dognovel Chapter 1967: Merely a Name
Chapter 1967: Merely a Name
"In this way, we can take advantage of the chaos to transfer Helian's 30,000 cavalry and Zhang Xun's 10,000 infantry away from the main battlefield under the pretext of tactical adjustments, and turn them towards Luoxia Mountain. This will not arouse excessive vigilance or investigation from the Chu State's Imperial Guards!"
Li Jing further elaborated: "Of course, in order to mislead the Chu army, we also need to create the illusion that the main force of the Golden Scorpion tribe is still here."
"We can leave behind some auxiliary troops and a small number of cavalry, flying the flag of the Golden Scorpion Tribe, to patrol outside the camp as usual every day, maintaining the amount of cooking smoke, and creating the illusion that the main force is still there."
"The real main force, taking advantage of the chaos and distraction during the battle, quickly broke away from the engagement and headed straight for Luoxia Mountain!"
This plan can be described as a risky move!
Not only must we accurately predict Chu Ning's reaction, but we must also complete complex troop movements under the cover of real combat. Any mistake in any link could lead to total defeat.
However, after hearing Li Jing's meticulous and audacious plan, all the generals in the tent showed admiration.
Even the usually arrogant Helian Wujiu, after careful consideration, couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, his voice echoing throughout the tent:
"Hahaha! Brilliant! Brilliant indeed! Marshal Li is indeed thorough in his thinking and extremely cautious!"
"This plan suits me perfectly! It can deceive that brat Chu Ning and allow my men to fight to their hearts' content!"
"Alright, let's proceed according to this plan!"
Helian Wujiu's approval signifies that the alliance has reached a consensus on this crucial action.
A deadly raid centered around Luoxia Mountain, unfolding amidst the smoke and grenades of the main battlefield, has officially entered its countdown thanks to Li Jing's adventurous yet ingenious plan.
All eyes were on tomorrow's meeting on the battlefield, a meeting that was destined to be anything but peaceful.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the air inside Zhennan Pass was already filled with the solemn atmosphere characteristic of a military camp.
The cooks had started cooking early, and the soldiers were doing their morning exercises under the guidance of their officers. The shouts and the sound of weapons cutting through the air mingled together, creating a vibrant and powerful atmosphere.
Chu Ning was having a simple breakfast in the temporary camp—a bowl of millet porridge and a few dishes of pickles. He ate quickly, but his movements still maintained a certain composure.
Just as he was about to finish using it, a guard announced his arrival from outside the door. Then, Feng Anguo, dressed in military uniform, strode in, his face showing a hint of solemnity and doubt.
"His Majesty,"
Feng Anguo clasped his hands in a salute and reported in a deep voice: "There is unusual activity from the Tang army outside the pass. The Tang army commander-in-chief, Li Jing, sent someone to the pass to shout that... he would like to invite Your Majesty to have a talk on the battlefield."
"Oh?"
Chu Ning paused slightly with her chopsticks, then casually picked up the last bit of pickled vegetables and put it in her mouth. After slowly chewing and swallowing, she put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a cloth.
He raised his head, his deep eyes narrowed slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his sharp gaze.
"Li Jing, at this critical juncture, instead of thinking about how to capture cities and fortresses, you have the leisure to invite me to the front lines for a chat?"
Chu Ning's voice was calm, yet carried a worldly-wise sarcasm: "It's probably like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken; it doesn't have any good intentions."
He stood up, his dark casual clothes making his figure appear even more upright.
He strolled to the window, gazing at the Tang army's allied forces camp beyond the pass, which was faintly visible in the morning light, a cold smile curving his lips.
"However, since he dared to invite me, if I dare not accept, it would make it seem like I am afraid of him."
Chu Ning turned around, her tone filled with undeniable arrogance and confidence:
"Very well, I will go and meet this renowned military genius of the Tang army, and see what tricks he is up to!"
"General Feng, muster your personal guards and accompany me to the pass!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Feng Anguo immediately accepted the order, but dared not be careless in the slightest. He hurriedly went to gather the most elite soldiers to protect him.
Before long, Chu Ning, surrounded by Feng Anguo and a group of burly guards, climbed the tall and majestic city wall of Zhennan Pass.
The cool morning breeze swept over the wall, fluttering the black banners and the soldiers' armor.
Standing behind the battlements, looking down from this vantage point, the view beyond the pass is clearly visible.
The Tang army had already formed ranks, and although it wasn't a decisive battle posture with the entire army pressing forward, it still displayed a disciplined military appearance.
Thousands of elite infantrymen were arrayed in several square formations, their shields forming a wall and their spears a forest, gleaming coldly in the morning light.
About a hundred paces in front of the infantry formation, a small group of people and horses stood out conspicuously.
The leader sat upright on his warhorse, wearing bright Tang army standard armor. The red tassel on his helmet swayed gently in the wind. His face was refined yet resolute, and his three long beards were meticulously combed. He was none other than Li Jing, the commander-in-chief of the Tang army.
He was followed by several fully armored generals and flag bearers, but there was no large army surrounding him, which made him seem quite "sincere".
Upon seeing Chu Ning's figure appear on the gate wall, Li Jing spurred his horse forward a few steps, stopping just an arrow's distance away. He reined in his horse, raised his head, gathered his strength, and his voice clearly echoed across the gate wall:
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Chu! How have you been?"
His opening remarks carried a hint of politeness, but in reality, they were full of wit and sharp insight.
Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless, coldly looking down at him without answering.
Li Jing didn't care and continued speaking loudly, his voice suddenly rising several decibels, carrying a clear sense of sarcasm:
"I have heard that Your Majesty recently swiftly and decisively destroyed the mighty Han Dynasty that dominated the north. Your military prowess is truly astounding, and I, Li, am filled with admiration!"
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming sharp: "However, I have also heard that Your Majesty's attack on the Han capital of Chang'an did not seem to be going smoothly?"
"It is said that Emperor Liu Xiu of Han was blessed by Heaven and was able to manipulate celestial phenomena, summoning hailstones and meteors to bombard His Majesty's army, causing heavy casualties among the Chu army. Is this true?"
He paused, feigning confusion, then retorted in an extremely veiled tone:
"As the saying goes, those destined by Heaven will be protected by extraordinary signs. Now it seems that Liu Xiu was able to trigger divine punishment. Could it be that... Your Majesty of Chu is not the true chosen one?"
"Otherwise, why would Heaven send down such a calamity to hinder your military advance?"
This is undoubtedly a blatant provocation and a curse!
They directly distorted Chu Ning's military losses into evidence that "Heaven did not bless Chu"!
Before the Chu soldiers at the pass could even shout in anger, Li Jing immediately turned his attention to another battlefield, his voice even louder and more disdainful:
"And then there was the Battle of Luoxia Mountain! How valiant was Guan Yun, the vanguard general under His Majesty, who was known as a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men?"
"And what was the result? He was still tricked into a desperate situation by General Wang Zhongsi of the Great Tang Dynasty and the warriors of the Scorpion Clan, and suffered a crushing defeat. He himself was seriously injured and his life was uncertain!"
"In my opinion, the generals of your Chu Kingdom are nothing but empty names, utterly incompetent! Hahaha!"