Was Xu Cheng a bit extreme?
A bit.
But to him, since he wanted to do it, then he had to make all the preparations. As a soldier, before he got any intel that could put him at an advantage, he wouldn't recklessly take action. This also helped him form the habit of getting prepared before doing something.
In fact, as for Hawking, Xu Cheng really did need him. Suppose that day really came, when he unified the Land of Mercenaries through force. If he wanted to establish a nation, he would have to face all the nations that originally had their eyes on this land's resources. By that time, no words and force were more powerful than a quantum weapon that could easily beat nuclear weapons. This would be the highest level of deterrent.
In fact, Hawking could just leave. Xu Cheng never forced him to stay nor try very hard to convince him, so Hawking knew very well that he could leave if he wanted to.
But, inside his heart, he was also very tempted.
