After descending the mountain and traveling several hundred li, Wang Chong's forces quickly encountered a second group of reinforcements. The commander of this group was Xu Chunan, a veteran general of the army. The two armies merged into one, and Wang Chong's soldiers instantly swelled from five-thousand-some to more than eleven thousand.
This was the first time Wang Chong had more than ten thousand soldiers under his command. Although it seemed like an increase of only three thousand, the slightest difference could lead to a difference of one thousand li. For a top-class Great General, the more soldiers Han Xin had, the better. With more than ten thousand soldiers under his command, his ability to strategize was completely different. With these 110,000 soldiers, Wang Chong would have much more leeway to mobilize and utilize them.
Wang Chong had been able to easily defeat a fierce Ouzan general like Bachicheng and his ten-thousand-some soldiers with only a few casualties, so it was even easier to deal with the remaining six thousand.
The following battles were much simpler!
Without Bachicheng and without Xiangyang Dalu, the remaining Ouzan force did not last very long before being easily destroyed by Wang Chong's force, which was twice its size.
This battle proceeded even faster than the first battle. In just two hours, it was over.
… …
"Milord, your subordinate will take his leave first!"
Even though the battle was over, Li Siye did not relax in the slightest. Wang Chong's battle had ended, but his battle had only just begun. But even Li Siye was at a loss as to what he was going to do next.
"Mm, go. What comes next has nothing to do with you. "
Wang Chong nodded from his horse, his expression unperturbed. Li Siye could not see the slightest hesitation on his body. He always seemed to know what he was doing and what he was going to do. Li Siye could not see the slightest confusion on his body. This gave Li Siye a little more confidence in this operation.
"I'll leave this silk bag to you!"
Wang Chong removed a bag from his waist. Judging from the knot on the bag, this bag seemed to have been prepared a long time ago.
"If your operation is successful, Ouzan's men will definitely split up to deal with you. No matter what, you have to remember, don't be greedy for battle achievements, and don't let your emotions affect your decisions. I have already stated everything clearly on the brocade pouch. You must act strictly according to the note in the brocade pouch! "
Speaking of this, Wang Chong's expression was extremely solemn.
Wang Chong had always respected Li Siye. But it was precisely for this reason that Wang Chong's solemn expression left a particularly deep impression.
"Yes, I understand!"
Li Siye took a deep look at Wang Chong. Then, he quickly took the brocade bag from Wang Chong's hand, lowered his head, and performed a military salute respectfully.
"Don't worry, Young Master. No matter what, I will complete the task strictly! Let's go! "
After saying that, Li Siye waved his hand and led more than a thousand elite cavalrymen, all armed to the teeth, galloping away. Behind him, the air was still thick with the stench of blood.
"Young Master …"
Even farther away, Commandant Xu, Zhao Jingdian, and Eagle watched Li Siye's departing figure, confusion in their eyes. Li Siye's mission this time was extremely mysterious, and his route was completely different from everyone else's. Other than Wang Chong, no one knew where Li Siye was going at such a crucial moment.
This was far too confusing, but even so, no one dared to doubt Wang Chong's decision.
Wang Chong's prestige in the army had reached a level that not even Xu Shiping could match. With a single word from Wang Chong, Xu Shiping's subordinates would immediately follow him. Not even Xu Shiping would be able to stop them. This wasn't because they weren't loyal enough, but because Wang Chong had used his strength and three victories to win their heartfelt support.
At this point, no one cared about Wang Chong's age, surname, or background. Even without the token of The King of Song, no one would disobey his orders.
Wang Chong had used absolute strength to win the right to command this army!
"Army, move out!"
There was no time to lament the severe effect Li Siye's departure would have on the army. After cleaning up the battlefield, Wang Chong gave an order and led his army south. With this victory, Wang Chong's journey south was finally cleared of all obstacles. There were no more obstacles between Wang Chong and the Annam Protectorate.
Time was of the essence. This time, Wang Chong didn't linger.
"Sir, is it convenient?"
The journey south was dull and lonely. Just as Wang Chong was pondering alone on his horse, he suddenly heard a voice as soft as an ant's. Commandant Xu Andun rode his horse. When no one was paying attention, he pretended to casually lean over. Xu Andun respected the youth beside him from the bottom of his heart.
Although they had only known each other for a short time and the other party was probably about the same age as his own child, Xu Andun didn't dare to treat him as a child. Instead, he wholeheartedly submitted to him and treated him as the true commander of this army. But it was precisely because of this that Xu Andun felt that he had to say something.
"… This subordinate has something to say to Sir."
"Commandant Xu, what's wrong?"
