Chapter 1165: First Volume, Chapter 1165: A New Round of Strategy

First Volume, Chapter 1165: A New Round of Strategy

Qin Feng spoke casually, but implementing it proved extremely tedious.

After the generals left the Shuaizhang, nearly all Deputy Generals gathered around Sun Bo.

Although Sun Bo had been banished, the Deputy Generals present were all his old subordinates, so they naturally still looked to him for guidance.

Moreover, Qin Feng had merely demoted Sun Bo to Deputy General, indicating he had no real intention of punishing him.

As long as this battle could be won, Sun Bo could be restored to his former position.

"General, it's true that surprise brings victory, but strategy also says: one-strike victory, second time weakened, third time exhausted."

"We've suffered defeat after defeat; our morale can no longer compare with that of the Gusu City Garrison."

"Right now, we lack heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony—all of it."

"To keep attacking now seems far too reckless, doesn't it?"

This was not only the generals' doubt, but also Sun Bo's own.

Any sane person at this point would avoid battle, waiting as much as possible for reinforcements to arrive, regrouping to seek another chance.

To continue attacking under absolute disadvantage is indeed extremely reckless.

But remembering that the one giving the order was Qin Feng, Sun Bo's doubts instantly halved.

It wasn't out of gratitude toward Qin Feng, but because he recalled Qin Feng's unstoppable campaigns in the Northern Di Imperial Court.

Sun Bo soothingly reassured them.

"If someone else had given this order, we'd naturally have to weigh it carefully."

"But do you know… Qin Wang's Flash Strike Warfare?"

Upon hearing the words "Flash Strike Warfare," the Deputy Generals fell utterly silent.

The concept of Flash Strike Warfare was not unfamiliar to the Deputy Generals—after all, it's said that speed is paramount in warfare.

But…

Qin Feng had pushed the four words "speed is paramount" to their extreme—even after the war between Shedynasty and the Northern Di Imperial Court had ended.

The crowd still hadn't fully recovered from the shock of Flash Strike Warfare.

All who held the rank of Gate General or higher had treated Qin Feng's Flash Strike Warfare as a grand spectacle, studying it repeatedly, whether or not there was cause.

In just one month, Qin Feng's army marched straight from Sangzhou and crushed its way to the Northern Di Imperial Court.

In the past, no one had dared even imagine such a thing.

Even elite light cavalry charging deep into enemy rear areas weren't simply charging head-on—they relied primarily on surprise raids.

Such elite light cavalry, no matter how fast, were still isolated forces.

But Qin Feng's army was different: advancing and retreating in order, every stronghold and key town they passed through was either besieged or eliminated, and their supply lines remained fully intact!

That month-plus period wasn't just marching—it was marching while fighting at the same time!

Now that Qin Feng's target had become Gusu City, everyone naturally hoped he would turn decay into wonder once again and forge another marvel.

With incredibly complex emotions, they endured the night.

The next day, troops were assembled and advanced at noon.

Not only did the army advance, but the ZhuZhen was moved forward as well, relocated to a position only thirty Li from Gusu City.

This position was even closer to Gusu City than Sun Bo's original vanguard camp.

In their eyes, if the garrison launched a surprise attack, they would have nowhere to evade.

But this was Qin Feng's order; no matter how unusual, they could only obey.

Zhao Zhenhai, Zhao Yulong, and Liu Ming all followed Qin Feng closely, heading to the Front Line together.

With three thousand cavalry and one thousand Black Cavalry, totaling four thousand cavalry,

Qin Feng felt no fear—he donned his armor and personally took command on the First Line.

Meanwhile, Sun Bo led the remaining two thousand infantry, slowly advancing toward Gusu City.

At the same time, Lin Wenwan personally ascended the City Wall and, watching Sun Bo's infantry draw near, furrowed her brow.

Though she said nothing, her mind was already buzzing with suspicion.

"Qin Feng, what trick are you playing now?"

"With so few men, you can't even think of attacking the city—get any closer, and you'll suffer massive casualties."

"With your military talent, how could you make such a foolish move?"

Something unusual must hide a motive—Lin Wenwan refused to believe Qin Feng would issue a foolish order; this action must conceal deeper intent.

Yet for now, Lin Wenwan couldn't fathom Qin Feng's true intention.

The Deputy Generals beside her, watching the infantry draw ever closer to the city, were already rubbing their hands together, eager to strike.

"Madam, what are you waiting for? Send troops and wipe out these insolent fools!"

Hearing this, Lin Wenwan did not answer—she asked instead:

"How many troops do you plan to send?"

Having won successive victories, Gusu City's officers were extremely confident.

What damn Imperial Party elites? Not so impressive!

Zheng Keng, Lin Wenwan's most trusted Deputy General, decided instantly: "Only three thousand troops are needed to crush the enemy!"

Hearing this, Lin Wenwan shook her head firmly: "Three thousand?"

"Have you never heard of Jiaobin Bizheng?"

"The enemy numbers nearly two thousand five hundred, all elite troops—sending merely three thousand infantry to crush them? That's pure fantasy."

The surrounding officers could no longer hold back—they began voicing their own opinions.

"Madam, you're boosting the enemy's morale and diminishing our own."

"We've fought these useless scraps before—they're no match for us."

"Hehe, elite troops? Just pampered officer's sons, that's all."

"My Nan Jing Generals constantly fight the Southern Barbarians; whether in morale or tactical advantage, these useless scraps can't compare."

"Across the entire Shedynasty, only the Northern Border Troops can match my Nan Jing Generals."

"Who wins or loses depends on where we fight. If we fight in my Nan Jing, what good are the Northern Border Troops?"

This wasn't an exaggeration—if battle were joined in Jiangnan, the Northern Border Troops might not be a match for the Nan Jing Generals.

The reason is simple: Jiangnan has no vast open ground—only ravines, mountains, rivers, and streams.

The Northern Border's strategic Yuan Hui tactics are indeed their strength, but in the "water-rich, mountainous" Nan Jing, that advantage cannot be leveraged.

Just as the officers were basking in pride, Lin Wenwan raised her hand and cut them off.

"This is Siege Warfare—what use is talking about irrelevant tactics?"

"Morale matters, but don't grow overconfident!"

"Never underestimate Qin Feng!"

"I suspect this Infantry force is almost certainly bait—look, the enemy's Cavalry is waiting far off."

"Once we're drawn in by this bait, we'll be pinned down."

In the past, the commanders might have worried, but now they didn't even regard Sun Bo's army as worth noticing.

"Win quickly, don't give the Cavalry time to reinforce!"

"Exactly—if we wipe out these two thousand-plus Infantry, Qin Feng will have no foot soldiers left!"