Though the army’s provisions appeared limited, the evening banquet was still quite lavish. Before darkness fell, a platform had already been erected in the open space before the main tent, with two seats placed upon it. Below the platform on both left and right sides, mats and low tables were also arranged.

This time, Zhao Hanzhang’s seat was arranged at the very end.

Even Mister Ji, with all his cultivation, couldn’t help but darken his expression at this. Yet Zhao Hanzhang’s face remained wreathed in smiles, and she even had leisure to comfort Mister Ji. “This position is actually perfect. We’re just here to coast along anyway. We only need to listen to how they arrange things.”

Only then did Mister Ji’s expression improve slightly, though he still couldn’t resist replying, “What if they want us to serve as the vanguard and go die?”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “They’d have to have the courage for that.”

They already looked down on her for being a woman—how much courage would it take to entrust such an important position as the vanguard to her?

If the vanguard collapsed, the entire army would fall apart. They probably wouldn’t dare place such a heavy burden on her shoulders.

For some unknown reason, Mister Ji felt a slight twinge of disappointment.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Prefect Zhang finally arrived with a middle-aged general. Ji Yuan whispered, “That’s Colonel Wu, sent by the Prince of Donghai.”

Zhao Hanzhang also lowered her voice to speak with him. “We didn’t see him in the main tent earlier.”

Mister Ji gave her an approving look and whispered back, “So this allied army is under Prefect Zhang’s command.”

Though Prefect Zhang led the army, he still introduced Colonel Wu to everyone before beginning to deliver his pre-battle speech.

No, it should be called stirring everyone’s battle fervor. Prefect Zhang proclaimed that relieving Quyang’s siege would relieve Yuzhou’s crisis, would relieve Luoyang’s crisis, would relieve the difficulties facing His Majesty and the Prince…

This was a great achievement. So once they relieved Quyang’s predicament, everyone would in the future gain promotions and wealth—oh no, they would gain recognition before His Majesty and the Prince, with bright futures ahead…

In reality, it meant gaining recognition before the Prince of Donghai. What use was recognition before the Emperor now?

Zhao Hanzhang listened quietly, her gaze sweeping around to discover quite a few people growing excited, all eager to prove themselves.

Prefect Zhang clapped his hands, having the food and wine brought in.

Zhao Hanzhang caught the aroma of meat and couldn’t help but sit up straighter.

Soldiers carried large platters up, each covered with a lid. When lifted, the aroma of meat filled the air.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her gaze slightly and saw half a roasted lamb leg on the platter.

Her eyes swept across to find every table had one. How many sheep must have been slaughtered for this?

Then came a large basin of mutton soup. Looking into the basin, one could see nothing but meat—clearly demonstrating Prefect Zhang’s generosity.

Besides the mutton, there were other soups and even a plate of melons and fruits. One could say that though this was a field encampment, the banquet’s standard was not low.

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing at Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was also looking at her. Didn’t you say their provisions appeared scarce?

Zhao Hanzhang: How should I know? Perhaps there are provisions stored elsewhere that I didn’t discover?

That would truly be… wonderful.

Soldiers also delivered a jar of wine to each table, one jar per table. Prefect Zhang poured himself a bowl of wine, lifted it, and said, “Everyone, let us work together in unity to battle the Xiongnu and save the nation from peril.”

Everyone hastily poured wine and rose to their feet. Zhao Hanzhang also opened her jar, poured wine for herself and Mister Ji, stood up, and after raising her cup toward Prefect Zhang from afar, drank it down with a smile.

Seeing this, Prefect Zhang smiled and nodded to her in acknowledgment.

After Prefect Zhang finished his wine and saw that everyone had given face by drinking as well, his spirits rose. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Please, everyone, be seated. Since we’re all gathered tonight, why not discuss strategies for the attack?”

Someone immediately spoke up. “Just attack directly! We have over twenty thousand men—are we afraid of those few thousand Xiongnu troops?”

Prefect Zhang pretended not to hear this. The Xiongnu cavalry could fight ten to one, or even more. Used skillfully, a thousand could defeat ten thousand as easily as child’s play. What did over twenty thousand men amount to in their eyes?

“Does anyone have a sound strategy?” If he wanted to charge blindly forward, would he have needed to wait here so long?

Someone asked, “Have we managed to contact the Provincial Governor inside Quyang?”

Prefect Zhang sighed. “We have, but with Quyang under siege, communication is difficult. The Provincial Governor only sent word to attack quickly, with no other instructions. So we can only act according to circumstances.”

What does “act according to circumstances” mean?

It means listening to Prefect Zhang, without needing to follow the Provincial Governor’s commands from inside the city.

Someone then proposed, “Perhaps we could have part of our forces act as bait while the rest set up an ambush beforehand?”

“That’s a good method, but whom should we send?”

Zhao Hanzhang looked toward Prefect Zhang. Seeing he didn’t object but actually appeared to be pondering it seriously, his gaze even beginning to sweep over those present, seemingly passing over her with seeming casualness.

Zhao Hanzhang: …

She couldn’t help raising her hand. “Honored Elder~”

Only after raising it did she remember this wasn’t a classroom. She lowered her hand again and sat primly to speak. “Uncles and elders, the army has been camped here for three days. Over these three days, relief forces have been arriving continuously, roughly sixty li from Quyang city and only about forty li from the Xiongnu encampment. Do you think they know nothing of this?”

Everyone fell silent.

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the dense forest beside them. “At this very moment, Xiongnu scouts might be hiding somewhere right there, watching us.”

Hearing this, people tensed up, spines straightening. Some began looking around nervously. After discovering they were surrounded by camped troops on all sides, someone shouted angrily, “Yellow-mouthed child, stop trying to frighten people! We have twenty thousand troops camped here—would those Xiongnu scouts dare approach?”

The main problem is that even if they approached, you wouldn’t know.

Zhao Hanzhang looked toward Prefect Zhang. After pondering for a moment, he felt she had a point and asked, “Does Sanniang have a good solution?”

“No.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “We can scout the Xiongnu forces’ situation, so naturally they can scout our numbers. Both sides’ intelligence is now openly equal. Since it’s equal, deceptive tactics obviously won’t work. Better to have drums answer drums, gongs answer gongs, and fight it out directly.”

“Hmph! The Zhao family is far too arrogant, sending a little girl to such an important matter. Zhao family girl, let me advise you: if you don’t understand, speak less, lest you embarrass your own clan.”

“This is adults’ business. Little girl, just listen obediently. Don’t really think that bringing three thousand men makes you something special.”

Zhao Hanzhang ignored them, keeping her eyes fixed on Prefect Zhang asking, “What does Honored Elder think?”

“This…” Prefect Zhang hesitated, looking at them, then at Zhao Hanzhang, before finally saying, “Sanniang, you’re young. Perhaps you’ve read some military texts, but theoretical knowledge from books can’t compare to actual command experience. You should listen more to your uncles’ and elders’ teachings.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded. “Honored Elder makes an excellent point.”

Quyang must not fall into Prefect Zhang’s hands. Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes thoughtfully. It was unfortunate she hadn’t yet met this Provincial Governor He. However, if he could obtain iron mine exploitation rights in Runan Commandery from under her grandfather’s authority, he shouldn’t be incompetent.

Zhao Hanzhang poured herself a bowl of wine and quietly told Mister Ji, “If we can save Quyang, be careful of Prefect Zhang and try to protect Provincial Governor He.”

Ji Yuan acknowledged in a low voice.