Chapter 342: Marching and Discussing Warfare

Shuzhou City.

The city remained in chaos.

Leaders with differing opinions from all sides began a full-scale conflict.

This left Xie Yang, who had usurped the throne, somewhat overwhelmed and furious.

He had not expected this situation. He had thought that as long as he seized the throne, he would sooner or later be able to suppress these petty people. Now, clearly, he had been overconfident.

Of course.

The most significant factor was the change and unease the Liangzhou Army had brought into the territory of Chuan Shu.

Fortunately, he had the Imperial Guard in his hands; with them, the city would not fall into further chaos. At most, it was just protecting Pei Yanran, leaving him with no method.

Now that his mind was in such turmoil, how could he still have the heart to abduct a Pei Yanran?

"King of Shu! The Liangzhou Army is one day away!"

"King of Shu, due to the heavy rain last night, the East City Gate has collapsed..."

"King of Shu, the rolling stones in the city are slightly insufficient..."

"King of Shu..."

These people running in one after another with various problems nearly drove Xie Yang mad. He picked up a wine vessel from the table, smashed it fiercely onto the ground, and scolded, "Are you all a bunch of trash?"

"What do I pay you for? Can you not handle these matters yourselves? Hmm? Must you come and ask me?"

"If there aren't enough stones, go dig them; if there isn't enough wood, go chop it!"

"Asking me about everything—what exactly am I, the King of Shu, or what!"

This crazed display frightened the group of people.

Those civil and military officials following Xie Yang sighed even more. Xie Yang usually appeared to have great depth and understood the art of kingship well. Only now, with a great enemy at the gates, did they realize he was not steady enough at all.

"Your Highness, the Liangzhou main force will be at the city walls tomorrow. But Grand Chief Agutuo can arrive in four days at the earliest. Your Highness should be patient and focus on preparing the defense matters."

Someone suggested.

As the saying goes, a weak soldier makes a weak squad, and a weak general makes a weak army.

Xie Yang's current state of being overwhelmed would directly affect the work morale of these people.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yang's face darkened. He forced a nod and gave a cold laugh: "It is only two days. My Shuzhou City is a fortress of bronze and iron, a thousand-year-old city with the Imperial Guard defending it strictly; it would be hard for even a fly to fly in!"

"Unless that Qin Zhangfeng has grown wings, otherwise, let alone two days, it would be hard to take my Shuzhou even in seven!"

The crowd also laughed heartily, their confidence greatly increased.

As long as they could hold out for four or five days, once the Southern Barbarian army arrived, that Qin Zhangfeng would be a head under their feet!

Did he really think Chuan Shu was that easy to play with?

Along the Shu road.

In truth, Qin Zhangfeng was somewhat breaking down. He and his Liangzhou Army were accustomed to the flat plains of the Yongliang region; where had they ever seen a Shu road as difficult as ascending to heaven?

The further they walked, the harder it became.

Furthermore, the most prominent problem had been highlighted over these past few days.

That was the War Horse!

Once the Liangzhou War Horses arrived in the Shu region, they simply became a burden. These horses, which had shown no signs of failing to acclimatize on the Yinzhou ships, became miserable upon arriving in the Shu region.

Once a hoof landed, it would sink into the mud and could never be pulled out again.

Excessively steep hillsides and mountain paths also caused these War Horses to stop in their tracks; they were not even as bold as the people—though this was normal, for where had these War Horses ever seen a mountain path only an inch wide with a ten-thousand-foot abyss on the left?

From time to time, War Horses would fall off the cliffs, letting out a few mournful cries in the air, followed by a "Boom—" as they brought down rocks and earth.

Every time this happened, everyone's spirits would jolt.

"Be careful!"

Qin Zhangfeng would also remind them from time to time.

It was too difficult!

This Liangzhou Army, which had swept across the world, would likely see its combat effectiveness drop by ten percent upon arriving in Chuan Shu. This was precisely why, in the strategy war games of later generations, there were unit counters, as well as the influence of terrain, weather, and climate.

