Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 210 - 186 Narrow Path Meeting_4

Chapter 210: Chapter 186 Narrow Path Meeting_4

"Dark Sand" automatically blocks some game mechanics, so other NPCs in the army can’t see Chu Ge and his company or notice Zhao Haiping talking to them.

Chu Ge, deep in thought, said, "Over two months... that should be about right. If they haven’t gotten lost in the Desert North by now, they either are close to encountering the main force of the Northern Barbarians or they must head back."

Just then, a speedy rider from the front reported:

"Your Majesty! I’ve just learned from a prisoner that the leader of the Northern Barbarians, Mahari, and his tens of thousands of elite cavalry are just dozens of miles away at Wulan Tula Mountain!"

Zhao Haiping’s spirits lifted, "Summon the generals!"

After enduring the harsh conditions of the vast Great Desert, they finally saw a glimpse of victory.

But having fought many battles, Zhao Haiping knew that the more crucial the moment, the more necessary it was to maintain order. Chaos could lead to failure.

Soon, all the generals had gathered to discuss military intelligence.

"Your Majesty," one general spoke, "our troops have ventured deep into the Desert North and are exhausted. We should encamp here and rest for at least a day before deciding to face Mahari in a battle to the death."

"Your Majesty," another objected, "that would not be advisable. Since we have located Mahari, he can likewise pinpoint our forces. The Northern Barbarian cavalry each have three or four horses. If they decide to flee further into the Desert North, they will be out of our reach within a day.

"And since our forces are deep in enemy territory and logistics are a challenge, if we do not finish this campaign in one go, this northern expedition will likely return without any achievement."

"We must not act recklessly or rashly! If we rashly pursue them now and fall into an ambush by the Barbarians, our entire army of a hundred thousand might be doomed! When fighting beyond the frontier, we must be extremely cautious!"

"Opportunities in war are fleeting, how can we hesitate?"

"What the prisoner said might not even be true. In war, deception is common; we must be on our guard."

Hearing the back-and-forth among his generals, Zhao Haiping also found himself frowning, unable to make a decision.

Each argument seemed to have its merits.

The Northern Barbarian cavalry each have three or four horses; if they really decided to flee further north, the Sheng Army could no longer pursue them. This costly expedition might end fruitlessly.

Should they wish to launch another campaign in the future, it was uncertain if such an opportunity would present itself.

And when Emperor Taizu of Sheng passed away ten more years later, an entire generation of veteran warriors would also be gone—whether the Sheng Army would have such an opportunity again was questionable.

Should they seize this fleeting chance and charge at the Northern Barbarians?

That... would be exactly what Duke Qii had done.

At that time, Duke Qii, trusting the words of a prisoner, recklessly advanced with light troops and fell into the ambush laid by the Barbarians, ignoring the cautions once given by Emperor Taizu of Sheng.

Could it be... that Zhao Haiping, personally leading the campaign, was about to make the same mistake?

It sounded quite frustrating.

If it really turned out to be the same as Duke Qii’s scenario and he lost, Zhao Haiping, in his humiliation, might actually find a block of tofu to end his own life.

Finally, Zhao Haiping turned to three other players.

"What do you think... we should do?"

He briefly analyzed the current situation on the battlefield and also mentioned the lesson from Duke Qii’s previous experience.

Yun Ying frowned deeply, "Hmm... tactically, it seems like a no-win situation.

"Both options are a gamble.

"To encamp and rest the troops is to bet that the enemy won’t flee; to continue the pursuit is to bet that the Sheng Army, even if ambushed, can still win the battle.

"In any case, both options carry great risks. And either failure would be unacceptable for the Great Sheng Dynasty.

"I’m just part of the Rebel Army; this question is a bit beyond me."

Zhao Haiping then looked towards Lu Heng.

Lu Heng spread his hands, "Why look at me, I’m just a beggar..."

Finally, all Zhao Haiping could do was turn to Chu Ge.

Dark Sand pondered for a moment before finally saying, "I believe the key to this problem isn’t ’how should I do it’, but rather... ’who am I?’."

