Yang Zhengshan silently watched it all. Seeing Cao Han leave, he immediately stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed. "Greetings, General!"
"Dispense with the ceremony."
Zhou Lan swung down from her horse and raised her head to look north, a few more traces of worry between her brows, no longer as valiant and carefree as before.
"What is the situation?"
"This subordinate has already sent men to scout. The exact situation is still unknown!" Yang Zhengshan replied.
Zhou Lan gazed into the distance in solemn silence for a moment, then finally shook her head helplessly.
"We lost!"
This defeat had come too hastily, too completely, so complete that it was a little hard to accept—yet it was also only natural.
She understood better than Yang Zhengshan why this battle had to be lost.
There were many reasons, but the main ones were three. First, insufficient preparation; the hurried expedition had left many gaps both inside and outside the army.
Second, the struggles in the imperial court had affected the decisions of the frontline commander. Zhang Shouwang had always wanted to seek stability, but the court had kept forcing him to chase quick success.
Third, Chongshan Town had long since rotted away. The soldiers' morale and combat strength were far from what they had once been.
As for the East Sea Hu Tribe's schemes, though they were also a reason for the defeat, they were not the main reason.
The current East Sea Hu Tribe was cunning, but the East Sea Hu Tribe of the past had been just as cunning. This could not become an excuse for defeat.
"General, what should we do next?" Yang Zhengshan asked softly.
Zhou Lan pondered briefly, then said, "Return to Pass City first!"
"What about the Great General over there?" Yang Zhengshan could not