si-mexico Chapter 2089 Li Jing's Persuasion
Chapter 2089 Li Jing's Persuasion
The generals had differing opinions, and the sounds of their debate reached Ma Dai's ears, but he seemed not to hear them.
His gaze was fixed on the dust billowing in the air ahead, barely visible due to the movement of the large group of people, his face terribly grim.
An unprecedented and intense struggle was raging within him.
Charge forward?
With five thousand exhausted troops, they charged into a battle against tens of thousands of well-rested and eager-to-return enemy troops.
The chances of success are extremely slim. The most likely outcome is that he and his five thousand men will shed their blood on the battlefield, adding another blood debt of the Chu army to Li Jing's escape route.
General Han Xing entrusted this elite force to him not so that he could gamble everything on a hopeless, suicidal attack.
Not going for it?
Are we just going to retreat like this?
Watching helplessly as Li Jing, the biggest fish, after experiencing a series of thrilling events including the disastrous defeat at Zhennan Pass, Ma Chao's all-night pursuit, and Han Xing's desperate defense of the camp, finally swam safely back to Guo Ziyi's seemingly safe "pond"?
Wouldn't all the previous efforts and sacrifices have become a joke?
How could Ma Dai possibly face General Han Xing?
How can I face His Majesty and General Ma Chao's expectations?
Entering could mean entering a bottomless abyss, the burial ground for five thousand soldiers.
To retreat would mean to fail at the last hurdle, leaving only endless regret and self-blame.
Sweat trickled down Ma Dai's forehead, dripping onto the dry ground and disappearing instantly.
His hand gripping the knife hilt trembled slightly from the excessive force.
The smoke and dust in the distance grew closer, and the enemy's outline seemed to become faintly visible. He didn't have much time left.
He must make a decision immediately!
The internal struggle within Ma Dai was like two surging undercurrents colliding violently in his chest, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
The smoke and dust ahead became clearer, and one could even faintly hear the deep rumble of galloping horses and the chaotic sounds of armor and weapons rubbing against each other.
That represented tens of thousands of enemy troops, and also a mission that was almost impossible to complete.
Just as the veins on his forehead were throbbing, and he was about to make that incredibly difficult choice between a "self-destructive impact" and a "retreat that would end in failure."
The unusual movement ahead startled him and all the Chu cavalry.
The massive army that had been moving rapidly toward the Tang army camp suddenly came to a slow stop.
It was not due to an attack or terrain obstruction, but rather more like a proactive and orderly halt.
The clamor subsided, and an unusual quiet spread ahead.
Immediately afterwards, in the center of that team, the figures parted.
A small troop of cavalry stepped out from the crowd and slowly advanced to the very front of the entire column.
They faced off against Ma Dai's Chu army from a distance of about three hundred paces, just at the edge of the range of powerful bows and crossbows.
The leader was not fully armored, but wore a slightly worn but neatly starched purple casual robe, with a slightly worn black cloak over it.
He was about sixty years old, with a thin face, three long wisps of beard under his chin, and a face that showed the weariness and paleness of a long journey.
But his posture remained upright, and the composed demeanor of someone who had long held a high position and commanded thousands of troops between his brows was not diminished in the slightest by his current disheveled state.
Even from such a distance, Ma Dai could clearly feel the unique, calm aura emanating from the other person, the aura of a "war god".
It was none other than Li Jing, the military genius of the Tang Dynasty and the defeated commander!
Li Jing was only protected by a few personal guards. He spurred his horse forward slowly for several dozen steps, completely breaking away from the protection of the main force, and faced the Chu army's blades alone.
This action not only demonstrated his courage but also seemed to be a gesture.
He raised his hand, stopping the guards around him from nervously trying to raise their shields to protect him.
His gaze was calm as he looked in the direction of Ma Dai, as if he could see through the distance and discern every subtle expression on Ma Dai's face.
Then, a clear, steady voice, even carrying a hint of gentleness and vicissitude, drifted over from afar on the wind.
Although the volume was not loud, it strangely overpowered all the noise on the battlefield, clearly reaching the ears of every Chu soldier who was holding their breath:
"Is that General Ma Dai of the Chu army ahead?"
Ma Dai felt a chill run down his spine, not expecting Li Jing to be able to call him by his name directly.
He took a deep breath, spurred his horse forward a few steps, stepped out from the crowd, and responded loudly, his voice carrying the distinctive strength of a soldier:
"It is indeed Ma Dai! Marshal Li, I have long admired you!"
Li Jing nodded slightly, a bitter yet composed smile appearing on his face. The smile carried the helplessness of defeat, yet also a profound understanding of the ways of the world.
He didn't put on the airs of a marshal, nor did he display the dejection of a defeated general; his tone was as calm as if he were discussing military matters with a junior officer.
"General Ma, there is no need to be so tense. We are both generals fighting for our country. We should know that war is dangerous and that human lives are at stake."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five thousand Chu cavalrymen behind Ma Dai, who stood ready for battle but could not hide their exhaustion, his voice remaining steady:
"I know that in the Battle of Zhennan Pass, our Great Tang Dynasty was defeated, and defeated miserably."
"Two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers are buried in foreign lands. Wang Zhongsi, Gao Xianzhi, Liu Hongji and other pillars of the country have all died for their country. This is all my fault as commander. I have failed the army."
He readily admitted defeat, his tone heavy with grief, which only made his words carry more weight.
Then, he turned the topic to the present: "General Ma has led his elite cavalry from afar, presumably at the behest of Generals Han Xing and Ma Chao, intending to intercept and kill me here to achieve our goal."
"General, you are loyal and brave; I admire you."
He shifted his tone, pointing to the tens of thousands of soldiers behind him who, though exhausted, still maintained a basic formation and a chilling aura, his tone carrying an undeniable fact:
"Yes, General, please take a look."
"Although I have been defeated, my men are still brave and resilient. We have gathered them along the way, and with the help of General Yuchi Bo, we still have more than 10,000 men."
"The general only has five thousand light cavalry under his command, and after half a day of travel, both men and horses are exhausted."
His gaze returned to Ma Dai's face, his eyes deep, as if he could see through the struggle in Ma Dai's heart:
"General, you are a veteran of the battlefield and should be familiar with military strategy."
"With five thousand exhausted troops, they directly confront my more than ten thousand men who are eager to return to camp and fight with their backs to the river. What will the outcome be? I'm sure you already have a plan in mind."
He made no threats or intimidation; he simply stated a cold, hard fact calmly.
Then, his tone became more earnest, even carrying a hint of compassion:
"General Ma, I have already lost this battle, I have lost completely and I accept the defeat wholeheartedly."
"His Majesty the King of Chu is a man of great talent and strategy, and the soldiers of Chu are brave and skilled in battle. I have learned a great deal from them."
"Now, I only want to take these surviving sons back to their homeland. They also have parents, wives and children, and there are people waiting for them to return home."