People who had just been convinced by Ji Xinghe's reasoning found themselves questioning the real reason he'd given.
"Why?" Cadelin was a bit anxious, "Ji, be clear, this is a tactical meeting, can you cut the waffling like a doddering old man?"
""
Everyone present was somewhat at a loss - what did he mean by 'acting like a doddering old man'? The sixty-six-year-old Ji Xinghe was an old man, wasn't he? What was wrong with a bit of prattling?
If it had been the Ji Xinghe of the past, he wouldn't have been so long-winded, but now he had to speak out.
"The carol heard before the autumn wind blows, I have a hunch that if I bring the entire Independent Group, the Empire will send more targeted forces to chase us. We... we won't be able to hold them off."
"…"
Once again, everyone was speechless.