allonlinenovel Chapter 16 The Timing Varies with the Times
Chapter 16 The Timing Varies with the Times
Several scouts reported from the Shence Army camp one after another:
"The north gate is heavily guarded, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 troops."
"The South Gate area is relatively underdeveloped, with a population of approximately 20,000 to 30,000."
"The Jurchen army's horses are now concentrated in the horse farm of the former city defense army in the west of the city, and are guarded by special personnel."
"The Great Qi Allied Forces have just discovered they've fallen into a trap and are rapidly marching towards the northern border..."
"There have been no riots in the city so far..."
Inside the command tent, as news reports came in one by one, Qin Xuan gradually pieced together the current state of Beining City in his mind.
Everything in the city was peaceful, which was probably because the Jurchen army had deliberately restrained their people to create the illusion that everything in Beining City was normal in order to deceive themselves.
"Fortunately, we marched ahead and arrived here in advance. Otherwise, if we had been even half a day later, we might have been trapped like turtles in a jar." Zhuge Xuan frowned. The situation was not optimistic, because the Jurchen army numbered as many as 80,000.
This number would be somewhat strenuous for the 100,000 Shence Army, whether for attacking cities or implementing the strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao".
In ancient warfare, when attacking a city, it was impossible to break through without two to three times the number of troops if one side held firm.
Simply put, any siege is fought at the cost of human lives.
The only good news is that the Great Qi Alliance has just set off, and Qin Xuan still has enough time to implement his plan.
However, there were certain advantages and disadvantages between the Shence Army and the Jurchen Army from the very beginning.
The Jurchen army had lived in the northern border for generations and were extremely skilled in mounted warfare, so they were not at an advantage in a head-on collision with the Shence Army.
In addition, although the Shence Army was brave and skilled in battle, firstly, the long journey had diminished their combat strength, and secondly, the harsh climate had greatly affected their combat effectiveness.
Most importantly, the Shence Army's horses were all from the south, which were slightly smaller than northern horses and less resistant to cold.
These combined factors, when applied together, are enough to turn a war that should have been won into a defeat, or even a complete annihilation.
"Strategist, there is no need to worry too much. The Jurchen army does have a great advantage, but we also have one."
Qin Xuan said calmly.
Zhuge Xuan was puzzled. After thinking for a few moments, he asked, "Your Highness, given the current situation, we are at a disadvantage in terms of timing, location, and popular support!"
Zhao Luoying, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly and said, "In terms of timing, the Jurchen army attacked the city ahead of time and won. In terms of terrain, they are now the defenders and have a significant advantage. As for manpower, the Jurchen army has 80,000 men, and their overall combat strength is comparable to that of our Shence Army."
Hearing their analysis, Qin Xuan smiled and said, "Warfare does indeed depend on the right time, place, and people, but haven't you considered that things might change depending on the circumstances?"
"It varies with the times?" Zhao Luoying murmured, then pressed, "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
"The Jurchen army's favorable timing, geographical advantages, and popular support are not fixed." Qin Xuan's words were startling, instantly attracting everyone's attention, and they all stared at him intently.
"We cannot currently change our advantages in terms of terrain and popular support, after all, 80,000 Jurchen troops are already stationed in Beining City."
Qin Xuan pointed to the Great Man City on the map and continued, "But what about timing? The Jurchen army doesn't know we've arrived ahead of schedule, otherwise they wouldn't be restraining their men to maintain peace in Beining City."
In accordance with the Jurchen army's consistent style, once a city was breached, they would inevitably engage in burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities.
The reason for this unusual turn of events is, of course, to lure the enemy into a trap.
"So, if we launch a surprise attack on Daman City now, do you think the Jurchen army in Beining City will be thrown into chaos?"
Qin Xuan's words instantly awakened everyone, and Zhuge Xuan burst into laughter: "Good, good, Your Highness is indeed a man of extraordinary talent. Such adaptability to changing circumstances is truly admirable."
