Chapter 34
“We should attack Bijo’s group first. They have fewer people. Eliminating the smaller force quickly is the most reasonable move.”
“I disagree with Na-gak. We should attack Fifth Young Master’s group first. Bijo’s group may be smaller, but they are elites. If both sides are badly injured, only Fifth Young Master will benefit.”
“Ma Cheonho, that sounds like fear. Are you saying you’re afraid because Bijo’s group is elite? We simply destroy them and win.”
“I’m saying you should look at the overall situation. At the very least, Fifth Young Master cannot be allowed to stand above our lord. Don’t you understand that?”
“Fifth Young Master isn’t the only person we need to beat. Is climbing the ranks all you care about, Ma Cheonho?”
“That is an unfair exaggeration, Na-gak. When did I say that?”
“What about defending?”
“Yes! We could defeat anyone who attacks us, then counterattack!”
“Hmm. If we only defend, everyone might end tied. We need to consider that too.”
After the Amma Corps instructors left, we gathered inside the stronghold and began a long strategy meeting under the torchlight.
A map drawn on animal hide lay in front of us.
It showed the locations of Cheon Gangwol’s base, Bijo’s base, and even our traps.
While my members threw out their opinions, I simply listened.
It was an old habit from my days leading teams.
Before making a decision, I always heard every opinion first.
Regardless of what I personally thought.
Doing this revealed everyone’s tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses.
It also exposed differences in personality and possible sources of future conflict.
That was already visible.
Na-gak and Ma Cheonho were practically throwing sparks at each other.
At some point, I would have to properly settle the hierarchy between those two.
“All right. Enough. I understand what everyone is thinking.”
Once I had seen enough, I stepped in.
The members could give opinions, but I would make the decision and carry the responsibility.
That was a leader’s job.
Someone once said a leader had to possess weight.
Simply shouting at people to fight did not make someone a leader.
“All your ideas have merit. But you’ve all missed something.”
“What?”
“None of your strategies considered how the enemy would react. If we attack Bijo, what will Cheon Gangwol do? If we attack Cheon Gangwol, what will Bijo do? If we choose defense, how will both sides respond? Did your plans account for those movements?”
“...”
“...”
“When planning an operation, your first priority is predicting the enemy’s actions. Never forget that.”
“We’ll remember.”
“We’ll engrave the lesson into our minds.”
I pointed out the main flaw in their suggestions and restarted the discussion from the beginning.
It was unavoidable.
They had never planned a special operation before.
Of course enthusiasm would come before experience.
They could learn from here.
Someday, they might command their own subordinates.
When that day came, they would be different.
I would make sure of it.
“Myeonghwa, can you explain everything we’ve observed about Bijo’s group and Cheon Gangwol’s group?”
“Yes. First, Bijo’s group has eight people. Their behavior is rough, but very cautious. You can tell from how small their operating range is. After being poisoned by those wild plants, they became even more careful. They barely move outside their immediate area.”
“Cautious elites... We almost made a dangerous mistake.”
“Next, Fifth Young Master’s group is consistent. They have sixteen people, so their duties are divided according to rules. Their life is organized into procedures and roles. You could call them the most textbook-like group.”
“So in a long battle, their base could have been troublesome...”
As Myeonghwa shared the information we had gathered, Na-gak and Ma Cheonho lowered their heads.
They were finally seeing the weaknesses in their earlier ideas.
It was a good beginning.
“As you heard, either target contains uncertainty unless we have overwhelming force. The same goes for defense. If no one attacks us, we waste the entire day.”
“Then we’d sit here and end last...”
“Exactly. Now we begin the real strategy meeting. Using what you just learned, imagine yourselves as Bijo and Cheon Gangwol. How would you move?”
“If I were Bijo, I think I would defend. His group is strong, and he trusts the area around his base. He doesn’t seem like someone who would recklessly enter unfamiliar territory.”
“Fifth Young Master may split his group. He has many people. He could send out reconnaissance teams, observe the surroundings, then decide how to move.”
As expected.
Once they were shown what to look for, both men began seeing properly.
They gave exactly the answers I wanted.
I could not help smiling in satisfaction.
Martial artists seemed to learn these things surprisingly quickly.
“I agree. Bijo is cautious, so even his scouts will likely remain near his own zone. Cheon Gangwol will disperse some of his people, but he’ll keep enough at the base to defend.”
After understanding the situation and predicting the enemy came the hardest part.
Decision.
It had to be clear.
And it was always painful.
“Defending guarantees us two points, but if everyone defends, the score stays unchanged and everyone ends last. It’s also a problem if someone else captures a flag first.”
“Right. We’re not here for second or third place. If we’re doing this, we attack.”
“Please give us your judgment. We’ll follow.”
“Just give the order. Whatever it is, we’ll do it.”
“We obey!”
“Yes!”
This painful part always belonged to the leader.
Fortunately, I had already decided long before the meeting.
I only wanted to see my members actively participate.
“Good. Then I’ll decide our operation. Our first target is...”
I looked down at the map and placed my finger on one of the two enemy bases.
Our first destination was...
Tap.
“Cheon Gangwol’s group.”
The place where my adorable youngest brother was waiting.
Rustle.
“Careful. Another trap. They’re simple, but there are several of them. Watch your feet.”
“Damn it. We can’t move quickly because of these pathetic traps. When did they even have time to prepare all this?”
“It can’t be helped. Young Master ordered us to be absolutely cautious. Cheongyeon, what about the others?”
“They went toward Bijo’s side. It isn’t far from here, so they should return soon.”
“...If the other two groups fight each other, there couldn’t be a better situation.”
“Exactly. But no matter what happens, our lord will find a way. We just have to trust and follow him.”
“Hmph. Obviously.”
It was early morning.
