Since Huan Wen had called Xi Chao and Luo You in, he intended to settle the final outline of their strategy.
In fact, before entering, Xi Chao had immediately given orders to dismiss everyone in the outer tent as well, forcing even Shen Jin, Huan Yi, and the others to leave.
For a time, apart from the necessary guards and the three Secretaries headed by Yuan Hong, the only people inside the double-layered tent were Liu Cheng, Xi Chao, Xie An, Luo You, and Huan Wen himself.
"I know you have all manner of personnel matters, politics, jokes, even books, literature, and the state of the realm to discuss. But as things stand, the weather is turning cold extremely quickly, and an opportunity for battle lies before us. We must finish Yao Xiang first, fight swiftly and settle this swiftly, then discuss other things." Huan Wen composed his expression and sat back on the couch, surveying the men before him with a stern tone. "Mao Husheng just spoke with me. He will concern himself with nothing but military orders: tell him to advance, and he advances; tell him to fight, and he fights... I know why he is doing this, so I will not specially invite him here to sit through this for nothing. You are all my limbs and trusted confidants. Tell me, how should we fight this battle?"
"Press forward with the entire army. We need not concern ourselves with Luoyang itself. Find the main Qiang force first. If they are in the mountains, fight in the mountains; if by the water, fight by the water; even if they are in the city, it makes no difference. Break them in one battle, then accept their surrender." Liu Cheng practically blurted out his strategy.
"We certainly need not worry