Fifty miles west of Zhuozhou City, in a valley, countless military tents spread out like mushrooms.
The red banner with black clouds, still smelling of gunpowder, stood in front of the camp, fluttering in the cold autumn wind.
Instead of returning to Zhuozhou City, Zhao Muyun led nearly 10,000 elite soldiers and disappeared into the wilderness, leaving Arahan, who arrived later, completely baffled.
Although the soldiers were exhausted, their eyes shone with the excitement of victory and confidence in the future.
They fought alongside Zhao Muyun and almost suffered defeats.
Zhao Muyun's words were more effective to them than an imperial edict.
They believed that whatever decision Zhao Muyun made, he would lead them to victory.
Inside the central command tent, however, the atmosphere was completely different from the clamor and excitement outside.
The flickering candlelight illuminated Zhao Muyun's serene face and the solemn or resolute expressions of his generals.
"Grand Commander, our army has just captured Zhuozhou. Now is the time to rest and recuperate our troops, strengthen the city's defenses, and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, riding the wave of our great victory! Why abandon the city and flee?"
Guo Luo was the first to speak. He was upright and reluctant to give up the city he had fought so hard to capture.
He had not yet removed his heavy armor, and the armor plates were still stained with the dark red of last night's street fighting.
Although Wu Shangzhi did not speak, his furrowed brows expressed a similar question.
Even the usually composed Liu Yi couldn't help but advise, "Grand Commander, our army has been fighting continuously, and our men and horses are exhausted, with huge consumption of arrows and firearms."
"Zhuozhou is a high city with deep moats. If we can hold the city, we can deal with the Northern Di reinforcements if they arrive."
"To abandon the city and venture deep into enemy territory is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!"
Zhao Muyun's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the map of Hebei's mountains and rivers in front of him, which was constantly updated by Tang Yanhai's scouts and densely marked.
His gaze fell on the two characters "Zhuozhou", and then slowly moved westward, crossing the winding "Xutuo River".
"Gentlemen!" His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable power. "Do you know what our greatest achievement was in conquering Zhuozhou?"
The generals were taken aback.
The greatest achievement was naturally the capture of this important town in Younan, where generals were killed and flags were seized.
Zhao Muyun shook his head and tapped his finger heavily on the location of Youzhou on the map:
"It wasn't about cities or spoils, but about how we successfully made the Northern Barbarians, and Han Yanshou, who was stationed in Youzhou, feel pain and fear!"
"This makes Wuzhu, who is far away in Xiangzhou, feel like he has a thorn in his side!"
He stood up, walked to the map, his gaze sharp as an eagle's:
"But we must also be clear-headed. Zhuozhou is the throat of Youzhou, but it could also become our grave."
"Han Yanshou will never sit idly by and watch his throat be strangled. Although he has retreated, he will immediately do everything in his power to seize it."
"And Wuzhu would never allow a sharp knife to be pressed against his spine from behind; the reinforcements he sent are probably already on their way."
"Arahan's 10,000 elite cavalry are just the vanguard. How many more are following? 20,000? 30,000? Or even more?"
The tent was completely silent, except for the crackling sound of the torches burning.
All the generals realized the seriousness of the problem.
Trapped in an isolated city, facing a relentless stream of enemy troops, the outcome was predictable.
"Therefore, we cannot defend, at least not now."
Zhao Muyun's voice was resolute: "Defending the city would mean handing the initiative to the enemy, and it would be a war of attrition, which we cannot afford! Our only advantage lies in our ability to move!"
He surveyed his generals, his eyes gleaming with a wisdom that transcended that of generals of this era—a time traveler's understanding of the essence of mobile warfare.
"We must be like water, flowing freely. We must keep the enemy guessing about our whereabouts and prevent them from capturing our main force."
"When they are exhausted and reveal weaknesses, concentrate all your efforts to attack their vitals!"
Immediately, he loudly ordered: "Send word! The entire army shall have a hearty meal and carry five days' worth of dry rations. The seriously wounded shall be housed in civilian residences in Zhuozhou. All others, including the lightly wounded, shall depart with me immediately!"
"Objective—to cross the Sudatta River to the west!"
"Grand Commander, what are we going to Daming Prefecture for?" Murong Chunhua couldn't help but ask.
“We’re not going to Daming Prefecture,” Zhao Muyun said with a cryptic smile, “we’re making Arahan think we’re going to attack Daming Prefecture. Tang Yanhai!”
"Your subordinate is here!" Tang Yanhai responded.
"Your men must keep a close eye on Arahan's movements. I need to know the approximate location of his ten thousand cavalrymen every hour!"
"clear!"
Military orders are absolute. Despite lingering doubts, the absolute trust that had long been built with Zhao Muyun led the generals to carry out the orders without hesitation.
Soon, the city of Zhuozhou was bustling with people and horses, yet everything was orderly.
The city gates opened silently, and this army of less than 10,000 men, like a stream flowing in the dark night, silently merged into the darkness before dawn, heading west towards the Sudatta River crossing.
As dawn broke, Arakhan led 10,000 elite cavalrymen from the Northern Di, sweeping towards the city of Zhuozhou like a rolling iron torrent.
Seeing the red banner with black clouds still fluttering atop the city wall, Arahan revealed a ferocious smile.
"They're still here! Men, surround them! Don't let a single barbarian escape!"
He brandished his knife and roared, thinking he had finally caught this slippery loach.
However, when his vanguard cautiously approached the city and even began a probing assault, they found that there was absolutely no resistance on the city walls.
Soon, news arrived—the city was deserted, the city walls were covered with scarecrows, and the main force had long since disappeared!
"What?"
Arakhan was both shocked and furious. He spurred his horse to the city walls and looked at the lonely flag fluttering in the morning breeze. He felt that he had been thoroughly mocked.
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