Mythical Three Kingdoms
Chapter 1901 - 1738: The Benchmark for Positioning
"It seems that none of you have any issues." Zhang Su nodded with satisfaction when he saw no one else was speaking.
Just as Zhang Su was about to delegate military duties to Yan Yan, Yan Yan, who had been frowning silently, suddenly spoke up.
"Isn’t this a bit too dangerous?" Yan Yan said with a frown, "We’re only in a scheduled match with the Kushan, there’s no need to go this far. Zhang Su’s strategy seems to have no obvious flaws, but it’s too dangerous. A slight misstep, and our army could suffer a major defeat."
After all, Yan Yan is an old general of many battles, having experienced numerous wartime engagements, especially during the famous Jingyi battle against Sunx Ce, which reached near its peak. Although ultimately defeated by Pang Tong, Yan Yan gained a deep understanding of his own Legion Talent.
His Legion Talent is not suitable for charging into battle but instead for commanding the whole army in defensive counterattacks. Simply by standing firm, Yan Yan can ensure the army remains unbroken, making him a renowned general. Therefore, after the defeat at Yiling, Yan Yan no longer focuses on Inner Qi Cultivation and instead concentrates on the advanced art of commanding troops strategically.
All of Yan Yan’s training is aimed at defense and counterattacks because he knows his strengths and is focused on strengthening them.
During Zhang Su and Zhang Song’s earlier analysis, Yan Yan remained silent because he was confident that even if ten legions repeatedly pierced and slashed his formation, he would still remain composed!
Moreover, in a retreating environment of strategic withdrawal, Yan Yan confidently believes he can launch a full-scale counterattack at any time. This confidence is born from years of relentless self-training.
However, this confidence does not mean that Yan Yan can allow Zhang Su and Zhang Song to employ such risky tactics. Although Zhang Song, Zhang Su, Huang Quan, and others hold high positions, to be honest, Yan Yan is the actual commander-in-chief of this large army. He is almost a combination of experience and capability.
When Yan Yan inquired in this manner, Zhang Su and Zhang Song exchanged glances, both grasping the intentions in each other’s eyes. Therefore, Zhang Su stepped forward and said, "What we need is not a minor victory or a draw, but a decisive victory."
"A decisive victory?" Yan Yan asked, frowning at Zhang Su.
To be truthful, with Yan Yan’s Legion Talent, if the opponents don’t know about it, then in a major battle, as long as the gap isn’t huge, victory is certainly Yan Yan’s.
"Yes, a decisive victory. If we only needed a minor victory, we wouldn’t even need such discussions. With the general’s abilities, even if we say nothing, a victory is still assured." Huang Quan complimented Yan Yan, making his expression slightly better.
"And the reason?" Yan Yan asked the civil servants.
"A minor victory won’t intimidate the Kushan, and given the current situation in the Central Plains, if we only achieve a minor victory, we might face trouble in the future," Zhang Song sighed.
"Throughout our recent investigations, we’ve learned that the Kushan Empire, our former ally the Great Yuezhi, has grown into a vast empire spanning thousands of miles, with tens of millions of people and a mighty army of millions. Consider the strength of this empire," Qin Mi said to everyone, making them feel a chill down their spines with these simple statistics.
"More importantly, Kushan is a unified nation, meaning there’s no internal turmoil. Our Han Dynasty might be stronger than Kushan, but if it weren’t for Grand Commandant Liu holding things together, we would already be in chaos," Zhang Song said with a cold laugh, still favoring Liu Bei.
"Ahem!" Zhang Su coughed twice, signaling Zhang Song to say less. As an elder brother, he wasn’t blind, and had noticed Zhang Song’s possible secret interactions with Liu Bei from many of his actions. If not for Zhang Song’s restraint, Zhang Su would have sent him over to Liu Zhang.
Zhang Song pursed his lips, his ugly face becoming even more difficult to look at.
Zhang Song indeed had a favorable view of Liu Bei, despite being inadvertently slighted by Zhuge Liang. But now, seeing the great potential in Liu Bei, and with Liu Zhang having committed no misconduct, Zhang Song had a good life without much interest in interfering, limiting himself to a bit of goodwill.
"Ziqiao, please continue," Zhang Su gestured for Zhang Song to proceed.
"Our Han Dynasty’s overall capabilities surely surpass Kushan’s. Despite facing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo’s tyranny, and the chaotic battles in the Central Plains, our overall strength is definitely above that of Kushan. Now, the real question is whether we are united," Zhang Song said, looking at Yan Yan for his response.
Yan Yan nodded silently in agreement, as Zhang Song continued, "Regarding the Northern Huns issue, no question about it, all forces of the Han, we are united, our powers directed toward one goal. But when the Northern Huns are gone?"
"There will inevitably be a battle between Liu Cao Sunx, and if unchecked, it will be devastating. Although Grand Commandant Liu currently holds the advantage, you all know the estimable powers of Cao Cao and Sunx Ce, it might not be an easy victory for Grand Commandant Liu," Zhang Song sighed.
"What’s this got to do with us needing a decisive victory?" Yan Yan asked, frowning.
"If we only achieve a minor victory or a draw against Kushan, do you think an empire at its peak won’t have ambitions toward us?" Zhang Song asked, looking at Yan Yan.
"They would." Even though Yan Yan wasn’t as astute as Zhang Song, he understood that if in the impression of the Great Yuezhi, the powerful Han Empire could only narrowly win against them, it’s natural for them to develop ambitions.