Chapter 733

First Volume, Chapter 733: Qin Feng's Secret Letter

Qin Feng was never an arrogant man, but when Lü Ci led troops out of the city, Qin Feng could not help but be utterly disappointed.

If he had been defending the city, not even if the sky fell would he send a single soldier out to engage the enemy.

Given the strength of Xiongying Ridge and the eight thousand veteran troops stationed there, as long as food and water remained sufficient, they could hold out until the end of time.

Not even Qin Feng's small force, let alone another thirty or fifty thousand men, would make any difference.

Since ancient times, cases of fortified cities being breached solely by overwhelming manpower in direct assaults have been exceedingly rare.

Most victories were won through cunning stratagems.

Recall that once, a super-empire rose from the steppes and swept across Eurasia.

How many men did it have total? It marched straight from Helin all the way to Venice, leaving behind a land of wailing corpses.

In contrast, Diaoyu Castle, with only four thousand six hundred defenders, held out for thirty-six years against four to ten thousand steppe cavalry, even killing a Great Khan during a fierce assault.

Unless absolutely forced, no one with half a brain would risk attacking a fortified city.

This is why, when Qin Feng decided to launch a swift, decisive assault on Xiongying Ridge, Li Zhang was willing to break ties with Qin Feng to oppose him fiercely.

And the facts proved that while the city of Xiongying Ridge was impregnable, the morale within its walls clearly had not united as one.

At that moment, footsteps sounded behind the tent.

Ning Hu pulled back the flap and found the Second Battalion's light cavalry had arrived silently behind the camp.

Not many—only four hundred men.

But Lü Ci's cavalry, one unit annihilated and the second reduced to a ten-to-one casualty ratio, had suffered a fatal blow to their morale.

Four hundred high-spirited light cavalry could still hold an advantage over five hundred demoralized remnants.

Ning Hu bowed deeply: "Brother Qin, the Second Battalion's four hundred cavalry are ready to strike at any moment!"

Qin Feng merely waved his hand, dismissively: "No need."

"Even if their morale is shattered, they are still hundred-battle veterans—once close combat begins, casualties are inevitable."

"Our Beixi Light Cavalry are precious; there's no point risking them against these men."

"Besides, our strategic goal has already been achieved: the enemy lost half their cavalry yet failed to bury their dead—surely their morale is now critically low. Once these survivors return to the city, news of their defeat will spread in moments."

Qin Feng refused to pursue for another key reason: Lü Ci's cavalry were too close to Xiongying Ridge Fortress.

Only one hundred steps away—if Qin Feng sent out cavalry, Lü Ci would instantly flee back inside.

Then the Beixi Light Cavalry would have to retreat in frustration, and if they dared to chase, they'd be met with ArrowRain from the City Wall.

Learn when to stop while ahead.

Seeing Lü Ci still hesitating, Qin Feng said casually: "Have the Bow Infantry advance a bit."

At the order, five hundred Bow Infantry, armed with Heavy Stone Step Bows and protected by another five hundred holding Chang Mao, advanced fifty steps forward.

As expected, Lü Ci led his remaining men and fled back into the city without looking back.

Ma Tingyun, standing atop the City Wall and witnessing the entire scene, felt both fury and shock.

He was furious that Lü Ci, in his foolhardiness, abandoned the city's defensive advantage and launched an ambush—using his weakness to attack the enemy's strength, utterly stupid!

On this battlefield, bravery and folly are separated by only a thread.

He was shocked that Qin Feng, after countless battles, had refined his tactics to a divine level.

He had defeated Lü Ci's thousand cavalry with only a thousand Bow Infantry, inflicting over half casualties.

Such a terrifying record would astonish anyone, anywhere.

No wonder… the Northern Di spread the rumor: Liang is not terrifying—what's terrifying is… Liang's Hidden Dragon, Qin Feng!

In military talent, the only man who could match Qin Feng head-on might be Chen Si.

Unfortunately, after the State Peace Talks ended, Chen Si had returned to Wang Du to submit his Imperial report and could not reach the Front Line anytime soon.

Watching Lü Ci's humiliating retreat, Ma Tingyun sneered: "General Lü, now do you understand Qin Feng's methods?"

Lü Ci's face burned red—he wished he could sink into a crack in the earth.

Losing five hundred men was minor; what mattered was this defeat spreading through the city and shattering military morale.

"General Ma, it's all my fault for acting on my own—punish me as you see fit."

Though Lü Ci resented it inwardly, he had lost—he could only bow his head and admit defeat.

Ma Tingyun knew Lü Ci commanded wide respect among the troops; punishing him harshly would provoke backlash from other officers.

With no choice, Ma Tingyun raised his hand high—and let it fall lightly.

"General Lü, learn from this setback."

"For Xiongying Ridge, food, water, and reinforcements are the keys to defense."

"Wasting any one of these precious resources could plunge Xiongying Ridge into irrecoverable ruin."

Lü Ci nodded repeatedly: "General, your words are wise."

After gaining Ma Tingyun's approval, Lü Ci turned to leave—hardly had he stepped beyond Ma Tingyun's sight when his Deputy General rushed up, face twisted with resentment.

"General, that bastard Ma—though standing on the City Wall watching, he refused to send a single soldier to aid us! It's infuriating!"

"If he'd been far away, fine—but we were only one hundred steps apart! Even a few Bow Infantry could've saved us from this humiliation."

"In my view, that Ma is deliberately refusing to help—he wants you to look foolish so he can establish authority."

Lü Ci's face turned icy; every memory of what happened outside the city stoked his simmering hatred.

"Hmph! Xiongying Ridge has only five thousand defenders."

"We brought three thousand men—if not for us, what is Ma Tingyun?"

The Deputy General nodded vigorously: "General, you're absolutely right."

"If the city holds, it's Ma Tingyun's glory—has nothing to do with us."

"If anything goes wrong, Ma Tingyun will shove us forward as scapegoats. General, we must plan ahead."

Speaking of this, the Deputy General glanced around and, seeing no outsiders nearby, pulled a sealed letter from his bosom.

"General, please see—this is the Pacification Edict, personally presented by Qin Feng…"