Ethan Brooks didn’t say anything, but Brian Cooper spoke up: “Big Brother Carter, do you have a death wish? Have you forgotten how Franklin Reed died half a month ago? He reported his own thoughts and was executed for reckless military discussion. Are you better than Franklin Reed? Besides, what Mr. Ethan said is just speculation, it’s not certain.”

It was obvious that Ethan Brooks had also heard about what happened to Franklin Reed. From Franklin Reed’s case, it was clear that the general of this army was a stubborn, self-important guy. And not very bright—maybe this idea was even his own. This kind of thinking was just as bad as Zhao Kuo’s. Ethan Brooks only knew his surname was Yang; as for his full name, Ethan Brooks couldn’t care less.

“Let’s go. In a while, William Foster will bring the other two over. We don’t want them to not find us when they arrive.” Ethan Brooks stood up, and Samuel Carter and Brian Cooper followed Ethan Brooks, each lost in thought as they walked toward the camp.

The officer who overheard Ethan Brooks’s words immediately changed his expression. He didn’t have time to bother with Ethan Brooks and hurriedly ran back.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Ethan?” Ever since Ethan Brooks had analyzed the situation, Brian Cooper admired him even more. Seeing Ethan Brooks stop and look at the ground with a changing expression, he immediately asked.

“Someone overheard what we said.” As Ethan Brooks said this, he was also filled with fear. If the general above found out about this reckless military discussion, it would mean immediate execution. Even though it was unlikely the general would know, who could guarantee the person who overheard wouldn’t report them?

“How do you know?” Samuel Carter asked Ethan Brooks curiously. Honestly, Ethan Brooks’s words just now had made him respect him from the bottom of his heart. The current Ethan Brooks was so different from Liam Brooks a few days ago—if they didn’t know for sure that Ethan Brooks was Liam Brooks, they’d think he was a different person.

“When we first arrived, there was no one here. Look, these footprints are from the three of us, but here’s an extra pair. Judging by the freshly trampled grass, these footprints are new, which means someone just passed by where we were talking. So, do you think our conversation was overheard?”

“Th-this… what do we do?” Hearing this, Brian Cooper immediately became nervous. Breaking out is a desperate gamble, but if the higher-ups found out they were recklessly discussing military matters, it would mean certain death.

The two of them looked at Ethan Brooks. Ever since Ethan Brooks had analyzed the problem for them, they had both decided to follow his lead.

“If we escape now, we might be able to reach Xiaheba. There are merchant ships there, and that area belongs to the Hongyue Kingdom, which hasn’t gone to war with us yet. We have silver dollars, so once we get there, we can take a ship and leave.” Samuel Carter was clearly somewhat familiar with the area.

Jack Brooks’s eyes lit up. He clapped his hands and said, “I get it now—it’s about the ships. Although the Liujin Kingdom’s army is stationed in the basin, there are many ships here. These ships are kept on land, hidden with things. Once the water comes, the soldiers immediately board the ships and use them to attack the Zheyun Kingdom soldiers who are flooded.”

He had always assumed that ships belonged in the water, but never thought they could be kept on land. Truly a ruthless strategy.

Samuel Carter slapped his thigh. “These bastards are really vicious, using this method. Even if our troops hide in camps above the water, we’re just waiting to be attacked. Impressive, really impressive.”

Samuel Carter didn’t even know who he was praising, but his eyes were full of worry.

Ethan Brooks looked at the two and said, “Samuel Carter, stop thinking about anything else. Our own lives are at stake. Right now, we can only hope that William Foster has already brought the other two. As soon as they arrive, we’ll immediately request to leave. If The Foster Team doesn’t come, we have to leave right away.”

“But if that’s the case, why do they still want us to deliver a message for reinforcements?” Brian Cooper was confused.

“We’ll talk about that later. Let’s get back to the camp first.” Right now, Ethan Brooks was only thinking about how to leave as soon as possible.

The three of them saw there was no better plan, so they had to go with this one.

“Samuel Carter, how can you be wandering around at a time like this?” Ethan Brooks breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, because he saw Edward Foster, along with two soldiers who weren’t much bigger than him. Ethan Brooks had seen these two before—they were the ones who had gone to the camp with them.

“These are Charles Bennett and Jacob Reed. The five of you will set out before dawn tomorrow. Just follow the route I told you today, and remember not to deviate. This route is the safest—if you stray, I can’t guarantee your safety. Here’s a map and a letter for Ethan Brooks to carry. Make sure to deliver them to General Hu of the Xiliang camp.” After speaking, Edward Foster took out a simple marching map and handed it to Ethan Brooks.

Ethan Brooks put the map away and said, “Captain Foster, since the situation is urgent, I think we’d better leave now. If we wait until tomorrow, it might not be as convenient as leaving at night.”

Ethan Brooks’s words made Charles Bennett and Jacob Reed look grim. Even if they were being sent to their deaths, there was no need to rush. But seeing Edward Foster’s expression, they didn’t dare say anything.