The Savage Lady Wants to Kill Me! Reborn on the Path of Cultivation

The young man who called himself Wen Dao Zun bowed respectfully to Duan Tianyang. He asked with a little curiosity, "Master Duan, can you tell me a little bit about your next plan?"

Duan Tianyang responded calmly: "The next step is to stabilize the situation in the cities of Xiguan and prevent the rebels from invading again."

Hearing this, Wen Daozun answered without hesitation: "Simply defending the defense line is undoubtedly cutting off one's own chance of survival."

Duan Tianyang took a step forward, raised his lips slightly, and asked tentatively: "If I say that I intend to attack Tianhu City, what do you think?"

Wen Daozun immediately said: "That would be courting death!"

"Why do you think so?" Duan Tianyang was quite curious and really wanted to hear Wen Daozun's opinion.

Wen Daozun said slowly: "Master Duan, do you know that Zhou Baiyuan has gathered a large number of troops and is approaching Xihui City?"

Duan Tianyang thought for a moment and answered, "I heard about it, and then what?"

As the words were still ringing in his ears, Guan Hu had already loudly retorted: "Zhou Baiyuan attacked Xihui City, which has nothing to do with our Biqiu City. Why should we intervene?"

Wen Daozun glanced at him and responded calmly, "That's wrong. Zhou Baiyuan's army is now close to 100,000 and is still expanding. His ambition is not just about one city or one pond. He aims at the entire Xiguan, including the main city and all the affiliated cities. Now he has launched an attack on Xihui City. If we ignore it, then the next target is likely to be Biqiu City. I can conclude that Zhou Baiyuan will definitely turn his spearhead towards us. At that time, how should Lord Duan deal with Zhou Baiyuan's army?"

After hearing this, Duan Tianyang fell into deep thought and said nothing.

Guan Hu sneered and said sarcastically, "Wen Daozun, are you a lobbyist sent by Xihui City to drag our Biqiu City into the vortex of the battlefield?"

Wen Daozun said angrily: "If Lord Duan also holds this view, then I have nothing to say. I will leave now."

Although he said this, he stood still, staring at Duan Tianyang.

Duan Tianyang pondered for a moment and asked, "In your opinion, what should I do?"

Wen Daozun replied, "Your Excellency should unite with other main cities to resist Zhou Baiyuan's attack. Only by uniting together can we have a chance to compete with him."

Duan Tianyang raised a question: "But now the other main cities in Xiguan are in trouble, how easy is it to join forces?"

Wen Daozun responded: "The difficulties of other main cities can be gradually resolved, but the crisis of Xihui City is imminent. As long as Xihui City is not lost, Zhou Baiyuan will not easily target Biqiu City."

Before he finished speaking, Guan Hu interrupted him curiously, "Why is that?"

Wen Daozun sighed and explained, "Biqiu City is located between Xihui City and Mingfeng City. If Zhou Baiyuan rashly attacks Biqiu City, he may face the dilemma of being attacked from three sides, so he dare not take the risk easily."

After listening to Wen Daozun's explanation, Guan Hu nodded to show his understanding: "It does make sense. Therefore, he chose Xihui City, the westernmost city, as the target of attack."

Xiao Fang reminded: "Don't forget, Tianhu City has also been occupied by the rebels. If we go to Xihui City to provide assistance, they may take the opportunity to attack us, and we will end up losing more than we gain."

Wen Daozun said thoughtfully: "We must deal with the rebels in Tianhu City and the crisis in Xihui City at the same time. Lord Duan, you can consider splitting the troops into two groups. One group will go to Longsha City to suppress the rebels in Tianhu City, and the other group will go west to rescue Xihui City."

He paused for a moment and further elaborated: "In addition, rescuing Xihui City has a deeper meaning."

Guan Hu asked curiously, "What's the meaning?"

Wen Daozun replied: "This is to make it clear to the outside world that Lord Duan has decided to distance himself from Zhou Baiyuan and has not joined forces with him, let alone intend to jointly oppose the court."

Guan Hu frowned in confusion: "What effect will this have?"

Wen Daozun said solemnly: "This effect is extraordinary. With this move alone, Lord Duan can win the hearts of many people in Xiguan. Although Xiguan is located in a remote area, the people in Xiguan always have respect for the court."

After hearing this, Guan Hu couldn't help but burst into laughter: "The people of Xiguan respect the imperial court? If that were true, how could there be so many rebels in Xiguan!"

"They are nothing more than a mob, a bunch of bandits who take advantage of the chaos to steal and rob! Even the previously famous Zhang Tao Army did not rise to prominence in Xiguan."

As his former colleagues, Lu Jingyuan and Hua Duoer nodded in agreement with his description of Zhang Tao's army.

Wen Daozun continued, "Lord Duan, as long as you fight against the rebels in the name of respecting the imperial court, the people of Xiguan will respect your justice. Only a leader who wins the hearts of the people can create a great cause. Otherwise, it will be like a leaf falling in the water or smoke drifting in the air, and it will not last long."

Even if Wen Daozun didn't say it, Duan Tianyang would never become a member of the rebels. No matter how big the personal dispute between him and Ling Ziyan was, he would never become her enemy.

After hearing this, Duan Tianyang was very impressed with Wen Daozun's opinion. He bowed and said, "Mr. Wen is very talented, but his health is poor. It is really not suitable for him to join the army. If you don't mind, you can stay by my side and serve as a military advisor. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Wen Daozun was so excited that he immediately knelt down and said with emotion: "Thank you for not abandoning me and accepting me. It shows that you agree with my ideas. I, Wen Daozun, am willing to go through fire and water for you, and devote myself to you until my death!"

Wen Daozun is both a scholar and a man of letters. He possesses the arrogance and deep understanding of righteousness of a man of letters.

Duan Tianyang helped Wen Daozun up and said with a smile: "With Mr. Wen's help, we will be even more powerful."

Then he asked, "If we send troops to aid Xihui City, what do you think are the chances of success?"

Guan Hu and others looked at each other and smiled bitterly, secretly thinking in their hearts: I'm afraid the chances of winning are slim.

However, Wen Daozun said firmly: "In my opinion, Your Excellency will win without a doubt."

Duan Tianyang asked curiously, "Why are you so sure, sir?"

Wen Daozun replied, "Zhou Baiyuan is the leader of the rebels, and you are the army of the imperial court. You have the upper hand in terms of morality. The rebels have lost the support of the people, but you have won their support. This is another victory. Although Zhou Baiyuan is the leader of the rebels, he has few trusted generals and they are suspicious. You are using a united army to attack the seemingly united but actually divided people. You are sure to win. Furthermore, although the rebels are powerful, Xihui City is weak and the rebels are arrogant. You can suddenly lead your army westward and attack their flanks, and you will surely win. Finally, Zhou Baiyuan was bluffing this time. The rebels did not fight with all their strength. Each general acted independently. You can defeat them one by one and win without a doubt."

Wen Daozun seemed to have already understood the situation in Xiguan.

He spoke eloquently at this moment, his words fluently, like the water of a river, endlessly flowing.