Hsu Youcheng brought some dried meat to Liang Cheng's side, not daring to hand it directly to Liang Cheng, but placing it in front of him instead.
Liang Cheng sat cross-legged on the ground, not far away was the home base of the Naman Tribe.
Then, Hsu Youcheng stood by Liang Cheng's side.
In fact, from the time Jin Shuke dared to lead the armored patrol straight into the city to protect Lord Zheng, it was clear that this prominent zombie, although he had prestige in the military, was not all-powerful.
The reason is simple: it's not that he couldn't do it, it's that he chose not to.
Training was handled by him, and most of the battles were actually commanded by him. Besides some commanders whom my lord found pleasing, most of the grassroots and mid-level officers were also promoted by Liang Cheng.
If he wanted, taking control of the original Shengle army, which is now the Snow Sea Cavalry, would not be a big problem for him.
However, Zheng Fan didn't worry about this, and this prominent zombie couldn't be bothered to orchestrate it either.
Thus, Liang Cheng's situation in the army was that of high prestige but lacking popularity.
In Hsu Youcheng's view, General Liang truly possessed the spirit of ancient sages: a loyal and righteous minister wielding power without abuse, something truly admirable and rare.
"Is there any news from the scouts?" Liang Cheng asked.
"Reporting to the General, not yet. It seems that the Great Prince of the Naman Tribe did not take this route."
Liang Cheng nodded slowly.
After maneuvering his troops around, he first attacked the pastures of the Naman Tribe, causing the tribe great pressure and panic.
Actually, this raid was just thunderous noise without much rain.
Subsequently, Liang Cheng decisively led his forces to retreat, preparing to lay an ambush on the return path of the Naman Tribe's reinforcements.
The design was simple, yet simplicity often proves to be the most effective.
However, to Liang Cheng's slight surprise, he couldn't intercept the Great Prince's reinforcements on that road.
The Great Prince's reinforcements seemed to disappear as if they had completely given up on protecting their pastures.
This made Liang Cheng somewhat uneasy, for a commander deeply understands a key truth: when you can't discern the enemy's intentions, it's often the beginning of your own passivity.
If the Great Prince's reinforcement was just a pretense?
Then,
on the frontline with my lord, significant changes might occur.
After all, whether the Naman Tribe reallocates their elite forces greatly impacts the strength of their frontline forces.
In fact, after failing the ambush and not catching the prey, several officers suggested quickly reinforcing Lord Zheng.
But Liang Cheng rejected the idea.
This led to the troops under Liang Cheng lying completely concealed near the Naman Tribe for several days afterwards.
Due to the Naman Tribe's current vacancy and previous "fright," they had retracted their remaining forces, mostly shrinking within their traditional tribal territory. Between the two sides, a subtle peace was formed.
"Double the number of scouts, expand the search area," Liang Cheng ordered.
"Yes, General."
Hsu Youcheng went to carry out the orders.
Liang Cheng silently took out a piece of beef jerky and put it in his mouth, not chewing to swallow but savoring it like chewing betel nut, merely enjoying the taste of the meat lingering in his mouth.
Zuo Jiqian, clad in military attire, approached and respectfully saluted Liang Cheng before sitting down next to him.
Unlike Hsu Youcheng whose origin was as a surrendered Jin land soldier, Zuo Jiqian had been with Zheng Fan since his time at Green Willow Fortress. Despite initial tensions and a temporary demotion to convict due to the Yan Emperor's scandal, he had been among the first to follow Zheng Fan.
Within the Snow Sea Pass, Zheng Fan was appointed as the General Commander, and Zuo Jiqian and others were promoted to Commander.
"Here to persuade me to reinforce?" Liang Cheng asked.
Liang Cheng remembered that initially, my lord and the blind man were unsure about Zuo Jiqian mainly because he resembled "Lv Bu."
Yet, fortune favored him, surviving many battles while staying discreet, so there was less concern.
"If the General doesn't reinforce, I'm sure you have your reasons. However, in my humble opinion, reinforcing now doesn't hold much significance. Whatever the current status of the battle at Lord Zheng's frontlines is, it should have been resolved by now. If it's favorable, our return would be in vain; if not, our troops here would deter the Naman Tribe from pursuing Lord Zheng too aggressively."
Liang Cheng neither affirmed nor denied.
Zuo Jiqian continued, "But sometimes, General, matters aren't judged by right or wrong, but by attitude."
If you don't reinforce, regardless of whether it would be impactful, not returning would imply disregard for the safety of your allies.
Zuo Jiqian's advice wasn't meant to sow discord but was based on what he deemed necessary for survival.
Liang Cheng shook his head and said, "There's no need to worry about that."
"Yes, General."
Just then, Hsu Youcheng came running quickly, reporting, "General, a group of wild people warriors has appeared near the Naman Tribe. They seem to be reinforcements."
Upon hearing this, Zuo Jiqian immediately stood up.
Liang Cheng then ordered, "Relay my command, hold your position."
"Yes, General."
Hsu Youcheng went to deliver the order, while Zuo Jiqian, puzzled, asked, "General, why is that?"
With the Naman Tribe's reinforcements already returned, it was a crucial time to decide whether to fight or withdraw, and quickly, so why hold the position?
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