Although the army’s supplies seed scarce, the banquet that evening was still lavish. Before night fell, a platform was set up on the open ground in front of the main tent. On the platform were two seats, while mats and low tables were placed on both sides below it.
This ti, Zhao Hanzhang’s seat was arranged at the very end.
Even with Mr. Ji’s usual composure, his expression turned grim. Zhao Hanzhang, however, was smiling cheerfully and had ti to console Mr. Ji, "This position is just right. We are here to observe; we just need to listen to their arrangents."
Mr. Ji’s expression slightly improved, but he still couldn’t help remarking, "What if they make us the vanguard and send us to our deaths?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied with deep aning, "That would require them to have the courage."
They all underestimated her because she was a woman—how brave would they have to be to give such an important position as the vanguard to her?
Mr. Ji thought so too; even if their family young lady had the capability, they had to believe in her. If the vanguard fell apart, the whole army would collapse. They were probably not bold enough to put such a burden on their family young lady.
For so reason, Mr. Ji felt a little disappointed.
When everyone was seated, Governor Zhang ca over with a middle-aged general, and Ji Yuan whispered, "That is Wu Canjiang, sent by Prince East Sea."
Zhao Hanzhang also lowered her voice to speak with him, "I didn’t see him in the big tent before."
Mr. Ji appreciated her observation and whispered, "So it’s Governor Zhang who is leading this allied force."
Although it was Governor Zhang in charge, he still introduced Wu Canjiang to everyone before starting the pre-battle speech.
No, it should be said that he was inspiring everyone’s passion for war. Governor Zhang stated that relieving the siege on Yu Yang would relieve the crisis for Yu State, relieve the crisis for Luoyang, and relieve the peril for Your Majesty and the Prince...
This was a great achievent, so as long as the siege on Yu Yang was lifted, everyone would be promoted and beco prosperous—oh no, would have their nas rembered by Your Majesty and the Prince, with a bright future ahead...
Actually, it was to have their nas rembered by Prince East Sea. What use was it to have their nas rembered by the emperor now?
Zhao Hanzhang quietly listened, sweeping her gaze around, discovering quite a few people were genuinely excited, ready to give it a try.
Governor Zhang clapped his hands, signaling for the food and wine to be served.
Zhao Hanzhang slled the aroma of the at and couldn’t help but sit up a little straighter.
A soldier brought a large plate over, covered with a lid. When lifted, the aroma of the at assaulted her senses.
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her head slightly, seeing a half-roasted leg of lamb on it.
Her gaze swept around, finding each table had one. How many sheep did they have to kill for this?
Then ca a large basin of lamb soup, filled with at at first glance, showing Governor Zhang’s generosity.
Besides lamb, there were other soups and even a platter of fruits. It could be said that although they were at an encampnt outside, the banquet’s specifications were not low.
Zhao Hanzhang slightly raised an eyebrow and looked at Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan was also looking at her. Didn’t you say their supplies didn’t seem much?
Zhao Hanzhang: How would she know? Perhaps there were supplies elsewhere she hadn’t discovered?
That would be truly... wonderful.
A soldier also brought up a jug of wine, one for each table. Governor Zhang poured a bowl of wine, raised it, and said, "Everyone, let us unite as one to fight the Xiongnu and rescue the nation from danger."
Everyone hurriedly poured wine and stood up. Zhao Hanzhang also opened the jug and poured a cup for herself and Mr. Ji, smiling as she clinked from a distance with Governor Zhang before drinking it down in one go.
Governor Zhang saw this and smiled signaling her.
After finishing his wine, Governor Zhang saw that everyone was giving face and, in high spirits, waved his hand and said, "Everyone, please be seated. Since everyone is here tonight, why not discuss an attack strategy?"
Soone imdiately said, "Just attack directly, we have more than 20,000 soldiers, are we afraid of the Xiongnu’s few thousand troops?"
Governor Zhang pretended not to hear this statent. The Xiongnu cavalry could fight ten n at a ti, or even more. If used well, a thousand could fight ten thousand like it’s nothing, so what do more than 20,000 an in their eyes?
"Does anyone have a good strategy?" If he wanted to charge blindly, would he need to stay here for so long?
Soone asked, "Has there been contact with the magistrate inside Yu Yang City?"
Governor Zhang sighed, "Contact has been made, but now Yu Yang is besieged, communication is not smooth. The magistrate only sent word for a quick attack, nothing else. So we can only act according to circumstances."
What does it an to act according to circumstances?
That is, to listen to Governor Zhang, not be directed by the inspector inside the city.
So soone suggested, "Perhaps we could send a part of the army to lure the enemy, while others lay in ambush in advance?"
"That’s a good plan, but who will be sent?"
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Governor Zhang, seeing he did not object and was indeed considering, even scanning the people present, seemingly sweeping lightly over her.
Zhao Hanzhang: ...
She couldn’t help but raise her hand, "Uncle~"
Realizing she wasn’t in a classroom after she raised it, she lowered her hand and spoke while sitting upright, "Uncles and uncles, the army has been stationed here for three days, and during these three days reinforcents have arrived intermittently. We are about 60 miles from Yu Yang City and only about 40 miles from the Xiongnu camp. Do you think they are unaware?"
Everyone fell silent.
Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the dense woods on the side and said, "Perhaps the Xiongnu spies are lurking sowhere, watching this place right now."
At this, everyone’s backs stiffened, and so looked around nervously. Upon discovering they were surrounded by stationed troops, soone shouted with anger, "Nonsense, kid, don’t scare people. There are 20,000 troops stationed here. Would a Xiongnu spy dare to approach?"
The main issue is even if they approached, you wouldn’t know.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Governor Zhang. After so thought, he felt she made sense and asked, "Third Lady, do you have a good idea?"
"No," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "if we can scout the Xiongnu army’s numbers, the Xiongnu can naturally scout ours. Both sides’ intelligence is open and equal now, so pretending won’t work. Why not fight drum for drum?"
"Hmph, the Zhao Family is too arrogant; to send a little girl for such an important matter. Lady Zhao, I advise you, if you don’t understand, speak less, so as not to disgrace your family."
"This is a matter for adults; a little kid should just listen quietly. Don’t really think you’re great because you brought 3,000 people here."
Zhao Hanzhang ignored them and just focused on asking Governor Zhang, "What do you think, uncle?"
"This..." Governor Zhang hesitated, looking at them, then at Zhao Hanzhang, and finally said, "Third Lady, you are young, you may have read so military tactics, but theory cannot compare to real military experience. You should listen to your uncles’ teachings more."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, "Uncle is right."
Yu Yang must not fall into Governor Zhang’s hands. Zhao Hanzhang lowered her gaze, becoming thoughtful. It’s a pity she hadn’t t Inspector He, but he could obtain the rights to mine iron in Ru Nan County from her grandfather, so he shouldn’t be weak.
Zhao Hanzhang poured herself a bowl of wine and whispered to Mr. Ji, "If we can save Yu Yang, be cautious of Governor Zhang, and try to protect Inspector He."
Ji Yuan replied softly in agreent.
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