern ideas, even if he wasn't a professional, just a rough imitation would allow him to rake in a substantial sum.
Moreover, he wasn't unable to contact the survivors in the underground world.
Recruitment!
As long as he had status, ability, and a strong background, wouldn't he be able to find talented people?
He dared not say anything else.
If Chen Yu sent a message to the regional chat channel right now, his recruitment advertisement would likely receive a hundred responses for every call. Those people would be scrambling to get to him.
However!
Ideals are full, but reality is stark.
Sieging a city isn't something that can be achieved by just talking. You can't just take a city into your possession through wishful thinking.
Didn't the Grand Governor of the Eastern Wu navy once say something?
To conquer a city of 30,000 soldiers, you need at least 60,000 troops. Although the number of those bandits isn't as outrageous as ten thousand, it should be several hundred.
Chen Yu needed troops!
Right now, he had some Orc mercenaries and over a dozen Kobold warriors. They might struggle to fight even a tribe, let alone occupy an entire city.
Even though the people in the black city were bandits, bandits who could conquer a city and remain standing there.
Could they be ordinary bandits?
"The idea is good, but execution is difficult!" Chen Yu licked his lips and said, "We lack manpower right now. Can you expect these few dozen people to attack a city?"
"That's true."
Black Bean, hearing this, also clicked his tongue slightly.
"Then, how about we go scout the way again?" Black Bean whispered, narrowing his dark eyes. "This time, we'll find out their overall combat strength, and then we'll send out hero invitations."
"It's not simple to recruit soldiers in the underground world; as long as there's food, there are soldiers."
"We can send those mercenaries to explore the underground, and if they encounter small villages, tribes, or small camps like Er Gou's, we can directly absorb them."
Hiss!
It wasn't entirely unfeasible.
Chen Yu crossed his arms and frowned, pondering.
He had no shortage of equipment. Anyone who joined him would receive a complete set of equipment and rare-grade weapons. From the quality of the equipment alone, they would have an overwhelming advantage over the slave fighters in the black city.
"Good idea."
Chen Yu looked down at Black Bean and smiled.
"Alright, you actually have some ideas and are acting as my strategist now."
"Heh, if I follow the boss, how can my strategic vision be poor?" Black Bean quietly flattered Chen Yu. Chen Yu, however, didn't fall for his flattery and chuckled, "You've been clamoring to siege cities. Is it because you've taken a liking to the older sisters in the city? If you capture the city, they'll all be yours, right?"
"Not at all, not at all!"
Unexpectedly, Black Bean shook his head righteously, then a mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"Boss, you taste the first bite. Whoever you fancy, your second brother definitely won't touch them. They are my sisters-in-law."
"Do you think I'm like you?" Chen Yu snorted.
He wanted to siege the city because the city could bring him profit and provide him with a stable source of resources in the future. This was something Chen Yu valued greatly.
Also, he genuinely wanted to liberate the slaves in that city.
Chen Yu knew that his abilities were limited.
Situations like this were definitely common in the underground world. If he were to liberate all the slaves, it would be unrealistic.
He could only do what he could.
Now, he saw it, and he indeed had the potential ability to liberate them, so he was willing to try.
"Heh, I know the boss can't stand seeing slaves suffer." Black Bean grinned and said, "Either way, it's beneficial to go and see. This time, I can also figure out their treasure spots. Damn it, even if we can't capture that city in a short period, we have to steal all their treasures."
"There are really good things?" Chen Yu asked in surprise.
"Yes!"
Black Bean nodded vigorously upon hearing this and said.
"From the moment I entered the city, I had a feeling. There are definitely good treasures in that city-state, and their resource reserves are astonishing, as is the money. If we rob them, we'll definitely take off!"
With things reaching this point, Chen Yu felt there was nothing more to hesitate about.
"Let's go!"
Chen Yu directly got up from his seat and took out a town scroll.
Scrolls.
He didn't lack them now.
Although the Orc mercenaries didn't have town scrolls, the Golden Swordsmen and the Rich Young Masters had plenty, as did those obtained from the Necromancer earlier.
It was almost as good as having free scrolls.
It cost an exploration invitation to go to an underground world, so he had to use them sparingly. Otherwise, if he couldn't return to the camp, would he have to sleep in the wilderness?
Seeing Chen Yu holding the scroll, Black Bean also instantly jumped onto Chen Yu's shoulder.
"Charge!"
*Crack.*
Chen Yu tore the scroll.
In the camp, a silver-white light surged from under Chen Yu's feet. The silver light then enveloped him bit by bit and he vanished from the camp with a whoosh.
"Where did the leader go?"
The fox woman Su Bei stretched out her small hand, and the bee woman Nuo Ya smiled faintly.
"The lord definitely has his own matters to attend to. We shouldn't pry too much; let's just stay here and help the lord manage the camp with peace of mind."
"Mhm, mhm~"
Su Bei pursed her lips and nodded vigorously, then diligently cultivated the flowerbed with Nuo Ya.
*Whoosh—*
A flash of silver light.
Chen Yu and Black Bean, standing in the camp, arrived in a new underground space, just like when they usually stepped into an exploration circle. Chen Yu, familiar with the routine, prepared to explore the black city again.
However, before he could take a few steps, Chen Yu stopped.
His eyes were fixed on the city ahead.
"Did they renovate this city?"
--
Author's Note:
Good morning, surely you're eating!