Chapter 1108 Another Plan
Just as Xiao Yuansui and others were racking their brains over this battle report, almost identical battle reports were also sent to Hulao Pass.
After reading the battle report, Yuwen Ye's face immediately darkened.
Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wu Zheng sat to his left and right. After exchanging a glance, they both revealed solemn expressions tinged with anger. Shen Wu Zheng, in particular, although he disliked Yuwen Cheng and knew that the other party was already at odds with them, they were, after all, going to war together and had a common goal. So when Yuwen Cheng led his troops away from Cijian to attack Luoyang alone in order to seize the biggest victory in this battle, he still reminded him that the key to winning this battle was Liang Shide's supply line. Therefore, they should take down Huiluo Granary first.
In fact, even before Yuwen Ye launched his campaign, he and Shen Tu Tai had advised Yuwen Cheng to first send troops to attack Huiluocang, occupy the place, and then feign an attack on Luoyang. The garrisons at the other passes would surely return to reinforce, and at that time, they could cut off Luoyang's food supply and simultaneously besiege the city and attack the reinforcements. Once the surrounding garrisons were exhausted, Luoyang would be facing a food shortage, and an attack at that time would be much more effective.
Regardless of the strategy employed, Huiluocang is a key area to watch.
However, Yuwen Cheng had not listened to their advice before, which led to his defeat and retreat to Cijian, which is why Yuwen Ye sent troops to reinforce him. Now, with Yuwen Ye helping him eliminate the guards at the surrounding passes and intercepting Xiao Yuansui's 100,000 reinforcements at Hulao Pass, he can attack Luoyang without any worries, yet he still has not cut off Luoyang's food supplies.
This is simply—
"You bastard!"
Shen Tu Tai was already short-tempered, but he had suppressed it considerably after joining Yuwen Ye's forces. However, this time, he couldn't hold back any longer and cursed through gritted teeth.
Shen Wuzheng, who was standing to the side, did not say anything, but felt that he had not scolded him enough.
Yuwen Ye clenched his fists and pressed them hard on the battle report. After a long while, he slowly released his hands and said, "He said that his troops were held up by Liang Shide's men who went out of the city, so he now needs us to send troops to help stop the team that went to collect grain."
Shen Tu Tai's brow furrowed into a knot: "Let us go?"
"..."
"If we go there, what will happen to Hulao Pass?"
"..."
“Xiao Yuansui has been keeping a close eye on us. He will know immediately once the troops at Hulao Pass are redeployed. If he goes to Luoyang, then there’s no need to fight there at all!”
Shen Wuzheng was silent for a moment, then said, "He probably already knows this without us having to deploy our troops."
Shen Tu Tai turned to look at him in surprise.
Yuwen Ye looked at him and immediately understood, saying, "You mean, when Liang Shide sends troops to Huiluo Granary to retrieve grain, he will also send troops here to inform Xiao Yuansui."
"good,"
Shen Wuzheng said, "If I'm not mistaken, Xiao Yuansui and the others are currently discussing how to deal with this matter."
How will they respond?
"If their only intention is to support Luoyang, then they want to block us when we send out troops, so that we cannot stop Liang Shide's grain-gathering operations. As long as the grain is transported back to Luoyang, Liang Shide can continue to hold out, and may even launch a counterattack. With Qi Wang's limited abilities, he may very well squander all the favorable situation he had previously gained."
Yuwen Ye let out a heavy sigh and remained silent.
Shen Wuzheng continued, "But Xiao Yuansui may have another plan."
Yuwen Ye's eyes suddenly turned dark as he said, "You mean he wants to wait for us to send troops back to Luocang, and as soon as the troops at Hulao Pass are mobilized, he will take the opportunity to send troops to attack. If we can rescue Shi Yutao, he will no longer be subject to our control."
Shen Wuzheng nodded: "Not bad."
As he said this, his expression became even more grim than when he received the battle report, and he stared intently at Yuwen Ye: "Once we lose Shi Yutao, Ruyi's safety will be completely jeopardized!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Tu Tai glanced at him.
At that moment, a very soft voice said, "But we can't just leave them without helping."
Upon hearing this voice, Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng both looked up at the same time, while Shen Tu Tai immediately shouted at the people behind him, "You have no right to speak!"
The speaker was none other than Xue Lin. He had come with Shen Tu Tai and several other deputy generals to receive orders. Normally, he wouldn't have had a say at this point. It was just that the Prince of Qin, the General Commander, and Military Advisor Shen had come up with a plan and then handed it over to them to carry out. However, the more Xue Lin listened, the more uneasy he became. Shen Wuzheng's considerations were entirely focused on the safety of the Princess of Qin. Of course, the Princess of Qin had defended Hu Yang Valley and prevented the war in Chang'an, which was a great achievement. But their biggest task right now was to attack Luoyang, and they couldn't abandon the entire war for the sake of one person.
So he couldn't help but speak up, and that immediately drew a rebuke from Shen Tu Tai.
Xue Lin hesitated, then lowered his head.
Yuwen Ye looked at him, his brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a pale line, clearly indicating that he had a lot to say. After a moment of silence, he said, "I called you here to discuss important matters. Xue Lin, speak your mind."
Upon hearing this, Xue Lin immediately raised his head, only to meet Shen Wuzheng's somewhat dim eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "This humble general believes that Luoyang is the target of our expedition this time. Regardless of the current situation at Hulao Pass, it is all for the ultimate goal of taking Luoyang."
"..."
"If Liang Shide is allowed to live this time, it will be very difficult to take Luoyang City again."
Upon hearing this, the entire council chamber fell silent.
Yuwen Ye remained silent, merely staring thoughtfully at the young general.
Soon, it got dark.
As the first torch was lit on the city wall of Hulao Pass, bonfires were also lit throughout Xiao Yuansui's military camp. Soldiers held torches high, illuminating the entire camp as if it were daytime.
Because of the great brightness, Shang Ruyi, who was in the tent, asked Wo Xue to extinguish one of the oil lamps.
Since that day, Xiao Yuansui has never come to see her again, and his attitude towards her has obviously turned cold. He has his own pride and would not shamelessly fawn over her knowing that she has no interest in him. However, he did not mistreat them in terms of food, clothing and daily necessities. He even provided them with plenty of lamp oil and candles. So, just as dusk was approaching, Wo Xue lit the lamp in the tent.
Even with one lamp extinguished, the light inside the tent didn't dim much. On the contrary, they could still see the figures moving outside reflected on the tent, coming and going like a carousel.
Watching the busy figures, Shang Ruyi's eyes, which were visible outside her mask, also became serious.
She said, "Wo Xue, are you telling the truth?"
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