166Battle II

y courteous. I've heard that Young Master Ye has excellent literary talent. Qingyan and you are not much different in age; he tends to be mischievous. When you have time, why don't we get to know each...166. Battle (2)

166。 Battle (2)

The arrangement of troops was not something that one could master just by understanding a little bit. At least, Ye Li, who was currently on the battlefield, found it difficult to assist Feng Zhiyao in this aspect. Even if she could understand the strategies and come up with ideas, it would take some time for the besieged Mo Army to grasp her intentions. Moreover, as someone who had only just begun learning about formations, Ye Li certainly wouldn't be arrogant enough to think that she could immediately compete with the West Qi War God, Prince Southern Command of West Qi. Standing at a high vantage point, Ye Li watched the battlefield intently; sure enough, as the formations changed several times, the Mo Army's formation began to disintegrate and fall into the encirclement of the West Qi army.

"My Lady…" Qin Feng frowned, wanting to say something urgently. He was from the Black Cloud Cavalry but not its highest commander. Moreover, cavalry usually didn't use formations much, so he wasn't very knowledgeable about them. However, this did not prevent him from noticing that the Mo Army was gradually losing.

Ye Li raised her hand to stop Qin Feng from speaking and thought for a moment before saying, "Lord Feng is indeed no match for Lei Zhen霆 (this name seems incorrect or incomplete in Chinese, might be a typo or intentional omission). Let's end it here today." This battle seemed intense, but both sides hadn't put their full strength into it; it was merely a test. Qin Feng said, "Our army has already fallen into the West Qi formation and won't easily break out of it. My Lady... does My Lady have a way to break through" As if accustomed to this, Qin Feng looked hopefully at Ye Li. Although he had been with the Lady for a short time, they unconsciously regarded her as an all-powerful genius. Ye Li shook her head and smiled slightly, "Regarding formations, I know very little."

Hearing this, Qin Feng was somewhat disappointed. No matter how talented the Lady might be, she was only in her teens; it was impossible for her to know everything. Many generals spent decades studying these things without fully mastering them. This time, most of those left with the Lady were young officers, and the only one with experience, Marquis Nan, had been sent on other missions by the Lady. Moreover, Qin Feng believed that even if Marquis Nan was present, he wouldn't be able to deal with Prince Southern Command of West Qi. Ye Li thoughtfully rubbed her fingers and said with a slight smile, "Since... technology and intelligence can't solve this problem, we'll have to use... brute force." Qin Feng was taken aback; he couldn't understand Ye Li's meaning. Then he saw Ye Li walk down the high platform and approach Lord Feng who was watching the battle from the city wall. Before Qin Feng could think further, a bright red flame shot into the sky with a sharp sound. Suddenly, thunderous hoofbeats were heard from the southwest corner, like a black tornado sweeping across the battlefield in an instant. Meanwhile, the Mo Army, which had been split by West Qi's forces, quickly regrouped and broke through from the enemy's flank to form larger formations that sliced open West Qi's formation like sharp arrows. The newly arrived Black Cloud Cavalry did not engage or retreat but moved swiftly across the battlefield, instantly tearing apart the previously neat formations.

Behind the West Qi army, at their central camp. Seeing the sudden appearance of the Black Cloud Cavalry, a West Qi general's face changed and asked in shock, "What kind of formation is this!"

The Prince Southern Command wiped off his smile and thoughtfully looked towards the distant city wall saying, "This isn't any formation!" In front of overwhelming power, all formations were empty talk. The Mo Army was slightly stronger than West Qi's forces in terms of strength; they only lacked numerical superiority and truly excellent commanders. Preparing for a battle with the Mo Army meant being prepared to pay a heavy price. Now that the Black Cloud Cavalry had joined them as fresh troops, it would be hard to predict who would win. A general beside him suggested, "Send our main army forward to wipe out all of the Mo Army outside the city" The Prince Southern Command shook his head and said, "It's too late; they're retreating."

Sure, here is the translated content:

Indeed, a signal to retreat was heard from the walls of Hongzhou City. The city gates instantly opened, and under the cover of the Black Cloud Cavalry, the Mohist army charged into the city after breaking through the protection of the Xiling forces. Behind them, the rear-guard Black Cloud Cavalry also galloped towards the city gate. Welcoming the pursuing Xiling soldiers were arrows raining down from the defending Mohists on the walls. Seeing this scene, the generals beside Prince Southern Command all cursed loudly, "The people from Dongchu are truly despicable! They run away as soon as they can't defeat us!" However, Prince Southern Command laughed instead of getting angry and said, "Of course one must retreat when defeated. But… seeing Ye Li’s actions has made this matter clear to me. There are indeed no capable generals in the city of Hongzhou anymore. Relying solely on Feng Zhirao, he might become independent and competent after a few more years of training, but now he is still too young."The generals thought about it and agreed: with equal forces on both sides, Dongchu needed the Black Cloud Cavalry to save them before they could retreat into the city. This clearly showed that there was no one in the army.

