bookrandom Chapter 1966 Provoke him with words!
Chapter 1966 Provoke him with words!
Li Jing meticulously analyzed the reasons, timing, and feasibility of attacking Luoxia Mountain, explaining them in detail.
As the generals in the tent listened to his analysis, the doubts in their eyes were gradually replaced by a sense of enlightenment and an eager excitement.
This was indeed a risky move, but also a brilliant move that was extremely imaginative and aggressive!
"Great idea, Marshal!"
"If this plan succeeds, it will surely turn the tide of the battle!"
"This humble general is willing to lead the troops there!"
Several Tang generals stepped forward to volunteer for battle, and the atmosphere instantly shifted from gloomy to enthusiastic.
However, Li Jing's gaze bypassed the Tang generals who had volunteered for battle and finally landed on Helian Wujiu, whose expression was constantly changing.
"Chief Helian,"
Li Jing's voice carried an undeniable determination: "The key to this surprise attack on Luoxia Mountain lies in speed and surprise, and even more importantly, it requires a powerful assault force to crush the enemy in one fell swoop!"
"Therefore, I need you to personally lead your 30,000 Golden Scorpion Cavalry as the main force in this battle!"
Helian Wujiu's eyes narrowed, but he did not immediately agree.
Li Jing continued, "To ensure the success of the assault and support operations, I will allocate another 10,000 elite Tang infantrymen to you, under the command of Deputy General Zhang Xun, who will be at your disposal!"
"In this way, with infantry and cavalry working in coordination, our 40,000 elite troops must seize Luoxia Mountain and annihilate Xue Huaide's forces before the Vermilion Bird Legion arrives!"
He entrusted the most difficult task, which was also the most likely to yield military merit, to the unruly but indeed powerful Helian Wujiu, while also sending the steady and reliable Zhang Xun as an assistant and potential check and balance.
Helian Wujiu looked at the mark of Luoxia Mountain on the map, then at Li Jing's unquestionable gaze. He licked his dry lips, a wild glint flashing in his eyes.
The risks are enormous, but the rewards are equally astonishing!
If he can take Luoxia Mountain, his status among the Scorpion Clan, and even his influence in the Allied Forces, will be greatly enhanced!
"it is good!"
Helian Wujiu slapped his thigh, stood up, and said in a loud voice:
"Since Marshal Li trusts this leader, then my Golden Scorpion tribe will take Luoxia Mountain!"
Li Jing's surprise attack on Luoxia Mountain was like a lightning bolt piercing through the gloom, giving the generals in the tent hope of turning the tide of the battle. They were all eager to fight, and their voices clamoring for battle were endless.
However, Li Jing's face did not show much relief. He raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, but his brows furrowed even more.
"Please wait, everyone,"
His voice regained its previous composure, even carrying a deeper sense of solemnity.
"Although the strategy is set, the key to the success or failure of this plan, and also the biggest challenge, is how to secretly transfer these 40,000 troops away from the front line to Luoxia Mountain without arousing the suspicion of the Chu army!"
He walked to the map and pointed heavily at the narrow strip of land between the Allied Forces' camp and Zhennanguan.
“Our main camp is very close to Zhennan Pass. On the pass walls, Chu scouts and sentries keep watch on our every move day and night.”
"Especially the all-pervasive Embroidered Uniform Guard under Chu Ning's command, whose spies have probably already infiltrated places we never expected."
He looked around at his generals and analyzed in a heavy tone: "If our army rashly mobilizes on a large scale, especially Helian's 30,000 cavalry, which are huge targets and make extraordinary noise, it will be impossible to hide from the Chu army."
"With Chu Ning's abilities and the experience of the veteran general Feng Anguo, once they discover that the number of troops in our camp has decreased abnormally, they will definitely be on guard and may even deduce our intentions."
"At that time, they only need to send a message by carrier pigeon to remind Luoxia Mountain to strengthen its defenses, or send troops to reinforce it. Our surprise attack plan will be in vain, and may even be ambushed instead!"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, instantly calming the generals who had just become excited, and making them realize the thorniness of the problem.
"General, could we take turns, in small groups, and quietly leave the camp under the cover of night?"
One of the generals tentatively offered a suggestion.
Li Jing slowly shook his head: "Forty thousand soldiers is no small number."
"Even if we break the operation down into smaller units and increase the frequency of mobilization, it will still attract the attention of the enemy's scouts."
“The Chu army is not blind; they couldn’t possibly not have noticed the unusual troop movements over such a long period.”
"Then... could we dig a tunnel, or find a hidden path to go around it?" someone else suggested.
"There's no time!"
Li Jing categorically denied it, saying, "The project of digging tunnels is enormous and would be easily detected."
"Finding hidden paths might allow small elite units to pass, but it can't meet the rapid movement needs of an army of 40,000, especially 30,000 cavalry. What we need is speed!"
"Perhaps we could create chaos, such as feigning a mutiny in the camp and then using the confusion to mobilize troops?" Deputy General Zhang Xun pondered.
Li Jing shook his head again: "The risk is too great and difficult to control. If the charade turns into a real conflict, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Chu Ning is suspicious and may not believe it."
Several suggestions were rejected by Li Jing with sound reasoning, and the glimmer of hope that had just been raised in the tent seemed to have dimmed again, and the atmosphere became somber once more.
Is this seemingly brilliant plan going to be aborted due to the inability to mobilize troops?
The generals looked at each other, racking their brains but finding no solution.
Helian Wujiu also crossed his arms, his rugged face full of irritation. He was used to the straightforward battles on the grasslands and was quite impatient with this kind of sneaky fighting that required precise calculations.
Just when everyone was at a loss, Li Jing's gaze fell once again on the majestic Zhennan Pass on the map, a glint of determination and calculation flashing in his eyes.
He paused for a moment, as if making a decision, then slowly spoke, his voice low but carrying a sense of desperation:
"Since we can't leave quietly, let's do the opposite."
"Let our movements appear reasonable and justifiable, so that the Chu army will think it's a perfectly normal military operation and won't investigate further, much less suspect that we'll launch a surprise attack on Luoxia Mountain!"
"How can we make the transfer seem reasonable?" Helian Wujiu couldn't help but ask.
A cold, stern smile curved Li Jing's lips as he revealed his bold and risky plan:
"Tomorrow, I will personally go to Zhennan Pass to invite Chu Ning for a talk on the battlefield!"
"A pre-battle conversation?" The generals were all taken aback.
"Not bad!"
Li Jing said with certainty, "When we meet, I will deliberately provoke him with my words!"
"Chu Ning is young and impetuous, and now he carries the glory of having just destroyed the Han Dynasty. He is arrogant and proud. How can he tolerate being humiliated in front of him? If he is provoked, a preliminary battle is very likely to break out between the two sides!"
He looked around at everyone, his eyes gleaming: "Once a battle breaks out, the battlefield situation will change rapidly. Our army will need to adjust its troop movements to adapt to the changing situation."
"For example, it's perfectly normal to move some cavalry to the flanks for a flanking maneuver, or to transfer troops to reinforce a certain front."