Chapter 1243: 62: Retreat Upon Reflection

Capítulo 1243: Chapter 62: Retreat Upon Reflection

In the secret chamber, Zuo Jun’s voice was like frost, harshly striking the ground.

The White Flame Army not engaging in battle for three months has already made its stance clear.

If Cuiqing City is indeed a trap set by Qilian Guanshi for Li Fei, the White Flame Army’s inaction would mean great danger for Li Fei on this venture!

Upon hearing these words, Ye Jingfu also refrained from any comment.

Once the Ten Thousand People-level Army Formation is activated, as long as casualties do not exceed five thousand, peak level strength can be maintained.

But the prerequisite is that the army formation must first be activated.

If the number of troops is less than ten thousand, the White Flame Army will be unable to activate the Ten Thousand People-level Army Formation.

This is also why each of the four Ten Thousand Level Imperial Camp Army units is composed of twelve thousand people, with an additional two thousand to prevent such a situation.

Accommodating two thousand more has already reached the limit of the Ten Thousand People-level Army Formation.

Once the number in the White Flame Army falls below ten thousand, only the Five Thousand People-level Army Formation can be activated, which, although still capable of peak combat power, significantly reduces the ‘blood bar’.

The Five Thousand People-level Army Formation can only accommodate up to six thousand Imperial Camp soldiers, and if the casualty count exceeds two thousand, the formation dissolves, and strength plummets from the peak.

Zuo Jun could not allow the White Flame Army to fall into such a perilous situation.

Ye Jingfu finally looked at Li Fei: “Marquis Jing’an, do you have anything to say?”

Li Fei remained expressionless: “If we don’t aid Cuiqing City and the enemy really massacres the city, what then?”

“Meet slaughter with slaughter.”

Zuo Jun looked at Li Fei, enunciating each word, “The Grassland Royal Court also has large cities. They slaughter one city, we slaughter ten.”

This commander of the White Flame Army spoke of slaughtering cities as simply as eating or drinking.

Although he had no prior records of city massacres, he was notorious for leading troops deep into the grassland, employing brutal and bloody tactics, earning the title of ‘White Demon’ among the Grassland people.

Li Fei frowned, turning to Ye Jingfu: “Is this also Governor Ye’s view?”

Ye Jingfu met his gaze, his expression serious:

“Has the Marquis ever considered why the grassland chose this moment to massacre the city?”

Li Fei remained silent.

Ye Jingfu continued: “Because you came to the Eastern Territory!”

“Once the White Flame Army recovers, combined with your presence, the Grassland Royal Court won’t withstand our offensive and will have no choice but to surrender. So, they deliberately provoke us, forcing us into a decisive battle before the White Flame Army recovers.”

Li Fei naturally understood this reasoning.

Currently, the White Flame Army is divided into two parts, stationed in two large cities. With city defense arrays present, even if the Grassland gathers all its top experts, they cannot threaten the White Flame Army as long as they defend without engaging.

Therefore, the best choice for the Eastern Territory’s situation now is for the White Flame Army to stay put and recuperate slowly.

Meanwhile, Li Fei could strike at various points, weakening the Grassland’s power and eliminating its experts, maintaining a deterrent against the Grassland. Reducing the pressure on the Eastern Territory while waiting for the White Flame Army to recover completely.

By then, he and the White Flame Army would join forces, and the Grassland would inevitably fall!

But… should the tens of thousands in Cuiqing City, those Jianghu volunteers who rushed to aid, be sacrificed in vain?

“I also don’t wish to see the citizens of the Da Lan Dynasty slaughtered.”

Ye Jingfu’s tone grew somber, “But if the Eastern Territory cannot be held, how many more than a city’s people would be massacred then?”

Li Fei contemplated silently for a moment, then suggested:

“We could try to engage. I’ll enter the city alone, and you can support from the outskirts. If the situation turns dire, I can leave by myself, and they won’t be able to stop me.”

Ye Jingfu pondered, hesitant to respond immediately.

At this point, Li Fei’s importance to the Da Lan Dynasty was second only to Wenren Zheng.

If you look to the future, he might even be more important than Wenren Zheng!

So Ye Jingfu didn’t dare to let Li Fei take a risk.

Moreover, he knew the Emperor would also certainly not allow him to risk Li Fei!

Confucianism advocates for ‘value the people over the ruler’, establishing principles for the world and destinies for the people.

But though knowledgeable, Ye Jingfu had to admit that some lives are indeed more important.

Currently, even if the lives of the tens of thousands in Cuiqing City are combined, they’re still not as significant as Li Fei’s life!

Ye Jingfu was a great scholar, but also a Commander of the Army.

If it were a no-retreat fight to the death, then a battle it would be.

But knowing there is a better option, they must not fall into the enemy’s rhythm.

Some decisions, though painful, must still be made:

“Let us discuss this further!”

This impromptu meeting thus came to an end.

That afternoon, more detailed intelligence arrived—

The Grassland people had already rounded up nearly ten thousand individuals in Cuiqing City and openly declared that after today’s sun sets, they would begin mass killings.

Within three days, they would kill everyone in Cuiqing City and erect a massive spectacle of terror!

“Before the sun sets…”

Li Fei looked out the window.

The afternoon sun was blazing, casting its rays through the window.

There were only a few hours left before today’s sunset.

Even if the Eastern Territory is willing to cooperate fully with him and march to Cuiqing City,

there’s still not enough time to mobilize all combat power.

In the room, Li Fei sat quietly on his chair, unusually not cultivating nor chatting with Ning Qingman.

“Marquis Jing’an!”

Suddenly, Fu Ziwu’s voice came from outside the door.

This Vice Admiral pushed open the door and entered the room, holding a telegram in his hand:

“The Imperial Decree has arrived!”

Li Fei looked up at him, stood up, and took the telegram from his hand.

This urgent telegram had been sent directly from the Imperial Study Room:

“I have already learned of the Eastern Territory’s situation and the peril of Cuiqing City; I am also grieved!

The White Flame Army is now gravely injured and urgently needs to recuperate; the peace of the Eastern Territory rests solely upon thee.

The peril of one city versus the peril of one nation, which weighs more?