Wang Chong turned around and asked in surprise. Xu Andun was secretive when he spoke. His eyes were filled with worry and worry.
"Sir, forgive this subordinate for being rude, but there's something I've thought about for a long time and have to say. This subordinate believes that our biggest problem right now isn't Ouzan, but … the problem of food!! "
Xu Andun stammered for a long time before finally spitting out the last four words. What followed was a long period of silence.
"Continue!"
Wang Chong finally came back to his senses, but he didn't say anything. He only gave Xu Andun a look.
"Sir, to tell you the truth, if you hadn't appeared, even if Ouzan didn't attack us, we wouldn't have been able to hold on for long. I don't know if Xu Shiping has told you, but their situation isn't much better than ours. Five to six thousand soldiers, men and horses aren't a small number. Although we're generals and have no fear in charging and breaking through enemy lines, logistics isn't our forte. Furthermore — "
Xu Andun glanced at Wang Chong, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and continued.
"Before that battle, this subordinate had unintentionally heard General Li mention that the Annam Protectorate had asked the court for help. Their rations probably wouldn't last for long! Soldiers and horses haven't moved, but rations and fodder have to move first. We only have ten thousand people, but the Annam Protectorate in the southwest has so many people, I'm afraid … "
Xu Andun didn't continue, but the worry in his eyes was clear. He had actually noticed the army's rations a long time ago, but he didn't say it out of fear of shaking the morale of the army.
"In the battle with Ouzan, we lost too much of our supplies and weapons. As for our rations, they were almost burned down by the Ouzan. The rations we have on us are only enough for a few days. If Sir hadn't appeared, we would have already prepared to return north. But now, I'm not going against Sir. But with our current situation, whether we encounter the Ouzan or not, I'm afraid only death awaits us! "
After saying this, Xu Andun sank into a long silence.
"Even the Emperor doesn't use hungry soldiers." Although martial artists possessed great strength, they were still mortals and needed to eat. If the army didn't eat their fill, it would be good if they could use fifty to sixty percent of their strength, let alone fight a battle. This was suicide. Xu Andun originally didn't want to say it, but as a general, he had to say it.
The Tibetans were secondary, but the matter at hand was of the utmost urgency, a problem that had to be considered.
"You don't have to worry about this!"
To his surprise, when Xu Andun mustered up the courage to speak of this matter that would clearly affect the morale of the army, Wang Chong faintly smiled and said something that no one could have imagined.
"It's just some rations. You don't have to worry about it. I have my ways!"
"But Sir, even if we ask the court for rations now, it's too late. The Emperor is far away, and the capital is too far away. Moreover, the gathering of rations requires the cooperation of the Six Bureaus and the mobilization of rations from various parts of the Tang dynasty. The entire process is time-consuming and laborious, and distant water can't put out a nearby fire! "
Xu Andun was getting more and more worried. Judging from Wang Chong's relaxed and relaxed expression, it was clear that Xu Andun's words had not entered his ears. This worried him even more than the army's lack of rations. 'Food is the most important thing to the people, and this applies to the army as well.' If this problem was not resolved, the army would rebel.
"Milord, we have to be cautious in this matter!"
Xu Andun truly felt like his internal organs were on fire.
He truly couldn't understand why he had made his words so clear. Why was Wang Chong so calm?
"Relax. Distant water can't quench a nearby thirst, but nearby is different! While I was still in the capital, I already began to mobilize rations. Relax. After so long, it's about time. "
Wang Chong stretched out his arm and patted Xu Andun on the shoulder, a faint smile on his face.
Although it was just a few indifferent words, Wang Chong's expression exuded a formidable self-confidence. It was like he had a plan in his grasp and nothing could escape his calculations. Even Xu Andun was momentarily stunned. Food for tens of thousands of people was no small matter. For the war of the southwest, the Imperial Court would need to prepare at least a month's worth of rations.
This was no small matter. It would take at least two or three months, at the very least four or five months. Xu Andun truly couldn't imagine just where Wang Chong was going to get so much food. This was not a problem of money, but of such a large opening that no single grain merchant or clan could resolve.
Even those traveling merchants and clans that specialized in grain needed a long time to prepare. And they would never be able to get this much.
Xu Andun's mouth moved as if he wanted to ask something.
But Wang Chong patted him on the shoulder and then swaggered off.
'A plan in a tent can determine victory from a thousand li' — this was an important aspect of the art of war. How could Wang Chong make a mistake on a problem like rations? Although rations were a major issue, he might be able to accomplish something that the Imperial Court couldn't.
"Zhang Munian, I can only rely on you for this!"
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