North of Song State, scorched earth lay everywhere: abandoned farmland, crops left half-grown. The destruction of production was the greatest cause of the drastic population decline during war.
There were also corpses strewn along both sides of the main road, countless wheel ruts, and billowing clouds of dust. Luo Zhi led Luo State's army swiftly along the main road between the cities.
Luo Zhi's eyelid kept twitching throughout the journey. An ominous premonition rose in his heart, and he asked those around him uneasily, "My ministers, surely the Son of Heaven won't stir up trouble again?"
The ministers accompanying the army offered gentle reassurance. Luo Qing analyzed the situation. "My lord, there is no need to worry so much. News of the three states attacking Song has already reached the Son of Heaven.
"With the two hundred thousand troops belonging to him and Zheng State stationed in ten cities linked from end to end, he is invincible unless he insists on leaving the cities to fight the people of Song in the open.
"Once the five states converge, victory will come easily.
"The Son of Heaven has always been fond of pleasure, or so they say. He should be enjoying music inside a city right now."
By the time Luo Zhi heard what Luo Qing had to say, his face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
He finally realized his greatest oversight all this time!
He should have simply stayed beside the Son of Heaven and controlled his actions, rather than trying to coordinate with him as he was doing now.
Realizing his mistake, Luo Zhi said urgently, "Qing, I leave the frontal offensive to you. I must immediately take the army through Wei State and turn toward Zheng State."
With that, he hurried out of