Chapter 166

First Volume, Chapter 166: Special Operations

The core idea is this: unless the enemy launches an attack on a fortified city, completely avoid all large-scale warfare.

Use small cavalry units to conduct mobile guerrilla harassment against the enemy, accumulating small gains into a larger effect, gradually achieving the goal of consumption.

The Liang Emperor pondered for a moment, then his voice grew grave: "Infantry are slow and weak in combat—how can they possibly carry out deep raids behind enemy lines for guerrilla harassment?"

Qin Feng held a different view, his tone firm: "For long-range raids, cavalry are indeed superior, but infantry excel in flexibility and concealment. If scattered in small groups and deeply embedded along enemy lines, they can make the enemy utterly miserable—just as wild grass burns but never dies, and springs back with the spring wind."

The Liang Emperor was growing increasingly excited—this war of attrition would inflict minimal losses while yielding maximum results.

Seeing Qin Feng still wanted to speak, the Liang Emperor waved him off: "Speak freely—I grant you amnesty."

Qin Feng remained hesitant, lips parting then closing, acting like a shy newlywed bride.

The Liang Emperor naturally understood what this brat was thinking; he snorted in disdain: "You may continue your commerce—I won't interfere."

With that assurance, Qin Feng gained confidence, grinned slyly, and launched into his spiel: "The essence of guerrilla warfare lies in turning every small unit into elite troops—like sharp blades that, once inserted, make the enemy feel the pain. So it's not really a guerrilla unit—it's a special forces unit."

At these words, the room erupted into heated murmurs.

"Special forces?! What does that mean?"

"Wait—do you remember the bow infantry Qin Feng deployed at Po Zhen Guan? Though they were archers, they could handle nearly every type of combat—could this be what he means by special forces?"

"If every Liang soldier were like those bow infantry, defeating the Beidi Cavalry would be within reach!"

The Liang Emperor fixed Qin Feng with a piercing stare, each word deliberate: "What exactly are special forces?!"

Qin Feng wore his merchant's grin, equally excited: "Special forces are units dedicated solely to Special Operations. Training a regular Liang soldier costs about three taels of silver per year. Training a special forces soldier, however, requires thirty to fifty taels. Though the cost is tenfold higher, so too is their tactical advantage."

"Thus, even a single squad can achieve the goal of high combat power and resilience. If the enemy sends out scattered cavalry, they'll be wiped out by special forces. To eliminate these special forces, the enemy must commit large cavalry units—thereby scattering their own strength, leaving them stretched thin and exhausted."

Overcome with excitement, the Liang Emperor slammed his hand on the table and shouted: "You brat—you deserve a beating! Isn't this exactly the scenario I posed? Three thousand special forces against five thousand cavalry—how could they not win?!"

Qin Feng looked terrified, frantically waving his hands: "Your Majesty, absolutely not! Once engaged in group battle, special forces lose all value—they'll still be crushed by cavalry. Plainly put, only cavalry can defeat cavalry. Never treat special forces like infantry!"

So that's how it is.

The Liang Emperor slowly sat back down, yet his excitement remained overwhelming.

He had merely thought Qin Feng had clever ideas, hoping to find a secret strategy for infantry against cavalry—yet he'd instead gained a tactical and strategic breakthrough.

The centuries-old cavalry dilemma that had plagued the Liang Emperor and generations of Liang Kingdom was solved by this fellow simply snapping his fingers.

The Liang Emperor immediately turned to his ministers: "My lords, what do you think?"

Only then did the court snap out of shock, bursting into deafening debate.

"This plan is viable!"

"Heaven favors Liang—if we truly train countless special forces as Qin Feng suggests, we can inflict devastating attrition upon the Beidi."

Ultimately, the only voices capable of reaching a conclusion were the Piaoqi and Wei Wu Grand Generals.

Though Li Xu kept signaling them urgently.

But on military matters, they were unyielding—this concerned Liang's fate and the lives of its soldiers—so they ignored Li Xu entirely.

The Piaoqi Grand General bowed, his voice resolute: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng's proposal may be regarded as a great plan for the nation. I have spent half my life guarding the Bianchui frontier—I know the ferocity of the Beidi Cavalry firsthand. If any tactic can reverse our predicament, it is Qin Feng's."

The Wei Wu Grand General rose next, his eyes blazing: "Since ancient times, our Liang, lacking cavalry, could only defend our cities and endure endless attrition by the Beidi. Now, with this secret strategy, we can reverse the tide and consume the Beidi instead. This is not merely an excellent strategy—it can rewrite the destiny of our Liang Kingdom. I boldly recommend Qin Feng be appointed to oversee the Beidi campaign..."

Before the Wei Wu Grand General could utter the word "GovernmentPosition," Qin Feng collapsed to the floor with a thud, kicking and rolling his eyes, feigning a seizure.

Qin Tianhu, proud of Qin Feng's talent yet amazed by his quick thinking, immediately chimed in: "Thank you, Grand General, for your kindness—but Qin Feng suffers from a severe illness, often losing his wits—he is unfit for high office."

Others scrambled to obtain GovernmentPosition and climb the ranks.

Yet the Qin Family's heir? He feared official posts like tigers.

Watching Qin Feng, eyes rolling, mouth crooked, legs thrashing in his fake fit, the Liang Emperor laughed bitterly and waved his hand: "No more talk of GovernmentPosition. Qin Feng has already rendered the greatest service to Liang by offering this secret strategy. I issue this military order: this battle plan is Jiwei—strictly forbidden to be disclosed. Anyone who leaks it shall bear full responsibility!"

Everyone understood—if the Beidi learned of it in advance, they would lose the initiative.

The Liang Emperor was overjoyed—this was the first time since the Beidi breached the border that he had felt such exhilaration.

And all of this owed to the Chang Princess.

Had she not forced Qin Feng to comply, this military strategy would have slipped through their fingers.

Yet the Liang Emperor felt a strange unease—Chang Princess had had little contact with Qin Feng; how could she possibly understand his thoughts so well?

Just as he was about to ask, the Chang Princess rose, bowed, and spoke softly: "Your Majesty, Zhaoxiang has one word. Qin Feng has presented a military strategy and rendered great service—he deserves generous reward. But Qin Feng excels in the Way of Commerce—he likely cares little for gold or silver."

Here, the Chang Princess cast a deep, meaningful glance at Qin Feng: "Qin Feng is no longer young, yet remains unmarried. Those who know understand he matured late; those who don't suspect the Qin Family heir is physically flawed. To silence the gossip, why not arrange a marriage for him?"

At these words, Qin Feng jolted upright as if struck by lightning—no more rolling eyes, no more frothing mouth—he stammered: "Your Highness, I already have someone in mind!"

Even if he must marry, he'd choose from among his sisters.

The Chang Princess smiled calmly: "I know your heart well—you and Xie Yun'er are deeply in love—who in Jingdu doesn't know?"

Qin Feng smacked his thigh—damn it!