Chapter 356: Defeat the Wind (1/2)
Chapter 356: Defeat the Wind
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi only had a very simple understand of the situation at the wind valley. Furthermore, this understanding only came about from Teng Shisheng's explanation. As for the detailed conditions, he hadn't witnessed it personally hence wasn't very clear at this point of time.
However, this didn't stop him from feeling the uniqueness of its position. Because, before even nearing the wind valley, he could hear the gushing sound coming from within.
The entire wind valley was like a huge mountain split into two from the middle by a sword, resulting in a long narrow valley that only allowed ten people to move in a row.
Furthermore…
Most importantly, the two walls of the valley was filled with a white frost.
Icicles filled the frost like spikes, making it impossible for people to get too close to it, nor climb on top of it.
”Guard Fang, the wind valley is right in front. As long as we are able to get past the wind valley, we will reach the Icy Monkey Settlement.” At this moment, Teng Shisheng walked to Fang Zhengzhi's side and said softly.
”Is it easy to cross this wind valley?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the wind valley in front, then looked back at the mighty armoured troops behind him.
If he wished to cross this wind valley alone.
He definitely didn't need to inquire further. All he had to do was to charge in.
However, if the over forty-thousand troops behind him were to charge in, they would definitely weigh him down. At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi more or less understood what was the meaning of being the chief commander of an army.
”Not easy.” Teng Shisheng shook his head without even thinking.
”There is a question I don't quite understand.” Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head. He had already guessed Teng Shisheng's reply, hence naturally didn't feel too surprised.
”Guard Fang, please ask.” Teng Shisheng replied respectfully.
”This wind valley lies right across the entrance of the Icy Monkey Settlement. In order to enter the Icy Monkey Settlement, one has to first cross the wind valley. However, in this case, how do the people inside leave?” Fang Zhengzhi thought of this question.
”It goes like this. The opening of the wind valley is controlled by the Icy Monkey Settlement. At the exit of the wind valley, there is a huge rock. If one moved the huge rock to the left,the wind in the wind valley would be stopped. If it was moved to the right, the wind in the wind valley would start again. As for the exact reason for this, none of us are quite clear. However, it has always been like this for the past few hundred years.” When Teng Shisheng heard Fang Zhengzhi's question, he explained.
”Move the huge rock?” Fang Zhengzhi's eyes lit up slightly. In an instant, he thought of something. ”Is the Icy Monkey Settlement positioned in an extremely vast and flat piece of land?”
”That's right, how does Guard Fang know this?” Teng Shisheng seemed somewhat surprised when he heard this. Because, he hadn't explained in detail the conditions of the Icy Monkey Settlement.
”Ha ha, I guessed it.” Fang Zhengzhi smiled, but didn't explain further. After all, it required knowledge of physics in order to explain this.
In reality, a geography like that of the wind valley required a lot of coincidence. However, in Fang Zhengzhi's previous world, there were a few similar situations.
From a scientific perspective, the wind is a force of nature.
Under many circumstances, wind is able to grow stronger or weaker depending on the geography of the landscape. For example, in the desert, once wind began to blow, it would turn into a tempest.
This was due to the landscape being too open.
And, if two huge rocks were to appear in an open piece of land, the center of the two huge stones would form a wind gap.
The reason was that the huge rock blocked the flowing path of the wind, causing it to forcefully squeeze in between the two huge rocks.
The landscape of the Icy Monkey Settlement was vast and open, and there were two huge mountains that seemed to have been formed from being forcefully cut into two. Hence, forming such a wind valley wouldn't be considered surprising.
As for using the huge rocks behind the wind valley to control the wind within it, the concept was actually the same. If the direction of shift was just right, it could alter the flow of the wind, causing it to blow upwards, hence no longer blowing in the direction of the wind valley. This way, the wind would stop.
Knowledge changes fate!
Fang Zhengzhi understood these concepts. However, Teng Shisheng didn't quite understand them. Hence, after hearing that Fang Zhengzhi was just guessing, he looked towards Fang Zhengzhi with a strange expression.
Teng Shisheng really couldn't understand. This kind of stuff could be guessed?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't speak further. He was thinking of a method to overcome the wind valley.
When the group of scholars following the army saw Fang Zhengzhi's expression, the trace of a smirk appeared on their faces.
After all, in their hearts, Fang Zhengzhi depended on shameless tactics to achieve success. During times when he would have to truly depend on his strengths, that wouldn't work anymore.
Even though at this moment, they were all in the same boat as Fang Zhengzhi, but, for them to suggest tactics and strategies, Fang Zhengzhi still at least had to express it.
For example…
Sincerely consulting their opinions, or holding of grand feast and ceremony to say, ”I can't do it. During such crucial times, I still have to depend on you guys!”
This was what they expected to happen.
However, Fang Zhengzhi clearly hadn't thought of this. At this moment, his gaze was focused on scanning the surrounding landscape of the wind valley, calculating rapidly in his mind.
This caused a group of scholars to become somewhat restless.
”Asking too much is better than thinking too much. As the chief commander, you must know how to be humble and seek advice. Pride and arrogance isn't a trait that a commander should have.” A scholar quickly reminded.
”That's right, you didn't even fight a battle before, stop pretending to think deeply!”
”If you really wish to seek military strategies, you still have to consult Young Master Wu and Young Master Chen. Young Master Chen is the direct descendent of the thirteen constabularies and had been reading military books ever since young.”
”That's right. If you wish to overcome the wind valley, you cannot charge in blindly. I suggest that everybody sit down and discuss together.”
When the scholars heard the voice, they also began to express their agreement. They all waited for Fang Zhengzhi to ”have a change of heart” and humbly request for their advice.
When Fang Zhengzhi heard the voices behind him, a faint smile appeared on his face as he turned around and gazed at the ”hungry, impatient” scholars.
Of course, he knew what these people were thinking.
He had either launched a sneak attack on them, or forcefully overpowered them with multiples times the number of troops they had. If they were to completely accept their defeat, it was naturally not very possible.
”Since this is the case, then, let's all gather and discuss how to cross this wind valley.” Fang Zhengzhi really wanted to think how this world planned to overcome a wind valley like this.
”I have a plan!” A scholar quickly stood out.
To these ”academics” who had few chances to participate in battles, being able to demonstrate their ability to command troops in such circumstances would definitely contribute in one way or another to the results of their combat examination.
Most importantly, if they were able to accomplish something, when they had the opportunity to enter the military in the future, it would definitely be a good example for them to bring up to be considered for rapid promotion.
”I have an idea too.”
”Me too!”
When they saw a scholar taking the initiative to stand out, there were instantly a few more scholars fighting to express their opinions.
On the other hand, when Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu witnessed this scene, their expressions were bland and calm, seeming as if they were profound and unfathomable.
”Come, speak one by one, don't rush.” It was rare for Fang Zhengzhi to witness such ”positive energy”, and decided to not burst their bubble and dampen their enthusiasm.
”This is my plan. The wind blows from inside to outside. Hence, we can get a few defensive troops to guard the front. With them blocking off the wind in front, this would naturally reduce the power of the wind.”
”That's right, I agree with what Young Master Li said.”