Kong Xiuzhi waited for Li Dang to finish laughing, then asked:
"Is everything in position?"
"More or less."
Kong Xiuzhi frowned:
"More or less?"
"Not enough time, not enough manpower. More or less is the best I can do. But on your side, judging by what I saw on the way here, are you planning to abandon the Outer City?"
"As you said, not enough time, not enough manpower. The outer city-that is, the Outer City-has a perimeter of twelve li. I'm no brilliant commander. Once the outer defenses fall, everything might crumble like earth and shattered tiles. Better to defend the Inner City from the outset." (One of the "five causes of failure" in city defense listed in the Essentials of the Military Classics is "a large city with too few men.")
"That extraordinary fellow's idea?"
"Yes."
Li Dang grinned:
"He even knows you're no brilliant commander?"
Kong Xiuzhi's face darkened:
"Who says I'm no brilliant commander?"
Li Dang blinked:
"Didn't you just say-"
"I can say it. He can say it. You can't."
Li Dang choked, then waved a hand:
"All right, all right. You outrank me. Your word goes."
"Besides, he never said I wasn't a brilliant commander. He merely gave me several plans and let me choose."
Li Dang sidled closer, his grin positively lewd:
"I met a wine-selling woman last month. Get your hands on her, and she's so delightfully soft. If you're willing to-"
Expressionless, Kong Xiuzhi cut him off:
"Not a chance."
Li Dang put on a thoroughly disappointed look and snorted:
"I was thinking that if you'd let me in on a little of those plans, I'd let you meet her. Now you've lost your chance."
Kong Xiuzhi remained impassive:
"Why would I want to meet her?"
Li Dang looked incredulous:
"Didn't