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

Chen Shao paused, his gaze sweeping over the dark, tired, and even scarred faces.

"I know that most of you don't even know who your enemies are."

"Soldiers only have to obey orders; whoever they are told to attack, they attack."

"But now, I tell you, we have only one enemy: those who prevent our fields from growing crops and who make it impossible for us to support our wives and children."

"Whoever obstructs us from doing these things, we will rebel against them, including those high-ranking officials, the imperial court, and even me."

The Chinese Succubus can easily amplify and implant Chen Shao's words and principles into people's hearts.

Many people are already blushing, their necks bulging, and their lips trembling, unsure how to express themselves.

"From this day forward, you are no longer soldiers of Hedong. As before, you are still soldiers of the Great Yan."

"Your provisions and armor are the same as everyone else's. When the war ends in the Great Yan Dynasty, the land you are allocated and the seeds you plant will all be the same."

"When I became emperor, I asked for nothing else but a few words."

"Fair, fair, what the hell is this supposed to be fair!"

Though the language may be rough, it is the truth.

All that remained was heavy, hot breathing.

Chen Shao understood this situation even better.

At this point, it's not time to continue stirring things up, but rather to leave with a cool and collected demeanor.

He patted his bottom and stood up.

"Everyone, disperse. Tomorrow, we'll train as usual. Eat well and get plenty of sleep."

"Those who don't want to stay, go to General Liao Hua for the travel fee; those who want to stay will have meat porridge delivered later."

After saying that, he mounted his horse and rode off into the depths of the military camp.

Chen Shao snapped his fingers lightly.

A light, auspicious light enveloped him; his back was slender, yet at this moment it was as vast as the sun and moon, as steadfast as the Great Wall.

It wasn't until he had walked quite a distance that the crowd finally realized what was happening.

"Your Majesty so sincerely trusts us; how can we not surrender and die for you!"

This sound was like a raging fire igniting dry tinder.

First there were scattered shouts, then there were large wails of shouting.

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

The clamor grew louder and louder, spreading and echoing among the various camps.

Chen Shao glanced back, his face reflecting the interplay of torches and auspicious clouds.

It reflects a compassionate tenderness.

"Everyone, let's go back to camp. It's autumn now, and the weather is getting cooler quickly."

...

That night, the surrendered soldiers' battalions automatically lifted their nighttime guard duties.

The following day, the 20,000 surrendered troops were officially reorganized into the Iron Fist Battalion.

Chen Shaobing's military strength expanded rapidly.

On the third day, all the supplies and provisions for Liaocheng were cleared out, and the entire city became a ghost town.

Chen Shao instructed them to dig a tunnel and ordered Liao Hua to lead the army to hide in the mountains.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong set out with 10,000 troops to confront the 100,000 elite troops from Hedong.

Chen Shao was a little worried, fearing that by sheer luck, Li Jinglong might actually win.

Therefore, Xing Daorong was sent to be Li Jinglong's deputy.

This time, the plan to feign defeat was foolproof.

......

Li Jinglong rode on his horse, head held high, chin raised.

Behind him was a newly reorganized detachment of 10,000 men.

It looks very imposing.

Xing Daorong rode alongside him, glanced back at Liaocheng which was no longer in sight, and leaned closer with a worried expression:

"Brother Li, this battle..."

Li Jinglong coughed lightly to interrupt:

"General Xing, please use your official title when fighting."

"..."

Xing Daorong blew on his small mustache:

"General Li, how exactly should we fight this battle? The enemy has 100,000 elite troops from Hedong, plus 50,000 cavalry, while we only have 10,000. Isn't this just suicide?"

Li Jinglong glanced at him sideways and sneered:

"You know nothing! Even if you have a million men and win, will history remember you?"

"A general must be able to discern the emperor's intentions, and the number of men should be exactly ten thousand."

"Losing is not shameful; this is exactly the effect His Majesty wanted."

Li Jinglong was telling the truth; if Chen Shao gave him 100,000 or even 200,000 men...

His hands are shaking now.

But what if we lose when there are 10,000 people?

Moreover, his task was merely to delay the other side for three days.

"So how should we fight?"

"Does Sun Tzu know about this?"

Xing Daorong nodded obediently:

"I know, he wrote about military strategy, I've read his works."

"That's right, it's him. His military strategy is very well written and very practical. I especially like the line: 'Warfare is based on deception.'"

"Of course, it's because it's too practical, which is why he was later called a 'grandson,' and his military strategy is also called Sun Tzu's Art of War."

Is that what you mean? Xing Daorong scratched his head.

"This time, I have made up my mind: I will stop at nothing to achieve victory."

"I have already sent someone to deliver a challenge to Wang Yuanji, inviting him to a fair fight at Hangu Pass early tomorrow morning."

"General?" Xing Daorong was puzzled but impressed.

"That idiot Wang Yuanji will definitely think we're really going to have a decisive battle with him tomorrow, so he'll be careless tonight."

"We'll strike in the dark tonight and catch them completely off guard."

"This is called feigning inability when capable, feigning non-use when in use, being flexible against being cumbersome, fast against slow. If ten thousand men are caught off guard, even a hundred thousand troops will be thrown into chaos."

Li Jinglong spoke with great enthusiasm, his whip waving in the air, exuding an imposing aura.

Xing Daorong's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed:

"Brilliant plan! Brilliant plan! General Li is truly a genius!"

Others may find it sarcastic, but he genuinely admires them.

Li Jinglong spoke with great logic and reason; the more incomprehensible he was, the more impressive he seemed.

Li Jinglong felt extremely pleased by this flattery.

He waved his hand dismissively:

"When I use troops, I always emphasize the word 'unconventional'."

"Follow me, and you'll have everything for life, you understand?"

"Just wait until you're promoted to a high-ranking position!"

...

So at midnight, Li Jinglong really went.

Ten thousand soldiers marched swiftly, gagged and without lighting a single torch, towards the Hedong camp.

Li Jinglong walked at the front of the group, his face full of excitement.

The outline of the Hedong Army camp was already faintly visible.

Li Jinglong raised his whip, about to shout "Kill!", when suddenly a thousand torches lit up all around, and the sound of battle shook the heavens.

Two cavalry units attacked from each flank, cutting off his escape routes to the left and right.

The camp gate directly in front was wide open, and a troop of heavily armored infantry filed out.

The result can be imagined.

Li Jinglong spent the entire night frantically trying to escape.

"Retreat! All troops, retreat!"

......

The next day.

Li Jinglong and Xing Daorong gathered the remnants of their scattered troops and hid in a sheltered depression deep within the Suihan Valley.

The sun was already high in the sky, shining on the dusty, grimy faces.

The soldiers had fled all night and lay sprawled on the ground.

The entire team was lifeless and exuded a sense of dejection.

Only Li Jinglong was in high spirits.

He ate minced meat noodles while gulping down water, completely at ease.

Xing Daorong looked at him in surprise:

"General, we lost at least three thousand brothers last night, how come you seem completely unharmed?"