Moreover.

From time to time, some Shu Army soldiers would dart out from the mountains to launch sneak attacks. Along this journey, the losses of the Liangzhou Army were actually quite heavy.

Added to this, it was already the beginning of spring, and the mountains were unbearably damp, with mosquitoes and insects biting. The mosquitoes and insects of Chuan Shu were quite fierce. It was common to be bitten once and have it swell up high.

Marching and fighting were just like this; all sorts of situations would arise.

Fortunately.

There were many medicinal herbs in the mountains of Chuan Shu, and the army physicians soon found some herbs to reduce swelling, which made people feel a bit better.

"Cheng Kai!"

Qin Zhangfeng walked at the very front, holding a thick tree branch to use as a walking stick, and called out.

"This subordinate is here!"

Cheng Kai quickly ran over.

Qin Zhangfeng laughed heartily: "Observing the terrain of Chuan Shu these past few days, what are your thoughts?"

He liked this young man, Cheng Kai, very much.

He was intelligent and driven; although he came from a poor family, he loved to read and was diligent in military affairs. Qin Zhangfeng regarded him as a younger brother and was determined to promote him.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Kai coughed dryly and said earnestly: "Whenever the three armies are positioned on high ground, they are besieged by the enemy; when positioned below the mountain, they are imprisoned by the enemy. Since we are positioned against the mountains, we must form the 'Cloud of Birds' Assault Formation. The 'Cloud of Birds' Assault Formation is prepared for both yin and yang. One may camp in the yin or camp in the yang. Positioned on the sunny side of the mountain, guard the shady side; positioned on the shady side, guard the sunny side; positioned on the left of the mountain, guard the right; positioned on the right of the mountain, guard the left. For mountains that the enemy can scale, guard the front with troops; for crossroads and valleys, block them with war chariots, place banners high, and strictly command the three armies, not letting the enemy know our true situation; this is called a mountain fortress. Once the ranks are set, the soldiers are deployed, the laws are enforced, and the 'Odd' and 'Even' tactics are established, place an Assault Formation at the foot of the mountain, adjust to the soldiers' positions, and divide the chariots and cavalry into the 'Cloud of Birds' Assault Formation. If the three armies fight fiercely, even if the enemy is numerous, their general can be captured."

The crowd nodded one after another upon hearing this.

This was the rule of the Liangzhou Army.

On the march, Qin Zhangfeng would raise some relatively appropriate questions to allow his subordinate generals to discuss and learn.

These words of Cheng Kai are a part of the *Three Strategies and Six Tactics* regarding combat in mountain forests. A part regarding defensive warfare in mountain forests.

The specific translated content is:

Whenever an army is positioned on a mountain peak, it is easily isolated and cut off by the enemy; whenever an army is positioned at the foot of a mountain, it is easily surrounded and trapped by the enemy. Since one is fighting in a mountain environment, one must form the Bird Cloud Formation. The so-called Bird Cloud Formation means being on guard against all directions, both north and south of the mountain. The army should either garrison the north side of the mountain or the south side. When garrisoning the south side of the mountain, one must guard against the north side; when garrisoning the north side of the mountain, one must guard against the north side.

When garrisoning the left side of the mountain, one must guard against the right side; when garrisoning the right side of the mountain, one must guard against the left side. Any place on the mountain that the enemy can climb must be guarded with troops, and thoroughfares and passable valleys must be blocked with war chariots. Hoist the flags high to facilitate communication.

Discipline the three armies and stand in battle array; do not let the enemy discern our army's situation, and thus it becomes a mountain fortress. The ranks of the troops are already set, the soldiers are already in formation, the laws have already been promulgated, the use of the unorthodox and the orthodox is already determined, and all units are organized into an Assault Formation, positioned on prominent high ground on the mountain that is favorable for combat. Then, deploy the war chariots and Cavalry into the Bird Cloud Formation. In this way, when the enemy comes to attack, my entire army will fight fiercely. Even if the enemy is numerous, they will surely be defeated, and their commander can also be captured by me.

