The Demon Lords-Chapter 679 - 132: Praising General Zheng_1

"Ah Li."

"Yes, my lord."

"Go check if those two salted fish are ready. If they are, personally hang them on the city tower for display."

"As you command, my lord."

Fanli turned and left immediately.

Zheng Fan stretched out his hand, patted the battlement, and said, "What should we do next?"

Liang Cheng spoke, "My lord, we've actually ventured quite deep already."

The lands of Three Jin are vast. However, Cheng State, originally the domain of the Situ Family, comprised less than half of this territory. In terms of scale, it was larger than either the Helian Family or the Wenren Family individually, but smaller than the two combined. The Wang River, originating from the Skybreak Mountain Range, almost vertically bisects Cheng State, dividing it in two. Currently, the Shengle Army has crossed the Wang River and advanced one hundred li. It could be said that we are already quite far to the east.

A Ming, standing to the side, remarked, "Isn't that obvious?"

Zheng Fan nodded and said, "I understand."

A Ming: "..."

A Ming suddenly felt that after Fanli's departure, a new intelligence void had appeared here.

Usually, a person who was typically cool and indifferent would often feel a bit flustered and ill at ease when they suddenly found themselves unable to join the conversation or grasp their companions' points.

Fortunately, Zheng Fan quickly continued,

"Theoretically, it's possible. But if we go too far, might it have some adverse effects?"

Liang Cheng smiled and said,

"My lord, Lord Jingnan considers us a surprise contingent sent deep across the river. He doesn't view us as a specific tactical measure, nor has he imposed any specific target limitations on us.

His only requirement is that we preserve ourselves as much as possible, survive in Jiangdong, and, to the greatest extent possible, maintain the effect of our presence.

So, theoretically, no matter what kind of major battle is about to unfold along the Wang River, our contingent is unlikely to be among the bargaining chips on Lord Jingnan's table." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The meaning was simple: as a surprise force, we might achieve unexpected results, or, conversely, we might not make a ripple.

We are a variable. According to Lord Jingnan's strategic thinking, once this chess move is played, it's played. When the direct confrontation begins, he won't naïvely expect this particular piece to achieve any miraculous results.

So, even if the Shengle Army were just idling away and basking in the sun in Fengxin City, it would have no discernible impact on the war situation at the front lines.

A Ming maintained his indifferent expression, simultaneously reaching for his wineskin and taking a sip to ease the awkwardness.

He, still didn't understand.

Zheng Fan spread his arms, stretched lazily, and said to Liang Cheng,

"Up, or down?"

"Heading down wouldn't achieve a particularly good effect."

Zheng Fan smacked his lips and said, "But going up could be a one-way trip."

A Ming suspected they were doing this intentionally. And, to A Ming's surprise, Zheng Fan had unknowingly matured to such a point that A Ming, for a moment, found himself... impressed despite his confusion.

Then, something happened that left A Ming rather taken aback.

Zheng Fan turned his head towards A Ming and asked,

"A Ming, what do you think?"

I don't even understand what 'up' or 'down' means, so how am I supposed to have an opinion?

But he couldn't just scratch his head and give a simple, honest smile to admit his confusion, not like that fool Fanli.

A Ming could only say, "Actually, both options have merit. Ultimately, we must listen to my lord's decision."

Then, to escape this whirlpool of awkwardness, A Ming said,

"My lord, my wineskin is a little empty. I'll go fill it with some blood."

After a major battle, blood was the cheapest drink available.

Staying here any longer would be too awkward. Therefore, his only option was a 'blood escape'.

Zheng Fan then resumed speaking to Liang Cheng,

"Going down, towards the Chu State border, is actually the most prudent option."

"But my lord must realize, since the Blue Luan Army managed to get here, it proves that the defensive passes the Situ Family originally used against Chu State have already been occupied by the Chu people.

If our army heads south, it's uncertain whether we could even get through those passes. Even if we did, venturing deep into Chu State, it would be difficult to gain any significant advantage.

Of course, if the aim is merely to make an appearance and incidentally boost our prestige, the effect might indeed be quite good."

"I understand. It would be awkward if we were directly blocked by the Chu people's city walls. Besides, the Chu army only dispatched the Blue Luan Army to participate in this war. Although there's still internal strife within their country, it's at least not as chaotic or as self-absorbed as it might seem on the surface."

"Exactly. If we head north, approaching the Snow Sea Pass front line would actually exert a very significant pinning effect on the wild people. What the Wild King is doing now is, on one hand, recruiting warriors from the snowfields to come south of the Pass and reinforce his front-line troops. On the other hand, he is transporting the plundered population, wealth, goods, and so on, back to the snowfields. Verbally, he claims this is the ancestral homeland of their holy tribe and therefore must be defended, but anyone would make a move to protect their principal.

The Blue Luan Army of the Chu people occupies the Jade Plate City front line. They are like a nail hammered in place, exerting a significant restraining effect on the battlefield. I believe that even if we were to cut off the Chu people's supply lines, the Chu army within Jade Plate City would likely not venture out. In essence, they are much like us—both can be considered isolated forces.

As for whether Chu State will dispatch reinforcements again, I believe that unless the situation on the front line completely deteriorates, or the new Chu Emperor has pacified the internal situation within Chu, the Chu people are unlikely to send more troops north anytime soon.

Therefore, the impact of us holding this position might not be very significant either."