"Deal with Zhong Sun De? Those two may already be as incompatible as fire and water, both openly and behind the scenes, but driving a wedge between them won't be so easy," Suotu said.
"That may be true, but we must at least try. Western Chu has no shortage of extraordinary talents. Surely we can find someone with a way to counter him."
"Guard Suotu, Northern Liang will continue surrounding us without attacking for the next two days. Pay them no mind."
"Have the soldiers dig cooking pits and prepare their meals. And make sure they set their pots upwind."
"Lord Yang, are you planning to make the men from Northern Liang look on at food they cannot eat?"
"Who doesn't want a hot meal? Besides, although Northern Liang has ample grain reserves, their firewood won't last in wind and snow like this."
"But we're different. They cannot light open fires, while we can."
"A fine stratagem indeed, Lord Yang! But where are we to find these extraordinary talents?" Suotu asked.
"You needn't trouble yourself over that, Guard Suotu. Lord Dai has spent more than a decade on this frontier. I imagine he can find a way."
"We have taken up quite enough of your time, Guard Suotu. We shall go and find somewhere to rest," Yang Qing said with a smile.
Suotu smiled too. "That truly is my fault. I had your quarters prepared long ago, yet still kept you here for so long."
"Guard Suotu, keep your composure. Just have the cooking pits dug and let the soldiers eat their fill. Leave everything else to me. How does that sound?"
After they took their leave of Suotu, Dai Sheng followed anxiously behind Yang Qing. Several times, he wanted to speak, but did not know where to begin.
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