Chapter 283 Odds of Winning
As Meng Lingge listened to Wen Zhiming speak, seeing his calm and composed demeanor, and his lack of panic even in the face of a major battle, she felt somewhat at ease.
"Although we haven't traveled very fast on our journey, and our soldiers have had a good rest, the soldiers in the capital are conserving their energy and waiting for the opportune moment. In addition, their forces are twice our size. Aren't you worried at all?"
Wen Zhiming smiled and said, "I am the commander of an army. If I am afraid, how can my soldiers fight? I am my wife's husband. If I am worried and uneasy, my wife will be even more anxious. Besides, this trip is a direct attack on the capital. Although it is a risky move, I have made a lot of preparations. Our chances of winning are not low."
“In a battle between two armies, troop strength does play a crucial role in determining victory or defeat. But there are five other factors that are also extremely important. These are morality, timing, terrain, generals, and laws. I am more popular with the people than the Emperor, I know his army and the palace inside and out, and I can be considered a competent general. Considering all these factors, my army has at least a 50-60% chance of winning.”
Meng Lingge took out the list of officials in his hand and flipped through it as he said, "You're getting better and better at boasting. I know about the preparations in the military camp. What other preparations have you made in the capital?"
Wen Zhiming liked Meng Lingge's direct and frank questioning, and whispered.
"I have already placed people in several of the Emperor's military camps in the capital, in inconspicuous but crucial positions, such as the kitchen, armory, grain depot, and stable boy. In addition, I have been in contact with my master since I regained consciousness. Although we have not met, we have been sending messages by carrier pigeon. My master has gathered a group of martial arts practitioners, who have now arrived in the capital. Although they are few in number, they are all skilled and adept at spying and assassination."
Meng Lingge has recently been reading military books and frequently discussing military matters with Wen Zhiming, so her perspective has long since changed.
Upon hearing this, one immediately understands how important the people Wen Zhiming mentioned are. Although the positions of kitchen staff, armory, grain depot, and stable boy are not high-ranking, they are the most critical locations in the military camp. If any problems arise, the entire military camp's combat effectiveness will collapse.
Moreover, there is a group of skilled martial arts practitioners on standby at any time.
She had previously thought that Wen Zhiming's claim of a 50-60% chance of winning was just to comfort her, but now she felt that Wen Zhiming had been quite modest.
"So, does that mean we don't need this register of officials anymore?"
Meng Lingge looked at the booklet in her hand. It contained her father's deep love for her, and even if she didn't need it, she would still keep it carefully.
“Of course it will come in handy. With the information provided by my father-in-law, our chances of winning will increase by another ten percent.” Wen Zhiming found the name of the Observatory in the middle of the booklet, then turned to the last page and pointed to one of the people in it.
"Now, as long as we can persuade the Observatory and this person, we can create the illusion of divine punishment, making everyone in the capital know that the emperor is immoral and the world is about to change hands. In this way, the soldiers in the capital will be thrown into chaos first, and our army's attack will be even more unstoppable."
The Observatory of Astronomy was responsible for predicting good and bad fortune for the country. It was said that bribing them to serve the country could indeed cause unusual celestial phenomena.
But the person behind him is a minor official of the eighth rank. What does he have to do with this matter?
Seeing Meng Lingge's confusion, Wen Zhiming pointed to the bottom line of small print in the official's information for her to see.
He was skilled in gossip and kept several gossipy women as his informants. He was the king of gossips in the capital, and any news that passed through his hands would be known throughout the city the next day.
Once an unusual phenomenon occurs, someone must spread the word about it.
Meng Lingge understood now, but new worries arose.
"But we'll be in the capital in just two days. Is there still enough time?"
After all, the message had to be sent to the people in the capital first, then the two men had to be put to use, and then the matter of the extraordinary natural phenomenon had to be quickly spread so that everyone would know about it. Two days was indeed a bit rushed.
"It should be about right. I will send an urgent message back shortly. I have thought of this plan before, but I have not been able to win over the Observatory. Now that my father-in-law has provided this information, the Observatory does not want its secrets to be exposed to the world, so it can only follow my orders."
Wen Zhiming stroked the page of the Observatory in the booklet with his hand.
The Observatory was actually Consort Qin's lover.
The two even met once this year and secretly began dating.
Given the Emperor's control over his concubines, if he were to find out about this, not only would the Imperial Observatory and Consort Qin be doomed, but their families would also be in grave danger.
Although creating the illusion of divine punishment by the Observatory also posed a life-threatening risk, his family and Consort Qin were safe, and if Wen Zhiming's army arrived in time, he would still have a chance of survival.
After weighing the two options, the Observatory could only do as Wen Zhiming suggested.
Meng Lingge chuckled and said, "Father really helped us a lot this time, so don't complain about him anymore."
Wen Zhiming pulled Meng Lingge into his arms. "As long as my father-in-law doesn't complain about my wife, I would never dare to be disrespectful to her family. Now that my father-in-law supports us and cherishes my wife, all I have left for him is filial piety and gratitude."
The couple gazed at each other, their eyes filled with tender affection.
Wen Zhiming planted a kiss on Meng Lingge's forehead.
"Tomorrow, the military camp will be set up in Zhitou Bay. If I'm not mistaken, there will be a fierce battle late tomorrow night. This is my first battle against the soldiers of the capital. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. Just in case, I will take you to a safe place first. After this battle is over, I will come to pick you up immediately. Be good and wait for me."
The temporary encampment of over 100,000 soldiers covered a relatively large area, and they also had to avoid some dangerous terrain. The information gathered by the vanguard scouts indicated that the most suitable location was Zhitou Bay.
This place, nestled between mountains and water, allows the soldiers to get ample rest while also meeting their water and sanitation needs.
But the places they could think of, the officials in the capital could also think of.
This was the last night before entering the capital. Given the Emperor's personality, he naturally wouldn't allow them to enter the city so smoothly and peacefully.
However, an army of over 100,000 people is not easy to deal with.
They will definitely resort to a sneak attack, and the best way is to catch the Tiger Flying Army off guard while they are asleep.
Cao Ran suggested setting up camp in a different location so that the officials and soldiers from the capital would find nothing. But Wen Zhiming decided to turn the tables and trap them like turtles in a jar.
To avoid leaking the news, Wen Zhiming has not yet informed his soldiers of this idea. Meng Lingge is also hearing about it for the first time. Although she is reluctant to part with Wen Zhiming, she is pregnant and does not know martial arts, so staying on the battlefield would be a burden.
Meng Lingge placed Wen Zhiming's hand on her abdomen, her eyes gentle.
"I'll wait for you patiently with my child."
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