Zhao Tiangang sighed and explained slowly:

"General Xia Qian, I didn't stop the army just because of the weather. The white fog in the canyon is really strange. If it is ordinary water vapor, it will dissipate quickly with torches to heat and guide the way, and the weather is clear."

"But after I sent people to investigate, I found that the white fog did not dissipate for a long time. One team of scouts was ambushed during the investigation. Only one person escaped with injuries and brought back news that the White Robe Army had already ambushed in the canyon."

He paused, a trace of worry in his eyes, and continued:

"This canyon is the only way to Youzhou. If we take a detour, we can only take the water route, which will waste at least a month."

"The military situation in Youzhou is urgent now. If we allow the White Robe Army to continue to develop, I'm afraid our 40,000-man army will not be able to suppress it."

After listening to this, Xia He suddenly realized that although he was dissatisfied with Zhao Tiangang's conservative style, he also understood his concerns.

Zhao Tiangang spoke kindly, patted Xia He on the shoulder and said:

"General Xia Qian, this time you just need to find a way to ensure the supply of food and grass. As for the situation in the canyon, I will send scouts to convey messages to Your Majesty every day, waiting for further instructions."

Xia He nodded, but sighed in his heart.

Zhao Tiangang's conservatism has reached the point of being pedantic. With an army of 40,000 at a standstill and huge consumption of food and fodder, it will sooner or later be exhausted.

However, he did not say much, just clasped his fists in salute, then turned and left the tent.

As soon as Xia He left, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly became lively.

Several generals of the vassal states exchanged glances, and then someone sneered:

"Young people nowadays are so arrogant. Do they really think we are good-for-nothings? I have led more soldiers than he has eaten. We have so many people and can't think of a solution. What ideas can a young boy like him have?"

Another person echoed:

"That's right, he's just a kid who got to the top by relying on the reputation of Li Dushi, but he really thinks he's an important figure!"

However, some people also cautiously reminded:

"Everyone, be careful with your words! Behind Xia He is Li Dushi. If these words get to his ears, I'm afraid it will not end well."

The general with a face full of flesh snorted disdainfully and sneered:

"They say he defeated Lord Hou. You just saw it. This kid is probably a Zang-refining guy!"

"Commander Li had no moral principles and personally beat Lord Hou to death. If a dog had gone up in his place, it might have won as well! What's so great about that?"

His words caused everyone to sneer and complain,

"Your Majesty is too partial!"

But before the laughter died down, Zhao Tiangang glanced at them coldly and said in a deep voice:

"That's enough! How can we allow you to be so presumptuous in a military meeting?"

Everyone suddenly fell silent, not daring to say anything more.

However, it was not difficult to see from their eyes that the vassal generals were resentful of General Li's suppression over the years.

What's more, Li Dushi personally abolished Hou Cang, which was a slap in the face of all the generals of the vassal states! And it was a loud slap!

On the other side, Xia He returned to the reserve camp’s camp and told everyone the whole situation.

Upon hearing that the White Robe Army had already set up an ambush in the canyon, Tie Zhan immediately slammed the table and said angrily:

"These thieves are so insidious! Xia He, why don't we take a detour? It's better than just waiting here!"

Liu Rushuang shook her head and analyzed calmly:

"Taking a detour is not feasible. First, it will waste a lot of time and give the White Robe Army more opportunities to develop. Second, the morale of the army has already been weakened due to stagnation. If we take a detour, I'm afraid the morale of the army will be even more unstable."

"What's more, the White Robe Army rebelled in order to seize Youzhou! If Youzhou can't hold on and the White Robe Army breaks through the city, they will defend and attack, waiting for us to tire ourselves out. Then we will really be in a passive position."

After listening to Liu Rushuang's analysis, everyone nodded in agreement, but they couldn't think of a better solution for the time being.

"How did the situation become so complicated all of a sudden? It's still the fault of those two great families in Youzhou!"

"If they hadn't also wanted to rebel and join forces with us, how could the situation be so passive!"

"War is not just about fighting...it's about the ways of the world."

As a result, everyone's eyes turned to Xia He at the same time.

"Brother He, do you have any solution?"

Xia He pondered for a moment, glanced at everyone, and slowly said:

"Taking a detour is indeed not an option, but sitting and waiting to die is not an option either. Since the White Robe Army has set up an ambush, we might as well take advantage of their tactics and set up a counter-ambush for them."

"Counter ambush?" Tie Zhan widened his eyes, somewhat puzzled.

Xia He smiled slightly, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes:

"That's right. Since the White Cloak Army is lying in ambush in the canyon, they must think we will rush in rashly. We can send an elite team, disguised as the main force, to lure them out."

"At the same time, the main force will outflank them from the flank and catch them off guard."

After Xia He proposed the counter-ambush plan, a murmur of discussion suddenly broke out in the tent.

Tie Zhan scratched his head, frowned and asked:

"Xia He, counter-ambush sounds good, but how do we know the exact ambush location of the White Robe Army?"

"They have an advantageous position and will definitely change their positions from time to time. If our scouts go in to explore the way, the mountain is steep and the cost is too high. We might even alert the enemy."

Liu Rushuang also nodded in agreement:

"Yes, since the enemy has set up an ambush, they will definitely be on guard against our movements. If we act rashly, it may backfire."

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