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墨書 Inktalez
Zhao Kuo, who had secretly crossed the Dan Shui River with the Army, felt restless these days and decided to consult the Diviner accompanying the troops for an oracle using turtle shells. He received the thirty-second hexagram, Perpetual Hexagram. According to the time of inquiry, he obtained the Initial Six Yao, which stated: "Digging deep without finding a safe and correct method will often lead to unexpected dangers and will not yield the desired results."
In simpler terms, it meant that without identifying a safe and correct approach, recklessly digging around could lead to unforeseen dangers and would not achieve what was originally intended. The Diviner, adhering to the principles of respecting divination, candidly conveyed this message without concealment. He hoped that the Grand Commander would assess the situation and handle certain matters realistically.
Realistically? When has this general not been realistic!? Feeling somewhat frustrated, Zhao Kuo wanted to find a lead that would bring good news, such as divine support for the Zhao Army. Unexpectedly, he encountered a straightforward Diviner who spoke bluntly!
In those years, people respected those who could communicate with the heavens; even a Lord of the Nation was no exception. Naturally, Zhao Kuo did not dare to show any displeasure and repeatedly expressed that he would take this advice seriously. He casually inquired if there was anything else before sending the Diviner away.
Sitting alone in the Main Tent, he felt a surge of frustration but suddenly remembered that his elite First Division had yet to relay any news of victory. Logically, this shouldn't be the case! The Qin Army was retreating steadily, and there were no main forces of the Qin Army left on the East Bank of the Dan Shui River. How could his strongest special division fail to deliver results this time!?
Zhao Kuo thought for a moment and ordered a Messenger to set off immediately for Great King Village. He instructed Must Be General that they were nearing a decisive battle and hoped he could tighten his grip on things. If this battle concluded and he returned later, it would be a significant loss in terms of merit.
In truth, it wasn't entirely Zhao Kuo's fault for being biased; after all, Must Be was also his close classmate. If he could seize this opportunity to establish merit, he would likely receive promotion and rewards from Dragon Countenance's delight afterward. Without clear military achievements displayed, promotion might be somewhat challenging. Taking credit from other troops would be rather unjust.
Securing a Military Map from the Qin State would certainly be less convincing than earning merit through battle!
Unaware that his First Division had already been completely annihilated, Zhao Kuo sent out the Messenger and then pushed this matter aside. At this moment, the Zhao Army's camp was less than twenty miles from West Rampart, where many Zhao Soldiers still resided within the fortifications originally established and supervised by Lian Po.
According to scouts' reconnaissance, what obstructed their path was precisely where the Qin Army's main camp was located! The Qin Army's Commander likely did not anticipate that Zhao Army would breach so quickly; they were still stationed less than ten miles away at Shanhou Village to block Zhao Army's advance.
As Zhao Kuo deployed his main force for a clever maneuver, he had already informed his subordinate generals to carefully look for the location of the Qin Army Camp. If discovered, they were instructed to launch an attack without reporting back first. Those who brought back the head of Qin State's General Wang He would be rewarded with nobility! Additional rewards would be given!
Unexpectedly, this lucrative opportunity did not come across any Generals! Fortune bestowed but not taken leads to misfortune!
Determined to seize the opportunity, Zhao Kuo was just about to summon his troops for battle when he heard the soldiers outside reporting that the Qin Army had issued a challenge. Were these lunatics out of their minds? Instead of fleeing upon discovering the main forces of Zhao Army, they dared to challenge them!
"How can you be so panicked? How many people are out there?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commander! There are three thousand Qin Army outside!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo, who was preparing to lead his entire army out to confront them, nearly lost his composure. He waved his hand, ordering the disgraceful Zhao Army soldier to leave quickly, then donned his helmet and commanded his personal guards to prepare the horses. He jumped on his steed and galloped out of the camp, only to see the Qin General flaunting his prowess and seeking a duel.
Zhao Kuo grabbed a spear and shouted loudly, "Is that Hu Shang over there!? Zhao Kuo is here; how dare you show your face!? Hurry back and call out your commander Wang He; if you present me with his head, I might spare your lives!"
Hu Shang recognized Zhao Kuo and quickly focused on him. Upon seeing him, he nearly fell off his horse. The two had crossed paths several times before, and Hu Shang knew he was no match for Zhao Kuo.
"Zhao Kuo of Zhao State! Aren't you supposed to be at home practicing filial piety? How dare you disrespect the rules! What brings you to the front lines?"
Hearing the lack of confidence in Hu Shang's voice, Zhao Kuo snorted coldly. Just a defeated general babbling on was pointless. "You Qin barbarians have intruded into Zhao territory; any Zhao people will rise up with weapons and fight you to the end! Without a nation, how can there be a home? Those who dare to violate our borders shall be killed!"
After saying this, Zhao Kuo weighed the spear in his hand. "Has General Hu been training hard at home lately? If not, is there even a need for battle?"
Such an obvious tone of arrogance immediately caused whispers among the Qin Army. Hu Shang quickly raised his long spear and declared that even if he hadn't been training at home, it didn't matter. The fierce warriors of Qin State fear not death; this battle would indeed take place!
Upon hearing this response, Zhao Kuo stopped wasting words and suddenly thrust his spear forward as he charged ahead. In an instant, Hu Shang's weapon flew from his hands.
Looking at his weapon lying under Zhao Kuo's horse, Hu Shang hurriedly stated that this round didn't count. The mistake was purely accidental; it must have been due to poor maintenance of that long spear earlier. If Zhao Kuo had the courage and righteousness, he should let him return to fetch another weapon for another fight.
Zhao Kuo initially intended to provoke Long Spear, who was pinned down by a warhorse, but upon hearing the words, he expressed understanding. What difference would it make if you went back to change weapons? Even if you grew three heads and six arms now, you would still be a defeated general under my command!
Receiving permission, Hu Shang thanked Zhao Kuo as they passed each other, then rode back to his unit and caught the long-handled weapon thrown by the soldiers. Looking back at Zhao Kuo, who was waiting for news on horseback, he raised the weapon in his hand and ordered the entire army to retreat.
The outcome was already clear. The thousands of Qin Army soldiers had been waiting for this command, so they quickly turned their horses around. They dared not look back and each fled in their own direction. By the time Zhao Army realized that something was wrong with the Qin Military Situation across from them, the Qin Army Cavalry, wishing their horses had eight legs, had already escaped far away.
Zhao Kuo did not immediately order his troops to pursue because directly in front of him was the location of the Qin Army's main camp. Pursuing now would be meaningless; he needed to arrange combat tasks and ensure that they encircled the Qin Army Camp at the earliest opportunity. If he followed Hu Shang to ambush now, Wang He, upon receiving news of defeat, would surely run faster than a rabbit.
Not engaging meant not engaging; no matter how much you changed tactics, I would still ignore your existence. If we were to fight, we would make it hurt—at least enough that you would remember it for ten or eight years! With this motto always in mind, Zhao Kuo squinted at the Qin Army as they ran further away before ordering his troops to pack up and follow.
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