The Prodigal Son

Before Zong Bi even arrived at the battlefield, he received news that Shan Hong's troops had been overwhelmed.

Upon hearing the news, Zong Bi felt dizzy and almost collapsed to the ground.

"Pursue! Mobilize all cavalry within the city and give chase!"

Zong Bi completely lost his mind, roaring hysterically, his eyes bloodshot.

We must hold off the enemy!

Otherwise, it would be all over if we went to Ying!

With only two or three thousand soldiers from Xing County, let alone defend the city, they would be lucky if they didn't abandon the city and flee when they saw such a large cavalry force charging towards them.

"General!"

Zong Yuan grabbed the irrational Zong Bi and desperately tried to persuade him, "We only have five thousand cavalry left! Sending them to pursue the enemy is sending them to their deaths!"

Zong Bi roared menacingly, "Then everyone chase after them together!"

"General! Calm down!"

Zong Yuan, his face filled with grief and indignation, reminded them, "Can our infantry keep up? We still have a large enemy force in front of us! Are we just going to abandon Wangzhou Prefecture like this?"

"No more! I don't want anything else! I just want Shangying!"

Zong Bi roared wildly, as if he were insane, so much so that Zong Yuan dared not utter another word.

"ah!!!"

Zong Bi roared to the sky and then angrily slammed his palm into the head of the warhorse beneath him.

"law……"

The warhorse only had time to let out a mournful whinny before collapsing to the ground, convulsing uncontrollably.

However, Zong Bi didn't even glance at the warhorse. He moved both palms simultaneously, and streams of violent true energy shook the surrounding earth.

Amidst the dust and smoke, Zong Bi slumped down on the ground, looking utterly disheveled.

He ultimately did not give the order to pursue.

He knew in his heart that what Zongyuan said was true.

Their cavalry were scattered all around, and even if they could quickly gather five thousand cavalry to catch up and attack, it would only be a suicide mission.

Even if he led all his troops to charge, it would be too late, and he would lose Wangzhou Prefecture.

The fall of Shangxing was inevitable.

Zong Bi closed his eyes in anguish, his face filled with remorse.

If I had anticipated that the enemy's target was Shangxing, I could have moved all the troops in the city to the vicinity of the entrances to those ridges and deployed them to defend against the terrain. The enemy would have had no chance of breaking through.

Even if they managed to break through, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses.

But now, it's too late to say anything.

Isn't this the same strategy Qin Yu used to deal with Huang Dengxing?

He used to laugh at Huang Dengxing for being reckless and impulsive, but now he has followed in Huang Dengxing's footsteps.

Soon, I will become a laughing stock in other people's eyes!

Zong Bi was filled with grief and indignation, and he was panting heavily, trying to force himself to calm down.

After calming down, Zongbi slowly stood up from the ground.

We didn't lose!

I haven't lost yet!

The Great Yan is not the Min Kingdom!

The Min Kingdom had mobilized all its troops, leaving its rear extremely vulnerable, which allowed Qin Yu to lead 10,000 cavalry to rampage unchecked in their rear.

But the Great Yan still has two to three hundred thousand troops behind it!

Even if we remove the troops from Panshan Pass and Jizhou, there are still nearly 200,000 troops available for deployment!

As long as they hold Wangzhou Prefecture and prevent any enemy troops from breaking through, this Ning Army cavalry will be an isolated force!

He didn't believe that their 200,000-strong army couldn't defeat 20,000 men!

Correct!

Hold Wangzhou Prefecture!

Block the enemy's retreat!

Ideally, all of Panshibao and Wang Sengyuan's troops should be able to retreat to Wangzhou Prefecture!

However, thinking of the situation at Panshi Fortress, Zong Bi felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Asking them to retreat to Wangzhou Prefecture is just wishful thinking.

They can't possibly get back.

Even if they manage to evacuate, there will probably be very few left!

It would be better to let them hold the fortified position and threaten the enemy's supply lines!

As for myself, I will defend Wangzhou Prefecture well and prevent the Ning army from supporting that cavalry!

The loss of Shangying is both a crisis and an opportunity!

It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious!

Back then, Emperor Xiaowu swept through the land with unstoppable momentum, and I found the key to break the deadlock. This time, I can find the same key to break the deadlock!

After taking a few deep breaths, Zong Bi finally recovered and ordered in a deep voice, "Send more men to scout ahead for a hundred miles, and keep a close eye on the enemy's movements! Order all generals to gather at Wudaoliangzi immediately for a meeting!"

Zong Yuan paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Is the meeting at Wudaoliangzi?"

"Yes! Right here at Wudaoliangzi!"

Zong Bi's eyes were filled with determination. "This commander will make everyone remember the shame of today!"

"yes!"

Zong Yuan immediately accepted the order.

After breaking through the five ridges, Qin Yu and his men did not stop for a moment.

Only when Wangzhou Prefecture was no longer in sight did Qin Yu order his men to stop and take a short rest.

"Thirteenth Young Master, General Yuan sent someone to report that no enemy troops are pursuing us!"

At this moment, Qin Xiong came up to report.

Qin Yu was slightly surprised.

Why didn't the enemy pursue them?

Are we just going to stand by and watch them march up to Ying?

He's even planning a surprise attack!

This was somewhat unexpected!

Looking around, Qin Yu immediately ordered, "Pass down the order: rest for a quarter of an hour and then depart! Tonight, I, the commander, will plant the banner of my Great Ning atop the city walls of Shangxing!"

"yes!"

Qin Xiong shouted excitedly and ran away quickly.

Taking advantage of this time, Qin Yu quickly led his men to climb to the surrounding high places.

Taking the telescope from Nan Que'er, Qin Yu looked towards Wangzhou Prefecture.

From a distance of a thousand miles, one could not only see the outline of Wangzhou Prefecture, but also their rear guard.

The rear guard had no troops behind them; there was no sign of the Yan army at all.

"That's strange..."

Qin Yu put down his telescope and muttered to himself.

"What's wrong?"

Nan Que'er asked, puzzled.

"At this point, Zongbi couldn't possibly be unaware of our intentions."

Qin Yu frowned and said, "He should know better than anyone how important Shangxing is! Why didn't he send someone to follow them?"

"You're just being hypocritical after getting the benefit!"

Nan Que'er smiled and said, "He knew he couldn't hold them off, yet he still sent people to their deaths?"

No, that's not what I meant.

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "Even if we can't hold them off, they can send two or three thousand cavalry to follow us, forcing us to divide our forces to be wary of them. If they find an opportunity, they can even cause us some trouble..."

As long as Zong Bi sends people to follow them, they certainly won't ignore it. Even if it means tying down three to five thousand of their men, it would still be a form of support for Shangxing!

When they attack the city, these troops can also suddenly appear and cause trouble.

There are only two possibilities why Zongbi didn't send anyone to follow him.

Alternatively, Shangxing's defenses are extremely weak, and they could easily take it down with just two or three thousand men or even Ning Huang alone.

Either enemy reinforcements have arrived in Shangxing, or Shangxing has amassed a large force, and Zongbi is certain they cannot capture Shangxing.

Listening to Qin Yu's analysis, Ning Huang said confidently, "It's definitely a sign of weak defenses! Their reinforcements couldn't possibly arrive this fast!"

The transmission of messages and the assembly of troops all take time.

"I hope so!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly, "Anyway, we should still be careful! Yan is not Min after all. At this point, we can't afford to capsize in a ditch..."