Chapter 454

First Volume, Chapter 454: Hasty Deployment

"As for three defeats in a row, it's only natural—Chen Si commands troops like a god, and he's a veteran of a hundred battles. Though the Young Master is well-versed in strategy, this is your first battle; to hold out this well is already commendable. Moreover, ordering the attack on the Eastern Front was my decision—if blame is to be assigned, it falls on me alone, not on you."

Li Zhang kept his head lowered, voice low: "Don't try to comfort me with pretty words. Losing is losing, defeat is defeat—I truly am no match for Chen Si."

Qin Feng clapped Li Zhang on the shoulder, encouraging him: "Not being able to beat him now doesn't mean you never will. Combat experience must be built gradually. You still hold command—the entire city answers to you while I'm away from Beixi County."

As he spoke, Qin Feng turned and bowed to the smiling Ming Wang: "Your Majesty."

Ming Wang waved his hand: "Between you and me, no need for formalities. I'm just here to watch the spectacle, to see this young upstart of yours. Focus on the battle—pretend I'm not here."

Yet despite his words, Qin Feng still held deep reverence for Ming Wang.

Had Ming Wang not relocated to Beixi County to coordinate the three armies of the Northern Border, attempting to unify command would have been pure fantasy—the situation would be many times graver than it is now.

Qin Feng turned to the soldiers present, his tone relaxed: "On my way here, I inspected the rear—the civilians have begun transporting grain to the Bizhan Qu. Five thousand troops under the Chariot and Cavalry General guard the Bizhan Qu, and its depth makes it impossible for the Di to launch an invasion."

"All we need to do is pin the Di army north of Beixi County—this battle is ours!"

"As for Chen Si? Just a crippled barbarian—not worth mentioning!"

Qin Feng inwardly revered Chen Si, but he belittled him mercilessly to boost military morale, to rally the troops and prepare them for the coming battle.

If these words had come from anyone else, the officers would have sneered.

But coming from Qin Feng, it was an entirely different matter.

Every soldier present clenched their fists, blood boiling; some even shouted aloud.

"Qin Qianhu, do you truly have confidence in defeating Chen Si?"

The moment the words were spoken, dozens of furious glares turned toward the speaker.

Xu Mo nearly drew his blade and cut the man down.

What do you mean "confidence"? Are you trying to undermine military morale?

Qin Feng raised a hand to stop Xu Mo, then grinned broadly at the soldiers on the City Wall, utterly brazen: "Chen Si? What's he worth? He nearly got shot dead by a Tianji Camp Guard's arrow, fled in panic back to the Di Royal Capital to heal—word is he lost an arm. Even when he had two arms, he wasn't my match—how much less now that he's got only one?"

A burst of loud, joyful laughter erupted.

With Qin Feng's mockery, the once-terrifying Chen Si suddenly seemed far less fearsome.

Having calmed the troops, Qin Feng pulled Li Zhang aside and whispered: "Has there been any word from Ning Hu?"

Li Zhang nodded, then immediately shook his head: "The Eastern Front is sealed like an iron barrel—no scouts, not even Jin Yi Wei agents can penetrate. We can't contact Ning Hu at all. But earlier, a massive fire broke out behind the Di lines—their border scouts saw it with their own eyes. I'm certain it was Ning Hu's doing."

Confirming Ning Hu was still alive, Qin Feng exhaled in relief.

Just as Qin Feng was silently pondering how to rescue Ning Hu, a rapid clatter of hooves came from behind—a messenger, drenched in blood, galloped toward them. Before he even reached the City Gate, he shouted: "Disaster! Bian Jun Zhong Zhen has fallen—the Di army has overrun the entire city!"

The sudden news instantly shattered the prevailing joy.

At once, Qin Feng abandoned thoughts of rescuing Ning Hu and roared at the messenger: "When did this happen?!"

The messenger dismounted, staring at Qin Feng in confusion: "Who are you? Where is the Young Master?"

Li Zhang, furious, snapped: "This man before you is the Supervisory Special Envoy, Qin Qianhu!"

Hearing this, the messenger froze, then dropped to his knees, wailing: "Qin Qianhu, you've arrived just in time—please, save the Western Front!"

Qin Feng kicked the messenger over, growling: "I ask you a question—you answer. No rambling!"

The new recruits gathered nearby suddenly realized—the Qin Feng who had been so casual moments ago had transformed completely. Their doubts vanished instantly.

Sensing Qin Feng's piercing gaze, the messenger dared not delay: "The city fell this morning."

Qin Feng pressed: "Did the Former General escape safely?"

The messenger shook his head violently, sobbing: "The Former General led the remnants, holding the city. They're fighting street-to-street against the Di army. The Di have begun slaughtering—soldiers, civilians, no mercy."

Qin Feng drew a deep breath.

Though Bian Jun Zhong Zhen had fallen, as long as street fighting continued, there was still hope.

Qin Feng wasted no time, immediately assumed command, and barked orders: "Zhao Yuxiong!"

Zhao Yuxiong stepped forward, saluting: "Your servant is here!"

Though they usually called each other comrades, in battle, ranks became instantly clear.

Qin Feng spoke swiftly: "Lead the Black Cavalry at once to the Eastern Front. Draw the Di's attention—attack fiercely, but don't push deep. Preserve your arrows—focus on charges and close combat. If you meet Beidi Light Cavalry, fight and retreat. Once you break free from their infantry encirclement, form a line and trade arrows with their cavalry. Our Black Cavalry armor is thick, and we're armed with one-shi horsebows—superior to their seven-dou bows!"

Zhao Yuxiong immediately assembled the Black Cavalry and rode out toward the Eastern Front.

Qin Feng then ordered Li Zhang and Xu Mo to lead the light cavalry and infantry to reinforce the Border Army.

"Mo Li! Where the hell are you?!"

After shouting for a long while, the Jin Yi Wei Right Envoy hurried over: "Young Master, what do you require?"

Qin Feng cut straight to the point: "Immediately dispatch two hundred Jin Yi Wei agents with military rations and spare arrowheads. While the Black Cavalry attacks the Eastern Front and distracts the enemy, slip into Di territory and find Ning Hu. I suspect Ning Hu and the Tianji Camp Guards are nearly out of food and arrows."

Rescue was impossible for Ning Hu's position—trapped deep in Di territory. All they could do was supply materials to let him and his men hold on.

That left two thousand defenders in the city—all new recruits.

Qin Feng turned to Li Zhang: "How many sets of armor remain in the city?"

Li Zhang didn't hesitate: "With the war ongoing, the Tianji Camp has never stopped production—we still have enough armor to equip five thousand troops."

Qin Feng nodded, then spotted Lin Quqi arriving and shouted: "Lin Brother! Return to the Outer City and mobilize the civilians—every able-bodied young man gets armor. Take to the City Wall and assist the defenders!"