Chapter 1243

First Volume_Chapter 1243 Rapid Changes

Lin Zhao, the Main General responsible for this Eastern Front ambush, learned that Qin Feng had successfully broken out, and his face instantly darkened to its darkest point.

Since Qin Feng began besieging Gusu City, the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing had already begun preparations, secretly dispatching troops near Gusu City.

After such a long period of preparation, a total of twelve thousand troops had been assembled.

At Lin Zhao's command, this twelve-thousand-strong army surged from all directions, coordinating with Gusu City's defenders to catch Xu Mo, who guarded the Eastern Front, completely off guard.

The battlefield's development unfolded exactly as Lin Zhao had anticipated.

Xu Mo's forces were shattered, scattered by company units across the entire Eastern Front, isolated and without support.

The Rapid Deployment Force sent out nearly succeeded in beheading Xu Mo, the Main General, in one strike.

With Qin Feng's appearance, the situation further favored the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing—even Lin Zhao had not anticipated that this surprise attack on the Eastern Front would achieve such tremendous results.

Not only had they trapped Xu Mo, but they had also drawn Qin Feng, the King of the Northern Border, into the fray.

In an instant, this surprise attack transformed into the Decisive Battle of Nan Jing!

If Qin Feng and Xu Mo were killed, the Northern Border Troops would be left leaderless and would surely retreat from the battlefield and return to the Northern Border.

Without the support of the Northern Border Troops, the imperial court alone could not possibly conquer Nan Jing—it would be like a fool dreaming of the moon.

In short, after lying dormant for so long, the key point of the entire Southern Campaign had finally emerged: the two characters "Qin Feng."

If Qin Feng lives, the surprise attack fails, and this prolonged siege will remain locked in stalemate.

If Qin Feng dies, the Southern Campaign ends; by the time the imperial court reassembles its army and marches again to the gates of Nan Jing, it may be many years hence.

Just as Lin Zhao believed the war was nearing its end, an unexpected event occurred: Qin Feng, cornered and desperate, had successfully broken out.

Lin Zhao was furious beyond measure, yet he did not lash out, for he racked his brain, pondering endlessly, yet could not fathom where the problem lay.

Was it merely due to Morale Disparity? Or Combat Effectiveness?

I'm afraid... it's more than that!

Qin Feng's most terrifying strength lay in the unwavering, fortress-like loyalty from the Main General down to the Common Foot Soldiers.

To rescue Qin Feng, the entire Eastern Front's Frontline Combat Unit charged into the battlefield one after another, like Flock Like Moths to Flame.

Often, five hundred men would sacrifice themselves, with only one hundred or so succeeding in reaching Qin Feng's side.

Even facing such catastrophic losses, these Frontline Combat Units showed no hesitation—they seemed to believe that merely reaching Qin Feng's side was worth a Ten-to-One Casualty Ratio.

It was precisely because these Reinforcements kept streaming to Qin Feng's side that he was able to hold on.

Just as Lin Zhao thought victory slipped from his grasp, a messenger rushed over.

"General, the enemy is launching a counterattack!"

What?!

Lin Zhao frowned tightly; with Qin Feng's breakout, the surprise attack should have ended—why would the enemy choose to counterattack?

Before Lin Zhao could sort out his thoughts, the messenger spoke again.

"The Elite Heavy Infantry protecting Qin Feng have not withdrawn."

Lin Zhao, who had been utterly baffled just moments before, suddenly lit up: "Qin Feng hasn't left?"

"Excellent!"

"I don't know what this bastard is thinking, but since he wants to keep fighting, this general will match him blow for blow."

"Issue my order: all units, engage Qin Feng in a Decisive Battle."

"Remember, our goal is not merely to break Qin Feng—we aim for Total Annihilation!"

At the same moment, through the efforts of countless messengers, the scattered Northern Border Troops across the Eastern Front finally reorganized.

The once-massive Eastern Front force now numbered only three thousand, plus the remnants brought by Zhao Zhenhai from ZhuZhen, totaling three thousand six hundred.

Preliminary estimates suggested the Nan Jing troops still numbered at least seven thousand—this was a war of nearly one against two.

Had this been during their peak strength, Qin Feng would have had full confidence in battling them; but now, the situation was dire—these three thousand six hundred men had fought bloodily until exhaustion, nearly spent.

Even their Weapons and equipment were severely depleted, and due to the chaos of the Eastern Front Battlefield, Logistical Supply could not reach them in time.

Tired, hungry, lacking Weapons and equipment, and vastly outnumbered.

Continuing to fight now was a test for Qin Feng and his troops.

Though danger loomed everywhere, Qin Feng could not retreat—if the Encirclement was breached, everything would have to be restarted from scratch.

Qin Feng's temporary encampment was guarded by only one hundred Elite Heavy Infantry, constantly at risk of another Enemy Army assault.

Fortunately, Tianji Camp Guards were arriving in an unceasing stream.

Though Tianji Camp Guards could not handle the front lines, their ability to protect Qin Feng's personal safety was unquestionable.

Daylight had fully broken; Zhao Yuxiong led his two-thousand-strong Combined Force in a direct assault against the enemy.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhenhai led his fifteen-hundred-strong Pure Cavalry in a Flanking Maneuver on the right flank, creating favorable conditions for Zhao Yuxiong's attack.

Simultaneously, messengers constantly shuttled between the Eastern Front and Gusu City's ZhuZhen, restoring communication between Qin Feng and Sun Bo.

According to Qin Feng's intelligence, after the brutal battle, the front-line forces had dwindled to fewer than ten thousand.

Under Qin Feng's bold maneuvering, Sun Bo hastily assembled one thousand men and handed them over to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng kept these one thousand men in reserve, not sending them directly to the battlefield—they would be deployed to fill tactical gaps if the front faltered.

While Qin Feng and Lin Zhao clashed on the Eastern Front Battlefield, word had already reached Gusu City.

Lin Wenwan, who had not slept all night, was just preparing to rest when she received the news and rushed immediately to the main hall.

"What is the current situation on the Eastern Front?!"

Wang Keng bowed and reported: "Qin Feng has successfully broken out."

"Lin Zhao's twelve-thousand-strong force has suffered heavy losses; many companies, due to catastrophic casualties, have been forced into Tactical Withdrawal—only seven thousand troops remain combat-capable."

"Qin Feng's losses are even greater."

"Xu Mo, who guarded the Eastern Front, was ambushed—his nearly ten-thousand-strong force was split and shattered; only four to five thousand troops can still be rallied."

Although Qin Feng's breakout and escape disappointed Lin Wenwan, the Battlefield has always been this way—conditions undergo Rapid Changes.

Since the opportunity has already been missed, there is no need to dwell on it; now, one need only focus all energy on the coming Battle.

"Seven Thousand against Four Thousand—if fully rested, Lin Zhao might not have the upper hand."