Chapter 1231: First Volume_Chapter 1231: Spiral Escalation

First Volume_Chapter 1231: Spiral Escalation

Xie Yun'er naturally had no objections and immediately ordered the Tianji Camp Guards to bring Zhou Peng in for direct questioning.

Liu Hongyan, seated beside her, watched as Xie Yun'er had now become capable of handling matters alone, and felt immense satisfaction.

The Lady of Qiyang Commandery silently marveled: Is this really the Imperial Consort? Truly, she commands immense authority.

In a moment of sudden realization, the Lady of Qiyang Commandery noticed that Xie Yun'er was no longer the capricious girl she once was.

Since marrying Qin Feng, Xie Yun'er's transformation had been astonishing— to any outsider, she was now the lofty Imperial Consort.

As for her capricious or lively side, it only surfaced when she was alone with Qin Feng.

While the three women paused in Cao Yun County, a great battle had already erupted far away in Gusu City.

Qin Feng personally rushed to the Front Line to command.

Since leaving Qilian Mountain and returning to the Front Line, Qin Feng had noticed the Gusu City Garrison growing restless.

He guessed the city's materials and supplies were running low, or they were preparing to fight their way to change their fate— continuing to hold out was certain death.

Regardless of the reason, Qin Feng dared not hesitate for a moment, for the Gusu City Garrison was far too numerous, and Lin Wenwan was personally overseeing its defense.

The great battle had already begun last night.

The city's garrison attempted a night-time Beidi Siege Assault on Qin Feng's Military Camp; though the plan was foiled, the Enemy Army did not immediately retreat back into the city as Qin Feng expected, but instead fought while withdrawing.

Qin Feng keenly sensed that the enemy's will to fight had not been broken, and swiftly ordered Generals Xu Mo and Sun Bo to mobilize troops to prevent a massive enemy assault.

The result…

As Qin Feng had anticipated, more and more Enemy Army troops poured out of the city.

Through continuous spiral escalation, small-scale clashes gradually evolved into total war.

The Gusu City Garrison, relying on the City Wall, launched alternating attacks, clinging tightly to Qin Feng's troops.

Every time Qin Feng's Troops crushed the defenders and prepared to withdraw, a fresh wave of defenders would surge forth.

The situation grew tense, deadlocked, and indecisive.

Qin Feng stood atop a earthen slope, gazing at the distant battlefield where enemy and ally troops clashed fiercely, his brow tightly furrowed.

"If we keep fighting like this, it won't work!"

"Though we have the entire Shedynasty behind us, with superior supplies and troop reinforcements compared to Gusu City, that advantage only holds if we completely encircle Gusu."

"If we continue to consume ourselves like this, our troops will dwindle, and the Encirclement Lines around Gusu City will inevitably develop gaps."

"At that point, the Gusu City Garrison and the Nan Jing forces will forcibly link up—and with our limited numbers, we may not be able to stop them."

Zhao Zhenhai, standing nearby and constantly guarding Qin Feng's safety, wore an equally grim expression.

"Why not… lure the snake out of its hole? Strike them so they can't defend both front and rear!"

In response to Zhao Zhenhai's suggestion, Qin Feng merely shook his head lightly.

Qin Feng had certainly considered this strategy—but the risk was too great, and control too difficult.

He knew his core strategy was to firmly trap Gusu City; once Gusu fell, the entire Nan Jing would be wide open, and future operations would be highly flexible.

Lin Wenwan surely understood this too, which is why she must revive this dead city.

If the encirclement fails and Gusu connects with Nan Jing, Qin Feng's entire plan will collapse completely—not merely requiring a restart, but total defeat.

This siege had lasted three full months!

If Gusu City received reinforcements, continuing the siege might require years.

Lin Wenwan could resist for a decade or more without issue; Qin Feng, however, could not afford to waste so much time here.

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"Lin Wenwan wants to revive Gusu City? I'll make sure she doesn't get her way!"

"Beidi War Command: All troops, launch a full-scale assault—drive the Gusu City Garrison back inside!"

"Not even a fly shall be allowed to fly out of that city."

Seeing Qin Feng's unwavering resolve, Zhao Zhenhai had no hesitation and immediately ordered the messengers to relay the command to all units.

Qin Feng's thinking was simple: if the enemy attacks fiercely, then we must attack even more fiercely.

Pour every ounce of strength into a head-on counterstrike, and end this Consumption War with One-Strike Victory.

As Qin Feng's army poured endlessly onto the Battlefield, pressure on Gusu City intensified.

Wang Keng repeatedly rushed to Lin Wenwan's side to report Beidi War Intelligence.

"My Lady, our troops are suffering heavy losses!"

"Qin Feng's army is fully equipped—not only heavy armor infantry, but also heavy cavalry."

"Even their archers and crossbowmen are far superior to ours."

"If we keep fighting like this, our casualties will be catastrophic—how can we continue to defend such a vast city without enough men?"

Wang Keng's words were reasonable—defending a city required manpower; if all soldiers were lost, the war could not continue.

But Lin Wenwan saw it differently.

The situation was clear: Qin Feng's goal was to completely isolate Gusu City and turn it into a dead city.

Therefore, Gusu City's future did not lie in itself, but in establishing a supply route to the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing.

Only with continuous support from the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing could Gusu City sustain its standoff against Qin Feng.

Listening to the deafening battle cries outside, Lin Wenwan remained eerily calm.

"Has Qin Feng's offensive become fiercer than before?"

Wang Keng nodded vigorously: "Yes! The way they're attacking, they've committed every single soldier."

Hearing this, Lin Wenwan let out a faint smile.

"Both I and Qin Feng know this battle is massive—both sides are heavily consumed."

"The more this happens, the more we must drink poison to quench our thirst."

"If we cannot achieve tactical victory with one-strike victory, once we retreat, the massive loss gap cannot be made up in a short time."

"Right now, Qin Feng is more anxious than this madam!"

Wang Keng frowned, not understanding what Lin Wenwan meant by these words.

You must understand that Qin Feng has the entire Great Liang behind him, receiving a steady stream of soldiers from the Central Plains, as well as warhorses and military supplies from the Northern Border.

As long as this war of attrition continues, Qin Feng holds the advantage no matter what.

So how is it that when it comes to Lin Wenwan, the tables are turned and Qin Feng is at a disadvantage?

Seeing Wang Keng completely baffled, Lin Wenwan began to explain unhurriedly.

"General Wang, why do you still not understand?"

"If Qin Feng intends to starve us into submission, then the encirclement must not only be large, but also sturdy enough to hold."

"The drain on manpower and resources this would cause is no small matter."

"By contrast, we only need to defend the city, and the only thing we expend is grain."

"As our strength grows and theirs wanes, for every one part of effort we put in, Qin Feng must expend two parts to counter it."

Hearing this, Wang Keng suddenly understood, and the solemn look in his eyes gradually gave way to a gleam of light.