"Yes, I can do what I said before, but I don't know much about things on the battlefield, so I don't know about other important things to do, and I can't make any guarantees." Hong Xiaoduo didn't expect Gong Wei to actually decide to do this, so she thought about it carefully and then gave her response.
Upon hearing this, Gong Wei nodded and said, "If the army needs to travel a long distance to conquer the capital of Yunwu, it will not be an easy task. It will require thorough preparation. Not to mention food and fodder, at least 30,000 laborers are necessary for 10,000 soldiers."
However, if we were to capture Red Willow City, it would only take half a day. If the information that Miss Hong mentioned earlier is true, we could capture the city in three days at the latest, which would not require 30,000 laborers. Most importantly, we could guarantee three days' worth of provisions to succeed.
I won't hide it from you, Miss Hong. According to the news sent back by our spies in the enemy country, the closest troops from Yunwu Kingdom to Hongliu City would take at least four days to arrive, even if they travel day and night. If we are confident in taking the city, we are confident in holding it.
"Of course, we also need to make preparations for any eventuality. I will send someone to borrow troops for backup. To be on the safe side, I also need your help in contacting reinforcements, Miss Hong," Gong Wei told him without reservation.
"General Gong, you trust me that much? Me, a mere woman from the martial world?" Hong Xiaoduo still found it unbelievable.
Upon hearing this, Gong Wei laughed and pointed to the battlefield that was being cleared, saying, "I have no choice but to believe it. The facts are right in front of me. It's not that I'm greedy for credit, nor that I'm playing with the lives of my soldiers."
With a shrewd lady like Miss Hong assisting my soldiers of Fengliang Kingdom, I, Gong, naturally do not wish to miss this opportunity.
He was telling the truth. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, how could he believe that she could destroy the enemy's powerful weapon by controlling three wolves, and also ignite the enemy's catapults and the fire oil used for fire attacks?
The battle, which was expected to result in heavy casualties, ended in such a way.
Gong Wei felt that he wasn't gambling everything; a voice deep inside him told him to trust her!
Moreover, he had considered her suggestion to take advantage of the enemy's invasion and seize their city several times over the years, but he had given up and never dared to implement it because he was not entirely confident about the supply of food and the possibility of reinforcements.
Opportunity knocks but once. If we don't seize this chance with the help of a wise man to capture a city in the enemy country and make Yunwu pay a price, they won't learn their lesson and will continue to invade endlessly in the future.
As men of Fengliang, the border soldiers are soldiers who receive military pay from the court. They are entitled to the emperor's bounty, loyalty to the emperor, and the protection of Fengliang's territory for the emperor, the country, and the people. They would not regret dying in battle. But the people of Fengliang should not suffer from the ravages of war.
Therefore, the timing, location, and popular support for capturing Red Willow City are now almost perfect.
Seeing that Gong Wei trusted her so much, Hong Xiaoduo really admired him and immediately nodded and said, "Alright, please tell me the amount of grain needed in the next few days, and I will take care of it."
Furthermore, I will immediately write a letter of divorce. I would trouble the general to send it to the nearest military camp in Yupo Prefecture in the northwest, and give it to a man named Dong Yuefan. He will only try to find a way to bring in reinforcements.”
"What? Dong Yuefan? Miss Hong, are you talking about Dong Yuefan, the youngest son of Prime Minister Dong in the imperial court?" Gong Wei asked in surprise.
He had long heard that Dong Xiang's youngest son had joined the Northwest Camp. It wasn't that he liked gossip, but rather that the rumors about Dong Xiang's youngest son were not good, yet who knew that the good-for-nothing playboy actually had real skills.
After joining the army, it is said that he started from the lowest rank of soldier. Instead of just loafing around, he was hardworking and skilled in martial arts. He also had a knack for training soldiers. Not long after joining the camp, he began to rise through the ranks and became General Qi's most capable right-hand man.
It should be noted that General Qi was a military officer who never curried favor with the powerful. He was a second-rank general, a title he earned through years of fighting against foreign enemies.
Those he approves of must naturally possess exceptional strength and ability.
If he were to mediate, then borrowing reinforcements from General Qi would be a sure thing.
But how come this young lady Hong is acquainted with the son of Prime Minister Dong?
The fact that she was so confident in asking him for help was enough to show that she had a very close relationship with the youngest son of the Prime Minister Dong!
"Does Miss Hong have a connection with the son of Prime Minister Dong?" Gong Wei blurted out.
"Yes, he is like an older brother to me. By the way, he and you, General, are practically family, because your son, Tianquan, calls him uncle."
"It's not just a casual remark; my brother really cares about these nephews and nieces," Hong Xiaoduo said with a smile.
"Huh? Is that so?" Gong Wei didn't know what to say.
"General, as you instructed, I obtained twenty catties of meat from the cook in the back. Is that enough?" At this moment, a soldier rode up on horseback, dismounted, and reported.
After hearing this, Gong Wei looked at Hong Xiaoduo and said, "Young Lady Hong, those three wolves have had a tough time in this battle. I've ordered some raw meat to be brought to reward them."
After saying that, Gong Wei looked around, but still couldn't see the wolf.
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo was taken aback at first, but then she realized what she meant and quickly smiled and said, "General, you actually thought of them. There's no need for that. They are wolves and have their own way of finding food."
I've already sent them to hide and rest. I thank the general on their behalf. We should save the meat to make soup for the soldiers to replenish their strength so we can take Red Willow City in one fell swoop.
She had already put the three wolves into her spatial storage to charge them. Although the display showed that they were only one-third charged, she still made sure to charge them as quickly as possible, just in case they needed to be used again. Better safe than sorry.
"I see. Alright then. I'll let the soldiers rest here for a bit. The amount of provisions needed has already been calculated. Miss Hong, please wait a moment." After saying this, Gong Wei quickly summoned the generals and announced the capture of Hongliu City.
As soon as Gong Wei left, Quan Jinghuai immediately went to Hong Xiaoduo's side. Although he had already understood what was going on from her conversation with General Gong, he still wanted to confirm it again.
"Was it your idea to capture Hongliu City in Yunwu Kingdom?" Quan Jinghuai asked with some concern.
He already knew she was always up to something, but to escalate things to the point of a war between two nations and the capture of enemy cities—wasn't that a bit too much...?
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