si-mexico Chapter 2017 Chu Ning's Decision
Chapter 2017 Chu Ning's Decision
Feng Mulan's combined strategy included immediate reconnaissance, long-term planning against enemy reinforcements, and rational allocation of her own forces.
The thinking was clear and the steps were interconnected, demonstrating an excellent overall perspective.
Feng Anguo was the first to express his agreement, stroking his beard and saying, "Your Majesty's strategy is a wise and prudent approach to governing the country!"
"It avoided the risks of blindly attacking, and did not wait passively. Instead, it firmly grasped the initiative on the battlefield through proactive probing and long-range interception. General Ma Chao was indeed the best choice."
"His Majesty!"
Ran Ming, who could no longer contain himself, immediately stepped forward again upon hearing the mission of a probing attack. His voice booming, he clasped his hands in a gesture of request.
"I am willing to lead my troops to undertake this probing attack! I will definitely crack open Li Jing's shell and see the truth behind it for His Majesty and the Empress!"
"The general is also willing to go!"
"This humble general requests permission!"
With a clear mission in mind, a group of generals eager to make a name for themselves volunteered for the mission again, creating a lively atmosphere.
Seeing his generals' eagerness for battle and after listening to Feng Mulan's meticulous analysis and deployment, Chu Ning finally revealed a resolute look in his eyes.
He raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"My lords, please calm down!"
Chu Ning's voice, carrying the majesty of an emperor, echoed throughout the hall: "My beloved concubine's plan is very much to my liking! Let it be carried out!"
His gaze sharpened, and he began to issue a series of clear orders: "First, immediately send a message by carrier pigeon to Ma Chao!"
"Order them to change their marching route, not to come to Zhennan Pass, but to head north and do their utmost to block the 100,000 Tang troops led by Guo Ziyi as reinforcements!"
"Tell him that I don't want him to fight head-on. As long as he sticks to the enemy like glue and slows them down, that will be a great achievement!"
"Second, send a message to Xue Huaide, telling him to speed up and get to Zhennanguan as soon as possible to join up with the main force!"
"third,"
His gaze fell on Ran Ming: "Ran Ming, listen to my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Ran Ming excitedly stepped forward.
"I hereby order you to lead your 20,000 troops out of the pass in one hour to launch a probing attack on the Tang army's eastern camp!"
"Remember, your mission is to scout out the enemy's strength and weaknesses, focus on feigned attacks, avoid prolonged engagements, and withdraw immediately after ascertaining their situation!"
"I want to see the range of the Tang army's crossbows, the strength of their fortifications, and their speed of counterattack!"
"This humble general obeys! I will certainly not fail in my mission!" Ran Ming loudly accepted the order, his face filled with excitement.
The orders were quickly recorded by the messengers and rushed out to deliver them.
The council chamber, which had been embroiled in heated debate just moments before, had now reached a consensus and clarified its goals.
Under the command of the highest decision-making level, the massive war machine of the Chu army began to operate efficiently according to the new strategy.
The battle clouds before Zhennan Pass thus became even denser and more rife with scheming.
The night of December, like ink splashed across the vast land of southern Xinjiang, quickly enveloped it.
The majestic outline of Zhennanguan Pass turned into a huge shadow in the deepening night, standing in stark contrast to the scattered lights of the Tang army's continuous camps in the distance. The air was filled with the oppressive silence and deathly stillness unique to the eve of a major battle.
A cold wind swept across the wilderness, swirling up withered grass and dust, making a howling sound that added to the desolate atmosphere.
Sudden--
"Creak...creak..."
A heavy, piercing scraping sound suddenly shattered the stillness of the night!
The two massive and heavy iron-clad city gates of Zhennanguan slowly opened inward as the winch turned, revealing the bottomless darkness behind them, as if a giant beast had opened its mouth.
Immediately afterwards, a thunderous sound of hooves came from within the pass, growing louder as it approached!
It was like a long-accumulated force suddenly bursting forth, or like a flood that had just broken its banks finding an outlet.
A massive cavalry force surged forth from the open city gates like a torrent of steel emerging from the darkness!
The horses' hooves pounded the cold, hard earth, producing a dull, rhythmic thud that coalesced into a terrifying sonic wave as they surged toward the Tang army camp several miles away!
At the very front of the procession, a huge banner bearing the character "冉" fluttered wildly in the night wind.
Beneath the banner stood a fierce general, his bald head reflecting a cold, hard luster in the dim light of the day—it was none other than Ran Ming, a valiant general of the Chu army!
Clad in heavy armor and wielding a terrifying mountain-splitting axe, his eyes burning with fervent fighting spirit, he charged ahead like a blood-red arrow released from a bow, heading straight for the Tang camp!
Such a huge commotion could not possibly escape the notice of Tang army scouts.
Almost simultaneously with the sound of hooves from within the pass, alarm bells on the watchtowers surrounding the Tang army camp were frantically rang, and the soldiers on lookout duty shouted at the top of their lungs:
"Enemy attack! Chu army night raid!"
"W-W-W-W-!"
The shrill and urgent bugle calls instantly rose into the sky from all directions of the Tang camp, piercing through the night and spreading to every corner of the camp!
The once relatively peaceful Tang army camp erupted into chaos, like a beehive tossed with a boulder!
The roars of officers at all levels, the hurried footsteps of soldiers rushing to assemble, and the clanging of armor clashing together created a chaotic symphony before battle.
Inside the central command tent, Li Jing had just removed his armor and was about to take a short nap on his camp bed. The military affairs and immense pressure of the past few days had left him with an undeniable weariness between his brows.
However, the sudden sound of the alarm piercing through the tent flap made him open his eyes instantly. All his fatigue vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp and calm demeanor like that of a hawk.
He sat up abruptly from the bed, not even having time to put on his outer robe, wearing only a simple military uniform, and yanked open the tent flap, striding outside.
The cold night wind swept over him, but it only made his already clear mind even clearer.
His gaze was sharp as he quickly scanned the camp, which was slightly agitated by the sudden alarm. His face remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.
Just then, a scout cavalryman galloped through the chaotic crowd and rushed straight to the commander's tent.
Before he could even fully rein in his horse, he tumbled off the saddle, knelt on one knee, and hurriedly reported:
"Reporting to the commander! The Chu army cavalry has emerged from Zhennan Pass and is attacking our camp!"
Li Jing stood with his hands behind his back, the night wind ruffling his graying temples, his voice so steady it betrayed no emotion:
"How many troops have arrived? Who is the commander? What banner are they flying?"
The scout took a deep breath and tried to make his voice clear: "Reporting to the commander, judging from their formation, they number about 20,000 cavalry!"
"The leading general was burly and bald, wielding a giant axe and carrying a banner with the character 'Ran' on it!"
“A flag with the character ‘Ran’? Ran Ming…”
A glint flashed in Li Jing's eyes as he repeated the name in a low voice, a cold smile curving his lips.