Chapter 378: The Twenty-first Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World
Chapter 378: The Twenty-first Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World
Chapter 378: Day 21 of Getting Thrown Into a Hegemony Novel
An Yi's tone was casual, even carrying a hint of approval, but Bai Ji keenly caught a faint note of reservation buried deep within those words.
Bai Ji felt a stir in his heart as he looked up at An Yi.
Was An Yi saying that he relied too heavily on cunning schemes and stratagems?
An Yi continued with a smile: "Surprise tactics and trickery can certainly achieve temporary results, letting the weak defeat the strong. However, war is a grave matter of state, a place of life and death. A general, a commander, must ultimately rely on a proper, upright army, overwhelming the enemy with absolute force—that's the foundation for long-term stability and peace."
"Clever tricks are usable, but not dependable. If you pin all your hopes on risky gambits, one misstep and it's total ruin."
He put it gently, almost like he was summing up his own lessons on warfare, but Bai Ji got it.
An Yi agreed with his strategy, but was also using this to remind him that as the top decision-maker, he prized a steady, step-by-step approach and building up an overwhelming advantage. Tricks were just a supplement, not something to lean on.
This was probably a difference in strategic thinking stemming from their different upbringings and experiences: An Yi favored a systematic, strength-crushing approach—the righteous path of a king—while Bai Ji, as a strategist, was better at using every means available, including intrigue and deception, to get what he wanted. He leaned toward the unorthodox path.
Bai Ji listened quietly, the usual smile on his face fading. He didn't try to defend himself, dropping his eyes to hide the flicker of complicated emotions in them.
Right, the Lord was a ruler, someone about to fight for the world and build a lasting empire.
What he needed was steadiness, control, and absolute power.
And himself... maybe he really had been too caught up in the thrill of clever schemes and quick wins.
He thought back carefully to everything that had happened since he'd followed An Yi to Tongzhou. Yeah, it really did seem that way.
Whether it was wiping out bandits, driving back enemies, formal battles, politics, or dealing with people—
He'd been proud of his schemes and secretly smug about them.
And the Lord... An Yi, had been watching all of this for years, keeping an eye on him the whole time.
After a moment, Bai Ji raised his eyes again to look at An Yi, then bowed slightly: "The Lord is wise, and your lesson is well received. I was careless in my thinking, too focused on taking risks and moving fast."
"In the art of war, the straight and the clever must work together—straight as the base, clever as support—that's the foolproof approach. I've learned my lesson."
He kept his posture low and his apology sincere, as if he'd really taken An Yi's words to heart and was genuinely convinced.
An Yi looked at him, his smile widening a bit. He walked over and gently patted Bai Ji's shoulder: "I know Ruzhi is brilliant and thorough in his thinking. Just a reminder—let's both take it to heart."
An Yi's voice was warm: "For this battle at Zhaozhou, we'll go with the plan we just talked about. The details will need your extra care, Ruzhi. Go get some rest early and recharge."
The warmth of his palm came through the fabric of Bai Ji's clothes. It didn't last long, but it made Bai Ji's body stiffen almost imperceptibly for a second, his earlobes instantly turning red before he relaxed again: "Yes, my Lord should also rest early."
Bai Ji responded respectfully, taking a step back and bowing.
An Yi's eyes flicked over Bai Ji's earlobes, and he smirked.
Once Bai Ji left, An Yi turned and went back into the tent to talk with Dou Chuang.
Comments Section:
"Every time I have to say, the Lord is just too steady!"
"Bai Ji's schemes are vicious—totally aimed at Ke Quan's personality weaknesses. This is what I read novels for, damn it!"
"I think Old Man Dou and the others have a point! The plan's good, but it's hard to pull off."
"Chill! Chill! How could the male lead's schemes ever fail?"
"The Lord's last words to the male lead—he's reminding Bai Ji, but he's also 'molding' and 'controlling' him! So spicy!"
"What's so hot about that?! And I wouldn't call it control!"
"I think An Yi has a point. This only works in novels—real war isn't won with tricks, you need real strength!"
"This isn't real war, it's a novel!"
"Hah!"
"Damn! What did the Lord and Old Man Dou talk about? Why switch perspectives? Why not tell me? Am I an outsider? Show some respect for us readers!!"
"Aren't you though?"
"No way! The Lord woke me up yesterday morning, and I couldn't even get up—all because I was too tired from last night! (Shy)"
"Eww! I'm done with you gay dudes!"
"I'm not a guy, I'm an attack helicopter!"
"What the hell is the person above even saying? I'm full of question marks!"
"It's not nonsense—can't attack helicopters have husbands? And you're welcome—I gave you question marks so you don't have to worry about balding! From far away it all looks the same! And it's wrinkle-free!"
"? You &$#@(*&%#)M*%......"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"......"
An Yi: "......"
Snicker~
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Bai Ji's plan went into motion.
The handful of elite soldiers disguised as fleeing troops were all sharp and bold picks personally chosen by Mao Hua and An Shu from each unit, led by a daring and careful captain.
Compared to the others, they were all on the skinny side.
They put on ragged clothes and smeared mud and blood on their faces, carried intentionally damaged ID tokens and banners, and split into several groups, stumbling and staggering as they "fled" toward the outskirts of Shanwei Stream, like genuinely spooked birds.
It went more smoothly than expected.
Ke Quan's patrols did capture two of the fleeing groups. When they were caught and questioned, the "fugitives" "broke down" and spilled the terrible news that Pianguan had been hit and was on the verge of falling.
The news quickly reached Ke Quan.
Just as Bai Ji predicted, Ke Quan flew into a rage at the news, then immediately got suspicious.
He ordered the front defenses at Shanwei Stream reinforced while sending out three teams of trusted scouts on different routes to rush to Pianguan County and check it out.
This reaction was also expected.
The ambush troops An Yi had set up in advance had already laid deadly traps on the roads.
Mao Hua led the team himself, finishing it fast and leaving no survivors.
The first two scout parties walked straight into the ambush, and before they could even loose their warning whistles, they were silently taken out by crossbows and short blades.
The third scout party seemed especially wary, but was soon dealt with as well.
Meanwhile, the main force of the Tongzhou army advanced to the outskirts of Shanwei Stream, gearing up for a fierce assault.
According to plan, the vanguard made brief contact with Ke Quan's troops holding the strategic pass, then "retreated" in a sorry state, even "hastily" tossing aside some damaged banners and gear.
Standing on the high ground, Ke Quan gazed down at the seemingly "pitiful" Tongzhou army below. With the scouts' prolonged absence and the news of the crisis at Pianguan, his agitation kept mounting.
By nature impulsive, greedy, and miserly, the thought of the mountains of wealth and hostages in his stronghold falling into another's hands gnawed at him like a hundred ants.
"General! The scouts have not returned—this bodes ill! That cunning little bastard An Chuwei cannot be underestimated!" A subordinate officer still attempted to dissuade him.
"Nonsense!" Ke Quan glared with bloodshot eyes. "My entire fortune is in Pianguan! If it's lost, are we supposed to live on air? An Yi's main force is pinned down here by us, unable to break through, their morale already flagging! This is a godsent opportunity! I'll personally lead troops back to reinforce, first wiping out those rats who dared strike Pianguan, then I'll come back and deal with these spineless cowards!"
"Pass the order: muster eight thousand elite troops and follow me back to Pianguan at once! The rest hold the camp firmly—no losses allowed!"
In the end, it wasn't just the wealth and the An Family Army's weak facade that fooled him—his own greed and impulsiveness simply overrode any sense of risk.