Chapter Thirty-Two: The Story of the Wolf

  "Qin Buli, I heard that Zhamao hasn't died yet? Can you capture him alive?" Ji Sheng's eyes were filled with expectation as he looked at Qin Buli. If they could capture Zhamao alive, it would undoubtedly be the best gift to present to his father, the king.

  Qian Buli thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "It's hard! Although this battle has not started yet, the outcome is already determined. They can't defeat us, we can't defeat them either. If I give Jamukha a stone to collide with, I think he will know what to do."

  "Even you can't do anything?" Ji Shengqin still hadn't given up.

  "Unless I deliberately throw out a bait to make Zhamuhe think there is an opportunity, but doing so would be very risky and our losses would be great, it's not wise at all."

  "How can you bear to let Jamukha go?"

  "Your Highness, you need to think further ahead." Qian Buli sighed: "If we suffer heavy casualties, who can guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen when we pass through Liancheng Pass?" Qian Buli felt a headache coming on. Ji Sheng's behavior was too impatient and focused on short-term gains. If this mindset were applied to military affairs, it would lead to complete defeat. In politics, it would easily offend people who didn't need to be offended, giving an unnecessary advantage to one's opponents. However, calmness was not a quality that could be taught with just a few words; it required experiencing the trials of wind and rain. It seemed that making the princess a qualified representative of his interests would take some time.

  "Alright, I don't understand this aspect, let's just listen to you." Ji Sheng gave up his persistence with a helpless emotion.

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  Sitting in his tent, Jamukha didn't have the luxury of being so carefree, his tent was far from luxurious as it used to be. The current tent was not only simple but also cramped, and one had to bend down to enter or exit. However, for the current Imperial Light Cavalry, having a tent at all was already quite good, with at least half of the cavalrymen sleeping against their horses.

  Inside the tent was very cold, even the usually cheerful Geli had put on a fur coat. Although the people in the city had urgently provided them with a batch of military supplies, they were unable to do everything perfectly in their haste. Not only was the number of tents far from sufficient, but they had also forgotten to bring fire starting equipment. The flint and steel carried by the Imperial Guards had been used up at Lajiao Gorge, and the few remaining ones did not dare to use them again. He knew the importance of fire.

  "Report!" The door curtain was lifted, and Jebe's beloved Chahar walked in: "Great Khan, I have finished scouting. Their camp is heavily fortified with deep trenches and well-organized arrays. It's hard to find a weakness. Great Khan, if we launch a night attack... it's hard to say what results we can achieve."

  "Damn it, if you're too scared, then just sit here for me!" Zhang Han was furious and stood up: "I'll take the kids to avenge!"

  "Sit down, Zhamuhe!" Jamukha growled, then turned his gaze to Chahar: "People from the south have always liked to rely on their numbers, I won't engage in a fierce battle with them."

  "A great talent is hard to find." Chahar hastily echoed in agreement.

  "When two armies clash, the battle is won by the one who has the most control over his own heart!" Jamukha narrowed his eyes: "Have you ever seen a wolf pack hunting? Even if they encounter a large herd of wild horses, they will not panic, nor give up. They will patiently lurk around the horse herd, using their howls to intimidate their opponents. The wolves' real target is the weak little horses, but the first one they attack is often a rather robust horse. They won't kill the horse, just wound it. When that robust horse starts running away, fear will spread throughout the entire herd, and in the end, only the small horses that can't run will be left behind."

  "Why didn't they attack the little horse from the beginning?" San Qi heard their king tell the story of the wolf for the first time.

  "Is your wisdom inferior to that of a wolf?" Jamukha coldly swept his gaze over the three leaders: "If they had attacked the foals from the start, the mares would have fought back desperately for their children. But after defeating a strong opponent, the other horses who didn't consider themselves strong began to panic and lose control. Once fear erupts, it can't be stopped. When they're all running for their lives, who will still care about those weak foals?"

  "The prey is too big, we can't swallow it in one bite, so let's divide it and eat it slowly." Zhamuhe drew out his own waist knife, playing with it under the sunset glow, his eyes full of murderous intent: "At their speed, it will take them at least seven days to reach Liancheng Fortress. Seven days... is enough time for us to devour them!"

  The tent fell silent, the intelligent ones lowered their heads in contemplation, and those not so bright also lowered their heads to put on a thinking face.

  Zha Mu suddenly thought of something: "Has the next batch of military supplies not arrived yet?"

  Muk stood at the forefront and said: "Great Khan, they have retreated."

  "Go back?" Zha Muhe burst into anger: "Why? Do they want to go back on their word?!" It was impossible for Zha Muhe not to get angry, as they didn't even have torches or candles now, and night was approaching. In the pitch-black tent, it was impossible to discuss military affairs.

  "They're sweating bullets. They say the scouts of Snowy City have sealed off the area too tightly, and there's no way to get through. If they're discovered by Snowy City's scouts, the responsibility would be too great."

  "These southerners are all hypocrites! If they dare to do it, why be afraid of others knowing?" Zhamuhe sat down on the chair: "Didn't they say anything else?"

  "They said let Da Han rush to the front tomorrow to meet them."

  Zha Mu He took a deep breath. If they were only trailing behind, it wouldn't have much impact on morale. From all aspects, they were the hunters and the other side was the prey. It's just that this prey was too massive and hard to swallow. But if they were blocked in front, constantly retreating under the enemy's pressure, the impact on morale would be huge, not to mention they were newly defeated troops.

  Zhamuhe knew that the strengths of his light cavalry lay in their horsemanship and archery, and they could inflict heavy casualties on the enemy through constant harassment and mobility. If it came to a siege, the two thousand infantrymen would be able to take care of themselves! However, military supplies were also indispensable. Zhamuhe thought for a moment, then sighed and said: "Chahar, tomorrow you will lead two hundred men to escort the supplies, while I will bring the entire army to provide cover."

  "Roger that, sweating bullets."