Make the best plan
Chapter Quote: External threats loom, internal worries lurk, clever strategies are offered to stabilize the four directions. Openly repairing the plank road to confuse the enemy, secretly marching through Chencang to gather strength.
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The clamor within the Gathering Hall gradually died down, but the air still lingered with tension and unease. The imminent arrival of Lu Junyi and the allied government forces weighed heavily on the hearts of every leader. How to respond became Liangshan's most pressing challenge.
"Brother Gongming, military advisor!" Qin Ming, known as "Thunderbolt," was the most impatient. He was the first to step out of the line, clasping his fists and speaking in a resounding voice, "Since Lu Junyi and his band of thugs dare to come, let's mobilize our troops, charge out, and fight him to the death! Let him taste the power of my mace!"
"That's right! Brother Qin Ming is right!" "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui immediately echoed, brandishing his axe. "Killing him and throwing his horse to the ground will be a great opportunity to seize Lu Junyi's belongings and use them as money and food for the stronghold!"
The voices in favor of war were very loud at the moment, led by brave and warlike men like Qin Ming, Li Kui, and Suo Chao, who all requested to fight, and the hall was filled with a restless and murderous atmosphere.
Song Jiang frowned and looked at Wu Yong. Wu Yong waved his feather fan gently and murmured, "Brother Qin Ming's courage is commendable. However, Lu Junyi is extraordinary. He commands elite soldiers and has allied himself with Dong Ping and Cheng Wanli, making his army a formidable force. Our army suffered a recent setback in Lingzhou, and morale has been crushed. If we rashly send out all our forces to engage in a head-on battle, even if we win, it will be a pyrrhic victory, damaging the very foundation of Liangshan."
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "Furthermore, if our main forces are deployed, leaving our rear empty, there's no guarantee that government troops from other directions, or forces like Zengtou City and Lingzhou's Sun An, won't take advantage and move in. We'll be attacked from both sides, and we'll be in great danger."
Wu Yong's words were measured and measured, pointing out the risks of a hasty battle. The voices in the hall advocating for war suddenly quieted down considerably, and some of the more cautious leaders, such as Lin Chong and Hua Rong, nodded slightly.
"Then according to the military advisor, what should we do? Should we close the gates of the village and act like a coward?" Qin Ming muttered dissatisfiedly.
Wu Yong smiled faintly, confident in his plan. "Of course not. Our army can send a general to lead a group of elite troops to set up camp. Taking advantage of the water and terrain, we can set up layers of defense to weaken their fighting spirit. Lu Junyi has come from afar, and it will be difficult for him to get food and fodder. If he continues to attack, his momentum will be frustrated. Then, we can find an opportunity to defeat the enemy or force him to retreat. The initiative will be in our hands."
This is a strategy of steady progress, and it is also the correct way of military strategy. Song Jiang's expression brightened slightly when he heard this, and he nodded, saying, "What the military advisor said is very much in line with my opinion. But I wonder which brother should be assigned to take on this important task?"
Upon hearing this, many of the generals puffed out their chests. Setting up camp, while risky, was also a great opportunity to stand alone and achieve great success.
At this moment, a clear voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of caution: "Brother Gongming, Military Advisor, brothers. Yan Qing has something to say, but I wonder if I should say it or not?"
Everyone's attention was focused on Yan Qing again. He had just been through such a turmoil, and now he dared to speak up?
Song Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Brother Yanqing, please feel free to speak."
Yan Qing stepped out and bowed, saying, "The military advisor's strategy of taking every step carefully is certainly sound. However, Yan Qing believes that Mr. Lu's raising of troops this time does not really mean a fight to the death with our Liangshan."
"Oh? What do you mean?" Wu Yong narrowed his eyes.
"As Yan Qing just said, Mr. Lu has just escaped a great disaster, and his foundation is still unstable. A full-scale war with Liangshan at this time would do him no good but a hundred harms. The reason he stationed his troops on the border is most likely because he learned of our army's intention to advance north, and it's a deterrent and self-preservation strategy. His goal is to force our army to abandon its northward advance and acknowledge his position in Daming Prefecture and even Hebei." Yan Qing's analysis was clear and logical. "In this case, if our army adopts a posture of fighting to the death, it may only intensify the conflict, push Mr. Lu completely into the hands of the government, and even trigger a war that no one wants to see."