“Mo Xiuyao has been fighting against a coalition of three armies simultaneously inside Guan, even if Mo Xiuyao is very capable, he cannot handle it all alone. It’s likely that most of the Mohist commanders have gone with him to defend Guan.”

"That's right! Mo Xiuyao actually left the Northwest under a woman's care, clearly showing that the Mohists truly lack talent!" While discussing this matter, Prince Southern Command once again turned his gaze towards that figure in light blue on top of Hongzhou City. In recent days, with their continuous losses and today’s victory, some Xiling generals began to look down upon the Mohist army. However, as a commander-in-chief, Prince Southern Command did not share this sentiment; rather, it made him pay more attention to the young Duchess of Dingguo. Although they had won battle after battle recently, they hadn’t actually gained any real advantage in Hongzhou. On their journey north, all mature crops across Northwest regions had been plundered long before or burnt down completely if impossible to harvest quickly. According to intelligence he received, Ye Li even ordered the Mohist army to help civilians collect grain. This only intensified his belief that they must capture Hongzhou as soon as possible because within a month, Northwest would enter severe winter when heavy snow could block roads and make transporting food difficult, something their supply lines couldn’t sustain until spring.

The closer he got to Hongzhou, the more Prince Southern Command felt certain that the Mohists were intentionally luring them into attacking this city. But he couldn't comprehend what the Mohist army or Ye Li was thinking. Behind Hongzhou was a flat and open region inside Guan where his intelligence didn’t show any confidence from Ye Li in repelling him outside of Hongzhou’s walls. Currently, there weren’t even any experts at arranging troops within the Mohist ranks. Actually, Prince Southern Command did not understand that he already had a low opinion of the Mohists when he believed they lacked commanders who could command independently.

Looking at the woman in green on top of the city wall nodding to him as if speaking through their eyes, Prince Southern Command suddenly felt a strange unease seize his heart. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find the source of this feeling. After some thought, Prince Southern Command turned and returned to camp, “Send urgent orders to all thirty thousand troops stationed at our border to quickly proceed towards Hongzhou with supplies.” The generals beside him were stunned for a moment before hesitantly saying, "Your Excellency, the speed of transporting large amounts of supplies…" The soldiers on the border carried enough supplies for forty thousand men through winter. Naturally, their marching speed wouldn’t be fast.

Prince Southern Command lightly huffed and said, “They just need to arrive at Guan in time. If they are slower, your forces might have already reached Hongzhou while you still hadn't broken its walls!” The generals accompanying him blushed and showed signs of dissatisfaction. They wouldn’t dare return to Xiling if they were unable to defeat a woman, "We will definitely capture Hongzhou within five days!"

"I’ll be looking forward to it."

Inside Hongzhou city, Feng Zhirao looked at Ye Li with embarrassed admiration and said, “If not for the Duchess's preparations today, our troops might have failed to return. I am truly lacking…” Ye Li smiled as she looked back at him and said, "Although you started fighting from a young age, it has been many years since you last fought in battle. When compared to Prince Southern Command who has experienced half his life on the battlefield, your experience is naturally inadequate. Today’s lesson tells us that one should not pit their weaknesses against others’ strengths.” Feng Zhirao helplessly spread his hands and said, “Direct confrontation relies heavily on tactics. If soldiers attack in groups without proper formation, casualties would be higher. But what you say is correct; such methods will only weaken our forces. When both armies are equally strong, the decisive factor is often tactical formations.”

Ye Li was also helpless as her most experienced general, the Southern Duke, had been dispatched elsewhere. Others might not even match Feng Zhirao who learned tactics from a young age under Mo Xiuyao’s guidance. Although she understood some of it, modern military methods made it hard for her to grasp the essence of ancient tactical formations. No matter how many military books one reads, without truly integrating into the wartime environment, it would be useless. Not everyone could become a legendary general by merely reading Sun Tzu and The Thirty-Six Stratagems.

Feng Zhiyao nodded and said, "Everything has been arranged according to the Princess Consort's wishes. Princess Consort..." After hesitating for a moment, Feng Zhiyao still asked, "Now there isn't anything important happening in Hongzhou City; is the Princess Consort considering entering the pass first"

“Enter the pass” Ye Li raised her eyebrows and turned around to look at Feng Zhiyao who was following behind. The young and handsome face was filled with worry.

