Chapter 771 – One More Won't Make a Difference
12th month, 2nd day, Consonance City.
Huo Qubing led the Guards Legion Corps 1st legion up north into Dongchuan Prefecture.
This would be the right troops and the only force that consisted of only one legion.
Dongchuan was the smallest prefecture in Yunnan Province and only a few player territories managed to survive there. Furthermore, there was Dali Prefecture between them and Tengyue and Mengding Prefectures, so they were pretty much on their own.
Logically speaking, Dongchuan had the least strategic value. It would be best if they crushed the main forces of the Alliance Army and took care of it later.
In truth, Baiqi treated Dongchuan Prefecture extremely seriously and sent out the strongest legion of the West Conquering Army to take care of it.
He wanted to use the invincibility of the Guards Legion as well as their strength at fighting sudden battles to take down Dongchuan Prefecture quickly; this would help to stabilize the hearts on the main battlefield.
Apart from that, it could also act as a warning to Dali Prefecture.
Secondly, the situation in Dongchuan Prefecture was extremely chaotic.
Not because of other reasons but simply because north of Dongchuan Prefecture was the Shu Lands. Due to the animosity between the Shu Imperial Court and Shanhai City, the Military Affairs Bureau was not sure if they would enter the battle.
The best method would be to occupy it first and block the way down south for the Shu Lands.
Hence, Dongchuan also became the ideal spot to ambush for the Alliance Army. Out of the three ambush spots of the Alliance Army that Baiqi had thought of, Dongchuan Prefecture was the most probable.
As such, Baiqi sent Huo Qubing to complete this mission.
...
On the same day, the 2nd legion of the Dragon Legion Corps led by Shi Wanshui and the 3rd legion led by Zhang Liao headed west to attack Tengyue Prefecture.
This group was in charge of the middle; Shi Wanshui took the role of main general and Zhang Liao was the deputy.
These two legions were both battle-hardened legions. With Shi Wanshui in charge, in addition to Zhang Liao who was familiar with Yunnan, their cooperation would be great.
Baiqi had tremendously high hopes for this group.
The symbol of Yunnan City-State, Lord Qin Feng's Tengchong City, was located in Tengyue Prefecture.
It was easy to know that Tengyue Prefecture was going to be a tough nut to crack. Qin Feng was not a good person. At the crucial moment, he would definitely choose to protect his own territory.
Hence, the second ambush point the Alliance Army could choose was most likely to be Tengyue Prefecture.
Qin Feng was the person connecting Yunnan City-State and Yanhuang Alliance. Di Chen and the others definitely would not want Qin Feng to be eliminated too early, and they would definitely act at the crucial moment.
Based on Baiqi's plan, if the attacks of the middle troops went smoothly, they could turn from Tengyue Prefecture into Mengding to meet up with the left troops.
The left troops would be personally led by Baiqi. This group included the 1st legion of the Dragon Legion Corps and the 4th legion that was on the way. They would immediately go down south and head into Mengding Prefecture.
Although that was the case, Mengding would be the prefecture where war broke out the latest.
Baiqi's plan was to move the troops to contain the 200 thousand men Alliance Army but not attack. Once the middle and right forces had results, they would go all in.
Three routes of troops, each were using a different strategy.
Luckily, the ones leading the legions were famous generals and could all execute his strategy. They could also change and adapt based on the situation on the battlefield.
If not, he really would not have dared to do this.
This was the strength of Shanhai City.
Each general was an all-round upgrade to an army.
...
The three armies waltzed toward the battlefield from three different directions. Following behind them was the closely packed grain transport forces.
As long as the battle had not ended, the grain transport carriages on the paths would not stop.
Ouyang Shuo stood on the city wall, quietly looking on as the army left. His upright body and red cape became a beautiful scene on the city wall.
Each soldier would unconsciously turn around to look at him. Although they could not see him clearly, he gave them power, a power that supported them whilst they proceeded to kill the enemies.
Ouyang Shuo stood there for the entire day without even eating his lunch.
During that period of time, Bai Hua came over many times to try and persuade him to go and eat, but she was rejected. When Bai Hua saw that, her expression was complicated, and she sighed.
To Ouyang Shuo, this was his duty.
The soldiers were fighting for the glory of the territory. As their Lord, as the highest commander in the army, if he did not do anything, Ouyang Shuo would feel guilty.
