Troubled times: Start practicing spiritual practice by taking care of your sister-in-law.

Chapter 593 Countermeasures
"Then what are you studying?" Seeing that Chen Mo was not resting, Xia Zhining naturally couldn't rest alone, so she walked up to see if she could analyze him.

Seeing Xia Zhining coming over, Chen Mo withdrew his thoughts from the map, pulled her into his arms, raised his hands and skillfully kneaded the dough, and said softly:
"I'm studying whether I can use the terrain to launch an ambush. It would be best if I could kill one or two top-grade warriors from the enemy. That way, the pressure would be much less."

Although the news sent back by Zhao Liang stated that the enemy only had two top-grade warriors, but for such a life-and-death war, one had to think about the worst outcome.

In other words, Chen Mo should treat it as if Chong Wang, Lu Sheng and the others have also come to Huaizhou, and mentally treat them as if there are at least four top-grade warriors on the opposite side.

If we don't find a way to eliminate one or two top-grade warriors of the enemy first, this battle will be very difficult to fight.

Lu Sheng is suspected to be a top-grade warrior, so he must be needed to distract and deal with him. As for the remaining three top-grade warriors of the enemy, Xiao Jing and Wu Yanqing can only hold back one at most. Then the extra top-grade warrior of the enemy can cause great losses to Chen's army.

Xia Zhining shrank forward, trying to leave Chen Mo's arms. Of course, this was just a symbolic struggle. She grabbed Chen Mo's hand, glared at him, and said:

"I'm afraid this is difficult. Huaizhou is not like other places. To put it bluntly, the enemy knows Huaizhou's terrain better than we do. After all, the King of Huai has controlled Huaizhou for so many years. In addition, the enemy is coming with great force and must have known your fighting style in advance. The King of Huai has suffered so much at your hands, he will definitely summarize these lessons of failure and tell the King of Chong and their..."

"So we have to look for an opportunity." Chen Mo sighed, and then reached out his big hand towards Xia Zhining's body, saying, "

I've seen that Zhao Liang and his men have been using defensive measures in the face of the enemy's offensive. This won't work. We must fight them face to face so that we can find out their strengths and weaknesses. Otherwise, the situation will be too passive for us."

Xia Zhining's face turned red, and she quickly held down the rebellious hand, saying angrily, "Be serious."

"Who asked you to come here to seduce me? Now let me be serious." Chen Mo patted Xia Zhining and said, "Be good, lie down."

Xia Zhining's body became weaker and weaker. She knew she couldn't win against Chen Mo, so she said angrily, "Don't do it here. The bed has just been made."

But feeling Chen Mo's burning gaze, Xia Zhining still reluctantly stood up and lay on the table.

Unfortunately, just as Chen Mo lifted up her skirt to cover Xia Zhining's head, footsteps were heard outside the tent.

Xia Zhining screamed in fright, then quickly shut up, pushed Chen Mo away, put her skirt down, stood up and sat down properly.

Chen Mo also quickly sat up straight.

Soon, Sun Meng's voice was heard outside the tent: "My Lord, there is an urgent report from the front. He County has been lost, and General Zhao and his men have retreated to Xiongmen County."

Chen Mo frowned and said, "Come in."

Sun Meng lifted the curtain of the tent and walked in. He didn't dare to look around. After putting down the urgent report, he retreated.

Chen Mo quickly picked up the urgent report and started reading it.

In the urgent report, Zhao Liang stated the reason for retreating to Xiongmen County.

After reading it, Chen Mo completely lost interest in practicing, and quickly issued an order to set out at noon tomorrow.

……

September 8th.

Chen Mo led his personal guard battalion to Xiongmen County.

Zhao Liang, Xiao Jing, Wu Yanqing, Liu Ji and others welcomed them at the north gate.

Chen Mo got off the horse and Sun Meng led the horse over.

Chen Mo didn't say much nonsense. He walked towards the city and asked Zhao Liang about the situation of the enemy.

"In reply to Duke Anguo, the coalition forces of Prince Chong and Lu Sheng have remained on hold since they captured He County. I suspect that they may have known that you, Duke Anguo, have arrived in Huaizhou, and that Prince Huai cannot capture Huaizhou in a short time, so they are waiting for reinforcements." Zhao Liang said.

"Duke Anguo, more than 70% of the enemy coalition forces are armored. It is obvious that those sent are the elite of both sides. The last time we attacked He County, the initial estimate was that at least a hundred catapults and crossbows were deployed." Liu Ji added.

"How many people are there in the enemy coalition?" Xia Zhining asked puzzledly.

Zhao Liang glanced at Xia Zhining and knew that she was someone close to Duke Anguo. He said respectfully, "The enemy didn't use their full strength in the previous attacks on the city. The last attack was at night, so we can't tell how many people there were. But judging from the momentum, I'm afraid there are no less than 50,000 troops."

