Chapter 309

First Volume, Chapter 309: Tactics and Strategy

For the Di, the repeated heavy blows to their morale at Beixi County, and its eventual capture, would not only revive Di military morale but also provide an opportunity to eliminate Qin Feng, the strategic mind of Liang.

Although Beixi County was swiftly retaken by Liang forces lying in ambush from three directions, protracted siege warfare is common; what matters to the Di is what gains they can extract during the stalemate.

For Liang, the importance of Beixi County has gradually shifted.

The small Beixi County has slain two Legendary Generals of the Di, proving to all sectors of Liang its formidable war potential.

Its status has evolved from an initial bait into a vital forward fortress.

The longer Beixi County holds out, the greater the strain it inflicts on the Di—not just on morale, but on personnel, materials, and overall war potential.

For Qin Feng, it is a gamble over life and death.

Moreover, Qin Cheng Clan and Li Xiaolan, among other relatives, remain stationed in Beixi County; without the Liang Emperor's imperial summons, Qin Cheng Clan cannot return to Jingdu, and if the city falls, they will face annihilation.

Never mind the strategic significance of Beixi County.

Even if it were worthless, as long as Qin Cheng Clan remains here, the city must be held at any cost.

Ning Hu's mission brought not only precious grain and supplies, and the Tianji Camp Engineering Team to rebuild Beixi County, but also over fifteen hundred civilian laborers recruited along the way to replenish manpower.

Under Qin Feng's unwavering support, Beixi County erupted into a massive reconstruction campaign.

The news reached the Di Camp at once.

Chen Si lay on his bed, his left shoulder wrapped in bandages soaked through with yellow pus.

The Tianji Camp Guards' arrow, though not poisoned and lacking the force to pierce through, had worsened due to lack of medicine and timely treatment by a Military Doctor.

By the time the Vanguard Camp's Military Doctor arrived, the wound had deteriorated severely; they could only scrape off the necrotic surface tissue and apply herbal remedies—useless for curing the root cause.

Chen Si's spirit remained strong, though his left arm was nearly useless; he took the Scouting Report, glanced at it briefly, and sighed: "The chance to capture Beixi County grows ever slimmer. Send a messenger to the Vanguard Commander—plan from long-term perspective."

After two consecutive setbacks in the Beixi campaign, morale has been severely damaged; hearing Chen Si's words, the Deputy General frowned tightly: "Though Beixi County was held at great cost, its garrison now numbers fewer than a thousand. Commander Qi Meng is dead, and all Tianji Camp Guards are wiped out."

"Their morale must be in ruins."

"We must strike with one final surge and press the attack!"

Chen Si shook his head, handing the letter to the Deputy General, his eyes filled with awe: "I've fought countless brutal battles in my decades of service, but I've never faced an opponent like Qin Feng."

The Deputy General read the letter, his expression sinking into disappointment: "I never imagined… only days have passed, and Ning Hu—who defeated Zhong Ling—has arrived at Beixi County with Tianji Camp Guards and over two thousand civilian laborers and craftsmen… Qin Feng's response speed is terrifying."

Both Chen Si and the Deputy General knew it well.

Had this Beixi campaign been commanded by any Liang Official—even the Liang Emperor—it would have fallen long ago.

Not because others are incompetent, but because they weigh costs and gains.

Qin Feng, however, pours resources into Beixi County without regard for blood or profit.

On the surface, Chen Si's opponent is merely the thousand-man garrison of Beixi County; in truth, he faces all of Qin Feng's war potential.

According to Scouting Reports, since the battle for Beixi County began, Qin Feng has poured over a hundred million taels of silver into it—with no sign of cutting losses.

For the first time since joining the army, Chen Si felt utter helplessness; he shook his head with a bitter smile: "One strike wins, the second weakens, the third exhausts. Each failed assault makes Beixi County stronger. If we press on, we will suffer massive tactical losses. But given the current situation, the Vanguard Camp will not withdraw our forces from Beixi County."

"As long as our force remains in Beixi County one more day, Liang's Chariot Cavalry and Piaoqi Armies will be pinned here, and the Border Army's defensive focus will shift eastward. Our Vanguard Army will trade heavy tactical losses for immense strategic advantage."

Hearing this, the Deputy General snapped awake, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes: "Are you saying the Vanguard Camp is preparing a major offensive against Xi Xian?"

Chen Si nodded firmly, clutching his bone-deep shoulder pain, gritting his teeth: "Our military has suffered repeated defeats—we desperately need a victory. By tying down three Liang armies with our force, and forcing Qin Feng to funnel all his war potential into Beixi County, we've already delivered a massive strategic victory to the Vanguard Camp. All we need to do here is continue luring and consuming Liang's national strength—even to our last soldier."

The Deputy General clenched his fist, his voice resolute: "For the Di! To spill blood on the battlefield is the noblest end for us—why should we demand to be carried home in horsehide?"

As Chen Si began shifting tactics—from capturing the county town to ambush and attrition—a merchant caravan of dozens, all dressed in Di attire, headed toward Yinggang Mountain, following the former bandit trails to infiltrate Di territory, avoiding the main battlefronts as much as possible, and marching steadily toward the Plateau Kingdom.

The caravan carried only a small amount of silver money as travel funds, but several sacks of White Sugar…

Evening.

Liang Capital, Xie Residence.

Under Qin Feng's relentless promotion, countless Noble Youth, wealthy merchants, and powerful families flocked in.

The tables and chairs pre-arranged in the courtyard were nearly full.

A temporary wooden stage stood directly before the main hall, which now served as the backstage.

Xie Bi sat in the Bei Zun Wei's high-backed chair, sipping tea calmly.

He truly disliked helping Qin Feng with this Auction—Xie Bi was conservative by nature; though he knew Qin Feng's ingenious ideas often brought unexpected surprises, he still subconsciously categorized them as Odd Skills and Tricks.

Today's tolerance was merely out of respect for his father-in-law's status, granting his son-in-law the chance to indulge in his antics.

At Qin Feng's instruction, Qin Xiaofu ordered servants to bring two large wooden chests.

Xie Bi raised an eyebrow: "What are these?"

Qin Feng rubbed his hands and grinned: "Before I left, my father repeatedly instructed me to bring you a gift."

Hearing this, Xie Bi let out a soft "oh"—though inwardly pleased, his expression remained indifferent: "No need to trouble yourself in the future—the Xie Residence lacks nothing."