Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 295: Dispatching Troops
Where is the First Prince? The First Prince understands the situation very clearly in his heart.
If we are to talk about the First Prince, he has political skills and wisdom, but he does not meet the standard of being “the ruler of a nation.” However, regarding the current situation, at least he can grasp six or seven parts of it.
The industrial and commercial growth driven by Anyang can no longer be stopped. And the method Li Xian suggested, “directly flying to the Immortal Realm with flying machines,” has become the core force driving industrial development, prompting many experts in the Nascent Soul stage to come out of seclusion. It is important to note that Nascent Soul stage experts have long lifespans. Even though not many people reach the Nascent Soul stage in each generation, over thousands of years of accumulation, the number of such experts cannot be underestimated.
In such a situation, the longer time is delayed, the stronger Anyang becomes, and the hope of restoring the Great Xia Kingdom grows increasingly slim. Therefore, a bold decision must be made, and the matter must be dealt with decisively!
With such a thought, the First Prince finally spoke, “Mr. Guo, how many troops do you think we should deploy? From where should we send them?”
Upon hearing the First Prince’s words, Guo Hongyan immediately breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the First Prince had finally made a choice that would benefit Nanyang County. Without much thought, he immediately replied, “A hundred thousand troops, attacking directly, concentrating and swiftly assaulting the capital of Songzhou County, Songzhou Prefecture, while presenting a posture of ‘unstoppable momentum, striking directly at the heart.'”
“Oh?” The First Prince half-squinted his eyes, “Why should we do this? Can’t we attack Guangling County instead?”
Guo Hongyan began to explain slowly: “First, Guangling County has at least Wang Chuan and Shangguan Guang, and Wang Yu and Mian are also somewhat capable talents. But Songzhou County only has Gao Bin himself.
Thus, Gao Bin in Songzhou County is stretched thin.
Second, according to the available information, Guangling County has over 300,000 elite troops, while Songzhou County only has about 200,000, and even those are barely sufficient.
Third, Guangling County’s eastern border is with the Qi Kingdom, and its southern border is with the Jin Kingdom. Attacking Guangling County could result in unexpected complications. On the other hand, Songzhou County is located within the Great Xia Kingdom, situated in a strategic four-way battleground, with little chance of any unexpected developments.
Fourth, Songzhou County’s terrain is the flattest and almost devoid of any fortifications, making it ideal for a surprise attack. Furthermore, the shortest route of attack consumes the least amount of time. Before Gao Bin can respond, His Majesty has a 90% chance of seizing control of the southern half of Wuyang County, and the troops will be right at the gates of Songzhou Prefecture.”
The First Prince nodded with narrowed eyes, “Well said, but I have one question.”
“Please, Your Majesty.”
“Back then, Nanyang County supported my second brother (Second Prince Xia Shu) to ascend to the throne. Now, my second brother is still causing trouble in Wuyang City, and you Nanyang County are now going to support me?”
Guo Hongyan immediately became serious, “Your Majesty, we supported the Second Prince because he was the crown prince at the time. But now, not only has the Second Prince been unable to solve the internal and external troubles of the Great Xia Kingdom, but he also acts as a tyrant, oppressing the people and causing the citizens of Wuyang City to suffer.
Therefore, we, the officials, dared to prepare to switch our allegiance to Your Majesty, and we sincerely request Your Majesty’s permission.”
Guo Hongyan was blatantly lying. While it was true that the people of Wuyang City were suffering, it was not solely the Second Prince’s fault; it was a collective responsibility. As for the claim that the Second Prince was oppressing the people, this was entirely in line with the First Prince’s wishes. When asking for favors, one must say such things—who cares about principles?
This was not because Guo Hongyan lacked morals, but because he was now responsible for the safety of Nanyang County and had to shoulder this responsibility.
The First Prince enjoyed this conversation, “Very well, it’s settled. We will immediately deploy troops to attack Songzhou County. You Nanyang County can handle the rest.”
“We will not disappoint Your Majesty. I request permission to return to the south immediately and inform the Governor (Kong Donglai) to hold off the main forces of Songzhou County and Guangling County, and announce support for Your Majesty within three days.”
