Just as the envoys were busy dealing with the situation, Zhao Kuo made a new move.
On the second day after the battle, Zhao Kuo ordered Zhao Zhuang to lead 50,000 elite light cavalry out of Fukouxing and into Hanoi before turning southwest to attack Wild King's fortress.
Ever since the Zhao army started using the Hu style of riding and shooting, they brought along horse's milk and dried meat to ensure that they would be able to fight the battle in ten days. As a precaution, Di Chen and the other feudal lords contributed 400,000 military ration pills to Zhao Zhuang's army. Thus, Zhao Zhuang led 50,000 troops east without any signs of moving rations. It was truly undetectable.
Wild King's fortress was the Qin army's main logistics base and the only fortress from Han to Shang Dang.
Three years ago, Bai Qi ordered Wang He to attack Wild King's fortress. Once the army settled down, they immediately built a large granary to store rations. At the same time, they widened the official road from Wild King to Shang Dang and south to Hanoi to prepare for the continuous transportation of rations. In the following year, the carriages and boats never stopped. All the rations in the country were transported to Wild King.
During the three years of stalemate, the Qin army's rations never stopped. Wild King had already accumulated a few large granaries.
After Bai Qi joined the army and replaced Wang He as Qin's Commander in Chief, the Qin army's strategic center had shifted north to Duanshi Town, west of Old Horse Ridge.
Wang He, who was previously stationed at Wild King's fortress, also led his troops to Changping under Bai Qi's orders.
As the battle progressed, in order to ensure that there were no mistakes, Bai Qi deployed his troops to Changping several times. Eventually, the Zhao army was surrounded and the Wild King's fortress was left with few soldiers.
Zhao Zhuang led 50,000 light cavalry and traveled day and night. They arrived at Wild King's fortress in ten days.
The defenseless Wild King's fortress faced the sudden arrival of the Zhao army. Although the defenders of the fortress resisted and tried to defend the city, they were outnumbered.
On top of that, Battle Wolf and the others who accompanied them used their storage pouches to bring along many siege weapons. After a fierce battle, the Qin army was finally defeated. All of them died in battle, and not a single one survived.
After taking down the fortress, Zhao Zhuang immediately ordered a huge fire to light up the granaries in the fortress.
The raging fire dyed half of the sky red. Because there was too much grain in the granary, the fire burned for three days and three nights without being extinguished. A burning smell spread in all directions.
By the time the Qin army of Hanoi received the news and came to reinforce, Zhao Zhuang's army had already retreated. The faces of the Qin soldiers turned pale when they saw the Wild King Fortress was burned into ruins.
If the escape of the Zhao army and the death of Wang Ling were not enough to make the various states in Shandong determined, then the fall of the Wild King Fortress had made the feudal lords see the hope of defeating the Qin army.
Among the kingdoms, Wei and Chu were the most proactive.
Lord Xinling of Wei and Lord Chunshen of Chu tried their best to persuade their kings to send troops to attack Qin together. Even the Republic of Korea was unwilling to be left out and reactivated the former Shangdang Prefectural Governor, Feng Ting. The deep meaning behind this was self-evident.
The Three States of Zhao joined forces once again. For a moment, the sky was covered with dark clouds.
In the Battle of Changping, more than ninety percent of the armies of Qin and Zhao were gathered. Both sides fought with all their might. If either side was defeated, they would be consigned to eternal damnation.
Handan, Zhao Palace.
King Xiaocheng's mood, which had been gloomy for a month, suddenly turned for the better. He happily said: "Ma Fuzi did not disappoint me. He is indeed a famous general!"
All the officials agreed with him. Only Lin Xiangru, who was standing at the side, had mixed feelings.
Everyone in the Zhao court is certain that the Zhao army will win this battle.
The Qin army's rations were cut off and they were forced to retreat. Shangdang will soon return to Zhao.
Lord Pingyuan, Zhao Sheng, was still a little worried. He cautiously said: "My Lord, Ma Fuzi is young and rash. After this great victory, I am afraid he will become arrogant again. With the fall of the Wild King Fortress, we only need to defend it and the Qin army will naturally retreat. I am just afraid that Ma Fuzi will advance rashly again and fight the Qin army. This is not good. "
Lord Pingyuan's words were like a gust of cold wind, causing the entire court to be filled with a biting cold wind.
Once they thought of the Zhao army being surrounded again, all the officials shuddered. Bai Qi's reputation is too great. Even in such a situation, no one can say that the Zhao army is certain of victory.
Once Bai Qi grasps the opportunity, the tables will turn in an instant.
Like Lord Pingyuan, King Xiaocheng is still fearful of Zhao Kuo's reckless advance. When he knew that the Zhao army was surrounded, he could not sleep at night.
Hearing Lord Pingyuan's words, King Xiaocheng's heart tightened. He said: "Uncle is right. I will draft an edict and have Uncle bring it to the camp to restrain Ma Fuzi. He will not easily leave the fortress to fight again. "
"Yes!" Lord Pingyuan was finally relieved.
Handan, Lian Po's residence.
After being relieved of his position as Great General by King Xiaocheng, Lian Po did not listen to his good friend Lin Xiangru's arrangement to go to Chu. Instead, he returned to his residence in Handan and refused to meet anyone.
Hearing that the Zhao army has conquered the Wild King Fortress, Old Lian Po's expression was complicated. He mumbled to himself: "Am I really wrong? Am I really not as good as Ma Fuzi? I hope that the Zhao army will win and I will have no regrets. "
Qin, Xianyang Palace.
