After listening, Zheng Quchi hesitated for a long time before finally squeezing out a sentence: "Do you think that just by saying this, I'll know how to beat them? To be honest, I understand every word you say, but when it comes to actually doing it, I don't understand a single thing how it works."
Yuan Xingzhou stared ahead, his smile fading. In an instant, the desolate wilderness under the clear sky felt like the dead of winter, a chilling aura seeping into one's very bones: "Just do what you know how to do, and leave the rest to me."
——
Every commander has one or two adjutants. Yuan Xingzhou originally had one, but he didn't want it. He said, "My only adjutant is Lady Yuwen."
The adjutant's role was to guard the rear of the army for the commander-in-chief, preventing it from being attacked by others, and also to assist in the management of logistics.
Therefore, an adjutant is essentially the person behind the commander; without absolute trust, one cannot be competent in this role.
His meaning was clear: he only trusted Zheng Quchi.
Although Zheng Quchi was not a sentimental person, he did not want to betray Yuan Xingzhou's trust.
After each nation displayed its military prowess, like peacocks showing off, the commanders of the various nations each took the "Cangxuan Token" for this six-nation military trial.
Each country's "Cangxuan Token" is different. This item is a crucial token, and if it is taken away by someone else, it signifies the defeat of the battle.
Therefore, in this trial of military affairs among the six states, there are two options: one is to launch a strong attack and defend, and the other is to seize by cleverness and strategy.
But if you think the latter is easier than the former, you are sorely mistaken. Everyone understands the importance of this "Azure Profound Token" and would certainly not place it in a conspicuous place. It is practically tied to the commander's life or death.
After receiving the "Cangxuan Token," the six kingdoms will have one day to set up their encampments. Each kingdom has been provided with an equivalent amount of supplies and food to help them survive for the next period.
"What place have we chosen?" Zheng Quchi asked Yuan Xingzhou.
Yuan Xingzhou was the one negotiating and following up on the military trials of the six kingdoms. She was busy with her own affairs the whole time and knew nothing about it. So she followed Yuan Xingzhou around and asked him about the details.
"If it were you, which place would you choose?" he asked in return.
"forest?"
"The forest is the territory of powerful lions and leopards, and it is closed off on all sides. If we enter, we will probably soon become food for others."
"What about higher up? A better view?"
"If we are defeated, is there a way to retreat?"
"grassland."
"Being attacked from both sides."
“I’m not guessing anymore. I think anywhere—” Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zheng Quchi’s mind, and she asked, “It’s near that natural egret lake, right?”
Why would you think that way?
"Firstly, without large trees to block the view, we can clearly monitor the enemy's approach. Secondly, we have a retreat option, so we won't be attacked from both sides. Most importantly, our soldiers from Ye have all learned to swim. If we really encounter a situation where we can't win, we can simply take off our armor and jump into the lake. I believe they will have a hard time catching up with us."
Yuan Xingzhou suddenly asked, "How do you know that the soldiers of Ye Kingdom all know how to swim?"
Zheng Quchi paused for a moment, then said, "I heard from Brother Wei that three years ago, during the battle between Ye and Xize, they were stumped by a large river while pursuing the fleeing enemy, which resulted in heavy losses for the Xuanjia Army. Since then, Yuwen Sheng has ordered that all those who join the army must learn to swim, just so that they can save their lives in critical moments."
"His order was naturally taken seriously by the State of Ye, so the army followed suit and added swimming to their training."
Yuan Xingzhou nodded: "That's right. It's always good to have more skills. In battles, you can't be restricted by terrain. On the ground, in the water, in the mountains, in the swamps, there are dangers from both man-made and other sources."
“With a lake, there is water and fish to catch. Such a naturally beautiful place, why don’t they choose it?” Zheng Quchi asked again.
Yuan Xingzhou countered, "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish? You are not them, how can you know the reasons why they chose other terrains?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Quchi also felt that it made sense: "Alright."
Upon arriving at Egret Lake, the first thing to do is naturally to choose a suitable place to set up camp.
When it comes to setting up camp, it's not as simple as just piling up a few tents and setting up a few sentry posts to ensure safety.
Yuan Xingzhou had given her a heads-up beforehand, planning to balance offense and defense, with him in charge of offense and her in charge of defense.
It can be defended, but how should it be defended?
Zheng Quchi racked her brains for almost an entire night just to figure out how to build an efficient, effective, and secure camp. She scoured ancient and modern times in her mind, among which the military thought of "deep moats and strong fortifications with no way out" was emphasized in the "Six Secret Teachings of the Warring States" chapter 36. She then focused on this idea to think of countermeasures.
First, there must be fortifications. Fortifications can protect the army's property and supplies when soldiers go out to attack, provide a foothold for soldiers who retreat when the battle is not going well, and at the same time create a sense of security for soldiers and ensure morale... blah blah blah, all of this is what the book says. In short... she emphasized the key points: a strong camp also needs more solid fortifications such as walls, towers, and moats.
But time is limited. Others can only do some peripheral defenses at most, but that won't do. What if the five armies attack tomorrow? Wouldn't the Ye army's military training be ruined in a day?
She can afford to lose face, but can the entire Ye Kingdom afford to lose face?
Since we're setting up camp by the lake, we can adapt to the local conditions. Because it's a semi-permanent structure, we don't need very sturdy towers or equipment. We just need to focus our attention and time on the fortifications.
She didn't need to build a fortified enclosure on all sides, because of the natural lake. She could simply back onto the lake and build a semi-circular structure in front of it, which saved a lot of time and effort in constructing the fortifications.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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