All the generals burst out into laughter and agreed. Li XiangDong slapped Kong DaYuan on the shoulder and said, "I didn't expect you to have such a trick up your sleeves." Everyone felt that this plan was indeed feasible and could not help but feel a sense of relief. It was as though they had successfully escaped from the enemy's encirclement.
Kong DaYuan chuckled and said, "It is a pity that those three bastards will definitely intercept us on our way back. If not, even if we were to return in haste, our army would not be completely destroyed. Now, we definitely cannot return to Sky Bearing. However, apart from the direction that we came from, the other three directions are all filled with mountains. As long as we choose a mountain to defend, with the strength of our 70,000 brothers, even if we were to face the attack of a 400,000 strong army, we should be able to last for at least four days even if we were to make a conservative estimate! With these four days, if we really have reinforcements, they would definitely be here by now! If the reinforcements have not arrived by then, then there's no need to count on them. We might as well fight to the death with Northern Wei! "
Everyone agreed. After pondering for a long time, Ling Xiao was unable to come up with a better plan. With a single order, all the generals went to their positions and prepared to act according to Kong DaYuan's plan!
While Kong DaYuan's calculations were meticulous, he was only an outstanding general and not a true strategist! Furthermore, he had made a huge mistake in his calculations! When he said that they would be able to defend, it was based on their current strength! He had actually neglected the fact that under the encirclement of the 400,000 strong army, especially when they were about to face the strongest enemy, how many of Ling Xiao's 70,000 soldiers would be able to successfully break out of the encirclement with the rest of the army?! As for the remaining soldiers, would they be able to occupy a mountain and defend without falling into the enemy's trap?! Even if they were able to do so, how many days would they be able to last? However, there was one thing that was certain: they would definitely not be able to last until the fourth day!
On the battlefield, arrows from both armies were flying in the air. Screams of agony could be heard continuously. While the Sky Bearing army was delaying for time, the Northern Wei army was also delaying for time. Both parties seemed to have the same idea …
On the side of the Northern Wei, Wei Chengping said with some doubt, "Brother Shui, the cavalry attack just now caused heavy casualties. However, it was unable to shake the foundations of the Ling army. Isn't it not worth the loss?" Seeing the cavalry fall off their horses, just a single charge and they had already lost four to five thousand men! Wei Chengping's heart was bleeding.
The cavalry leading the charge was the best of the best in the Northern Wei army! They had always been the greatest weapon to defeat the enemy, but under the command of the Shui youth, they were all pushed to the front lines in the first battle. At that time, the Shui youth had said, "Ling Xiao's army was abandoned by the country, and everyone was in a state of panic, losing the will to fight! After being betrayed by their own allies, they lost even more of their fighting spirit! In such a situation, I believe that our elite cavalry will be able to break the enemy formation apart with a single charge. This will greatly reduce the number of casualties! "
At that time, Wei Chengping felt that his words were simply too logical! Furthermore, to crush the Sky Bearing army's god of war, Ling Xiao, would be a huge merit and glory! Thus, Wei Chengping agreed to this suggestion without any hesitation. Who would have thought that after a single charge, not only were they unable to break through the enemy camp, they actually lost a third of their elite cavalry! Only then did he realize that something was wrong.
Right at this moment, the Shui youth muttered to himself, The strength of Ling Xiao's troops doesn't seem to match the legends. It seems to be a little too weak. This time, we are obviously giving you a huge gift, sending a bunch of elites up for you to chop down. However, you are only able to take down so little! What a huge disappointment!
The Shui youth had great ambitions, so how could he allow Wei Chengping's elite troops to remain? Wouldn't they become the biggest obstacle to him when he tried to seize power in the future? As long as the number of resolute and loyal elite soldiers under Wei ChengPing's command was reduced, then wouldn't the newly recruited soldiers be their mothers? Would they be able to cry and beg to follow him just because he gave them some benefits? What kind of thing was Wei Chengping? How could he be fit to be the ruler of the world?! What a joke!
Hearing Wei Chengping's question, the Shui youth sneered, "It seems that brother Wei is really feeling heartache?"
Wei Chengping snorted, but did not say anything.
The Shui youth's face sank, "Brother Wei, this is a battlefield! This is war! Without sacrifices, how can there be any victory? As the saying goes, a general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand men. A monarch's hegemony is built on the bones of men. If Brother Wei can't see through this point and still has a woman's benevolence in your heart, then there is no need to talk about conquering the world! "
Wei Chengping replied, "I am naturally not soft-hearted! I am also not someone who is unwilling to sacrifice. However, brother Shui, the sacrifice of those 5,000 soldiers is truly inexplicable! We could have used our infantry to slowly push forward, and after a few days of attrition, we would naturally be able to achieve victory … "
The Shui youth's face was filled with anger as he interrupted him, "Brother Wei, are you blaming me for not commanding the troops properly? Do you know that if not for your sudden order to retreat, the situation of the battle would have changed completely? Originally, the cavalry was already several zhang away from the Ling army, but because of your soft-heartedness, all our efforts were wasted. If brother Wei does not approve of my command, you can command the troops yourself. I will not mind at all! "
Wei Chengping hurriedly squeezed out a smile, "No, no! Brother Shui, please don't think too much. This King knows that my brother's battle formation skills are unparalleled in the world. I was just saying that without any other meaning. "Ever since he knew of the background of this Shui youth, how could Wei Chengping dare to offend him?
