Chapter 1298: First Volume, Chapter 1298: Total War

First Volume, Chapter 1298: Total War

Zhao Yuxiong naturally noticed the disdainful glances from the generals, but he didn't care.

As long as he could end this war and free the people of Liang from the scourge of battle, even if he became a pariah despised by all, Zhao Yuxiong would not hesitate.

Although everyone looked down on Zhao Yuxiong, they all knew that if they wanted to win this war, his decision was undoubtedly the correct one.

Therefore, the generals raised no objections to Zhao Yuxiong's orders.

After Dingtao County was attacked, the first priority was not retaliation, but to seize the time to continue deploying troops and constructing Defensive Fortifications to strengthen Dingtao County's defenses.

Because nearly the entire Liang had focused its attention on the Northern Border.

Based on the experience Liang Emperor had learned from Qin Feng, on the battlefield, nothing was more important than reliable and Rapid Mobilization intelligence.

Although the Brocade Uniform Guard had completely broken free from Liang Emperor's control, he had not abandoned it, but instead chose the most crude method to secure his intelligence channels.

He sent most of the Black Guards and messengers northward, so that between Dingtao County and Jingdu, the number of Yi Guan had increased to no less than a hundred, and the number of messengers reached thousands.

The battle in Dingtao County quickly reached Jingdu.

In the Grand Hall, all officials gathered, and Ministry of War Officials reported the situation in Dingtao County truthfully.

"Your Majesty, as soon as Zhao Yuxiong arrived in Dingtao County, Qin Feng dispatched three thousand cavalry to launch a fierce assault on Dingtao County."

The entire Grand Hall fell silent; all eyes turned to Liang Emperor.

Liang Emperor showed no sign of panic, for since he decided to attack the Northern Border, he had already prepared himself mentally for Qin Feng's counterstrike.

Under the gaze of the officials, Liang Emperor casually asked: "What were the losses on both sides?"

The Ministry of War Official hurriedly replied: "The two thousand garrison troops stationed temporarily on the Eastern Front were completely annihilated. Based on the number of fallen soldiers, at least five hundred were captured by Qin Feng."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the Grand Hall grew even more oppressive.

The officials lowered their heads, none daring to speak.

Liang Emperor's expression darkened, yet he forced calmness and pressed further: "What were Qin Feng's losses?"

The Ministry of War Official's expression turned extremely complicated; he hesitated, unable to speak.

Only under Liang Emperor's order did he finally force himself to answer: "Qin Feng's forces were all cavalry; they never engaged in close combat, instead circling the perimeter and harassing with Bow and Arrow."

"Only when the Eastern Front troops' formation collapsed did the North Border Cavalry charge in, splitting and executing Total Annihilation."

"Therefore… Qin Feng's cavalry likely suffered minimal losses."

The Ministry of War Official avoided the core issue, stammering, because such a casualty ratio was simply too shameful to utter.

In truth, everyone in the hall understood that "minimal losses" was far too euphemistic—it meant almost no losses at all!

Three thousand cavalry annihilated two thousand Infantry, then withdrew intact—such a result was unimaginable to them, yet when applied to Qin Feng, it felt entirely reasonable.

After all, this was Qin Feng's strength!

Liang Emperor could no longer maintain his composure; his face turned ghastly.

He knew Qin Feng was powerful, and he knew the Northern Border's troops were strong and fierce.

But no matter what, Liang Emperor never imagined that Liang soldiers would be so utterly defeated by Qin Feng.

At that moment, Chen Zheng's voice suddenly rang out.

"If we are going to fight, we must prepare fully. How can the Ministry of War obscure the true disparity in strength between enemy and ally?"

"Misjudging the situation will only cause greater losses, and may even endanger the entire campaign."

"If the Ministry of War dares not speak, then I will!"

Although Liang Emperor's face was dark, he recognized Chen Zheng's words as sound, so he did not stop him.

As a pure-stream official of integrity, Chen Zheng had nothing to fear; his loud voice echoed throughout the Grand Hall.

"I have already reviewed the battle reports!"

"Qin Feng deployed a total of five thousand troops: three thousand cavalry and two thousand Infantry, departing from Anyuan County toward Dingtao County at night."

"By dawn the next day, the troops had already returned to Anyuan County."

"In other words, in just one night, Qin Feng's forces made a round trip, completely annihilating the two thousand Eastern Front garrison troops, killing over a thousand, and capturing five hundred."

"According to rough estimates, the casualties among these three thousand cavalry were fewer than one hundred."

By the time Chen Zheng finished speaking, the Grand Hall was utterly silent—not a single official dared speak, not even Liang Emperor.

Once, Qin Feng's formidable strength had been Liang's greatest weapon to deter enemies.

Now, that weapon had turned and was aimed squarely at Liang.

Although Liang Emperor had spared no effort to smear Qin Feng, branding him a traitorous Rebel Party, almost no one believed this tale.

After all, Qin Feng's achievements were too great, too deeply rooted in the people's hearts.

Whether from moral or legal grounds, Liang Emperor's invasion of the Northern Border was unjustifiable, and thus could not gain genuine support from all.

Worse still, Qin Feng's overwhelming strength only worsened Liang Emperor's plight—future troops sent to the Northern Border would likely be half-defeated before even facing Qin Feng.

At that moment, Chen Zheng's voice came again, like a nightmare to everyone.

"Those two thousand Infantry never even entered the Battlefield—in other words, merely three thousand cavalry nearly threw Dingtao County's defenders into utter chaos."

"And the enemy did not attack the County City—not because they were repelled, but because Qin Feng never intended to launch a Military Siege."

"Therefore, I suspect this Beidi Siege Assault was merely Qin Feng's final warning."

"If our forces continue the Beidi Invasion, Qin Feng will show no mercy whatsoever…"

Before Chen Zheng could finish, Liang Emperor cut him off, rising and roaring: "Enough!"

"Qin Feng has betrayed Liang! No matter how powerful he is, he must be eliminated!"

"By my decree, this war against the Northern Border is now a National War of life and death—every one of the Six Ministries in Jingzhong must fully support this war."

"Whoever dares to be negligent shall be charged with treason!"

At this moment, Liang Emperor had no other choice—if he wished to defeat Qin Feng, he must Break the Cauldrons and Sinking the Boats.

Mobilize all of Liang's strength to crush the Northern Border.

The officials, sensing the Liang Emperor's resolve, could only comply.

"Dismiss the court!"

The Liang Emperor left without looking back; once out of the ministers' sight, he calmly wiped the sweat seeping from his palms.

He was now Riding Tiger, Hard to Dismount; there was no other path left but to see it through to the end.

"Qin Feng, on Liang's soil, only one of us—monarch or minister—shall remain!"