Zhao Haiping was stunned. "Who am I?"

Dark Sand nodded. "Yes, who are you, or rather, who are we?

"We are not players; we are Emperor Taizu of Sheng."

Zhao Haiping clearly still didn’t quite understand, and after hesitating for a moment he said, "Yes, I know I want to be Emperor Taizu of Sheng, but I ultimately am not Emperor Taizu of Sheng."

Dark Sand smiled and said, "Okay, then let me put it another way.

"Think about what Emperor Taizu of Sheng would do.

"Look at Lu Heng, think about Emperor Taizu of Sheng when he was a young cowherd and a beggar. Think about Emperor Taizu of Sheng at this moment, would he let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Would he be willing to send this elite force of Northern Barbarians back to the Desert North because of a momentary hesitation? Would he be willing in the future to let the common people of the Great Sheng Dynasty suffer again the sorrows of war?

"Look at Yun Ying, think about Emperor Taizu of Sheng when he was in the Rebel Army. Facing a situation like ’meeting an adversary on a narrow road’, would he choose to retreat, or would he step forward and stake his all?

"Look at me again, think about Emperor Taizu of Sheng when he was the emperor, how tirelessly he thought, how he stayed up late and woke early every day, bent over his desk dealing with one memorial after another, executing one group of people after another, what was it for?

"It was to ensure the treasury was full, the armor fine; it was so that when you want to strike the Northern Barbarians, you have enough elite soldiers and ample provisions at hand.

"If you were commanding the army of the later period of the Great Sheng Dynasty, then encountering the elite cavalry of the Northern Barbarians when fatigued, the likely outcome would be more defeat than victory.

"But you are now commanding the army from the early years of the Great Sheng Dynasty, with soldiers who fought alongside you to calm the troubled times, legendary warriors; with provisions you diligently accumulated while governing; and an army that regards you as almost divine. As long as you move forward, they will never retreat.

"Since every strategem has been brought to perfection, since no more tactics prove effective, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself.

"As you, being Emperor Taizu of Sheng, do you trust enough in your past, present, and future self?

"Those with a common desire succeed.

"When adversaries meet, the brave wins!"

Zhao Haiping’s gaze flickered, evidently, the progress bar of being persuaded by Dark Sand was nearly full.

But he still had one last doubt, "But about that matter with Duke Qii..."

Dark Sand patted his shoulder. "You are not Duke Qii, you are Emperor Taizu of Sheng."

Zhao Haiping said nothing more.

He looked at the other three players, perhaps just like Emperor Taizu of Sheng seeing different versions of himself from various times.

Indeed, since all strategies had been exhausted, since both waiting and fighting couldn’t ensure victory, there must be something to firmly make up his mind.

And at this moment, what ultimately determined Emperor Taizu of Sheng’s resolve could be that beggar who had roamed destitute and tasted all the bitterness of the world; it could be that eager learner from the Rebel Army who broke beyond the bounds of his identity; it could be that emperor who diligently governed like a model of labor, bending over documents...

And that was all him.

So at this moment, he had only one choice.

This wasn’t recklessness, nor was it a gamble, but confidence.

Confidence in the country he had built from scratch, the army he had forged with his own hands, that even in such dire circumstances, it would ultimately triumph over the mighty enemy.

With this thought, Zhao Haiping cracked his whip in the air to silence the continuously arguing generals.

"Pass the order!

"No rest for the army, forward to Wulan Tula Mountain!

"The Northern Barbarian cavalry must be lying in ambush at Wulan Tula Mountain, waiting for our troops to be tired and our horses weary before they engage us in battle.

"Therefore, if we wish to choose a decisive battle with Mahari, now is our only chance!

"What of an ambush? Our army’s spearhead is unstoppable, shattering all in its path!

"Generals, listen well! This battle is a fight to the death as we advance; there is no life on retreating!

"Together with me, let’s win this final war, conquer the Desert North, and not leave this generation’s troubles to our descendants!"

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