(MZ) “Something like that would require multiple days if not weeks of prior strategizing and that time could be better spent on other matters. Plus, even if we do rescue the elders of my faction, we would be seriously stretching our resources thinner than I’d like.” Madam Zheng replied to Baron’s idea.

(BM) “Hear me out on this. What you say is absolutely correct, there is no doubt about that in my mind. However, you are not considering one important aspect of this situation.” Baron started.

(MZ) “What would that be?” She looked with curiosity.

(ZJG) “Dang, I’m kind of intrigued now as well.” Zi Ji Ge said.

(BM) “Well, note that I said that we launch an attack on one of the main bases of the Vesper faction. What I have in mind is for a 3 pronged attack on this line of bases right here which only has 3 bases within it. All of the other lines to get past their barricades will no doubt be a tougher challenge.”

(ZJG) “Wait, so…”

(BM) “What I’m proposing is going to take a massive amount of teamwork from the elders' forces as well as our two groups here. The plan will go like this, Madam Zheng and our group will go and attack the two bases in this line that is closest to us. Then, we will make our retreat as if to signal to the Vesper faction that this was nothing more than a little skirmish.”

(MZ) “I see, that way the group of elders will be able to break through the last base which shouldn’t be a problem for them and they will once again be on our side with a formidable force under them as well. That’s not a bad idea.”

(ZJG) “I won’t say whether this plan is appropriate or not, but you should know that this plan relies on too many unknown factors. What if they send in more of their fleet to support that one important base than we had originally planned? What if they send a bunch of ships after us once we fulfill our side of the conquests?”

(BM) “From the very beginning I had anticipated that this plan would likely not unfold in the way I just described, I do. However, the second part of this plan will be very hard to decipher from an enemies’ point of view.”

(MZ) “...and that would be?”

(BM) “Well, the first fleet to engage with the Vesper faction will draw enemy fire by splitting up on a roundabout path to the north and south parts of Vesper’s territory and start a long and drawn-out battle. We just have to show our resolve in breaking the two points and they will naturally send in more reinforcements. Once they are relatively short on manpower, that is the best time for the elders’ to make their escape.”

(MZ) “That is a lot better than what you had proposed just a minute ago. The only thing that I would change when putting this plan into action would be to make sure that we do not have anyone know about this, aside from one or two of our elders in the other camp.”

(BM) “That makes sense, who in the other camp is the most trustworthy?”

(MZ) “Most of my elders have actually been under my husbands’ or my control even back when we were all still alive. However, the only reason I am now seeking new elders which I have no prior knowledge of under me is that some of my inner circle are turning on me.”

(ZJG) “That was the reason? I’m rather surprised to hear that.”

(MZ) “That is not something I let slip to unknowns. However, the three of you here at least deserve to know. Sad as it is to say, if my faction survives the Vesper’s onslaught of suppressing us, then I would have to consolidate my power and make it absolute like it once was.”

(BM) “I’ve been meaning to ask for some time now, but how are you the leader of this place and not your two husbands? Did you come here before them or something?”

(MZ) “No actually, both of them managed to come here about a decade before I made my way down here. They had gotten into some loan shark scheme and could not for the life of them get out of it. When I came here, it took me nearly a year before I found them. Luckily, the elder that did my testing took a note out of Yue Fei and Guan Yu’s book and gave me a heads up about what to expect here and the norms. Thanks to that I did not fall victim to the schemes and a few years after that, I was able to release both of my husbands’ debts.”

(BM) “That is an incredible story.”

(MZ) “Well, they may be buffoons, but they’re my buffoons. Plus, I don’t think that I would have been able to create a faction here if it weren’t for those two. They have their uses as do all the elders under me.”

(ZJG) “No wonder you guys have been able to hold out so long, most factions that are under pressure from Vesper seem to die out pretty quickly. I knew it was right to convince my brother into trying to get in here. Right, brother?”

(ZB) “...” Zi Bo didn’t say anything and shrugged.

(BM) “Why is it that there are people under you that are trying to take over? Aren’t you all close like you said or are these just baseless rumors?”

(MZ) “They are there because some, not the majority mind you, think that my way of dealing with Vesper is not the best way and that they can lead the faction better than I can.”

(BM) “If this plan does succeed, will the voices of dissent disappear?”

(MZ) “Some will, but the majority won’t. I believe that some have been bribed into causing a ruckus.”

(BM) “That is quite a bold statement, Madam Zheng.”