Zhao Hanzhang offered the telescope to Zhao Ming in a flattering manner, "Uncle Ming, take a look."
Zhao Ming frowned at the object in her hand, which was made of wooden pairs of small mirrors. He was already puzzled when Zhao Hanzhang used it to look across the river.
At this mont, he reached out to take it, imitating Zhao Hanzhang’s gesture, and looked across the river. The vague figure of Prince East Sea suddenly leaped into his line of sight. Zhao Ming quickly put down the telescope, looked down at the object in his hand, and picked it up again, unable to suppress his high spirits...
"Where did this co from?"
Zhao Hanzhang pointed at Fu Tinghan and smiled, "Ting Han had the people from the glass workshop figure it out. We were still working on it before we left."
Zhao Ming turned to speak with Fu Tinghan but heard the sound of hooves. He looked back and saw Gou Xi leading a group of soldiers approaching.
He imdiately tightened his grip on the telescope and quickly stuffed it into his wide sleeve.
After tidying his sleeve, he raised his head with a faint smile on his face and whispered a warning to Zhao Hanzhang, "Be cautious in front of Gou Xi."
Zhao Hanzhang also smiled at Gou Xi and replied in a soft voice, "I know!"
Gou Xi approached with soldiers, and under the watchful eyes of Prince East Sea across the river, the two formally t. Both raised smiles sufficient for the blurred face of Prince East Sea to see on the opposite bank.
Prince East Sea was furious. He spun around in place twice and asked angrily, "What does Zhao Hanzhang an by this? Is the Yu State Army officially declaring war against and the court?"
No one answered.
Gou Xi appraised Zhao Hanzhang and nodded in greeting, "General Zhao, it has been a while."
Zhao Hanzhang’s face bead with a bright smile, "General Gou remains as spirited as ever."
Neither of them were overly sentintal people. After a brief greeting, Zhao Hanzhang began to introduce those she brought with her, "Yu State owes much to General Gou for his assistance. The entire Yu State is grateful. I specifically brought soldiers here to pay respects to the General."
Zhao Hanzhang first introduced Zhao Ming and smiled, "This is the backbone of the Zhao Family, my uncle, Zhao Ming."
"So it’s Lord Zhao. I’ve heard much about you."
Zhao Hanzhang was slightly taken aback and glanced at Zhao Ming. Lord Zhao? How could she not know her Uncle Ming had this na?
Zhao Ming only nodded slightly on horseback, "I too have heard much about General Gou."
Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly introduced Ji Yuan, followed by Xun Xiu and others.
For reasons unknown, neither dismounted. Zhao Hanzhang actually wanted to dismount and touch the river water, but seeing Gou Xi had no intention to dismount, she remained seated on horseback.
Gou Xi also noticed Prince East Sea on the observation platform across the river, slightly raising his chin, while watching the opposite side, he asked Zhao Hanzhang, "What do you think Prince East Sea will surmise from our eting?"
Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids to glance across the river, retrospectively realizing that Gou Xi remained on horseback to avoid appearing shorter than Prince East Sea standing on the high platform, wasn’t he?
Zhao Hanzhang was inwardly speechless but maintained a serious expression, "He will undoubtedly assu we have ford an alliance. Congratulations, General Gou."
Gou Xi turned his head to look at her, "Congratulations to only. What, does General Zhao wish not to ally with ?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "General Gou, my heart cares only for Yu State and Great Jin’s interests. Prince East Sea acts against the common good, whereas General Gou, for the sake of righteousness, temporarily relinquishes his vendetta against him to assist Yu State in overcoming difficulties. This sentint, Hanzhang will never forget."
Gou Xi understood; she ant that they are allied because it benefits Yu State and Great Jin now, but one day if his existence threatens Yu State and Great Jin, the alliance would cease to exist.
He smirked slightly, quickly processing his thoughts, nodded in acknowledgnt of Zhao Hanzhang’s words, and asked, "With his current deploynt, where does General Zhao think we should strike?"
Zhao Hanzhang slightly furrowed her brows.
Gou Xi noticed, then said, "General Zhao can’t believe rely displaying the Yu State Army here will frighten Prince East Sea away, right?"
He sneered, "He is a proud man, acting independently these years, unable to endure any grievances; do you think he will willingly withdraw his troops?"
"This battle, General Zhao must fight, whether she wants to or not!"
Zhao Hanzhang’s brow relaxed, smiling, "General Gou is right. Where do you intend to start?"
Gou Xi didn’t hold back, directly stating, "To attack him, we must cross the river, but crossing the river weakens us by three points. If they seize the mont to launch an attack, it would be disadvantageous for us."
"So?"
Gou Xi glanced across the river, seeing Prince East Sea already infuriated and left, then leaped down from his horse.
Zhao Hanzhang followed suit and dismounted, the two standing by the riverside. Gou Xi casually picked up a stick to draw in the ground, "This place, General Zhao should be quite familiar with; it’s where you secretly crossed back from the Jiang."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded.
Gou Xi grinned and said, "Prince East Sea’s army lack fervor; they haven’t scouted this area, so General Zhao can cross the river from here again."
His stick deftly turned, drawing a long line on the ground, then pointed with the stick towards the river path, "Further up, there’s another easy crossing point. My forces will cross there, attacking Prince East Sea’s camp from another location."
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t object but asked, "Just our two armies? Even without their fighting spirit, they have about two hundred thousand n, don’t they?"
Gou Xi grinned, "Rest assured, General Zhao; this conflict between and Prince East Sea is personal. I certainly wouldn’t make you lead the charge."
His gaze swept over Xun Xiu and others behind her, Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Rest assured, these generals are trustworthy."
Gou Xi smiled slightly, "Naturally, I believe so. Anyone whom General Zhao brings here surely has no ulterior motives."
He casually asked, "Why is Governor Zhang of Ruyin County not here today? We could consider acquaintances."
Zhao Hanzhang’s expression didn’t change in the slightest, continuing to smile, "Governor Zhang is ill and recuperating in the camp, but if General Gou wishes to et him, I believe he’d be willing to co, otherwise I could have him pay respects to General Gou tonight?"
Gou Xi declined, smiling, "No need, just pass along my regards to him."
Cold sweat was nearly dripping from the faces of Xun Xiu and others behind Zhao Hanzhang, even Zhao Ju couldn’t help but tense up, his expression shifting several tis.
The only ones consistent were Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan, and... Fu Tinghan.
Zhao Ju couldn’t help but glance at Fu Tinghan, surprised by his composure.
After exchange of innuendos, confirming those present were trustworthy, Gou Xi proceeded to reveal his plan, "I intend for General Zhao’s forces to break camp and make a show of returning to Chen County, while I lead a feigned attack to lure his main army across the river."
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