Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 112 Requesting an Order

(The previous chapter has been heavily revised, with 2,000 words added. If you don't understand it, please go back to the previous chapter. My apologies.)

Inside the central command tent of the Di-An allied forces camp, a large sand table was placed in the middle, surrounded by a group of generals discussing matters. General Anguo pointed at the sand table and said, "Within three days, our army will surely be able to capture Yucheng. At that time, we can then flank the enemy from the rear and join forces with the Jingguo army to attack Yiyang Pass."

"After that, Yiyang Pass and Pingshan Pass formed a strategic position, giving us a bridgehead to advance into Xuan State."

"Jing and An divided the southern border of Xuan State, which could also help Di State to contain Xuan State's military forces from attacking Jiayong Pass."

"Master Zhuge was truly a man of great talent, capable of strategizing and winning battles from afar. His strategy of dividing the country into three factions was unprecedented and deserves a place in future historical records."

"Indeed, indeed. It's a pity that I only had a brief encounter with Mr. Zhuge when he visited Anguo last time, and I was unable to admire his demeanor."

"It's alright. After we destroy Xuan, the three kingdoms will become friendly nations with contiguous territories, and there will be plenty of opportunities to meet." Hearing his ally's compliment to his strategist, Di General Zeng Xiong was also proud and accepted the praise for Zhuge Xuan without any modesty.

The palanquin was carried by everyone, and the relaxed and joyful atmosphere in the commander's tent seemed to be in two different worlds from the battlefield with its mountains of corpses and seas of blood. In his words, he already regarded Yu City as his own, and even the division of Xuan Kingdom was described as casually as dividing a cake.

Just as the Andi allied forces were celebrating their victory ahead of schedule, the situation in the Yucheng government office was quite different.

"What... what are you going to do?" Lu Zhen could hardly believe his ears.

"To forge a formation!" Shen Qing answered firmly.

"What kind of formation are you going to build?"

"The formation of the An-Di allied forces."

Who carved out the battle formation?

"..." Shen Qing took a deep breath, solemnly clasped his hands in a salute, "Junior Shen Qing, I request to be ordered to carve out the formation!"

Lu Zhen could understand perfectly well that he was simply giving the impulsive young man time to calm down and a way out, but clearly, the young man in front of him was determined not to back down.

"Sanlang's courage is commendable, but..." Looking at Shen Qing's thin arms and legs, Lu Zhen thought that he probably couldn't even beat his personal guards, let alone break through the enemy lines.

"Young master, with your frail physique, you've done a good job as a logistics officer," said Lu Yuan, the captain of the personal guard, bluntly.

"Come here." Shen Qing bent her fingers toward Lu Yuan with her palm facing up.

What does this mean? Lu Yuan was a little confused. Was this a provocation?

"Young master, would you like to have a friendly spar with me?"

"Heh~" Shen Qing curled her lips into a sneer, her sarcasm palpable. "I'm not looking down on you, I'm just saying, someone like you~ I could take on a hundred of you!"

Provocation! Blatant provocation!

Even if the other party was just a teenager, Lu Yuan couldn't stand it. He stepped forward and asked Lu Zhen for permission: "This humble servant requests permission to have a contest with Lord Shen Sanlang!"

He had seen too many young noblemen like this, pampered and coddled by their guards, who thought they were invincible after learning a few rudimentary skills. It was time for him to see the harsh realities of the world and realize his own limitations.

Lu Zhen glanced at Shen Qing and saw that he seemed serious and full of confidence. If anyone else had caused trouble at this time, not to mention agreeing, not punishing them would be an act of leniency. But Shen Qing was different. He had been able to foresee the enemy's moves and anticipate their actions. Perhaps he could really bring him some surprises.

"allow."

Lu Yuan led Shen Qing to an open area in the backyard, and got into a fighting stance. "Please, I'll give you three moves first."

"Boss is awesome!"

"The boss will win!"

Lu Zhen came out to watch the battle, and his personal guards naturally followed. Before the battle even began, they cheered for their leader.

"Teach him a lesson, boss..."

"Snapped--"

Before the words were even finished, a figure flew backward in an arc, the cheers stopped abruptly, and the scene fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, someone finally broke it.

What just happened?

"I didn't see it clearly..."

"Shen Sanlang appeared in front of the boss in a flash, and then his head flew off."

"..."

"..."

Seeing Lu Yuan sprawled on the ground three zhang away, the guards fell into an awkward silence once again, feeling a burning pain on their faces.

How come he was so formidable on ordinary days, treating them like grandsons, but couldn't even last a single move against this young man?

"Again...again...again!" Lu Yuan struggled to get up. "I was careless just now."

Shen Qing put one hand behind his back and shook his index finger with the other, saying, "You have used all your strength, while I have not even exerted any effort yet."

Lu Yuan's knuckles clenched so tightly they cracked. Utter humiliation! Utter humiliation! He had never lost face like this in his entire life!

"Kid! Don't get cocky! We're still here!"

"that is!"

One by one, the guards stepped forward, filled with righteous indignation.

"Tsk~" Shen Qing beckoned with one finger, "It's too much trouble to do them one by one, so come at me all at once."

The crimson color wouldn't disappear, it would only shift; the guards' blood was boiling and their eyes were bloodshot.

It must be said that Shen Qing knows how to be sarcastic.

"Brothers! Charge!"

Thirty guards, the elite of the elite, rushed forward, only to be transformed into a horrified army in the next moment.

Nothing more than a performance of celestial maidens scattering flowers in the courtyard; they were the flowers.

A moment later, the guards stood behind Lu Zhen, looking disheveled and dejected. They felt utterly humiliated, but when they exchanged glances, a strange sense of comfort rose in their hearts.

Shen Qing's martial prowess was indeed beyond Lu Zhen's expectations. It was the first time he had encountered someone whose strength was even more exaggerated than his boasting.

"Sanlang is truly... skilled in both literature and martial arts, but military campaigns don't rely on personal bravery alone."

“I understand, that’s why I need your help.”

What do you think?

"Open the city gates and prepare for battle. I need a squad of archers and shieldmen to cover me and help me get close to the enemy general."

"The enemy outnumbers us, and fighting in the field outside the city is disadvantageous to our army."

"One hundred thousand people does not necessarily mean one hundred thousand attack power."

Setting up a battle formation to meet the enemy, the contact area is only so big. No matter how many people the enemy has, they cannot concentrate their strength in one place. They can only afford to wear each other down. In the long run, they will surely be defeated. But as long as he can complete the decapitation in a short time and take advantage of the enemy's morale to finish the battle quickly, there is still a chance of victory.

What? What's the difference between having less than a 98% chance of winning and suicide?

We've reached the end of our rope. We have to fight for even the slightest chance. Shen Qing can run away, but if the country is destroyed, where will we find peace?

Lu Zhen pondered for a long time, for a single word could decide the life and death of ten thousand people, and he dared not act rashly.

"It's still not enough. Killing lower-ranking generals is useless, while the enemy marshal is stationed in the central army, under layers of protection, and may not even show his face, so there is no chance to behead him."

"Therefore, we still need Marshal Lu's help."

"Oh?"

Shen Qing smiled slightly, engaging in verbal sparring at the central gate, demonstrating the magnanimity of a great nation. "The Marshal of Xuan Kingdom has already come out, and the Andi Allied Forces are in an absolute advantage. How can the Marshal still not come out?"