Chapter 1168

First Volume, Chapter 1168: Full Blockade of Gusu City

Qin Feng won his first battle; the entire camp swept away its gloom, and the soldiers' morale soared to unprecedented heights.

In contrast, the atmosphere inside Gusu City was somewhat oppressive.

Lin Wenwan did not dwell on it; she left the City Wall and returned to her quarters.

A group of generals, due to this defeat, immediately split into two factions.

One faction naturally staunchly supported Lin Wenwan; the other blamed her entirely for the defeat, forming the anti-Lin faction.

Though outwardly quiet, undercurrents of tension had already begun to brew.

Lin Wenwan was well aware of this, which was precisely why she decisively left the City Wall, avoiding further fueling the fire.

Wang Keng, who had always remained by Lin Wenwan's side, was filled with righteous indignation.

"Madam, this battle was the collective decision of all the generals."

"Now that we've suffered defeat, many are placing all blame solely on you—this is infuriating!"

Lin Wenwan took the cool tea offered by her maid, sipped it lightly, and spoke with calm detachment: "Expected. What's there to be angry about?"

"Compared to Qin Feng, our greatest weakness is disunity."

"Though this defeat has affected morale somewhat, for Gusu City, it remains within acceptable limits."

"Before engaging Qin Feng again, we must first find a way to eliminate our disadvantages."

Wang Keng, though a military commander, understood the implication behind Lin Wenwan's words.

Many of those opposing Lin Wenwan inside the city are almost certainly agents of the Jiangnan Governor; they resented her seizing power.

To achieve unity and shared resolve, we must eliminate all these destabilizing elements.

Unfortunately, these men hold real power; how easy would it be to destroy them?

If this triggers internal chaos, the cost would outweigh the benefit.

"Madam, the danger in this matter is no less than Qin Feng's."

Seeing Wang Keng's grave expression, Lin Wenwan let out a light laugh.

"I know full well—that's why I've tolerated them until now."

"This defeat isn't entirely bad for us. If they can blame me, we can turn their own method against them."

"As long as enough generals are willing to support me, we can trade military rations for military authority."

"Trading military rations for military authority" sounds simple, but hides great peril.

If Lin Wenwan lacked sufficient supporters, even with control over grain and materials, she could not hold onto it.

Conversely, as long as Lin Wenwan firmly controls the city's resources, a slight squeeze would bring the opposition to ruin.

It is less a trade than a seizure.

Lin Wenwan cast a meaningful glance at Wang Keng.

"General Wang, in the end, I can only be a strategist—I cannot be Main General."

"But the Main General of Gusu City must be my trusted ally, one who will strictly carry out my orders."

"If it were anyone else, I would not trust them."

Wang Keng's eyes lit up—he realized Lin Wenwan intended to elevate him to Main General; he was ecstatic.

If he became Main General of Gusu City, and later repelled Qin Feng and secured Nan Jing, he would be the foremost general in Nan Jing—no one could displace him.

It was nothing short of… ascending to heaven in a single step!

Wang Keng immediately knelt on one knee, bowing deeply: "Madam, rest assured—I stand on the same side as you, and will never waver."

"Besides me, at least ten thousand troops are willing to pledge loyalty to you."

After a series of brutal battles, Gusu City's defending forces still numbered over forty-six thousand.

Ten thousand loyal troops were far from enough; at least half the garrison would be needed to suppress the opposition.

Once military strength reached parity, the power of resources would multiply infinitely.

In other words, if twenty thousand defenders were utterly loyal to Lin Wenwan, she could fully control Gusu City.

"Let me carefully review the situation."

"Before eliminating the opposition, do not engage Qin Feng again."

As Lin Wenwan secretly plotted to purge internal threats, Qin Feng had already begun formulating his next battle plan.

The atmosphere inside the Shuaizhang had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Led by Sun Bo, the generals gazed at Qin Feng with burning admiration—they were eager to expand their gains.

"King Qin, our great victory is thanks entirely to your brilliant command."

"No one in the army now dares question your judgment. Give the order—whether it be mountains of blades or seas of fire, we will follow without hesitation."

Qin Feng raised his hand, signaling them to calm down.

He clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the entrance of the Shuaizhang, studying the distant Gusu City.

"The Jin Yi Wei just delivered military intelligence: Gusu City has reinforced its defenses—this means the city has shifted to a defensive posture and will not launch any further offensive sorties in the short term."

"Our camp is only Ten Li from Gusu City, yet even this Ten Li is too far for them to dare cross."

Hearing this, the generals exchanged glances.

When Qin Feng first moved the ZhuZhen to Ten Li away, they had thought him mad.

Now, they finally understood—he saw ten steps ahead, having foreseen this exact scenario.

The generals clenched their fists; their admiration for Qin Feng had reached its peak.

Yet at this very moment, Qin Feng doused them with cold water.

"But the real trouble has yet to emerge."

"A defeat in Open Field Battle has not crippled Gusu City to any significant degree."

"This battle, for our side, is merely about boosting morale and confining the garrison within the city."

"Next, we will gradually implement the policy of scorched earth and fortified walls, fully bringing the lands surrounding Gusu City under our control."

Scorched earth and fortified walls?

No one could believe their ears—Qin Feng, who had always cared deeply for the People's Livelihood, had actually said such a thing?

Does he mean to kill every single civilian around Gusu City just to take it?

Qin Feng turned around and saw the shifting looks in their eyes—he knew they had misunderstood.

He immediately smiled and explained.

"Scorched earth and fortified walls are meant to sever Gusu City's ties with the outside world, not to harm the people."

"All major roads leading to Gusu City must be firmly controlled by us."

"As for the country lanes and winding mountain paths, simply ignore them."

"Those paths are a massive drain for both us and the enemy—it's not worth the effort to conduct Surveillance on them."

Sun Bo was the first to understand: "King Qin, you mean to seal off all major routes."

Qin Feng nodded heavily: "Not only seal them—any soldier found on them, kill!"

"Any Merchant Caravan, ban!"

"Though this will inevitably harm the People's Livelihood, a full-scale blockade is a necessary evil for war."