Yizhou, the temporary headquarters.
Zhao Muyun was also looking at the map, and key generals such as Tang Yanhai, Wu Shangzhi, Guo Luo, Xi Sheng, Zhong Meng, and Murong Chunhua were all present.
"Wuzhu has led the main force north to Luancheng."
Zhao Muyun said calmly, "As expected, he won't give up Xiangzhou easily, nor does he want to be attacked from both sides by us and Yang Yan. He's setting up his forces to fight us head-on."
"He even sent a challenge, asking the Grand Commander to a duel between warriors. What a joke!" Wu Shangzhi scoffed.
Tang Yanhai pondered and said, "Wuzhu's move is twofold: first, to test the waters, and second, to provoke him."
"Our army has just won a victory and its morale is high. If we avoid battle, it will damage morale. However, if we engage in a hasty decisive battle, our army will be at a disadvantage in terms of strength, and our army is still not as adapted to the terrain and climate of Hebei as the Di army."
Zhao Muyun nodded: "Old Tang is absolutely right. A decisive battle is inevitable, but the time and place cannot be decided by Wuzhu."
He paused, then asked, "Shen Qian, what's Yang Yan's reaction?"
Shen Qian replied, "With the pressure on Xiangzhou reduced, Yang Yan has no intention of joining forces with our army. Instead, he is stepping up the repair of fortifications and stockpiling of grain and fodder."
"In addition, our people have discovered that the Fengtian Army's scouts have expanded their range of activity and seem to be closely monitoring the movements of our army and Wuzhu."
Zhao Muyun sneered: "Yang Yan wants to sit back and watch the tigers fight, wait for us and Wuzhu to fight to the death, and then he will come out to clean up the mess, and even... clean us up as well."
The generals felt a chill run down their spines.
They all understood this point. The Great Feng and the Great Yin were mortal enemies. They only temporarily put aside their differences and cooperated because the Tartars marched south.
However, Li Jingang remained vigilant against their Hedong army, while Yang Yan was constantly plotting to bring about the downfall of the Great Yin Dynasty.
"He's dreaming!"
Zhong Meng said in a deep voice, "Why should they get the benefits from the territory we fought so hard to win back!"
Zhao Muyun waved his hand to stop the discussion, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Wuzhu wants a decisive battle, while Yang Yan wants to observe. Then let's find something for them to do."
He pointed to another point on the map—Dingzhou.
"Dingzhou is located between Baoding and Luancheng. The city is well-fortified and stores some of the grain that Wuzhu has collected for the front lines. The garrison is small, about two thousand men."
Zhao Muyun said, "Murong Chunhua!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I hereby order you to lead three thousand light cavalry from Hedong, along with a whole battalion of firearms from the Divine Machine Battalion, to bypass the front of Luancheng and launch a surprise attack on Dingzhou!"
"If we can take them down, great. If we can't, we should burn their supplies and create chaos so that Wuzhu's rear will never have peace!"
"Understood!" The two men accepted the order.
"Xi Sheng, Zhong Meng!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"You two will lead your infantry and advance slowly toward Luancheng, setting up numerous camps and deploying numerous feints along the way to create the impression that our main force is advancing steadily and seeking a decisive battle, thus drawing Wuzhu's attention."
"Yes, sir!"
"Guo Luo, Wu Shangzhi, and Liu Yi, stay with me in the central army. The heavy cavalry battalion, the Shenji battalion, and the main cavalry force shall remain mobile."
After assigning tasks, Zhao Muyun said to Shen Qian, "There is something I need you to do personally."
"Please speak, Grand Commander."
"The weather is getting colder and colder. Most of our soldiers are from the north and can adapt, but we need to pay extra attention to the maintenance of warhorses and equipment."
"Go and inform Han Zhong to prioritize distributing the honeycomb briquettes to the sentries and the Shenji Battalion on night duty, so that they can keep warm and maintain the effectiveness of their crossbows."
"At the same time, some heating stoves were set up in key locations of the camp using honeycomb briquettes to keep warm and maintain the strength of soldiers on rest."
Honeycomb briquettes were invented and prepared in large quantities by Zhao Muyun based on Qian's memories from her previous life. They are simple to make, burn for a long time, and produce less smoke and dust.
"Yes, sir! I will return to Daizhou immediately to report to Governor Han!"
Zhao Muyun's gaze fell on Luancheng on the map again, and he said coldly, "Does Wuzhu think that by waiting in Luancheng, he can force me to submit?"
"Little do they know, the initiative on the battlefield is always won through fighting, not waiting!"
"He wants to see my hand, so I'll reveal it to him little by little until we see who loses their temper first!"
......
Zhao Muyun's strategy of dividing his forces to harass the enemy quickly proved effective.
Murong Chunhua led three thousand light cavalry, sweeping across the outskirts of Luancheng like a whirlwind, heading straight for Dingzhou.
They acted swiftly, and with night scouts clearing out enemy sentries in advance, the defenders only hastily closed the gates and refused to defend the city when they were already at the gates of Dingzhou.
Huan Wu, who was traveling with him, was impatient. Seeing the panic among the defenders on the city wall, he was about to order the construction of makeshift ladders for a strong attack, but Murong Chunhua stopped him.
"Commander Huan, the Grand Commander's orders are to focus on harassment and prioritize burning supplies. Dingzhou is a fortified city; a direct cavalry assault would inevitably result in heavy casualties and be a losing proposition."
Murong Chunhua calmly observed the city's defenses, "Let the Shenji Battalion's firearms team teach them a lesson."
Upon receiving the order, the firearms captain of the Shenji Battalion immediately directed his men to take action.
Instead of using the precious thunderbolts, they used fire oil tanks and rockets.
Dozens of strong soldiers used improved slingshots to hurl burning oil tanks at the top of Dingzhou city walls and the granary area outside the city.
"Boom—!"
Although its power was far less than that of a thunderclap, the sudden explosion and the scattered fragments still terrified the defenders on the city wall, who scattered and fled in panic.
Some rockets struck haystacks and wooden buildings near the grain silo, causing fires and billowing smoke.
"Oh no! The southern barbarians know sorcery!"
"The granary is on fire!"
Chaos erupted in Dingzhou City.
The garrison commander was terrified. He sent men to put out the fire while ordering his men to hold the city at all costs, and dared not leave the city again.
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