"Guixiang, taken!"
"Yichang, taken!"
Expressionless, Kong Changyu turned two cups upside down in succession. A stir ran through those seated.
Xue Shao remarked quietly:
"Wang Yang has few troops, so he has abandoned the whole gorge. The decisive battle should come at its mouth."
Tao Rui shook his head:
"The gorge mouth is too narrow for a decisive engagement between land armies. A smaller naval engagement is possible, but victory or defeat still rests with the land forces. Until their position is settled, the navy will not dare force a decision first."
Chen Qiming declared confidently:
"Though Li Jingxuan has taken several cities in succession, Wang Yang must have hidden troops somewhere difficult to spot within the gorge, ready to ambush Li's rear! The urgent priority is to send a force back to search the route!"
Chen Qiming deliberately did not lower his voice as he spoke. He wanted Li Jingxuan to hear him and take the warning.
Yet, to his surprise, Li Jingxuan acted as though he had heard nothing at all, offering no response.
Xue Shao, Tao Rui, and the others all laughed.
Xue Shao teased:
"Does Master Chen think hiding troops is like scattering beans-that you can toss them into any patch of grass and call them hidden?"
Tao Rui said with a laugh:
"You truly have a clerk's talents!"
Chen Qiming's expression changed dramatically!
Chen Qiming had endured plenty of mockery from the gentry, but this time it hurt particularly badly! Especially that phrase, "a clerk's talents"! It stabbed him right in the heart!!!
He oversaw confidential correspondence, official documents, and government records-what vital responsibilities those were! Yet in that setting, Wang Yang's single remark, "a clerk's talents," had reduced all his learning and ability to something contemptible! What a venomous tongue!
Guo Wenyuan explained:
"Brother