Chapter 949 - 212: The Naturally Cunning Courtier_3
"No, she joined the barracks in Qingyang when she was recruited as a new soldier. It was only later that she met Pei Hansan," Mo Heng said without changing his expression.
Shen Bi nodded, discussed the military situation in the army with him, and asked about the Emperor’s plan to lead a campaign personally. Since Pei Hansan was not one of his own, he still hoped Mo Heng would earn more military achievements. Following the Waci People’s breach into the border, the Emperor would surely follow his predecessor’s example and start prioritizing military over literary affairs.
Just as the conversation was halfway through, a managing eunuch came to invite everyone to take their seats. The Emperor had provided a feast, and after eating, there would be a discussion with the Cabinet chancellors about the specifics of the counterattack strategy.
Jiang Zhen had already taken fifty thousand troops and mortars to cut off the Waci People’s retreat, and all the scattered troops from various places were to assemble and rendezvous with Jiang Zhen, to ensure that the enemy’s retreat would be definitively severed. Gu Liqi’s main force had been annihilated, leaving only Wachi Third Prince Ka Erle’s two hundred thousand strong army, and the Rong Clan’s two hundred thousand strong force that had occupied the region of Chu Nation around Liaoning.
"Let’s battle the Waci first without provoking the Rong Clan, as they won’t dare to form an alliance with Waci so readily. They will only reinforce their troops and stay put in Liaoning. Once we drive the minion of Waci out of Great Chu, then we can spare our forces to deal with the Rong Clan!" Pei Qin suggested an order of battle. Otherwise, fighting indiscriminately, even with the advantage of mortars, would lengthen the duration of the turmoil, with the common people ultimately bearing the brunt of suffering.
As for the strategy, the assembly of the main forces was certain, but where to assemble, the specific timing, and the operational plans, Pei Qin felt that discussing these matters here was pointless. The Emperor would accompany them in the campaign, and decisions would be made on the fly to avoid the risk of intelligence leaks.
Emperor Chu Wen now involuntarily leaned towards Pei Qin, feeling that even though she was a woman, her intelligence and strategic planning were superior to those generals who had been leading troops for years. The battle on the Huanghe River the night before had fully proved this. Thus, as soon as the battle plans were set, Emperor Chu Wen was impatient to urge the departure.
Twenty thousand Imperial Guard soldiers and Imperial Bodyguards were also organized into a personal guard to protect Emperor Chu Wen, crossing the Huanghe River together with Pei Qin, Mo Heng, and others.