His words, a novel analysis from a strategic and political perspective, plunged many of the leaders into deep thought. Even Guan Sheng nodded slightly in agreement.
"Then what do you think we should do?" Song Jiang asked, his tone less scrutinizing and more inquiring.
Yan Qing said calmly: "Yan Qing believes that our army can 'take advantage of their own strategy'."
"How do we turn the tables?"
"If Mr. Lu wants to intimidate us, our army should show weakness to satisfy his intimidation." Yan Qing glanced at the crowd. "We can send an eloquent man with rich gifts to Mr. Lu's army to explain the pros and cons. We can make it clear that Liangshan has no intention of invading the north and that everything that has happened before is a misunderstanding. We can also hint that if Mr. Lu can maintain the status quo, Liangshan is willing to keep its distance from him and even... at some point, we might even provide mutual support."
As soon as he said this, whispers suddenly broke out in the hall!
"Mutual support? Doesn't this mean collusion with Lu Junyi?"
"Showing weakness? When has Liangshan ever been afraid of Lu Junyi?"
Li Kui, Qin Ming and others even loudly opposed it.
Wu Yong's eyes flashed, and he stared at Yan Qing: "Brother Yan Qing, are you lobbying for your old master?"
Yan Qing met Wu Yong's gaze calmly. "Military Advisor, I understand this strategy isn't for my former master, but for Liangshan. Easing relations with Lu Yuanwai has at least three major benefits. First, it can resolve the immediate threat and prevent our army from fighting on two fronts. Second, it can stabilize the northern border, allowing our army to focus on responding to threats from the imperial court or elsewhere. Third, Lu Yuanwai's reputation in Hebei has grown even more after this incident. If we can maintain a tacit understanding with him, it may be beneficial to the future development of Liangshan. This is the best strategy of 'conquering the enemy without fighting.'"
He paused, then added, "Of course, showing weakness doesn't mean we're truly weak. We must continue to march forward, set up camp, and prepare for battle. Only in this way can we 'use war to promote peace,' allowing our army to take the initiative in the negotiations."
First, they showed goodwill and eased the situation, and at the same time deployed troops to intimidate, using both soft and hard tactics. This combination of punches not only avoided the losses of a hard fight, but also protected the interests and reputation of Liangshan to the greatest extent.
The hall fell silent as everyone digested Yan Qing's proposal. Even those most in favor of war had to admit that resolving the issue without fighting was naturally the best option. Furthermore, Yan Qing's analysis had indeed hit upon the key point of Lu Junyi's military deployment—deterrence, not a fight to the death.
Guan Sheng clapped his hands and praised, "Brother Yan Qing is so insightful at such a young age! This strategy perfectly aligns with the key military principle of 'attacking alliances.' If successful, it could save countless battles. What a great benefit!"
Lin Chong also nodded and said, "If we can repel the enemy without fighting, that would indeed be the best strategy."
Seeing that Guan Sheng and Lin Chong, two important figures, had expressed their support, Song Jiang's mind was already tilted. He looked at Wu Yong and asked, "What do you think, Military Advisor?"
Although Wu Yong was deeply displeased with Yan Qing's renewed prominence, he had to admit that Yan Qing's strategy was indeed a mature and sophisticated approach to statecraft under the current circumstances, far superior to his own purely defensive strategy. His face sullen, he reluctantly nodded, "This strategy... might be worth a try."
"Okay!" Song Jiang made the final decision. "Let's follow Brother Yanqing's plan! Sending an envoy is a matter of great importance. We need someone who is eloquent and of sufficient status to go..."
His gaze swept across the hall, finally landing on Yan Qing. He spoke meaningfully, "Brother Yan Qing, you have a long history with Mr. Lu, and you understand the stakes involved. This mission is best assigned to you. Are you willing to go?"
This once again thrust Yan Qing into the spotlight. A successful mission to his former master's camp would undoubtedly be a great achievement; but a failed one, or if he were detained by Lu Junyi, or even... if Wu Yong secretly manipulated him, would be a near-fatal disaster!
Everyone's eyes were focused on Yan Qing, waiting to see how he would decide.
Yan Qing sneered inwardly, knowing this was another test from Song Jiang and Wu Yong, perhaps even a trap. But his face showed no fear at all, instead revealing a calm, "Who else but me?" He bowed, clasping his fists, and spoke in a clear and firm voice:
"Yanqing, obey the order!"
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Chapter 42 End
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