Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 174: Chapter 173: Good Strategy_1

“The Wudan River connects to the Wengshan Canyon. The terrain here is the lowest and widest, also the only entrance. The Xiliang army, which is pursuing General Shi, knows there are Xiliang ambush forces in the canyon and that the canyon’s entrance is wide while the exit towards Jiuqu Peak is narrow. They will definitely try to force General Shi into the Wengshan Canyon towards the exit at Jiuqu Peak with the intention of annihilating all of General Shi’s troops in the canyon!”

“General Zhang Duanrui!” Bai Qingyan then looked at Zhang Duanrui.

Zhang Duanrui nodded, waiting for Bai Qingyan’s instructions.

“When General Shi Panshan starts engaging with the Xiliang army, General Zhang Duanrui will quickly retreat towards Wanping with his army. After marching for half an hour, split the troops into two groups. General Zhang Duanrui, with 2,000 elite crossbowmen and 1,000 close combat soldiers, will turn back to Jiuqu Peak to set up an ambush. The deputy general will take 12,000 soldiers to the entrance of Wengshan Canyon along the Wudan River to hide in ambush. Allow the Xiliang army’s sentry to report to Yun Poxing but do not let the Xiliang army retreat! Once seeing Yun Poxing and his main force enter the canyon, immediately block the exit!”

“General Zhen Zeping will lead 20,000 elite soldiers to make a long detour to the eastern side of Jiuqu Peak and launch a rapid attack on Wengshan Canyon, attacking the Xiliang ambush force from the side, acting as if retreating but not actually winning. Then, the troops will split into two paths. One path, led by General Zhen Zeping, will pretend to be routed soldiers and lure part of the Xiliang army into Wengshan Canyon. The other path will lure the Xiliang forces away from the canyon to the concave area of Wengshan, where I will lead 5,000 soldiers to hide in ambush.”

“General Shi Panshan and General Zhen Zeping, once you converge in Wengshan Canyon, immediately find a way to lead your troops from the exit at Jiuqu Peak, drawing the Xiliang army into General Zhang’s ambush at Jiuqu Peak!” She turned to look at Zhang Duanrui, “General Zhang, you can use the Xiliang army to transport wooden logs, stones, and oil. Work with General Shi Panshan and General Zhen Zeping to slaughter as many Xiliang forces as possible! When the Xiliang army discovers the ambush and tries to retreat, kill as many as you can and then block the narrow passage to cut off their path to Jiuqu Peak!”

“Once Yun Poxing learns that his Xiliang ambush forces have been lured into Wengshan Canyon, he will calculate that aside from the 15,000 reinforcements led by General Zhang Duanrui, the remaining 35,000 troops have all moved out to ambush the Xiliang forces. Knowing Yun Poxing’s eagerness for glory and his desire to annihilate the Bai family army, combined with the fact that the Bai family generals are all deceased he will undoubtedly rely on his superior numbers, which outnumber ours several times, aiming to kill these 35,000 reinforcements and the Bai family army in Wengshan Canyon! He will then proceed as planned, leading his main forces to Wengshan, dragging the Bai family army into Wengshan Canyon as well!”

“Next is the Bai family army’s Huying Camp. The Huying Camp has the ability to set up zip lines between cliffs for rapid marches!” She pointed to the chasm between Jiuqu Peak and Wengshan, “The Crown Prince can order Huying Camp to set out immediately, setting up zip lines between Jiuqu Peak and the cliffs of Wengshan. Time is tight, set up as many ropes as possible!”

“After General Shi and General Zhen Zeping have slaughtered most of the Xiliang forces, General Shi and General Zhen will block the exit at Jiuqu Peak in Wengshan Canyon! General Zhang atop Jiuqu Peak will lead the elite crossbowmen and close combat soldiers across the zip lines set by Huying Camp between Jiuqu Peak and Wengshan, hiding on the west side of the canyon to prevent the Xiliang army from ascending the west side and aiding the ambush troops inside the canyon!”

