strictlysupreme Chapter 2002 Li Jing's Response
Chapter 2002 Li Jing's Response
A fleeting look of satisfaction crossed Chu Ning's face, but his gaze returned to sharpness and depth.
Continue reading the latter part of the letter, especially the content regarding the current troop deployment and enemy movements.
He pondered for a moment, his mind rapidly weighing the strategic chessboard of the entire southern border.
The great victory at Luoxia Mountain dealt a heavy blow to Wang Zhongsi's main force and seized a strategic location, which can be said to have reversed the previous stalemate in one fell swoop.
However, Wang Zhongsi's remnants joined forces with Li Jing and held Zhennanguan, still forming a force to be reckoned with.
On the other front, Ma Chao's forces in the direction of the Canglang River are under immense pressure from other Tang army units, and the situation is far from optimistic.
A moment later, Chu Ning had made his decision.
He raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on Shen Lian, who remained kneeling on the ground. His voice was steady and powerful, carrying an unquestionable imperial majesty:
"Shen Lian, immediately draft a reply in my name and send it to Consort Feng by carrier pigeon."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shen Lian bowed and accepted the order.
Chu Ning clearly and explicitly issued the order: "Inform Your Majesty that I am aware of the battle reports from the front lines."
"She and Xue Huaide's troops were ordered to rest and recuperate for five days at Luoxia Mountain."
"Five days from now, I order Feng Mulan to personally lead the main force of the Vermilion Bird Legion to Zhennan Pass to join me!"
He paused, then continued his instructions: "At the same time, order Xue Huaide that he need not come to Zhennanguan after his five-day rest period."
"Instead, we should immediately integrate our own troops and Guan Yun's forces, totaling 120,000 men, and march north to reinforce Ma Chao's troops at Canglang River. We must stabilize the Canglang River defense line and seize the opportunity to counterattack!"
This order took into account both the troops' need for rest and recuperation after continuous combat and accurately seized the opportunity.
The Suzaku Legion, which suffered some casualties and was the most exhausted, was sent to the relatively safe Zhennan Pass to rest and recuperate, and to serve as a strategic reserve.
At the same time, sending the Xue Huaide-Guan Yun Group, whose morale is high and whose forces are relatively intact, to reinforce another key battlefield is undoubtedly the best troop deployment plan at present.
"I obey my orders!"
Shen Lian kept Chu Ning's instructions firmly in mind. Seeing that Chu Ning had no further instructions, he bowed again, quickly got up, and hurriedly left the courtyard to arrange matters concerning the messenger and the carrier pigeon.
The courtyard was quiet again.
Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of Luoxia Mountain, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
The victory at Luoxia Mountain was like placing a decisive piece in a complex battle; every step that follows requires even more careful planning.
The Canglang River will become the next focal point.
He will wait for his beloved concubine's return at Zhennanguan, and then coordinate the overall situation to launch a new offensive.
The sky over southern Xinjiang seemed to brighten a bit because of this great victory.
Meanwhile, outside Zhennan Pass, Tang army camps were built along the mountains and rivers, with banners waving and watchtowers standing guard.
Inside the central command tent, Commander-in-Chief Li Jing was deep in thought, staring at the huge map of southern Xinjiang hanging in the sky, deducing the various possible changes in the battle situation.
He had a refined and scholarly appearance, but his eyes were bright and piercing, exuding a confident air of strategic planning.
The battle in the direction of Luoxia Mountain has lasted for several days. According to his expectations, even if Wang Zhongsi and Helian Wujiu failed to annihilate Xue Dingshan's troops, they should still have a firm advantage and be able to restrain and wear down the main force of the Chu army.
Just then, a guard's urgent voice came from outside the tent: "General, General Wang Zhongsi has sent an urgent report by carrier pigeon!"
Li Jing perked up and immediately turned around: "Bring it here quickly!"
A guard strode in, carrying a carrier pigeon and a small letterbox in both hands.
Li Jing took the letter tube, skillfully took out the thin silk roll inside, and quickly unfolded it to read.
However, as his gaze moved between the lines, the confident composure on his face instantly froze, then seemed to be covered by frost, his face gradually darkening until it turned ashen.
His fingers unconsciously tightened, creating deep wrinkles in the thin silk, and the veins on the back of his hand became visible.
"Helian Wujiu, his 40,000-strong army... was completely annihilated!"
"Luoxia Mountain Camp... has fallen..."
"General Gongsun Wei... has died in battle..."
"Our army and the Scorpion Clan's allied forces suffered nearly half their casualties... We retreated to Zhennanguan!"
Each shocking word struck his heart like a cold hammer.
Even Li Jing, usually so composed, was shaken to his core at this moment, muttering to himself in disbelief and frustration:
"How is this possible, Feng Mulan? She could have done it in such a short time... It's all over, completely over!"
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes no longer showing their usual gentleness, but only shock and sharpness.
He strode back to the map, pointing heavily at the location of Luoxia Mountain, as if trying to see the scene of the devastating defeat through the map.
"Helian Wujiu's 40,000 men, Wang Zhongsi's losses... add them up to nearly 100,000 troops!"
Li Jing's voice trembled slightly, not just a number, but the voice of 100,000 well-trained soldiers.
It represents nearly half of the Tang Dynasty's mobile forces in this area, and is the core fulcrum of its entire strategic layout!
"Such heavy losses not only failed to achieve our strategic objectives, but also severely damaged our army's strength and morale, which is extremely unfavorable for the upcoming decisive battle with the main force of the Chu army!"
His gaze swept over the insignia representing the Chu army's strength, and his expression grew even more grim: "Moreover, according to previous intelligence, Chu Ning's personal expedition this time not only brought Xue Huaide, Guan Yun and other troops, but also the entire 100,000-strong Vermilion Bird Legion guarding the capital, which has all marched south."
"Now, with Feng Mulan riding high on the momentum of a great victory, the total strength of the Chu army, in both quality and quantity, far surpasses that of our army."
A strong sense of crisis gripped Li Jing.
The original plan was to use Helian Wujiu and Wang Zhongsi's forces to contain and weaken the Chu army's flank, while he would lead the main force to confront Chu Ning at Zhennan Pass and look for an opportunity to fight.
Now that the flank has collapsed, not only has the containment plan failed, but the Chu army can now concentrate its superior forces to put pressure on him, and may even divide its forces to attack other weak points.
The situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse, and we must adjust our plans immediately!
Li Jing took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he made a quick decision.
He turned abruptly and shouted sharply at the people outside the tent, "Guards!"
A messenger entered in response.
Li Jing spoke rapidly, his order clear and unambiguous: "Immediately send a message by carrier pigeon to General Wang Zhongsi!"
"Order him not to hesitate, but to move at full speed toward Zhennan Pass and join forces with my main force!"
"Contracting our defenses and concentrating our forces is the best course of action to deal with the current crisis!"
"Yes, sir!" The messenger noted down the first order.
"second!"
Li Jing's finger quickly moved on the map towards the Canglang River: "Immediately notify General Gao Xianzhi in the direction of the Canglang River, as well as the leader of the Scorpion Clan Blood Eagle Tribe who is cooperating in the operation!"
"Inform them of the battle situation at Luoxia Mountain, and order them to immediately increase their vigilance and strengthen their defenses to prevent the Chu army from taking advantage of the victory and launching a divided attack!"