Strongest Soldier King

Everyone listened to Luo Zheng's reminder and did not immediately express their opinions. Luo Zheng helplessly looked toward the scholar and then at the others, all faces becoming solemn. Luo Zheng forced a smile and tried to persuade them, "I know your concerns, but without the nameplate, there's no hope of victory. If the battles to come are all like this and we don't get the nameplates, we will return as losers. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I understand your thoughts. As the captain, leading you to complete the mission is my first priority, but not at the cost of everyone's lives. To knowingly engage in the impossible is inappropriate; there is no chance of victory. Staying would only waste time, better to look for another opportunity." The scholar said after a moment's thought, a helpless smile on his face.

Different philosophies inevitably lead to different styles of combat. Luo Zheng looked at the group; the gardener seemed somewhat inclined to stay and find an opportunity to strike, the farmer had been injured and looked bitter, and Monk looked thoughtful and hadn't made a decision. Luo Zheng couldn't help but force a smile and said, "Alright, I will follow orders."

"Captain, Luo Zheng also makes some sense. In the vast wilderness, there's no safe place; staying anywhere is the same. Might as well stay nearby, and perhaps there really is an opportunity. If we eliminate that group of enemies, we might get quite a few nameplates, right? If there are high-ranking officials among them, we might even capture valuable intelligence," the gardener suggested cheerfully, trying to ease the situation.

The scholar thought for a moment, glanced at the farmer, then turned to Monk, and asked solemnly, "What do you think?"

"I think both points are valid. Staying here has two possibilities, finding an opportunity or not. The cost of no opportunity is just a waste of time. Can we fully capitalize on the opportunity if it arises? Facing a formidable enemy, casualties are inevitable. Death isn't scary, but we are just at the beginning, dying now would be pointless. Since it's like that, starting from 'what's advantageous to us' as a principle, I think it's more appropriate to leave. There are still opportunities ahead, right?" Monk analyzed.

Luo Zheng knew Monk was cautious. Those who are good at defending do not like to take risks; they always consider the risks and costs first to find a way to deal with them. The risks and benefits of staying did not outweigh each other, so choosing to leave was reasonable; the gardener, good at attacking and liking to risk the smaller for the greater, agreed to stay and this was also understandable. Luo Zheng glanced at the farmer, skilled in rapid assaults and never one to miss an advantage, yet he wouldn't act rashly without seeing a clear benefit, making the possibility of him agreeing to stay very slim. Luo Zheng sighed to himself.

The scholar was an all-round talent, capable in both offense and defense. Once he made up his mind, he would decide without hesitation. If unsure, he would waver, even leaning towards conservative approaches. After hearing the gardener and Monk's analysis, the scholar hesitated, glanced at Luo Zheng, thought for a moment, and still chose the conservative approach, sighing helplessly, "The urgent matter is to treat the farmer's injuries, we can discuss the rest later."

Treating the wounded was unquestionable; no one objected to this order. However, treatment could be done anywhere; lacking medical supplies, traveling further would only delay the time. Luo Zheng thought the scholar had chosen to rest in place and wait for a chance. He breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear the scholar pointing at the distant mountains, saying, "We will hide deep in the mountains, and discuss everything else once the farmer's injuries are better. There are plenty of opportunities to kill enemies, and if the enemy finds us here, they will surely send troops to pursue us. Better to escape before they notice, to ensure safety."

Luo Zheng understood the pressure that came with this decision. As the captain, he had to ensure everyone's safety. Retreating to the mountains to rest was reasonable, but such conservative tactics would limit their combat abilities and affect the mission. Luo Zheng thought for a moment, somewhat unwillingly suggested, "How about this, I'll stay behind to scout. If I can find a chance to ambush, getting some valuable intelligence would be good. If not, I'll come find you all to regroup. How about that?"

"No, that's too dangerous," the scholar immediately rejected the proposal. Seeing Luo Zheng still wanted to insist, he continued, "We're already short-handed, and with the farmer brother injured, splitting our forces would be disadvantageous. Weren't you very cautious when we entered the village? If it weren't for you keeping watch at the village entrance, providing covering fire for our retreat, and eliminating a few soldiers with RPGs, perhaps we would have all been finished. I appreciate that, but why do you now want to take risks, so unlike your previous caution, why?"

"Right, you were very cautious just now, and your caution saved everyone's lives. Why do you want to take risks now? Tell us, let the brothers figure it out; three heads are better than one Zhuge Liang, right?" the gardener asked Luo Zheng curiously.

"Indeed, tell us. If the reason is sound, I don't mind staying," the farmer also became curious. With the battle turning out this way, and him being the first to get injured, he was simmering with frustration. If there was an advantage to be gained, why would he pass it up?

"Because right now, we're like headless flies," Luo Zheng calmly said, glancing at everyone. Seeing their faces grow uncomfortable, especially the scholar who seemed even more so, he suddenly realized that his words implied a criticism of the scholar's leadership. As the lowest-ranked soldier, openly questioning the leadership was taboo. Although the Special Forces didn't have much bureaucratic air, the inertia of seniority still existed. Luo Zheng's words not only struck at the scholar but also made it difficult for others to save face.

"Explain in more detail. We are brothers through good and bad, no need for reservations. It's evident you keep a lot hidden, very capable, with a precise grasp of the battlefield and dangers, like during the earlier entry into the village. If I had listened to you, the farmer brother would not have been injured, and last time too, if I had heeded your advice to scout the village that had been raided by militants, the situation might have been different. Speak freely," the scholar quickly adjusted his attitude, his expression becoming serious.

Remembering the events of the past few days, especially Luo Zheng's several contrary suggestions, everyone took him more seriously, and the previous displeasure evaporated. The farmer laughed heartily, "Brother, the few of us are old soldiers of about five years, and our thinking has become inert. You're the youngest, but very astute. Let's hear it."

"Yes," Luo Zheng could tell that everyone was honest and upright. He smiled gratefully and politely said, "I'm the youngest, please don't mind if I say something wrong."

"How could a brother mind what his younger brother says? Speak freely," the scholar said, listening intently with a serious face.

"Exactly, don't beat around the bush, we are brothers who have shared life and death, and will continue to face life and death together. Speak openly, don't hold back," the gardener said cheerfully, easing the situation again.