Zhao Family Army, Young Marshal's Camp.
Unlike usual, although Zhao Cheng was still behind the desk, he stood up and turned his body to face Lian Zhongyi below him to show his heartfelt respect for the old strategist.
Without the five thousand Dragon Spear Guards brought by Lian Zhongyi, Zhao Cheng's chances of winning this battle are very low.
In other words, if it weren't for Lian Zhongyi's strategy, which foresaw Wang Ren's army's advance and his intention to use the Da Jing Iron Cavalry to break through Zhao Cheng's camp in one fell swoop, and thus prepared defenses in advance, the situation would probably be very different now.
Those who know Lian Zhongyi will naturally understand him, and those who did not know Lian Zhongyi before now have great respect for him.
Among them, Yan Zheng had the greatest respect for Lian Zhongyi, and his gaze toward the old gentleman was filled with fervor.
"That was a really satisfying battle!"
Zhao Hu spoke heartily, his eyes gleaming as he waved his fist.
Lian Zhongyi said, "You didn't say that when I asked you to give up pursuing Wang Ren."
Zhao Hu scratched the back of his head and laughed, "Sir, please don't make fun of me. I only have brute strength; how could I be as resourceful as you?"
Yan Zheng said, "Commander Zhao is absolutely right. I am truly convinced of the victory in this battle, and I believe Wang Ren feels the same way."
Lian Zhongyi stroked his beard, then suddenly looked at Zhao Zhan and smiled, saying, "Like father, like son. Putting aside the young marshal and Ayan for now, when it comes to devising strategies, Ayan deserves the most credit. If it weren't for Ayan's suggestion to have Ayan assassinate Wang Ren, Wang's army wouldn't have been defeated before dawn."
"That's because my third brother is highly skilled in martial arts; he scared Wang Ren and Yu Changsi away!"
Although he said that, Zhao Zhan looked extremely smug.
"The credit belongs to everyone, so let's not flatter each other." Zhao Cheng waved his hand, setting the tone, and asked, "Mr. Lian, what do you think Wang Ren should do next?"
Lian Zhongyi thought about it seriously for a moment and said, "Given Wang Ren's personality, he will not give up so easily. In my opinion, the final battle will come soon."
Zhao Cheng asked, "Does the gentleman mean that Wang Ren will join forces with Wang Yuluan?"
Lian Zhongyi said, "Wang Ren fought this battle because he wanted to make up for the low morale caused by the defeat in the first battle. Now that he has failed, it is better to launch a general offensive than to let the morale continue to decline. Of course, if it were an old general, he would never do this, but he is Wang Ren, and he is an offensive general."
Zhao Cheng fell silent.
If Wang Ren proceeds steadily, he feels there is still more time to plan; but if Wang Ren launches a full-scale attack, then he will have very little time to prepare.
After all, Wang Ren's strength and the size of his army were undeniable.
Zhao Cheng said, "The royal army suffered far greater casualties than we did in this battle, but it still hasn't had a significant impact on the overall situation. What good strategies do you all have?"
Upon hearing this, Lian Zhongyi fell silent and, like Zhao Cheng, scanned the crowd, lingering particularly long on Yan Zheng's face.
Yan Zheng was not intimidated and immediately said, "If he comes, we'll defend. Commander Long is known for his defense, so let him take command of the vanguard and launch a defensive counterattack against the Wang army!"
Zhao Cheng said, "Defense is not something that can be achieved by talking. Although Father is known for his defense, in this kind of field battle, defense requires fortifications. After Father came to the front, there was no time to build fortifications."
"Then the vanguard will retreat to Commander Long's camp!" Yan Zheng said decisively.
Yue Jiti said in a deep voice, "Having won two battles in a row, it's not appropriate to retreat in the face of the enemy."
Yan Zheng said sternly, "As long as we can win the battle, there are no rules to follow!"
Yue Jiti said, "If we retreat now, won't all the morale we gained in the previous two battles be wasted?"
Yan Zheng said, "Even if retreating will affect morale, it won't be lower than the morale of the Wang army."
That's sophistry!
"I only talk about practical matters!"
Seeing Yue Jiti and Yan Zheng start arguing, Yang Taozhi and Xiao Luofeng exchanged a glance, and the two commanders tacitly remained silent.
"Mr. Lian, what's your opinion?" Zhao Cheng suddenly asked.
"I think it's feasible."
Lian Zhongyi said frankly, "Military tactics are unpredictable, just as water has no fixed shape. If Wang Ren launches a general offensive as I predicted, then retreating and joining forces with the old commander is the best option. These days, the old commander has done nothing but consolidate his camp and build fortifications in order to withstand Wang Ren's general offensive."
"Then it's settled."
Zhao Cheng looked at the sullen Yue Jiti and said, "General Yue, don't you still trust Mr. Lian?"
"Yes!" Yue Jiti turned his face away and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "It's a good thing that there are arguments in the military tents. I believe that the arguments in the Wang army's tents are even more intense than ours right now."
...
Commander Wang Jun's tent.
"The top intelligence officer of the Left Prime Minister's office?"
"Even better at intelligence gathering than Dong Xiao??"
"Are you kidding me???"
Wang Ren was furious. He pointed at Ling Liu's nose and cursed, "Where did those five thousand Dragon Spear Guards come from? You scouted the army for so long before the battle, and you came to deliver intelligence every half hour while we were marching. How come I didn't hear any news about the Dragon Spear Guards?"
Liu Ling's face was grim. He lowered his head and said, "I really couldn't find out the whereabouts of the Dragon Spear Guards. It must have been the counterintelligence tactics of the Yiwen Flying Team that deceived me and my men."
Wang Ren asked, "You mean you're no match for the Yiwen Flying Team?"
"I..." Liu Ling was speechless for a moment.
This battle resulted in a great victory for Zhao Cheng in Suidong, but it was indeed a humiliating defeat. Yu Changsi didn't know how to speak up for Liu Ling and stood silently to the side.
At this moment, Luo Ying walked in, accompanied by a scholar with a long sword strapped to his back.
Xu Qingshan.
While Wen Hu was hunting down the Zhao family, Xu Qingshan stayed in the palace as Wen Hu's backup force. Now, in the decisive battle against the Zhao army, he has been sent out by Wen Hu.
As soon as Luo Yingren walked in, he said, "General Wang, don't be so angry. We've lost, but we can win back."
“You were sent by the Marquis of Sha County to assist me, but you have no authority to dictate my decisions!” Wang Ren showed no respect for Luo Ying, and glanced at Yu Changsi as well, saying, “If your intelligence is inadequate, I have no reason to base my battle plans on your intelligence. From now on, I will arrange all the battles, and you just need to obey!”
Luo Ying smiled and said, "Of course, you all follow General Wang's lead."
Wang Ren snorted coldly and shouted, "Has the Demon Dove arrived?!"
A moment later, a person wearing a wolf-head mask and a short black cloak walked in and bowed deeply to Wang Ren.
"Greetings, General."
Wang Ren asked, "How much longer until Wang Yuluan arrives?"
Tuomojiu said, "General Wang has already set off and will arrive within two days."
"Have you taken care of the task I assigned you?"
"The letter has been sent. Given my relationship with the Grand Preceptor of Allah, there will be no mishap."
"Um……"
Wang Ren's tone softened somewhat, a ruthless glint in his eyes, as he said, "To deal with Zhao Huan and his son, we must not be soft-hearted; we must use the most ruthless methods!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
