Shen Tang wanted to mobilize twenty thousand troops to deal with Qiu Wenyan. This was something not only Qiu Cheng, but even the civil and military officials under Shen Tang, had never dreamed of. After all, the move was simply too risky, and not everyone enjoyed the thrill of walking a tightrope high in the air.
Jiang Sheng: "...I humbly ask my lord to think it over before acting."
He also took the opportunity to grumble inwardly about Kang Shi leading his lord astray.
At such a young age, she liked all the wrong things. Why did she have to like gambling?
Shen Tang put on an innocent face. "But I did think it over three times."
This was the decision she had reached after her "three considerations."
Jiang Sheng could only patiently analyze the pros and cons for Shen Tang. Those at home knew their own circumstances best: their foundation was not as flimsy as outsiders believed. It would be very difficult to swallow all of Sibao Prefecture with just over ten thousand troops, but gnawing away at half of it over several months or half a year would not be hard.
As the defending side, Qiu Cheng held certain advantages. They could proceed gradually; there was no need to be so aggressive.
Moreover—
If they truly took Qiu Cheng down with ease, they would instead expose their own strength, invite unnecessary covetous eyes and vigilance, and establish enemies too early, which would be detrimental to their future expansion. It would be better to prolong the war and mislead the outside world. That would also be a form of Self-Preservation.
Shen Tang seriously considered Jiang Sheng's proposal as well.
But in the end, she still wanted to stick to her original plan.
She had her own reasons.
"...If this