Chapter 953 - 953: 953 Strategy for Dealing with the Kushan Empire
Outside the Jade Gate Pass, the Kushan Empire's cavalry arrayed themselves in a long, single-file line, with leather-armored cavalry following behind, creating wave after wave of attacks.
They relied on this continuous barrage to defeat their enemies, encountering few formidable opponents in the Middle East and South Asia.
Until they met the Qin army in the Western Regions, this ancient people, having established a new dynasty, were still able to hold off the Qin advance.
"This is a disgrace!
A tremendous disgrace!
You must wash away this disgrace with the blood of your enemies!"
King Muraj of the Kushan Empire roared in fury upon hearing the news. Years ago, his ancestor had sought a marriage alliance with the Han Dynasty envoy Ban Chao, wanting to marry a Han princess, but had been directly refused!
Ban Chao, then the Protector-General of the Western Regions, had refused outright without even reporting it to his superiors.
This shame also enraged his ancestor, who dispatched his deputy, Xie, with an army of 70,000 to attack Ban Chao. Xie was defeated and forced to sue for peace.
Ban Chao had never known the Kushan king's name, referring to him only as the "King of Yuezhi."
This was a disgrace, an immense disgrace!
It was a disgrace recorded in the annals of his ancestors. Now, with the opportunity for revenge, he naturally wanted to fulfill his ancestors' dying wish!
Furthermore, having lie low for over a century, and with the Kushan Empire no longer a clan but a vast empire ruled by a powerful army, he intended to invade Qin, personally capture the Qin king, and use his blood to atone for his ancestors!
Before Pang Tong's arrival, Fa Zheng had been in charge.
Fa Zheng was unwell and needed to return home for treatment, unable to come for the time being.
The domestic war had largely subsided, with only the subjugation of the Wuxi barbarians remaining a significant challenge. All other vassal states had surrendered, and the regions were recuperating.
The generals and strategists, accustomed to battle, were eager to establish military merit.
They were either tasked with subjugating the Wuxi barbarians in Jiangdong or fighting the Kushan Empire outside Yumen Pass. Almost all of them were being transferred to Yumen Pass specifically to wage war against the Kushan Empire!
At this point, it was no longer a conflict, but a full-blown war.
His Majesty had spoken: first, eliminate the Kushan Empire's elite forces, wipe out their entire army.
Then, invade the Kushan Empire, plunder its wealth, its food, and its women!
It sounds like banditry, and indeed, foreign colonial plunder is banditry!
Morality and righteousness were words spoken to their own people.
They were unnecessary for the barbarians; they didn't understand them, nor did they care to listen. They only believed in the might of their own strength.
Standing at the highest point, Pang Tong and Wu Yong observed together; this was their first time using military strategy.
Pang Tong was responsible for strategy, while Wu Yong was responsible for tactics.
To deal with a vast empire, both strategy and tactics are indispensable.
Strategic planning is the overt scheme that outlines the key to victory.
Following the strategic plan, even difficulties can be overcome; it's essentially a large-scale plan.
Tactics, on the other hand, are the details, determining how to fight, how to minimize losses, and how to maximize enemy casualties.
Tactics are merely tools to support other tactics. When an entire empire is in decline, even the most brilliant tactics cannot reverse the tide.
The simplest example is the Chu-Han Contention. Many might think that Xiang Yu's suicide at the Battle of Wujiang was simply a matter of pride.
However, even after crossing the Wujiang River, Xiang Yu had no chance of turning the tide.
Because his rear had been captured!
Without a source of manpower and supplies, death was inevitable.
Even with an army, so many mouths to feed—once the food runs out, mutiny is inevitable!
Before this, Xiang Yu's tactics were considered the pinnacle of infantry warfare, and his cavalry tactics were also masterful, resulting in numerous victories.
However, tactical success cannot reverse strategic failure.
This is why strategy is more important than tactics; the lessons of the past are too profound.
The Chu-Han Contention is a story written into the Qin Dynasty's textbooks.
Lu Ming always liked to bring it up; if generals and strategists leading troops didn't know this, they were truly beyond help.
"The Kushans have assembled 100,000 troops—70,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry.
They really think highly of us. This time, the terrain is open, perfect for cavalry charges," Pang Tong said. He wasn't ignorant of tactics; on the contrary, he was very knowledgeable.
It was precisely because he understood these tactics that he entrusted Wu Yong with handling strategic matters.
Wu Yong, also observing through his binoculars, saw that many of the Liangshan heroes had been recalled and were gradually arriving.
The Liangshan heroes' achievements were considerable, yet not insignificant.
Now that the rewards for the officials were distributed,
if they wanted to continue their struggle, they needed to work even harder.
The veteran generals who had served under them were all present, but they didn't launch any immediate attacks.
Instead, they were half-inspecting, half-writing.
As seasoned generals, they also had a task: to record their experiences and insights into military strategy, ensuring their place in history.
This temptation was irresistible; who wouldn't want high office to bring prosperity to their family?
But even more alluring than family was the prospect of historical recognition.
"I've already discussed it with Hua Rong and the others, and the soldiers have learned to use the repeating crossbows.
Now we just wait for them to come charging in. The archers and barricades are all ready.
Wu Song will lead a battalion to ambush on the enemy's left rear, and Li Kui will lead a battalion to ambush on the enemy's right rear. Of these 100,000 troops, no matter how many come, we'll wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
Wu Yong was quite satisfied with his plan. The strategy was devised, the tactics were deployed, and all that was left was to wait for the results.
The generals below had the authority to make temporary decisions. If they won, everything would be fine.
If they lost, then it would be hard to say.
"Good, this time don't annihilate them all. Let some go.
Before letting them go, humiliate them, provoke them, and send more troops."
Pang Tong's face was etched with the marks of time. He had finally achieved his wish of being valued.
He had spoken at length with Lu Ming before coming and knew His Majesty's thoughts. Currently, their domestic recovery will take several years, and they won't receive many supplies, so they need to be very careful with their resources.
Continuous bleeding them dry will deplete the Kushan Empire.
Once their domestic recovery is complete, they can launch a full-scale attack, simultaneously transporting the plundered resources back home to replenish their own, thus creating a cycle of war sustaining war.