Chapter 149: Critical Decisive Battle

"Furthermore, training at Bashang Daying must not stop; from today, all rest periods are cancelled."

"Send Ma Guocheng with the cavalry regiment and the firearms regiment to immediately deploy to the Sanfu region to suppress bandits, and while there is still time, let them taste blood."

"Also, send a notice to Niu Boye, Divine Martial General Feng Tang, Lord Jingnan Wuxun, and others, inviting them to the residence tomorrow for a discussion."

"In this battle, I, the Lord, not only seek a swift victory but also intend to twist the founding lineage into a single rope, making it once again the Da Han Empire's sharpest sword."

"From now on, all other affairs may be put on hold; the northwestern war is the top priority."

"Zhu Que's expression turned solemn as he clasped his hands and said:"

"'Yes, Lord! I understand,' he replied."

"Jia Jing said:"

"'Hmm, you're an expert in intelligence work, so I won't give you further instructions!'"

"Afterwards, Jia Jing inquired about the situation in Shenjing City and in Liaodong and Jiangnan over the past few months, gaining an understanding of the Da Han Empire's provincial movements."

"During this period, nothing major occurred at court, except that the Grand Scholar of the Eastern Pavilion and Censorate Left Supervising Censor Xu Qianxue and Censorate Right Censor Xu Sanli returned to the capital after their inspection tour; the new faction and the old faction in the court have been fiercely battling behind the scenes over the New Policies."

"Jingnan Wuxun has been honest during this time, causing no trouble."

"After a tea's worth of time, Jia Jing concluded his conversation with Zhu Que."

"When Zhu Que left, Jia Jing returned to his desk, sat down, and once again contemplated the northwestern war that would erupt in early spring."

"He searched the nearby desk for a map, and as his palm rustled over the pale‑yellow paper, the map of the northwest came into view."

"'False Qing controls all of Liaodong, and uses the Karak Mongols and the Khorchin tribe on the steppe as its wings; Northern Yuan is entrenched in the Hetao and Southern Desert regions, while Hun Xie controls the Western Regions and Western Desert.'"

"'If the three powers unite to invade, every town in the northwest could be besieged at any moment… it would be exhausting to keep running about.'"

"Jia Jing's gaze fell on the map; his face was as dark as black water, his eyes deep, and a weight of seriousness rose in his heart."

"Winning this battle will not be difficult; although the new troops of Bashang Daying have only just shown some results, insufficient as a reliance, his personal martial strength has been advancing daily, and now even he does not know how strong he has become."

"After more than three months of adaptation, he has fused the martial prowess of Zhao Yun, Lü Bu, and Xiang Yu into his own body, and the changes to his physique are essentially complete."

"Now he is more than ten times stronger than when he possessed only Zhao Yun's strength."

"With his extraordinary martial power, regardless of how many troops False Qing, Northern Yuan, or other states deploy this time, or how many schemes they plot in secret, he is confident he can push through with a single force."

"Let False Qing, Northern Yuan, Hun Xie and the like witness what Da Han's heavenly might is! Those who offend our strong Da Han shall be exterminated, even from afar!"

"But now his concern is not how to win, but how to win swiftly!"

"This battle cannot be protracted; it must not become a drawn‑out war of attrition, for the Da Han cannot afford it."

"Therefore, he must find a way to secure victory in the shortest possible time."

"Ideally, the first engagement should be decisive—a single battle that determines the fate!"

"Jia Jing mentally worked out several plans, but whether they are feasible will only be known on the battlefield."

"'This battle cannot afford any mistake! It will be the pivotal battle for me to firmly establish myself as the top war merit in the Da Han Empire.'"

"'They say the side that calculates more wins; we need to prepare in advance. At most we have one or two months to prepare; False Qing will not delay, the spring deployment will be either February or March.'"

"Jia Jing's expression remained silent as he pondered."

"Nomadic peoples often choose to move south in the autumn when the grass is high and horses are fat, but historically spring campaigns are not uncommon."

"In early spring, the steppe's ice and snow melt; though a chill remains, it is no longer as impassable as deep winter."

"At this time the steppe turns green again, and warhorses can graze fresh grass along the way, not relying entirely on carried fodder; adequate forage is a prerequisite for Hun Xie and the Northern Yuan court to launch troops."

"After a winter of depletion, the Mongol tribes have exhausted their stored grain, and their livestock are gaunt."

"At this moment, raiding southward is for 'living off the land,' and the motive for early‑spring raids is strong."

"Moreover, False Qing has surely grasped the current Da Han situation and will not grant any more time."

"A spring gathering to move south, once a few border towns are captured, will allow them to replenish supplies, seize the Han peasants' draft cattle, tools, and stored grain, conscript the youth as slaves, and prepare for a summer offensive."

"They can continue to wear down the Da Han until the autumn when the grass is high and horses are fat, then engage the Han Army's main force; this maximizes the drain on Da Han's national power, forcing it to pour troops and resources into the northwest, ultimately dragging the Da Han to death."

"'False Qing wants to drag our Da Han into the quagmire of a northwestern war, while I seek a swift, decisive victory. But a swift victory does not mean a rash mindset.'"

"'If one is overly eager for victory, the deployment of troops easily falls into passivity; the result may be that the more one strives to win, the less one can, leading to defeat both on the battlefield and at home.'"

"'The art of war says, attacking the mind is supreme, attacking the city is secondary; Kangxi is playing mind tactics with me!'"

"Jia Jing stared at the military map on the wall, speculating on False Qing's intentions, his expression cold."

"While he was pondering, a royal guard reported at the door that Xiaohong requested an audience."

"After gathering his thoughts, Jia Jing ordered someone to summon her inside."

"Soon, the sound of footsteps arrived as Xiaohong entered the hall, cheerfully saying:"

"'Lord, Purple Oriole and Ying Er are in the back courtyard, saying they want to see you!'"

"Jia Jing's eyes flashed, and he asked:"

"'Why are they coming over so late?'"

"Xiaohong replied:"

"'I'm not sure either; it seems they said Miss Lin and Miss Xue have something they want delivered.'"

"Jia Jing lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and said:"

"'I still have some official business tonight and will be busy until late; have them come over here instead!'"

"Xiaohong agreed, and soon led Ying Er and Purple Oriole back inside."

"Ying Er and Purple Oriole entered the hall, saw Jia Jing seated at the desk, and promptly bowed, saying:"

"'Greetings, Lord!'"

"Jia Jing glanced at Purple Oriole and Ying Er and asked:"

"'Why are you here so late?'"

"Purple Oriole heard this, smiled, her voice like a yellow warbler emerging from the valley, and said:"

"'Miss asked me to bring this to you, Lord, saying it is to thank you for your many attentions in arranging a doctor for her today.'"

Speaking, they presented a small box with both hands.

Ying Er glanced at Zijuan, likewise handed over an item, and said softly:

"This is what my young lady had me send to the Marquis, saying it's a return gift for sending the colt to the Marquis."