Chapter 71

Chapter 705: Han Zhenying vs. Jiang Yidan (1)

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The military advisor trailed off.

If it wasn't about the food supplies, what else could it be? If the advisor was hesitant to speak, it must mean that the food supply situation for the Guanxi army was dire.

They didn't start with ample food supplies. They had gathered all the food they could from Guanxi.

However, the food supplies would only be sufficient if they could advance to Luoyang without any hindrance.

They didn't expect to be delayed for a few days at Hangu Pass and nearly a fortnight at Hanguan.

Still, the Guanxi soldiers wouldn't starve immediately. The key was how long they could hold out.

"Advisor, don't hide anything. How much food do we have left?"

"If we share the food with Jiang Yidan, we have enough for one or two days, or perhaps ten days."

Huang Bosong didn't blink an eye at the advisor's words.

If they only had enough food for ten days to feed hundreds of thousands of troops, it would be an unprecedented emergency. Yet, Huang Bosong's calmness was obvious.

"Then there's no need to worry about food supplies. The supply convoy should be on its way here by now."

Huang Bosong glanced at the advisor. The advisor then revealed the planned supply schedule.

"Yes, according to the plan, the supply unit should be near Hangu Pass by now."

"Look. We already have food stored at Hangu Pass. If we combine it, we can hold out for more than a month."

The advisor inwardly retorted.

'What about after that? What will you do after that?'

In the advisor's mind, the Guanxi army would plunder Luoyang.

"If Ji Zehong's strategy works, even if it's Lao Shi, he won't be able to hold Hanguan. Ji Zehong."

"Yes, my lord."

"How much food and how much time do you need to give to Jiang Yidan?"

"If we march tonight, we can attack the eastern side of Hanguan by tomorrow evening. Of course, we need to coordinate the attack, so we need a signal."

From Ji Zehong's words, it seemed there were no difficulties. However, the advisor was still worried about the food supplies.

"My lord, although Ji Zehong's strategy is good, don't rush it."

"There's no need to hide it."

Some wines improve with age, while others just spoil. Huang Bosong believed that Ji Zehong's strategy didn't need to be delayed.

"However, we can't fight without food. Wouldn't it be better to wait for the supply convoy to bring more food before implementing this? That way, we won't have to worry about food supplies during the battle."

Despite the advisor's plea, Huang Bosong didn't change his mind. He showed his palm to the advisor and said,

"Stop talking about food supplies. I have everything planned."

"I, the advisor, am too dull to even guess at your deep strategy."

The advisor tried to persuade Huang Bosong with kind words. Huang Bosong, however, didn't hesitate and made an outrageous statement.

"Send a messenger to Hangu Pass immediately. Tell the supply convoy to move day and night without rest. If they don't arrive within five days, I will execute Lin Man."

Even if the supply convoy didn't arrive within five days, Huang Bosong couldn't execute Lin Man. Lin Man, the commander of the supply convoy, had been beheaded by Gaozhu Wangji Mutaigou long ago.

* * *

"My lord! If we march a hundred miles to compete for advantage, only one in ten will arrive; if we march fifty miles, only half will arrive; if we march thirty miles, only two-thirds will arrive."

This is what Sunzi said about the consequences of forced marches.

The advisor tried to use Sunzi's Art of War to dissuade Huang Bosong. Huang Bosong, sensing the advisor's intention, immediately countered.

"Applying the principle of 'the strong go first, the weak follow' to the supply unit is not right."

"The side effects of a forced march are inevitable. Even if the carts are pulled by oxen, the animals will still tire."

"We only need to cross Hanguan. We can requisition oxen from Luoyang to pull the carts."

Given Huang Bosong's firm stance, the advisor had nothing more to say.

* * *

Following the strategy of Jiang Yidan's commander, Ji Zehong, the Guanxi army split their forces. Specifically, a force of about ten thousand from Jiang Yidan's troops separated and ascended the rugged mountains.

They carried only four days' worth of food to attack Hanguan from the rugged terrain.

If the Guanxi army's strategy to attack Hanguan from both the east and the west worked, the fall of Hanguan would be a matter of time. However, there was not a single weak link among those defending Hanguan.

Hanguan.

The main hall was used as a meeting room. From Luo Shi, the commander of Hanguan's defense forces, to Zhang Mu, Zhang Chao, and their brothers. Duan Wei, who led the Xiliang troops, and Han Huo, who commanded the Henei troops. The strategists Wei Zi and Jin Gong were also present to discuss military strategy.

"First, I must express my respect to Gong Dai for his wisdom in defending Hanguan."

Luo Shi clasped his hands towards Jin Gong. It was fitting, as without Jin Gong's strategy, Huang Bosong's flag would have already been flying over Hanguan's watchtowers.

"I am at a loss for words, honored by such praise for my meager skills."

"No, no. Good deeds deserve praise."

Jin Gong's strategy was indeed praiseworthy. However, it was a mistake for Luo Shi to praise Jin Gong alone in front of Wei Zi.

It could make Wei Zi jealous. After all, there were only two people in the room who could be called strategists: Jin Gong and Wei Zi.

