Wu Gang said with concern: "However, if I hole up here and refuse to advance—having already suffered a defeat earlier at Wangri City, and now retreating instead of daring to face the enemy—I'm afraid the imperial court will be displeased with me."
Tan Xiao said, "General Wu need not worry. As for the previous defeat at Wangri City, firstly, the enemy forces outnumbered us several times over, so defeat is commonplace. Secondly, the current war is being fought primarily in Wujiang Prefecture. The imperial court still relies on you to lead troops in battle, so no one will dare to target you."
"Thirdly, those people in the imperial court ultimately only look at the results, regardless of how you holed up or how steadfastly you defended without coming out. When the enemy can no longer hold out in the end, you will annihilate them all with lightning speed, recapture the lost cities and barracks in a single stroke, and win a major victory. Who would dare speak ill of you? You are simply ceding a place to let the enemy starve to death; this is your combat strategy, not a mistake!"
Chapter 281