The sun set from the west and dusk beckoned.
The orange sunset was like an elegant dress for the city. That upright body still stood without moving. Under the cover of dusk, it was like he was dressed in golden armor.
He only moved and left after the last unnamed soldier disappeared into the horizon. Even with his cultivation, his body felt numb from standing there for the entire day.
"No matter what, it's worth it."
Ouyang Shuo looked up into the skies. He could feel the killing intent and war intent of the army; it was slowly forming up in the skies, gathering into an invincible aura.
The Personal Guards and the three thousand Divine Martial Guards were by his side for the entire day. Seeing him turn around, they bowed in unison, and the worship in their eyes became even more evident.
"Let's leave!"
Ouyang Shuo waved his hands, and they disappeared from the city wall.
As night covered Consonance City, Kunming Prefecture, and the entire Yunnan, it was extremely quiet. Under this facade, the flames of war were well and truly lit, lighting up the night sky.
Consonance City, Governor Manor.
Bai Hua had specially waited for Ouyang Shuo to eat together.
Bai Hua was helpless seeing how stubborn Ouyang Shuo was. She could only instruct the chefs to make a huge table of delicious dishes to personally welcome Ouyang Shuo.
On the table, Bai Hua passed some fish over to Ouyang Shuo, "Thank you for the appointments of Zi Luolan and the others."
Ouyang Shuo smiled, "There's no need to thank me. Just don't blame me for snatching them over. They are all great help."
"It's time for them to spread their wings and fly. What can they achieve by staying at my side?" As the leader of the four, Bai Hua had actually worried about them for a long time; she even sounded more like a mother.
Being one's sister for long would make one like their mother.
Bai Hua glanced at Ouyang Shuo and asked, "Why did you make Tsing Yi your personal secretary?"
'Puchi!'
Ouyang Shuo nearly spat out the fish.
"What personal secretary? She is my helper. Don't tell me you think the same as Zi Luolan? That I have something toward Tsing Yi? I'm innocent." Ouyang Shuo was speechless.
"Even if you have any thoughts, it's okay."
"What?"
Ouyang Shuo's eyes were wide open; he did not believe that these words actually came from Bai Hua.
Bai Hua was extremely calm, "She has feelings for you so it wouldn't be anything surprising."
"But I'm already married." Ouyang Shuo's brain was swelling.
"You're a man destined to become an emperor, so what's one more?" When she said those words, Bai Hua's hands were sweating, and her heart could not help but jump.
Who knows how much courage it took for her to speak those words?
Ouyang Shuo noticed her unusual expression, "Let's not talk about that, it sounds so weird. I promise you I only picked her for her talent and not for anything else."
Bai Hua's face was a little ashen white as she forced a smile, "I'm just testing you. Hearing you say that, I feel relaxed."
"That's great."
Ouyang Shuo smiled. He acted like he had not noticed that something was up with Bai Hua.
The atmosphere at the table instantly became extremely awkward.
"Let's talk about grain." Ouyang Shuo changed the topic, "It seems like Baiqi says this battle will last for a really long time. The Combat Logistics Department has insufficient grain prepared. Can Kunming Prefecture assist them in buying local grain?"
"If not, we will have to ask the Combat Logistics Department to purchase from Zhen An and Xunzhou. Apart from grain, the food for the horses is also a problem."
Bai Hua relaxed herself, "Do not worry. I've already coordinated with the Combat Logistics Department. If grain is broken, I'll resign."
Ouyang Shuo waved his hand, "You do not need to say that. I have faith in you."
The next morning, Ouyang Shuo once again called the heads of the three intel organizations as he wanted to see them.
Apart from asking them to closely work with the West Conquering Army and collect the required intel, he also needed to confirm the safety of their chess pieces in Yunnan City-State.
Ouyang Shuo said, "The prowess of Difeng, Chun Xiao, and War Song is something all of you have witnessed. They are not much worse off than us. Hence, we must ensure our chess pieces have not been revealed, especially that most crucial piece. It directly affects the outcome of this war."
"This...."
Shen Buhai, Black Snake, and Cobra's expressions were solemn; they did not dare to make any promises. If they took a wrong step, it would be a 10 thousand feet drop.
"Why don't I personally go to confirm it?" Black Snake suggested.
Ouyang Shuo nodded, "That would be the best."
"Great, I'll go immediately!" Black Snake nodded.