We need everyone to work together to defend Hanguan. If these two had a falling out, Hanguan's future would be uncertain.

Fortunately, Wei Zi was not someone who chased worldly fame. If he had wanted to make a name for himself, he wouldn't have worked with Zhang Mu.

"How can this be my sole achievement? Thanks to the wisdom of Zixu, we overcame many dangers. Without the soldiers' tireless efforts to repel the enemy day and night, none of this would have been possible."

Jin Gong praised Wei Zi and then changed the subject.

"However, the threat from the Guanxi army is not over. They haven't retreated, so we must remain vigilant."

"That's true. I, Luo Zijian, got carried away with the temporary victory. But as Gong Dai said, we must not let our guard down. No, we mustn't."

Luo Shi turned to Wei Zi.

"Zixu, what do you think the Guanxi army will do next?"

"I have an answer ready. In my view, the Guanxi army will launch a full-scale attack."

Duan Wei objected to Wei Zi's statement.

"Sir, are you saying that the Guanxi army hasn't been using their full strength until now?"

Wei Zi nodded in response to Duan Wei's question.

"That's not what I said. I said they haven't used their full strength."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

Duan Wei raised his voice, but Wei Zi remained calm.

"How can they be the same?"

"What's the difference? And how do you know if they've used their full strength or not?"

Wei Zi's lips curved into a smile.

"If I were a military advisor for the Guanxi army, I wouldn't keep attacking Hanguan from just one side."

Everyone in the room fell silent at Wei Zi's words.

* * *

Jin Gong was also shocked. He sincerely clasped his hands towards Wei Zi.

"Zixu, your insight is truly remarkable. I, Jin Gong, am deeply impressed."

"You flatter me. I only had the time to think about it because you bought us time."

"Zixu, if the enemy attacks from both sides, shouldn't we ambush them in advance?"

Wei Zi showed his palm.

"That's not possible. Our current forces are barely enough to defend Hanguan. Besides, we don't know which route the enemy will take. How can we defend such a vast area?"

"That's true. But we can't just sit here and take it, can we? If there's a way, please tell us."

Jin Gong's words reflected what everyone in the room wanted to hear from Wei Zi. Therefore, all eyes were on Wei Zi.

"I believe one of Gong Dai's strategies is still left. We can use it to block the enemy from the west and use the remaining forces to deal with the eastern troops."

Wei Zi then walked to the map to explain his strategy in detail. However, at that moment, unexpected good news came from outside.

No one was allowed to enter during the military strategy meeting, except for messengers.

"Report~!"

The door opened, and a messenger with a flag on his back rushed in and knelt before Han Huo.

"This is a report for Commander Han Huo of Henei~!"

"Who sent it?"

"It's a message from General Gao Shun of Henei."

Hearing the name "Gao Shun," Luo Shi and Han Huo's expressions brightened significantly. Of course, the others didn't show much reaction, as they didn't know Gao Shun's true worth.

"General Gao Shun...? What did he say?"

"He said he received orders from General Yu and is leading the Hanzhenying troops to assist Hanguan."

"Oh!"

Han Huo couldn't help but exclaim, and Luo Shi nodded in satisfaction.

Gao Shun was the leader of the eight commanders of Yu Bu's army. His troops even received a name directly from Yu Bu: 'Hanzhenying'.

Of course, the Hanzhenying troops had never achieved significant victories on their own.

However, Luo Shi and Han Huo knew Gao Shun's position in Yu Bu's army and his bravery, second only to Yu Bu, which greatly boosted their morale.

Jin Gong asked the messenger.

"How many troops are in the reinforcements, and when will they arrive?"

Han Huo answered for the messenger.

"Gong Dai, I know Henei's troops well. They have at least twenty thousand regular soldiers. And the Hanzhenying has a thousand. Always a thousand."

Hearing that the Hanzhenying only had a thousand troops, Jin Gong couldn't hide his disappointment.

"Just a thousand...?"

The muttered words were unintentional, but the problem was that they were heard.

"Don't underestimate a thousand. Sir, the name 'Hanzhenying' was given by General Yu. Among General Yu's troops, only Tangyiji and Hanzhenying received names from him. You must know that Tangyiji, with just two thousand troops, once swept through the land."

Tangyiji's bravery was already well-known. Jin Gong was inwardly surprised that Han Huo placed Hanzhenying on the same level as Tangyiji.

'Given the reaction of the commander and General Han, who are familiar with Yu Bu's army, the Hanzhenying must be an incredibly strong force.'

Jin Gong whispered to Wei Zi.

"Zixu, what do you think about letting the reinforcements handle the eastern battle?"

"That's a good idea. If they attack from both sides simultaneously, it will be an unprecedented full-scale battle. If either side collapses, the Hanguan forces will be in disarray."

"I am confident we can block the western attack. However, it's hard to predict what will happen on the eastern front."

"Actually, I feel the same. But with over ten thousand reinforcements, it's better than nothing, right?"

Jin Gong agreed with Wei Zi but had one concern.

"I am worried about the Guanxi army's silence. If they launch a coordinated attack before the reinforcements arrive..."