Chapter 24: The Righteous Path is the Kingly Way

  "It can be said that General Du's use of troops is unpredictable!" In Qian Buding's command tent, Du Bing had a look of adoration on his face, speaking fluently: "With inferior military strength, he has come up with one unexpected move after another, defeating Zha Muhe and forcing him to flee in disarray. Now his life or death is unknown, for all eternity..."

  "Shut up!" Qian Buli's face turned gloomy and coldly interrupted Du Bing's words: "Is something wrong with Wang Rui?"

  Du Bing was taken aback, and hastily accompanied a smile: "I haven't received any definite news yet. It's not that I'm not doing my best, but Zha Muhe led the main force to retreat into Luori Valley. I really don't dare to take risks." Du Bing had just returned to Xueyuan City when he received the order to review the troops. He hadn't had a chance to see Qian Buli alone yet, but he knew that an ugly wife can't avoid meeting her parents-in-law. No matter what, he had to give an account of himself. This was also the reason why he started flattering Qian Buli so much, only he never thought that just as he was getting started, his intention would be seen through by the commander.

  "This isn't your fault, I miscalculated. I didn't think that Zhamuhe had such a tolerant and humble heart." Qian Buli said somewhat despondently: "Whether he lives or dies depends on Wang Rui's luck now."

  "Sir, I left a small team behind to split up and search. Besides, Wang Rui can also lead his men back to Liancheng Fortress, I reckon he'll be fine."

  "Linked City Seal?" Qian Bu Li's eyes seemed to gleam with a cold smile: "I'm worried about exactly this."

  Du Bing and Ren Shuai stared at each other, unable to decipher the subtlety in Qian Buli's words. Seeing that the atmosphere had become somewhat awkward, Du Bing made a face at Ren Shuai.

  "General, your use of troops is really too formidable......" Ren Shuai thought for a moment, but since he had never flattered anyone before, his experience was limited and he didn't know what to say: "It's really... truly too formidable!"

  Money doesn't leave a faint smile: "Winning with a trick is not something that can be put on the stage, it's nothing. I'm telling you, the right way is the king!"

  "You're too modest, sir." Du Bing shook his head and said: "In one battle, Jamukha was defeated and fled in disarray, and nearly 60-70% of the Imperial Guard's light cavalry were lost. If even this achievement is not considered anything, then what about..." Du Bing trailed off, a bitter smile spreading across his face.

  "Your idea is biased, you forgot a premise." Qian Buli's eyes were bright and powerful. Perhaps in this world there are many generals who are arrogant because of their victories, but that would never be him, Qian Buli: "True, I did defeat Jamukha with unorthodox tactics, but this was only possible under the premise that Jamukha used unorthodox tactics to launch a surprise attack on Snow Castle. If I were to lead the soldiers of Snow Castle to defend Jieji Pass while Jamukha led his men to attack the city, do you think I would have any chance of defending Jieji Pass?"

  Du Bing sank into thought, and after a long time, he let out a sigh: "I understand what you mean, sir."

  "Winning by surprise is an adventure in itself, the greater the hope of success, the greater the possibility of failure. This is a gamble, how can there be someone in the world who never loses?! Qian Buli looked at Du Bing with an appreciative gaze: "Needless to say, those who are good at using surprise tactics may end up getting their heads battered if they encounter a conventional and defensive general."

  "But... sir, what is the right path?" Du Bing gazed intently at Qian Budili: "Must one necessarily fight valiantly on the battlefield?"

  "You... want to steal our secrets?" Qian Buli revealed a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression.

  Du Bing was startled and smiled awkwardly: "I don't dare... I don't dare..."

  "This is the right path, not that one. I will teach you slowly in the future, but...". Qian Bu Li's voice paused here: "You are a clever person, I think you should know what comes after 'but'."

  Du Bing's back broke out in a cold sweat, and he lowered his head in terror.

  Suddenly, the sound of horseshoes came from outside: "Report!!" With Qian Buduo's voice 'come in', Qin Chong walked into the commander's tent with big strides and knelt down on one knee in front of Qian Buduo: "Commander, we have found Wang Rui!"

  Qian Buli suddenly stood up: "Where is the man?" Qian Buli made this gesture not because he had any deep feelings, but because in just a few days of contact, it was impossible to talk about emotions. The biggest taboo for a general is to disregard the lives and deaths of his soldiers. If it happens once, the military spirit he has carefully cultivated will be shaken. Moreover, Qian Buli really admired Wang Rui and did not want to see an outstanding general fade away before he had a chance to shine.

  Ren Shuai didn't need to say anything, Du Bing's eyes also showed a hint of emotion. Qin Chong said loudly: "Wang Rui is still in Lu Ri Gorge, they... they can no longer move, my team has already given up the horses, but now they can't even ride stably and need someone to support them on one side, so they are moving very slowly."

  "What a King Rui!" Qian Buli shouted: "Come on, immediately summon the horse-drawn carriage in Xueyuan City, no matter whose carriage it is, intercept them all! Ren Shuai, take the horse-drawn carriage to pick them up right away. If they hadn't risked their lives to trigger the avalanche this time, could we still be sitting in this warm tent? Ren Shuai, can't let them lose again!"

  "Yes sir!" General Ren replied and rushed out of the commander's tent.

  "It's okay, it's okay." Du Bing revealed a heartfelt smile: "I knew it, this kid has always had good luck."

  Qian didn't leave, swept a glance at Du Bing: "Du Bing, if you want to sit in this position for the rest of your life, then I can say that you are a very qualified general. But if you want to take another step forward, I hope you can do more observing, listening and thinking!"

  Du Bing was taken aback and thought for half a day: "Sir, your meaning is..."

  "Think about it, how far is the place where Wang Rui set up his ambush from Snowy City? And how far is it from Liancheng Fortress? Why did he have to detour through Luoshen Gorge and risk his life to return to Snowy City?"

  Du Bing's face revealed a look of shock, he thought of a possibility, but his shock was not because of this possibility, but because of the keen insight of the commander in front of him! He repeated Qin Chong's words several times and didn't see anything suspicious about it, but the commander caught the doubt at once. What kind of difference is this? To say that it's a difference between heaven and earth wouldn't be an exaggeration, would it?

  Du Bing's heart felt a wave of powerlessness, staring blankly at Qian Bu Li, unable to utter a single word.

  "After a while, you also bring a squadron to welcome them. I want to let them know that I will never let heroes be treated coldly."

  "Yes sir!"