episode_0065

This great victory had a special meaning.

To put it bluntly, the battles our military has fought so far have been at the level of ‘displaced people’.

These were rather light battles, far from the rapid advance of Jin Sheng and Wu Guang, and the heavy battles of the Xiang Liang army.

However, this battle with Yang Woong was definitely different.

Not only did he bring down the famous Qin Dynasty general, but he also took over the strong castle of Gaebong!

A new base has been established for our military, which until now had been forced to rely on support from Paehyeon, far to the south!

It was natural that the morale of our soldiers soared.

And it was also a good thing that Zhang Liang became confident in his tactics.

Until now, Zhang Liang had maintained an arrogant attitude like a villainess, but a shadow had been cast over her.

It must have been because of the trauma of forgetting Changhae Station, who believed in him and gave everything to him, due to the failed assassination.

“Oh-hohohoho!”

However, with this major victory, the shadow cast over her has almost disappeared.

She was truly happy and chattered away.

Even at my light jokes, they burst out laughing happily and had fun.

She was free from the pressure that was weighing her down.

And since I was relieved to see Jang Ryang’s brightened appearance, I couldn’t help but be even more shocked by her remarks.

“It would be better to return the command.”

Zhang Liang called me quietly and whispered.

I was quite taken aback by her sudden remark.

Why are you doing well and then suddenly?

It would be much better for a genius like her to take over military power than for someone like me who has nothing to take charge.

“I feel comfortable and happy if I leave everything to you, but why? I guess the position of governor was very difficult?”

However, I also gained some political sense while rolling around on this floor.

I knew that if I showed embarrassment here, it would be more of a burden to the other person, so I acted calmly.

“Yes, it’s too much for me.”

But Zhang Liang’s attitude was firm.

In a calm tone, she clearly conveyed her intention to return to me.

“If I leave the work to you, I just doze off on the horse. Why is that? Can you just take care of it for me?”

Although he still said that in a playful tone, Zhang Liang’s will did not waver.

“Please explain.”

I sighed and asked Zhang Liang the reason.

Zhang Liang smiled elegantly, as if he had no choice.

I feel this often, but Zhang Liang seemed to like me more when I was just leaving.

I guess I should say that I feel like I can deal with people more comfortably by opening up like this, even if I complain about things being vulgar with my mouth.

“It’s something simple. This is because we cannot fully bring out the potential of our military as long as I am the commander-in-chief.”

Zhang Liang’s explanation continued.

The strategies handled by Zhang Liang are based on the strategy book obtained from Hwang Seok-gong.

Art created by countless complex numbers.

The intersection of standard and gimmick.

Zhang Liang’s specialty was a ghost-like tactic that made the opponent unable to predict the next move.

“The problem is that it also applies to allies.”

Zhang Liang immediately pointed out that this was his weakness.

Zhang Liang’s tactics and strategies were unpredictable, making even his allies passive.

As there were few people who could understand Zhang Liang’s deep feelings, the soldiers’ welfare became increasingly unstable.

Unless ordered directly by the general, the generals did not use even the slightest amount of discretion and simply waited.

“Soha’s case is especially representative.”

Zhang Liang pointedly mentioned Xiao Ha.

I didn’t say this to disparage her.

Zhang Liang said that Xiaoha is a woman with potential comparable to her.

However, supplying supplies in accordance with Zhang Liang’s ever-changing strategies was beyond Xiao He’s capabilities.

The most important virtue for civil servants like Soha is ‘homeostasis.’

It was completely incompatible with Zhang Liang’s technique of using flexibility and change as weapons.

Because of this, Soha had no choice but to repeatedly sabotage his work, even though he did not intend to do so.

Unless Zhang Liang directly instructed, he was passive in supplying supplies.

It’s a sad habit of public servants.

In modern times and in the past, public officials tended to choose to be bound by precedent rather than adapt to change.

“In other words, if I continue to be the commander-in-chief, I will only be diminishing the potential of our military. So… you’d better be on top. That’s the quality I saw in you as a monarch.”

“…Qualities as a monarch?”

“Yes.”

Zhang Liang smiled.

