Midday that day, the old city descended into chaos. Everyone was on edge, as if the barbarians were about to attack at any moment. The tens of thousands of men Li Shu had brought were divided into various groups. Some were assigned to defend the city walls, others to logistics, and still others, led by individuals, patrolled the city daily, attempting to catch barbarian spies.
The old city was unlike the new one. It had fewer inhabitants, and those who remained were veterans who had fought on the battlefield. They couldn't be easily apprehended or falsely accused. The generals could neither publicly announce Li Shu's stroke nor ignore the intelligence Li Nian had provided. Such matters were a case of better safe than sorry. If they were warned of a barbarian attack at a specific time and did nothing, who would bear the responsibility if something went wrong? Conversely, if everyone was mobilized and everything was prepared, but the barbarians made no move, then the responsibility would fall on the Li brothers. Undermining military morale was punishable by military law.
Jia Er detested Li Nian and wished him ill. Despite feeling deeply wronged, he suppressed his emotions, eagerly awaiting the downfall of the Li brothers. Though Li Shu was his superior officer, Jia Er always felt that military commanders like Li Shu, born into aristocratic families, owed their positions to inherited privilege, otherwise, they wouldn't be leading armies. He, Jia Er, was the true military talent, but unfortunately, due to his humble origins, he had to serve under others. After this incident, it would be his time to shine. Once he made a name for himself in the capital and among the military, he would see how the Li brothers would fare.
Jia Er wished to see Li Nian disgraced and wanted to assist Luo Sheng in defending the northern frontier. Therefore, he employed all his skill and dared not be negligent. Li Nian observed everything, his mind heavy with worry, and went to find Li Man'er. Li Man'er had just finished guiding Li Qingyan through her cultivation techniques. Seeing Li Nian's distressed expression, she quickly sent Li Yan to play in the back.
"Third Uncle, why the long face?"
"You wouldn't believe it. That fellow surnamed Jia indeed has some ability. He's stationed the old city's men in various corners, arranging the main city in a 'hui' shape formation, creating a grand array. If the barbarians truly break through, I fear they won't be able to escape. I feel they've done an excellent job; everyone is active and in their designated positions. Even if I were to do it, I might not be able to do it as well."
Li Man'er said, "Third Uncle, you still don't understand."
"How so?" Li Nian looked surprised, not even drinking the hot tea Liu Ya had brought.
"Is our objective to manipulate Jia Er?"
Manipulate?
"You mean..." Manipulate is roughly equivalent to a trap? This was Li Nian's own interpretation.
"Jia Er is insignificant. Whether he's capable or mediocre has little to do with us. Our target was never him from the start."
Li Nian frowned upon hearing this, then, as if remembering something, exclaimed, "You mean Luo Sheng?"
"Keep your voice down!" Good heavens, if there were a loudspeaker, the entire city would hear.
"I'm speaking softly, tell me."
Li Man'er was not in a hurry. She took a sip of tea before calmly analyzing for Li Nian.
"Luo Sheng is not particularly capable, and he knows it himself that he cannot command respect. He only holds his current position due to the Empress's favor. But sometimes, people are like that. Even though he knows everything, he refuses to admit it. Luo Sheng, if you give him a little sweetness, he'll think it's all honey; if you give him a slap, he'll think you're a thousand-armed Guanyin."
A thousand-armed Guanyin? Li Nian's eyes were opened wide, but he also understood Li Man'er's meaning. Finding a breakthrough from Luo Sheng's peak. This man, who craved glory and was arrogant, might not heed the words of Jia Er or his advisors. Once he became careless, their opportunity would arise.
"Man'er, no matter when, human lives are paramount," Li Nian stated. "I hope you understand that such factional disputes only shake the foundation and damage the core. In the end, it is always the common people of Zun Kingdom who suffer, and always the ordinary soldiers without connections."
Li Nian was kind-hearted. No matter the situation, fame and fortune always came after human lives, which was something Li Man'er admired about him.
"Don't worry, Third Uncle. I know the weight of things and wouldn't joke with the lives of the common people and soldiers." Li Man'er continued, "The barbarians won't launch a full-scale assault when they breach the pass. They have their own subtle plans."
"Subtle plans?"
Li Man'er nodded. "To lull us into complacency, at the beginning, they will surely feign attacks, just like in previous years. They will hide their true strength, with the aim of making the defending soldiers believe that it's just harassment, not an invasion."
Li Nian nodded. "Very likely. What you said makes sense."
"But they won't expect that we received news in advance and have already made preparations. Moreover, the defenders have been replaced, and the methods are completely different from the Xiao family's. They are bound to suffer losses."
Li Nian's heart tightened. A cornered dog will leap over the wall! Indeed, the barbarians were never honest folk. When they were weak, they would recuperate and plan for the future. When they were strong, their only thought was plunder and massacre.
"Once the barbarians are fully prepared and cornered, there will inevitably be major actions. We have limited experience in defending cities and might suffer losses. However, Third Uncle, remember that war always involves casualties, and excessive mercy is absolutely unacceptable." As a general, how could he not understand this principle? Li Nian said nothing, only nodding.
"Tomorrow, when the barbarians attack, you and I will stay behind, out of the fray. Let Jia Er and Luo Sheng deal with the barbarians. Once the barbarians retreat, Luo Sheng will surely become conceited, and that's when our opportunity will arise."
Li Man'er whispered, "Just remember, as soon as the barbarians retreat, you go find Luo Sheng and tell him to increase vigilance, to prevent enemy ambushes and a comeback. The number of guards on the city walls should be doubled, and provisions for overnight combat should be prepared, with logistics keeping pace."
"Will Luo Sheng listen?" He's unlikely to listen to me.
Li Man'er sighed softly. If he would listen, he wouldn't be Luo Sheng.
"Whether he listens or not, we must say these words, and we must say them in front of many people. Finally, it's best to make a scene and let everyone see you arguing."
Li Nian gave a bitter smile. I understand. My position is clearly stated, and my methods are offered. If Luo Sheng doesn't adopt them or comply, then he alone will be responsible if something goes wrong. Can he bear that responsibility? Li Nian let out an inexplicable sigh. The sky was about to darken.