69novels Chapter 979 Taking Longxi to Deter the Chu Army!
Chapter 979 Taking Longxi to Deter the Chu Army!
Details regarding how to handle the current stalemate and the subsequent strategic direction have gradually become clearer and more defined through heated discussions. Gao Yao's habits are deeply ingrained in the operating style of this emerging group—whether in military campaigns, implementing policies, or engaging in both overt and covert strategies, he is never satisfied with just one plan. In his words,
"The only constant in this world is change itself." Therefore, in addition to the core plan, every planning process is accompanied by several sets of remedial measures prepared for unexpected events in different stages, striving to turn the situation around in the most efficient way when any variables occur, and even turn the crisis into an opportunity.
Xiao He excelled in overall planning and logistics. His contributions mainly focused on how to quickly allocate resources, stabilize the rear, and ensure the safe transport of new troops and supplies along covert routes should military operations suffer setbacks. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, was adept at analyzing the overall situation and devising ingenious strategies. He focused on anticipating the unexpected reactions that the Chu army might make, as well as whether neighboring feudal lords or nomadic tribes from beyond the Great Wall would take advantage of the situation, and how to resolve these issues through diplomacy or deterrence. Chen Ping was meticulous and attentive to detail. His suggestions mainly concerned potential pitfalls in the actual execution of the plan, and how to use intelligence and counter-espionage to ensure the plan's integrity.
"What if the main force of the Chu army does not hold the northern lands as expected, but instead divides its forces to harass our supply lines?"
"If the weather is unfavorable and there is continuous heavy rain that affects the speed of our army's advance, how should we adjust accordingly?"
"There are still some powerful clans in Beidi Commandery who are loyal to the old Chu. If they cooperate with Xiang Yu from within..."
One problem after another was raised, then broken down one by one, and solutions were discussed. The hall was sometimes filled with heated debate, and sometimes fell into a deep, thoughtful silence, broken only by the crackling of the candlelight and the soft scratching of ink on silk. Gao Yao was mostly a listener, interjecting only at crucial moments, often offering a definitive answer or opening up new avenues of thought. Xiao He and the others, having followed Gao Yao for a long time, were familiar with and endorsed this meticulous approach to thinking; their tacit understanding made this late-night military meeting highly efficient.
"Two cows!"
Gao Yao's voice broke yet another brief silence. Erniu, who had been standing in the corner, straining his eyes to keep up with the others' train of thought, jolted awake, straightened his back, and responded loudly:
"Kings!"
He strode forward, a hint of embarrassment on his face as he failed to fully comprehend the complex schemes they had just devised. He understood every word Gao Yao and the others had spoken, and he grasped their general objective—to completely crush the Chu army huddled in the north.
But the intricate calculations regarding troop movements, timing, and feints and deceptions—these interconnected complexities far exceeded his straightforward way of thinking. He was like a loyal, fierce dog, knowing its master was going hunting, but not quite understanding why such a roundabout encirclement was necessary instead of a direct attack.
Looking at his serious yet somewhat confused expression, Gao Yao couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head helplessly, his tone tinged with disappointment: "You... I told you to read more books and listen to Mr. Xiao and the others' reasoning, but you... always let it go in one ear and out the other."
Hearing Gao Yao's affectionate rebuke, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and the others present all showed kind smiles. In Gao Yao's complex and talented group, Er Niu was a very special case, the only subordinate who could maintain good relationships with almost everyone—from civil officials to military generals.
This stemmed first from Gao Yao's unwavering trust in him, a trust that might even have exceeded that placed on some highly decorated generals. Secondly, and crucially, it lay in Erniu's own limitations. In terms of personal martial prowess, he was undoubtedly brave, but certainly not a peerless warrior like Xiang Yu or Long Ju; in commanding troops, he was conventional, relying on leading from the front and genuine sincerity towards his soldiers rather than ingenious strategies; and in terms of wit and resourcefulness, this was his weakness. His greatest, and most irreplaceable, strength was his unwavering loyalty, as steadfast as a rock.
In other words, Erniu's existence did not inherently pose a threat to the power or interests of anyone present. Even in the military, this was the case. Although Erniu was a group army commander with tens of thousands of troops under his command, it was clear to everyone that from the moment he was promoted to corps commander, he was being groomed by Gao Yao to be the future commander of the Imperial Guard.
Looking back to when the Fourth Army Corps was first established, its personnel composition was the most complex, with the highest proportion of new recruits. It also absorbed a large number of soldiers from various ethnic groups who had submitted to it, making its combat strength the weakest among the four army corps. Gao Yao intentionally placed it in the relatively remote Peacock Kingdom to guard the frontier, ostensibly to protect the border, but in reality to conduct high-intensity combat training.
In that environment, Erniu led this diverse force, honing their skills through rigorous training and proactive provocations and small-scale conflicts, transforming a weak brigade into a formidable force capable of fighting tough battles. By the time they returned to the capital and participated in key campaigns, the Fourth Army Corps had demonstrated combat capabilities that were truly remarkable.
Now, this corps has been directly stationed by Gao Yao near Xianyang. In this position, strategic and tactical capabilities are no longer the primary consideration; the most important factor is the absolute loyalty of the commander. And Erniu is precisely the perfect answer to this question. Therefore, no one would compete with Erniu for this seemingly prestigious, but actually very responsible and difficult-to-expand position, let alone feel jealousy.
This also made Erniu an unwitting figure whom everyone wanted to befriend. After all, in the treacherous world of officialdom, no one could guarantee they wouldn't make a mistake. Besides Gao Yao's inseparable personal guards, Erniu was the only one allowed to be fully armed and approach Gao Yao at any time, even in peacetime. Cultivating a good relationship with this man, who was deeply favored by the king and considered a favorite of the emperor, would have far greater impact than with others should anything go wrong in the future, even if it meant getting him to say a few good words to the king.
Gao Yao's smile faded, his gaze returning to calm and sharp as he pointed to the Longxi region on the map.
"Alright, let's get down to business." His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly brought everyone in the hall back to their senses. "Currently, the main force of the Chu army, under Xiang Ji's leadership, is almost entirely holed up in Beidi County, stubbornly resisting with the help of the city walls and strategic terrain. Meanwhile, the Longxi County on their flank has been emptied of troops, making it almost a vacuum."
He looked up at Erniu and gave the order clearly:
"Erniu, prepare yourself and lead your elite troops to take Longxi for me as quickly as possible! According to reports, the total number of garrison troops in all the cities of Longxi is no more than three thousand, and most of them are old and weak, making them vulnerable."