The reason, naturally, was that Lü Lingqi had utterly won them over with her grasp of military strategy and command-or rather, had beaten them until not an inch of their pride remained intact.
Thus, whenever these fellows saw Lü Lingqi, they were as respectful as students facing their teacher.
"Please speak, General Lü!"
An officer spoke, his manner exceedingly deferential.
Lü Lingqi smiled faintly and said, "Summon all the officers of your rank. Prepare to begin a war council!"
"Yes!"
Hearing Lü Lingqi's order, the officers dared not delay in the slightest. They all saluted and accepted their orders, then hurried away.
Half an hour later, fifteen officers of various ranks, including Lü Lingqi and Lin Yuanfeng, had all gathered in the command tent.
Lü Lingqi looked around and, seeing that all the officers had arrived, began, "Gentlemen, I know you all understand our current situation. Although Jialing Pass stands in our way, I believe the strength of our Star Luo Empire's armies will be more than enough to take this fortress!"
Everyone's expression grew tense at her words. They knew that if Jialing Pass fell, the Star Luo Empire's strength would rise another level, reaching an unprecedented peak.
"However, a frontal assault would require an army of at least five hundred thousand, turning all of Jialing Pass into a bloody battlefield-a meat grinder. Even if we won, it would be a pyrrhic victory," Lü Lingqi continued.
Now their expressions grew even graver.
Spirit Hall's mediation was one reason the Star Luo Empire had never launched a war against the Heaven Dou Empire. The excessive casualties involved in taking Jialing Pass were another.
"But that is not what I want. A war that costs us more than half our forces is not war-it is marching to our deaths! Today, I