"Yang Qingzhi should not be underestimated. He Biao is one of his generals. He will not just be left to defend the city. He should be used flexibly."

Xiao Luofeng tapped on the sand table and said, "Tu Tiewuhua knows this route, and Yang Qingzhi, who once occupied Yun Jing County, might also know it. The battle situation in Yunmeng City is currently at a stalemate. I can think of using this route to launch a surprise attack on Yun Jing City. Is it possible that Yang Qingzhi could send He Biao to use this route to launch a surprise attack on us as well?"

"Therefore, you are very likely to encounter He Biao on your way to attack Yun Jing City. If this variable occurs, you will encounter 30,000 men."

“He Biao is a fierce general of the Southern Zhou Dynasty. Your 50,000 men did not actually gain much advantage against his 30,000 men.”

"Fan Dao, are you confident?"

Fan Dao knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, "He Biao is famous in Southern Zhou because he has been in the army for a long time, while I have only been fighting on the battlefield for less than a year. If I want to become a famous general, I should defeat a famous general like him!"

"good!"

Xiao Luofeng lifted Fan Dao up and said, "General Fan, I await your good news!"

"promise!"

Xiao Luofeng stood with his hands behind his back, walked outside the tent, looked at the darkening night sky, and said softly, "Yang Qingzhi, the era of the old generals has passed. Now it's our stage. On the way here, I studied every battle you fought. I know your tactics well. Whatever you can think of, I can think of too."

"I asked Fan to play with He Biao; that's my surprise for you."

The next morning.

The snow fell even heavier.

Before dawn, the soldiers of both armies ceased fighting and rested. After dawn, they continued to fight. At this time, Fan Dao led 50,000 elite troops toward Yun Jing City.

Gan Lang watched Fan Daobu's voice disappear into the wind and snow, remaining silent, lost in thought.

Xiao Luofeng said from inside the tent, "It's cold outside, come in and warm yourself by the fire."

Upon hearing this, Gan Lang returned to his tent and sat down opposite Xiao Luofeng.

Xiao Luofeng glanced at Gan Lang and said, "You look so preoccupied. What's wrong? Are you upset that I didn't send you to Yun Jing City?"

"It's not because of that."

Gan Lang shook his head, rubbing his hands together over the fire, and said, "I just don't understand. Since the deputy commander doesn't need reinforcements, and you know He Biao is more capable than Fan Dao, why not send more men to Fan Dao? We still have 50,000 men untouched."

Xiao Luofeng thought for a moment, then got up and walked to the sand table, saying, "Come here."

After Gan Lang left, Xiao Luofeng pointed to the sand table and said, "Do you still remember the terrain that General Tuo Tie told us about that day?"

"Remember."

“Here.” Xiao Luofeng pressed his finger down and said, “If someone goes from the east side of Yunmeng City northwards to the back of this forest, they can sneak through the forest and appear unexpectedly behind our camp.”

Gan Lang paused for a moment, then asked doubtfully, "Are you worried that Yang Qingzhi will attack you from behind?"

Xiao Luofeng said, "In last year's Battle of Yunjing, Yang Qingzhi was defeated after being ambushed by Cheng Xu. Who knows, he might retaliate in kind?"

Gan Lang said, "This kind of surprise attack tactic is extremely difficult. Li Yunqing is in Yunmeng City, and He Biao has been placed in the rear. Where would he get any men?"

"That's exactly what I'm worried about."

Xiao Luofeng placed his hands on the edge of the sand table and said, "You only know that Yang Qingzhi has two great generals, Li Yunqing and He Biao, because they are famous. But he also has a capable person by his side. This person has been by his side for many years and has always been just his follower, just like Tuotie Wuhua who used to be by the side of Champion King. He is not conspicuous."

"Back when the Great General helped Champion King defeat Yang Qingzhi, this person played a crucial role, almost putting the Great General in a dangerous situation."

