Chapter 005: First Display of Brilliance
323 Words
Li Feng stood within the bustling military camp, his sharp eyes scanning the ranks of soldiers as they drilled under the midday sun. It had been a few days since Zhao Yun brought him into the fold, yet many of the soldiers still regarded him with skepticism. An outsider with no known background, suddenly advising a great general—naturally, doubts arose. Li Feng knew that trust had to be earned, and the opportunity soon presented itself.
That evening, scouts brought urgent news—an enemy detachment was moving toward the camp under the cover of darkness. With the terrain favoring the defenders, the officers debated whether to fortify their position or launch a preemptive strike. Zhao Yun, ever composed, turned to Li Feng.
"What do you think?"
Li Feng stepped forward, pointing at the map on the wooden table. "We should lure them into a false sense of security. Make them believe we are unaware of their movements and let them advance deeper into the valley. Then, we strike from the ridges, cutting off their retreat."
A murmur spread among the officers. The plan was bold, requiring precise timing, but Zhao Yun's trust in Li Feng had already begun to take root.
"We will proceed as Li Feng suggests," Zhao Yun declared, silencing any further dissent.
That night, the ambush unfolded perfectly. The enemy, believing they had the element of surprise, marched straight into the valley. At Li Feng’s signal, hidden archers rained down arrows while cavalry sealed their escape. Within an hour, the skirmish ended in decisive victory.
As the soldiers celebrated, Zhao Yun approached Li Feng with a satisfied smile. "Your strategy worked flawlessly. This victory belongs to you."
Li Feng shook his head. "It belongs to the soldiers who executed it. I only provided a plan."
For the first time, the warriors of Zhao Yun’s camp saw Li Feng not as an outsider, but as a strategist worth following.
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