bayedsolid Chapter 2022 It’s rude to come and not return.
Chapter 2022 It’s rude to come and not return.
Li Jing's finger traced across his own camp area on the sand table: "I order you to immediately begin adjusting the deployment within my camp!"
His voice carried a hint of coldness: "The camp layout remains unchanged, but the garrison positions of each army must be rotated!"
"In particular, the archer positions, catapult sites, food and fodder storage points, and the location of the central army reserve have all been replanned and rearranged!"
"Those locations that were spotted by the Chu army last night, move them if possible; for those that cannot be moved, strengthen their camouflage or set up false targets to confuse the enemy!"
"In addition, dig more horse traps within the camp, and add more chevaux-de-frise and barbed wire, especially in the passages between the camps and in weak areas that may be chosen as breach points by the enemy, and make careful arrangements!"
"I want this camp to remain unchanged on the outside, but completely renovated inside, so that the Chu army's spying will become nothing more than a pile of outdated waste paper!"
This series of orders clearly demonstrates Li Jing's foresight and strategic thinking.
He doesn't just passively defend; he incorporates proactive changes into his defense.
On one hand, he used Tuwujin's feigned attack to divert the Chu army's attention, and on the other hand, he had Wang Zhongsi secretly adjust the defense system so that the enemy could not grasp the true situation.
This is both a pragmatic move to deal with the current probing and an attempt to increase uncertainty and improve our chances of winning in the future decisive battle.
A hint of understanding and admiration flashed in Wang Zhongsi's eyes, and he immediately accepted the order:
"Understood! I will make the arrangements immediately, ensuring that the Chu army cannot discern the truth from the falsehood!"
Just past noon, the winter sun shone with a lazy warmth, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere of war both inside and outside Zhennan Pass.
On the wall, the Chu soldiers on duty had just changed shifts and were watching the silent Tang army camp in the distance with vigilance.
However, this silence did not last long.
Sudden--
"W-W-W-W-!"
A shrill and urgent bugle call suddenly rang out from the direction of the Tang army camp, like the howl of a hungry wolf, instantly tearing apart the afternoon tranquility!
Immediately afterwards, the camp gates burst open, billowing smoke and dust, and a massive army surged out like a flood bursting its banks!
Leading the way was a dark mass of cavalry, clad in variegated leather armor, brandishing scimitars and emitting strange howls—it was none other than the Blood Wolf Cavalry led by Tuwu Jin!
Closely following behind were Tang infantrymen with firm steps, carrying shields and spears, as well as a large number of engineers carrying ladders and pushing simple battering rams!
This mixed force of about 20,000 men, with a clear objective and aggressive momentum, headed straight for the east side of the city wall of Zhennanguan!
The sounds of horses' hooves, footsteps, and shouts merged into a massive wave of sound, causing the ground to tremble slightly.
"Enemy attack! The Tang army has besieged the city!"
At the Zhennanguan fortress, alarm bells blared and shouts of warning echoed throughout!
The well-trained Chu soldiers instantly entered combat readiness, and the officers shouted commands at the top of their lungs.
The archers rushed to the ramparts and nocked their cold arrows.
Logs and stones were lifted together and carried up the battlements, while the boiling molten gold bubbled nauseatingly in the iron pot.
The massive ballista was pulled back by the winch, and bolts as thick as a child's arm were aimed at the surging enemy troops below the city.
The entire fortified wall, like a steel behemoth awakened in an instant, bared its ferocious fangs and stood ready for battle!
Within the pass, a temporary imperial palace.
Chu Ning and Feng Mulan were discussing the possible future battle situation on the sand table, while Feng Anguo stood by.
The sudden sound of sirens and the faint shouts of battle outside the hall made the three of them raise their heads at the same time.
Soon, a palace attendant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, the enemy troops outside the pass have made unusual movements!"
Almost simultaneously, Feng Anguo, clad in armor, also received precise military intelligence from the front. He strode up to Chu Ning, bowed, and reported:
"Your Majesty, there is confirmed information that the Tang general Tuwujin, leading his cavalry and some Tang infantry, totaling about 20,000 troops, is fiercely attacking our eastern city wall!"
"Twenty thousand?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning raised his eyebrows slightly.
Instead of panic, a look of extreme amusement flashed in his eyes.
He repeated the number, a half-smile playing on his lips.
He turned his head to look at Feng Mulan beside him, his tone carrying a knowing understanding of his opponent's thoughts:
“My dear consort, look, Li Jing is putting his newfound knowledge to use, turning the tables on his opponent.”
A hint of understanding flashed in Feng Mulan's cool eyes, and she nodded slightly:
"Your Majesty is wise. Last night, our army sent Ran Ming with 20,000 cavalry to probe their camp. Today, they have returned the favor with 20,000 troops. This is no coincidence."
Chu Ning stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the commotion coming from the east. His eyes were deep, as if they could penetrate the walls and see Li Jing strategizing in the central command tent.
He slowly analyzed, "Li Jing is a seasoned and shrewd military strategist, and is by no means a reckless person."
"He must have already figured out that our actions last night were intended to test his camp deployment and find out the strength or weakness of his defenses."
He turned around, looked at Feng Mulan and Feng Anguo, and said with certainty, "Therefore, his actions today have at least two purposes."
"Firstly, as Mulan said, it was a reciprocal response, intended to show that he was not afraid of fighting, to boost his morale which might be low due to repeated defeats, and to tell our army that he also had the courage to attack."
"And the second thing..."
A glint flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "I'm afraid that's even more crucial. His large-scale attack on the city with 20,000 Tuwu Jin troops is actually a feint!"
"The purpose is to attract our army's attention and keep our focus firmly on the city's defenses."
"In this way, he can take this opportunity to calmly adjust his troop deployment, move the crossbow positions, and change the focus of defense within his camp!"
"Let's render all the intelligence we painstakingly gathered last night useless in just one day!"
"What a clever strategist, Li Jing! What a brilliant feint!"
This analysis thoroughly dissects the deeper strategic intentions hidden behind Li Jing's seemingly simple siege operation.
Upon hearing this, Feng Anguo's face also turned solemn: "Your Majesty is wise! It seems that Li Jing is not passively taking a beating, but actively seeking a way out, and even plotting against our army."
"If he wants to scheme, he'll have to see if I'll allow it."
Chu Ning snorted coldly, his face regaining the decisiveness and majesty of an emperor.
He naturally wouldn't let Li Jing achieve his goal so easily.
"Feng Anguo!"
"The general is here!"
"Order the commander of the eastern city to rely on the city's defenses and hold firm with all his might to dampen the enemy's morale! But there is no need to be too nervous, as the enemy's focus is not on this."
"The general will obey the order!"
Immediately, Chu Ning's gaze sharpened. He needed to take a more proactive approach, not only to break through Li Jing's feint attack, but also to probe his true intentions.
"By imperial decree, Zhao Yu is ordered to immediately muster ten thousand White Horse cavalry, exit the pass through the south gate, circle around to the flank of the attacking enemy forces, and launch a surprise attack!"