After listening to his subordinates' report, Chen Mo stopped and thought for a while, then said, "There are only the troops of King Chong and the imperial guards of Lu Sheng, but where are the troops of King Anping?"

"Duke Anguo, it's strange to say, since the enemy army marched into Huaizhou until now, the spies we sent out have not found any trace of Yan's army. It seems that Prince Anping was not involved in this whole thing." Zhao Liang said.

"Where are King Chong and Lu Sheng?" Chen Mo asked.

"We haven't found their whereabouts either." Xiao Jing took over the conversation.

"Who are the top-grade warriors on the other side?"

"According to preliminary information, one is Liang Mu, the head of the Liang family, and the other is Gongsun Yan, the top general under the command of Prince Chong."

"They are all Chong Wang's men. What about Lu Sheng?"

"It seems to be a man named Huicheng. We don't know much about this person. We only know that he and Lu Sheng are from the same master, and his only military achievement is that he led a large army to attack the Qiang tribe in Xiliang and won a great victory." Xiao Jing told Chen Mo what he knew.

"I know this guy. He is also Chang En's junior brother and a fourth-rank warrior." Chen Mo frowned as he spoke, "Since Lu Sheng and Chong Wang have formed an alliance and sent out elite troops, their cooperation should not be a small fight.

In this case, since King Chong has sent out two top-grade warriors, it is impossible that Lu Sheng has sent out none."

After that, Chen Mo said, "I'll tell you a few guesses I made, and you can help me analyze them."

Xiao Jing, Wu Yanqing and others immediately pricked up their ears.

"The first guess is that Lu Sheng came here in person, but his top-grade warriors did not come. Then he hid himself and did not show up, preparing to strike us by surprise at the critical moment.

The second guess is that Lu Sheng did not come, but sent one or two top-grade warriors, who also hid themselves and were ready to show up at the critical moment.

The third guess is that Lu Sheng and his top-grade warriors have all come.

The fourth guess is that Huicheng might have already broken through to the upper level.

The fifth guess is that Lu Sheng did not come here in person, nor did he send any top-grade warriors here. "

After listening to this, Wu Yanqing used the process of elimination and said, "The third guess is unlikely. Lu Sheng has just occupied Xiliang, and the situation in Luonan is also very complicated. It is impossible for Lu Sheng not to leave a strong man in Luonan.

The fifth guess is also unlikely. Lu Sheng has sent the most elite imperial guards. If he does not send a top-grade warrior, then the coalition forces will be controlled by King Chong. Lu Sheng cannot possibly trust King Chong so much. "

Xiao Jing nodded: "I agree with Patriarch Wu's opinion."

Liu Ji carefully considered Chen Mo's five guesses and agreed with Wu Yanqing's opinion.

Since the imperial court has issued the "Decree to Punish the Bandits" and vindicated the two kings Chong and Huai, it means that Lu Sheng is serious. Even if he does not come in person, he should send one or two top-grade warriors. As for the fourth guess, Huicheng looks young, but Chen Mo and Yue Ruyan are both top-grade warriors. It is not impossible for Huicheng to break through to the top grade.

After listening to their analysis, Chen Mo said, "How many top-grade warriors are there who can obey Lu Sheng's orders?"

"Only one person is exposed, and that is Luo Qingyang, the patriarch of the Luonan Luo family. This person is not a pure military general. He was originally the prince's teacher, but he didn't expect to collude with Xu Guozhong. It was even more unexpected that he was actually Lu Sheng's man. Luo Qingyang definitely played a big role in Xu Guozhong's demise."

Xiao Jing said that the Xiao family also had its own spies in Luonan.

As they were talking, the group had already arrived outside the yamen.

Zhao Liang said respectfully, "Duke Anguo, please."

Chen Mo walked into the yamen.

As soon as the group sat down, Chen Mo asked, "Where is General Wen Heng?"

The news about the imperial guards being discovered in Yanzhou was discovered by Wen Heng first, who reported it to Zhao Liang and the others. Otherwise, He County would have been lost long ago, and perhaps Xiongmen County would have been lost as well.

After all, the troops stationed in Huaizhou at that time had not yet been concentrated here.

Chen Mo needed Wen Heng to tell him in person about the situation in Yanzhou at that time.

Zhao Liang said in a deep voice: "General Wen is still in Yuan County. According to his subordinates, when General Wen discovered the whereabouts of the imperial guards in Yuan County, he only sent his subordinates to sneak out at night to pass on the message, while he continued to stay in Yuan County to investigate the news.

But now Yuan County has been blocked by the enemy coalition forces, and we have lost contact with General Wen."

