Gao Yang's question was very direct, and Salim's answer was just as straightforward.
"Here's the situation: we don't expect to retake Aden in a short time, but we hope at least to slow down Saudi Arabia's offensive."
When Salim stated his request, he didn't sound very confident, because they really weren't in a position to demand anything from Gao Yang, so what he said was a plea, not an order.
If it was a plea, then Gao Yang naturally had to think it through: would it be more advantageous to focus on Aden, or more appropriate to put the emphasis on the Northwest Border.
He couldn't make a proper choice in a short time, and Gao Yang felt he needed to discuss it with the others before deciding, so he nodded and said in a low voice, "I'll think about it."
