On the 5th of December, the sky cleared up. Bai Ze's 180,000 mercenaries left Xiping City in a grandiose manner, leaving less than 5,000 people to defend the city. At the same time, they took 10,000 soldiers from Xiping City to serve as backup troops.
Lin Muyu, Qin Yin, and Tang Xiaoxi were mixed in with the strategists. They had all changed into black robes. All the strategists were hidden in the dark, which was why they wore black robes. They never showed their faces to others. However, a sword hilt wrapped in black cloth protruded from Lin Muyu's cloak, making people feel somewhat stifled. Even though she was a strategist, she was a strategist who could fight. She wasn't weak like the others.
Si Kongyao rode alongside Lin Muyu. The army passed by in a grandiose manner. The armored cavalry opened the way, and the grain carriages escorted the rear. As they were fighting on their own, there was no need to bring too much rations. After entering Eastcalm Province, the local government would prepare rations for the army.
The cold wind howled, causing the war flag to flutter.
Si Kongyao narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Brother Yu, we just received news that Chen Yu's army has surrounded Eastcalm City. Gong Shangming has led nearly 300,000 troops to defend Eastcalm City. There are also nearly 200,000 scattered troops outside. Chen Yu has 500,000 troops surrounding the city. What should we do? If we attack from the inside and outside, we might have a chance of winning. "
"Doesn't Chen Yu still have nearly 400,000 troops that he hasn't used? These 400,000 troops can attack us at any time. If we really go to help them, I'm afraid we'll become their main target. "
Lin Muyu smiled faintly. "Besides, Yao, you and Buyi worked hard to raise our 180,000 troops. This time, I don't plan on letting your 180,000 troops join the main battle."
"We're not fighting the main battle?" Si Kongyao was shocked.
Even Liu Buyi was stunned. "Lin General, if we don't fight head-on, how can we defeat the enemy? Chen Yu's million-strong army isn't paper. They can be blown away with a single breath. If we don't bleed them, I'm afraid they won't know how powerful they are. It's impossible for them to retreat from Eastcalm Province. "
"I know. Let's talk after we enter Eastcalm Province. Have we sent out our scouts?"
"They've been released."
"Give me a detailed map of Chen Yu's army's distribution and supply routes within three days."
"Yes!"
Tang Xiaoxi leisurely rode on her horse as she looked at the scenery on both sides. With Lin Muyu overseeing the Bai Ze mercenaries, she didn't need to worry about anything. After all, Lin Muyu had fought in wars for so many years. She was talented enough to be the master of the generals in the Heaven Pole Continent. As long as Lin Muyu wanted to win, it was impossible for her to not win.
Qin Yin would also secretly open her Eyes of Blazing Dawn to look at the surrounding scenery from time to time. She had already learned to control the domain power of the Eyes of Blazing Dawn. Although she hadn't reached the point where she could control it freely, she was able to open her eyes and no longer launch indiscriminate pressure attacks. At the very least, when she wasn't hostile, the people around her wouldn't feel too much pressure.
"So the snowy scenery in the Heaven Pole Continent is also so beautiful," Qin Yin whispered.
Lin Muyu also lowered her voice and chuckled. "Yes, but Xiao Yin, don't worry. Sooner or later, every inch of this land will belong to us, and the entire Heaven Pole Continent will also be included in our Great Qin's version."
Qin Yin trembled slightly. "Brother, have you really decided to go on an expedition across the sea?"
"Yes, but we still need some time. At most three years, at least one year. We need to make sufficient preparations before we can make a decision," Lin Muyu looked straight at her and said. "Xiao Yin, do you think I've changed?"
"Yes, a little," Qin Yin nodded. "If it was in the past, Brother Yu most likely wouldn't take the initiative to attack others."
"There's no other way. If we attack first, we'll be controlled by others." Lin Muyu heaved a sigh of relief, her gaze deep as she said: "When I know that the opponent will deal a fatal blow, I can't be soft-hearted anymore. I don't want the people I care about to die one by one and leave me."
"Yes, Xiao Yin will do her best to support you."
"After we're unified, let's ascend? Brother Demon Emperor and Fairy Ziyao in East Heaven will definitely look forward to our ascension. After that, our names will be listed in the Heaven Realm's Immortal Register. "
"Yes!"
… …
Three days later, it started snowing again. The army finally entered Eastcalm Province and was less than 500 kilometers away from the battlefield in Eastcalm City.
However, Lin Muyu instructed Si Kongyao to pass down an order not to rush to Eastcalm City at full speed. Instead, they would rest once a day in the provinces and counties along the way. They would only travel a distance of 25 kilometers a day. At the same time, they would constantly send out scouts to gather information on the battlefield. Furthermore, King Lan Ji gifted the Bai Ze mercenaries with ten wolf falcons and beast tamers, which played an excellent role as scouts.
In the evening, Xian County.
Xian County wasn't considered rich. It was only a small province in Eastcalm Province. It had a population of nearly 200,000, and its main industries were farming, fishing, and hunting. Si Kongyao had the princess token, so she was warmly received by the governor of Xian County. When the army arrived outside the county city and set up camp in the evening, a large number of provisions, armaments, cattle, and sheep were delivered from the city. Therefore, it was easy to slaughter pigs and cows to reward the army.
The central tent of the Bai Ze mercenaries was heavily guarded. Even the governor of Xian County wasn't qualified to enter. However, when Liu Buyi opened the tent door and walked in, he found Lin Muyu, Qin Yin, Si Kongyao, and the others cooking beef hotpot. They had received a large piece of beef thigh from the governor of Xian County, and it was just right for the hotpot.
