Qingqing's words left everyone red-faced and overcome with shame. They did not dare argue with her, and that was not merely because she was Jiang Hao's friend, nor because she was a scouting consultant for the Reconnaissance Division. It was because she was a Divine Valor Realm expert who had personally slain He Yi and Shen Tianlong in the previous battle against He Yi's army.
That alone gave her the right to stand here and speak.
"I'm ashamed. As the minister of Military Headquarters, I should have led by example, observed military discipline, and upheld the proper values of a soldier, without pursuing personal gain. I was wrong. Here, before everyone, I apologize to the commander. From now on, I promise never to make the same mistake again!"
Jiang Hailong's words immediately won everyone's agreement, and they all apologized and admitted their mistakes. Their attitude was good. Of course, Jiang Hao thought he was also at fault. He should not have indulged them, allowing their lack of organization and discipline to nearly jeopardize everything.
"Enough. Save the admissions and apologies until after we drive off the invaders! Consider this your chance to redeem yourselves through service. What we need to discuss now is how to repel this army of a hundred and fifty thousand Northern Barbarians."
Jiang Hailong spoke first, asking Qingqing, "Miss Qingqing, what have the Northern Barbarian vanguard been doing since reaching the foot of the mountain? Just setting up camp?"
Qingqing tried hard to recall everything she had seen, then said thoughtfully, "Besides setting up camp, they were cutting down some strange plants, stripping bark to make ropes, and collecting large quantities of pine resin. I think that was all."
What were they up to? Everyone exchanged bewildered looks.
Wait. Jiang Hao suddenly remembered something. "Do you