Chapter 243 - You Guys Stop Daydreaming
After waiting for an entire day and night, the scout finally received the latest news. Hu Jinpeng was overjoyed and immediately informed Crown Prince Zhao of the news.
“Are you saying that the North Yue army in Chuzhou City is ready to leave?”
Hu Jinpeng nodded. “They didn't seem to be hiding anything. It took them a day to assemble the army and make the vow. Although they didn't make a big fuss, they didn't sneak around. They didn't seem to be afraid that we would know.”
“Maybe he wants us to know?”
“You mean… they are planning to lure us?”
“If it was a normal person, what would he do the first thing when he saw the North Yue army leave?”
“Seize the Chuzhou City back!” Hu Jinpeng answered without thinking.
“Yes. Since the North Yue has taken over the Chuzhou City, even if they continue to attack other places, they will not abandon the city. They will definitely leave some soldiers to guard it. This is the best time for us to attack the Chu Province.”
Hu Jinpeng continued, “When we set out and the troops are approaching the city, the North Yue will turn around and surround us from the back. If we attack from both the inside and the outside, we will not be able to advance or retreat. We will only be in a hopeless situation.”
Crown Prince Zhao walked to the front of the map and carefully studied the terrain near the Chuzhou City. He pointed at a certain red dot and said, “This is where we are now. There are continuous mountain peaks on both sides. In winter, the mountain peak is covered in snow. It is very difficult to pass through. That is why this valley is safe. It is easy to defend and hard to attack.”
“Yes. When the snow melts on the mountain peak in spring and the river in the valley rises, half of our camp will be drowned by the river. It will no longer be suitable to set up camp.”
“Not only that, if we continue to hide within the valley at that time and attack from all directions, we will become turtles in a jar.”
“We have only been away from spring for a month now. ” In other words, we must seize the Chuzhou City within this month, otherwise, we will have to find another safe camp. “
“We must take back the Chuzhou City! According to my speculation, if the North Vietnam Army pretended to go down south, they would definitely choose a hiding place not far from Chu Province, and then take the opportunity to return the way they came. Which route do you think they would choose? “
Hu Jinpeng observed the surrounding terrain and pointed to a place marked with houses. “There is a big town here. Further ahead is another stronghold. I guess they would choose this town as their base.”
Crown Prince Zhao stared at the map for a long time. He then took out a pen and paper to draw an abstract map. “Call everyone here and discuss it together.”
“Yes.”
Hu Jinpeng walked out. Soon, people came in one after another. Those who could come to the meeting were all generals. Half of them had been promoted by State Duke Lu.
After Crown Prince Zhao came to the camp, State Duke Lu was inexplicably ill. It was said that it was because the weather was too cold. He was old and the wind had entered his body, causing him to be unable to speak or listen. He was paralyzed on the bed.
The commander had fallen. Originally, they should have jointly reported to the Imperial Court and appointed another commander or promoted him from the army. However, Crown Prince Zhao's arrival solved their problem. Without any objections, everyone obeyed Crown Prince's order.
Of course, the memorials still had to be written. As for who would be in charge of this army, it was up to the king to decide.
“Sit.” Crown Prince Zhao turned around and glanced at the people present.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Everyone took their seats according to their rank. They saw that the seats on both sides of the main seat were still empty. No one knew who they were waiting for.
However, they soon knew the answer. The curtain of the tent was opened. Four soldiers carried a stretcher into the tent, followed by Hu Jinpeng.
If the person on the stretcher wasn't State Duke Lu, who else could it be?
Crown Prince wanted State Duke Lu to participate in the meeting? Everyone was somewhat moved. They felt that His Highness's action was an absolute respect for State Duke Lu.
Crown Prince Zhao first asked a few questions about State Duke Lu's medical staff. After knowing that his illness had not improved, he made a decision. “I think it's better to send State Duke Lu back to Ye City for treatment. There is neither good medicine nor good medicine here. Even eating food is the simplest. It's not good for the improvement of his condition.”
“Your Highness is right. If State Duke continues like this, other than delaying his condition, it is also not a solution. It is better to return to Ye City as soon as possible. Maybe young master will have a way to treat him.” Wang Dingjun agreed seriously.
Most of the people present agreed. This way, State Duke Lu would not be able to continue leading the troops. Instead, he would become a burden to the troops. Secondly, Crown Prince Zhao was here. If State Duke Lu recovered someday, should they listen to State Duke Lu or Crown Prince?
