The Prodigal Son

When an old general takes the field, one is worth two.

It has to be said that there is some truth to that statement.

Thanks to Qin Fumeng not assigning any tasks to the Wudang Flying Army during the day, their troops were able to rest briefly, and they maintained sufficient strength when they marched towards Du County.

"Report..."

Just as Qin Yu was leading his troops towards Du County, the scouts suddenly returned, reporting, "Commander Qin, flames are shooting into the sky from the direction of Du County; it must be a major fire in Du County!"

Duxian County?

Fire?

Qin Yu's heart suddenly tightened.

Did Zongbi anticipate this move from the beginning?

The enemy troops heading towards Zhujun were not deliberately going to their deaths, but rather to set fires.

As soon as this thought crossed Qin Yu's mind, he became anxious.

They were traveling light, carrying only some basic beans and dry rations!

If the area around Duxian County catches fire and a large number of granaries are destroyed, the old man's plan will probably fall apart!

As expected, plans can't keep up with changes!

After a brief moment of thought, Qin Yu immediately ordered, "Order the entire army to advance rapidly towards Du County!"

Under Qin Yu's orders, the army immediately began to accelerate.

However, it was nighttime after all, so they couldn't go that fast.

After traveling about fifteen miles, they saw the towering flames in the distance.

It was still about half an hour before dawn.

But looking into the distance, there was a sea of ​​orange-red flames, as if the sky itself had been set ablaze.

"Let's go find a high place to get a better view!"

At Qin Yu's command, he quickly led his men to a nearby higher ground and extended his hand to Qin Xiong: "Thousand-mile Eyes!"

Taking the telescope from Qin Xiong, Qin Yu aimed it at the direction from which the firelight was coming.

From a distance of a thousand miles away, apart from the thick smoke and towering flames, almost nothing could be seen.

But one thing is certain: that is Duxian County!

"Is it Duxian County?"

Yuan Dingguo asked hurriedly.

"yes!"

As Qin Yu spoke, he handed the telescope in his hand to Yuan Dingguo.

Yuan Dingguo took it, glanced at it through the telescope, and immediately handed it to the next person.

"Fuck him!"

Yuan Dingguo cursed, "That old bastard Zongbi is too ruthless!"

Even as the attackers, they didn't resort to burning the city with fire. How could this old man be so ruthless?

Winters in the Yan Kingdom are very cold.

A city was burned down, and its inhabitants had nowhere to live in the winter; it is unknown how many will freeze to death.

"That's ruthless enough!" Qin Yu nodded in agreement, "But it's effective enough!"

This move was indeed unexpected by them.

But it really hit their sore spot.

Yuan Dingguo's expression was grave: "Zongbi must have anticipated our intentions!"

"Possibly!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly, "However, this old man may just be trying to slow down our attack on Wangzhou Prefecture and buy time for the reinforcements."

Yuan Dingguo looked into the distance and said worriedly, "If all the cities in Wangzhou Prefecture are like this, we'll be in big trouble."

Ultimately, it all comes down to the issue of food supplies!

The dry rations and beans they are carrying will barely last them a day.

"That's inevitable!"

Qin Yu exhaled a breath of stale air. "Burning one city is the same as burning ten cities!"

"As far as Zong Bi is concerned, they are already in a very passive position. They'll do anything to slow down our offensive!"

War has no room for human compassion.

Those in high positions are less likely to care about the lives of ordinary people.

"So what do we do now?"

Nan Que'er turned her face to the side, "Turn around and retreat to Zhu County?"

Withdraw from Zhujun?

Taking it back isn't out of the question.

However, he was truly disgusted by Zong Bi's actions.

He simply didn't want Zongbi's treacherous scheme to succeed!

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then looked at Ning Huang behind him, "Senior Ning, what do you say...?"

Don't ask me!

Ning Huang impatiently interrupted Qin Yu, "I'm good at killing, but you're good at fighting!"

"I haven't finished speaking yet!"

Qin Yu was speechless. "What I meant was, do you think Zong Bi might order someone to set fire to Shangxing?"

"Zongbi isn't senile, how could he possibly be..."

Ning Huang spoke casually, then his eyelids suddenly twitched, "You little brat, you're planning a surprise attack on Xing?"

"That's definitely an idea!"

