Li Shu's decision breathed fresh life into this hastily launched defense. On the one hand, it filled gaps in their tactics, greatly improving the plan's chances of success. On the other, once this Great Dragonhead stepped forward and announced that he would use himself as bait, no one doubted the necessity of this battle anymore.
Beyond that, Li Shu's action would bring another enormous, hidden benefit: unified command. Whatever else might be said, he was the Great Dragonhead of the eastern front, the man in charge of the eastern expedition. Even losing Yuncheng could not erase the fact that he had saved the eastern forces three times in succession.
Merit was merit, and fault was fault. He still commanded considerable respect among the eastern forces.
And one must not forget that, as Zhang Xing clearly displayed a stronger, more forceful side, better able to win men over, it was impossible for every leader to submit so readily and decisively to this Great Dragonhead of the western front. This was not to say that every one of them held a personal grudge against Zhang Xing, or preferred Li Shu. Rather, these leaders were all, at heart, men of powerful local families. If Zhang Xing was plainly on the rise today, they felt apprehensive, afraid of being swallowed up. If Li Shu rose tomorrow, they would feel the same apprehension and fear of being swallowed up.
That was what made getting things done so difficult.
But once Li Shu volunteered to lure the enemy in, there was no longer any room for dispute over command of this battle.
It could fairly be said that, beginning that evening, beginning inside that tent, the discord among the middle and upper ranks was completely eliminated-or at least wiped clean from the surface. They could bypass