Chapter 437: First Volume, Chapter 437: Three-Layer Game

First Volume, Chapter 437: Three-Layer Game

Facing Qin Tianhu's fury, Qin Feng dared not speak rashly and quickly explained: "All under Heaven knows the Beidi will launch a full-scale attack on Beixi County—this is precisely what the Beidi want the world to know.

"The Beidi know our imperial spies are everywhere, having long infiltrated their camps, so they spread false intelligence. Once the Liang Army shifts its focus toward Beixi County, the Beidi will concentrate superior forces to strike the Bian Jun Da Ying.

"Once the Bian Jun Da Ying collapses, the Front Line will be torn open with an irreparable gap; at that point, the rear's Cheqi and Piaoqi armies will have no terrain to defend and will be forced into open field battle with the Beidi.

"Though this sounds like boosting the enemy's morale and diminishing our own, in matters of state, I dare not speak falsely. The Cheqi and Piaoqi divisions likely cannot hold back the Beidi army.

"The complete collapse of the Northern Border is merely a matter of time; when that happens, the Beidi won't even need to attack Beixi County—they need only seal all key passageways and starve Beixi County into submission.

"Trapping it for three or five months is the same as trapping it for three or five years. At that time, heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human unity all favor the Beidi—they naturally won't rush.

"No matter how strong Beixi County is, it is still a lone city. What can it possibly do?"

At these words, the Manchu Civil and Military awoke as from a dream.

The Liang Emperor's eyes widened, fixed tightly on Qin Feng: "If you saw through the Beidi strategy long ago, why didn't you report it sooner?!"

Facing the Liang Emperor's accusation, Qin Feng bowed deeply, neither humble nor defiant: "If our imperial spies can infiltrate the Beidi, why can't the Beidi spies infiltrate Liang? If we prepare too early, won't we lure the enemy into our trap? Beixi County's walls are strong, its grain and forage abundant—it is not a forward outpost, but a rear support base! Beixi County will naturally send all its strength to aid the Bian Jun Da Ying."

"And…"

At this, Qin Feng took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly unwavering: "The enemy commander, Chen Si, is the overall commander of this campaign! Though I have never met Chen Si, I have clashed with him many times! Based on my understanding of him, his military expertise is exceptional, and now the Beidi have staked their national fate on this war—Chen Si will push his military talent to its absolute limit.

"Therefore, I believe the feigned attack on Beixi County and the strike against the Bian Jun Da Ying are merely a middle strategy! Chen Si has not yet unleashed his true killing move."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, the Liang Emperor was secretly startled.

The Liang Emperor's Hedging Art had reached its peak, but in military talent, he was merely Gao Ming—not among the top tier. Learning that Qin Feng had engaged Chen Si in such deep strategic play, even the Liang Emperor could only admit defeat.

But this matter was too grave for hesitation; the Liang Emperor's tone softened considerably: "Qianhu Qin, in your view, how will Chen Si's killing move manifest?"

Not just the Liang Emperor—all ministers present—stared fixedly at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, shedding his usual lazy demeanor, and instead asked: "Your Majesty, have you received word that the imperial spies on the Front Line have been entirely slaughtered by the Beidi Night Owls?"

Though the Liang Emperor disliked exposing the Hei Wei, he weighed the two harms and chose the lighter: after a moment's deliberation, he nodded: "Indeed, this has occurred."

Qin Feng took a deep breath: "Then it's confirmed! Our intelligence on the Beidi Front Line is virtually nonexistent. Chen Si has poured all his strength into wiping out every spy—his goal is to seal off all information. Therefore, I believe the Beidi rear must be sending massive reinforcements, aiming to concentrate superior forces and catch us off guard.

"This is a decisive, all-or-nothing clash between two nations—the Beidi have committed fully! Combined with our past intelligence, a comprehensive assessment suggests the Beidi can field approximately three hundred thousand troops.

"These three hundred thousand troops will gradually arrive at the Front Line.

"At this point, all clever ruses and risky stratagems are meaningless. The only strategy capable of deciding victory is overwhelming frontal pressure!"

Qin Tianhu's face turned ashen. He had prepared for this great war, always assuming the Beidi would deploy no more than one hundred thousand troops.

After all, the Beidi were militarily strong but economically weak; moving large armies placed enormous strain on logistics—they could hardly sustain it.

Yet this war erupted precisely at the deadline of Liang's Autumn Harvest.

Qin Tianhu immediately grasped the severity of the situation and immediately agreed: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng's words are no exaggeration! When the Beidi launch a full-scale invasion of the Northern Border, they can use their numerical superiority to attack garrison troops across the region while plundering farmland to sustain their war effort."

"So Chen Si… plans to use our Liang grain to feed Beidi soldiers!"

The Liang Emperor drew a sharp breath.

Though Liang could mobilize three hundred thousand troops, coordinating their deployment and marching them to the Northern Border would take at least three months—even under the fastest possible conditions.

By then, it would be too late!

Relying solely on the three Northern Border armies and Beixi County to hold back three hundred thousand Beidi troops was pure fantasy!

At that moment, the Minister of Justice stepped forward: "Your Majesty, if the Beidi intend to sustain themselves through war, why not destroy the farmland in advance? Then…"

Before the Minister of Justice could finish, the Liang Emperor roared: "Destroy the farmland?! Are you trying to force the Northern Border civilians to rebel? When the Beidi army advances, the people and soldiers must stand united—burning fields first would shatter public morale; the people might even aid the Beidi invasion!"

Bowing his head, the Minister of Justice fell silent, not daring to say another word.

Now, the Liang Emperor placed all his hope on Qin Feng, his tone more gentle than ever: "Qianhu Qin, how do you propose to handle this?"

Qin Feng did not hesitate: "Time!"

"Win time!

"According to the calendar, in as little as three to five days, or at most seven to eight, the Northern Border will begin its Autumn Harvest. Once the harvest begins, it is the war's clarion call.

"The key to this war is ensuring the Autumn Harvest is completed and the grain and civilians are evacuated fifty Li south, away from the war zone, before the Beidi launch their full invasion."

Lin Taibao's gaze turned grim: "Easy to say. If the Beidi have planned this long, they are fully prepared! The Northern Border needs at least a month to complete the harvest—how can you possibly do it faster?"

At this deadline, Qin Feng had no patience for debate with Lin Taibao: "I've already communicated with Li Zhang. Five days ago, I dispatched envoys to every county, township, and village to mobilize preparation for the harvest and evacuation. If done casually, it would take a month—but if soldiers and civilians unite and give their all, it can be done in twenty days!"

"Also—who says our Northern Border garrison is weak and must suffer passively? The Northern Border Army will launch full-scale attacks, withdrawing in waves and layers to delay the Beidi's entry as much as possible."

"Once the harvest is complete and the evacuation succeeds, the Northern Border can shift from offense to defense, employ the Fortified Defense Strategy, and force the Beidi into Siege Warfare. Without grain supplies, their army will collapse—without even fighting!"