“I will lead troops on the east side of the canyon to prevent the Xiliang army from ascending the east. As soon as Yun Poxing leads his main force into Wengshan Canyon, he will face Generals Shi Panshan and Zhen Zeping in the front, the Bai family army along with 12,000 elite soldiers hidden at the entrance from the Wudan River in the rear. The sides are cliffs, and above, the Jin soldiers and elite crossbowmen. Yun Poxing will have no way to retreat, akin to catching a turtle in a jar. In this battle, we must annihilate the main force of the Xiliang army between Wengshan Canyon and Jiuqu Peak! This will leave Xiliang without the capability to invade them for at least three years, making both Nanyan and Xiliang fearful!”

In the quiet government office, under the flickering candlelight, the woman’s steady and determined voice was urgent yet assured.

Qin Shangzhi felt a surge of emotion after hearing this. His scalp tingled. Given the current military strength, Bai Qingyan’s arrangement had no flaws!

Qin Shangzhi was confident that this battle would be a world-shaking triumph against overwhelming odds. If Bai Qingyan attributed the credit to the Crown Prince, it would make the Crown Prince famous through one decisive battle!

The eldest daughter of the Bai family from the Duke of Zhen’s household, did she devise such a strategy last night or adapt it spontaneously based on Yun Poxing’s arrangements today?!

Reflecting on Bai Qingyan’s counsel to the Crown Prince last night and today’s strategy, Qin Shangzhi could only admire Bai Qingyan.

Bai Weiting, the previous Duke of Zhen, once said that his eldest granddaughter was a talented general. Qin Shangzhi thought it was an exaggeration. But now, it seemed, Bai Qingyan deserved the title of Young General Bai and indeed lived up to her reputation.

“Using Yun Poxing’s plot against him!” Zhang Duanrui felt greatly uplifted after hearing Bai Qingyan’s plan. He was no longer worried, “It’s even laborious for Yun Poxing to send those materials up the mountain, benefiting our Jin army!”

“Indeed, a brilliant plan!” Shi Panshan couldn’t help but praise, “If Yun Poxing knew that his army would fall to the same materials he used to set the ambush at Jiuqu Peak and Wengshan Canyon, he would probably die of anger!”

The Crown Prince’s elderly counselor stroked his goatee and nodded, “Indeed, an excellent strategy. However, Generals Shi and Zhen are in extreme danger. Especially when they come out of the exit at Jiuqu Peak in Wengshan Canyon as it is only broad enough for ten men to exit side by side.”

“There’s no battle without danger!” Shi Panshan had complete confidence in Bai Qingyan, saying, “This plan minimizes our losses. Otherwise, our 50,000 troops wouldn’t be enough to fill Yun Poxing’s gaps! Even if I die there, I won’t hesitate!”

Bai Qingyan looked at Zhang Duanrui, “The most crucial part of this battle is the 2,000 elite crossbowmen and 1,000 close combat soldiers led by General Zhang. After annihilating the enemy at Jiuqu Peak, immediately cross Wengshan Canyon and guard its west side to prevent Xiliang from exploiting any opportunity to win!”

“Understood!” Zhang Duanrui nodded.

“Your Highness!” She looked at the Crown Prince, “If you find this feasible, please give the order!”

The Crown Prince pressed his lips together tightly, still appearing hesitant.

Before the expedition, the Crown Prince only expected Bai Qingyan’s counsel. He hadn’t considered letting her lead the troops…

Zhang Duanrui knelt on one knee and cupped his fists, “Your Highness! We lost the initiative yesterday… We cannot miss it again today! Please, give the order!”

Shi Panshan and Zhen Zeping also knelt, requesting the Crown Prince to issue the order.

“Mr. Bai is weak and unsuitable for leading troops! Replace him with someone else!” The Crown Prince said.