Chapter 479: First Volume, Chapter 479: The Mantis Stalking the Cicada

First Volume, Chapter 479: The Mantis Stalking the Cicada

Just as the Chariot and Cavalry General inwardly regretted trusting Qin Feng, another messenger burst into the County Yamen, gasping for breath, and shouted without even saluting.

"General, the five thousand reinforcements from the Northern Di have withdrawn—not just the reinforcements, but the vanguard cavalry as well, all retreating toward San Die Pass."

The Chariot and Cavalry General's nearly despairing eyes reignited with hope.

"What exactly is going on? Speak quickly!"

The messenger, overjoyed, his voice trembling with tears of pure elation, cried: "Qian Qianhu and the Piaoqi General have launched a simultaneous attack, flanking Chen Si's main army!"

Upon hearing this, the Chariot and Cavalry General burst into joy, leaping to his feet and roaring: "Quick! Deliver this good news to the front-line commanders—boost military morale! Once our troops regain their spirit, launch a counterattack immediately!"

Within a mere one Envoy, the situations at Sanjieguan Camp and Yongshou County had completely reversed.

One messenger after another stormed into the Shuaizhang.

"General, the Beixi County forces are pressing hard—black cavalry charge forward, infantry follow in waves, light cavalry circle and ambush, and the left-wing vanguard besieging Beixi County is retreating step by step."

"The right-wing vanguard is in dire straits, locked in bloody combat with the Liang Kingdom's Piaoqi General; though they still hold their defensive line, the vanguard's Deputy General urgently requests reinforcements—send five thousand cavalry immediately!"

"General, the Liang Kingdom's Che Ji Army has begun its counterattack."

Hearing this string of disasters, every general inside the Shuaizhang turned grim, their expressions heavy with dread.

The Vanguard Commander frowned tightly, turned to Chen Si—and found Chen Si's expression calm, utterly unaffected.

Chen Si rested one hand on his sword hilt, speaking with serene detachment: "Our repeated failures to breach the border stronghold forced us to risk advancing deep into Liang's pocket formation. Now, under three-sided assault, this was inevitable. Qin Feng fights like a divine strategist—how could he pass up such an opportunity?"

Hearing Chen Si's words, the Vanguard Commander felt slightly reassured—but his palms still sweated.

With the army now surrounded on three sides and battle conditions shifting unpredictably, not a moment could be wasted.

The Vanguard Commander pressed urgently: "Chen Si, what do we do next?"

"Though Liang lacks our Di's military strength, its Northern Border forces plus Beixi County still field over a hundred thousand troops. Facing three-sided assault, if we don't respond swiftly, disaster is certain."

The generals present all shared the same dread, their gazes fixed on Chen Si.

Chen Si slowly released his grip, his expression still serene—as if he held the entire perilous situation in his palm.

"Qin Feng's tactics boil down to one word: 'consume.' He delays our advance, harasses and blocks us relentlessly, leveraging his home advantage and his back against the county city—able to attack when needed, able to defend when pressed. Even if we pour everything into entering the Northern Border, we still cannot reach the Chanshi region, facing Liang's decades-prepared pocket formation."

"Even if we reach the Chanshi region, surrounded by attacks from all directions, we cannot seize grain. Even if we seize grain, layered encirclements will prevent us from transporting it back. In this way, being worn down is merely a matter of time."

Hearing Chen Si's analysis, every general's heart rose to their throat.

Amid the tense stares of all present, Chen Si remained utterly composed.

"Precisely because I understood this, I deliberately led our forces into this pocket formation—and sent the vanguard to launch a full-scale assault on the Che Ji Army's defensive line, creating the illusion that we are willing to sacrifice everything to seize the Chanshi region. Thus, Beixi County and the Piaoqi General will spare no effort to reinforce, launching a flank attack on us."

"Why did I station ten thousand troops at San Die Pass? Do none of you understand yet?"

The soldiers present froze in stunned silence; after a long moment, realization slowly dawned.

The worry in their eyes vanished, replaced by exhilaration.

Generals bowed deeply to Chen Si, their praise flowing in a torrent of fervent admiration.

"No wonder the Emperor relies on you—this strategic duel, even Qin Feng himself could never detect it!"

"All along, our goal has been the Chanshi region—we've pushed toward it, which is why Liang's defenders have spared no effort to protect it. But they don't realize: your true aim was never the Chanshi region, but to lure Liang's Northern Border defenders out of their cities and into open field battle to consume them!"

"Hahahaha! Qin Feng Xiao'er thinks he can wear us down, but you've outmaneuvered him—you've already worn them down! If Liang's defenders cling to defense, we break through the Che Ji line, garrison the Chanshi region, secure grain supplies, and continue the war of attrition. If they launch an offensive, we crush them swiftly!"

"Hmph! Qin Feng Xiao'er is surely smug now, believing his city walls grant him invincibility—able to attack or defend at will. But the ones who truly control advance and retreat are us!"

"Once we've exhausted the Northern Border defenders, the entire Northern Border will lie wide open! Then we build fortresses and ditches around Beixi County—even if it takes ten years, we'll starve Qin Feng the bastard to death!"

…

At the Beixi County City Gate Tower, Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward San Die Pass, a faint sneer curling his lips.

Beside him, Li Zhang couldn't help asking: "Qin Brother, what are you laughing at?"

"Though the Northern Di army has entered the pocket formation and now faces three-sided assault, they still command over a hundred thousand elite troops—defeating them won't be easy."

To Li Zhang's mind, even with heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human unity, Liang's odds against the Northern Di remained low—no more than forty percent. After all, the Northern Di were stationed at San Die Pass, dangerously close to the Chanshi region; if Yongshou County fell, the Chanshi region would be wide open—with catastrophic consequences.

Under Li Zhang's puzzled gaze, Qin Feng's smile deepened, not lessened.

"When Chen Si stationed ten thousand troops at San Die Pass, I knew he was hiding ill intent. The plan to seize the Chanshi region is outdated—now, the Chanshi region is a liability to us. If we defend it fully, we're forced into open field battle with the Northern Di. If we ignore it, they'll seize its grain and regain their strength."

At these words, Li Zhang's face darkened, his voice sinking: "So… we're the ones who'll be worn down—not the Northern Di?"

Qin Feng snorted, his face filled with contempt: "On the battlefield, nothing is more fatal than letting others lead you by the nose."

"Chen Si's move is cruel—but he's deluded if he thinks it can kill Liang."

"While Chen Si is distracted by the three-sided assault, focusing entirely on draining our strength, Third Sister and Lu Ming have already led the Tianji Camp, three thousand civilian laborers, and two thousand defenders on a Yuan Hui route toward Yongshou County!"