The command tent was packed, and almost every face wore an anxious expression. Although no one spoke, the tent seemed exceedingly noisy.
Luo Chuan knelt upright, his hands resting naturally on his knees, his expression calm.
Apart from him, the only person in the tent who remained reasonably calm was Han Li, Marquis of Anyang.
That was because Han Li alone was still relatively safe.
Looking at their anxious faces, he knew he was the one best suited to say this now. He sighed softly and said, "Lord Zichuan, please lead the army back to East of the Passes."
At those words, even the temperature inside the camp seemed to climb sharply. Hearts pounded thunderously; everyone was visibly tense.
A trace of a sigh crossed Luo Chuan's face before he looked at them and said, "I know you are all anxious.
"But you all know very well how difficult it is to move a great army.
"Your families are scattered across the provinces, so we would inevitably have to divide our forces. Zhang Jue defeated Yuan Shao's Coalition Army. You can well imagine how powerful he is.
"The safest course now is to stay with the Court Army, the Marquis of Unshuang's Western Regions Army, and the King-Protecting Armies from Hongnong and the other commanderies.
"If we return to East of the Passes, we will inevitably weaken ourselves and give the Way of Great Peace an opening.
"The road ahead is thick with thorns. You must consider this carefully."
Han Zhang, Marquis of Huaiyin, declared fervently, "Lord Zichuan, how could we not know that?
"Our families have been friends for three hundred years. Having followed you onto the battlefield, would we still fear death?
"The emperors of the Liu Clan have given us three hundred years of wealth and glory.