Under Cheng Xu's scheme, Zhao Cheng arrived in Nantong City ahead of Yang Qingzhi, but instead of staying in Nantong City, he continued to advance south.
This was Zhao Cheng's decision.
Zhao Cheng felt that since both sides had won the first battle, there was no need to cower in the city and wait for Yang Qingzhi to come and fight. Instead, they should take advantage of this morale and fight Yang Qingzhi in the outside.
In Zhao Cheng's words, what are we here for?
Our goal was to drive Yang Qingzhi out of Yunjing County, but we ended up becoming the defenders of the city. How is that possible?
Although Cheng Xu and Zhao Yan both suggested that they first defend the city and wear down Yang Qingzhi's morale, Zhao Cheng insisted on his suggestion.
The two armies faced off thirty miles outside Nantong City.
Unlike the battle under Yunmeng City, which was a challenge between Li Yunqing and Tuo Tiewuhua, this time it was a battle between Li Yunqing and Tuo Tiewuhua.
This time, both Zhao Cheng and Yang Qingzhi came alone between the two armies.
Unlike Wen Hu's private conversation between the two armies, Yang Qingzhi was not skilled in martial arts, so Zhao Cheng was not worried at all.
Although the other side has Cui Wuming, Zhao Cheng has Lao San.
The two men, one on each horse, stopped ten paces apart.
The difference is that Yang Qingzhi also had a cat in his arms.
Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Qingzhi, you've grown up. I'm very pleased."
Yang Qingzhi chuckled and said while petting the cat, "You still love to talk big and always try to take advantage of me."
When Zhao Cheng said that Yang Qingzhi had grown up, he was naturally referring to Yang Qingzhi's two consecutive victories, defeating Feng Jing and Xiao Luofeng.
This was clearly a compliment, but Zhao Cheng insisted on using the tone of an elder.
Zhao Cheng said, "This time, Dongjing has given you enough advantage, so you should give me something in return."
Yang Qingzhi said, "When it comes to being shameless, you're the one. Southern Zhou's victory was clearly earned by ourselves. How could it be that we took advantage of you?"
"Tsk tsk tsk!"
Zhao Cheng clicked his tongue and said, "Those who have won battles are naturally confident!"
"Of course!" Yang Qingzhi stroked the kitten's head and laughed, "Even it feels proud!"
Zhao Cheng said, "Really? Are you satisfied with the gift I gave you?"
Yang Qingzhi smiled but did not answer. Instead, he turned to the side and clapped his hands at the group behind him.
"Step forward!!"
A command rang out from the ranks, and then more than five thousand shirtless men stepped forward, turned their backs to Zhao Cheng, and stood at attention in perfect unison—a truly magnificent sight.
Seeing the eight large characters behind those people, Zhao Cheng was startled, then understood Yang Qingzhi's intention.
Zhao Cheng said admiringly, "As expected of Yang Qingzhi. I admire his vision."
"You flatter me."
Yang Qingzhi nodded to Zhao Cheng and said, "So I really like General Zhao's gift. You're very thoughtful."
Seeing that Yang Qingzhi had figured out his plan, Zhao Cheng felt bored and didn't bother to say anything more. He asked, "How do you want to play?"
"Fight soldiers, fight generals, fight formations, the choice is yours," Yang Qingzhi said.
"Can't we banter?"
"I can admit defeat right now."
Zhao Cheng asked doubtfully, "You can even set up formations?"
I know a little bit about it.
Yang Qingzhi teased the cat's neck with his finger and asked in return, "Does General Zhao have an interest in formations? How about I set one up? If you can break it, I'll retreat a hundred miles. If you can't, you'll obediently retreat to Nantong City and wait for me to take your life."
"That's really arrogant!"
Zhao Cheng snorted coldly, turned around, and said, "If you want to set up an array, then set it up."
Yang Qingzhi glanced at Zhao Cheng's back, then turned around and made a hand gesture.