Liu Buyi sat down honestly and beamed. "Wow, I didn't expect there to be delicious food for dinner tonight!"
Si Kongyao glared at him. "Did you complete the mission?"
"Yes!"
Liu Buyi took out a scroll and handed it to Si Kongyao.
Si Kongyao handed it to Lin Muyu and said, "Brother Yu, take a look. Ask me if there's anything you don't understand. I've been to Eastcalm Province many times, so I'm very familiar with it."
"Okay."
Lin Muyu sat cross-legged and unfurled the scroll with a whoosh. It was a large map of Eastcalm Province and Tianji Province. On it, red ink had been used to mark the defenses, camps, manpower, and supply routes of the 900,000 troops under Chen Yu's command. Lin Muyu pondered for a long time before slowly putting down the map.
"What's the matter?" Qin Yin asked.
Lin Muyu took a deep breath. "Chen Yu is indeed Chen Yu. He can't be compared to those muddle-headed emperors like Qin Yi, Beiming Yuan, and Shi Yuan. Look, his 500,000 troops have surrounded Eastcalm City and blocked all the exits. The other 400,000 troops are divided into eight groups. Three of them are in the southeast of Eastcalm City to guard against reinforcements from the Blackstone Empire. The other five are in a pentagon formation to the north of us. The five armies can cooperate with each other at any time. These 250,000 troops are used to stop us."
Si Kongyao narrowed her eyes and said, "These 250,000 troops are the Terminus Earth Corps, led by Zhou Binlong. In the army of the Celestial Empire, apart from the Terminus Heaven Corps led by Dongcheng Wang, this Terminus Earth Corps is the second best. Chen Yu really thinks highly of the Bai Ze Mercenaries by sending the Terminus Earth Corps to deal with us!"
At this time, a dragon's roar suddenly came from above.
"It's a Dragon Knight!" Tang Xiaoxi was slightly startled.
Qin Yin gently moved her palm, and a faint divine luster surrounded her jade-like fingers. She asked, "Big brother Yu, the Bai Ze Mercenaries don't have a Dragon Knight. It must be the Celestial Empire's Dragon Knight spying on us. Should we take care of them?"
"No need."
Lin Muyu shook her head. "Don't worry about it. If it wants to watch, let it watch to its heart's content. Let's continue eating. Unless it's absolutely necessary, the three of us shouldn't expose ourselves. I don't want to officially break off relations with Chen Yu for the time being. After all, we are still allies on the surface. "
"Mm."
Si Kongyao started to feel uneasy. She frowned and said, "Then …. Big brother Yu, we are less than 400 li away from the Terminus Earth Corps. Their cavalry can rush here in a day and night. Are we really going to sit here and wait for death?"
"Yao, pass down the order to strengthen the defenses. After setting up camp, we must immediately dig fortifications and bury antlers. The spear soldiers will be stationed at the periphery. The archers will be behind them. The cavalry will be in the middle. Even if they rush here to attack, they will be tired cavalry. We have the spear soldiers and archers. Why would we be afraid of a tired cavalry?"
Si Kongyao smiled gently and nodded. "Yes, I understand."
At that moment, Si Kongyao felt that Lin Muyu was truly an exceptional general. It was as though as long as he was by her side, victory would be in her grasp. There was nothing to worry about. When Lin Muyu gave the order, he revealed a calm and confident look. This was something that Si Kongyao had never seen before. The young lady's heart thumped, but in front of Qin Yin and Tang Xiaoxi, Si Kongyao could only control her emotions. ~ So be it. ~ Calling someone I like brother and sister is better than being strangers. ~
Liu Buyi rubbed his hands together. "Let's eat hotpot! Let's eat hotpot!"
Lin Muyu glared at him. "What are you eating for, go and give a new order before eating."
"Ah? There's another order? "
"Yes, send the scouts out again."
"Why, haven't we already found out the details of the army?"
"The distribution of rations, the amount of rations stored, the amount of rations being transported, and the details, I need all of these. If we just do a rough investigation, it will harm the entire army."
"Yes, this subordinate understands."
Liu Buyi was solemn. He placed the helmet under his armpit and bowed before leaving.
Qin Yin was surprised. "Big brother Yu, what are your plans?"
"Rations, it's still rations."
Lin Muyu muttered to herself, "The Celestial Empire's 900,000 people entered Eastcalm Province, but they didn't manage to conquer any of the cities along the way before they surrounded Eastcalm City. Therefore, most of the Celestial Empire's rations have to be transported from the mainland. However, the two places are separated by such a huge Forest of No Return. Their rations route must have been approved by the Demon Empress, so … we just need to cut off the rations route and secretly send people to burn their granaries. Think about it, how much rations do 900,000 people need to eat in a day? In less than five days, they will have to kill their horses to appease their hunger. In less than half a month, I'm afraid the Celestial Empire will collapse without a fight. Once they flee, without any cavalry, our cavalry will be able to chase after them. 900,000 troops … Hmph, it'll be good enough if half of them can return to the Celestial Empire."
Si Kong Yao's little mouth was agape. This was the true definition of a famed general, this was the penetrating insight that a famed general should have. Liu Buyi and the rest were only thinking about the battle before them, but Lin Muyu was already thinking about the battle that would happen a month later. The difference in their ability to grasp a war was like heaven and earth.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
