Chapter 502

First Volume, Chapter 502: Jing Qianying's Leverage

"The front-line situation is dire. Even if our three armies strike Chen Si from three directions, he can still handle it calmly, often sending Raiding Cavalry to plunder along the way. Though the enemy has not yet launched large-scale incursions into the Chanshi region, their raiding cavalry constantly ambush us. Chen Si is like a centipede with a hundred legs—dead but not yet stiff. To defeat him is no easy task."

"Zhao Yulong, Xu Mo, and Li Lang have led their armies out and have not returned—this speaks volumes!"

"If word leaks that Feng'er has crossed the border, Chen Si will spare no effort to hunt him down. Even if he fails to capture Feng'er, he can spread rumors to destabilize military morale."

"Once Beixi County retreats, the Chariot and Cavalry and Piaoqi armies will face Chen Si's devastating strike."

"Therefore, doing nothing right now is safer than doing anything."

"Even if we were to go rescue Feng'er, we must first know where he is and what his situation is."

"The Beidi Frontier is now sealed off by Night Owls and Raiding Cavalry like an iron barrel—even the Brocade Uniform Corps cannot infiltrate it."

"Therefore, we must wait until the right opportunity arises!"

Jing Qianying is a warrior woman, lacking Shen Qingci's strategic vision or Qin Cheng Clan's deep cunning. She only knows that Qin Feng is in danger and must be rescued at all costs.

She doesn't care about national duty or mountain of blades and sea of fire!

Qin Cheng Clan saw through Jing Qianying's thoughts.

Qin Cheng Clan merely lowered her head and said lightly: "You may not care about Liang's peril, but you must care about yourself!"

At these words, Jing Qianying's clenched fists instantly relaxed, her eyes filled with resentment—but mostly helplessness.

Undeniably, Qin Cheng Clan's words struck straight into Jing Qianying's heart. Even this woman who prided herself on being heartless had no choice but to submit.

…

Jingdu, Grand Hall of the imperial court.

Qin Tianhu, before the Civil and Military Ministers, calmly reported the Northern Border war intelligence.

"The Di army has now fully invaded our Shedynasty territory. According to the latest military intelligence, Chen Si still commands at least 120,000 troops."

"Our three Northern Border armies, plus Beixi County, number roughly the same. But due to prior battles, the Border Army suffered heavy losses—capable of defense, but incapable of offense—thus did not join this major campaign."

"Chen Si's advance has now reached the Chanshi region. Though most grain has been relocated to the Bizhan Qu, the hurried evacuation left behind vast quantities of grain. If Chen Si enters Chanshi and implements the 'Three Alls Policy,' he can still replenish his forces."

"The current situation has reached a stalemate. The Chariot and Cavalry General holds the final defensive line; the Piaoqi General and Beixi County are launching a pincer attack on Chen Si's army; the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen stands firm, cutting off enemy routes and forming a tactical encirclement with the rear forces, shrinking Chen Si's operational range."

Upon hearing Qin Tianhu's report, the entire Grand Hall was suffused with oppressive silence.

The Liang Emperor sat high behind the Dragon Case, chin propped on his hand, mentally mapping the entire battlefield—but still found no cause for optimism. He turned to Qin Tianhu and asked: "Minister, who do you believe holds the advantage?"

Qin Tianhu did not hesitate: "Naturally, our Shedynasty holds heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and the people's support. If we continue fighting, the Di will surely lose!"

At these words, the Liang Emperor exhaled in relief, and the ministers present all showed signs of relief.

But both the Liang Emperor and Qin Tianhu knew well: this grandiose praise of Shedynasty was merely what needed to be said—and what everyone wished to hear.

Externally, Chen Si's army fights to the death; internally, the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing lie dormant. Even within this Grand Hall, hidden currents churn. At this moment, no word that undermines morale can be uttered.

Yet holding morale steady is one thing; seeking truth is another.

The Liang Emperor pressed: "What is your assessment of the current battlefield situation?"

Now came the true state of the battlefield!

Qin Tianhu bowed respectfully and replied without flaw: "Your Majesty, our Northern Border has three armies plus Beixi County. Even if Chen Si had divine aid, he will still collapse—it is merely a matter of time."

"But now, the struggle between us and the enemy runs deep. Chen Si uses the Chanshi region as bait, forcing our three armies into open field battle. We, meanwhile, use open field battle as a ruse to exhaust Chen Si, while reinforcing our final defensive line."

"It is still too early to determine victory or defeat."

The ministers present were all sharp-minded—they could not miss Qin Tianhu's implied meaning.

In plain terms: the Northern Border is fighting desperately. If Chen Si attacks a city, he can be easily repelled. But if he engages in open field battle, the entire Northern Border Army has been thoroughly battered by him.

This war hinges on two points.

First: Can the three Northern Border armies withstand Chen Si's fierce assaults?

It is not Beixi and the Piaoqi General encircling Chen Si—it is Chen Si counterattacking both.

If Beixi and the Piaoqi General break and retreat, they will lose all capacity to challenge Chen Si. Then Chanshi will fall completely. With replenished supplies, Chen Si will march south, plundering wealthy lands and sustaining his war through war—Shedynasty will be doomed!

Second: Can the final defensive line, held by the Chariot and Cavalry General, be fortified into an impregnable fortress before Beixi and the Piaoqi General retreat?

If that final line holds, Chen Si's army will be starved to death.

At that moment, Lin Taibao suddenly stepped forward to advise.

"Your Majesty, the Qin Special Envoy boasted that if the Di army dared invade our territory, they would be annihilated in a pocket formation. Yet now that the pocket formation is complete, the battle remains perilously dire. One misstep, and our Shedynasty will face utter ruin."

"Though replacing a general mid-battle is taboo, I believe we must appoint a supervisor to assist the Qin Special Envoy, lest his youthful arrogance and ambition lead him to commit acts that endanger the state."

At these words, officials from the Ministry of Justice stepped forward in unison.

"I second that!"

Qin Tianhu watched coldly. He had remained in Jingdu rather than rush to the front precisely to prevent this. If a meddling supervisor were sent now, this war would be over before it began.

And…

No one knows a son better than his father.

Knowing Qin Feng as he did, Qin Tianhu was certain: if a meddling supervisor were sent, he would not survive two days—he would be cut down by that rascal Qin Feng.

Then the blame would be immense.

Qin Tianhu did not hesitate: "This war, the Di have thrown everything into it—every elite soldier and capable general has been sent to the front, with Chen Si himself commanding. Who could have foreseen such a desperate gamble?"