King Zhao of Qin frowned. Looking at Fan Ju opposite him, he asked: "Marquis Ying, how are the states?"
The fall of the Wild King Fortress has caught both of them off guard. Fan Ju's white hair seems to have grown a few more strands. Bitterly, he said: "My Lord, the tides have turned. No matter how we fight, it will be useless. The key lies with the Lord of Martial Peace. Let's see how he will turn the situation around. "
King Zhao of Qin was in charge of logistics in Hanoi. Before returning to Xianyang, he specially met with Bai Qi. Outsiders naturally had no way of knowing the conversation between the ruler and the minister. The only change is that after the secret meeting, King Zhao of Qin's expression is much more relaxed. He is no longer as serious as when he first heard about the fall of the Wild King.
Bai Qi's words before he left once again rang in King Zhao's ears. The loss of one city or territory is not enough to determine the outcome of the war. What really determines the outcome of the war is on the battlefield.
"The Prime Minister will continue to guard Xianyang and manage the state affairs. Do your best to collect rations and transport them to Duanshi Town. I will once again head to Hanoi and mobilize men above the age of 15 to form reinforcements to Changping. "King Zhao of Qin said decisively.
"Yes!" Fan Ju solemnly replied. Qin is in trouble both internally and externally. It is time for the King and his ministers to work together. Seeing this, Fan Ju could not help but say: "Valiant Qin, we will fight together."
"Yes, this is the most difficult period for us Qins. I believe that we will be able to withstand the difficulties and get through this." King Zhao of Qin said passionately.
Compared to Zhao, the King, his ministers and his people are even more tenacious in the face of adversity.
While the outside world is changing, the battlefield of Changping is silent.
After successfully capturing the Wild King Fort, Zhao Kuo mobilized another 50,000 infantry soldiers from the 150,000 soldiers stationed outside the Old Pass to reinforce the Hu Guan Fort. This was the only fort between the Old Pass and Handan to ensure the smooth flow of food supplies.
At this point, the Zhao army has formed a line of defense along the Hu Guan Fortress, Guguan Fortress and Royal Tomb. This line of defense will completely cut off the possibility of the Qin army surrounding the Zhao army.
Hu Guan and Guguan Fortress are in sync with each other. If the Qin army wants to run to the north of the Stone Wall, they will have to face a pincer attack from both sides. Unless they send out their main force, it will be difficult for them to do so.
Wolf Mountain, Middle Command Residence.
After the Middle Command Commander introduced the Zhao army's formation, he reported the latest military news: "Wei's Lord Xinling led 150,000 troops from Daliang and entered Hanoi County. The vanguard is heading straight for Changping. Other than Wei, the other states are also mobilizing for war. They are slowly forming an alliance. "
"Damn it, a bunch of fence-sitters!" The hot-tempered Wang Ci could not help but curse.
With no rations inside and a strong enemy outside, the Qin army has never been in a precarious situation. Even so, the generals were not dejected. The reason for this is because the Lord of Martial Peace, Bai Qi, is their God of War.
"How much rations do we have?" Bai Qi asked in a deep voice.
"Other than Wild King's fortress, Duanshi Town, Old Horse Ridge and Light Wolf City have also stored some rations. But the amount is not large. Added together, it is only enough for the army for 20 days. In addition, Marquis Ying has started to collect rations from the country and they are being transported to Duanshi Town. Due to the long journey, we cannot count on them in the short term. "
Bai Qi nodded and looked around at the generals. He said calmly: "The Zhao army has four good points. Firstly, they have sufficient rations. Secondly, reinforcements are coming. Thirdly, they have shrunk their formation and are able to defend well. Fourthly, they have turned defeat into victory and their morale is high.
However, the Zhao army also has four shortcomings. Firstly, the vertical defensive line looks unbreakable but in actual fact, it is too long. The army cannot take care of the front and the back at the same time. Moreover, there is a lack of horizontal expansion. As long as we are determined, we can easily split it into two. Secondly, after taking down Wild King's fortress, the Zhao army did not have the strength to chase after us and did not completely block off our rations route. Their tactics were not carried out completely and gave us a chance to turn the tables. Thirdly, after consecutive victories and with the arrival of reinforcements from Wei, the army is starting to underestimate the enemy. Fourthly, the army is holed up at the old pass and their tactics are simple. They have changed from aggressive attacks to passive defence. "
The cave was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard. The generals knew that every time there was a big battle, the Lord of Calm Martial would first understand the situation of the two armies. After that, he would come up with a bold and decisive strategy to defeat the enemy. The generals held their breaths and waited for this most exciting moment.
"Our army defeats the enemy. These are the sixteen words." Bai Qi said each word with a pause, "Surround the enemy and attack the reinforcements. Fortify the walls and clear the field. Hit the snake where it hurts. Block the encirclement!"
Wang He cupped his hands: "Lord of Calm Martial, please explain!"
"The sixteen words strategy is to surround the enemy and attack the reinforcements." Bai Qi turned around and drew a circle with his long sword: "The Zhao army has shrunk their defensive line and is giving us the chance to attack. As long as we feign an attack on the old pass and attract the attention of the Zhao army, we will send our main force out of the White Path, pass Ling River and enter Hanoi to kill the Wei army. Once the Wei army is destroyed, the alliance will be broken and the Zhao army will be surrounded by us again. "
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