si-mexico Chapter 1970 Doubts, Investigation
Chapter 1970 Doubts, Investigation
On the walls of Zhennan Pass, Chu Ning's dark figure stood like a pillar of strength behind the battlements, calmly overlooking the battlefield below, which resembled a giant meat grinder.
The Xuanjia Chu army clashed fiercely with the Mingguang Tang army, and lives were lost every moment. Blood stained the withered grass, and the heavy stench of blood even drifted up the high walls of the pass.
As the frontline commander, Feng Anguo constantly adjusted the deployment of his troops based on the changing battle situation, using flag signals and messengers.
His brow remained furrowed, not only because of the stalemate in the war, but also because of a growing sense of unease.
The battle has lasted for nearly an hour, with both sides having committed more than 20,000 troops, and the casualty figures are constantly rising.
The Tang army's infantry formations displayed remarkable resilience, and despite the Chu army's fierce offensive, they were unable to break through them.
However, what puzzled Feng Anguo the most was that the 30,000-strong Golden Scorpion Cavalry, which had always been stationed on the periphery of the battlefield like a dark cloud, remained motionless to this day!
This is totally against common sense!
Cavalry is a powerful tool for breaking stalemates and expanding victories.
Especially when the infantry on both sides are locked in fierce combat and their stamina is greatly depleted, a well-rested elite cavalry unit suddenly deployed to the flank can often have a decisive effect.
Li Jing was a shrewd and experienced military strategist; he couldn't possibly be unaware of this principle.
Taking advantage of a break in the relay of orders, he quickly walked to Chu Ning's side, disregarding formalities, and reported in a low, serious voice: "Your Majesty! Something is not right!"
Chu Ning's gaze remained fixed on the battlefield, and upon hearing this, he merely turned his head slightly: "Speak."
"Your Majesty, please look,"
Feng Anguo pointed to a relatively calm area on the flank of the battlefield, where the dust had settled and the black figures of the Golden Scorpion Cavalry could be vaguely seen still lingering in the same spot.
"Helian Wujiu's 30,000 cavalry have yet to commit a single soldier to battle! This is highly unusual!"
He quickened his pace and analyzed, "If Li Jing really wants to fight a decisive battle with our army here, or wants to severely damage our army, now is the best time to use this cavalry!"
"Our vanguard is showing signs of fatigue, and although we have some defenses on the flanks, we will inevitably lose them if we hold out for too long."
"Why hasn't he used this decisive force yet? Does he prefer to watch his infantry wear down our army rather than send out his cavalry to break through the enemy lines? This is definitely not Li Jing's style of warfare!"
As Chu Ning listened to Feng Anguo's analysis, his deep eyes slowly narrowed.
His sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, swept across the direction of Helian Wujiu's cavalry, then fixed on the composed figure beneath the Tang army's banner in the distance. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Your concerns are not unfounded.
Chu Ning's voice was low and calm: "Li Jing's actions are indeed contrary to common sense."
"He was willing to suffer greater infantry casualties in order to keep this cavalry firmly in his grasp."
"Unless, he has a more important and deadly purpose in keeping this cavalry unit around than this battle!"
He paused, his tone turning sinister: "Could it be... that he has some other trick up his sleeve that I haven't noticed?"
"Is this cavalry unit a special force he uses to carry out some kind of special mission?"
The emperor's suspicious nature, combined with his battlefield instincts, instantly put Chu Ning on high alert. He absolutely could not allow any unknown risks to exist outside his sight.
"General Feng!"
Chu Ning immediately made a decision: "Immediately dispatch the most elite scouts, and at the same time utilize the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate this matter for me!"
"What exactly is Helian Wujiu's 30,000 cavalry up to? Are they really on standby, or are they plotting something? I need to know their exact location and movements!"
"The minister obeys the order!"
Without hesitation, Feng Anguo immediately turned around and went to make the arrangements himself.
He knew that this matter was of great importance and that the most reliable people had to be mobilized.
Soon, several mixed squads, composed of experienced veterans and agile Jinyiwei spies, took advantage of the chaos on the battlefield and stealthily slipped out of Zhennanguan like ghosts.
Instead of engaging in direct combat, they used the terrain and dust to their advantage, taking a roundabout approach and cautiously making their way towards the area where the Golden Scorpion Cavalry had originally been stationed.
One of the squads, led by Wang Laowu, the head of the scout team, and Zhao Ming, a junior officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, successfully evaded several groups of Tang scouts.
After overcoming numerous hardships, they finally approached the Golden Scorpion tribe's encampment, located to the side and rear of the Allied Forces' camp.
Looking into the distance, the perimeter of the camp appeared to be more heavily guarded than usual.
The number of patrolling Scorpion cavalry squads had increased significantly, moving back and forth with wary eyes scanning their surroundings. The camp gates were tightly closed, and defensive fortifications such as chevaux-de-frise and deer fortifications were fully in place.
Faintly, the neighing of warhorses and the clamor of people could be heard from deep within the camp, suggesting that the troops were still in the camp.
"Squad leader, it seems the main force of the Scorpion Clan is still in the camp."
A young scout said in a low voice, slightly relieved.
Wang Laowu frowned. With twenty years of scout experience, his intuition told him that things were not so simple.
The sounds coming from the camp... seem a little too "deliberate"?
Moreover, the perimeter security was excessively tight, as if they were trying their best to cover something up.
"Something's wrong,"
Wang Laowu whispered to Zhao Ming, "Zhao Xiaoqi, I'll take two people to get closer and take a look. You take the others and stay here to provide backup."
Zhao Ming nodded and gripped the embroidered spring knife at his waist.
Wang Laowu, along with his two most astute henchmen, used the dry grass and earthen slopes for cover, and crept forward silently like a raccoon dog.
They tried to find a better vantage point to get a clearer view of the interior of the camp.
However, just as they were about to cross a shallow ditch and approach the outer fence of the camp, something unexpected happened!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
A few soft twangs of bowstrings echoed from the grass to the side! Several poisoned short arrows shot out like venomous snakes!
"There's a hidden sentry!"
Wang Laowu was terrified and rolled to the side. A poisoned arrow grazed his cheek, causing a burning pain.
However, his two men behind him were not so lucky. One of them was shot directly in the throat and died without uttering a sound.
Another person was shot in the thigh and his face turned black instantly, clearly indicating that the arrow was poisoned!
"We've been exposed! Retreat!"
Wang Laowu's eyes widened in fury. He roared and drew his dagger to deflect another incoming arrow.
At the same time, more than ten scorpion archers dressed in camouflage suits that blended into the environment suddenly stood up from the surrounding bushes.
Their eyes were cold, and they aimed their short bows again.
Further away, a squad of Scorpion Clan cavalry, hearing the commotion, also roared and charged toward this side!
"Captain Wang! Let's go!"
Upon seeing this, Zhao Ming, who was in the backup position, knew that things were hopeless. He immediately ordered the Imperial Guards around him to fire crossbow bolts for cover, while simultaneously signaling a retreat.