The core of the Ox-Herd tactic is that you have to hold on; once the ox breaks free, you can't catch it, and you might even get trampled to death. To lead the ox by its nose, you must make it believe you are in front. When the ox realizes you are behind it, it will turn around and walk away. The scholar hit the nail on the head by pointing out the two most critical issues: if the enemy doesn't notice that everyone is continuing to move forward, they will be just as alard, and if we exit the gorge, our discovery will be just as inevitable.
Everyone present was astute and turned their curious eyes toward Luo Zheng, since they considered him a man with a plan. Since he raised the issue, they were certain he had a solution.
"One mont you're calling for a retreat to the south, the next you're herding oxen; your commands change from dawn to dusk, and everyone's running around like headless flies in fright. We don't need to wait for the enemy to start pursuing us; you'll have exhausted us to death already," a discordant voice said coldly — it was Song Li, who, seeing his own commands followed to the letter and the team's obedience, couldn't help but feel extre jealousy and blurt out a few words of complaint.
Luo Zheng completely ignored Song Li's grumbling, not even sparing him a glance, and sincerely addressed everyone, "The two issues raised by our scholarly brother are very crucial. Here's what I'm thinking: If the enemy has not discovered our whereabouts in half an hour, they will certainly beco suspicious. If our people continue to retreat southwards, the enemy will assu we have rested here for half an hour and will quicken their advance."
"But we have also retreated southwards, and by the ti we turn back, the team will be just as exhausted, and you'll have worn everyone out all the sa," Song Li, ignored by Luo Zheng, spoke up even more provocatively.
"You're not wrong," Luo Zheng replied coolly with a light sneer. "But did I say everyone will retreat south? Those who are injured or weak will stay behind. We'll choose about ten who are relatively more energetic to make a show of force. They will march forward for about half an hour, then scatter and retreat one by one. No gathering in a group; everyone moves separately, covered in snow-white camouflage. And look, the snow is getting heavy, the sky darker, making it difficult for the enemy to spot us, and even if they do, they'll likely mistake us for foraging animals."
"I think that's a good plan. When we later retract from the gorge and take a detour through the mountain forest, we could use the sa approach, dispersing in batches, using the snowstorm as cover. Just to be safe, those who are weak or injured should pair up and rest for about two hours before proceeding to recover so strength. I think it's not a problem," the Farr said, his eyes lighting up with approval.
"Then it's decided. I'll lead the team to retreat southwards first," the Monk imdiately proposed, his concerned expression swept away as he looked at Luo Zheng with newfound respect.
"Alright, it's settled," the Gardener and the Scholar expressed their agreent, and the tactics were decided there and then.
"Rest for half an hour," Luo Zheng announced cheerfully, seeing that everyone agreed with the tactical adjustnt. Since everyone was already nearby and had heard the revised plan clearly, they all felt it was fine and contentedly pulled out their sleeping bags to rest.
Luo Zheng remained still. Once everyone had crawled into their sleeping bags, his brow furrowed deeply. The plan appeared feasible, yet it was also a risk, and success relied on a fair amount of luck. Shan Hu tiptoed over, voicing his concern, "Are you worried about the plan going awry?"
"Yeah," Luo Zheng nodded in frank agreent.
You don't need to overthink it. Everyone's smart enough to understand the drawbacks of the plan. They don't ntion it because they believe it's the best option we have right now. Without a better plan, they naturally choose yours. Even if sothing unexpected happens, no one will bla you. Besides, taking a break doesn't hurt. According to the original plan, the enemy will be blocking our path ahead. After resting a bit and then moving on, the enemy will still be ahead blocking us. The outco is the sa, and the new plan still has room to maneuver, so why worry too much?" Shan Hu said earnestly.
"You do have a way with comforting people," Luo Zheng said with a smile.
Shan Hu didn't reply but glanced at the warriors huddling into their sleeping bags. His gaze then drifted towards the grey sky and the fluttering snowflakes, he pondered for a mont before his expression beca stern, and he said seriously, "The brothers are too exhausted and desperately need so rest. If we keep moving now, I'm afraid there will be non-combat casualties, which is the last thing the brothers want to see. They can die, but they should fall in battle, not freeze or exhaust to death."
"Yeah," Luo Zheng cursed with so indignation, "Those damned Russians sure are ruthless, chasing us down like this. It's not like we poked a hornet's nest, what's really going on here? If it's just for the docunts, they could've found another opportunity, right? They must know that if pushed too far, we would destroy the docunts, so why?"
"Who knows, I heard the Snow Bear Special Forces is full of high-ranking officials' children. Wouldn't it be a coincidence if one of those bigwigs' kin was taken out by us? Besides, the mysterious and powerful Snow Bear Special Combat Team also has a reputation to maintain. You took down quite a few of them single-handedly; they can't swallow that pride," Shan Hu said with a smile, his calm eyes filled with joy. The more crazed the enemy, the more it proves our effectiveness, right?
"It's possible, but never mind that now, how's your wound?" Luo Zheng mused that there was truth in that, like how a third of the National Blade Special Combat Team was made up of high-ranking officials' children, who regarded honor as their life. No matter who got taken out, there would surely be a violent retaliation. He then shifted the topic.
"It's not serious, I can take it," Shan Hu said nonchalantly.
Luo Zheng knew it wasn't that simple; in this freezing world of ice and snow, wounds were not easily healed, but there was no other choice. After so thought, he said, "Go get so rest."
After Shan Hu left, Luo Zheng too crawled into his sleeping bag and began to rest using the family's Breathing Skill. Half an hour later, Monk got up, found Luo Zheng, and after confirming with the headquarters that the enemy had also stopped, Luo Zheng knew their whereabouts had alerted the enemy. He summoned Scholar, Gardener, and Farr for a discussion. Each squad selected three of the strongest warriors to head south through the canyon, led by Monk.
Ten minutes later, Luo Zheng called headquarters again to make sure the enemy had once again gone chasing ahead, then he finally relaxed and laughed, signaling everyone to continue sleeping. As long as they got the enemy moving, the rest would be easy. More than an hour later, Monk and his team returned, visibly exhausted, and Luo Zheng told everyone to keep resting.
Another hour passed, and Luo Zheng made yet another call to the headquarters. Even the headquarters was confused by Luo Zheng's incessant calls, but when Luo Zheng inquired about the satellite surveillance at the previous eting point, Captain Wu quickly caught on and, while laughing and teasing, said, "What kind of trick are you pulling now, kid?"
Only then did Luo Zheng briefly outline his plan, and the Commander's voice rang with pride through the phone, "Hahaha, this is the 'Lead Away' tactic of guerrilla warfare, a brilliant strategy passed down from our ancestors. Interesting, go on, you have the green light, the previous eting point is secure."
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