If the Shence Army were to attack the city at this time, they would be at a disadvantage due to the opportune timing.
However, if the Shence Army launches a surprise attack on Daman City, they will have the advantage of favorable timing.
This is what Qin Xuan meant by "depending on the times".
"Generals, obey the order!"
Suddenly, Qin Xuan roared and began issuing orders.
"The general is here!"
The generals answered in unison.
"Pass down the order: the Shence Army shall immediately set out for Daman City."
"Du Manjiang, Guan Xingsheng, I am giving you 70,000 troops. You must arrive at the gates of Daman City before 1-3 AM tonight."
"The last general takes command!"
Du Manjiang and Guan Xingsheng agreed without hesitation.
"Zhao Luoying, listen to my command..."
In the blink of an eye, the 100,000 Shence Army soldiers moved at top speed, and even the more than 35,000 refugees seemed to have been mobilized.
Meanwhile, inside Beining City, the Jurchen army had already changed into the standard uniforms of the Daqi army.
All the garrison troops of Beining City were captured and temporarily imprisoned in the city's garrison camp.
Tulan and Gulna had also changed into the clothes of the common people of Daqi, but their eye-catching copper coin braids were still extremely conspicuous.
The Jurchen people all wore copper coin braids, and some even wore two braids.
They would tie one or two copper coins to the end of their braids, a custom unique to the Jurchen people.
"Although the Great Qi Empire has declined, look at the prosperity before you. How can my Jurchen Kingdom compare to it?"
As the Grand Preceptor of the Jurchen Kingdom, Gurna had traveled to Daqi for three years in his youth, learning many of Daqi's advanced cultures and skills. Therefore, after becoming the Grand Preceptor, his greatest ambition was to bring Daqi into the territory of the Jurchen Kingdom.
Tu Lansheng was tall and strong, and was the only Baturu among the Jurchen people.
The term "Baturu" refers to the strongest warrior.
"So what?" Tu Lan, standing at 1.9 meters tall, looked like a giant walking down the street. "The richer they are, the more they deserve to be slaughtered by us. If His Majesty hadn't refused this time, I would have killed all these cowardly people of Daqi long ago."
Gourner smiled, offering neither accusation nor rebuttal.
In the Jurchen Kingdom's strategy, border cities like Beining were essentially "slaughterhouses" that they deliberately cultivated.
They deliberately looted the city each time they breached it, but never occupied it.
Because occupying a city required stationing troops, appointing officials to manage it, and taking care of the people, which was not cost-effective for the Jurchen state.
But if it's just about plundering, then these cities are like plump hens; they can be slaughtered after three to five months of raising.
At the same time, this was also a good opportunity for the Jurchen state to frequently train its troops.
Qin Xuan had long seen through the Jurchen state's national policy and had reported it to the court on several occasions.
Unfortunately, the Great Qi Emperor was stubborn and self-willed, and did not heed his advice.
"Ah... Help! Don't come any closer..."
Suddenly, a woman in tattered clothes appeared in the street in terror, followed by several Jurchen soldiers with ferocious and greedy expressions.
The woman, in her panic, bumped into Tu Lan and immediately knelt down, pleading, "Please, save me, they're going to rape me..."
The Jurchen soldiers who were chasing her stopped abruptly, their faces instantly showing terror.
Seeing this, the woman finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But the next second, she suddenly felt her body lighten, and she was thrown out by Tu Lan: "You bunch of good-for-nothings, you can't even catch a woman, I punish you to kill her on the spot."
The Jurchen soldier, who had expected to be scolded, was overjoyed and without hesitation drew his curved sword from his waist, raising his hand to strike.
Just then, a roar came, and a figure moved as fast as lightning, piercing the chest of one of the Jurchen soldiers with a single slash.
Then he picked up the woman who had fainted from fright and rushed into a nearby alley.