The Prodigal Son

It was quite late when Qin Yu and his team finished cleaning up the battlefield.

They almost made their way into a nearby town in the dark, where they were able to rest and dry their wet clothes.

Qin Yu had Qi Dachui light a bonfire and then skewered the meat they had cut from the warhorses and roasted it next to the fire.

While Nan Que'er was applying medicine to herself, Qin Yu ordered someone to summon Yuan Dingguo and the others.

"Is there something else? Can't you take a rest?"

Nan Que'er's movements were very gentle, completely disregarding the presence of Zeng Guan and Ning Huang, the two third wheels, as she looked at Qin Yu with heartache.

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, gently patting Nan Que'er's hand. "It's definitely impossible to launch a full-scale attack on Yuwang Pass now. We have to change our strategy! I can't sleep until we've decided on a strategy."

"That's enough for you two!"

Ning Huang expressed strong dissatisfaction with the couple's public display of affection, scoffing, "It's just a tiny injury, why are you making such a big deal out of it!"

"You're young, you know! Be understanding." Zeng Guan gave a mischievous smile. "Who hasn't been young before!"

Nan Que'er glanced at the two of them with embarrassment and annoyance, really wanting to drag Qin Yu aside and apply medicine to him.

"This is just jealousy!"

Qin Yuchong and the other man pouted, "How about I have someone drag over a couple of kind-hearted older women to keep you company and have a chat?"

"Get lost!"

Both of them showed signs of disgust.

Seeing the two of them, Qin Yu burst into laughter.

Nan Que'er couldn't help but chuckle and lightly patted Qin Yu as she continued applying the medicine to him.

After Nan Que'er gave Qin Yu the good medicine, Yuan Dingguo and the others also arrived.

Although they were exhausted, the resounding victory had put them all in high spirits, and everyone had a smile on their face.

"Find a seat yourself!"

Qin Yu gave an order, then asked Han Chong, "How are the wounded?"

When the topic turned to the wounded, Han Chong's smile vanished quickly. He replied, "More than two hundred seriously wounded soldiers died before they even made it this far. The remaining three hundred or so are not in good condition either. If they continue this long march with us, I doubt many will survive..."

Although they won a great victory in this battle, their own casualties were also considerable.

Nearly 1,200 people died directly in battle, and there were also about 500 seriously wounded.

As for those with minor injuries, they didn't even keep a count.

Of the group, only Yuan Dingguo, who was the luckiest, escaped injury.

Even Qin Yu, the commander-in-chief, was injured.

This was their worst casualty since they followed Qin Yu into the enemy's rear.

This was all thanks to Qin Yu's leadership, who took the lead in capturing the enemy flag and causing the enemy's morale to collapse rapidly.

Otherwise, their casualties would certainly be much greater.

Listening to Han Chong's report, Qin Yu couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

Encountering infantry in formation isn't so easy to defeat!

"We really can't let them accompany us on long marches anymore."

Qin Yu said in a deep voice, "My idea is that we rest here tonight! Tomorrow, we'll find a secluded place to settle his seriously wounded soldiers, leaving a small number of lightly wounded to take care of them! Meanwhile, our main force will launch a counterattack and head back towards the north bank of the Qujiang River!"

"Kill...kill them back?"

Everyone in the room stared wide-eyed at Qin Yu in disbelief.

Ning Huang, who was dozing off to the side, opened his eyes a crack and stared at Qin Yu with surprise and curiosity.

Only Nan Que'er, standing to the side, was secretly worried.

"Yes, let's fight our way back!"

A cold glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes. "The enemy probably won't expect us to fight back. If we fight back, it will cause even more chaos in their rear! Didn't Pei Xiao and the others find out that the grain supplies from Chu were almost here? Even if we can't inflict heavy damage on the enemy, burning these 500,000 shi of grain will be enough to give them a hard time..."

Once the supplies are burned, the enemy's formation will inevitably be thrown into chaos.

Then they can slowly whittle down the enemy forces attacking Dongyuan.

We could even seize the opportunity to take Qixia Pass and threaten Yuyang!

Qin Yu explained his plan to them in detail, and Yuan Dingguo and the others became more and more shocked and excited as they listened.

However, given the current situation in Min State, Qin Yu's plan does have a real chance of succeeding!

"What if the enemy destroys Sanli Bridge?"

Just as everyone was secretly excited, Xiong Quhu's voice suddenly rang out.

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Xiong Quhu.

"That's right!"

Qi Dachui slapped his forehead and nodded in agreement: "If the bridge is destroyed, how are we supposed to fight our way back?"

"..."

As Qi Dachui's voice rang out, the others immediately turned pale.

"If anyone's going to destroy the bridge, it'll be us; the enemy won't do it!"

Yuan Dingguo explained, half-laughing and half-crying, "If this bridge is destroyed, how will the enemy send troops to reinforce us? How will they send troops to encircle and intercept us? The 20,000 men that Yu Wu borrowed at the cost of an iron mine can't just be used to help them guard Yuwang Pass, can they?"

Moreover, once they burn the military rations supplied by Chu, Yu Wu will inevitably have to levy military rations from Wuzhou and Xingzhou, which have not yet been affected by the large-scale war.

If the bridge is destroyed, how will the requisitioned grain be transported to the north bank?

After Yuan Dingguo explained it to him, Qi Dachui finally understood and gave Qin Yu an embarrassed smile.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Qin Yu smiled dismissively, "Everyone has their strengths. You and Xiong Quhu are both fierce warriors on the front lines!"

"Yes, yes!"

Xiong Quhu nodded repeatedly, then said excitedly, "Let's do it!"

"Let's do it!"

Yuan Dingguo and the others also became excited.

If Qin Yu's plan succeeds, Yu Wu will have virtually no chance of turning the tables!

Although this plan is somewhat risky, if it succeeds, the rewards will be enormous.

"Then it's decided!"

Qin Yu made a decisive decision: "Turn all the meat in your hands into dry rations. Give some to the wounded, and take the rest with us! Also, this plan is for you to keep to yourselves; do not reveal a single word to anyone! If anyone can't keep a secret, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

After all, their ranks still included some surrendered soldiers and generals from the Min Kingdom.

The old adage of "don't use those you doubt, and don't doubt those you use" won't work at this time.

This is a matter of life and death for many people, so it's always good to be cautious.

"yes!"

The group immediately stood up and accepted the order.

Qin Yu gestured for them to sit down, then instructed Yuan Dingguo: "Send men to the Yuwang Mountain branch tonight to investigate and find suitable hiding places for the wounded! We'll send men to escort them there first, then launch a surprise attack on Xingzhou from the opposite direction..."

That's all they can do for the wounded right now.

Whether they can hold out until the end of the war depends on their fate.

Hmm, I'll have to ask around in town if there's a doctor.

If there are any, take them away to care for the wounded as well.

"Xingzhou? Why Xingzhou?"

"We could easily take a roundabout route along the eastern side of Yuwang Mountain!"

"Yeah, wouldn't going via Xingzhou be too much of a detour?"

Several people turned to Qin Yu with questioning glances.

Meeting their gazes, Qin Yu shook his head and said, "We must be wary of clever individuals within the enemy ranks!"

"If we keep circling around Wuzhou, the enemy might figure out our intentions and then send a large force to guard Sanliqiao!"

"Our surprise attack on Xingzhou is designed to make the enemy believe that we intend to turn Xingzhou into the next Miaozhou!"

"In this way, the enemy won't focus too much on Sanliqiao!"

"Our opportunity will come as soon as the enemy lowers their guard..."