Peace Order

And now, this Great General’s edge points directly at Chen Country, secretly there are those who clap their hands in praise.

Only moving forward slowly, Ling Pingyang was puzzled and came to inquire: "Great General, our army is currently at its peak, the great tide is in our favor, why not seize the opportunity and lead our forces to break the capital, achieving an unparalleled merit."

At that time, Yue Pengwu was discussing military strength with Pang Shuiyun and laughed when he heard this.

Yue Pengwu said: "Elder Pang, I leave it to you to explain."

Pang Shuiyun stroked his beard, this renowned strategist and minister from the Taiping Army era, who had long been in charge of the public opinion at the Heavenly Strategy Mansion, smiled and said:

"Pingyang, I know your ambitions, aware that you also want to seize this opportunity to establish the highest merit of a great general in the Military School, but as the saying goes, impatience cannot eat hot tofu, no matter what, this is a great nation, and rushing recklessly might drag oneself into a whirlpool, exhausting oneself."

Ling Pingyang said: "What do you mean by that?"

Pang Shuiyun laughed and said: "Have you not heard the principle in military tactics, encircle on three sides and leave one open?"

Ling Pingyang said: "That is on the battlefield, one must not cut off all escape routes for the opponent, facing enemy forces, do not surround them completely from all sides, as that will only provoke the enemy army into a desperate fight, resulting in massive casualties."

"If not done well, there is a possibility of suffering a strategic setback."

"A duck in one’s mouth flying away is already an unlucky occurrence, but if a crab at one’s lips pinches it with its claw, wouldn’t that be more unfortunate?"

"But what does this have to do with our army not immediately attacking Chen?"

Pang Shuiyun, stroking his beard, laughed heartily: "Oh you, Pingyang, you are already thirty-six years old, having followed the King in battles across various regions for five or six years, your martial arts have already reached the Sixth Layer Heaven, close to Grandmaster, yet you have still not come to realize it."

"The highest level in military tactics is to attack the mind."

"Like me, launching a strong attack inevitably unites Chen Country from top to bottom, but if we advance slowly, combined with the seeds planted earlier, it can cause internal conflicts within the enemy, turning against each other, collapsing from within without us lifting a finger."

"If I’m not mistaken, right now in Chen Country, those noble families, high officials, prime minister, generals, are already divided in opinions, about to fight against each other, Chen Country, though corrupt, if we attack strongly, will undoubtedly unite against external threats."

"As long as they’re internally restricted, attacking Chen will be much easier for us."

"Moreover, Pingyang, don’t forget what our strategic goal is?"

The repeatedly victorious Ling Pingyang was momentarily stunned, but then calmly replied:

"It’s to lure the enemy."

Indeed, this is a chain scheme, using four auxiliary forces as bait, drawing the Central Army into confrontation, Yue Pengwu’s army is essentially just a decoy, to lure the enemy’s main forces away from the vicinity of Chen Country’s capital.

Creating the most crucial opportunity for Prince Qin and that truly sharp dagger and edge.

Pang Shuiyun said: "The highest command in war is to attack strategy; if only pursuing one or two battlefield victories ends up mishandling the overall strategy, even if victorious, it actually counts as defeat and dereliction of duty."

"Ha... The King, young and valiant, enough to pierce through this murky night with a single sword."

"However, General Yue, you are one of the only two great generals in Heavenly Strategy Mansion qualified to oversee both the main camp and the center. If you too go out, the rear inevitably becomes vulnerable; if Military God Jiang Su takes advantage of this to make a comeback and attack our country, what should we do?"

Yue Pengwu held a scroll of military strategy, saying: "I’ve considered this point."

Pang Shuiyun said: "And the result?"

Yue Pengwu, with eyes meeting the sky and sea of clouds, after a long while, said:

"I was convinced."

...

Jiangnan, facing the border of Ying Country, the scouts from Ying Country’s Reconnoitre Army’s eyes narrowed, their advance scouts had already been dispatched, just as Pang Shuiyun had worried—

Even Yue Pengwu had mobilized, also leading hundreds of thousands of troops away.

For any competent general and strategist, this is an opportunity that must not be missed.

People are not machines, people need food, and are susceptible to injuries, when a large army sets out for battle, it is akin to burning gold and silver like firewood, with each breath, silver and grain diminish.

Moreover, Prince Qin this time has divided tens of thousands of troops into several paths simultaneously.

One could say the foundation of Jiangnan, which has been recuperating for over a year, has been expended all at once.

Demonstrating the style of that chaotic era’s fierce tiger, Xue Daoyong, who either doesn’t easily place bets, but once he sees clearly, he bets, and bets heavily!

Despite Prince Qin’s lenient taxation and the support from the treasury of the various chiefs of the Thirty-six Tribes of the Western Regions, it is difficult to sustain such a large-scale troop deployment.

The success of launching this campaign can be attributed to the heartfelt support of many noble families, voluntarily offering their flesh and blood.

On the other hand, it is thanks to Emperor Chen, Chen Dingye.

And the ceremonial gifts from the attending scholars and notable figures.

Especially the Right Minister Feng Yuning, who contributed a substantial five million taels.

Nonetheless, the logistics are already severely strained, Yan Daiqing has practically gambled everything to maintain the rear situation, preventing the livelihoods from being severely impacted by such actions.

Under such circumstances, Prince Qin is absolutely unable to support another large army.

Just as Jiang Su and Yuwen Lie anticipated.

The borders adjacent to Ying Country are devoid of large armies.

Not even defensively prepared.