The Prodigal Son

In the middle of the night, Qin Yu hurriedly woke Qin Fumeng up.

"One enemy cavalry force marched towards Du County overnight, while another force marched towards Pengzhao overnight..."

Qin Yu quickly reported the news he had just received to Qin Fumeng.

Zongbi reacted quickly.

Overnight, Yan troops from all directions sprang into action.

It seems that the Yan army is converging on the line of Zhujun and Panshibao, intending to drive them back.

Qin Fumeng pondered for a moment, then asked, "How many enemy troops are heading towards Zhu County and leaving Changping?"

"It's too dark, I can't see very well!"

Qin Yu shook his head and said, "Roughly estimated, there are more troops behind each of the two groups. Each group combined should not exceed five thousand. I suspect that both groups are feints, their purpose being to confuse us!"

Qin Fumeng closed his eyes, and a map of Wangzhou automatically appeared in his mind.

After a while, Qin Fumeng slowly opened his eyes: "It could be a feint, or it could be meant for us to kill!"

"So ruthless?" Qin Yu asked in surprise.

"What's so cruel about that?"

Qin Fumeng disagreed, saying, "Zong Bi is in a very passive position right now. As long as we can concentrate the main force at Panshi Fortress, sending ten or twenty thousand men to their deaths would be the most worthwhile thing to do!"

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Is Zong Bi trying to kill himself?"

Rock Fortress is a fortified stronghold.

If Zongzhao concentrates all his main forces at Panshi Fortress, it would be like driving a nail into their path of advance.

If this thorn in their side is not removed, their supply lines will inevitably be threatened.

Removing this nail is proving to be quite difficult.

Given the terrain of Panshi Fortress, even if their army of over 100,000 launched repeated attacks, they might not be able to take it down.

Once the enemy's main force is concentrated at Panshi Fortress, Zong Bi will be able to attack or defend as needed.

If they do not besiege Panshi Fortress, the Yan army there could invade Dingzhou at any time.

However, if they spend too much time at Panshi Fortress, the Yan army's reinforcements will arrive at Wangzhou.

"right!"

Qin Fumeng nodded approvingly, "Using oneself as bait! This is a variation of the tactic Zongbi used to humiliate both Emperor Xiaowu and us back then!"

Zongbi surprisingly did not order the various troops to retreat to Pengzhao.

This surprised him a little.

Qin Yu's lips curled into a smile. "So, Wangzhou's defenses are currently very weak?"

"Behave yourself, you old man!"

Qin Fumeng suddenly glared at him, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to!"

"This is a large-scale military operation, not the time for you to show off your personal heroism!"

"If you dare to launch a surprise attack on Wangzhou, the troops that have left Wangzhou will immediately bypass you and cut off your retreat!"

"If you cannot quickly capture Wangzhou, you will be attacked from both sides!"

"Besides, how do you know the enemy won't retreat after leaving the city? Couldn't they just feint an attack and wait for you to foolishly go and storm the city, only to end up with a bloody mess?"

"Furthermore, we all know about hidden troops. Are you sure Zongbi didn't hide ten or twenty thousand men?"

The moment that beast sticks out its butt, he knows what kind of shit that beast wants to poop!

He also wanted to lead his troops to launch a surprise attack on Wangzhou, and then break into the rear of the Yan army, turning their rear into chaos.

He doesn't even consider who Zong Bi is!

Zong Bi, that old fellow, has quite a few underhanded tricks up his sleeve!

Moreover, Zong Bi was absolutely a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals!

Otherwise, how could Emperor Xiaowu and his people have suffered such a defeat at the hands of Zong Bi?

Qin Yu chuckled, "I didn't say we absolutely had to fight; it depends on the situation!"

"It depends on the situation, but that's possible."

Qin Fumeng nodded slightly. "However, I suspect that the troops that came out of Wangzhou Prefecture will mostly make a feint and then retreat! Otherwise, once we intercept this army, Wangzhou Prefecture will truly be left undefended."

