Chapter 127: On the Eve of the Decisive Battle

"Your Highness, this must absolutely not be done!"

"Your Highness, you must think thrice!"

"The great army has just suffered defeat, and morale is unstable; how can we launch a counterattack at a time like this?"

Upon hearing these words, the assembled officers and soldiers knelt down all at once, pleading bitterly.

Even the people beside Crown Prince Xie Fang were scared out of their wits.

Yesterday, he insisted on having his own way and had to go recover lost territory, resulting in the Longyan Army suffering a direct loss of one hundred thousand! They had only just escaped, and he wanted to go again? Was this Crown Prince crazy about wanting to perform a meritorious service?

Crown Prince Xie Fang barked: "What is the meaning of this?"

"The Xiongnu Army has lax discipline and many internal conflicts; as long as they are defeated once, they will be nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs. What is there to fear?"

A flash of murderous intent crossed Xie Fang's eyes: "This is the best opportunity for a counterattack; it must not be missed!"

Zheng Yuxing wore a gloomy face and said: "Your Highness, although that may be true, our army has not yet regrouped; this matter must absolutely not be rushed!"

"You..."

Xie Fang was furious, having completely forgotten who it was that had fought bloodily in Rongshan Pass yesterday and protected him all the way. He looked at Zheng Yuxing with chilling murderous intent: "General Zheng, are you trying to defy the Crown Prince's order?"

Zheng Yuxing felt miserable inside.

Hadn't these words already been said once yesterday? Was it still fresh to say them again at this time?

The Third Prince, Xie Ling, also said from the side: "Imperial Brother, this matter truly requires careful deliberation! War is not child's play!"

Xie Fang was even more furious: "Do you think I am playing?"

Seeing so many people disagree, and even noticing that the soldiers' gazes toward the Crown Prince were not right, Chen Ping also said to avoid a repeat of yesterday's assassination: "Everyone, the Crown Prince's meaning is that we should first discuss today how to fight the Xiongnu. Everyone, please follow me!"

Crown Prince Xie Fang let out a cold snort.

In a large command tent, everyone from the rank of Lieutenant and above attended.

Crown Prince Xie Fang, Third Prince Xie Ling, the Prince of Lu, Yang Ke, Zheng Yuxing, Chen Ping, as well as Liu Zheng, Jiang Xuan, and so on and so forth...

At this moment, only Xie Fang walked up to the large sand table and said with high spirits: "Everyone, time waits for no one! Last night, scouts heard that the Xiongnu returned empty-handed yesterday, and that there are already disagreements between the Eastern and Western Xiongnu, even leading to blows. That so-called Grassland Military Advisor is also at his wit's end. If we don't counterattack now, when will we?"

The crowd looked at each other in dismay.

Liu Zheng also smiled slightly.

This Crown Prince did not seem like a fool; he still knew how to assess the situation. That was correct; these scattered soldiers of the Xiongnu could not withstand a defeat. Once defeated, they would just push each other around and make things unpleasant for one another. In such a situation, even if that Grassland Military Advisor Cheng Mu had the brains, he was an outsider after all, and it would still be quite troublesome for him to keep the situation under control.

These next few days were indeed the best time for a counterattack.

But Liu Zheng believed that three days would suffice; too early would not work, and too late would not work either.

The internal conflicts of the Xiongnu needed a day or two to ferment.

If it were too late, once their morale stabilized, there would naturally be no chance left.

Zheng Yuxing stood up and said: "Crown Prince, but our army has not yet..."

Xie Fang said impatiently: "Don't we have the Yinzhou Army? That Yinzhou Army has remarkable combat power and strict discipline; why would they need to regroup? Once the Yinzhou Army is deployed, we only need one or two victories, and our army's morale will naturally rise!"

The crowd listened with bitter smiles.

Liu Zheng also didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Although these words sounded fine, the reality of the problems could not be avoided. What about the treatment of the wounded? The replenishment of grain and supplies? The guarantee of military equipment? The need for rest after physical exhaustion? These were all tangible things; they could not be replenished just because one's spirit was high.

How could this Crown Prince know that war was not fought with spirit alone?

In reality, war itself was a cold political game.

Morale was only one of the factors that needed to be considered, not the true deciding factor.

This kind of armchair strategy really should not be appearing in this tent.

Liu Zheng looked at Chen Ping beside the Crown Prince, at that face full of craftiness, and naturally understood in his heart that this strategy was once again offered by this bastard Chen Ping! By letting their Yinzhou Army act as the vanguard, wouldn't it be very easy for the Yinzhou Army to become cannon fodder just like the Baiya Army?