Ye Li shook her head and said, "I can't leave Hongzhou now. If I'm not here in Hongzhou, Prince Duan might discover our plan. My being here... is to make him believe that the Mo Family Army will definitely defend Hongzhou."

"But..." Feng Zhiyao was uneasy and said, "If it were earlier, I wouldn't be worried. Even if the Princess Consort gets caught in a chaotic battle, with her abilities and at least one of the Qilins, she could safely escape. But now... what if something unexpected happens" Although it couldn't be seen now, the Princess Consort was pregnant after all, and on the battlefield things changed instantly; no one knew what kind of accidents might occur. Ye Li said solemnly, "There will be no accidents... and besides, send someone to escort Han Mingyue and Su Zuodie away as well. As for Qilin... I have other uses planned."

Feng Zhiyao's expression turned serious as he firmly stood in front of Ye Li and said, "The Qilins are used to protect the Princess Consort’s safety."

Ye Li looked up at him with a frown and said, "This Consort has worked hard training the Qilins; they aren't meant to be bodyguards. Without them... this plan would have at least half of its chances of success reduced. Feng San, think clearly about the consequences if hundreds of thousands of Western Capital troops enter the pass before talking to this Consort." Finished speaking, Ye Li ignored Feng Zhiyao and turned around to head towards the city gate. Feng Zhiyao sighed helplessly; how could he not understand what the Princess Consort was considering Putting aside the destruction of the livelihoods of ordinary people caused by Western Capital troops entering Central Plains and leaving aside the harm that a Western Capital invasion would bring to the Chu Dynasty's territory, just mentioning the threat posed by hundreds of thousands of troops to the Mo Family Army in the pass was enough to make them struggle with all their might to intercept these bandits outside Hongzhou City. But... under no circumstances could any accident happen to the Princess Consort. Feng Zhiyao couldn't even imagine how Mo Xiurao would react if anything happened to the Princess Consort.

“General Feng” One of his subordinates who was following behind him quietly reminded him.

Feng Zhiyao pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Double the number of guards around the Princess Consort; they don't need to do anything, but if Hongzhou City falls, escort her out of the city immediately!"

"Yes."

The Imperial City of the Great Chu Empire was unusually cold and quiet, even more so than usual. In the study room, Emperor Mo Jingqi glared at the kneeling man with a grim expression, his voice cold: "Is it true that Commander Mo Xiuyao has been fighting within the country, while Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom is commanding twenty thousand troops to resist the Southern King of Western Ling" The man trembled at the coldness in the Emperor's tone and replied shakily: "Your Majesty, according to the news from Northwest, Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom is leading the remaining troops of the Mo family army into Hongzhou. It seems that she intends to fight a decisive battle with the forces from Western Ling near Hongzhou… Several generals in Hongzhou have requested reinforcements for Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom!"

"Shut up!" Mo Jingqi said coldly, his chest rising and falling rapidly due to heavy breathing. Reinforcing Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom… achieving her reputation as a valiant woman after winning this battle After all these years, he had finally managed to sideline Mo Xiuyao, only to find out that not only did the man rise again, but also acquired a formidable wife who could lead troops! "Ye Li…" Mo Jingqi regretted countless times in his heart for having given Ye Li to Mo Xiuyao. Suddenly something occurred to him: "How is the Xu family in Yunzhou now"

The official kneeling on the ground hesitated, casting a wary glance at the Emperor before cautiously answering: "The Xu family… Mr Qingyun and Master Hongyu are still teaching at Li Mountain Academy with no unusual behavior." His heart pounded fiercely as he felt that perhaps the high-and-mighty Emperor might have gone mad. The Xu family was the foremost literary clan in the world; if it were during times of peace, it would be fine, but now, with internal and external troubles and wars breaking out all over, the Emperor still wanted to take action against the Xu family. It should be noted that at least half of government officials across the country were disciples of Mr Qingyun, and there was nothing in the Xu family for the emperor to use as leverage.

Mo Jingqi remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "I understand. You may leave."

"Your Majesty… the requests from generals within the country…"

"Requests for reinforcements" Mo Jingqi's icy and chilling laughter sent shivers down people's spines. "You go, I will handle it myself."

"I withdraw,"e, she turned back and looked at Ye Li for a moment. Ye Li nodded slightly and smiled at her. Princess Yonghua gave a faint smile and resolutely stepped into the carriage. Inside the lavishly decorate...