The next moment, war drums sounded in the Southern Zhou army, and about 50,000 men stepped forward to form ranks.
"Southern Zhou will prevail! Southern Zhou will prevail!!"
Those soldiers who didn't step forward raised their weapons to cheer on their comrades.
As Zhao Cheng returned to his unit and looked at the Southern Zhou army opposite him, he felt an overwhelming pressure. Every soldier seemed like a war god descending, their morale soaring.
"Does anyone here understand formations?" Zhao Cheng asked.
Zhao Yan asked doubtfully, "Brother, don't you understand?"
Zhao Cheng said, "Why would I be interested in studying this?"
Zhao Yan was also stunned and said, "Don't you understand why you agreed to him?"
"That Yang Qingzhi has gotten too cocky, I can't just back down!" Zhao Cheng looked at his generals with a worried expression and said, "I'm just trusting you all, aren't I?"
"Wait for me for one more minute," Cheng Xu suddenly said.
Zhao Cheng exclaimed in surprise, "Strategist, you understand?"
Cheng Xu put the feather fan to his lips and whispered, "Shh—"
Zhao Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then he was completely taken aback.
Cheng Xu is actually playing the deep thinker.
It's done!
Very good, very good...
A strategist should have a certain air about him.
I'm just a general, I'm nothing!
A minute later, Cheng Xu indeed spoke up, saying, "I can tell at a glance that this formation is the 'Bing Lin Zhen' created by the Sage of War. The reason I need to spend some time examining it closely is to see if Yang Qingzhi's 'Bing Lin Zhen' has been modified from the Sage of War's."
Zhao Cheng asked, "Then... can it be broken?"
Cheng Xu waved his feather fan forward and said with great confidence, "Since you recognize it, of course you can break it."
"The strategist is brilliant!"
Zhao Cheng was overjoyed and said, "Then I'll leave this formation to the strategist. Please appoint the generals."
Cheng Xu's gaze remained fixed on the formation opposite him. He said, "The key to a successful battle lies in the momentum and the explosive power generated by the coordinated efforts of the soldiers. The purpose of this formation is not to trap the enemy, but to devour and digest the prey like a giant python."
"Once you enter the formation, remember not to linger in battle, and do not be distracted by the surrounding enemies. Focus on advancing from a single point, like cutting open the belly of a giant python. If the belly is broken, the formation is broken!"
Zhao Yan volunteered, "Let me go!"
Cheng Xu smiled and said, "The person who can lead the charge to break through the formation needs a simple and brutal fighting style and unparalleled combat power. The deputy commander's combat power goes without saying, but we have the most suitable candidate to break this formation."
As he spoke, Cheng Xu looked at Zhao Hu and said sternly, "General Hu!"
Zhao Hu immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Here!"
"Your two-bladed sword is best suited to break this formation, so you shall lead the troops into the formation."
Cheng Xu then looked at Heng Wenhao and continued, "General Heng, although your swordsmanship is not as simple and brutal as General Hu's, it has a greater area of effect. You can serve as General Hu's deputy vanguard, clearing away obstacles around him and his soldiers so that he can concentrate on breaking the formation."
Heng Wenhao accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"
Zhao Hu asked, "How many men should we bring into the formation?"
Cheng Xu said, "Ten thousand people."
Zhao Hu was taken aback for a moment, looked at the opposite side, and said, "There must be at least 50,000 people arrayed on the other side, right?"
"Breaking through the enemy lines isn't a battle between two armies, nor is it a contest of numbers. With you and General Hengwen leading the charge, and following my method, ten thousand men will be enough."
Cheng Xu looked at Zhao Hu and deliberately asked, "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
"What am I afraid of!"
Zhao Hu drew his broken sword and said, "In an army of ten thousand, what does it matter if each person has only one sword?!"
"Brothers!"
"Those willing to follow me into battle and earn merit, step forward!!"
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