Chapter 689: First Volume, Chapter 689: Put Yourself in Their Shoes

First Volume, Chapter 689: Put Yourself in Their Shoes

Xu Mo had long regarded Qin Feng's orders as Imperial Edict.

Words spoken must be acted upon; commands given must be obeyed.

Outside Qin Feng's orders, Xu Mo would not do so much as a single extra thing.

"This matter still requires discussion."

Xu Mo did not outright refuse Li Zhang, for Li Zhang's status was highly unusual—especially crucial to Qin Feng.

After all, the Prince of Ming and his son directly determined whether Qin Feng's hold on Beixi County was legally legitimate and his position rightful.

For anyone, legal authority was the most important thing—even Qin Feng was no exception.

Seeing Xu Mo refuse to cooperate, Li Zhang grew anxious.

"General Xu, in the past, we could have taken just one province, since we had no just cause."

"But now, the Di are secretly plotting to continue ambushing our Liang Border; we now have grounds, and thus a just cause."

"If we only seize one province, wouldn't that be too conservative?"

"Xiongying Ridge is the most vital supply transit point in the entire Di's South Line battlefront deployment."

"If seizing one province is merely hurting the Di, then capturing Xiongying Ridge is truly making them bleed."

"At the negotiation table, even if the Di only wish to recover Xiongying Ridge, they will concede on every point."

"Such a rare opportunity must not be missed."

Hearing Li Zhang's words, Xu Mo rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Undeniably, Li Zhang had sharp insight; capturing Xiongying Ridge was undoubtedly a wise decision.

But…

Qin Feng had not issued an order.

Merely on that point, Xu Mo could never lightly agree to Li Zhang.

"Young Master, I wholeheartedly support your decision, but…"

"As Beixi County's sole remaining Main General, I alone am responsible for troop movements across Beixi County and the entire Northern Border."

"This is a great trust Qin Brother has placed in me."

"I will carry out every order Qin Brother gives; conversely, if Qin Brother has not issued an order, even if you talk till heaven falls, I will not execute it!"

Li Zhang stamped his foot in fury.

To miss this once-in-a-millennium opportunity would be too great a loss.

But Li Zhang had no way to pressure Xu Mo, for this man and Ning Hu were Qin Feng's right and left arms, utterly loyal.

To make Xu Mo overstep his authority?

Don't even think about it!

Li Zhang turned to Lin Quqi for help.

Lin Quqi quickly turned away, signaling: Don't look at me—I can't decide this.

Just as Li Zhang was about to give up, a calm, virtuous voice came from the Hou Tang.

"General Xu, do as the Young Master says."

Xu Mo froze, turned toward the voice, and saw Qin Cheng Clan enter, accompanied by Jing Qianying.

Xu Mo immediately bowed and clasped his fists.

"My lady."

"This sudden mobilization has not received Qin Brother's approval; as Beixi County's Main General, I cannot make this decision."

Even before Qin Cheng Clan, Xu Mo did not yield.

Seeing this, Qin Cheng Clan showed not the slightest displeasure—on the contrary, she was deeply pleased.

For Qin Feng to have such a loyal subordinate was his fortune.

All said Qin Cheng Clan was Beixi County's anchor.

But that was not true!

Xu Mo was the true anchor; as long as he was there, Beixi County and the Northern Border would never fall into chaos.

Qin Cheng Clan reached out and gently took Xu Mo's clenched fist, signaling him to rise and speak.

"General Xu, your loyalty to Feng'er is correct."

"Your diligence as Beixi County's Main General is correct."

"But the opportunity the Young Master sees is truly once-in-a-millennium; if we now send word to Feng'er and wait for his command, we will surely miss it."

"After all, on the battlefield, circumstances change in an instant—this needs no reminder from me."

"Proceed with the offensive and capture Xiongying Ridge; should anything go wrong, I take full responsibility—you bear no burden."

Hearing this, Xu Mo's expression turned troubled.

After long hesitation, he sighed deeply.

"My lady, it's not that I'm burdened or afraid of responsibility—it's that…"

Before Xu Mo could finish, Qin Cheng Clan patted his shoulder, showing she understood.

"Since you absolutely refuse to defy Feng'er's orders, then do this instead."

"Continue the offensive now, seize this entire province, and consolidate it firmly."

"Meanwhile, reinforce the Front Line, amass troops but hold off on attacking."

"Immediately send word to Jingdu; the moment Feng'er replies, we can respond instantly—whether to withdraw or launch full attack."

With words thus spoken, Xu Mo no longer resisted and immediately nodded in agreement.

But Li Zhang quickly added one more thing.

"This isn't enough!"

"If we attack Ben Zhou again, Xiongying Ridge will surely reinforce its defenses; if we don't smash it now, once Xiongying Ridge becomes impregnable, it will be far harder to take."

"My bottom line is... immediately send Cavalry to ambush Xiongying Ridge, kill the Di messengers, and sever Xiongying Ridge's ties to the outside world."

"And spread rumors that our army has begun attacking the second province, shaking Xiongying Ridge's Morale."

"Even if we don't attack, we must tire the enemy!"

Li Zhang's stance was utterly resolute; delaying the opportunity would only make Xiongying Ridge's defenses stronger.

Even if Shedynasty soldiers excel at Attack on a Fortified City, they would still suffer casualties several times greater than the enemy's.

Such needless casualties? Better not fight at all.

"If we can't tire the enemy, then let's just abandon Xiongying Ridge altogether!"

Qin Cheng Clan held no real power and could only mediate; final authority rested with Xu Mo.

Xu Mo remained indecisive.

At that moment, Lin Quqi softly reminded: "General Xu, though I know nothing of military affairs, I understand that opportunity comes but once."

"Qin Brother is not in Beixi County; the only one who can advise you is the Crown Prince."

"In military matters, the Crown Prince's words are Qin Brother's words."

Xu Mo's firm stance finally wavered.

He was loyal to Qin Feng, yes—but the Ming Wang family was no less so.

Moreover, for Qin Feng's sake, even when Li Lang met Military Death, the Ming Wang and the Crown Prince never wavered.

Added to this was Li Zhang's military foresight.

Xu Mo gritted his teeth and committed: "Fine! Do as you say—station troops to tire the enemy. Whether we ultimately attack or not, we'll wait for Qin Brother's reply."

Li Zhang exhaled in relief and immediately urged Xu Mo to issue troop orders.

Beside them, Qin Cheng Clan and Jing Qianying watched the loyal generals and strategists, faces flushed from arguing fiercely for Qin Feng, and smiled with deep satisfaction.

"Mother, what merit does Feng'er have to earn such loyal Comrades?" Jing Qianying couldn't help but marvel.

Qin Cheng Clan smiled gently and sighed softly: "Put your heart in their place."

"Feng'er treats them like brothers; naturally, they will give him their whole hearts."

Hearing this, Jing Qianying recalled how Qin Feng had once defied the Liang Emperor to restore Li Lang to the Imperial Ancestral Hall...