“Good. Go ahead.”
After leaving Wufeng City, Guo Hongyan slumped in the seat of the airplane, gazing out the window as the clouds passed by. The brief confrontation just now had consumed a great deal of mental energy. In order to convince the First Prince to send troops, the most important thing was to make the First Prince see the benefits. Guo Hongyan had to think from the First Prince’s perspective—of course, this line of thinking was bound to have flaws.
The plane once again detoured to Anyang and returned to Nanyang County, taking half a day to get back. Kong Donglai, the Governor of Nanyang County, immediately responded upon hearing that the First Prince was willing to send troops, publicly declaring his support for the First Prince—after all, at this point, few people still cared about formalities.
However, Kong Donglai was not someone who did things properly. Announcing his support for the First Prince right away was not in line with military protocol; by the time the First Prince actually mobilized his troops, this information had already reached the ears of Gao Bin, the Governor of Songzhou County. According to standard military strategy, Kong Donglai should have waited until two days later, before the First Prince sent out his troops, to announce his support.
Gao Bin may not be a great person, but he was quick-witted; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to establish himself as a ruler of a separatist faction. He immediately sensed something unusual.
But as Guo Hongyan had analyzed, Gao Bin was currently overwhelmed, unable to find any talented individuals to help him. With Nanyang County already on the verge of falling, and the opportunity to seize a large chunk of it nearly within reach, Gao Bin was reluctant to retreat, but it seemed retreating was unavoidable.
Gao Bin was anxious, and the Wang family was anxious too—retreating at this moment would nullify all their previous efforts.
But there was a solution! One of Li Xian’s “good brothers,” the son of Shangguan Guang, Shangguan Yong, spoke up, his voice resolute: “Don’t you think the First Prince agreed too easily?”
Hearing this, Wang Chuan, Gao Bin, and Shangguan Guang slapped their thighs in unison. “Yeah, could it be…?”
Shangguan Yong sneered and said, “The First Prince has made two preparations:
The first is, if things go smoothly, of course, the army will attack Songzhou County.
But if things don’t go well? The First Prince wouldn’t waste a single soldier! Right now, the pressure from Li Yulong on the First Prince is no small matter. If we don’t attack him, he’s finished.
The First Prince is just using Nanyang County’s public support for him as a means to deceive us!
If we want to stop the First Prince from mobilizing troops, it’s simple. Uncle Gao (Gao Bin) only needs to send 20 or 30 men, bring some alcohol, and wait at the main intersection leading north from Songzhou, towards Wuyang City. Then, at the right time, do this and that…”
Gao Bin was tempted but hesitant, “What if something goes wrong?”
Wang Chuan stood up, “If something goes wrong, I’ll personally lead the troops north. I swear it!”
With Wang Chuan swearing, Gao Bin finally gritted his teeth and agreed, “Alright! Shall we lure Nanyang County into relaxing their guard and then launch a sudden attack? If we can capture Nanyang County’s Nan Gongzhi, the Nanyang army will be nothing to worry about.”
“Exactly!” Shangguan Guang agreed, but then suddenly looked at Shangguan Yong, “Xiao Yong, what do you think we should do?”
Wang Chuan and Gao Bin also turned to Shangguan Yong.
Shangguan Yong, full of confidence, spoke slowly, as if telling a story: “Suddenly, upon hearing that Nanyang County supports the First Prince, Uncle Gao feels something has changed and plans to retreat, heading north to defend against the First Prince’s attack.
But of course, Uncle Wang (Wang Chuan) and my father won’t allow Uncle Gao to retreat. A huge fight breaks out, and the allied forces are split.
After the forces are split, we secretly prepare two options.
First, if Nanyang County attacks at this moment, we will naturally lure the enemy deep and then surround and destroy them. But Nan Gongzhi is unlikely to fall for it.
Second, under the cover of the chaos, we send a small elite force to bypass Nan Gongzhi’s rear and launch a bold attack. Then, the main force will immediately regroup, press forward, and crush Nanyang County’s final defenses.”
Wang Chuan was overjoyed and immediately made a decision, “Let’s do it!”