Chapter 1137

"It would be better to just tell the truth—people would find it easier to believe!"

The general gave a wry smile; this claim was just too implausible.

Let alone the soldiers not believing it—even he himself didn't buy it.

The excuse of "happening to travel the same route" was just too far-fetched.

Ren Xiao listened and thought there was some sense to it.

If soldiers asked about it, how should they answer?

Ren Xiao's brows knit slightly; he was rather stumped.

"Just say it like this, and add one more line, and that'll do it."

The moment Fan Zeng said this, several people turned to look at him.

All wanting to know what that line was.

"We clear the path, they follow the same route, neither side harms the other."

"If they dare to harm us, they'll have to clear the path themselves."

Fan Zeng believed this was exactly how it should be.

As for forcing them to clear the path, he reckoned that probably wouldn't work either.

When forced, how could it ever be as carefree as doing it of one's own accord?

He trusted that General Meng Tian and the others wouldn't seize people and force them to clear the path.

That was why he dared to say these words.

The general's eyes lit up at the words.

This explanation was countless times better than the Commandant's.

At least when someone asked about it, they could talk back.

Ren Xiao was also quite satisfied with this explanation.

Looking at the general, he said, "Say it just like that. Pass the word down."

"For the past several days, the soldiers have been living in fear."

"This time they should be able to relax a little."

"Yes, sir!"

The general saluted and strode swiftly away.

Very soon, this piece of news spread throughout the South Chunyu Yue army.

When they first heard this news, the soldiers all thought they had misheard.

Happening to travel the same route?

Clearing the path?

Neither side harms the other?

This was just too incredible.

Some people didn't believe this explanation.

But over the past few days, the imperial army's actions really had been exactly like this.

This left them no choice but to believe it.

Most people chose to believe it.

Because the past few days had truly been too grueling.

They couldn't eat well, couldn't sleep well.

And they still had to press on with the march; everyone had worn down quite a bit.

Afraid that one careless moment would mean being seized or slaughtered by the imperial army.

Hearing this news now truly let many soldiers heave a sigh of relief.

The imperial army's actions really were just as the message said.

Over the next few days.

All the soldiers came to believe this explanation.

Sure enough, neither side harmed the other.

They were responsible for clearing the path ahead.

And the imperial army behind them simply followed along.

It looked as though they were merely traveling the same route.

They made no extra moves against them.

This also let the soldiers set their minds at ease.

The ranks once more returned to their former calm.

Clearing the path, marching, eating, sleeping.

Their hearts were no longer as anxious as before.

And everything they did was watched by Han Xin and the others behind them.

"Do these people know our purpose?"

"They were moving pretty fast before—why have they slowed down again?"

"That goes without saying—there must be some capable person among them."

"Looks like they've guessed our intentions."

"It's normal for them to guess it."

"After all, we've been tailing them for so many days without ever attacking them."

"Every time they stopped to rest, we rested along with them."

"Such a thing is too easy to guess."

"Then what should we do?"

"Should we change our strategy?"

"Oh? Do you have a good idea?"

"No...."

"If you have no good ideas, then don't speak. Someone up above will naturally handle it. What are you worrying about?"

The generals chattered away, guessing the rebels' intentions.

After all, this wasn't hard to guess.

If a large group was following behind them yet never attacking.

Sooner or later, everyone would realize there was something afoot.

Otherwise, why would they keep following without launching an attack?

"Commander, what is your view on this matter?"

"Do we need to change our strategy?"

"It seems the other side has guessed our plan."

Zhao Tuo drew close to Han Xin.

"Do you think Ren Xiao figured this out, or that man called Fan Zeng?"

Han Xin answered with a question of his own.

Although this wasn't some brilliant stratagem.

It only took a few days before the other side guessed it.

But this also indirectly showed that the people across from them were no fools.

Originally, he had thought he could wear them out.

Yet in just a few days, they had already recovered their usual pace.

"Perhaps both."

"After all, our movements were too abnormal."

"It was only a matter of time before they figured it out."

Zhao Tuo believed Ren Xiao was the one who had noticed this matter.

After all, Ren Xiao was also a cunning and sly old fox.

As for that Fan Zeng, he estimated that possibility existed as well.

But he had had little contact with him, only knowing that he was no good person.