But knowing he had no way to avoid it, Liu Zheng also stood up, walked out, cupped his hands and said: "Crown Prince, to lead by example, Liu Zheng is willing to go!"

Crown Prince Xie Fang was overjoyed: "Prefectural Assistant Liu is a hero indeed!"

Liu Zheng took a deep breath: "It is just that, Zheng believes today is not the best time!"

"Audacious!"

"Are you questioning the Crown Prince?"

"Liu Zheng, I advise you not to rely on your talent to be arrogant!"

Several generals led by Chen Ping were furious.

Liu Zheng knew that Chen Ping wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of him, or at the very least, his malicious intent to consume the Yinzhou Army remained. Facing this situation, Liu Zheng decided to directly play a "breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats" move. He suddenly raised his head and smiled slightly: "Crown Prince, may Zheng ask you one question?"

Xie Fang said proudly: "Ask!"

"Does the Crown Prince want to win, or does he want to lose?"

Liu Zheng boldly met his gaze.

Xie Fang's expression changed abruptly: "You rascal, you insult me!"

Others also began to curse loudly.

They all accused Liu Zheng of what he meant by that—who goes to war without wanting to win? Did he think they wanted to lose? Didn't Liu Zheng's words imply that yesterday's defeat was something the Crown Prince had intentionally caused? These words were indeed a bit disrespectful and malicious.

Liu Zheng laughed out loud: "If the Crown Prince truly wants to win, then he can listen to one word from Zheng!"

"Three days from now, I guarantee that not only will we counterattack the Xiongnu, but I will also help the Crown Prince recover those five lost fortresses!"

The whole place was in an uproar.

Everyone had a look of disbelief.

"Young Master Liu..."

"Prefectural Assistant Liu?"

"This..."

Shock! There was not a single person who was not shocked. Was it really good to say such big words at a time like this? Although it was indeed a bit excessive that the Crown Prince intended to use the Yinzhou Army as cannon fodder, one could not just walk right into the Crown Prince's trap like this, could they?

The Third Prince Xie Ling could not help but sneer repeatedly.

Crown Prince Xie Fang and Chen Ping, however, looked at each other and laughed in triumph.

One day or three days, is the difference really that great?

In any case, he just wanted to use this Yinzhou army that had stolen his thunder and slapped his face hard as cannon fodder; that was enough!

"Hahahaha, good!"

Crown Prince Xie Fang deliberately wore a look of satisfaction and clicked his tongue while looking around: "Do you see? Prefectural Assistant Liu is the only true soldier of our Longyan Dynasty!"

"How does that saying go? If one does not meet Prefectural Assistant Liu in one's life, who dares to call themselves a hero in their youth?"

"These words are correct!"

"If Prefectural Assistant Liu has any difficulties, you should speak them!"

Originally this was just a polite remark, but Liu Zheng hurriedly seized the opportunity and continued: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Zheng has no other requests, only hoping that the Crown Prince can promise that no matter how Zheng achieves victory, the Crown Prince will not punish Zheng for any crimes!"

The Crown Prince asked strangely: "If you repel the Xiongnu, it will be a great merit for Prefectural Assistant Liu, what crime could there be? Granted!"

Liu Zheng chuckled and said: "Zheng would never dare to claim credit; if the Xiongnu are repelled, it must be Heaven sensing the virtue of the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Fang was even happier; he waved his hand, announced that the military meeting had concluded successfully, and then swaggered away with a group of people.

The Third Prince also gave Liu Zheng a playful look, snorted, and left.

People left one after another, shaking their heads.

Some urged Liu Zheng to be careful, some sighed and dared not speak. Some looked at him with pity, feeling that the three-day deadline was merely a delaying tactic by Liu Zheng. After three days, his Yinzhou army would still serve as cannon fodder!

When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves.

At this moment, no one came to mock Liu Zheng.

Finally, only Liu Zheng, Jiang Xuan, Qin Zhangfeng, and Zheng Yuxing remained in the entire camp.

Zheng Yuxing also smiled bitterly: "Young Master Liu, after three days, I will certainly do my best to protect your Yinzhou army!"

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly and said nothing, making an excuse to stay behind to continue observing the sand table.

Zheng Yuxing sighed and left.

"Defeated again?"

"And a crushing defeat at that?"

At this time.

The military report from the front was also sent back to Jinghua.

