Chapter 358: The Battle of Mang Mountain

"Quick, quick, quick, keep up, keep up!"

At this moment.

Just as the entire Longyan Dynasty was watching how this "Contemporary Sage" Liu Zheng would choose.

In fact, Liu Zheng had long since issued orders, instructing Deputy General Jiang Xuan to openly repair the plank roads while secretly crossing the Chencang; on the surface, he stationed troops at Yong'an, drilling day and night, giving the appearance of plotting against Jiangzhou.

Afterwards, the logistics troops transported a large quantity of Quelehuoduo, found guides familiar with the terrain of Chuan Shu, and headed toward Mang Mountain.

They did not take the main roads, but specifically traveled along small paths.

All of these Quelehuoduo were transported under the name of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Three thousand barrels!

At this time, the powerful logistical support capability of the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce was highlighted once again.

From all directions, a steady stream of Quelehuoduo was transported toward Mang Mountain.

Although it is said that the roads of Shu are difficult.

But if it didn't work here, it would work there. If they encountered danger on the road, these people would simply push the horse carriages down the mountain, and no word would leak out.

Therefore.

This Quelehuoduo arrived near Mang Mountain almost silently.

Of course.

In other aspects, there was naturally cover as well.

For instance, after Qin Zhangfeng received Liu Zheng's order, he immediately issued the Shu King Order to those Prefects, summoning the armies of all the cities in Shuzhou to march together on Mang Mountain.

For a time, Chuan Shu was in a state of extreme tension, with every tree and bush appearing to be an enemy soldier.

General Qin could not hold back anymore!

He intended to stop waiting for these Southern Barbarians to come to Shuzhou; he wanted to take the initiative to attack!

Thus.

On the Shuzhou side, Qin Zhangfeng led an army of eighty thousand, and the various Prefects came one after another to join, totaling an army of one hundred and fifty thousand, heading toward the direction of Mang Mountain with great momentum, shocking the Longyan Dynasty.

……

At this time,

The Southern Barbarian army on Mang Mountain also received word at the first opportunity. In two days' time, just as that Mr. Situ had expected, the clouds and mist that had lasted for nearly ten days all dispersed on this day. The deep mountains and steep ridges of Mang Mountain now appeared bright and vivid. Looking out, one felt the profound mystery of heaven and earth, and the vastness of the mountains and rivers.

The Southern Barbarian army had by this time found a way out of the mountains, but Agutuo did not dare to leave.

He knew that at this time, the various armies of Chuan Shu were waiting for him, intending to swarm him and devour him completely.

Mang Mountain was his hiding place.

They were Southern Barbarians by nature, having no concept of a nation-state; they had lived in these forests since childhood, eating raw meat and drinking blood, so stationing themselves in these deep mountains was nothing to them.

Occupying Mang Mountain, having now found a way out, and occasionally being able to go out to plunder nearby villages and cities—why not?

No sooner said than done.

This Agutuo even cleared paths and cut down trees within this Mang Mountain, directly building a simple mountain stronghold. Upon learning that the Chuan Shu army was already pointing its swords at Mang Mountain, he ordered his soldiers to begin preparing various defensive works and even traps—the Southern Barbarians were well-versed in this and could do it with ease.

"Great King, the Chuan Shu army can arrive in three days!"

A Scout came to report.

Agutuo heard this and laughed heartily: "Let them come! Let them try the power of our Dianzhou Rattan Armor Soldiers! Tell them, kill one if one comes, kill a pair if a pair comes! This Mang Mountain will be this King's base camp from now on!"

The crowd roared their agreement.

The current Rattan Armor Soldiers were no longer the Rattan Armor Soldiers of the Three Kingdoms period. Back then, there was the story of Zhuge Kongming burning the Rattan Armor Soldiers to subdue Meng Huo.

Afterwards, the people of the Dian Kingdom began to improve the vine armor; they not only found a type of fire-resistant thorny wood to replace the old vine armor, but also coated it with a resin from the Southern Barbarian Lands to achieve a fire-resistant and burn-resistant effect. In fact, this method was similar to the Tower Ships with fire-resistant timber that Liu Zheng had encountered some days ago.

Therefore.

Agutuo believed that Rattan Armor Soldiers who did not fear fire were almost invincible in the world! This vine armor was light and durable, giving them an absolute advantage on the battlefield.

Three days later.

