For Lingnan City-State, the 18th of September was a very difficult day.
On that day, the four major armies of Shanhai City split into four groups and cooperated with the navy fleet to charge through Jiaozhou County. In just one day, they took down four major cities.
One had to know that the entire Lingnan City-State had less than 40 territories.
The three major armies of Shi Wansui, E Lai, and Fan Lihua formed an impenetrable trident that pushed forward from the south to Beiping County. They did not leave any blind spots and did not let a single fish slip through the net.
The three major armies fought steadily and did not rely on speed to win. They only sought to advance steadily.
That way, they naturally gathered an immovable aura that made any enemies in their way tremble in fear. It was as if Mount Tai was pressing down on them, suffocating them.
The Imperial Guards led by Huo Qubing had a different style.
The Imperial Guards did not stop in Jiaozhou County. They quickly marched all the way to Chaozhou County. In just one day, they arrived at the border of Chaozhou County and prepared to launch a surprise attack on Chaozhou County.
Before the battle began, the General Administration of Military Affairs had circled eight key targets on the map for the Imperial Guards. As long as they took down the eight major cities of the two counties, no one could stop the Imperial Guards.
Huo Qubing led a precise attack.
Even if the territory behind the Imperial Guards had not been cleared, Huo Qubing was confident that he would not be surrounded by the enemy because the enemy would not be able to track the Imperial Guards.
Only Huo Qubing could execute such a strategy. It was a unique skill.
…
Lingnan Province, Alliance Command.
Their territory was ravaged by the enemy, and they were isolated and helpless in foreign affairs. Ruan Ping and the others were so worried that their hair turned white. The next morning, the lords who had not slept all night gathered in the meeting hall with dark circles under their eyes.
"We can't sit around and wait for death!" Ruan Ping shouted. "We have to take action!"
"That's right. We can't take chances. Shanhai City's goal this time is very obvious. They want to completely eradicate the Lingnan City-State. There is no room for compromise. "Someone echoed.
"At this time, we can only fight!"
…
"We can only fight!"
…
A group of people who had been forced into a desperate situation let out their strongest cry.
"Our biggest advantage now is that we can teleport at any time." Ruan Ping was the first to speak. "We must make good use of this advantage and give the enemy a fatal blow."
"I suggest that, with the exception of the territories that are still fighting against Shanhai City's army, all of the other territories' garrisons should gather together and secretly rendezvous with our allies. Let's gather our superior forces and get rid of one of Shanhai City's legions first. "
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
The city-state had no way out now. It could only cut off all means of retreat and fight with its back to the river.
"Which army should I attack?"
Ruan Ping came to the front of the battle map and said, "According to the intelligence from the frontlines, the Imperial Guard Corps has penetrated deep into the enemy's territory alone. Unfortunately, the commander of the enemy was Huo Qubing, so it would be too risky to trap them. It was not worth it. Therefore, I suggest that we attack the enemy's right flank, the Fan Lihua Corps. "
All the lords agreed with him. They did not have the confidence to go against Huo Qubing.
On the other hand, the Fan Lihua Corps was positioned on the flanks and had more room to maneuver. Furthermore, Fan Lihua was a female general, so the lords instinctively regarded her as the weakest general.
Furthermore, the Fan Lihua Corps was positioned on the right flank and fought in a roundabout manner. There were many ambush points that could be chosen, and it would not be easy for the enemy to plot against them.
It had to be said that Ruan Ping had some skills and was very accurate in analyzing problems.
Ruan Ping pointed to a city on the map and said, "I suggest that we set up an ambush here!"
All the lords moved forward to take a look and immediately understood.
The city that Ruan Ping had chosen was surrounded by mountains on three sides. Only the south side was a flat area, like a huge pocket. This way, the Fan Lihua Corps would be trapped in the pocket from the south and would not be able to escape.
Even better, there were no large rivers around the city, which basically prevented the enemy fleets from joining in the fun.
"Wonderful!"
"Amazing!"
"Brilliant!"
All the lords were generous with their praise, causing Ruan Ping to smile.
Of course, this was not Ruan Ping's improvisation. He had been thinking about these problems the entire night. From the looks of it, it was very beneficial to make sufficient preparations.
"Since everyone agrees, let's move!" Ruan Ping knew that with every moment they delayed, a city might fall, and the strength of the city would be weakened.
Thus, they had to race against time.
"Pass down the order. Immediately break camp and retreat from the border. Gather at Xinjiang City."
Xinjiang City was located at the border of Jiaozhou County. It was the largest fortress the alliance army had set up at the border. The alliance army's main supply base was set up at Xinjiang City.
Thus, it was only natural for the army to retreat to Xinjiang City.
"Will the Stalwart Tiger Army let us retreat easily?" Someone was worried.
