HRPM – Chapter 334 A Clever Plan

The group arrived at the slope of another mountain near Tiger’s Lair Mountain and stopped, concealing themselves among the trees.

From a distance, they could see several sentry posts on Tiger’s Lair Mountain lit by torches, with guards apparently patrolling the area.

Pointing at a map, Xiao Luo explained the battle plan in detail to the officers leading the troops.

“Our unit’s objective is to infiltrate the rear of the stronghold from the back mountain and capture the women and children living there. We’ll use them as leverage to force the bandits to surrender. The tactic may be somewhat dishonorable, but it will greatly reduce casualties.”

Jin Luoluo stroked her chin.

It really is a shameless strategy… but it makes sense. The Black-Bellied Prince is every bit as devious as expected.

“However, the rear compound is the band’s weakest point, so the bandits are bound to guard it heavily. That’s why I’ve already sent Xuanwu with a quarter of our troops to launch a direct assault on the eastern front gate. Their job is to draw the bandits’ attention. Once the bandits commit most of their main force to the east to fight Xuanwu, the half of our army lying in ambush on the western side can launch a surprise attack.”

A classic ‘lure the tiger away from the mountain’ strategy. It fit the situation perfectly.

Charging head-on alone, even if it led to victory, would hardly be the smartest approach. A truly great general won battles with the fewest possible casualties.

“Once the bandits in the east are tied down by Xuanwu, they won’t be able to disengage. They’ll have no choice but to send the men guarding the women, children, and elderly to reinforce the west. That’s when we’ll seize the opportunity to break in and capture those who are incapable of fighting. But remember—no one is to slaughter unarmed people at will. Anyone who disobeys will be punished under military law!”

Xiao Luo’s voice turned stern as he issued the order.

All right… the Black-Bellied Prince does have a conscience after all. He had no intention of massacring captives indiscriminately, and he enforced strict discipline among his troops. He really does have the bearing of a great commander.

After receiving their orders, Qinglong led the soldiers forward, crawling low across the ground as they advanced toward the rear of the mountain.

Only Xiao Luo, Jin Luoluo, Baihu—who was carrying Xiao Luo on his back—and a few attendants remained behind.

“Your Highness, aren’t we going with them?”

Jin Luoluo looked wistfully at the soldiers disappearing into the trees.

So in the end, I can only watch from afar instead of seeing the action up close.

“The terrain here provides an excellent view of the entire battlefield. Commanders stay behind to direct the battle—the fighting at the front is for them.” He paused before adding, “As for you, you’d better stay out of it as well. If anything were to happen to you… I think it would break my heart. I can’t let you take that risk.”

The final sentence was so soft it was barely more than a whisper, carried away by the wind before it could reach Jin Luoluo’s ears.