Big man: I am the Champion Marquis!

Chapter 161 Different Missions
The war was progressing smoothly, and Huo Xian was naturally in a good mood. Everything was under control.

But we can't be careless now. There are many examples of people losing everything when the situation is very good. Huo Xian doesn't want to suffer a crushing defeat now that he has an absolute advantage.

After carefully checking the security of the camp and seeing that everything was well prepared, he felt relieved and could go back to the camp to sleep.

In a daze, Huo Xian heard Chen Ju's excited voice, "My Lord, the Cheshi people are stealing the camp!"

Huo Xian immediately got up and said, "Go get ready!"

Huo Xian hurriedly put on his armor and walked out of the camp. Torches were everywhere, and there were signs of troops being mobilized and forming battle formations.

Zhao Anguo also hurried over, "Lord, these Cheshi people are really trying to steal our camp!"

Huo Xian laughed and said, "You lead your troops to make a quick detour and cut off their retreat. Now that these people have left the city, we must not let them retreat back!"

Not only Huo Xian thought so, but others also thought so.

The vanguard troops where Li Ling was located had actually withdrawn. After the Cheshi people sneaked out of the city under the cover of night, they could march straight in. It seemed that they could break into the Han army's camp at any time and catch the Han army off guard.

But now it seems that they were just thinking too much. The more than 2,000 Cheshi people who wanted to launch a surprise attack were surrounded by the Han army before they could react.

The main force of the Han army was unable to defeat the enemy on the front line, and when they wanted to retreat, they found that their retreat route was blocked.

The shouts of killing were deafening. Naturally, no one would be polite to these trapped turtles. It was necessary to completely wipe out this force at this time.

Huo Xian was not in a hurry. He had already considered that the Cheshi people might be desperate and want to take risks. He was also mentally prepared for their sneak attack. That was all.

Zhao Anguo came back angrily, feeling depressed. "My Lord, I'm afraid the Cheshi people have lost their courage. Seeing these people being surrounded, they don't even want to come to help."

There was no other way. They had surrounded the Cheshi people who had launched a surprise attack, and were still thinking of "encircling the point and attacking the reinforcements" again, hoping that more troops would come out of Jiaohe City to rescue and support them.

Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing at this time. The Cheshi people did not dare to come out to support, and just watched their comrades being surrounded and killed.

Huo Xian calculated carefully and said, "Including these people, we have killed about 2,500 Cheshi people."

Zhao Anguo nodded and said happily, "If you count it this way, it is indeed true. Most of the Cheshi people were wiped out by us."

The Cheshi's desperate gamble has obviously come to nothing. They took out the last bit of their family assets and tried to fight to the death, but unfortunately they could not perform any miracle and instead destroyed their last bit of hope.

"I feel relieved now. These people have been killed, and the Cheshi people can only be trapped." Huo Xian smiled and said, "We will launch another attack after daybreak and try to kill more people."

Having completely destroyed the fighting power of the Cheshi, Huo Xian naturally had the confidence to leave with his large army, without having to worry about a counterattack from the Cheshi people.

Zhao Anguo said quickly, "Otherwise, I should lead the army to help Marquis Yiqu first. Now that I think about it, it's time for those people to help."

Huo Xian had no objection at all. This arrangement was natural and normal. "Okay, you lead the cavalry first, and leave the heavy cavalry for me. You don't have to worry about the others."

Zhao Anguo said with some concern, "Sir, shouldn't we go north? The Xiongnu and Kangju people should be here by now."

Huo Xian naturally understood this truth. "Let's solve the hidden danger in the south first. We can't underestimate Yu Li and his men. If they can gather several thousand cavalry, they can also disrupt our rear army."

Only by solving these hidden dangers can Huo Xian be more focused on fighting other reinforcements. The Xiongnu, Kangju, etc. are the biggest troubles and the biggest concerns.

It is also necessary for the cavalry to go first. This is the main force in the fight against the Western Regions. The number of cavalry here is relatively large. Now is not the time to rush thousands of miles, so it is natural to save horsepower.

Cheshi has basically been conquered now. It doesn't matter if the city is not broken, as long as we defeat their resistance. This is also in line with the initial tactics.

A tiger whose claws have been pulled out is now a completely sick cat and can be taken down at any time. Naturally, there is no need to worry about whether it is today or tomorrow, and they can be allowed to live a little longer.

This is also a kind of torture, making them always in a state of anxiety. The huge pressure may cause them to collapse from within.

The Cheshi people's attempt to steal the camp ended up with a loss of more than they gained. The limited manpower they had was consumed again. This time, they even lost most of their combat effectiveness, which was a heavy loss.

After dawn, Zhao Anguo brought the details, "Lord, we killed 2,120 levels last night, and we have checked them all."

Huo Xian did not ask why there were no prisoners, as he was the one who issued some of the orders. Now everyone pretended to be confused, as it seemed that the Han did not need prisoners at the moment, and what they needed now was to consume the manpower of the Che Division. Huo Xian nodded slightly, and then asked, "How much damage have we suffered?"

