Chapter 628 – Let Go of That Commander, Let Me Handle It (5)
Upon hearing this, the scholar’s expression turned urgent.
“Liu Xi is being far too greedy. He wants to protect the kingdom while simultaneously attacking our sect? Does he not fear choking on his own ambitions!”
An Huan couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Jiang Pengji and the Red Lotus Sect were sworn enemies. If they weren’t going to take advantage of your weakness, would they shower you with motherly love?
An Huan said, “Calm down, calm down. I’m telling you, there’s no need to rush; it’s precisely because Liu Xi is too greedy. He wants to have it both ways and will undoubtedly try to expand his victories at lightning speed. If he fights in a conventional manner, he can’t afford to drag this out…”
The scholar was hanging on every word, practically perking up his ears so as to not miss a single syllable.
“…In this situation, Liu Xi can only concentrate his forces for a strong assault at one point. Our sect possesses a vast number of members; how can we fear Liu Xi’s few thousand soldiers? If he tries to push hard, we can concentrate our forces to delay him. Over time, if he can’t break through, he’ll naturally have to retreat.”
The scholar nodded sagely, then asked a truly foolish question.
“Why would he retreat on his own accord?”
An Huan stuttered for a moment.
He really didn’t want to answer such an obvious question.
“Because he can’t afford to waste time on protecting the kingdom, of course.”
The scholar nodded emphatically, finally grasping things.
“In other words, we just need to buy some time?”
As long as they could stall, Liu Xi would retreat without a fight.
An Huan agreed, “Exactly!”
The scholar asked again, “But how do we know where Liu Xi will attack? The terrain in Chengde County isn’t overly complex, but it’s wide and messy, making troop transport cumbersome and wasteful of time. Duxi, where do you think Liu Xi will focus his attack?”
An Huan lowered his gaze.
Letting such a dimwit be a strategist was why they couldn’t keep the Green Garment Army under control.
The Red Lotus Sect had the numbers, but their main brains were simply too foolish.
“This is why I said there’s no need to hurry,” An Huan said, adopting a grandiose posture as he chuckled. “We wait, wait for Liu Xi’s next move. Liu Xi is conducting a long-distance campaign while we are defending, and with the smooth, broad official roads within the county, we can move our troops much faster than him. Instead of fretting and panicking now, which will only unsettle our sect members, we might as well sit back and wait for an opportunity, letting Liu Xi come to us. No matter where he plans to attack, we just need to keep our focus and, no matter how he tries to ambush us, we’ll be in a position of strength.”
An Huan thoroughly praised the Red Lotus Sect, making the scholar’s spirit soar as if he were on cloud nine.
The scholar’s eyes sparkled with enlightenment.
He grasped An Huan’s hands, calling him a kindred spirit.
An Huan chuckled softly.
He never made friends with a pig-brain.
His expression was indifferent.
The scholar asked more ridiculous questions, and An Huan patiently answered, showing no desire to hold back.
After their lengthy discussion, the scholar was immensely satisfied.
He patted An Huan’s shoulder, saying, “You did excellently! I will definitely speak highly of you in front of the sect leader.”
On the surface, An Huan revealed an uncontrollable delight but feigned modesty, dismissing him a few times.
However, based on An Huan’s initial assessment of the scholar, that person wouldn’t recommend him to the Red Lotus Sect leader; instead, he would likely keep him “under wraps.”
Why?
Because the Red Lotus Sect didn’t need two similarly “clever” strategists, and if An Huan were too intelligent and capable, it would only make the scholar seem foolish and incompetent.
An Huan was well aware of this small ploy of suppression.
Anyway, he didn’t need the Red Lotus Sect’s attention; flattering words meant little to him.
The sect leader’s trust in the scholar only grew, a level of trust that An Huan wouldn’t be able to catch up to anytime soon.
As Jiang Pengji’s planted agent, An Huan needed the Red Lotus Sect leader to fully believe in his words, making the scholar the best messenger.
Sure enough, the scholar turned around to report to the Red Lotus Sect leader, tweaking An Huan’s words and taking credit for them, not giving a shred of acknowledgment to An Huan’s role.
The Red Lotus Sect leader was a stocky man barely five feet tall, his face riddled with pockmarks. To cover his unsightliness, he sported a bushy beard. He and the scholar were from the same hometown and shared a good relationship before the uprising, afterwards trusting the scholar.
He stroked his beard, pondering for a moment.
“Let’s do as you say. I want to see what capabilities this Liu Xi has to dare offend the divine!”
Previously mentioned, the Green Garment Army were bandits, while the Red Lotus Sect considered themselves the bandits with a cause.
This leader fancied himself an incarnation of the divine, descended to save the people.
In reality—
Before becoming the “divine incarnation,” he was merely a wild doctor who had studied a few years at best.
By chance, he came across a copy of teachings from a sect that survived the chaotic Sixteen Nations period. He found it deeply enlightening and began to promote it everywhere. However, the ancient texts didn’t specify which sect it was from, so he whimsically named it after his hometown, Honglian County.
Years passed, and he amassed a group of followers in his hometown, laying the groundwork for the later uprising.
Just as the capital was shaken by an earthquake and the imperial family relocated, disregarding the people’s wellbeing, he boldly raised the teachings and led his followers to revolt.
Had the Red Lotus Sect been a little luckier, without the Green Garment Army to obstruct them, the teachings would likely have spread throughout the North by now.
Unfortunately, fate was not on their side.
The Green Garment Army rose swiftly, contesting fiercely with the Red Lotus Sect in the North.
In the end, neither could best the other, and neither could grow stronger, ultimately benefiting Jiang Pengji.
Because of his contributions to the strategy, the scholar received a hefty reward, further solidifying his intent to suppress An Huan.
However, to maintain such a “high-caliber” IQ, he still needed An Huan to serve as his gunman.
An Huan, intent on further gaining the scholar’s trust, later helped him resolve a couple more matters.
To the members of the Red Lotus Sect, their strategist seemed to be on a winning streak, shining even brighter.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji was already preparing to set out, with ample provisions gathered and elite soldiers selected, standing tall even against the cold wind.
Jiang Pengji ascended the command platform, officially announcing her role as the commander of the vanguard.
This time, Li Yun was promoted from vice-captain to captain, leading the right wing to support the vanguard unit and the main army.
Meng Hunyun stayed behind to guard the home front, while Luo Yue was responsible for the transportation of supplies and various logistical matters.
Dian Yin was appointed as the vice-captain of the vanguard, charging into battle alongside Jiang Pengji.
Nong Qin’s female troops would serve as the spearhead, assisting in the offensive tactics of the vanguard.
As for the strategists accompanying the army, Jiang Pengji pondered over her options and ultimately chose Yang Si.
Qi Guanrang remained in command of the main army, with Wei Ci and Xu Ke stationed to guard, while Yang Si went off to battle.
Upon learning the results, Yang Si couldn’t help but marvel.
“I truly don’t know if your lord is magnanimous or merely reckless, to dare heavily rely on those who haven’t yet sworn loyalty.”
Wei Ci smiled, saying, “The leader trusts those she dares to use. Besides, you devised this plan for the surprise attack; if you aren’t brought along, then who will? Just… I’ve heard the mountainous paths are perilous, you need to be cautious.”
Yang Si’s face darkened, looking as ashen as a charcoal grill.
“The day we sever ties will definitely be your mouth’s downfall!”