Qin Yu grinned, "A day should be enough time for us to hold out and launch a surprise attack on Shangxing, right?"

Wangzhou has no supplies, right?

Then let's go to Xing!

Wasn't the old man trying to seize Shangxing from the very beginning?

He really needs to ask Ning Huang's opinion on this matter.

After all, Xue Chengdao had warned him that if he dared to act recklessly, the old man and Ning Huang would give him a mixed doubles beating.

He wanted to attack Wangzhou Prefecture, but Ning Huang knocked him unconscious and took him away. What was the point of attacking then?

Ning Huang lowered his head and remained silent, deep in thought.

Xue Chengdao and Qin Fumeng had both told him privately that if Qin Yu fought too recklessly, he should help hold Qin Yu back.

After a moment, Ning Huang spoke up: "The terrain around Wangzhou Prefecture is open, so getting around to Shangxing shouldn't be difficult!"

"But if you can't capture Shangxing in a short time, or if you get bogged down by the enemy forces in Wangzhou Prefecture without supplies, you'll be sending over 20,000 men to their deaths!"

Ning Huang did not lead troops, but that does not mean he was ignorant of military affairs.

He participated in countless battles, large and small, and even if he lacked talent, he still knew more than the average general.

"right!"

Nan Que'er agreed, "Since Zong Bi has already set fire to the city in advance, he's trying to delay us. He might have already anticipated our next move and set a trap for us!"

"Commander Qin, we should be more cautious about this matter!"

Yuan Dingguo also chimed in, "Zong Bi was, after all, a renowned general of the Yan state; even Emperor Xiaowu suffered losses at his hands!"

"Moreover, the Yan reinforcements should arrive within a few days!"

"Even if we successfully capture Shangxing, we will face a pincer attack!"

If the enemy's commander were to be replaced, Yuan Dingguo would absolutely support Qin Yu without hesitation.

But now, the enemy's commander-in-chief is Zong Bi.

Zong Bi was no ordinary person with an undeserved reputation.

Once they fall into Zong Bi's trap, without supplies, they will likely find themselves in a dilemma.

Qin Yu stood up, his gaze sharp as he stared at the distant flames. "Last night, the old man taught me a lesson! In war, you can't just think about fighting alone; we also have reinforcements..."

Monk Dong!

Monk Dong still has 20,000 elite cavalry in his hands!

Once they occupy Shangxing, the rest will be left to the old man and Xue Chengdao!

Monk Dong can come to our aid as quickly as possible!

Who will be attacking whom is still uncertain!

At that time, it won't be them who will be in trouble, but Zong Bi!

Zong Bi did not attack, leaving them completely isolated.

To attack, one must face a pincer attack from both him and Monk Dong!

Of course, this is just one strategy.

There has been no news from them yet.

It's unclear whether the enemy force led by Zong Bi was merely feinting.

If not, they would certainly prefer to attack Wangzhou Prefecture and then head straight for Shangxing.

But if it is confirmed that the force was just feinting, then attacking Shangying would be the best option!

Hearing Qin Yu's thoughts, the people around him also began to ponder.

Yuan Dingguo, who had initially been somewhat worried, began to light up. "If Commander Qin says so, this matter seems to actually have potential!"

If they take over Shangxing, Zongbi will be devastated!

"If you want to fight, I won't stop you!"

Ning Huang looked up at Qin Yu: "But you'd better prepare for the worst!"

A glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "If Zong Bi wants to strangle us, then we'll cut off his manhood!"

gambler!

Now, both he and Zongbi are gamblers!

The worst outcome would be a lack of supplies, leaving Zongbi trapped between Wangzhou Prefecture and Shangxing!

But he didn't believe that Zong Bi could lead the troops from Wangzhou Prefecture to block their elite force!

If Zong Bi dares to block them, they will kill through Zong Bi's troops and then occupy Wangzhou Prefecture!

Their troops were truly elite!

One grandmaster, three ninth-realm experts, and Qi Dachui, an expert who is infinitely close to the ninth realm.

There aren't many at the eighth level, but there are a lot of people at the seventh level!

We all have one shoulder and two heads, so let's just get to work!

Ning Huangwei chuckled in surprise: "You seem to be underestimating Zong Bi, this famous general of Yan!"

"A famous general?"

Qin Yu snorted coldly, his gaze resolute, "I'm going to take down a renowned general!"