Chapter 1162: First Volume, Chapter 1162: Old Rivals Play Again

First Volume, Chapter 1162: Old Rivals Play Again

Sun Bo's vanguard's ordeal has proven sufficiently that the Nan Jing Generals are formidable.

"Brother Qin, according to your words, we cannot approach Gusu City until the Heavy Infantry arrive?"

Qin Feng shook his head directly.

"We still have to go."

"Not being able to fight an Open Field Battle, not being able to launch a Military Siege, not being able to execute a Tactical Encirclement—doesn't mean this war can't proceed for now."

"Since we know the enemy troops are ferocious, we should avoid their sharp edge."

Qin Feng had adjusted his thinking: the Light Cavalry Corps' greatest advantage was speed.

As long as a large force of cavalry arrives before Gusu City, even if they cannot directly clash with the Gusu City Garrison, they can still contain the enemy.

If the enemy leaves the city, the cavalry withdraws.

If the enemy holds firm, the cavalry advances.

Qin Feng immediately took out a map, spread it on the table, and explained his overall strategic concept to Zhao Yuxiong.

"Centered on Gusu City, within a twenty-Li radius, is our forbidden zone."

"Before the Heavy Infantry reach the Battlefield, all Light Cavalry Corps must maintain a safe distance from Gusu City at all times."

"The enemy's Cavalry is inferior and cannot pursue effectively; twenty Li is more than enough for our Light Cavalry to react and retreat at any moment."

"Beyond twenty Li is our Battlefront!"

"Any force daring to approach Gusu City—whether Logistics or Reinforcements—falls within the range of our attacks."

"Gusu City already holds fifty thousand defenders, meaning no power can send large armies to reinforce Gusu City—only small units are possible."

Qin Feng was so certain because the reason was simple: although the Nan Jing is rich in resources, that doesn't mean its materials can be wasted recklessly.

Gusu City has no more space to accommodate thousands more soldiers.

This means if a large-scale reinforcement force comes to crush Qin Feng's cavalry, and Qin Feng avoids battle, they will find nothing but empty air—and must retreat the way they came.

The mere back-and-forth consumption of Materials and Supplies is astronomical.

No general would ever do such a foolish thing.

Therefore, rear reinforcements can only dispatch small units to support Gusu City or secure Logistics.

Facing a Cavalry Army several times their own size, the consequences need no further explanation from Qin Feng.

Zhao Yuxiong's eyes lit up, unable to help exclaiming: "Brilliant tactic… Draw a Circle and Lock In!"

"Brother Qin, I understand!"

"The circle you've drawn—inside it is Gusu City's Heaven; we simply ignore it."

"Outside it is our Heaven."

Qin Feng nodded: "Exactly!"

"Even if Heavy Infantry arrive and we build numerous Military Equipment for a Military Siege, breaking Gusu City won't happen overnight."

"This war was destined from the start to be a long Consumption War."

Sun Bo has already verified for Qin Feng: although seizing the City Gate and engaging in street fighting with the Gusu City Garrison remains possible,

the chance of success is vanishingly slim.

The enemy garrison is no mere ornament—they will spare no cost to drive Qin Feng's troops out of the City Gate.

If so, then abandon taking the city entirely and adopt the most crude yet most effective method: gradual consumption.

The defeat on the Front Line didn't affect Qin Feng; for him, it might even be beneficial—he gained invaluable trial-and-error experience, which is extremely rare on the Battlefield.

After half a day's rest, Qin Feng and Zhao Yuxiong set out again toward Gusu City with five hundred personal guards.

Meanwhile, in the vanguard Camp, now retreated another twenty Li and seventy Li from Gusu City, Sun Bo was nearly broken.

Seeing Liu Ming appear before him, Sun Bo couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Twenty thousand troops—all wiped out."

"The Qin King never plays games on the Battlefield; given his nature, the first thing he'll do upon reaching ZhuZhen is cut off my head."

"Even if the Qin King spares me, His Majesty won't."

Liu Ming, hands behind his back, spoke in a low, reassuring tone.

"As a Brocade Uniform Guard, my duty is to provide Military Intelligence; as long as the intelligence is accurate, no matter how badly the battle goes, I bear no blame. Perhaps what I'm about to say sounds like someone standing safely, not feeling the strain."

"But…"

"You shouldn't blame yourself too much."

"Liang hasn't fought the Nan Jing in so many years, and its focus has always been on the Northern Di."

"Now, suddenly thrust into a Military Siege, being caught off guard is inevitable."

Hearing this, Sun Bo laughed—but the laugh was grim.

Liu Ming truly was… standing safely and not feeling the strain.

Twenty thousand troops—how could that be dismissed so lightly?

Even with countless excuses, Sun Bo could not escape blame.

Yet Sun Bo had no grounds to blame Liu Ming, for Liu Ming's Military Intelligence and tactical relay had been precisely accurate.

When fighting for the City Gate, Sun Bo himself had once believed victory was imminent.

Unfortunately, no one had expected the Nan Jing soldiers to be so resilient—they had crushed Sun Bo's army outright.

"The war began as a massive failure—how can we possibly continue?"

Liu Ming patiently continued to comfort him, for Sun Bo was the vanguard general—if he collapsed, who would replace him?

"Risk and reward go hand in hand; when you must take risks, take them—but any risk carries the possibility of failure."

"Whoever took this command would meet the same outcome."

"You still have two thousand infantry under your command. If you rally your spirits, you can still redeem yourself through service."

"Two hundred thousand wouldn't be enough—what good are two thousand?"

He lowered his head, was silent for a long while, and finally let out a sigh.

"Do you think… after Qin Feng arrives, he'll kill me?"

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not afraid of dying—I only hope to see with my own eyes how Qin Feng fights this battle."

Liu Ming shook his head and gave a clean, decisive answer.

"I once tried to guess the Qin King's intentions. The facts proved that was a very foolish thing to do."

"I've learned my lesson. I will never make decisions for the Qin King again."

"I am nothing but his eyes, ears, and voice—nothing more."

"The Qin King will arrive within days. Before he gets here, you must steady the remaining two thousand soldiers."

Though Sun Bo was in despair, he had no other choice.

At the same time, news that Qin Feng had arrived at the battlefield early also reached Lin Wenwan's ears.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Lin Wenwan's eyes. For this old adversary, she gave the highest respect.

"The Qin Feng Xiao'er of the past has now become the Qin King."

"Heh heh heh—truly, a scholar who has been away three days must be looked at with new eyes."

"Send word down: within Ten Days, not a single soldier is to leave the city. First we watch and see what move the Qin King makes."

Watching Lin Wenwan, so calm and calculating, actually holding Qin Feng in such dread, the Deputy General present understood in his heart—

The true enemy of Gusu City had arrived.