Chapter 1122: First Volume, Chapter 1122: Lin Wenwan Returns

First Volume, Chapter 1122: Lin Wenwan Returns

Those seated before Lin Wenwan were all powerful clans of the Nan Jing, towering figures of immense influence.

Either powerful clans, or prestigious lineages.

Combined, their strength was sufficient to rival the entire Shedynasty.

Yet at this very moment, facing Lin Wenwan's scathing reprimand, not a single person dared to resist.

The reason was simple: Lin Wenwan's family background was extraordinarily formidable, and she herself was equally accomplished in both civil and martial arts; her terrifying authority even dwarfed that of the Lin Family's elder patriarch.

The eldest son of Nangong cleared his throat lightly and ventured, "Madam Lin seeks… manpower?"

Lin Wenwan let out a light snort, refusing to even glance at the Nangong eldest son.

"Hmph!"

"Do you think your petty schemes can outwit me? If one day I'm in a foul mood and strangle you all, it'll be your own fault for being blind!"

"Do I need to remind you how brutal the battle will be at Gusu City, the First Line of this great war?"

"When the Jiangnan garrison troops and Lin Family warriors are all wiped out, you powerful clans and prestigious lineages will hide behind, reaping the benefits—your calculations are sharp indeed!"

At this, Lin Wenwan's tone turned razor-sharp; the aura radiating from her left everyone in the room breathless.

"You must provide grain and forage, pay the military payroll, and supply armor and equipment without fail."

"Additionally, each powerful clan must contribute three thousand men, each prestigious lineage one thousand, and each Local Strongman one hundred."

"I don't care how you allocate them—just deliver me ten thousand men, and they must be Elite Soldiers."

"Whoever dares to deceive me with the old, weak, sick, or injured, I'll execute you first and use your heads to consecrate the battle flag before even facing Qin Feng!"

The attendees exchanged glances; for them, grain and military payroll were trivial—the most vital resource was manpower.

Once the fires of war ignited, lives would have to be poured in.

These ten thousand men, ostensibly raised to bolster the Lin Family's army, were in truth cannon fodder.

It was obvious: Lin Wenwan would send this force first to consume Qin Feng's strength, preserving the Lin Family's own power.

Thus, the first battle would be fought by the combined forces of the Nan Jing's powerful clans against Qin Feng.

Only after these ten thousand were annihilated would Lin Wenwan deploy her own troops.

Undeniably, this woman was not only arrogant and brutal, but also exceptionally cunning.

At this moment, a Zhou patriarch from a prestigious lineage could no longer bear it.

He rose abruptly, fixing Lin Wenwan with a hostile gaze: "Since no one else is willing to break the surface, I'll play the villain!"

"Grain and silver money are no issue—but manpower must not be squandered recklessly."

"Remember, we're not just fighting Qin Feng—we're fighting the entire Shedynasty, Qin Feng included."

"Have you considered how many troops the Northern Border possesses?"

"Beyond the Northern Border, there's Jingji, the Central Plains, Dongzhou, and the Northwest."

"If we rely solely on manpower, how can we possibly resist the Shedynasty?"

"We must adopt a Consumption War strategy."

"Using Gusu City as our anchor, we should exhaust Qin Feng's manpower—even if he captures Gusu City, half his forces will be crippled."

"Though he holds Gusu City, any further southward advance will draw attacks from all sides—this is the Closed-Door Beat-Dog tactic."

"With our resource advantage, we can simply wear Qin Feng down to death."

"In the founding days of the Shedynasty, we fought shoulder to shoulder with the founding Emperor; the Nan Jing fought this way—no invader, no matter who, was ever allowed to survive."

"Precisely because they understood that capturing a city was easy, but advancing was agony, the Liang Emperor dared not launch a war against the Nan Jing lightly."

"If we concentrate all our strength at Gusu City and fight Qin Feng to the death, victory would be fine—but if we lose, won't we forfeit our greatest advantage?"

The Zhou patriarch's words voiced the thoughts of everyone present.

Deep down, they refused to reinforce Gusu City, unwilling to pour too much strength into the First Line.

After all, the Nan Jing was dotted with numerous fortified cities; any enemy wishing to seize any one of them would pay a horrific price.

Spreading the conflict across multiple fronts, drowning Qin Feng in a sea of Consumption War, was the correct strategy.

But this deployment would make the Lin Family the cannon fodder, suffering devastating losses.

In the end, how the war was fought didn't matter—the key was who became the cannon fodder.

Facing the Zhou patriarch's challenge, Lin Wenwan's expression remained unchanged.

"Well said! The Northern Di thought the same way—and what became of the Northern Di? Don't you know?"

"Using the same tactics against Qin Feng that worked against the Liang Emperor—you're all begging for death."

At this, the Zhou patriarch's brow furrowed tightly.

"If you find this unsuitable, say so plainly—why merely mock us?"

Lin Wenwan snorted; had she not needed their strength, she wouldn't have wasted a single word on these fools.

"I'll ask you one question."

"Of all you so-called patriarchs, regional strongmen—how many of you have ever set foot on a battlefield?"

The attendees exchanged glances; no one spoke.

They lived like local emperors in the Nan Jing—why risk their comfort on a battlefield?

Seeing no response, Lin Wenwan's tone grew even more contemptuous: "No matter how eloquently you speak, it's all mere paper warfare."

"A bunch of men who've never seen battle, daring to lecture me on strategy?"

"Your so-called Closed-Door Beat-Dog? Qin Feng has already used it—and far more skillfully than you ever could."

"He crushed the Northern Di army using precisely this method—with the Northern Border's strength!"

"Having clashed wits and will with Qin Feng for so long, I know his methods better than anyone."

"Let me tell you what will happen once Gusu City falls!"

Qin Feng will use Gusu City as a stronghold, with forces from all sides continuously pouring into Gusu City.

At the same time, small vanguard units will strike out; should they encounter resistance, they will immediately retreat back to Gusu City.

Then, vast numbers of reconnaissance horses and scouts will spread out, until they have mapped out every city and fortress in Nan Jing with perfect clarity, before he formulates his next military campaign.

You wish to employ a Fortified Defense Strategy, forcing Qin Feng to guard his head but neglect his tail?

Hahaha, this is hilarious!

He need only send troops to attack the nearest city, swallowing Nan Jing bit by bit.

Gusu City is both a key fortress and the entire gateway; by seizing Gusu City, Qin Feng has effectively shut the door — this is indeed a Closed-Door Beat-Dog tactic, but the dog may not be Qin Feng — it might be each of you here.

Before the Zhou Clan Chief could speak, Lin Wenwan sharply ordered: "I know what you intend to say!"

To launch a Stealth attack on Qin Feng, you must leave the city; once you enter Open Field Battle, Qin Feng's army will devour you pampered noble soldiers until not a bone remains.