"Therefore, Snow Sea Pass must be breached, regardless of how many of our brave warriors' lives are lost. We cannot afford any hesitation. My main forces have already deployed to more distant areas to fell timber and construct siege engines. Alangtai, A Ge, your two units must keep Snow Sea Pass under tight surveillance for the next two days. Liumuer was careless and fell victim to a night raid by the Yan people; we cannot afford to be as complacent as he was."
"Yes, sir."
"Understood."
"The rest of you, venture further out and capture so Jin State humble people. They've beco scarce in this vicinity. I appreciate your efforts. During the siege, we will need lives to slowly expend. The more Jin people you can bring back, the fewer of our tribe's warriors will perish."
"Yes, sir."
"Yes, sir."
"We understand."
Most of Geremu's troops were primarily composed of surrendered soldiers from the Cheng State. Situ Yi's small imperial court had fallen into such dire straits—ignored by all after the Battle of Wang River and left to fend for itself in Fengxin City—largely because Geremu had absorbed most of the Cheng State soldiers who originally surrendered on the battlefield into his command.
Being of Jin origin himself, it was only fitting that he utilized Jin soldiers.
Besides, if you asked the wild people to construct siege engines, they wouldn't know how. Such tasks could only be handled by his own troops.
As for needing to capture Jin people from more distant areas, it was because the region around Snow Sea Pass was no longer just "nine out of ten hos empty"—it was practically devoid of inhabitants. This area had been an unavoidable path for the wild people when they first breached the pass. Their relentless pillaging, arson, robbery, and enslavent had scoured the land repeatedly, like a field plowed over and over. To capture Jin slaves now, one had to search much farther afield.
"Once the siege engines are complete, my forces will spearhead the assault! At that mont, no one—not you, not I, not anyone—can afford to hold back their strength. For every day Snow Sea Pass remains unbreached, all of us face the danger of annihilation!"
"We obey your command!"
"We obey your command!"
After issuing his commands, Geremu reached out to stroke the falcon perched on his shoulder.
In earlier years, his family had served the Situ Family as imperial beast tars. However, a single taming mishap, where a Situ scion was frightened by a demonic beast, brought catastrophe upon his entire clan, forcing them to seek refuge in the snowfields. Yet, their ancestral skills had not been lost. This falcon, one he had painstakingly selected and ticulously nurtured, was no ordinary bird. It possessed spiritual awareness, capable of thought akin to a human's. Though it could not speak, it could communicate with Geremu in a way only the two of them understood.
"Furthermore, I will send a letter to the Yan general within Snow Sea Pass, inviting him to et outside the city tomorrow. Whatever the Yan State can offer him, my Holy Tribe can offer more. We can even cede a portion of the Snow Sea Pass territory to him, enfeoffing him as a king in Jin land! No matter the cost, regardless of the promises made, if he is willing to surrender to our Holy Tribe, it will be worthwhile."
At this, A Ge, seated below, spoke up, "Geremu, I fear that Yan general won't dare to leave the city."
Another subordinate chid in, "Indeed. What if that Yan general is a lily-livered coward who cherishes his life too much?"
Hearing this, Geremu's expression turned grave. He stated seriously, "He crossed the Wang River covertly, launched a relentless day-and-night assault on Fengxin, beheaded Situ Yi, then used a deceptive illusion to lure us into an encirclent. After drawing our main forces away, he seized the opportunity to capture Snow Sea Pass. Such tactics, such audacity, such mastery of warfare—he is a hero of this age, far surpassing , Geremu. Such a champion is not one you can casually disparage. Disparagent is a minor offense, but if you continue to underestimate him, Liumuer will be your cautionary tale! We must wake up. That man is no coward!"
Hearing this, the faces of those present showed a hint of sha.
Geremu continued, stroking his falcon, "An individual of such caliber, if he could be recruited to serve our King, would be an imnse asset to the future rise of our Holy Tribe. This man is worth eting; indeed, we must et him. If he is willing to surrender, I, Geremu, would gladly yield my position and my troops to him. I would personally hold his reins! A Ge, imdiately find soone to write a letter. State that tomorrow at high noon, I, Geremu, will et him three miles outside the city. My main army will first withdraw ten miles. Both he and I may only bring a single standard-bearer; no third person is permitted. Once the letter is written, find a skilled archer to shoot it into Snow Sea Pass."
"Yes, sir. I will see to it at once."
At this juncture, Alangtai spoke up, "But, Geremu, how will we know if the one who cos to et us tomorrow is truly their commanding general?"
Hearing this, Geremu laughed. He pointed to the falcon on his shoulder and said, "It tells it has already spotted the highest-ranking individual in their army on the city battlents and has morized his appearance. This demonic beast possesses spiritual awareness; I trust its instincts. They are never wrong. Tomorrow, it will circle in the sky. If the one who cos out to et is not that person, it will prove they have no intention of negotiating. In that case, I shall return imdiately and, once the siege engines are prepared, we will comnce the assault!"
「...」
"What? Their commanding general wants to invite out of the city for negotiations tomorrow?"
"Yes, My lord," Liang Cheng reported, "this is the letter they just had shot into the city. It states that tomorrow the wild people will first withdraw ten miles. The eting place will be three miles outside the city, and both commanding generals may only bring a single standard-bearer to show sincerity. No third person is allowed."
Hearing this, Xue Three imdiately laughed. "Are they insane? Negotiate my arse! Are we supposed to abandon the blind man and Siniang in Shengle and take our troops to the snowfields to beco lords? However, My lord, could we perhaps use this as a delaying tactic?"
Liang Cheng shook his head. "The construction of their siege engines will take at least several days. So, strictly speaking, whether you go or not, My lord, it won't serve as a delaying tactic."
The implication was that the enemy, being idle and temporarily unable to launch a siege, was rely trying this ploy for other reasons.
"Then what's the point of going? No way, I'm not going," Xue Three declared.
Liang Cheng nodded in agreent. "Mm."
But Zheng Fan suddenly raised his hand. "Hold on. I'll go."
"My lord, it's dangerous!" Xue Three said, alard.
Zheng Fan shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Tell the Sword Saint I'll need him to carry a flag for tomorrow."
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