Qin Yu pondered silently for a while, then looked up and said, "But they might also be going to meet up with Wang Sengyuan's troops."

"That's certainly possible!"

Qin Fumeng nodded and smiled, "Therefore, we'd better be prepared for both possibilities! If Zong Bi really dares to lead his troops to support Wang Sengyuan's forces, we will not only attack Wangzhou Prefecture, but also give him a good thrashing!"

"Oh?"

Qin Yu asked curiously, "Why do you find them disgusting?"

Use your brain!

Qin Fu raised his hand and poked Qin Yu on the forehead, scolding, "Stop thinking only about our small force! Old Xue still has 70,000 troops! The enemy knows how to cooperate, don't we?"

Qin Fumeng was quite satisfied with Qin Yu's performance in all aspects on the battlefield.

The only thing I'm not happy about is his lone-wolf habit.

He was only thinking about how he should fight, without considering how the other army would fight!

Lack of overall strategic vision!

Or rather, he thought he was the only one fighting, and everyone else was just watching!

If he doesn't change his maverick habits, he'll only ever be a general.

The most important thing for a leader is to have a strategic vision that considers the overall situation!

The battlefield is not divided, but a unified whole!

Even two battlefields that are thousands of miles apart can be considered as one entity!

Faced with Qin Fumeng's nagging, Qin Yu was speechless for a moment.

Isn't this about how to disgust the enemy?

Why are you suddenly criticizing yourself?

After Qin Fumeng's long 15-minute lecture, Qin Yu deeply realized his mistake and was almost ready to write a self-criticism to the old man on the spot.

"Don't find me annoying! If you weren't my grandson, I wouldn't even bother scolding you even if you begged me!"

Qin Fu glared at him before saying, "Old Xue won't let the enemy forces in Changping retreat easily! He'll most likely order Dong Heshang to lead 20,000 elite cavalry to quickly break through Changping and approach Pengzhao, while he'll lead the main force towards Panshibao..."

"Knock knock knock..."

As Qin Fumeng was speaking, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"My lord, Commander Xue has sent someone with a message!"

Immediately afterwards, Qi Dachui's voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu quickly stepped forward and opened the door.

"Greetings, Duke of Wei!"

The panting messenger gave a brief salute and immediately handed Xue Chengdao's handwritten letter to Qin Fumeng.

Qin Fumeng quickly opened the letter, glanced through it, and handed it to Qin Yu. "Take a look!"

Qin Yu immediately took it and examined it!

Xue Chengdao did not give any orders to the old man, but simply told him his next move.

Peng Zhao!

The old man was right.

Xue Chengdao divided his troops into two groups, one advancing towards Pengzhao and the other towards Panshibao.

Qin Fumeng swiftly ordered, "Order Yuan Ji and Liang Hongqiao to come forward immediately!"

With that, Qin Fumeng quickly headed towards the front hall.

Qin Yu smiled helplessly and quickly followed.

Soon, Liang Hongqiao and Yuan Ji arrived at the front hall.

Qin Fumeng didn't waste any words and directly issued the order.

"Yuan Ji, I hereby order you to lead your troops and advance with me towards Panshi Fortress!"

"Liang Hongqiao, I order you to lead your troops to remain in each prefecture and expedite the production of dry rations!"

"Qin Yu, I order you to lead your troops to occupy Du County tonight. If it is confirmed that the enemy troops from Wangzhou Prefecture have gone to meet Wang Sengyuan's forces, immediately divide your forces to cooperate with Dong Heshang's troops and drive them towards Tushi City! As for the food supply, you are responsible for solving the problem yourself!"

A city of earth and stone?

Qin Yu suddenly realized.

No wonder the old man said he wanted to disgust Zongbi!

So that's what you were planning!

Zong Bi made his name in Tushi City back then!

Now, however, they are forcing Zongbi to move towards Tushi City!

That's absolutely disgusting!

That old guy, he's quite vengeful...