Of course, those who were close to State Duke Lu might not be willing. Most of their career was in State Duke Lu's hands. Once State Duke Lu fell, their future would be very bleak.
Even though they admired Crown Prince Zhao's character and ability and were willing to accept his orders, they did not want State Duke Lu to leave.
“Your Highness, the commander's condition is not clear yet. It will be difficult for him to survive the long journey. Why don't we send some skilled imperial physicians from the palace to treat him?” A young general suggested.
Crown Prince Zhao looked at the military doctor. He stroked his beard and said calmly, “I am not boasting. It would be useless even if Imperial Doctor Wu came here for a stroke. Other than Crown Princess, I am afraid there is no other person in the world who can cure it.”
Crown Prince Zhao also had some understanding of Tang Yue's medical skills. He shook his head and said, “Crown Princess might not be able to save him. He is only good at external injuries.”
But it was undeniable that only Tang Yue could be called a godly doctor in the entire Southern Jin Dynasty. If even he could not cure him, it was even more impossible for other doctors to cure him.
“Then… can I invite Crown Princess…” Before the famous general could finish his sentence, he was stared at by many people with burning eyes.
The anger and condemnation could be expressed through the eyes without even needing to say it out loud.
The general quickly shut his mouth, not daring to look at Crown Prince Zhao's expression. He knew that his request was no different from a pipe dream.
What was Crown Princess's identity? How could she come all the way to the border to see a doctor despite the danger?
“Haha, I was just saying it casually.”
Crown Prince Zhao lightly replied, “Crown Princess is kind. If someone asks, he will not refuse. It is just that this battlefield is full of danger. I will not let him come.”
Crown Prince's subtext was, “Stop daydreaming!
He spread the map on the table and pointed at the terrain around Chuzhou City. “The North Vietnam Army is about to make a move. We need to make a plan to deal with it as soon as possible. Everyone can share your thoughts.”
Everyone quickly put away their thoughts. State Duke Lu's core members were racking their brains, hoping to come up with an innovative idea. If they could enter Crown Prince's eyes and be taken under his command. Even without State Duke Lu's promotion, it was nothing.
“Your Highness, we can set up an ambush outside Chuzhou City. Once the North Yue Army leaves the city, we can catch them off guard and catch them off guard.”
Someone nodded in agreement. It could reduce casualties to the greatest extent.
“That's a good idea, but can you be sure which path they'll take? Where are they setting up traps? ” Not only do we have to win, we also have to win brilliantly! “
The general lowered his head and thought for a long time, but he was unable to come up with a good answer.
“When the enemy leaves the city, they will definitely leave some people behind to guard the Chuzhou City. Then we should seize the opportunity to take back the Chuzhou City and reclaim the lost land. Then, we will use the Chuzhou City as a base to attack the enemy.”
Many people felt that this method was feasible. After all, taking back the Chuzhou City was one of their biggest missions. Without this base, they would not even have a safe place to rest.
“Good idea, but if the enemy is only trying to lure us to attack the city and use this chance to attack us from both sides, what should we do?”
If this doesn't work, then it doesn't work either. Everyone frowned. They didn't know what to do.
“I wonder what His Highness has in mind?” An impatient general asked Crown Prince Zhao directly.
Crown Prince Zhao lowered his eyebrows and said, “If you want countermeasures, you must first know the enemy's goal. If they want to attack the next target, we can attack with all our strength. Let's take back the Chuzhou City first. If they are just pretending to leave, then we will attack with all our might. If you lead us deeper, there are two choices. First, we'll continue to hide in the valley and not come out. Let them laugh and not move. The soldiers split into two and continued to attack the city. They intercepted the returning enemy troops along the way.
“The former must be fast and seize the city in the shortest time possible. The latter must be ruthless and try to stall for time. Only by taking down the rear of Chuzhou City can we retreat. One can imagine how dangerous this is.”
Everyone fell silent. The first method was obviously not their first choice. A hundred thousand troops had been easily taken away by the enemy. Their hearts were filled with resentment, and they needed to vent it out.
If they continued to hide in the valley, not only would it defeat the morale of the soldiers, it would also give the enemy a chance to go down south.
However, if they split up, no matter which way they went, it would be tough and difficult. It might even be the end of them being completely wiped out.
Exactly how were they going to fight this battle? It seemed to be especially difficult.
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