"This man is named Zuo Zhu. It is precisely because I did not see him that I concluded that if Yang Qingzhi wanted to launch a sneak attack, he would definitely send him to do it!"

Gan Lang said, "But they don't have enough soldiers either."

Xiao Luofeng said, "For something like a raid on the camp, a few thousand men are enough. What's wrong with Yang Qingzhi giving He Biao five thousand fewer men? If the raid succeeds, our rear will be in chaos, and the soldiers at the front will inevitably lose their composure. At that time, Li Yunqing will take advantage of the situation to launch a fierce attack."

Gan Lang was alarmed and said, "If that's really the case, we're doomed to defeat..."

Xiao Luofeng said, "Now you understand why I insisted on leaving people in the camp, right? If Yang Qingzhi really pulls this trick, the enemy attacking the camp might number five thousand, or maybe ten thousand. We need to leave at least twenty thousand people in the rear."

Gan Lang clasped his hands and said, "Commander, your wisdom and foresight are truly admirable!"

Xiao Luofeng waved his hand and said, "I was just trying to be as cautious as possible. Feng Jing has lost, and I can't afford to lose again, otherwise I'll completely disgrace Dongjing and the General."

Gan Lang said, "The commander-in-chief has thought things through in every way, and the deputy commander-in-chief is clearly in the lead. We will definitely achieve final victory!"

...

The fierce battle under Yunmeng City lasted for three days. The soldiers of both armies fought from dawn to dusk every day. Not only were the soldiers exhausted, but Tuo Tie Wu Hua and Li Yun Qing were also exhausted.

On the evening of the third day, Yang Qingzhi sounded the retreat, and Li Yunqing led all his troops back into the city.

Without rest, the Southern Expeditionary Army, riding the momentum of defeating Li Yunqing, began its attack on the city on the fourth day.

Xiao Luofeng and Gan Lang gazed at Yunmeng City from outside the camp.

Gan Lang said, "General Tuo Tie is fantastic! I now submit to the General's arrangement; General Tuo Tie is indeed the best candidate for Deputy Commander-in-Chief!"

Xiao Luofeng put his hands behind his back and said, "Although attacking the city will increase the difficulty of our attack, the morale gained from defeating Li Yunqing is the most valuable thing."

"Report—"

A messenger rushed in and said, "Reporting to the commander, the deputy commander requests reinforcements!"

Once the siege began, the casualties on the Southern Expeditionary Army's side increased. Xiao Luofeng didn't think much of it and said, "Gan Lang, lead 30,000 men to reinforce the city. Take advantage of this momentum and capture Yunmeng City in one fell swoop!"

"yes!"

Gan Lang responded first, then pulled Xiao Luofeng around and said softly, "Now we have reached a critical moment. It is appropriate to send reinforcements to the deputy commander, but I would like to ask my subordinate Liu Tong to lead troops to provide assistance."

Xiao Luofeng asked suspiciously, "What do you mean by this? Are you perhaps afraid of death?!"

"Why should I fear life and death?!"

Gan Lang explained, “I want to stay by the commander’s side. Once these 30,000 men are sent out, there will only be 20,000 men left in the camp to guard against enemy attacks. Zuo Zhu is also a martial arts master. If they really launch a sneak attack, I will have to protect you.”

Xiao Luofeng thought for a moment and said, "I agree that you should stay. Then send another 10,000 men to Liu Tong to help General Tuo Tie take back Yunmeng City in one fell swoop."

Gan Lang exclaimed in surprise, "Then there will only be 10,000 men left in the camp."

"With you here, ten thousand men are enough to guard the camp."

Xiao Luofeng turned around and looked at the battlefield, saying, "Right now, General Tuo Tie needs people more than I do. I cannot ignore the facts that are happening right now because of an unknown assumption."

"Gan Lang, order Liu Tong to set off immediately. I, the commander, will personally beat the drum to cheer him on!"