He walked to the simple sand table and pressed his finger heavily into the red wooden wedge representing Zhang Tao's troops:

"Therefore, we must fight! First, we must crush Zhang Tao here with overwhelming force! Seize his military supplies and bolster our military prestige!"

"Then, taking advantage of the turmoil in Li Jingang's court and the emptiness of the Central Plains, he went east out of Wuguan, swept through Henan, sought food in the rich lands, and observed the general trend of the world."

The tent fell silent instantly.

Defeat Zhang Tao?

It sounds appealing, but Zhang Tao's troops are also elite forces from Henan, allowing them to wait in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out.

Our forces have been besieging the enemy for millennia without success, morale is low, and supplies are running out...

“General, our army has been fighting for over a month, and our soldiers are exhausted. Our siege equipment is also severely damaged. I’m afraid we will be unable to fight Zhang Tao’s fresh troops in the field…” a seasoned and prudent military advisor said cautiously.

"So, we need help, and we need time!" A fierce glint flashed in Yang Chao's eyes as he looked at the silent Yang Hong. "Has the letter to Zhao Muyun been sent out?"

"We have already sent a fast horse to take a detour, and they should have entered the city by now."

"Good!" Yang Chao slammed his fist on the edge of the sand table. "If Zhao Muyun wants us to leave and wants Xijing to remain peaceful, he must help me hold off Zhang Tao for at least two days! He also needs to give us some military supplies! This is the exchange!"

He scanned the crowd: "Gentlemen, I know what you're worried about. But please think about why Zhao Muyun made peace with us?"

"It's not that they're afraid of me, but rather that they don't want to fight me and my 50,000 trapped beasts to a standstill, only to have Li Jingang and Zhang Tao reap the benefits!"

"The Great Yin and the Great Feng court are sworn enemies! Our fight to the death against Zhang Tao is exactly in his interest! He will surely help us!"

This explanation, though partly true and partly false, temporarily appeased the doubts of some generals.

"Order all battalions!" Yang Chao shouted sternly, "From this moment forward, the entire army shall enter a state of combat readiness! Send out more scouts to the south and east to closely monitor the movements of Zhang Tao's army!"

"Fortify the camp, especially the one facing southeast! Distribute the remaining grain and fodder, and tell the brothers that after this battle, the granaries and wines of Henan are theirs to take!"

"Anyone who undermines morale, secretly colludes, or harbors malicious intentions shall be executed immediately!"

"Anyone who fights bravely and captures the enemy leader will be richly rewarded! If we win this battle, we will all share in the wealth and glory; if we lose..."

He paused, his voice hoarse, "Even if we perish together, we will not betray the spirit of a man!"

"I am willing to fight to the death with the general!"

A relatively unified shout finally rang out from inside the tent, though no one cared how much fear and helplessness it contained.