Yang wrote:
>Well, actually Yang has to protect Alliance, so he has to defeat Reinhard by
>all means. Why did he fight with Empire for so long, really just for his
>salary?
Perhaps also for his belief in democracy? (though he often
questions it) That's the reason he gave for not working under Reinhard
after the alliance surrendered. Yang doesn't believe in artistocracy.
>Besides, in the road of fighting with Empire, many Alliance soldies
>are dead, and so as Empire's. The nameless soldiers devote their lives to
>fight against Reinhard, so I think it's Yang's mistake to not to kill
>Reinhard, for all lives that lost in the war against Empire goes in vain.
IMHO Yang Wenli doesn't distinguish much between his soldiers and
that of the Empire. To him they are all human beings, and further fighting
will only ends in more lives lost, whether or not it's on the Alliance's
side.
>Sun Tzu said that commanders can neglect the ruler's order once in war since
>no one can understand the real situation of war more than the commander.
>Yang as a history espert should know it.
But that goes against democratic ideas. The people (represented by
elected officials), and not the military officials, are supposed to have
the final say on whether or not to continue a war. (I know, in reality it
doesn't work this way, but that's the fundmental idea.) If Yang goes
against his own democratic belief, what difference is there between him and
Reinhard? (Other than that Reinhard is a more able soldier below the neck.
:P)
>As if he had killed Reinhard,
>Reuter, Obestine or other ambitious man would seize the emperor's seat, and
>no one will put notice on Alliance anymore.
Since the troops are already there at Heinessen, there's always the
chance of one of the Empire forces taking it over as their first base.
>I suppose if Reinhard is dead
>at that time, Reuter and Mittermeyer may shoot each other above Heinessen!
I'd expect more diplomatic skill from Reuental. As for
Mittermeyer, I see no reason for him to fight with his long time friend and
comrade. Reuental, after all, has saved Mittermeyer's life indirectly
before (by going to Reinhard for help). Besides, Mittermeyer doesn't
strike me as the power hungry type. If Reinhard's dead and the Empire
needs a new leader, I don't see why Mittermeyer wouldn't support his
friend.
On a side note, I think Oberstein would know better than trying to
become the emperor himself. Being the kind of man he is, he should know
that he lacks the charisma of a leader, and that he's best bet is to become
the advisor of the would-be emporer.
>Not to kill Reinhard is Yang's mistake, his only mistake...
The surrender shows Yang's firm belief in democracy. If that can
be considered as his mistake, then he's also made the mistake of not
organizing a coup d'etat against that corrupted Alliance government, in
addition to not attempting to take over the universe.
----------------------------
***Pei Lee
Internet: pei@ucla.edu
CompuServe: 76514,1053