Chapter 371: The Art of Military Strategy
In the second year of Jingping, the regent of Tianqi, Xiao Nanyan, personally led an army of 200,000 and marched towards the territory of Nanzhao with the force of thunder.
He is good at using troops and never acts rashly, and this expedition is even more methodical.
He did not follow the usual method of strong attack, but instead focused on "encircling the point and attacking the reinforcements, trapping but not annihilating". Every time he attacked a city, he would first send elite cavalry to go around the enemy's rear to cut off the food supply, and then line up heavy armored infantry under the city and build high barriers to defend it.
When the city has been out of food for several days and the defenders are in chaos, there is often no need for a major battle and they can be forced to surrender without bloodshed, which not only reduces casualties on both sides but also preserves the foundation of the city.
During the march, Xiao Nanyan repeatedly ordered:
"All of us, the soldiers of Tianqi, must not harm the civilians. After the city is captured, the defenders may surrender and officials may remain, but you are not allowed to injure a single person, plunder a single property, or rape a single woman. Anyone who violates this order by burning, killing, raping, or looting will be executed immediately, regardless of rank!"
Military discipline was as strict as iron. Wherever the 200,000-strong army passed, although the flags blocked the sky and the armor was cold, it was rare to see smoke burning the city or wailing everywhere.
At first, the people were frightened and closed their doors. However, when they saw that the Apocalypse soldiers would only guard the streets and not disturb people's homes, and would even help to prop up the beams and pillars of collapsed houses, they gradually felt relieved.
This tactic of "intimidating the enemy and winning their hearts with kindness" made the Southern Zhao army defenseless.
In less than four months, Xiao Nanyue captured five cities in succession.
At this moment, he stood on the newly captured Luoshui City, looking towards the heart of Nanzhao, his eyes solemn:
If he conquers six more cities, his cavalry will reach Jiangdu, the capital of Southern Zhao.
Originally, he could have been even faster. The morale of the Nanzhao soldiers defending the city had already been demoralized by the trap he had carefully set up. If he ordered a strong attack, the road ahead could be cleared within a month.
But Xiao Nanyan deliberately slowed his pace, trying to avoid bloodshed. Instead, he used the most stable tactics and minimal casualties, allowing Nan Zhao to witness his power—he could command his troops to crush mountains and rivers, yet he could also control them with ease and control the overall situation.
Every step he took was calculated with precision: he surrounded the enemy without attacking, cut off their food supply but did not destroy their farmland; he captured the defenders but strictly prohibited his soldiers from harassing the civilians.
Because, after all, this is Xiyan's motherland.
What he wanted was for Nanzhao to surrender, to conquer the enemy without a fight, and for them to willingly agree to a marriage alliance, rather than for the beautiful mountains and rivers of Nanzhao to be reduced to scorched earth and devastated...
The wind blew the war flags fluttering, and Xiao Nanyue's gaze passed through the layers of cities and looked towards Jiangdu, his fingertips gently stroking the hilt of the sword.
Soon, he would be able to see her, and their child, too.
More than five months ago, a scout from Jiangdu came to report that Princess Zhaoning of Nanzhao had given birth to a daughter and named her Xie Yin.
It turned out that their daughter was called Yin'er.
Xie? Okay.
…
Jiangdu Imperial Palace.
The atmosphere in Xuanzheng Hall was as heavy as iron.
Emperor Xie Zhen of Southern Zhao sat upright on the dragon throne, listening to the trembling voice of the Minister of War reporting on the battle situation. He clutched the armrests tightly, his face so gloomy that water could drip out of it.
"Good job, Xiao Nanyan!" Xie Lan spoke first:
"It seems that he has been holding back for a long time, and finally couldn't help but show his claws!"
Xie Zhan on the side was full of anger:
"I never thought he would actually dare to declare war on Nan Zhao for Xi Yan. This is really too much. He should have been detained in Jiangdu from the beginning. He ended up raising a tiger to cause trouble today."
Xie Lan remained calm:
"Father, judging by the momentum of the Apocalypse Army, they are clearly determined to march down to Jiangdu. Right now, how should we respond? We can't just sit there and wait for death!"
Xie Zhen was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Xiao Nanyan has many soldiers and generals, and he's known for his skill in leading troops. A head-on confrontation with him will only result in heavy casualties, and we may not be able to withstand his cavalry. This battle requires strategy."
"Father." Xie Lan stepped forward, clasped his fists and asked for orders:
"I am willing to lead a team of troops to Luoshui City to fight him!"
Xie Zhen glanced at his eldest son and nodded:
"Alright! Nanzhao has many mountains and swamps, and even more miasma and poison. You just need to take advantage of this terrain, set up obstacles layer by layer, cut off his food supply, disrupt his military morale, and make sure his 200,000 troops never return!"
"I understand!"
…
Inside Zhaohua Hall.
Xiyan was lowering her head and teasing her half-year-old daughter in her arms.
Yin'er was wearing a lilac-colored jacket embroidered with magnolia flowers. Her small hands were clutching her falling hair, and she was holding a rattle tightly in her hands, her eyes curved with a smile.
Xiyan's mind had already drifted to the battlefield. The information she had heard was like huge rocks, pressing down on her and making it hard for her to breathe.
Every time she heard that Xiao Nanyue had captured another city, her heart sank a little.
She had long anticipated that this day would come when the two countries would go to war.
Is she going to let the entire Nanzhao fall into war and devastation just for her?
Even though Xiao Nanyue ordered to reduce casualties, on the battlefield, swords and guns are indiscriminate, so how could there really be no casualties?
The civilians may be saved, but the lives of those soldiers who charged into battle are also lives!
If it really comes to that, won't she be branded as a beauty who brings disaster for all eternity?
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