As the saying goes, the formation of an army is ever-changing, just as the shape of water is never fixed.
In fact, General Zheng's original target had indeed been Ming'an City. He was accustod to small-scale ventures, a sowhat petty mindset he couldn't quite shake off yet. For General Zheng, war had little to do with lofty ideals like defending his holand; he lacked that kind of conviction and possessed even less loyalty to the Yan State. Of course, he was fond of Yan State, that much was certain. However, to claim he would be devoted unto death was an overstatent—quite an overstatent indeed.
Thus, when General Zheng waged war, his primary motive was plunder. Military achievents served to expand his territory; wealth, provisions, and population served to bolster his forces for further recruitnt. This recruitnt, in turn, enabled more effective plundering, which then fueled more recruitnt. It was much like asking a shepherd boy his dream, only for him to reply: herd sheep, raise children, herd more sheep, raise more children.
Ming'an City was a transit hub in the monopoly market plundered by the wild people. One didn't need to be a genius to recognize the imnse benefits of capturing it. In the hands of the wild people, it represented the hard-earned wealth of the Jin land's populace, stained with their blood and tears. But once seized by oneself, it was simply called spoils of war.
However, not long after the main army departed, Liang Cheng sensed sothing was wrong. The pursuing enemy forces, despite having clear opportunities to engage and "bite" them, refrained from doing so. Instead, they rely feigned attempts to track their movents. Furthermore, Xue Three and his scouts, who had been operating on the periphery of the main army, relayed intelligence indicating that wild people forces to both the east and west appeared to be making moves.
Liang Cheng imdiately concluded that Ming'an City was no longer a viable target. The original plan had to be altered. Should they stubbornly charge forward, they would truly be smashed to a bloody pulp.
After all, in this period and region, the Shengle army was the weaker party. When you are strong, you can dictate the terms of engagent. But when you are weak, you must dance to your opponent's tune. The enemy had a large appetite, aiming to swallow them in one gulp. What else could be done? They could only 'cleanse' themselves and serve themselves up.
Jin Shuke and the other two small vanguard forces were, in reality, shadows of the main army. Their mission was to create the illusion of the main army's trajectory, luring the wild people into completing the strategic encirclent they desired. anwhile, the main body of the Shengle Army had already slipped away before the encirclent could fully materialize.
Having broken free, they needed to achieve sothing. Zheng Fan consulted the map, scanned his surroundings, and a particular location caught his eye: Snow Sea Pass!
They would seize the opportunity presented by the wild people garrison originally stationed at Snow Sea Pass being drawn out to encircle them. And so, an extrely vulnerable Snow Sea Pass lay before Zheng Fan and the Shengle army.
Zheng Fan splashed cold water on his face. He felt grimy and uncomfortable. He desperately craved a hot bath to feel refreshed.
Cavalry campaigns emphasize biding ti, still as a mountain, then striking like a clap of thunder. When Tian Wujing first campaigned in Jin State, this was his thod. The elite forces of the Zhenbei and Jingnan Armies carefully passed through Qian State to South Gate Pass. Upon entering Jin State territory, they launched a rapid campaign, covering a thousand li in ten days, securing a decisive victory.
Zheng Fan had always believed that when it ca to leading troops, his own Liang Cheng was no inferior to Lord Jingnan, and indeed, this proved to be true. Successfully executing such a "smart trick" to reposition a large army was sothing only a true master of military strategy could accomplish.
At least, in Zheng Fan's estimation, if he himself had been leading the army this ti, he'd likely be in a desperate plight by now. His subordinates would be urging him to flee, he'd be shouting about dying together, and they'd continue to persuade him to escape... a truly clichéd scenario.
But now, he could face the distant Snow Sea Pass, undo his trouser belt, and happily relieve himself.
When he finished and returned, Liang Cheng was already waiting for him. The soldiers hadn't rested well either; everyone was exhausted. However, they were on the very cusp of their objective. Remounting for one final charge seed manageable.
Xue Three returned. He had endured much hardship recently, thinned by exhaustion; it even seed his 'third leg' had shortened considerably.
"My lord, there's no problem now."
'No problem' ant they wouldn't even need to worry about forcing the gates; they could simply charge in with a cry of 'ULA!'
At this mont, the Sword Saint walked over to Zheng Fan. To attack Snow Sea Pass, he, the Sword Saint of Jin State, would inevitably be at the vanguard. This was because Snow Sea Pass held imnse significance for the land of Three Jin and the Jin people. Regardless of any future ambitions to contend for dominion over the world—that was a matter for later—when Lord Jin was enfeoffed in Jin land by the Xia Emperor long ago, his mandate was the great endeavor of expelling the wild people and bringing glory to Zhuxia. Snow Sea Pass was the symbol of the Jin people having driven out the wild people. It was a gateway: within lay a sanctuary, a veritable paradise; beyond stretched the bitter, cold snowfields. To put it more emotionally, this pass was a monunt forged by generations of Jin people, who had sacrificed themselves one after another.
Thus, it was entirely natural for the Sword Saint to volunteer to be part of the Assault Battalion; it was perfectly in keeping with his character.
"Are you absolutely sure there's no problem?" Zheng Fan asked. He felt a nagging apprehension and wanted to confirm one last ti—after all, this was Snow Sea Pass.
"My lord, there's truly no issue. You could even give a pre-battle speech right now," Xue Three declared, patting his diminutive chest.
The unspoken ssage was: My lord, this is practically a done deal. You can start preparing your rousing speech to further build your renown.
Liang Cheng also spoke up, "It can be done, My lord."
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