The one hundred and fifty thousand-strong Chuan Shu army finally arrived near Mang Mountain. In reality, the Battle of Mang Mountain was even more complex than a siege battle.

"To be high on the mountain is to be perched by the enemy; to be below the mountain is to be imprisoned by the enemy."

Mang Mountain stretches for hundreds of miles, with exits in all directions. Whether they could find the Southern Barbarian army was one thing, and whether they would be surrounded if they went in was another.

Just saying that it would not be too difficult for the Southern Barbarians to escape to safety.

They only needed to choose one direction and have the entire army rush out at once; the Chuan Shu army would be very scattered at that time and would be unable to stop them.

Therefore.

In reality, this great battle was not favored by the world.

They only thought that this was a gesture made by Chuan Shu to expel the Southern Barbarians. Regardless, a show of victory had to be made, right?

Therefore.

The various think tanks of the Longyan Dynasty who were watching the spectacle were all discussing it at this time.

How would Qin Zhangfeng deploy his forces?

Scatter the troops, or concentrate them for a search?

If it were the former, it would be very easy for the Southern Barbarian army to annihilate them instead.

But if it were the latter, it would not be difficult for the Southern Barbarians to get out of the mountains.

However, no one expected it.

Qin Zhangfeng led the army to the vicinity of Mang Mountain and issued one order.

Surround the mountain!

The one hundred thousand-strong army was completely dispersed, stationed in every corner of Mang Mountain.

This baffling maneuver made many people burst out laughing.

Just this?

So this Qin Zhangfeng, without the Prefect's strategy, is like a blind tiger, no longer possessing any unstoppable ferocity?

……

"General Qin, why is this?"

"General Qin, this must not be done!"

"General Qin... the enemy is many and we are few, why divide our forces to surround them? This is a great taboo in the Art of War!"

Once this order was issued, as expected, those Prefects and County Marquises who had brought troops to reinforce were all stunned, and they hurried over to offer advice and suggestions.

In the military tent, Qin Zhangfeng smiled faintly: "Everyone, please remain calm; I certainly have arrangements for this matter."

The group looked at each other in dismay.

Certainly have arrangements?

Nonsense!

With these arrangements of yours, how could we possibly endure it!

The Prefect of Mianyang finally could not help but say: "General Qin, our army has many new recruits whose resolve is not firm; if the Southern Barbarians divide and annihilate us, this, this, this..."

The others also echoed him one after another.

Isn't this deliberately handing our heads to the Southern Barbarians?

Isn't this making them act as cannon fodder?

"Miss Pei, you should try to persuade him..."

Seeing that Qin Zhangfeng remained unmoved, the crowd looked one after another toward Pei Yanran, who was by Qin Zhangfeng's side.

Yes.

Pei Yanran had also come along this time.

At this moment, she was also dressed in the attire of a black-clad Knight-errant, a change from her usual refined and sensible demeanor, yet she appeared even more heroic and spirited; she was considered quite tall among the women of Chuan Shu, and by the calculations of later generations, her height was around 165 centimeters, so standing by Qin Zhangfeng's side at this moment, she was quite eye-catching.

"Me?"

Pei Yanran gave a bitter smile.

My dear uncles, forget it.

I did offer advice... but I didn't expect that Prefect Liu in Yong'an had already calculated everything perfectly.

It made me, a dignified talented woman of Shu, look like a clown.

For this great battle, you all just wait to win without effort.

Why say anything more?

But she still patiently said: "My lords, General Qin's arrangement must have a deep meaning. You are all masters of the Art of War and should know that in a battle of surrounding a mountain, one must first observe the terrain and seek every advantage. One must look at their camps and scout their fortifications!"

"Now that our army is at a disadvantage and cannot climb high to look down, we can only listen to the sound of their drums to judge the strength of their vanguard!"

"The birds flying over the fortifications can reveal their atmosphere!"

"The echoes in the mountains can reveal their numbers!"

"Furthermore, General Qin has arranged for the Flying Guards to provide support at any time; if the Southern Barbarians do not come out in full force, what can they do to us?"

"My lords, by fighting in multiple scattered locations, we can probe their true strength and weaknesses, and only then can we fight!"

Pei Yanran explained the profound in simple terms, her eloquence astonishing.

In an instant, she stunned this group of Prefects and generals.

Qin Zhangfeng also looked over in disbelief.

This future wife of his...

Really does have some skill.