Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1900: Chapter 1737: The Turning Point of Victory and Defeat

The biggest difference between Zhang Ren and the others, is that Zhang Ren is extremely cautious. Although the proposals from Zhang Song and others are indeed rational, Zhang Ren is clearly somewhat hesitant.

”General Zhang, do you still have any issues?” Zhang Song, being skilled at reading people’s expressions, immediately noticed Zhang Ren’s hesitation.

”I am a bit worried. If our army operates in this way and the opponent’s advance is faster than expected, allowing them to press forward step by step without chaos, what then?” Zhang Ren said, frowning.

”Moreover, as the Assistant Officer suggested, there is a significant issue with the Central Army making a great breakthrough. Can our army achieve it? My Legion Talent is called ’Ruyi,’ but it is just an expectation. The three of us may not be able to inflict a significant defeat on the enemy’s Central Army.” Zhang Ren looked up at the civil official and spoke solemnly.

”The enemy’s Central Army surely has only one Inner Qi Manifestation commander. If the three of you take preemptive action and catch them off guard, how can you not seize it?” Zhang Song said, puzzled, looking at Zhang Ren. ”General Zhang, I remember your Legion Talent is as you wish.”

”Although that’s the case, there is a limit, for instance, during a confrontation between the soldiers. When my Legion Talent activates and our army is in the state, the opponent experiences certain unfortunate events, but this increases with the chaos of their large army.” Zhang Ren said helplessly.

Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent is quite peculiar; even he cannot determine if its essence is as he feels, but based on years of application, the effect can be determined.

This Talent effect is something Zhang Ren has explored and summarized over many years. It is a very peculiar talent, capable of producing some astonishing results at times, yet occasionally lacking any obvious effect.

Sometimes, when luck comes, an entire volley of arrows flies towards Zhang Ren’s corps without hitting a single soldier; and when a strike is made, the opponent might slip just before the blade falls, causing their neck to inadvertently meet its edge.

There was even an instance when an arrow shot by Zhang Ren towards an enemy commander was deflected by their long spear, causing the rebounded arrow to cut down their Command Banner directly!

There were times when, as the enemy’s shield wall rose in defense, the lower half of a Great Shield would fall off.

In short, once Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent activates, it’s like the opponents are cursed, encountering all sorts of unfortunate events.

More importantly, these unfortunate events increase with the enemy’s chaos until everything fully descends into a state of misfortune.

Even to the point of complete ill fortune, Zhang Ren would say if the horse stumbles, it very well might stumble; if the armor strap is said to snap, before you even turn to check, part of the armor has fallen off. Therefore, Zhang Ren named his talent ’Ruyi.’

Simply put, the Ultimate State can render the opponent unbearably unlucky, but honestly, Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent rarely reaches the degree he wishes.

After so many years of effort, Zhang Ren’s control over his Legion Talent is limited to causing the opponent’s arrows to miss, making their cutting judgments wrong, causing them to slip during attacks, and altering the angle of a supposed lethal blow.

In general, Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent has no definite effect, collectively making the opponent unlucky or his own side lucky, a very bizarre talent.

This is also an important reason why Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent is worth two. With enemy generals and Think Tanks accidentally killed by stray arrows, wouldn’t that be intimidating?

”Are you worried that the enemy’s Central Army can stop the forces of you three?” Zhang Song asked.

Zhang Ren nodded; he is a very pragmatic commander, admitting what he can accomplish and frankly stating what he cannot.

”With your ability, there’s no issue in breaking into the enemy’s main camp; your Legion Talent has a significant advantage in this aspect.” Zhang Song said, looking at Zhang Ren.

”The main issue is that I might not be able to break in. If the opponent commands from behind their large army and is adept at commanding, with the soldiers orderly and unhurried, the effect of my Legion Talent is very weak.” Zhang Ren did not hesitate to expose his weaknesses and spoke frankly.

”If I cannot break in, even if their number and strength are inferior to us three, as long as they command calmly, we might be cut off and surrounded by their flank extension before we even break in, thus putting us in a dilemma.” Zhang Ren said, looking at Zhang Song.

”That was an oversight on my part.” Zhang Song was stunned to hear that Zhang Ren’s Legion Talent had such a significant issue.

”Why insist on a breakthrough through the Central Army? Since they might extend in multiple directions for infiltration, and our goal after breaking through is to sever their Vanguard from their main forces and concentrate our superior forces for annihilation, why not choose the side paths?” Meng Da slowly suggested.

”That’s a perspective.” Zhang Ren pondered for a moment, nodding silently. The flanks are always easier to handle than the Central Army, bringing less change.

”Using three large armies for the flanks seems excessive.” Zhang Su roughly estimated and said, three large armies targeting the flanks appears wasteful in any case.

”General E and I will take the flanks, and General Wutugu will suppress the Central Army.” Zhang Ren thought for a moment and said, ”But this way, it’s challenging to seize the opponent with just us.”

”Strike if you can, but if not, it shouldn’t matter. We aim for the ultimate outcomes.” Zhang Song said, unconcerned.

”Using the flank paths, the safety is assured, but the issue of dispersal in strength arises.” Wang Lei expressed some concern.

”General Wutugu, you are to suppress the Central Army. Do not retreat under any circumstances unless ordered by General Yan. Can you do that?” Zhang Su turned to the somewhat simple-minded Wutugu.

”As long as I’m well-fed, there’s no problem. Should General Yan forbid retreat, I definitely won’t retreat!” said Wutugu, chewing on his food.

”Then you’ll hold the Central Army firmly and must not retreat in death.” Zhang Song solemnly instructed.

Upon hearing this, E Huan and others were apprehensive at heart, for they had understood Zhang Song’s intentions - using the Central Army as bait, with Wutugu’s formidable prowess drawing the opponent’s main force. Should the Central Army falter and retreat, the Kushan Army would inevitably pursue.

With Yan Yan’s skills, the army might seem chaotic during withdrawal but is internally directed, as long as Kushan’s judgment is deceived, luring them into deeper pursuit. Zhang Ren and company can then exploit the flanks’ weaknesses, breaking off the commanders severed from the Rear Army.

The difficulty of this lies not too much in execution, mainly in the retaliatory strength of the Kushan Rear Army, and the speed at which the Han Army can overrun the Kushan Vanguard. If the Han Army is swift, it could potentially annihilate the Kushan entirely. If they are too slow, they may well suffer a great defeat instead.