bookcurios Chapter 277 Take the initiative
Chapter 277 Take the initiative
Just as Luancheng was busy preparing for the spring and summer goods fair and the whole city was immersed in the hustle and bustle, the Murong Xianbei family in the north made unusual moves.
Murong Bai, the ambitious leader, united the tribe to which Duan Yu belonged. They prepared their troops and gathered as many as 300,000 soldiers.
With flags covering the sky and drums thundering, the 300,000-strong army was like a surging tide, preparing to move south along the Gu River, its target directly at Yanzhou.
Their armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the sound of horses' hooves made the earth tremble slightly, as if foreshadowing the coming of a bloody storm.
Meanwhile, Prince Zhao Hui of Yan was not completely unaware. With his keen military acumen and powerful intelligence network, he quickly obtained this crucial intelligence.
In Yanzhou City, the atmosphere suddenly became tense and solemn.
Soldiers urgently assembled, and provisions, weapons, and equipment were quickly deployed. On the city walls, soldiers at the lookout posts kept a vigilant eye on the movements in the distance.
In the Prince of Yan's mansion, Zhao Hui frowned as he urgently discussed countermeasures with his generals and advisors. In front of the map, everyone expressed their opinions and argued endlessly.
Some advocated taking the initiative and striking the enemy head-on before they could fully assemble; others believed they should hold the city, wait for the perfect opportunity to strike back, and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. Zhao Hui pondered the matter carefully, weighing the pros and cons of each option.
The war that is about to break out is like a dense dark cloud, weighing heavily on everyone's heart. Both sides are mobilizing their troops in full swing. The fuse of war is about to be ignited, and the land of Yanzhou is about to usher in a thrilling life-and-death battle.
"How? Can we know exactly how many soldiers Murong Bai has led and how they have quietly entered the pass?"
Zhao Hui had 500,000 soldiers at his command, and he was not too worried about whether Murong Bai's troops could shake up Yanzhou.
"Spies report that Murong Bai has gathered 300,000 troops, but his rear is still actively recruiting troops."
"Still recruiting? It seems they are determined to take over Yanzhou this time and fight to the death!"
Inside the main hall, officials from all over Yanzhou gathered together to discuss the enemy's troop deployment and marching route. The atmosphere was solemn and tense.
Qin Lian slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on the winding path of the enemy army on the sand table. He then turned to Zhao Hui and spoke with unquestionable determination: "Prince Yan, I am willing to lead 100,000 elite troops to lay a tight net here and catch the enemy off guard."
Everyone followed the direction where Qin Lian tapped his finger, and their eyes converged on Houcheng Town - the vast plain that was full of hidden dangers.
"This place is indeed a perfect location for an ambush. The terrain is flat and the view is wide. The enemy will definitely come here and will have no chance of escaping our grasp."
Sun Bing, who had won Zhao Hui's trust with his wisdom and courage during the previous trip to Fanshan, had now been promoted to a trusted minister. He carefully examined the strategic points Qin Lian pointed out, frowned slightly, and turned to Qin Lian and asked:
"How can you be so sure, General, that Murong Bai's cavalry will fall into this trap?"
"Sun Changshi, you see, Murong Bai's army is so large that they will definitely choose this strategic location to station their troops. Their logistics and supplies will also be deployed along this route. This is indeed an excellent place to set up camp. As for Houcheng Town, its geographical location is quite secluded, and its whereabouts are difficult to predict."
As General Qin finished speaking, Sun Changshi nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming with deep thought. "General Qin is absolutely right. However, I have a concern. Murong Bai might split his forces, with two armies advancing simultaneously from this point, supporting each other."
After saying that, he gently swiped his slender finger and pointed to another place on the map: "That's Fengning!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a low exclamation was heard in the hall, and many people nodded secretly, thinking that Sun Bin's analysis made some sense.
"What Sun Changshi is worried about is indeed not groundless." Someone echoed in a low voice, and the atmosphere became solemn for a moment.
Sun Changshi's speculation is indeed reasonable and should not be underestimated..." Qin Lian paused slightly, taking a slow breath, and continued, "In this case, we might as well adopt a strategy of dividing our forces into two groups and setting an ambush."
Zhao Hui interjected thoughtfully, "What the two generals have said is very pertinent. However, we must proceed with caution in this ambush. The key lies in who will lead the troops."
"I dare to recommend Lieutenant General Liu to lead a group of troops to set up an ambush in Fengning." Qin Lian stepped forward with a firm tone.
Zhao Hui waved his hand gently, a hint of worry between his brows. "Lieutenant General Liu is more than brave, but he can be a bit paranoid. The battlefield is volatile, and if something unexpected happens, he might not be able to respond flexibly."
Qin Lian hesitated to speak when he heard this. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Hui interrupted him with a gesture: "As for the other route, I am willing to lead the troops myself, and Lieutenant General Liu will accompany me, so that we can provide mutual support."
"This..." The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze, as if even the air had stopped breathing. Everyone looked at each other in astonishment, their hearts filled with words, but they were choked by the sobs.
Some people wanted to say something but stopped themselves, and just as they were about to reach out to stop him, they saw Sun Bing nod slightly. Although the movement was subtle, it was like a thousand-pound hammer, hitting everyone's heart, letting them know that this dissuasion would be in vain.
Zhao Hui's gaze was as sharp as a torch, and he slowly revealed his plan. "My intention is to neutralize the enemy in the first battle, achieving our goal in one decisive action. If we fail, it will only dampen our army's morale. Furthermore, I have sent an envoy to General Zhang of the Border Army to request assistance, hoping for the allocation of 100,000 elite troops."
By observing their words and expressions, Zhao Hui understood the hesitation in everyone's hearts, so he spoke frankly with an unquestionable firmness in his tone.
At this time, the previously silent Governor Si Shitong finally spoke in a steady and powerful voice, "As for General Zhang, I will personally mediate. I have guarded Yanzhou for many years, so how could General Zhang Xiangyang not give me this favor? There should be room for maneuver regarding the troop deployment."
Zhao Hui heard this and smiled faintly. He turned his gaze to Si Shitong, full of gratitude and trust: "With the Governor personally taking action to coordinate General Zhang's affairs, it will naturally come to fruition. I am deeply grateful.
When General Zhang's men arrive, I'll leave another 50,000 men for you. Defending Yanzhou won't be difficult."
"Don't worry, King Yan. I have no fear defending Yanzhou City. With the soldiers left behind by the Yan army and the border troops, it won't be difficult to hold the city for a month."
After Si Shitong received Zhao Hui's explanation, his eyes became firm and he laughed heartily. His confident expression at this moment instilled confidence in everyone present.
After a series of sand table simulations, everyone finally finalized the combat plan and then went down to begin preparations.
After all, the army hadn't yet moved, so food and fodder were the primary priorities. Furthermore, there were also items like kerosene, ropes, and caltrops that needed to be prepared for ambushes...