The one speaking was a man named Xing Zhiyong.
This man was a general under Sun Wan. Over this period, because he was such a gifted talker, he had gained a measure of fame.
Many people felt that he ought to be a capable man.
Yet Cao Zheng had always felt that this man was somewhat too flamboyant, giving him the impression of someone who could only fight wars on paper.
It was well known that Cao Zheng prized talent. After learning of this man, he had specifically sent people to investigate which battles Xing Zhiyong had fought and whom he had killed. The result of the inquiry was nothing at all.
But it had to be said that many of Xing Zhiyong's opinions did sound quite reasonable to Cao Zheng.
Take what he had just said. It had indeed taken into account, in part, timing, terrain, and human harmony.
But after giving it further thought, Cao Zheng realized that Xing Zhiyong seemed to have spoken only of his own side's advantages and the enemy's disadvantages, without mentioning in the slightest his own side's weaknesses or the enemy's strengths.
For instance, while they had greater numbers and held a natural stronghold, their forces were a mixed bag, unlike Zhao Cheng's army, which was united from top to bottom.
Then there were Zhao Cheng's firearms, with a range of a hundred zhang. Those were already things from three years ago. Now, three years later, the other side might well have developed even more powerful weapons.
Frankly, after witnessing the destructive power of the World-Destroying Divine Thunder, Cao Zheng had become somewhat numb to ordinary firearms.
Beyond that, most importantly, Xing Zhiyong had not accounted for Zhao Cheng himself—the greatest variable of all.
Looking over everything Zhao Cheng had done since rising