Chapter 405: First Volume, Chapter 405: Forceful Assault on Beixi

First Volume, Chapter 405: Forceful Assault on Beixi

The Sanggan Army Commander stared grimly, unable to speak for a long while.

The army had just arrived at the Front Line, barely settled, when Beixi County launched a surprise attack, inflicting heavy losses; the most critical issue was that the strategic layout had been shattered—this reorganization and preparation would inevitably miss the opportunity, and if news reached Wang Du, he would surely face blame.

After much deliberation, the Commander gritted his teeth: "Follow the original plan—attack Beixi County at noon tomorrow!"

At this point, only by treating a dead horse as if it were alive could they salvage the dire situation.

Just then, the army's strategist arrived: "General, our siege equipment is severely damaged, and our morale has been greatly shaken by Beixi County's ambushes; continuing the siege is truly the worst strategy. According to the Scouting Report, Beixi County's siege perimeter has been expanded by more than half, built in the Qianmo Formation—like field ridges, one square after another."

"Beixi County anticipated that building the city midway would invite ambushes, hence adopting this method. Once the Outer City is fully expanded, the dividing walls between sections will be breached to connect them. Now, each of these Fang Cities functions as a Wengcheng. No matter which direction you attack, you will inevitably be drawn into a Wengcheng and face encirclement from all sides."

"Only when the follow-up siege equipment arrives and our troops are fully prepared, then striking at a single point for breakthrough, will that be the best strategy."

How could the Commander not understand this principle?

His eagerness to attack now is out of desperation—the Pingnan County Rebellion was orchestrated by Ye Xiao, and its current outbreak aims to coordinate with the Sanggan Army in Bandit Collaboration, attacking Beixi County from both inside and out.

If we miss this once-in-a-millennium opportunity, finding another will be harder than climbing to heaven!

The Commander immediately barked: "My decision is final! At noon tomorrow, launch a total assault on Beixi County!"

The strategist pounded his chest in frustration, yet had no recourse; he sighed inwardly—if General Chen Si were here, he would surely abandon the siege.

This Commander seeks only to offset his past failures by insisting on the siege, unaware that this battle will not mend the fence after the sheep are lost—it will only inflict greater losses upon the Sanggan Army.

…

Li Zhang stood atop the City Gate, watching the returning Tianji Camp Guards, and shouted: "Did you capture any live prisoners?"

The lead guard looked up and yelled: "In response to the Young Master's question, the captive confessed everything—as you suspected, the commander of the Sanggan Army is not Chen Si."

Hearing this, Li Zhang's spirits lifted; he waved his hand: "Well done! Return to the city and rest!"

Li Zhang turned to Lin Quqi, barely concealing his excitement: "Tomorrow, the Sanggan Army will launch a major assault!"

Lin Quqi frowned: "The Sanggan Army is one of the Di's main forces, with vast troops; their full-scale attack will inevitably lead to a brutal battle. Why are you so pleased?"

Li Zhang, hands behind his back, smirked: "Brother Qin has been planning in Beixi County for so long—he's been waiting for this very battle."

Lin Quqi's eyes widened in surprise. Until now, he had assumed Qin Feng's various constructions in Beixi County were merely defensive measures, combined with people's livelihood management—he never considered the military strategy beneath it. Yet Li Zhang, having arrived in Beixi County only recently, had already grasped its deeper meaning. Lin Quqi felt both admiration and confusion.

"Young Master, what do you mean?"

Li Zhang's face also showed deep admiration; he sighed inwardly—Qin Feng had spent years outwitting political factions and the Liang Emperor in the Kyoto Court, honing the ability to "take one step, see ten."

"The expansion of Beixi County's Outer City using the Qianmo Formation serves not only to defend against ambushes—it's truly a trap laid for the Di army, inviting them into the pot."

"Each Fang City is interconnected yet independent, easy to defend and hard to breach! For the enemy to enter the Inner City, they must first break through each Fang City—each one functions as a Wengcheng, allowing us to encircle and attack them from all sides! Clearly, from the moment Qin Feng began expanding Beixi County, he foresaw the coming bloodbath."

"The Sanggan Army Commander has two reasons to attack: first, to offset his merit and demerit; second, to coordinate with the Pingnan County Rebellion. Watch closely—tomorrow at noon, the Sanggan Army will learn the might of our Great Shedynasty's Men Ya stronghold!"

This night on the Northern Border was destined to be restless.

On the plain twenty Li north of Pingnan County, several tents were stationed.

At dawn tomorrow, Qin Feng would lead the Black Cavalry to Pingnan County to oversee the battle. As Qin Feng carefully examined the Jin Yi Wei's Military Intelligence Report, assessing the entire Northern Border situation, a dark shadow slipped past the patrolling Black Cavalry and crept silently toward the tent.

In just one incense stick time, the shadow was less than a thousand zhang from the tent; under the pitch-black night, the tent's light was clearly visible.

At that moment, four Black Cavalry patrols arrived.

The shadow instantly flattened to the ground, skillfully vanishing from sight—the hooves passed less than two zhang away, yet the cavalry detected nothing.

Once the patrolling Black Cavalry moved on, the shadow rose slowly and continued toward the tent, pushing forward in one decisive surge to within fifty zhang.

A night breeze blew, lifting the tent flap; faintly, Qin Feng sitting inside, lit by candlelight through the night, could be seen.

The shadow's eyes sharpened; he slowly drew his Bow and Arrow from behind, pulled the string taut, eyes like a hawk, the arrow aimed directly at Qin Feng.

At fifty zhang, the distance roughly estimated between one hundred and one hundred twenty steps.

Although night archery accuracy was greatly reduced, the shadow was confident—once he released the string, Qin Feng would die on the spot, for he was Wei Xiao, the Number Four Killer on the Heavenly Ranking!

He held his breath.

Just as Wei Xiao was about to release the arrow, a figure suddenly appeared outside the tent, directly blocking Qin Feng.

Wei Xiao frowned and paused his assassination.

But soon, he sensed something wrong—the figure wore Heavy Armor, standing like a door god outside the tent, gripping a step spear, his piercing gaze fixed directly on Wei Xiao.

"Has my cover been blown?"

"No good!"

Just as Wei Xiao realized the danger, heavy hoofbeats sounded behind him.

He turned—his earlier path had been cut off by the Black Cavalry he had passed; they had not missed him—they had deliberately allowed him to advance, silently forming an Encirclement.

Simultaneously, several men in black martial attire stepped forward from between the Black Cavalry.

Wei Xiao recognized them instantly—they wore the same disguises as Beixi County's spies.

Since Qin Feng entered the Northern Border, Jin Yi Wei Right Envoy Mo Li had dispatched six Jin Yi Wei to guard him day and night, secretly protecting him. Even if Wei Xiao's Assassination-technique had reached its peak, he was quickly exposed by these professional intelligence operatives.

"Heavenly Ranking Gold Number Four Killer, Wei Xiao."

"You've lain low in Beixi County for months, waiting for the day Qin Young Master returned to the Northern Border."

"We've monitored you for over a month—since the moment you left the County City, we've been right behind you."

"Today, you have no escape."