“You can become a monarch because you are lacking. Because I am clumsy, I make my subordinates work hard. Because it is not perfect, it can embrace many people. That’s your strength.”

“…Are you cursing me?”

“Oh-hohohoot! I got caught!”

Zhang Liang covered his mouth with a fan and laughed out loud.

“Well, I’m so perfect, so who am I to blame? This is a burden that I have no choice but to bear.”

Zhang Liang said this with a grin.

Although she said it as a joke, her intentions were clearly true.

‘Yes, let’s believe it.’

The woman I can trust most with my heart.

A friend who understands my heart. I decided to trust Zhang Liang’s judgment this time too.

*****

This time too, Zhang Liang was right.

As Zhang Liang said, when command was returned to me, the staff began to work even more diligently.

They actively voiced opinions, exercised their discretion, and moved the military as if the sabotage so far was a lie.

When Zhang Liang was commander-in-chief, our army looked like a giant tiger, but now our army looks like a pack of wolves.

Although it cannot compare to the destructive power of a single tiger, it is a large, more flexible and unified herd.

“When it comes to conquest, a pack of wolves is hundreds of times better than a single tiger.”

Zhang Liang explained it like this.

And that was definitely true.

Although there were times when the staff’s strategies ran counter to each other and contradicted the grand strategy as they became a colony from a single body, it was definitely positive fatigue.

The pleasant fatigue that can be felt because we are living people, not mindless troops operating like puppets under a guard.

Positive energy spread among our soldiers.

‘Should I be happy about this…’

I smiled bitterly.

This paradox, that the army survives because I am lacking, was truly enough to confuse me.

This kind of burial arrangement shined in the later case of Samaang.

‘The first person to enter Guanzhong will become the king of Guanzhong!’

The first king’s declaration.

Our soldiers are constantly moving to fulfill that declaration.

However, a new force that suddenly appeared threatened that goal.

Samaang.

He was the right-hand man of Jang Yi, who had been a renowned name even before I raised my army.

Unlike the Xiangliang Army, Sima Ang leads a separate force that spread out from forces based in the Zhao Dynasty.

He came quickly down the Yellow River from the north and was preparing to enter Guanzhong.

When Zhang Liang received and conveyed such sympathy, the confusion in our army was indescribable.

I couldn’t help but be angry because it was literally like cooking rice and giving it to me.

“We need to adjust diplomatically!”

“No! They are the losers of a region that occupied the Zhao Dynasty River area! There is no way you can respond to diplomacy! It must be governed by deception!”

“Fighting with tongues is a personal matter! We must lead our army right away and destroy it!”

The staff members each raised their voices and continued a heated discussion.

The time that will become the watershed moment for this war of conquest is approaching by every minute, but the meeting is making no progress.

Two women came into my tent as I was burning with anxiety.

It was Beon-Kwae and Ha Hoo-Young.

Covered in ashes, the two smiled broadly and waved.

“Processed.”

“I did it, brother!”

Beon-Kwae and Ha Hoo-Young smiled brightly and said.

When I heard the situation, the two said that as soon as they heard the news, they moved their soldiers to a crossing point on the Yellow River called Pyeongeum and occupied it.

It was reported that there, by burning Meng Jin’s ferry, Sima Ang’s detachment blocked the way to Guanzhong.

The area where the famous Battle of Guandu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms took place. What could have been a war between rebels rather than a fight against the Qin Dynasty ended with the lightning moves of two generals.

I was very happy and praised them both, and served wine and meat to the soldiers.

‘Now you can enter the audience!’

You can become a man worthy of a wake!

I had no time to calm my pounding heart.

I was really happy.

And that happiness lasted only briefly before Woongshim called me and gave me a ridiculous command.

“…What?”

I opened my mouth and looked at her in the barracks alone with Woongsim.

What kind of nonsense is this? Is this just a joke Woongshim learned from his days as a shepherd?

I was so confused that I couldn’t get out of it and had no choice but to listen to Woongsim’s words.

“You couldn’t have heard wrong, right?”

Woongshim gave the command again with a wicked smile.

“I am trying to have sex with you, Paegong.”

Woongshim said.

“I want to have your child.”

She said that with a smile on her face.