The expression of the young man with the surname Shui relaxed a little as he slowly said, "Although you acted on your own initiative in the previous attack and spoiled my plans, I have indeed underestimated Ling Xiao. To think that he is able to command his troops so calmly in such a desperate situation. Indeed, he lives up to his reputation as the 'War God'."
The Shui youth paused for a moment before replying, "How could I not know that our army has the advantage and it would be best for us to take things slowly? However, I received news that Ling Xiao's son, Ling Tian, has already led tens of thousands of elites over from a thousand miles away to provide reinforcements after receiving the news from an unknown source! Thus, Ling Xiao's side must be resolved quickly! Even if we expend a large amount of our elite troops, it is still impossible! "
Wei Chengping's eyes flashed as he said, "So that's the case. No wonder Brother Shui would make such arrangements." Actually, with Wei Chengping's suspicious character, he could naturally tell that the Shui youth's words were most likely an excuse. However, the current situation wasn't the time to pursue this matter. Although he knew that he had suffered a huge loss, he had no choice but to remain silent.
The Shui youth's eyes flashed as he slowly ordered, "Since things have come to this, the next step of the plan has to be brought forward. Immediately pass down my orders. Attack from three sides, leaving only the south-east, forcing Ling Xiao to escape from here! "
Wei Chengping was taken aback, "Wait! Brother Shui, the Western Han's ambush is in the north-west. Why does Brother Shui want to leave the south-east? There isn't a single soldier lying in ambush there. Isn't that the same as letting the tiger return to the mountain? If we allow Ling Xiao to escape, there will be no end to the troubles in the future! "
The Shui youth let out a long sigh in his heart, This super fool! He then asked patiently, "If you were Ling Xiao and saw that our army was attacking from three sides, leaving only the south-east empty, what would you do?"
Wei Chengping was stunned for a moment before he blurted out, "Surrounding three sides and one sides, there must be an ambush!" The moment he said that, he came to a realization and slapped his head, "So that's the case. What is true is false, and what is false is true. Brother Shui is truly wise, taking into account every possibility."
A trace of mockery flashed past the Shui youth's eyes as he shouted to the messenger by the side, "Raise the flag and attack with all our might!"
The rumbling of the marching drums sounded in the sky! All the Northern Wei soldiers roared in unison, shaking the heavens and earth! Following which, they pounced over.
On the side of Sky Bearing, the archers at the front had already been replaced six times, with the dead and injured being carried away. Following the sound of the drums, Ling Xiao gave the order and the arrows on the bowstrings of all the archers turned into fiery arrows. With a single command, the arrows were lit up like ferocious torches on the bowstrings!
"Fire!" The red flag in the middle commander's hand shot down!
"Chi chi chi chi …" The sound of bowstrings being released could be heard as the fiery arrows left the bowstrings. However, the fiery arrows were not shot towards the bodies of the Northern Wei soldiers, but towards the rolling logs that were thrown out earlier. The rolling logs were already coated with a layer of black oil, and the moment the fiery arrows landed on them, they immediately burst into flames. In that instant, the area 200 feet in front of the Sky Bearing army was engulfed in a sea of fire! The torrential heatwave caused the hair on the heads of the Sky Bearing soldiers who were a few hundred feet away to dry up.
From time to time, sizzling sounds could be heard. Those were the corpses of the Northern Wei soldiers that were caught in the rolling logs. Along with this teeth-numbing sound, an indescribable stench and charred smell suddenly permeated the air.
Many of the Northern Wei soldiers who were originally lying on the ground were burned by the fiery arrows. Their bones and tendons twitched as their corpses suddenly sat up from the ground, as though they had come back to life. The scene was extremely bizarre! The soldiers of both armies broke out in cold sweat as they watched this scene, their backs drenched in cold sweat!
"Kill! … "The Northern Wei soldiers shouted as they charged forward with their blades raised. However, just as they were halfway there, a sea of fire suddenly appeared in front of them! Many of them were unable to stop in time and charged headfirst into the sea of fire. In that instant, a wave of miserable cries could be heard. There were even some who had already stopped in their tracks, but their comrades behind continued to charge forward, knocking a row of soldiers in front of them into the sea of fire! In front of the two armies, countless Northern Wei soldiers were rolling around in the sea of fire. Some of them even suddenly turned around and started running. It was a tragic sight. As the Northern Wei soldiers saw their comrades in such a situation, they could not do anything about it. They all turned their heads away, unable to bear to watch any longer.
The two hundred feet of fire was like the descent of Asura into the mortal world!
On the side of the Northern Wei, the war drums were still beating non-stop. Looking at the sea of fire in front of them, the Northern Wei soldiers immediately felt that the war drums behind them were the drums of death. Many of them could not help but shout, "Stop beating the drums, there is a sea of fire in front of us. Are you trying to force us to be burned alive?"
The Shui youth sat on his horse with a cold expression as he ordered expressionlessly, "Fearing fire is not the former! Kill! All troops, continue to attack! Destroy Ling Xiao's forces with all you've got! "
Wei Chengping's face twitched violently as he watched his soldiers struggling in the sea of fire. His handsome face instantly contorted. (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please go to www.qidian.com to read more chapters. Support the author, support the original reading!)
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