Chen Sansi closed his eyes, "You're right."
He understood all this well enough; the other's admonishments severed the last shackle in his heart.
The battlefield was just like that.
Without sacrifice, there could be no victory.
"Knowing I'm right is good!"
Yu Song looked at him, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "So, put away your pathetic, cowardly sympathy and pity! Those who are benevolent don't handle money, and those who are kind don't command troops!
"On the battlefield, it has always been that for one general's success, thousands of bones lay dry—a timeless truth!
"But as long as they die a worthy death, the brothers will absolutely have no grievances!"
"Don't talk anymore!"
He looked at the other, preparing to speak, but interrupted, "You kid are talented, but your biggest flaw is still your youth, hence your heart is too soft towards our own people! I hope that after this battle, you can transform, you can grow, and become a true general, and in the future, become a true commander!"
"You don't have the right to refuse.
"I listened to you before because you were right, but this time, you're wrong!"
"And don't forget, I'm the assistant general of the reserve camp, and you're just a thousand captain. Military orders are like mountains; you have no right to defy them!"
Chen Sansi wasn't being sentimental. When he reopened his eyes, his gaze had become resolute, "After dawn, please Vice Admiral Yu select one thousand cavalrymen to attack Luo Tian Pass. The more noise, the better, but for the first two days, try not to suffer too much loss. Drag it out as long as possible. Additionally, send someone to watch over Southern Wilderness Mountain. Once you see from the west bank of Hongze River, toward Meishan Prefecture, a large army approaching, immediately set fire to the mountain to send a signal. Then I will seize the opportunity to cross Wushui River and head straight for Meishan Prefecture."
"Afterward, Vice Admiral Yu can try to break through on his own, if... there's still a chance."
After listening, Yu Song burst into hearty laughter, "That's right! You should have arranged it from the start. In doing so, Meishan Prefecture is as good as gone. The unrest in Ming State, once the court's army arrives, won't take long to be quelled!
"Come, to celebrate our mighty feat, let's drink!"
"I'll go catch a rabbit to roast."
Chen Sansi picked up a bow and arrow, and went into the forest ahead. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he returned with a wild rabbit. Then, using the Zhenyue Sword, he butchered it cleanly and started a fire to roast the meat beside a stream.
The two men ate the rabbit meat and drank wine, unknowingly passing from dusk deep into the night.
Yu Song, with a hint of intoxication, said, "I need to practice some martial arts to sober up; we still have to depart after daybreak. General Chen should also hurry and make preparations, don't delay the military opportunity."
"Your subordinate obeys the order!"
Chen Sansi bowed with his fist, turned, walked a few steps then stopped, "Vice Admiral Yu, do you have any last requests for your subordinate to carry out?"
Calling it a request was really a euphemism for a final wish; both understood it very well.
"I almost forgot about that."
Yu Song grinning said, "I do have something I'd like to ask General Chen to do. I have three sons at home who don't like studying but love martial arts. The oldest one has a decent constitution. There won't be a position for Selected Point under Supervisor anymore, so please take some time to teach him a couple of moves when you have a moment, General Chen. You are the closed-door disciple of Lord Governor, and your teaching is no different from the Lord Governor himself—haha, much better than me. I'm benefiting from a great bargain."
"I will provide for your son until his end!"
Chen Sansi promised and then bowed before departing.
Wang Zhi and Xu Wencai finally located them.
"Looks like there's no need for us to persuade anymore."
Xu Wencai breathed a sigh of relief, "The lord is good in all things, ruthless enough to enemies, but only soft-hearted when it comes to our own people. But after this time, I guess the lord will not be anymore..."
Chen Sansi stopped in front of Wang Zhi, "You should meet with Vice Admiral Yu, in another identity."
"Me? With the way I look, how could I face anyone?"
Wang Zhi forced a smile, "Well, since you put it that way, I'll brave my shame and have a chat. Honestly, I could stay behind too. If I meet some Internal Refiners, I could still hold my own in a fight."
Chen Sansi objected, "You are needed; who knows, perhaps later on, there might even be a chance to cure your old malady!"
Even an Immortal might be repairable.
The injury to a martial artist's meridians may yet have a chance of healing.
Wang Zhi, carrying his sword, went forth.
The next morning, early.
The troops split into two groups.
Chen Sansi led two thousand men to cross the river to the west, temporarily hiding near the junction of the Hongze and Wushui Rivers.
"Don't let a single one escape!"
"Princely Heir Cao Fan and Sha Wenlong are among these civilians!"
"Spare us, military lords!"
"We're just commoners, not soldiers..."
Outside Yangchun Prefecture, amidst barren hills and wild ridges.
Commoners were everywhere.
The rebel army was in pursuit from behind.
In the midst of the chaos.
Disguised as civilians, Sha Wenlong and Cao Fan, having discarded even their weapons, ran desperately forward in a sorry state.
Cao Fan, running, suddenly collapsed.
He hadn't eaten for ten days, and if not for the robust physique of a martial artist, he would've starved to death long ago. But precisely because of his martial arts training, his body's depletion was greater, making the hunger excruciatingly painful.
"Young Master, please wait!"
Sha Wenlong leapt away and soon after snatched some dry food from the fleeing commoners, "Please eat, Young Master. Once you're done, we'll continue on our journey."
The two were dressed in tatters, their faces crudely disguised with Disguise Technique, looking nothing like a Great General and Princely Heir, but rather like pair of beggars.