The old Emperor was furious: "One hundred thousand lost in one battle, what a fine Crown Prince!"

The civil and military officials took a deep breath, and no one dared to speak rashly.

The old Emperor's dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince was already obvious; at such a time, who would dare to say another word?

Only the Crown Prince's loyal supporter, a Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, stepped out: "Your Majesty, in this great battle, the Xiongnu army has been accumulating strength for a long time and is strong and well-equipped; logically speaking, this is not the Crown Prince's fault. The Crown Prince has many generals by his side, and General Zheng is even stationed at Longhu Pass. If they could still suffer such a crushing defeat, it seems this Xiongnu army is indeed too valiant!"

Many people echoed his sentiments.

The old Emperor smiled coldly: "What does the Grand Academician mean by this? Could it be that the soldiers of Longyan are truly so vulnerable?"

The Grand Academician was so frightened he knelt on the ground.

The old Emperor felt deeply exhausted and sighed deeply: "It is like this again, it is like this again; it is like this every year, I am tired! Prince Qin!"

"Present!"

"Prepare to go to Longhu Pass to negotiate with the Xiongnu! You handle the specific amount of reparations; there is no need to report to me, I am tired..."

The civil and military officials wailed in grief, crying in a huddle.

The old Emperor, supported by the Grand Eunuch, slowly left.

This vast Longyan Dynasty, having continued for a thousand years, had for many consecutive years relied on paying reparations and ceding territory to seek stability within its borders.

How much longer would this situation continue?

The dignified Longyan Dynasty actually had no army capable of fighting!

On the verge of collapse, the Longyan Dynasty at this moment was like the old Emperor who needed several people to support him while walking, seemingly facing collapse at any moment.

For two consecutive days.

The Xiongnu army clamored outside the pass several times, which made the Longyan Army side jittery.

But as Zheng Yuxing and Liu Zheng had anticipated, the Xiongnu had not launched any large-scale military actions over these two days.

A Scout came to report.

The Xiongnu's general offensive had hit a snag; Luoge'er and Gedan of the Eastern and Western Xiongnu had gotten into a fight at a banquet, and the Eastern and Western Xiongnu, who had always harbored deep hatred, even triggered a large-scale brawl.

Fortunately, the Grassland Military Advisor Cheng Mu was there, which slowly stabilized the situation.

But Luoge'er and Gedan had also issued a life-and-death challenge.

Luoge'er believed that the previous failure to return with results was because Gedan's Xiongnu soldiers had not put in effort; the next time they launched an attack, the Eastern Xiongnu would be responsible for the charge. If he could not take Qingfeng Gorge and Longhu Pass, he would commit suicide on the spot! If he could take them, Gedan would have to serve as his mount all the way back to the Grassland.

How could Gedan withstand such a provocation? He agreed on the spot.

Therefore, although the morale of the Xiongnu had slowly stabilized over these few days.

In reality, the conflict between the Eastern and Western Xiongnu was only temporarily hidden, or even accumulated; as time passed, the hidden dangers of the Xiongnu army would still exist. Once it erupted, it would be impossible to contain. Still the same saying: if they pressed forward without hesitation, the Xiongnu would be invincible under heaven.

But if they were obstructed, the Xiongnu would immediately turn into a pile of worthless rabble!

Therefore, Cheng Mu sat on the Observation Tower at this time, worried, and sighed deeply: "Tomorrow is the general offensive..."

"All variables will lie with that Yinzhou army!"

His subordinates said: "Military Advisor, what is there to fear from a mere Yinzhou army?"

Cheng Mu sneered: "Can you not see?"

"In the entire Longhu Pass, only the camp of the Yinzhou army is neat and uniform, with orders strictly followed; if the Xiongnu army had such discipline, the world, vast as it is, would be within the grasp of the Grassland warriors!"

Those to his left and right remained silent.

Cheng Mu sighed deeply.

The Grassland warriors are brave and skilled in battle, yet they were defeated by internal strife.

This is mainly because the Grassland still lacks a supreme overlord who can look down upon the world.

In this regard, although the Han people of the Longyan Dynasty have weak physiques, they often produce peerless talents...

If the Grassland had such a hero, the world could be theirs.

But Cheng Mu fears he will not live to see it...

【Author's Note】

Thank you brothers for the tips these past few days. It's the end of the month, and I will speed up and update more chapters. Brothers, please don't leave bad reviews, especially bad reviews because of slow updates; it affects the book's rating.