After saying that, Zhao Liang quickly asked someone to bring up the few people who had returned from Yuan County.

Before the few people arrived, Chen Mo and his companions were not just waiting there in vain.

Chen Mo said: "So, the first thing we need to know is whether Lu Sheng and King Chong came to Yanzhou."

Chen Mo must know how many high-end combat forces the opponent has.

"Reporting to Duke Anguo, I have sent people to Chongzhou and Luonan to inquire." Xiao Jing said.

This matter is also easy to investigate. Whether Lu Sheng, Chong Wang and others will come depends on whether Lu Sheng is still in Luonan and Chong Wang is still in Chongzhou.

Chen Mo nodded and said immediately: "Secondly, send spies to sneak into Yanzhou. I want to know the movements of the Yan army and the whereabouts of Prince Anping."

Zhao Liang nodded and said that he would arrange it later.

"Also, I noticed that we have been on the defensive these days, and even gave up He County. This is not acceptable, and it is also a blow to the morale of our army. We need to fight the enemy head-on and see if we can lure out the enemy's hidden men."

Chen Mo expressed his thoughts. Luonan and Chongzhou are still some distance away from Huaizhou, so in a short time, he would not be able to get feedback on whether Lu Sheng and Chong Wang are still in Luonan and Chongzhou.

So while you’re waiting for feedback, you can’t just sit there and wait for death, you need to take the initiative.

"Isn't this a bit risky?" Liu Ji said.

He felt that several points that needed to be considered had already been raised, so he just needed to wait for the situation to be investigated and then discuss countermeasures based on the situation. There was no need to act in advance without knowing the specific situation.

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Don't worry, I brought the Suzaku Guards with me on this trip to reduce the risk. In addition, we can cross-check the results of our investigations in Chongzhou and Luonan based on the situation when we confront them head-on."

By then, the enemy coalition forces would have suffered heavy casualties under the artillery attack and would be in a state of decline. If Lu Sheng and King Chong still did not show up, then there was a high possibility that they really did not come.

In short, you can get some desired information in this way.

Liu Ji and others were startled when they heard this, and they also roughly understood what the Suzaku Guards did.

The red cannon mentioned in the military report, which was called "strange thunder" by the Jinxia barbarians, came from the Suzaku Guard.

Xiao Jing said: "Duke Anguo, what should we do next?"

"Send a letter of challenge to the enemy, inviting them to fight at Songjiapo."

Chen Mo pointed to the location of Songjiapo on the map and said.

Songjiapo is a hillside located between He County and Xiongmen County. It is named Songjiapo because it is outside Songjia Village.

It was indeed a hillside before, but it was flattened when the official road was built, and the view around it is extremely open. It is not suitable for ambush, but suitable for battle.

After all, if you want to have a fight, you must choose a place that both parties feel safe in.

After discussing this matter, the people Zhao Liang had called over also came over, and Chen Mo questioned them individually.

……

Xiongmen County is not far from He County. Chen Mo had just sent out the declaration of war, and before it got dark, Gongsun Yan had received it.

Gongsun Yan quickly called everyone together to discuss the matter.

Liang Xuan said: "This is Chen Mo's intention to fight a decisive battle with us."

Hui Cheng said: "Mr. Luo will be here in a few days. We are planning to wait for Mr. Luo to come and join forces to deal with Chen Mo. Since Chen Mo has taken the initiative to challenge us, we can accept the challenge."

"Not right. Chen Mo just arrived in Xiongmen County and he was eager to fight us. Before that, Chen's army had always been on the defensive. This time it was so sudden, there must be some conspiracy. If Chen's army set up an ambush in Songjiapo in advance, our army will definitely be defeated.

Therefore, I think we should avoid their sharp edge and find out the intention of Chen Jun's invitation to fight before making any plans." The Fifth Fusheng raised an objection.

"Sir, you worry too much. I know that Songjiapo has been leveled for the construction of an official road. The surrounding area has a wide view and there is no place for soldiers to hide. I think Chen Mo is anxious for a victory, so he made an appointment here." A sixth-rank general from the Chongwang camp said. He was from Songjia Village.

For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Gongsun Yan, waiting for his decision.

Gongsun Yan looked at Hui Cheng and said, "General Hui, can the secret method you mentioned really increase strength temporarily?"

"If General Gongsun doesn't believe me, I can demonstrate it to you." As he said that, Huicheng stood up and activated the Lingran Xuan Gong in front of everyone.

All of a sudden, Huicheng's aura surged. Gongsun Yan and Liang Mu, as top-grade warriors, quickly noticed that Huicheng's energy and blood had become more powerful.

Gongsun Yan showed surprise on his face, and exclaimed that this secret method was too magical, and a hint of greed arose in his heart.

(End of this chapter)