Therefore.

Cheng Kai's answer was completely flawless.

Qin Zhangfeng asked again: "Leading an army deep into enemy territory, encountering a forest, and facing the enemy with each occupying a part of the forest. If I want to be secure in defense and victorious in attack, what should be done?"

Cheng Kai laughed spiritedly: "Deploy my three armies into an Assault Formation, position them where the troops are situated, with Crossbows on the outside, locked shields on the inside, clear away the grass and trees, and widen our paths to facilitate our battle positions. Hoist the flags high, strictly discipline the three armies, and do not let the enemy know our situation; this is called Forest Warfare. The method of Forest Warfare is to lead our spears and halberds and organize them into squads. If the trees in the forest are sparse, use Cavalry as Assistance, keep war chariots in front, fight when an advantage is seen, and stop when no advantage is seen. If the forest has many obstacles, one must deploy into an Assault Formation to guard the front and rear. The three armies must fight swiftly; even if the enemy is numerous, their commander can be made to flee. Fight in turns and rest in turns, with each following their unit. This is the discipline of Forest Warfare."

This means.

Deploy our army into an Assault Formation, position them in places favorable for combat, set up Crossbows on the outer layer, set up halberds and shields on the inner layer, clear away grass and trees, and open up wide roads to facilitate our army's combat operations.

Hoist the flags high, strictly restrain the entire army, and do not let the enemy understand our army's situation; this is what is called combat in forest terrain.

The method for combat in forest terrain is: mix soldiers using different weapons like spears and shields into combat squads. If the trees in the forest are sparse, use Cavalry for Assistance, place war chariots in front, fight when an advantage is seen, and stop when no advantage is seen.

If the forest has many obstacles, one must deploy into an Assault Formation to guard against enemy attacks on our front and rear. Therefore, in combat, one must ensure the entire army fights swiftly and fiercely.

In this way, even if the enemy is numerous, they will be defeated and flee by us. During the battle, our army must fight in turns and rest in turns, with each unit acting according to its organization. This is the general principle of combat in forest terrain.

"Good!"

"General Cheng is Great Good!"

A group of commanders praised him one after another.

Upon arriving in Chuan Shu, although the combat effectiveness of the Liangzhou Army was greatly restricted, this did not affect the fighting spirit of these men in the slightest.

Walking on the Shu roads.

Not only must they ensure the formation is orderly, orders are obeyed, and morale is usable.

These commanders also had to discuss and consider battle plans for the Shu roads! In fact, it was not just the commanders; if you were a soldier and had unique insights, you could also participate.

Therefore, once your talent was revealed in such discussions, it was very easy to get promoted and be given a chance to get ahead.

This was the rule and tradition of the Liangzhou Army.

Some who disagreed would even halt the great army, find a suitable piece of terrain nearby, and hold a drill.

Then they would put up some stakes.

In short, finding joy in bitterness and growing together!

At this moment.

Zhong Lin, in the large group, was already staring blankly from behind.

What kind of army is this?

And what kind of atmosphere is this? What kind of commanders are these, and what kind of soldiers are these?

Does the entire army, from top to bottom, understand military law?

Can the entire army, from top to bottom, discuss things?

Can everyone express their own opinions and temporarily act as a commander?

Since ancient times, who has ever seen such an army? Since ancient times, who has been willing to give these green soldiers a chance to get ahead?

The Liangzhou Army?

Is this the reason why the Liangzhou Army runs rampant across the world?

Such an army.

Who can rival it?

Just at this time.

Suddenly, an alarm sounded from the front.

"Enemy situation!"

"Enemy situation!"

"General, a large force of the enemy has been discovered ten miles ahead!"

Everyone's spirits were roused.

Qin Zhangfeng's eyes turned cold: "Which side's troops are they?"

At this moment.

They were still half a day's distance from Shuzhou.

Who had attacked?