Chapter 816: Strategic Adjustments

"The Southern Liang and the Ashuer Tribe of the Northern Di are advancing toward Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass."

"The Northern Di are massing troops along the line of Xiao Pass, Tong Pass, and Ningjin Dusi, with Cavalry frequently provoking us."

"The Wu army has abandoned Su City and retreated toward Jiangzhou."

"……"

In just over a month, intelligence reports flew toward Yancheng like snowflakes.

Zhao Xu also continuously made strategic adjustments in response to the movements of the Shizu and the Northern Di.

"The Shizu army retreated to Jiangzhou to lure the enemy deep; we must not fall for their trap. The Prince's Personal Army only needs to leave thirty thousand troops in Jinling to hold it firmly. There is no need to garrison cities like Su City and Song City, to prevent being defeated one by one due to overly dispersed forces. The remaining troops shall head to Jingzhou."

"The Qin Army should focus on Jian Pass, and the Prince's Personal Army should focus on Zhongling Pass."

"……"

In the study, Ma Han and Chang Wei were both present.

With unusual movements appearing at Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass, Zhao Xu had summoned Ma Han to Yancheng.

After being reorganized, the Qin Army was now completely under the command of the Prince's Mansion.

Although Ma Han was still the commander of the Qin Army, he now took orders directly from Chang Wei, effectively serving as a general under Chang Wei.

His rank was also second only to Chang Wei, who was a Great General.

After the Shizu army in Su City retreated to Jiangzhou, Chang Wei had taken a Steamship back to Yancheng to discuss the next steps together.

"Yes, Your Highness." After Zhao Xu issued his orders one by one, Ma Han and Chang Wei responded in unison.

Ever since entering the study, Chang Wei's brow had been furrowed. He said, "Your Highness, the current situation is very dangerous. The Shizu army and the Northern Di army are coordinating from north and south; they are tearing at our defensive lines, forcing us to disperse our troops across several points at the border passes. As long as one point develops a flaw, they can seize the opportunity to tear open a gap and devastate Jiangbei."

At present, the Qin Army has deployed forty thousand troops along the line of Xiao Pass, the Hetan in Yongzhou, and Tong Pass.

There is also a force of ten thousand patrolling the banks of the Jiujiang.

Only fifty thousand troops can be spared to deal with Jian Pass.

The Prince's Personal Army is doing fine; aside from Jinling and the troops detached to guard the banks of the Jiujiang, they can spare one hundred thousand troops to head to Zhongling Pass.

And this is only under the condition that Yan Wang requires them to hold only Jinling and not Song City or Su City.

Otherwise, the troops they could spare would be about the same as the Qin Army.

He also agreed with this decision by Yan Wang.

There is no necessity to occupy the current Song City and Su City.

The Shizu army is herding the commoners westward; defending too many cities will only disperse their forces.

"This move is truly sinister, but the Shizu and Northern Di armies have made no further moves after arriving at Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass; they seem to be waiting for something," Ma Han cursed, then added.

"Their goal was originally to pin down your Qin Army and lure the Prince's Personal Army south, then find an opportunity to annihilate the Prince's Personal Army. Therefore, they will not take any action in the west for the time being," Zhao Xu sneered.

He paused and continued, "However, they are going to be disappointed. This Prince did not follow their plan, and I intend to turn the tables on them, forcing them to fight a battle with me at Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass. They will end up losing more than they gained."

Ma Han and Chang Wei looked at each other and nodded slowly.

Now that Dongying has been dealt with, the Westerners are still continuing to stir up trouble.

They had just integrated the Shizu and the Northern Di before setting a trap for them to walk into.

If it were a different, short-sighted Yan Wang, the Prince's Personal Army might truly have pursued them all the way to Jiangzhou, only to have their supply lines cut and their retreat blocked, turning a great victory into a crushing defeat.

"Go. Take Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass for this Prince. This is what Southern Liang calls bringing disaster upon oneself," Zhao Xu said sternly.

After acknowledging the order, Chang Wei and Ma Han turned and left, one heading to Qinzhou and the other to Jingzhou.

After the two left, Zhao Xu walked outside the study and stood with his hands behind his back.

Strategy must be adjusted at any time according to the situation.

Originally, to strike at Wu, he had controlled the grain-producing areas in the south of Ningzhou.

Now, since Southern Liang has become the grain-producing area that the Shizu relies on for survival, the focus of the offensive must change.

Next, we will slow down operations in the direction of Jinling; it is very necessary to seize Yizhou, the last grain-producing area controlled by the Shizu.

And he has another purpose in doing this: to incite a popular uprising as quickly as possible.

The commoners of Great Song are very long-suffering; as long as they are not starving to death, they will not easily raise an army to rebel.

At present, the commoners are being herded back and forth by the Shizu, but as long as they have a mouthful of food to eat, they dare not defy the Shizu.

But once there is a food shortage, the Shizu will only prioritize supplying the army with grain—and at that time, the lives of the commoners will be miserable.

Facing the problem of survival, the herded commoners will inevitably flee back from the interior or rise up in rebellion directly.

At that time, the hearts of the people will completely turn toward him.

When the returning commoners go back to their hometowns to rest and recuperate, it will also be easier for him to control the cities he has captured and provide supplies for the army.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu nodded slowly.

However, seizing Yizhou is clearly more difficult than seizing Jinling.

Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass are actually the easiest; after taking these two passes, one still has to face the problem of rugged mountain roads.

However, he is not in a hurry.

After taking Jian Pass and Zhongling Pass, the entire Jiangbei army will gradually undergo the conversion to the Breech-loading Needle-fire Rifle.

And the new tactics that emerge with the change to firearms will cause the enemy to crumble before them, and they will not be worth worrying about.