Vasily scanned the generals in the room and said slowly, "Everyone knows our current situation. Our soldiers are not accustomed to the climate here and cannot continue the siege, so we have to wait here for the weather to improve."
"But the Wei people won't wait for us forever," Vasily continued with a more serious tone. "I've received intelligence that the Wei army is constantly reinforcing, and it will be even more difficult to capture cities in the future."
A general asked in surprise, "With such a strong storm outside, how could the Wei army possibly continue marching?"
"What's so strange about that?" Alexander scoffed. "Although these Wei people are not strong in combat, they are hardy and endure hardship. They are all excellent material for slaves."
"In this kind of storm, people can't move, but livestock can!"
Hearing Alexander's words, many generals in the room burst into laughter.
Vasily observed this but said nothing further. Although Vasily was very wary of the Wei people, he couldn't help but notice that his generals were understandably arrogant after their recent great victory.
Vasily waited for them to finish laughing before continuing, "During this time, even if you are in the city, do not let the soldiers be too undisciplined. We will have to fight again later, and laxity will not be good."
The generals nodded. While they looked down on the Wei people, they understood that proper defense could not be slackened.
"Also, you must restrain your subordinates and not allow them to rob the Wei people." Vasily's words, however, displeased many Roman generals.
"Marshal, those Wei people are excellent slaves. Aren't slaves the property of their masters? How can you call it robbery?" someone said unhappily.
"Exactly, exactly," Alexander added. "These soldiers are fighting for wealth and slaves. If they are not allowed to gain slaves, who knows if they will continue to fight?"
"Exactly, exactly," many agreed.
Vasily frowned.
The Roman Empire still retained slavery, allowing people to own slaves by paying a small fee to the empire.
However, later, for a series of reasons, the Roman Empire gradually tightened its control over slaves, and eventually prohibited its own citizens from becoming slaves.
Thus, the only source of slaves could be from abroad. Compared to the trafficking of people, capturing prisoners of war became the most important source, and the continuously rising price of slaves stimulated the Roman passion for war.
Therefore, Vasily intended to reduce the practice of capturing people as slaves, but this clearly went against the interests of the army's personnel.
Vasily's original intention was to coexist peacefully with these people and slowly erode this continent, rather than provoking widespread hostility from the local population.
After all, such crude enslavement could, like in Crimea, constantly incite local hostility and resistance, which had not yet stabilized.
Finally, Vasily sighed softly and said no more.
It was only because he had led the army to many victories and established his prestige that these people hadn't started cursing him. If it were in the past, things might have been different.
...
At this time, inside and outside Ningxia Commandery city, the scene was one of bustling activity. Although there was still a significant storm, the Wei people, who had lived here for a long time, were able to endure it.
Many people were reinforcing the city walls and preparing various defensive weapons in such an environment. In addition, teams of camels were transporting grain into the city.
Not long ago, the Prefect of Ningxia, Kong Li, had posted a notice in the name of the Prefect's Office, calling for the city's residents to participate in the repair and defense of the city. The entire city's populace was fighting for this city.
Kong Li, facing the wind and sand, watched the people working enthusiastically and couldn't help but feel a little moved, wondering if they could truly defend this city as hoped.
"Sir, the wind and sand outside are too strong. You should return," a nearby attendant said to Kong Li.
Kong Li shook his head and replied, "The common people are still repairing the city defenses against the wind and sand. It is only proper for me, an old man, to look around."
"But you are old, sir," the attendant still advised.
Kong Li ignored him and continued his rounds.
The storm was still ongoing, and most of the people involved in repairing the city walls had their faces covered with cloth. However, even so, it was difficult to completely block the wind and sand. From time to time, people would shrink their heads, shielding themselves from the wind and sand while working.
Although they were conscripted by the government, it concerned their personal safety, so the common people worked with all their might.
Most of the prominent families in Ningxia Commandery city had sent a large number of their clansmen away, but essentially none had left their entire families. More or less, some people were left behind.
These people now had no time to consider their elevated status or how much they hated the old man Kong Li. At this moment, they were also participating in the defense of the city, wanting to contribute their strength.
Kong Li walked and asked, "Are there any messages from the Western Army?"
"Sir, you just asked that," the attendant replied helplessly. "The latest message came half an hour ago. The army's marching speed is not too fast, but they should arrive by tomorrow night at the latest."
"Tomorrow night."
Kong Li pondered, then sighed heavily again. Ultimately, it was his dereliction of duty. If he had been there at the time, he would have reacted sooner, and it might not have come to this point.
It had even affected the court's grand strategy. Kong Li clutched his chest, feeling a dull ache, wondering how many people had been displaced because of him.