Watching as the last of Bai Yian's strategies for defending against Chu was voiced, a subtle tide of agreement began to swell among the ministers within the hall. Shen Qiu could no longer sit still and stood up to speak.
"The strategy proposed by Wuan Marquis is indeed mature and well-considered for the state, a safe plan," he began.
Shen Qiu first affirmed the practicality and correctness of Bai Yian's last strategy, then shifted his tone and said, "However, consistently retreating and passively defending without counteraction can truly dampen our own morale while bolstering that of the Chu people.
If this were to spread, wouldn't all under heaven think that Ning Country fears the Chu bandits?
Therefore, retreating heedlessly is untenable.
Although we must withdraw, we cannot do so without strategy—we must be tactical."
