"Therefore, this mission can go in two directions..."
Wu Ming spoke eloquently. "The first is that Li Rubi crushes the Official Army, kills Wang Xuanfan, storms the provincial capital, and proclaims himself king, establishing a new regime. That would be answering Heaven's will!"
"The other possibility is that he suffers a crushing defeat, retreats into Nine Mountains Commandery, and becomes deranged, acting against all reason..."
After speaking, he shook his head helplessly. "Although I'd also very much like the first scenario to come true, the difficulty is simply too great. The second possibility is far more likely!"
"So... Li Rubi will first win a great victory, then suffer a crushing defeat?"
Xie Xiao Di covered her cherry lips.
In truth, the Great Zhou's history was full of examples of ambitious heroes who had enjoyed smooth sailing in chaotic times, only to act against all reason after their first defeat, proclaim themselves kings or emperors, and ruin the foundations they had built.
"This man..."
But as Xie Xiao Di looked at Wu Ming, her gaze was entirely different. "He understands the ways of the world, analyzes things with such clarity, and knows even the ways of fortune and the uses of destiny. He truly has the makings of a king's chief minister! No, perhaps he's even more exceptional than that..."
After all, Wu Ming looked no older than sixteen or seventeen!
"Then... what about Yu Shaojun?"
Xiao Jidu hesitated.
"We can exchange some information, within reason..."
Xie Xiao Di pondered for a moment. "After all, his mission is the same as ours. We're in the same boat..."
"That's true..."
Xiao Jidu nodded in agreement, failing to notice the faint glimmer in Wu Ming's eyes.
The generals' platform.
Several hundred new recruits had already taken their places. As they watched Wu