Serena sat down in that uncomfortable chair again, but this time, unlike last time, there was someone standing opposite her: Yun Zhe.
Yun Zhe had just finished speaking when everyone present fell silent, clearly shocked by his remarks. Serena looked around; apart from Ellie, who looked concerned, the others' expressions were rather grim, their eyes a mixture of suspicion and mockery.
"How can you be so sure that Arthas will retreat? With just a bluffing army?" Arthas was a seasoned warrior, but he had never heard of this kind of tactic Yun Zhe had described even once. However, Yun Zhe had saved them before, and his methods were extremely clever, so he felt it was necessary for him to break the silence and ask a professional question.
Yun Zhe nodded. "Attack where they must defend. I just asked you about some details. If your intelligence is correct, then this troop deployment will definitely force the Ars family to retreat and defend their own backyard. With half of the allied forces gone, the Terra family will be unable to hold out alone. I estimate that the siege of Donic will be fruitless."
The group looked at each other, all feeling that the plan was somewhat fantastical.
"Even if what you're describing is likely to happen, why send troops to ambush them?" Newrent had some experience in battle and loved tales of heroes, so he always believed that as long as there was a hero in a war, the war wouldn't be lost. And he always wanted to be that hero. He glanced at Baron Andrew and asked.
“Well, there’s a good ambush location. It would be a waste not to use it…” Yun Zhe scratched his head. “Besides, we should also give those who have ulterior motives a strong warning. If the ambush is successful, it will also prevent them from trying to besiege the city again.”
The idea is really good, but the people at the table have never done it before.
Warfare, of course, is a real, head-on clash of swords and spears in a chosen location. In their minds, preparing reserves was already their limit. Knowing how to place archers behind infantry and cavalry on the flanks for a ready charge was already considered a sign of skill. As for strategies like feints or sieges to relieve the siege of Wei, those were a bit too sophisticated and impractical.
"Serena, what do you think?" Andrew asked, turning to the crowd as he noticed their expressions.
Serena straightened her back, looking expressionlessly at everyone, then at Yun Zhe. She saw surprise, mockery, doubt, and most of all, confusion in their eyes.
She didn't actually believe what Yun Zhe said, nor did she understand it. But she wasn't completely ignorant of war, so she was simply a little disappointed. She hadn't heard what she wanted from Yun Zhe—a stirring pre-battle declaration, or a brilliantly crafted trap. None of that. She even suspected that Yun Zhe might be an enemy spy, that he didn't actually want the thousand gold coins, but rather her life. Thinking this, Serena's face darkened. She stared at Yun Zhe, seemingly trying to find some trace of espionage on his face, then she suddenly remembered Yun Zhe standing at the door before the meeting, enthusiastically hawking his elven items… Serena shook her head. She felt that Yun Zhe was probably just a shrewd businessman, albeit somewhat clever; perhaps her expectations of him had been too high. Thinking this, Serena couldn't help but regret her actions. Logically, she should have listened to everyone's feedback and completely rejected Yun Zhe's claims. But Yunzhe was someone she invited back despite opposition; to deny it now would be to deny her own choice.
"Damn it," Serena muttered under her breath, the words barely audible except to Xixi and the head of the Pas family. Serena pondered for a moment, then decided to go all in. She'd give him one chance; if he succeeded, it wouldn't be a loss; if he failed, she'd have a reason to end the so-called cooperation.
Thinking of this, Serena's expression finally returned to normal. She cleared her throat and said, "I agree with him, Uncle Andrew. Let's follow Mr. Yun Zhe's arrangement." Serena's voice was not loud, but it was firm and left no room for negotiation.
People on both sides of the table looked at Serena in surprise. Not only did she agree, but she also said it so firmly, which was beyond everyone's expectations.
Shouldn't we just kick this bastard Aruru out? The group looked at each other, each seemingly having something to say.
However, Andrew Pass, who was next to Serena, immediately understood her thoughts. He coughed, interrupting the buzzing in the room, and was about to speak.
“I object,” Luke stood up abruptly, but said no more.
"What are you against?" Yun Zhe wasn't angry; his tone even carried a hint of curiosity.
“I…” Luke couldn’t speak. He disagreed, because he had never fought a war like this before, but how could he say it? Not only had he never fought a war like this, he had never fought a war in any other way. But he felt this was completely different from what he had heard and learned. Besides, he was an Aluru. Putting aside the question of the Aluru’s motives for helping humans, had he ever fought a war? Could he even fight?
Ellie looked at Yun Zhe with a pang of heartache. She could sense what everyone present was thinking, and she also felt a little regretful for bringing him back.
"You think I'm just all talk?" Yun Zhe chuckled lightly. "Would you like to make a bet on whether the Ars family will withdraw their troops?"
"Nonsense!" Arthas shouted angrily.
"What are we betting on?" Luke didn't care, staring at Yun Zhe's ferocious face, secretly delighted. He could use the betting to get rid of him. Although he hadn't thought of this move, Yun Zhe's suggestion felt like he was willingly walking into a trap. Luke felt this was tantamount to walking into a snare, courting death.
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