Chapter 160
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 160: The Captive
“This really is unexpected.”
“Is the other side of this hilly mountain range actually grassland?”
A small crease appeared between Luo Ji’s brows as he looked at the marked map.
They would need at least three days to travel on foot, while the opponent could make a round trip on horseback in just one day.
The difference was immense, and it further solidified Luo Ji’s determination to acquire warhorse resources!
“Is this route the only one from that grassland leading to our Iron Wall Tribe?”
Luo Ji pointed at the map as he spoke, then cast an inquiring glance at Liu Chuan, who was waiting below.
“No.”
Liu Chuan shook his head.
“The other side of the hilly mountain range can also be circled around, but choosing that route would likely double the journey and involve a much wider detour. Moreover, those sections of the road are mostly rugged and narrow, probably not suitable for cavalry travel.”
“Understood. You’ve worked hard. Go rest.”
After signaling Liu Chuan to rest, Luo Ji, having received the confirmed intel, immediately summoned the leader of the construction team.
He handed over a previously drawn design sketch.
“The things on this design sketch aren’t complicated to make.”
“I want your construction team to work through the night and produce at least fifteen of these for me before dawn tomorrow.”
“Also, there’s another task I need you to do…”
One matter after another was continuously ordered, and Luo Ji already had an entire plan in his mind, completely entering a high efficiency state.
“Chief, Medical Department Head Zhang Sheng requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
“Chief.”
Zhang Sheng, upon entering the tent, was about to salute Luo Ji, but Luo Ji waved his hand and directly asked.
“How is Zhao Pan doing?”
“After taking the medicine, Commander Zhao has woken up.
His condition is currently under control and shows no signs of worsening.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Luo Ji’s expression visibly softened upon receiving this answer.
Secretly relieved, his tone unconsciously lightened a bit.
“How long will it take for Zhao Pan’s illness to fully recover?”
“Taking medicine twice a day, he should be fever free in three to four days, but…”
Here, Zhang Sheng’s voice suddenly paused, and his expression seemed hesitant to speak.
“Just say what you need to say.”
“Don’t beat around the bush.”
Seeing Zhang Sheng’s hesitant look, Luo Ji, who had been very concerned about Zhao Pan’s condition, quickly pressed for an answer.
“Yes.”
Zhang Sheng responded, then, gathering a bit of courage, began.
“Commander Zhao’s illness this time was mainly due to overwork. Although he is expected to be fever free in three to four days after taking the medicine, it’s really not suitable for him to overexert himself in the short term, otherwise, his condition might relapse.”
“Good, I understand…”
Luo Ji’s response was unusually decisive regarding this matter.
“Go tell Zhao Pan to rest assured and recover during this period.”
“The Iron Wall Tribe will temporarily be personally overseen by me, and he doesn’t need to worry.”
After speaking, Luo Ji raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhang Sheng who was still standing.
“Anything else?”
“Yes, there is one more thing. The captive you ordered to be saved earlier has woken up.”
Zhang Sheng’s tone held a hint of obvious disbelief as he said this.
Luo Ji’s expression also changed.
Speaking of that captive, he was indeed a bit of a surprise.
The soldiers responsible for clearing the battlefield almost treated him as a corpse, but upon checking his breathing, they found that this ‘corpse’ was incredibly still clinging to his last breath.
That person was Zhang Yao, who had previously been defeated by Guo Zhen’s brass battle-axe.
Later, based on Guo Zhen’s description, Luo Ji concluded that this person should be a prominent general under Zhang Yisheng, so he ordered the Medical Department to go all out to save him.
Of course, although he ordered them to save him, everyone secretly thought he was beyond saving.
After all, his injuries were too severe.
Guo Zhen was ruthless when he went for the kill, and the man had been hacked into a bloodied mess, with over twenty large and small wounds, each deep enough to expose bone.
The fact that he was still clinging to life could be described as incredibly tough.
He was so tough that Zhang Sheng, who eventually saved him, spoke of the matter with full incredulity in his voice.
But regardless, saving him was a good thing.
Unless two players were mortal enemies, for most players, capturing an enemy’s fierce general was far more useful than killing them.
If you killed him, you wouldn’t gain many points and might even completely offend another player.
But if you captured him, that was much more flexible, with roughly two paths you could take.
The first path is to wait for the opposing player to ransom him after the battle, and then hit them with a hefty price.
War captives are considered special tradable units with special terms.
The second path is to recruit the captive, persuading him to join your ranks.
This way, you’ll gain another fierce general.
Either path is more useful than killing him.
Luo Ji actually had some intention of recruiting him.
Zhao Pan’s illness and Luo Yong and Guo Zhen’s injuries suddenly made him realize that he didn’t have as many capable generals as he thought.
He urgently needed to increase his combat strength!
Although doing so might lead to enmity with Zhang Yisheng, at this point, he didn’t care much.
In this situation, trying to avoid offending anyone was impossible.
The best path was to develop his civilization as quickly as possible, enhance his strength, and transform from “not wanting to offend anyone” to “no one dares to offend him!”
However, now was clearly not the time.
He’ll let Zhang Yao sit for a few days to temper his spirit.
Even if the recruitment failed in the end, earning a ransom would still be good, and either way, he wouldn’t lose out.
Another two days passed, and the player invasion battle had reached its sixth day.
Zhang Yisheng, who had retreated and fled earlier, had not reappeared.
It was likely he had given up.
After all, after that battle, his forces suffered heavy casualties, and Zhang Yao, that fierce general, was also captured.
He truly had no capital left to continue this fight.
On the other hand, that cavalry chief truly didn’t disappoint Luo Ji.
With a sharp whistle, the sentry outside the camp, who was waiting for the signal, ran all the way to Luo Ji’s tent.
“Reporting, Chief! The outer reconnaissance team has sent a signal! That cavalry unit has appeared!”
“So they’ve come again?”
A cruel sneer curled Luo Ji’s lips.
“Kid, you really thought a half-baked cavalry unit could do whatever it pleased here? Issue the order! Prepare for battle! This time, I’ll make sure he won’t be leaving!”
