bayedsolid Chapter 2255 No Hesitation
Chapter 2255 No Hesitation
The open fields outside the west gate of Jianghuai City have now been completely transformed into a battlefield that devours life.
The night and the firelight intertwined, illuminating countless hideous faces and fallen corpses.
With the support of Liu Shijie's troops, Feng Mulan barely managed to stabilize the crumbling defense line and even began to try to join forces with Liu Shijie's troops to build a more solid defense with their backs against the city wall.
Meanwhile, on the flank and rear, Zhang Shijie's navy, after a fierce and bloody battle, finally succeeded in defeating the Youzhou army's "Iron Wall Battalion".
Not only did it open the passage to the core area of the allied forces, but it also drove the defeated Youzhou soldiers back like a turbid mudslide that broke through the dam, disrupting part of the Scorpion Clan army's formation.
When Zhang Shijie, following the signal arrow from Feng Mulan, began to adjust the main force's attack direction, forming a clear pincer movement with Feng Mulan's troops, attempting to flank Gongsun Yi's main force located in the center of the battlefield...
This battle-hardened scorpion general finally truly felt the deadly threat pressing in from two directions simultaneously.
Gongsun Yi stood on a slightly higher earthen slope, the firelight reflecting off the cold tattoos on his face.
He looked around: in front of him was the Chu army, which Feng Mulan and Liu Shijie had regrouped and were fighting tenaciously against the city walls, like wounded beasts.
Although it is difficult to completely defeat it in the short term, its resilience far exceeds expectations.
To their flanks and rear were Zhang Shijie's navy, which had just defeated the Youzhou army and was now charging towards their flanks with high morale, as well as the Youzhou soldiers who were being driven away, crying and fleeing, which in turn disrupted the formation of some of their reserve troops.
Further away, although the arrows and stones fired by the defenders on the city walls of Jianghuai had become much less frequent, they still posed a continuous threat.
A chill, mixed with the stench of blood and burnt smell from the battlefield, crept up Gongsun Yi's back.
He realized that his carefully constructed offensive, intended to quickly break through the Jianghuai region, had fallen into an unprecedented predicament, and was even in danger of being surrounded and swallowed up!
"A decision must be made!"
Gongsun Yi's mind raced as he calculated, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead, not from the heat, but from the sudden turn of events.
It seemed that only two paths lay before him:
1. Immediately consolidate your forces and make every effort to break through and retreat to the north or northeast.
Taking advantage of the fact that Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie had not yet fully closed the encirclement, they used the mobility of the Scorpion Clan cavalry to escape this increasingly unfavorable battlefield and preserve their strength.
But the consequences of doing so would be extremely serious—once he retreated, Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie's two Chu armies would have no more worries about their rear and would inevitably march eastward immediately, heading straight for Changtingpo!
At that time, Helian Hui Khan, who was fighting a bloody battle with Chu Ning and Ma Chao there, would be caught in a three-way attack by Chu Ning, Ma Chao and Zhao Yu, and would almost certainly die!
If Helian Hui is defeated and killed, not only will the main force of the Scorpion Clan be lost in this southward expedition, but Gongsun Yi, as an ally and general, will also lose prestige and may even be held accountable.
Second, hold your ground, build defensive positions, and fight to the bitter end.
Gather all available troops, especially his elite "Blood Wolf Guards," and use the existing terrain and some remaining simple fortifications on the battlefield to form a solid defensive circular or semi-circular formation to withstand the pincer attack from Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie.
If we can hold out and drag the battle to Changtingpo, where Helian Hui Khan can successfully kill Chu Ning and then lead his victorious army back to reinforce, the tide of battle can still be turned!
They might even be able to turn defeat into victory.
But the risks are equally enormous.
If Helian Hui's side fails to capture Chu Ning for a long time, or even if the siege drags on and they get stuck in a stalemate, then Gongsun Yi will have to face the increasing pressure from Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie alone.
His troops have been fighting all day and are exhausted, suffering heavy casualties. How long can they hold out against the combined attack of two well-rested and high-spirited Chu armies?
Once the defense line is breached, the consequence will be the same: total annihilation, and the deaths will be meaningless, with no reinforcements in sight.
Both options come with enormous risks and potentially catastrophic consequences.
Retreat would mean sacrificing Helian Hui and the Battle of Changtingpo.
Holding firm means placing one's fate entirely in Helian Hui's offensive speed.
time does not wait!
The battle cries of Zhang Shijie's troops grew closer, and Feng Mulan's counterattack began to become more organized.
We can't hesitate any longer!
A ruthless and resolute glint flashed in Gongsun Yi's eyes.
He suddenly looked up towards the direction of Changtingpo. Although he couldn't see anything due to the darkness and distance, he could almost feel the equally fierce fighting taking place there.
He can't retreat!
If they retreat, Helian Hui will surely die, the Scorpion Clan's southward strategy will completely fail, and the alliance with Chu Xuan and Li Shiming may also break down. Gongsun Yi will become a sinner in the clan!
"Give the order to the entire army!"
Gongsun Yi's voice was hoarse but carried an iron will, instantly overwhelming the surrounding noise.
"Abandon all offensive! Immediately retreat towards my central command post!"
"All cavalrymen dismounted and, using vehicles, supplies, and corpses as cover, constructed a circular defensive position on the spot!"
"Spears outwards, archers up the earthen mound! The 'Blood Wolf Guards' will provide support from the center, ready to fill any gaps at any time!"
He made his choice—to stay put and wait for reinforcements!
They pinned their hopes on Helian Hui achieving victory over Chu Ning and then returning in time.
But this is not enough.
Passively taking the beating is not a good strategy. He must buy time for Helian Hui and mobilize all possible resources to help himself stabilize the situation, and even relieve the pressure on Helian Hui.
"Immediately select three teams of the most elite and alert messengers!"
Gongsun Yi quickly gave orders to his trusted generals: "One team, proceed to Changtingpo as fast as possible to meet Khan Helian Hui, His Majesty the Emperor of Tang, and Prince Chu Xuan!"
"Tell them that my troops were fiercely attacked from both sides by the Chu armies of Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie under the walls of Jianghuai City. A portion of our allied forces in Youzhou was routed, and the situation is critical!"
"I have decided to lead my troops to hold the line and hold off these two Chu armies, buying them time to besiege and kill Chu Ning!"
He paused, his eyes gleaming, and added the two most crucial requests:
"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty must mobilize his eight thousand elite Xuanjia cavalry, who have never participated in the battle, to join the fight immediately."
"At all costs, stop Zhao Yu's White Horse Cavalry who are rushing from the south bank ferry! We must not allow the White Horse Cavalry to join the Changtingpo or Jianghuai battlefield!"
"I request that Prince Chu Xuan issue the strictest military orders to immediately gather the scattered and hesitant Youzhou army units and send them back to our aid at full speed!"
"Join forces with me to first defeat Feng Mulan and Zhang Shijie, and stabilize the situation under the walls of Jianghuai City!"
It is impossible for them to retreat.
If they retreat here, the entire battle situation will be greatly affected.
Therefore, he only has one path to take, which is to fight to the bitter end!