Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

......

On the other side, Zhang Bao lay prone in a patch of waist-high withered grass, his eyes fixed on the direction of the Sanggan River.

Behind them, 30,000 troops were hidden deep in the reeds, completely silent.

Twelve generals stood in a row beside him, each with their hands on their sword hilts, exuding a chilling aura.

They were all veteran soldiers who had fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood alongside General Tiangong.

He was a veteran of many battles and held considerable prestige within the military.

The fact that General Tiangong assigned them all to Zhang Bao this time shows his determination to win the battle of the Sanggan River.

"General, look!"

A general beside him suddenly lowered his voice and pointed to the opposite bank of the river.

The torches on the south bank finally started moving.

A force of about five thousand men broke off from the main formation.

Cross the river quietly.

Zhang Bao smiled faintly:

"Don't panic, let them have some time to rest."

Soon, the 5,000-strong force slowly made its way to the center of the river.

"General, let's move! While they're halfway across the river, I'll lead three thousand cavalry to charge out from the flank. We can wipe out these five thousand men within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

Zhang Baodong didn't move, he just let out a cold laugh through his nose:

"What's the rush?"

"This is just Chen Shao's vanguard; he's trying to lure our ambush troops out."

"If we rush out now, we'll fall right into his trap."

"Haste makes waste; the real challenge lies ahead."

Everyone was deeply impressed upon hearing this.

"General, you have a keen eye. I almost fell for that scoundrel Chen Shao's treacherous scheme."

The Thirteen Good Generals were almost all from the same village as the three brothers.

He was successful because he was loyal to his boss, fearless, and one of the first employees to invest.

In terms of military strategy, I don't have any insights.

They watched as the five thousand men successfully crossed the river and quickly formed a defensive formation on the north bank.

After a while, a rocket was launched from the north bank.

"This is their signal, indicating that it's safe ahead."

As soon as Zhang Bao finished speaking, Chen Shao's army began to cross the river.

The infantry were positioned in the center, with cavalry protecting the flanks.

Chen Shaolong's banner was positioned in the very center of the rear army.

"The general is truly a brilliant strategist."

About half an hour later.

The dragon banner appeared in the middle of the river.

"General!"

"To strike while the enemy is crossing the river is a golden opportunity! This humble general is willing to lead the charge!"

Zhang Bao squinted.

There was silence for a moment.

laughed:

"No rush. In this battle, we not only want to win, but we want to win spectacularly!"

The twelve generals around him all turned to look at him.

"How is it beautiful?"

"To attack while the enemy is crossing the river is not a honorable victory."

"We, the Yellow Turban Army, act on behalf of Heaven, and we fight under the banner of a righteous army. Naturally, we must win people over with virtue!"

"?" ×12.

The twelve generals looked at each other in bewilderment.

"General, this humble general doesn't quite understand..."

"You don't need to understand."

"Let his entire army cross the river first, then we'll crush them head-on!"

"But General, we are outnumbered. The best course of action is to launch an attack while they are halfway across the river! Otherwise, how can we crush them?"

"No, our army is a righteous force and will not take advantage of others' misfortunes."

(PS: Just kidding, please don't call this idiotic, it's a historical fact - the Battle of Hongshui, slightly adapted.)

The twelve generals were dumbfounded. What the hell was this "winning people over with virtue"?

But there are always clever people who will cover up the lies for their superiors.

One of them suddenly slapped his forehead.

He suddenly realized something.

"Oh! I understand now. The general intends for them all to cross the river, and then launch a full-scale attack while they are still forming ranks. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

"Our army is not good at naval warfare, and a surprise attack on the water is not necessarily going to be successful. General Di Gong is indeed a master strategist who can win battles from afar."

...

Zhang Bao and his men continued to wait.

Very calm.

Chen Shao's army crossed the river in an orderly and slow manner.

Soon, the dragon banner came ashore.

The army began to reorganize and regroup, stabilizing its formation.

"General!"

"What a golden opportunity! While they're in their panic, let's sneak in under the cover of night, like divine intervention, and surely crush the enemy!"

"Let's get started!"

Twelve people volunteered together.

He drew his sword a few inches, his eyes fixed intently on General Di Gong, waiting for his command.

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Bao stroked his beard and slowly shook his head.

"No."

"A wise man does not attack an enemy that is not in formation."

Clang!

Someone lost control of their emotions and dropped their long sword.

"What did the general say?"

The twelve people were utterly speechless.

What the hell happened to you today? Is there someone among us who acts like a gentleman?

At this crucial moment, why are you being so pretentious, vulgar, and annoying?

Zhang Bao looked at the twelve pairs of incredulous eyes, but became even more composed.

"Please be patient and let me explain slowly."

He suddenly turned around and asked a question that left everyone baffled:

"Tell me, what tier of power do you think the Yellow Turbans are in today's world?"

No one had time to dwell on this issue at that moment.

The enemy was rapidly forming their formation.

They have at least 60,000 to 70,000 troops, while we only have 30,000.

If you want to win with fewer resources, now is the time.

"General, the opportunity is fleeting!"

"Third-rate!"

Zhang Bao asked himself the question and answered it by holding up three fingers.

"The Northern Barbarian cavalry swept across the grasslands, and Helian Yunni's 50,000 troops decisively defeated 500,000. That was first-rate."

"The eight regional military governors, each with their own territory, are second-rate, possessing well-trained troops and ample supplies."

"What are we Yellow Turbans? In the eyes of the imperial court, we are rebels; in the eyes of the regional military governors, we are bandits; and in the eyes of the Northern Barbarians, we are nothing at all."

"Tell me, what makes us think we can compete with these people for the world?"

No one answered him; they were all anxiously looking towards Chen Shao's army.

"Therefore, today's strategy is my core strategy, a winning strategy sufficient to contend with these people for the world!"

"If we can't defeat the Northern Barbarians, or the regional warlords, then we need to change our tactics. How? Not with swords and spears, but with reputation."

"Today's battle is a testament to the world that the Yellow Turbans will not take advantage of others' misfortunes or attack them while they are crossing the river; they will fight honorably and win people over with virtue."

"After this battle, heroes and valiant men from all over the land will give a thumbs up at the mere mention of the Yellow Turbans: The Yellow Turban Army is truly a righteous and benevolent army!"

"Other lords see this and respect it, and will naturally follow suit."

"This general firmly believes that an army that does not take advantage of others' misfortunes out of benevolence and righteousness, inspired by morality, will have far higher morale than a barbaric army that only knows how to fight."

"The soldiers will be even more excited by the general's nobility, and will fight ten against one."

"This is what it means to be benevolent and invincible!"

All twelve men were enraged.

They were the Heavenly General's favorites, and at this moment they no longer gave face to the Earthly General.

"Bullshit! You're just trying to build a virtuous image for yourself by risking our brothers' lives!"

"Still all fired up? You have your brothers squatting here listening to you preach righteousness, while Chen Shao has his knife to their throats. Who the hell can stay fired up then?"

"Morale? Morale is earned through fighting, not by talking!"

"General, war is a matter of life and death, not about politeness and restraint."

"If you're not going, we'll go!"

..........

(Thanks to HeHongb for the generous update! And thank you to Boss Qiaofen, who loves mixed-sauce roasted ribs, for the role call!)