293: The arrow is on the string

“My personal guess is that it shouldn't be considered a decisive battle yet,” Lin Yue mused, as Wang Zhi's eyes were fixed intently on Lin Yue.

“It's more like the eve of a decisive battle,” Lin Yue paused before saying.

There was no need to conceal this matter from Wang Zhi, because as the Supervisor, these were things he had to know. Otherwise, with a major battle imminent, if Lin Yue were to gather the entire Army late at night, and Wang Zhi were to execute him on the spot, he would have no one to appeal to.

Who knows what you're suddenly raising an Army for in the middle of the night?

As for this operation, it could only be considered the eve of a decisive battle.

Because the battlefield, where a total of tens of millions of people were involved, had already stretched across most of the grassland north of the river. In such a situation, it was no longer something that could be resolved by a single war.

This covert movement of Wang Li’s Army was, at best, an appetizer before the main course.

“Then what should we do?” Wang Zhi's eyes glowed with an inexplicable light.

“We should act according to the secret order. It’s written in such detail, considering all possible scenarios. We just need to follow it,” Lin Yue said.

Whether it was Wang Li's intention or simply the inherent strictness of the military order, this secret order had clearly considered every possible situation. Every step Lin Yue took had a clear directive, leaving no room for his own initiative.

Therefore, for this operation, he could only be an executor.

“Alright,” Wang Zhi nodded, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

“Call all Generals of Captain rank and above,” Lin Yue commanded.

Wang Zhi silently rose upon hearing this and walked out. However, he only went as far as the main tent, gave an order to a Soldier, and then returned to sit beside Lin Yue.

Lin Yue couldn't help but smile at this, and Wang Zhi spread his hands, “It’s my duty, I can’t help it.”

Lin Yue nodded in understanding, then quietly waited for the Generals to gather.

After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the number of people in the main tent steadily increased.

First, Zhao Yun walked into the main tent, followed by Pan Feng from the right flank, leading Du Tong, Du Song, and Aruhan. Not long after, Wei Liang also entered the main tent with Liu Sandao, Qibili, and Wang Cheng.

Finally, after Xing Daorong breathlessly stepped into the main tent, all the Generals were assembled.

“This humble general greets the Lord! And Supervisor!” Xing Daorong chuckled.

Lin Yue nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat, while Wang Zhi smiled at him. He liked pure, guileless warriors like Xing Daorong.

After Xing Daorong was seated, Lin Yue scanned the room, then said in a deep voice, “Pan Feng, what’s the situation at the front?”

“Reporting to the Lord, the Xiongnu Army at the front remains unmoving, but the Xiongnu scouts are constantly making small moves. The friction with our scouts has been increasing these past few days, with both sides experiencing wins and losses,” Pan Feng said after a moment of thought. However, his brow was uncharacteristically deeply furrowed, indicating that the situation was not as optimistic as he made it sound.

Since Lin Yue led the Army back to their designated position the day before, the vanguard units of both armies were already less than three hundred li apart, and in the following days, they slowly drew even closer.

The Generals had initially thought that taking the initiative would lead to a major battle between the two sides, but both sides were very restrained, neither making any rash moves. They remained in a standoff.

This eerie silence before a major battle made both sides very uncomfortable, as if a large rock was pressing on their chests, and only bloodshed could loosen it.

“Hmm, good. What about you two?” Lin Yue asked Xing Daorong and Wei Liang.

“This humble general’s situation is not much different from Gentleman of the Household Pan. It’s just that the Soldiers’ desire to fight is quite high, and the Army’s morale is also a bit tense,” Wei Liang said after some thought.

They could be said to be the weakest of the three guards under Lin Yue. Wei Liang was worried that if this continued for too long, morale would inevitably suffer.

Last night, a small-scale camp disturbance occurred in the Xiongnu Encampment opposite them. Both sides were very tense, and he was worried it might happen to them too!

“Same here,” Xing Daorong replied concisely.

“I understand what you mean. The arrow is on the string now, but this feeling of wanting to shoot but not being able to is making you all very uncomfortable, isn't it?” Lin Yue chuckled.

Laughter erupted in the tent, but the oppressive atmosphere still lingered.

“Exactly, exactly! The Lord truly understands! That’s exactly how it feels! It’s spot on!” Xing Daorong burst out laughing. The Lord’s words had truly resonated with him.

“Don’t spread rumors, I don’t understand!” Two black lines appeared on Lin Yue’s forehead.

“Hahahaha!” Laughter once again filled the main tent. The Generals were either clapping or slapping their thighs in amusement. Even Wang Zhi joined in the laughter this time.

When Lin Yue saw that everyone had laughed enough, he said, “But now, things are different.”

The laughter of the Generals in the tent abruptly ceased. Their eyes widened, and each one pricked up their ears, listening to Lin Yue’s next words!

“Tonight, at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), there will be a battle to fight,” Lin Yue said. “Wei Liang.”

“This humble general is here!” Wei Liang rose, his blood beginning to boil!

The suppression of many days had almost suffocated him. Now that there was a battle to fight, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Before the hour of Chou, your unit will move to the vicinity of Xing Daorong’s unit and await further military orders!” Lin Yue said in a deep voice.

Their camps were not far apart, and both were cavalry, so it wouldn't even take half an hour to get there.

“Understood!” Wei Liang replied with a smile.

“Xing Daorong,” Lin Yue continued.

“This humble general is here!” Xing Daorong rose and responded.

“Your unit will also prepare to advance before the hour of Chou,” Lin Yue said.

“Understood!” Xing Daorong responded loudly, then asked somewhat puzzled, “Lord, where are we advancing to?”

“I will inform you then,” Lin Yue said, rubbing his forehead.

“Understood!” Xing Daorong smiled.

“Tonight’s dinner, increase the portion by half, and do not make a fuss. Everything must be done quietly, so as not to arouse anyone’s suspicion,” Lin Yue said in a deep voice, then added with a serious expression, “Remember, quietly!”

“Understood!” the Generals replied, committing it to memory.

“Alright, go back and prepare,” Lin Yue waved his hand, then suddenly said, “Pan Feng, you stay.”

The Generals looked at him strangely, then continued to walk out.

When only Lin Yue, Wang Zhi, and Pan Feng remained in the tent, Lin Yue smiled at Pan Feng and said, “Pan Feng…”