CHAPTER 1116: CHAPTER 609: ZHAO DOUAN’S COUNTERATTACK (5K)_2

Indeed, the capture of several Shadow Guards, in terms of rank, does not qualify to be reported to Zhao Douan.

Tang Jinzhong hesitated and said, "Sir, the prisoner exchange list proposed by the other side is very tempting. Commander Shi and the others are undecided and are preparing to hold a meeting, and they’re inviting you to attend."

Alright... Zhao Douan exhaled and was about to follow the other person out the door to the meeting.

Just then, another skulking figure appeared outside the door. It was Song Jinxi.

"Sir, Jiang Wangsun has sent a secret report." Song Jinxi glanced at the few people in the room, saw they were trustworthy, and spoke frankly.

Zhao Douan’s eyes narrowed: "Let me see it!"

Song Jinxi quickly took out a secret report from his sleeve and handed it over. Mo Chou craned his neck, leaned in next to Zhao Douan, and read along.

Soon, both of their expressions changed.

Zhao Douan folded the secret letter and looked at the two of them, "Let’s go to the meeting."

...

...

Temporary command center.

The dim sunlight slipped through the crack in the door, casting a bright thin line on the cold floor.

The high-ranking officials of the Eastern Front’s three armies were gathered at the court, more than a dozen people in total, each with a steaming tea cup beside them.

At the head of the long table, beneath the hanging map on the wall, Zhao Douan sat in a Taishi chair, slapped the secret letter on the table, and said in a deep voice, "Take a look, everyone."

The secret letter began to circulate from hand to hand in the room.

After reading it, everyone’s expressions noticeably changed.

Only a very few knew about Jiang Wangsun’s identity as a spy; the secret letter also bore no signature from the other party, but everyone understood it was intelligence gathered about the enemy army.

Zhao Douan intertwined his fingers and said calmly, "This is intelligence from our insider within the enemy army. What do you all think? Speak freely."

Mo Chou, holding back the entire way, spoke first: "If this intelligence is true, then the enemy’s intent is quite obvious. Clearly, our successful rescue of Feng Ju provoked the enemy. Hence, they devised such a strategy: use the prisoner exchange to lure us and then spread false news that they would attack us at Yansuo Lake during the exchange, intending to surprise attack the city defenses, thereby dampening our morale and boosting the rebel army’s morale."

Seemingly rough on the outside, but meticulous in thought, Shi Meng slowly nodded and said, "Mo Zhaorong is correct. Given that we now hold the intelligence advantage, we should focus on defending the defense lines and won’t let the enemy succeed."

Ning Zechen, the former Shipping Governor, now serving as a senior military advisor, said in a deep voice, "But the city’s defense line is winding and complex. From what is described in the secret letter, it doesn’t seem like the enemy intends a full-scale war, but rather to dispatch experts for a surprise attack aimed at killing our military officers and destroying the defense lines. If we only defend, how do we determine where the enemy will attack?"

The Commander of the Three Thousand Camp, a general in his forties with a hawkish demeanor, frowned and spoke: "Also, how can we be sure this intelligence is true? Isn’t it possible it’s false information deliberately released by the enemy? Or is our informant reliable? If this intelligence is false and we focus on defending the city, while the enemy switches tactics and captures the prisoners at Yansuo Lake, what then?"

These words plunged the high-level officials into deep thought.

Even Zhao Douan had to admit the possibility of false intelligence.

But if that possibility is considered, the situation becomes even more complicated.

Mo Chou furrowed her brow, the plum blossom adornment on her forehead creased as well: "In that case, what if we refuse the prisoner exchange?"

Not responding to the opponent’s move is also a method.

However, Shi Meng shook his head: "I’m afraid that would be inappropriate. If we refuse, the enemy can heavily publicize this issue. The governor just arrived on the Eastern Front and is in the process of establishing his prestige in the army. Having just rescued the civil servant Feng Ju, yet refusing to exchange military prisoners... If this spreads, I’m afraid it could undermine your prestige, sir."

Chen Gui, who was included in the meeting due to his control over firearms, stroked his beard and said with a worried expression: "This way, doesn’t it seem like the enemy has calculated the governor’s intention to stabilize the military’s morale now and intentionally used this disgusting tactic? If we refuse, it will tarnish your reputation, sir, and the next thing to worry about is how to deal with it..."

Ultimately, it’s still a matter of not having enough manpower... If we had more experts, we could manage both... Zhao Douan sighed softly in his heart, maintaining a composed demeanor on his face, and said, "I’ve decided to agree to the prisoner exchange."

Mo Chou looked at him in surprise, intending to advise him to reconsider.

If the information were sealed off, or properly communicated, refusing the exchange might not cause much damage...

But Zhao Douan subtly shook his head at her. Mo Chou hesitated, closed her mouth, and wondered what this guy was thinking.

Back when she was beside Your Majesty, she could not see through this person, and it was still the same now.

Since even Mo Chou as the supervisor didn’t speak, the generals understood that Zhao Douan had made the decision and did not persuade further.

Immediately, they began to put forward suggestions and discuss strategies to respond:

"How about taking the initiative to attack before the prisoner exchange? To seize the initiative?"

"Alas, the secret letter mentioned that the enemy has changed their defenses and is now in Hu Ting City, where we can’t leverage our advantages. Fighting a street battle would put us at a disadvantage. The key is, we can’t afford to lose. If Lord Xue were still here, a loss would be tolerable, but for Commander Zhao here on his first assignment, a loss would not only drop morale but possibly affect countless people’s spirit across the land who are watching this... Can the governor’s first battle be rushed?"

"Makes sense. Perhaps this tactic was meant to force us into a hasty battle..."

"If so, should we also send our experts to attack the enemy on the day of the exchange?"