Ruan Ping was not worried. He smiled and said, "Don't worry. No matter what, we have an army of 150,000, and all of them are elites. There are only two armies on the other side. As long as we make arrangements for retreat and take protective measures, the enemy will not dare to act rashly. At most, they will follow us and will not attack. "
"That makes sense!"
"Alright, hurry up and make the arrangements!"
"Also, inform the garrison of the various territories to prepare for teleportation. When we reach Xinjiang City, we will teleport to the target city at the same time," Ruan Ping instructed.
"Why don't we let them teleport over first?"
"Are you stupid?" Another lord answered on his behalf before Ruan Ping could say anything. "Shanhai City's intelligence agents have been watching us. If we all teleport over together, even if their agents are blind, they will know what's going on. Will they still be fooled? "
"Oh!" The lord who asked the question flushed red at the rebuttal.
"Hurry up and get ready!"
Ruan Ping changed the topic and helped the lord out of his predicament.
The entire alliance's command center immediately bustled with activity.
With a specific goal and plan, at least everyone was no longer in a mess like ants on a hot pan. From the lords to the soldiers, everyone was holding back their anger. Their fighting spirit was reignited.
In this chaotic world, no one was willing to sit and wait for death.
At the same time, in the encampment of the Stalwart Tiger Army.
A burly soldier opened the tent and walked in with large strides. He knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Marshal, the enemy on the other side is moving. From the looks of it, they are preparing to retreat!"
The central army tent was extremely simple and crude. Apart from the scattered military books all around, the most eye-catching thing was the enormous map of South Ridge Province hanging in the center of the tent. This was the masterpiece of countless spies of the Military Intelligence Division who had labored for several months.
Sun Bin sat on the wheelchair that the Mo Family and Number Seven Research Institute had specially built for him, silently staring at the battle map. Speaking of which, Sun Bin's wheelchair was not simple.
The wheelchair's bearings and wheels were forged from fine steel. The outer layer of the wheels was sewn with two thick layers of rubber. Although it was not inflated, it could already move on complicated terrain.
The bearings and steel wheels, coupled with the driving parts, could be considered a microcosm of Shanhai City's industrialization.
Apart from that, the wheelchair had been meticulously designed by the Mo Family's mechanical geniuses. There were poison-extracting arrows that could pierce through the heart, as well as related ejection escape devices.
Even the wheelchair's driving system had been designed by the Mo Family's mechanical geniuses.
Such an intricate design made some of the mechanical experts in the Number Seven Research Institute gasp in amazement. The ingenuity of ancient mechanical techniques was unique, and it was not something that could be fathomed by future generations.
When Sun Bin heard the soldier's report, he was not surprised. He did not even turn his head. He smiled and said, "The fish have finally started swimming. Inform General Di Qing to come here for a discussion. "
"Yes!" The soldier turned and left silently.
After a while, the bronze-masked Di Qing walked into the tent.
"Marshal!"
Di Qing bowed from afar.
Speaking of which, both of them had words carved on their faces. Sun Bin's was branded, while Di Qing's was carved because of his lowly status. The difference was that Sun Bin never hid his face, while Di Qing always wore a bronze mask.
From this, one could see the characteristics of the two generals.
Sun Bin had completely let go of his past experiences, and his heart was calm. After all, no matter how much he tried to hide, he could not hide his crippled legs.
As such, he might as well openly show his true face.
"A Commander-in-Chief of an army in a wheelchair. What a sight!"
Di Qing was different. He was born of a lowly status and had a sense of inferiority. He was used to covering his face and hiding in the shadows. In this way, it added a different kind of charm to it.
When he saw the bronze mask on the battlefield, he knew that the murderous General Di Qing had arrived.
Both of them were different, but they had coincidentally met to work together. It could be considered a kind of fate!
Because of this, Di Qing respected Sun Bin even more. Ever since he joined the Stalwart Tiger Army, Di Qing, the second-in-command in the Stalwart Tiger Army, was extremely cooperative with Sun Bin.
Sun Bin turned his wheelchair around and smiled. "You know everything, right?"
"Yes, the enemy has begun to move!"
"Okay, then let's act according to plan." Sun Bin nodded. "I will lead the First Army to pursue the enemy and coordinate with the pincer strategy of the Eastern punitive expedition. General, you will lead the Second Army to the north and sweep through the enemy along the way. Then, you will attack Shaozhou County. Strive to meet up with General Huo at Shaozhou County. "
"Understood!" Di Qing nodded.
This plan had been formulated a long time ago. Sun Bin was just confirming it as usual.
"General, remember this. You can be slow, but you can't be too fast." Sun Bin pointed out. "You must capture all the cities along the way. Don't let the enemy see through your intentions before the Imperial Guard Army advances into Shaozhou County."
No matter how fast the Imperial Guard Army was, they would still have to pass through the entirety of Chaozhou County. Thus, they had to be given some time. Sun Bin's instructions were naturally to prevent alerting the enemy.
"Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief. I will remember!"
Di Qing was a calm and wise general.
"Then let's begin!"
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