bayedsolid Chapter 1973 Success!
Chapter 1973 Success!
"Chief Helian and General Zhang's 40,000 troops should be on their way to Luoxia Mountain at this moment."
"They need time, and they need to keep the Chu army's attention firmly focused on this place!"
He turned abruptly and issued a new order: "Send word! The vanguard shall change formation, adopt a posture of pursuing the retreating Chu army, and launch a pressing attack!"
"The central army's archers and crossbowmen move forward to provide covering fire on the walls! The rear army continues to create the appearance of reinforcements and troop concentration!"
His gaze swept over the generals, his tone chilling: "We must send Chu Ning a clear signal—our army is not satisfied with his retreat. We remain highly motivated and even want to press our advantage and take the city down in one fell swoop!"
"In this way, he will focus all his attention on the defense of Zhennan Pass and will have even less time to attend to other matters!"
"This is the best cover for Helian Wujiu and the others!"
"Understood, sir!" The generals suddenly realized and immediately accepted the order and left.
Moments later, the Tang army's offensive did not weaken due to the Chu army's retreat; on the contrary, it became even more aggressive!
The vanguard closely pursued the rear guard of the Chu army, raining arrows down on the retreating Chu troops and the walls of the pass like locusts.
More Tang troops marched out of their camps, displaying siege equipment and beating war drums with deafening force, clearly intending to launch a forced attack on the city while the Chu army was still retreating and not yet firmly established!
On the walls, the Chu army, which had just retreated, had no time to catch their breath before they had to immediately throw themselves into the tense battle of defending the city.
Logs, stones, hot oil, and molten gold were hauled up the city walls, and archers stood ready behind the crenellations.
Chu Ning looked at the Tang army's relentless and aggressive offensive below the pass with icy eyes.
Li Jing's reaction seemed to further confirm his judgment—the Tang army wanted to take advantage of the slight advantage gained in this field battle and try to expand the results.
"Order all units to defend the pass with all their might! I want to see how many troops Li Jing has that he can fill this Zhennan Pass!"
Chu Ning gave a deep order, focusing all attention on the immediate battle to defend the city.
Unbeknownst to him, under the cover of the deafening drums of siege and the rain of arrows,
A 40,000-strong army that would determine the fate of Luoxia Mountain had quietly moved away from the main battlefield, like a crocodile diving into deep water, and was now opening its bloody maw towards the weakest link in the Chu army's defense system.
Li Jing's elaborate deception, thanks to Chu Ning's caution and his own convincing performance, is gradually leading to success.
Three days later.
The three-day, three-night forced march was like a test of the limits of willpower and physical strength.
Helian Wujiu and Zhang Xun led an army of 40,000 men, like a silent and swift torrent of steel, bypassing the official roads and traversing mountain trails, concealing their movements as much as possible.
People gagged and horses hoofed, they hardly stopped except for necessary rest and feeding.
As dawn approached on the fourth day, and the sky began to lighten, the army finally arrived at the designated location.
A wide river valley area located about fifty miles northeast of the main position of Luoxia Mountain.
This place is backed by a gentle slope and has a stream flowing by on the side, making it convenient to fetch water and providing good visibility and space to deploy troops. It is an ideal place for temporary troop deployment.
The continuous high-intensity marches left both the fierce Scorpion Clan cavalry and the well-trained Tang infantry showing undisguised fatigue.
The warhorses were drenched in sweat, snorting and foaming at the mouth; the soldiers had dark circles under their eyes, their steps were unsteady, and many could barely stand by relying on their weapons.
His armor was covered in dust and grass clippings from the journey, making him look even more disheveled.
Helian Wujiu reined in his equally panting warhorse. His rugged face showed a hint of weariness, but the wildness and excitement in his eyes remained undiminished.
He looked around and said to Zhang Xun in a deep voice, "General Zhang, this place is good! The men and horses are almost at their limit and can't run any further."
"Pass down the order: set up camp here, cook a meal, and let everyone have a good rest for a day!"
Although Zhang Xun was equally exhausted, as an experienced general, he considered things more thoroughly.
He nodded in agreement: "Chief Helian is absolutely right. The army is exhausted from the forced march. If we rush into battle without resting, we may not be able to exert our full strength."
"This place is still fifty miles away from Luoxia Mountain. Its location is secluded, which allows our army to conceal its movements and recover its strength."
He paused, then added, "However, after setting up camp, we must immediately dispatch scouts to block off the surrounding roads and strictly prohibit anyone from approaching, to ensure that our army's whereabouts are not revealed."
"It's natural!"
Helian Wujiu waved his hand, and his Golden Scorpion Cavalry were best at this kind of perimeter surveillance and battlefield cover.
The order was quickly relayed, and the exhausted soldiers let out a sigh of relief. They then rallied their spirits and began to get to work.
The well-trained Tang infantry were responsible for surveying the terrain, demarcating camp areas, digging trenches, and setting up fences.
The Scorpion Clan cavalry removed their saddles and let their warhorses drink and rest by the stream.
At the same time, elite rangers were dispatched, like a net cast out, quickly disappearing into the surrounding hills and woodlands, forming an invisible warning line.
Before long, a rather large and heavily guarded temporary camp began to take shape.
Smoke rose in wisps, and the aroma of food temporarily dispelled the fatigue of the march.
However, Helian Wujiu and Zhang Xun did not rest.
As soon as the central command tent was set up, the two immediately summoned their core generals for an emergency military meeting.
A simple topographical map of the area surrounding Luoxia Mountain was laid out on the grass.
Zhang Xun pointed to two points on the map representing the main position of the Chu army and the location of Wang Zhongsi's Tang army, and said in a deep voice:
"Our troops have arrived, and the opportunity is fleeting."
"However, the Chu army is holding a strategic position, and Xue Huaide is no ordinary man. If we launch a strong attack, even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory, and there is no guarantee that they will not hold their ground or break out."
Helian Wujiu waved his hand impatiently: "General Zhang, no need to beat around the bush, just tell me, how do we fight?"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhang Xun's eyes as he revealed the strategy he and Li Jing had already discussed:
"Lure the enemy deep into our territory, then surround and annihilate them!"
He explained in detail: "Our troops will rest for a day to recuperate and build up their strength."
"At the same time, we must immediately dispatch a capable messenger to General Wang Zhongsi's camp in secret to inform him of our plans and our location."
He drew an arc on the map with his finger: "It is agreed that at 9:00 AM tomorrow, General Wang Zhongsi will send out a portion of his troops to feign a strong attack on the Chu army's positions."
"In this battle, defeat is permissible, victory is not!"
"To make the defeat real, to make it look like a disastrous defeat, we should abandon some of our flags and supplies, make it appear as if we are in complete disarray, and retreat southeastward, to the river valley where our army is lying in ambush!"