Panic shrouded all of Northern Liang, leaving the land bleak and desolate.
At Gourd Mouth Pass, banners flew high, while the old soldiers beside them hung their heads in dejection.
Anyone could see that Pacification Commissioner Jia knew nothing of warfare.
He treated war as the Jianghu.
A death match in the Jianghu could be settled with a single punch.
But war was a chessboard!
It was densely packed with pieces, and every piece mattered.
"I admire Lord Jia."
An old soldier smiled from the heart.
The other veterans nodded emphatically.
The facts were plain: Lord Jia was a defeated commander. To put it harshly, he was an incompetent, foolish commander!
But Lord Jia was also the finest warrior!
In every battle, his valor was unmatched. Not only did he slaughter the barbarians with wild abandon, he also protected soldiers trapped in peril!
"If only he weren't the commander." The old soldier sighed inwardly.
In the Commander's Camp in the distance.
Qi Shanguo and the Python-Robe Eunuch arrived one after the other.
Qi Shanguo looked haggard, his eyes filled with disappointment, but he still respectfully cupped his fists.
"Lord Jia, we should hold our positions behind the passes."
The Python-Robe Eunuch beside him wore a numb expression.
Three battles, three defeats. Morale had vanished entirely. Even a desperate defense would not withstand more than a few waves of attacks.
Their foolish military strategy had emboldened the barbarians while utterly destroying Northern Liang's will to fight.
This laughingstock of the State and Altars surely had no face left to return to the Capital.
As composed as ever, Jia Huan said calmly,
"Gourd Pass will sortie. The other passes will hold their positions. Follow these orders to the letter."
The muscles in Qi Shanguo's face twitched slightly.
*Still obstinately refusing to see