Chapter 67

My lord, you overpraise; Yaoshi's expedition can gain some achievements, all thanks to your wise leadership and the soldiers' bloody struggle.

Li Jing lowered his head and replied humbly.

Haha, Yaoshi, don't be modest; Jin Yu knows your abilities well.

Now, the Net within Great Yong's territory has been ascertained; Qi Zhou, which borders our Cangzhou within Great Yong, has its main forces mostly deployed in the south.

Now our Cangzhou Army can advance from the north of Qi Zhou to launch a north-south pincer attack on Qi Zhou.

Su Ye smiled faintly; he knew Li Jing, who is utterly loyal to foreign treasures and extraordinarily talented, is definitely a pillar of talent for the dynasty.

Therefore, Su Ye trusts Li Jing and also believes in his abilities.

My lord is wise; the north-south pincer plan can indeed catch the enemy off guard.

Hearing Su Ye's words, Li Jing felt assured, and a flash of approval gleamed in his eyes.

He pondered briefly: "However, our army's long-distance raid may make grain supplies a problem. Moreover, Qi Zhou's interior is filled with mountains; the enemy occupies natural strongholds, easy to defend but hard to attack, so we must act cautiously."

Obviously, Li Jing hasn't been idle during this time; he himself has also studied Qi Zhou, Cangzhou's next target.

We have also considered these problems with the military officials.

We can arrange to gather grain along the way and simultaneously use local guides and resources to compensate for our army's weaknesses.

Su Ye frowned upon hearing this, then explained to Li Jing.

It's fine as long as my lord had anticipated this.

Furthermore, Yaoshi suggests dividing the troops into two routes during the march: one to attack head-on, the other to flank and ambush from the rear, to scatter the enemy's attention.

Li Jing nodded in agreement; seeing that Su Ye, Yao Guangxiao, and others already had plans for the army's logistics, he said no more and instead proposed his own expertise in marching strategy.

Feasible!

Splitting forces into two routes can catch the enemy off guard, and this also eases the pressure on grain supplies.

Su Ye's eyes lit up; Li Jing clearly already had a rough strategy for how to conquer Qi Zhou.

This relieved Su Ye considerably.

The two discussed the Qi Zhou terrain map presented by the Net in the Inspector's Residence for a long time, finally working out a detailed marching plan.

They decided to summon all the generals for a meeting tomorrow, to explain the plan in detail and assign tasks.

The night was deep, yet the lights in the council hall remained bright.

Su Ye and Li Jing stood side by side by the window, gazing at the Inspector's Residence garden bathed in clear moonlight.

At this moment, they are not merely lord and vassal, but comrades-in-arms who fight side by side, brave defenders of the nation.

Their tacit understanding and trust have long surpassed verbal expression, becoming each other's firmest reliance.

As the night deepened, Su Ye and Li Jing concluded this important discussion.

In the faint light of dawn, Su Ye brought Yao Guangxiao to meet Li Jing in the great camp outside Azure Spirit City; several people rode tall horses, together inspecting the massive camp that had risen outside Azure Spirit City in a short time.

Inside the camp, soldiers were busily preparing for pre-war matters; the atmosphere was solemn and stern, clad in armor, wielding weapons, glinting with a cold sheen in the morning light.

Some were checking equipment, some sharpening weapons, and others saying pre-war prayers.

The air was filled with a tense and solemn aura, as if foreshadowing the arrival of a great battle.

Su Ye, Yao Guangxiao, Li Jing, and others walked side by side, their gazes sharp; they wanted to ensure every soldier was fully prepared to welcome the impending great battle.

Master Daoyan, what lofty insights do you have on this war?

Su Ye turned his head to ask Yao Guangxiao, his gaze deep and sincere.

My lord, Daoyan believes that besides fully utilizing the north-south pincer plan to scatter the enemy's attention,

because Qi Zhou is mountainous, its terrain treacherous, most strategic passes are easy to defend but hard to attack.

Therefore, our Cangzhou Army still needs to strengthen the deployment of archers, to deliver a lethal blow at critical moments.

Yao Guangxiao fingered his Buddhist beads, smiled slightly, and his eyes revealed a glint of wisdom.

They continued inspecting the camp, occasionally chatting with soldiers a few sentences, asking about their equipment and physical condition.

When they reached the unit belonging to the Vermilion Bird Battalion, Su Ye stopped and carefully observed the training of these divine archers of the Vermilion Bird Battalion.

He found that these Vermilion Bird Battalion divine archers were conducting aim and shooting training, their movements skilled and accurate.

Moreover, every arrow found flesh, hardly ever missing.

Very good! Archers are an important force on the battlefield, and divine archers even more so!

In this battle of Qi Zhou, the Vermilion Bird Battalion will surely exert its greatest effect, delivering a deadly blow to the enemy.

After watching the Vermilion Bird Battalion's training for a while, Su Ye was very satisfied.

After inspecting the camp, Su Ye, together with Yao Guangxiao, Li Jing, and others, returned to the tent to discuss the final pre-battle deployment.

They conducted a detailed analysis of the enemy's strength and deployment, further refining the battle plan.

My lord, the healer suggests that before the battle begins, we send out the Assassins of the Heavenly Net and others to infiltrate the enemy's rear to learn of their movements and deployment.

Li Jing, standing nearby, suddenly proposed, setting his sights on the intelligence system of the Heavenly Net.

Obviously, Li Jing would naturally not overlook such a valuable reconnaissance tool as the Heavenly Net in Su Ye's hands.

Compared to the scouts of this newly built Cangzhou Army, the Heavenly Net, as a professional intelligence organization, is obviously more professional.

Very well, the intelligence of the scouts is crucial to our army's victory.

Afterward, I will have the Heavenly Net directly send intelligence from within Qi Zhou to the main army.

Su Ye nodded in agreement; the Heavenly Net organization is not only about its assassination ability, but most importantly its all‑penetrating intelligence capability.

Moreover, the terrain of Qi Zhou is complex, and logistics are of utmost importance..

Therefore, we still need to strengthen the protection of our army's supply lines, to prevent the enemy from sneaking attacks on grain and logistical supplies.

Yao Guangxiao, standing nearby, added.

Supply lines are an important guarantee of victory in war.

We must dispatch heavy troops to guard them, ensuring the safety of the supply lines.

Su Ye firmly believed this, and instructed Li Jing.

After a discussion, Su Ye and the others worked out a more thorough battle plan.

In the darkness before dawn, the great army of Cangzhou was making ready to march.

In the camp, torches flickered, lighting up the soldiers' steadfast faces.

They donned armor, gripped their weapons, and their eyes blazed with ardent fighting spirit.

Su Ye donned battle robes, mounted a powerful warhorse, his eyes resolute and keen.

"For this campaign to Qi Zhou, Li Jing and Li Yaoshi will serve as commander-in-chief."

Su Ye glanced at Li Jing, who stood at his lower side in military garb.

"The pharmacist obeys the order!"

As Li Jing bowed slowly, Su Ye turned his head to look at the others.

"This time, Lianer Xinshan, Nan Deli, and Qin Qiong will serve as the pharmacist's deputy commanders."

Su Ye considered for a moment, his eyes turning to Lianer Xinshan and Nan Deli below.

(End of chapter)