mtlumby2d Chapter 1841 I have a backup plan!
Chapter 1841 I have a backup plan!
Although Hongdu City had been ravaged by war, the Chu Army's central command system had quickly resumed operation.
The mansion that originally belonged to a prominent figure in the Han Dynasty has now become Chu Ning's temporary headquarters.
Zhao Yu took off his travel clothes and walked quickly into the hall filled with solemn atmosphere.
Although he had fought hard and the blood on his armor was still wet, his steps were still steady. He came to the emperor, knelt on one knee, and said in a clear and calm voice: "I am Zhao Yu, the last general, and I pay my respects to Your Majesty! I have returned to report as ordered!"
Chu Ning raised his hand slightly: "General Zhao, you have worked hard. How is the battle going?"
Zhao Yu raised his head and reported seriously. His tone lacked the joy of victory, but instead carried a subtle solemnity:
"Your Majesty! I was ordered to stop Han General Huo Guang's 30,000-man vanguard at Luoying Gorge. After a fierce battle that lasted a day and a night, our army... suffered approximately 8,000 casualties."
He paused, then added: "The Han army suffered even more severe casualties. According to my estimation, at least 15,000 men were killed or seriously injured, and those who ultimately managed to break through were probably less than 15,000."
With a casualty ratio of one to two, we successfully blocked and severely damaged an equal number of elite enemy troops in a field battle. This was a commendable victory.
However, there was not much joy on Zhao Yu's face. Instead, there was a hint of regret between his brows for not being able to do his best.
In his opinion, His Majesty designed such an ingenious siege and attack strategy, and he himself had the advantage of terrain and the initiative, but in the end he failed to completely wipe out Huo Guang's 30,000 men, allowing his main force to break through. This was an imperfection.
Chu Ning was so perceptive that he immediately noticed Zhao Yu's hidden depression.
He couldn't help but chuckle, his tone gentle but with unquestionable certainty: "General Zhao, there's no need for this. In this battle, my primary mission for you is to pin Huo Guang down firmly, so that he can't send a single soldier back to support Hongdu."
"Now, the flag of the Great Chu has been hoisted in Hongdu City. Huo Guang has suffered heavy casualties and has retreated in disgrace. Your mission has been successfully completed!"
He stood up and walked in front of Zhao Yu, his eyes full of admiration: "Huo Guang's troops are the last elite troops of the Han Dynasty who can fight. Their tenacity of resistance is far beyond ordinary."
"General Zhao was able to inflict such severe damage on them in a field battle, which is truly remarkable. I am very satisfied."
The bald general Ran Ming beside him also came over, chuckled, and rarely argued, but agreed in a muffled voice:
"General Zhao, His Majesty is right!"
"If you hadn't beaten Huo Guang so badly at Luoyingjian this time, preventing him from coming to help old Geng Hui, how could I, Ran, have smashed open the gates of Hongdu so easily? Your contribution is quite significant!"
Hearing the emperor and his colleagues' affirmation, Zhao Yu's inner knot was slightly relieved. He smiled bitterly and clasped his fists, saying:
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. Thank you, General Ran. I just...just feel that I could have done better."
"Don't be arrogant in victory, don't be discouraged in defeat, and pursue complete victory. This is the mindset that a general should have. I am very pleased that the general has this heart."
Chu Ning nodded and turned the conversation to the most important issue at hand: "Alright, although Huo Guang has retreated, the war is not over yet. Next, how to deal with the 170,000-strong army led by Liu Xiu is the top priority."
His tone became serious: "According to the latest intelligence, Liu Xiu's main force is less than five or two days' journey from Hongdu."
"With 170,000 troops under his command, plus the 15,000 remnants of Huo Guang's defeated troops, the total force still stands at 185,000!"
Chu Ning's eyes swept over Zhao Yu and Ran Ming. "As for our army, after two bloody battles, the siege of Hongdu and the blockade at Luoyingjian, although we have been supplemented by some surrendered soldiers, our total strength is only about 100,000 at most."
"The enemy's and ours are nearly twice as strong."
This set of numbers instantly made the atmosphere in the hall a little depressing.
Ran Ming rubbed his bald head and muttered, "Damn it, with such a huge difference in numbers, this is really a bit tricky!"
However, Chu Ning changed the subject, his lips curled up in a strategic arc: "However, since I dare to swallow up the Han Dynasty, how can I not have a backup plan?"
"A few days ago, I sent a pigeon to mobilize General Xue Huaide and his 100,000 troops to rush to Hongdu for assistance!"
"Xue Huaide?" A hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Yu and Ran Ming's eyes at the same time, and then they understood.
Xue Huaide was originally the general of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He was good at commanding troops. After the Great Zhou surrendered to the Chu State, Chu Ning retained his military power for the sake of stabilizing the situation and cherishing his talent.
The 100,000 elite border troops that originally belonged to the Great Zhou are still under his command and stationed on the former Zhou-Chu border.
At this moment, this new force became the key piece that determined the outcome of the battle.
Chu Ning continued to deploy, swiping his fingers in the air: "As long as we can hold the strategic position of Hongdu City for five days!"
"It will only take five days! Xue Huaide's 100,000-man army will arrive at the battlefield! By then, our army will attack from both inside and outside, and Liu Xiu's 185,000 men will be trapped!"
Upon hearing this, Ran Ming's eyes lit up and he slapped his thigh excitedly: "Your Majesty is wise! Haha! It turns out Your Majesty had already made arrangements! This is a sure thing!"
"It seems we can really take down the Han Dynasty before the New Year and have a happy New Year!"
Chu Ning nodded slightly, looking up at the gloomy and cold sky outside, which heralded the arrival of the first snow. His gaze was far-reaching, as if he had already seen the near future. "Calculating the time, it will be the Lantern Festival in two months. I hope that this year's Lantern Festival can be held in front of the Xuande Hall of the Great Han Imperial Palace."
These plain words contain unparalleled ambition and confidence.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu immediately suppressed all his emotions, his face straightened, and he clasped his fists and said in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured! I will do my utmost to defend the city to the death!"
"Within two months, with the military's strength reversed, I will help Your Majesty capture the Han capital!"
Just as Chu Ning's generals were planning how to fight against Liu Xiu's main force in Hongdu City and were looking forward to reinforcements from the south -
Hundreds of miles away, on an official road leading to Hongdu, smoke and dust were billowing, and a large army was advancing at full speed.
The troops were well-disciplined and their swords and guns were shining brightly. They were exactly the troops of Xue Huaide who were ordered to march north.
At the front of the army, a general sat upright on a majestic warhorse.
The man was about forty years old, with a resolute face, eyes as sharp as an eagle, and a slight beard under his chin, which added a bit of majesty and murderous air to him.
He held a heavy Fang Tian Hua Ji in his hand, and the blade of the halberd flashed with a cold light in the thin winter sunlight.
It was Xue Huaide, the former number one general of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who now serves in the State of Chu!
After receiving the urgent secret letter from Chu Ning, which was stamped with the emperor's seal, Xue Huaide did not dare to delay for a moment. He immediately mobilized all 100,000 elite troops under his command and rushed to Hongdu day and night.
When he thought about participating in the overthrow of the Han Dynasty, which once coexisted with the Zhou Dynasty, and fighting side by side with the Chu emperor, he couldn't help but feel excited and proud.
But his many years of experience on the battlefield have endowed him with calmness and caution far beyond that of ordinary people.
Although he was excited, he did not get carried away.
At this moment, the army has penetrated deep into the territory of the Han Dynasty and may encounter the enemy at any time.