“I know about this.”
Xiao Luofeng continued, following Zhao Cheng's words, "When the young marshal first had the idea of founding the Yiwen Society, he discussed it with Lord Xu and my brother. Luo Mu also talked to me when he came back, saying that the young marshal mentioned to him that the most important thing for the future is information, and whoever can grasp the largest amount of information the fastest will become the winner."
“Not only a winner in business, but also a winner on the battlefield.” Yan Zheng interjected, “The young marshal said the same thing when he invited me to join Yiwen Society. Now it seems that the young marshal has a long-term vision. I admire him greatly.”
Zhao Cheng said, "This is why Southern Zhou has been making every effort to plant spies in Dajing. Speaking of Southern Zhou, have Yang Qingzhi and Zhou Jinghuan made any unusual moves?"
Yan Zheng said, "No. According to the information reported by the flying team, Southern Zhou prefers that we prolong the civil war. They are unwilling to get involved in this mess and are taking the opportunity to consolidate the newly acquired Yunjing County. It is rare that Yang Qingzhi and Zhou Jinghuan have the same attitude on this matter."
"If they don't participate, there will be far fewer variables, which is good."
Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Since the battle against Ye Dan, Wang Ren has rarely suffered defeats. Given our army's initial loss, Wang Ren will certainly not give up easily. Let's get some rest tonight. I have a feeling a tough battle is coming."
"yes!!!"
...
Wang Jun's camp.
Zhang Cheng, covered in dust and dirt, knelt before Zhang Dalian's tent. He had been kneeling like this ever since the defeat, and had been for a whole night.
His head drooped, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Thinking about his own cleverness and failure, he admired his uncle even more, as everything was exactly as his uncle had predicted.
That's amazing.
Having knelt for so long without Zhang Dalian emerging, Zhang Cheng felt both guilty and distressed. His voice trembling with tears, he cried out, "Uncle! I was wrong, just kill me!"
It was early morning when Zhang Dalian threw open the tent flap, grabbed a knife, and rushed towards Zhang Cheng, shouting angrily, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare to cut you down?"
Zhang Cheng stared at Zhang Dalian with red eyes and said, "Go ahead and chop me up, Uncle!"
Zhang Dalian asked, "Who is your uncle?"
"Go ahead and chop me, General Zhang!!" Zhang Cheng shouted again, stretching out his neck.
Zhang Dalian was furious and his fiery temper flared up, and he was about to strike with his knife.
"stop!"
Wang Ren walked over with a group of people. Zhang Dalian quickly stopped and saw that Wang Ren was followed by Yu Changsi and Liu Ling.
"General!" Zhang Dalian saluted Wang Ren.
Zhang Cheng quickly knelt down facing Wang Ren.
Having experienced several major battles and become the overlord of the three counties of New Taipei City, Wang Ren's demeanor was completely different from what it was three years ago. Especially in the army, he exuded an aura of authority.
Wang Ren asked, "What are you going to do? Do you want to kill a general to vent your anger after losing a battle?"
Zhang Dalian pointed at Zhang Cheng and said, "This brat is my fault for not teaching him well. If he hadn't been so eager for quick success, we wouldn't have lost the first battle!"
Wang Ren said, "If I didn't teach you well, that's your responsibility too. Do you want me to kill you?"
Zhang Dalian quickly knelt down, his eyes reddening, and said, "Because of us uncle and nephew, so many brothers have sacrificed themselves in vain. I deserve to die and am willing to accept any punishment!"
Zhang Cheng kowtowed to Wang Ren and said, "General, it's all my fault, it has nothing to do with my uncle!"
"If they're already acting like they're going to die after just one defeat, how are they going to fight the tough battles to come?"
Wang Ren kicked Zhang Dalian and shouted, "Zhang Cheng is still young and doesn't know any better. You've been with me for so many years, how did you become like this?"
Zhang Dalian crawled back to Wang Ren and said, "But Zhang Cheng disobeyed military orders, and if he isn't punished..."
Wang Ren interrupted, "Have you signed a pledge?"
No, not at all.
"Then we'll give them a lenient punishment."
Wang Ren walked directly to Zhang Dalian's tent and said, "Think about how to redeem yourself first. We can discuss the punishment later. Come in, all of you!"
Although it was Zhang Dalian's vanguard camp, Wang Ren naturally sat in the main seat.
The generals brought by Wang Ren lined up in order. After the vanguard battalion generals had all arrived, Wang Ren said, "The defeat in the first battle will affect morale and the troops' spirit. Some of you have even developed a fear of battle. I know why. It's because your opponent is Zhao Huan, the former Dragon Commander Zhao Huan!"
Some of the generals lowered their heads, seemingly having been hit where it hurt by Wang Ren's words.
Wang Ren continued, "You've fought so many victories with me, yet you haven't even developed the ambition to look down on everyone! Don't you feel ashamed?"
"Failure once is not terrible; what is terrible is failure all the time!"
"This defeat may seem to have affected our morale and fighting spirit, but we can do the opposite. We can use it to ignite the shame in our soldiers, guide them to learn from their mistakes and fight with a vengeful spirit in the second battle! The fire of hatred can burn away the low morale. As long as we win the second battle, the morale of our soldiers will only be higher!"
"Do you understand?!"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Wang Ren with admiration, and some even began to breathe rapidly.
Wang Ren stood up and said, "The battle between Zhang Dalian and Xiao Luofeng was just a test; the real battle is yet to come!"
Zhang Dalian clasped his hands and said, "General, whatever you say, we'll fight. Let me go for the second battle too!"
Wang Ren ignored Zhang Dalian and looked at Yu Changsi and Liu Ling, saying, "Liu Ling, tell me about the situation of Zhao Huan's rear army that I asked you to investigate."
Liu Ling nodded and said, "You all know the structure of Zhao Cheng's vanguard. Zhao Huan's rear guard is composed of local troops, including Li Dai's troops from Yanchuan City, Huang Zhen's troops from Jingdong County, Deng Fugui's troops from Jiangyang County, Li Lu's troops from Shangyang County, and the remnants of Cai Qiong's troops who retreated from Yunjing County. Adding Zhao Huan's men, the total number is less than 90,000."
One of the generals asked, "Who are Zhao Huan's men?"
Liu Ling said, "There are remnants of the troops that Xiao Luofeng trained back then, as well as troops from the Right Prime Minister's Office."
"The Right Chancellor's troops? Those were once the Dragon Spear Guards, completely capable of countering our iron cavalry!"
Liu Ling smiled and said, "The Right Prime Minister's army originally only had three hundred men. Many died when Zhao Huan fled, and now there are less than a hundred left. What, do you think such a small number can restrain the Great Jing's iron cavalry?"
"Phew..." A sigh of relief rang out from the crowd, clearly showing their fear of the Dragon Spear Guards.
Liu Ling added, "These people only number around a thousand in total. They are specifically responsible for Zhao Huan's safety and are nothing to worry about."
Zhang Dalian asked, "Is this intelligence reliable?"
Ling Liu frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that, General Zhang?"
Wang Rendao asked, "I would also like to ask, is this intelligence reliable?"
It was alright when Zhang Dalian questioned her, but Wang Ren's question immediately put Liu Ling in an awkward position.
Yu Changsi smiled and said, "General and General Zhang, rest assured, Liu Ling is the top intelligence officer in the Left Prime Minister's Office. His ability to gather information is no less than that of Dong Xiao."
Wang Ren thought for a moment and said, "Then, Mr. Yu, what good plan do you have?"
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