"Two hundred were killed or wounded, and seventy died." Zhao Anguo said calmly, "Let people clean up the mess. Those who need to recuperate can rest, those who need to report their merits can report their merits, and those who need compensation will naturally be compensated by the court."

Huo Xian agreed with this very much. He would not take care of everything. He had thought of some things, but the court had thought of them earlier and would also formulate policies.

So don't worry too much. General Huo Xian only needs to do his job well. Other things will naturally be taken care of by others. It is not his turn to say anything.

Looking at the messenger, Huo Xian said, "Send Li Ling over."

Zhao Anguo chuckled and said proudly, "I'm afraid Li Ling will be anxious. If we don't let him go to the battle, he will definitely be anxious."

Huo Xian said indifferently, "Whether it's urgent or not, he can't say anything."

Li Ling arrived in high spirits, and of course he had some expectations in his heart. He felt that now was the time for him to achieve great things, and he also hoped to break some of the fate of his family.

Before this, although he was barely granted a title of nobility after following the expedition to fight against Dayuan, it was only the title of Guannei Marquis, which was nothing to Li Ling. It was just that he had caught up with the achievements of his uncle Li Gan.

Even now he is just a lieutenant and not a real general. This is a worry and depression in his heart, and it is also the motivation for him to continue working hard to win military merit.

His grandfather's lifelong dream was to become a marquis, and that was also Li Ling's dream and expectation now. If he could make a contribution this time, he might be able to become a marquis.

He certainly had some military achievements, but Li Ling was very clear that with his current military achievements, he was still a little short of being granted a title of nobility.

Looking at the somewhat high-spirited Li Ling, Huo Xian asked, "How long do you think the Cheshi people can resist?"

Li Ling was immediately excited and said quickly, "Reporting to the Grand Marshal, I think it will take at most three days! As long as the army continues to attack, the destruction of Cheshi will be just around the corner! I am not talented, but I am willing to be the first to attack the city!"

The idea was good, but Huo Xian was very dissatisfied. "What do you think if I ask you not to take the city for at least 20 days?"

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then he was puzzled, "Grand Marshal, I am stupid. The destruction of Cheshi would only take a day, why did it take so long?"

Chen Ju was annoyed, "How dare you! Your Excellency is the Grand Marshal, how can I allow you to be so presumptuous!"

This drama is also full of double standards, and people like Li Ling are just not pleasing to the eye. After all, Li Guang and Li Gan, father and son, also have some grudges against Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. Now Huo Shan has promoted Li Ling regardless of past grudges, which has made Chen Ju and others unhappy.

So in the eyes of Chen Ju and others, Li Ling and others should resolutely execute orders, why so much nonsense!

Huo Xian said, "The destruction of Cheshi is just around the corner. If we only destroy Cheshi, wouldn't it be a bit of an overreaction for us to travel thousands of miles? You are also from a military family, and you are the descendant of Li Xin, a famous general of the Qin Dynasty. Let me ask you, what do you think of the countries in the Western Regions?"

Li Ling was now nervous and serious. Standing in front of him was the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that the Grand Marshal had more power than the Grand Marshal and the General. This was because the Marquis of Guanjun was deeply trusted by the emperor, but the General did not have this treatment.

Li Ling replied cautiously, "My Lord, I think the Western Regions are relatively weak and cannot withstand the Han army. However, the Western Regions are too scattered. If we attack one country at a time, it will be difficult."

Anyone with a discerning eye can see this, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Li Ling saw it. It would be surprising if he didn’t see it.

Huo Xian smiled and said, "It's good to know this. You should also understand that most of the countries in the Western Regions are not strong. If we fight one country and one city at a time, the army and supplies will not be able to keep up, and it will take more than one or two years to complete the war."

Li Ling didn't say much. Everyone knew about these situations. To be honest, if we only fight against the Cheshi, it is indeed not cost-effective. In the final analysis, the Cheshi is too small.

Huo Xian said sternly, "Your troops must surround the Cheshi. Do not let them escape, and do not take the city too early. After I destroy their reinforcements, I will settle accounts with these people together."

Li Ling was immediately anxious when he heard this, "Grand Marshal, all my soldiers are warriors!"

This is what happened to Li Ling in history. He was eager to fight and despite the emperor's order, he still tried hard to become a pioneer. In the final analysis, he was eager for military exploits and wanted to get some outstanding tasks.

Huo Xian said without question, "You are good at using bows and crossbows, and you are also brave warriors, but most of the Western Regions and the Xiongnu are cavalrymen, how can you keep up? I am leading the cavalry to attack for thousands of miles, what will you do?"

Li Ling wanted to say something, but Huo Xian said decisively, "Alright, your troops will be trapped here in Cheshi. They sneaked into the camp last night and lost most of our troops. If they break out, I will hold you accountable!"

At this time, Li Ling also realized that his mission was to trap the Che division to death, and it was impossible to fight for other tasks!

(End of this chapter)