The Song River meandered from north to south, flowed through the gorge, and finally merged into the sea.
The source of the river was turbulent and steep, densely covered with reefs. As it passed through the middle and lower reaches, the water became gentle, and the river became wider.
There were many ferries and ships, and it was adjacent to Haozhou and Chenzhou. It was the best springboard for Huang Song to attack Cangzhou.
However, as Feng Jin had analyzed, Cangzhou was of little value to Huang Song. It was tasteless, but it would be a pity to abandon it.
Its only purpose was to attract and mislead Jiang Pengji's firepower. It seemed to be a direct attack on Cangzhou, but it was actually intended for Wanzhou and Hu County.
If Jiang Pengji's main force could be lured to Cangzhou, then Huang Song's real main force could take the opportunity to attack the hinterland of Jiang Pengji's power.
Everyone knew this, but war was about what was real and what was fake. Not only did it depend on logistics and financial resources, but it also depended on psychology to see who could be deceived.
Feng Jin was a clear-headed and rational person. Naturally, he would not be fooled so easily.
Dian Yan, dressed in armor, rushed into the main tent. Meng Hun and Feng Jin were discussing something with their heads lowered. There was a huge sand table in front of them. The current sand table was the simplest, but after their lord's improvements, it became three-dimensional and exquisite. The terrain of the mountains and rivers could be seen at a glance. The sand table in front of Meng Hun and Feng Jin took two to three months to collect and make.
Just by looking at the sand table, Feng Jin could simulate the enemy's further marching routes and movements in his mind.
Dian Yan barged in without permission. His expression was gloomy. Feng Jin put down the deduction model.
"Is there any progress at the front?"
Dian Yan walked too hastily. The armor he wore was so heavy that he was panting heavily when he spoke.
He said, "Military counselor, things are not good. The scouts at the front reported that the enemy crossed the river for four consecutive days. There are 20,000 troops and horses, a total of 80,000!"
Didn't they say that Cangzhou was just a feint by Huang Song? Why did he send 80,000 troops and horses?
Even if more than 50% of the 80,000 troops were marines, there would still be 40,000 elites left.
40,000 elites was not a lot, but they did not have that many troops stationed in Cangzhou. They might not be able to resist.
After hearing this, Feng Jin's eyes flashed with surprise. According to his understanding of the entire occupation, it was impossible for Huang Song to send so many troops to Cangzhou. He had only occupied two prefectures and did not have a lot of troops. Just by dividing his troops, he already had as many as 80,000. Was he planning to bet on Cangzhou?
Feng Jin frowned, and Meng Hun, who was beside him, also revealed a solemn expression. Dian Yan said in a panic, "Military Advisor, what should we do now?"
Jiang Pengji only sent 30,000 elite troops to Cangzhou. Feng Jin calculated the provisions and with her consent, he recruited another 20,000 "water soldiers" locally. The total number was 50,000. Huang Song had suddenly dispatched eighty thousand soldiers, and the pressure on Feng Jin's side had suddenly increased.
Meng Hun suggested, "Why don't we write a letter to the Lord and ask for more troops?"
Feng Jin flatly refused.
"We can't. If we send more troops to Cangzhou, Wanzhou and Hu County will be in danger."
In order to save on food, material resources, and financial resources, his lord had always taken the route of elite soldiers. This time, Jiang Pengji had only agreed to the recruitment of "water soldiers" after Feng Jin had persuaded her in every possible way. If they asked for reinforcements, the forces defending Wanzhou and Hu County would be weak. That would be courting death!
Feng Jin said, "Even if we lose Cangzhou, nothing must happen to Wanzhou and Hu County."
When Meng Hun and Dian Yan saw this, they immediately shut their mouths tightly and no longer spoke.
They both knew that Feng Jin was right.
If Hu County was lost, it would be equivalent to giving Huang Song a prefecture's grain depot for nothing. It would allow him to continue fighting in the winter.
If Wanzhou was lost, it would be equivalent to the enemy stabbing the heart of his own forces. The territory would be forcefully cut apart, and they would not be able to take care of everything.
It was precisely because these two places were so important that Feng Jin could not understand why Huang Song had sent a large number of troops to attack Cangzhou.
Cangzhou was a place that had no money, no food, and no warhorses … The warhorses had already been plundered by the lord. What else was there to gain?
Feng Jin stared at the sand table in a daze. After a long time, he said, "Let's wait another day. We'll scout again and report!"
The battle between the feudal lords not only concerned the general situation of the world, but it also concerned the lives of one's family.
If Huang Song wanted to win against the lord, he could not make a single wrong move.
Sending a large number of troops to attack Cangzhou was in itself a move that could not be any worse!
His state of mind was firm. He was not the least bit frightened by the 80,000 troops that Huang Song had sent out.
On the fifth day, the sky was just beginning to brighten. The thick fog on the surface of the gorge river had yet to dissipate. Huang Song sent another 20,000 troops to cross the river on boats.
"Another 20,000?"
Feng Jin was dumbfounded. Had Huang Song and his tacticians really been kicked in the head by a donkey?
The two sides were not attacking each other's lifeline in a chess match. Instead, they were taking advantage of the small fish and shrimp around them. Even Feng Jin could not understand what was going on.
Dian Yan panted heavily. He raised his hand and wiped his face with his fan-like palm. Greasy hot sweat soaked his palm, and he casually rubbed it on his armor. He had not taken this armor off for two days. The salt stains from the sweat that had dried stuck to the inner lining. It was quite uncomfortable …
Dian Yan said, "Counselor, even if we don't request reinforcements from the lord, we should still report that Huang Song sent 100,000 troops to cross the gorge river."
"100,000? Did Huang Song fish out the coffin? "Feng Jin raised an eyebrow." I will report to the lord. "
Seeing this, Dian Yan could only sigh inwardly.
Feng Jin's attitude was already very clear. He would rather put Cangzhou in danger to protect Wanzhou and Hu County.
Thinking of this, Dian Yan's spirits were lifted. Only after resting could he fight the enemy to his heart's content.
F * ck them!
Just as Dian Yan was cursing in his heart, Feng Jin said, "The troops that Huang Song sent were about 30,000 to 40,000."
"30,000 to 40,000? The scouts reported that it was clearly 100,000 … "
Dian Yan's cultural studies had been tutored by Yang Simeng. He could not compare to a professor of the Five Classics, but he could still count.
"It is precisely because the number of 100,000 is too large that the real number of troops is only 30,000 to 40,000." Feng Jin said, "There is a saying in military strategy that all is fair in war. If Huang Song really sent 100,000 or even more troops to attack Cangzhou, why has there been no movement in the past five days? "
Feng Jin had no evidence, but he believed in his own judgment.
Beside him, Meng Hun was extremely surprised. "Then this 100,000 …"
Feng Jin frowned. "I suspect that the enemy is probably divided into two groups. They cross the river during the day and circle back at night. The two groups take turns. They cross the river back and forth, causing the scouts to misjudge and mistakenly believe that the enemy has sufficient troops. If this is the case, everything makes sense. "
Dian Yan and Meng Hun were speechless.
Was there such a trick?
Feng Jin continued, "Of course, this is just speculation."
Dian Yan and Meng Hun simultaneously shuddered. If they could not withstand the psychological pressure exerted by the enemy and really requested for more troops …
"For the sake of caution, we still have to make a comprehensive response and not give the enemy a chance to take advantage of the situation."
Even if Cangzhou was only a chicken rib, if he could swallow it, Huang Song could still gnaw some meat out of it.
He had nothing to lose now, but his lord had to be cautious.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
