Chapter 271 Surprise Attack, Catch the Enemy Unprepared
Two months later.
He Xun stood in his tent, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on the sand table in front of him.
As He Wenting's eldest son, he is the commander-in-chief of the southwestern reinforcements.
He rose to fame at a young age, and his greatest strength lay in his unconventional tactics of flanking and encirclement, often winning with fewer troops and catching the enemy off guard.
However, the terrain of Yumen made it impossible for him to use his skills.
The area is too open and flat, with almost no place to hide or maneuver except for a few low hills.
He stayed for two whole months.
The Ule army to the east only surrounded the enemy without attacking, like a lurking venomous snake, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.
The Chirong forces to the west were like annoying flies, launching small-scale raids every now and then. Although they were not fatal, they were constantly depleting the strength and morale of the Northwest Army.
He Xun knew very well.
The weather is freezing cold, and water freezes instantly. The permafrost in Yumen is hard and difficult to traverse, making it completely unsuitable for large-scale military operations.
The enemy is waiting.
Wait until their supplies run out, until their morale is low, until they collapse in this endless war of attrition.
There is only one way to break this stalemate.
To strike unexpectedly and catch the enemy off guard!
We must take the initiative and strike down the arrogance of one of them in order to break this deadlock of being attacked from both sides.
A fierce glint flashed in He Xun's eyes.
He turned around, strode out of the tent, and headed straight for the commander's tent.
He must discuss this plan with General Meng immediately.
The cold wind howled, mixed with the shouts of soldiers practicing drills.
He walked to the outside of the commander's tent, and before he got close, he heard an old and hoarse voice coming from inside.
The voice was powerful and carried an undeniable authority.
"...Pass down the order, commanding Vice General Wang to lead three thousand light cavalry in a feint attack on the left flank of Chirong."
"Order General Li to lead 5,000 infantrymen to ambush at Eagle Beak Cliff."
"The old man from Muta is cunning and treacherous. This attack must be a test. Let's play the empty city ruse on him!"
He Xun's steps suddenly stopped.
A look of doubt appeared on his face.
That sound...
Is it General Meng?
That's not right.
He clearly remembered that the military doctor had repeatedly warned that the old general's throat was damaged, his voice was hoarse, and he could hardly speak.
For the past two months, all military orders have been relayed by strategist Guo Ziyu or deputy general Guo Fang.
He requested an audience several times, but was turned away each time on the grounds that "the general is recuperating and does not receive outside guests."
How come military orders can be issued so clearly today?
He Xun was filled with doubts, and he subconsciously took a few steps closer to the tent flap, wanting to hear more clearly.
His personal guards outside the tent stopped him.
"The strategist ordered that no one be allowed to approach!"
"Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
He Xun took two steps back, then came to his senses, suppressed his doubts, straightened his armor, and reported in a deep voice.
"He Xun, commander-in-chief of the Southwest reinforcements, requests an audience with General Meng."
The guard clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "General He, please wait a moment while I inform him."
The tent flap was lifted slightly, and the guard slipped into the tent. The heat inside rushed out, carrying a hint of bitter medicine.
He Xun watched the corner of the tent sway, and his heart sank for a moment.
The voice carried a chilling, murderous aura, reminiscent of the clash of swords and the thunder of horses.
It absolutely exudes the imposing aura of General Meng, who has fought on the battlefield for many years!
But……
Why did he always feel that the voice was old and hoarse, yet also seemed too deliberate...?
He Xun's brows furrowed more and more tightly.
A moment later, the guard came out, lifting the curtain.
"General He, please."
At this moment, the scene inside the tent was completely visible.
As He Xun stepped inside, a strong smell of medicine mixed with the scent of animal hides hit him.
The charcoal fire inside the command tent burned fiercely, yet it could not dispel the bone-chilling cold.
At the head of the table, Meng Yushan leaned back in a tiger-skin chair, wearing only an ordinary gray robe, with documents on the table in front of him.
Strategist Guo Ziyu stood beside the sand table, while his deputy Guo Fang stood beside General Meng.
He Xun glanced at it without changing his expression, then clasped his hands in a salute.
"This humble general, He Xun, greets General Meng."
"cough……"
Meng Yushan clenched his fist, placed it against his lips, and coughed lightly.
Then he nodded slightly.
The voice was weak and hoarse, as if each vibration aggravated old wounds in the lungs, completely different from the authoritative command just now.
The white hair at his temples was dazzlingly white in the dim candlelight.
Those once piercing eyes, capable of seeing into people's hearts, are now half-closed, revealing a deep weariness.
"General He is not fully recovered yet, please forgive him."
Guo Ziyu stepped forward, cupped his hands in a gesture of apology to He Xun, and spoke with a tone full of regret.
He Xun's gaze fell on Meng Yushan, but he didn't say anything.
A chilling doubt crossed his mind.
Something's not right.
Something's really wrong.
A month ago, the Chi Rong army was shouting and cursing in front of the battle lines. He saw with his own eyes from the city tower that "General Meng" was wearing black armor and standing in the wind and snow, his figure as steady as a mountain.
In that encounter, he even saw "General Meng" galloping on horseback from afar, his long sword flashing as he slew generals and seized flags.
That indomitable, murderous aura pierced the heart.
Such steady steps, such strength capable of lifting a cauldron.
How could it be like this before me, where even sitting down makes me feel unsteady, as if I could be blown over by a gust of wind at any moment?
A person's spirit and energy can be faked.
But the sharpness honed by countless battles, like a blade unsheathed, cannot be easily concealed.
Just then, Guo Ziyu, the strategist who had been standing in front of the sand table, suddenly stepped forward.
His slender figure, perfectly positioned, blocked He Xun's view of Meng Yushan.
"General He has arrived at just the right time."
Guo Ziyu smiled slightly, gently waving his folding fan and pointing at the sand table.
“We are discussing strategies to defeat the enemy with the general. The young general is exceptionally intelligent, so we would like to invite you to offer your advice.”
His words, like a gentle spring breeze, instantly eased the tense and eerie atmosphere inside the tent.
He Xun's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the sand table.
Guo Ziyu pointed his finger at the red area marked with cinnabar on the west side of the Jade Gate.
"Now the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, the weather is freezing cold, and water freezes instantly."
"Such weather is certainly adding insult to injury for my Dasheng situation."
His voice was calm and measured, carrying a soothing quality.
"But similarly, things aren't going well for Chirong and Ule, who have come from afar."
"Their supply lines are longer, and their adaptation to this extremely cold region is not as good as our Northwest Army, which has been stationed here for many years."
As the art of war says, "Strike unexpectedly and attack where the enemy is unprepared."
"This stalemate, though seemingly unbreakable, is actually the best opportunity for us to find a chance to strike!"
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