The Prodigal Son

"General Qin, the Yan army has split into three groups; one group is heading to attack our grain transport convoy!"

"Another force has infiltrated between our unit and that other force. General Dong judges that this force is intended to block our unit's route back to reinforce!"

"Another force has headed east, flying Yan Wujiu's banner; their intentions are unclear!"

Qin Yu, who was advancing towards Tiger's Mouth, received a message sent by Dong Heshang.

Divide the troops into three groups?

The Flying Fang Cavalry only numbered 20,000 men, yet Yan Wujiu dared to divide his forces into three routes?

Yan Wujiu's plan was not to have one force join forces with the Yan army in the direction of Tiger's Mouth to hold them off, while another force burned their grain convoy's provisions, then combine with the blocking force to turn around and attack Dong Heshang's troops.

After defeating Dong Heshang's forces, they will concentrate their forces to devour themselves.

If Yan Wujiu really thought that way, then he was far too audacious!

How confident must he be in the Flying Riders' combat capabilities to dare to do this!

Or perhaps, this is a feint by Yan Wujiu?

Qin Yu's old problem has relapsed.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yu suddenly shook his head.

What time is it? Why are you still being so suspicious?

No matter what, their goal cannot change!

Clearing his mind of distractions, Qin Yu didn't hesitate any longer and immediately ordered: "Order the entire army to immediately turn around and follow me on a surprise attack to the south! Order Pei Xiao to lead his troops to the left rear flank to prevent Yan Wujiu's forces from turning around and cutting us in half!"

Isn't it just the Flying Tiger Cavalry?

If we encounter each other head-on, then let's fight!

They had to rush to the rear of Shimanzi Slope and quickly advance towards Wulin.

As soon as Qin Yu gave the order, the army quickly changed direction.

"Thump thump..."

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed across the land like a series of thunderclaps.

At this time, the distance between Qin Yu's troops and Yan Wujiu's troops was only about 20 li.

Both sides dispatched a large number of scouts and agents to monitor each other's movements.

As Qin Yu's troops changed direction, Yan Wujiu, who was leading 5,000 cavalry to join forces with more than 30,000 troops on a forced march, soon received the news.

"Did they change direction?"

Yan Wujiu was stunned upon receiving the message.

This Yan cavalry force was only twenty or thirty li away from their twenty thousand troops in the direction of Tiger's Mouth!

Such a large cavalry force, and they don't even dare to fight here?

Or perhaps he was too greedy, making the cavalry fear being surrounded, thus abandoning the attack and instead going to occupy the strategic location of Shimanzi Slope.

What was the Ning army doing occupying Shimanzi Slope?

Their grain transport teams were all ambushed by Brother Akagi and his troops!

Are all their men eating dirt at Shimanzi Slope?

Yan Wujiu's mind was a bit of a mess.

The drawbacks of not getting enough rest for a long time are starting to show.

"map!"

Yan Wujiu gave a low shout, and Cheng Lin, the commander of his personal guards, immediately presented him with a map.

Yan Wujiu shook his head slightly, took the map, and quickly began to examine it.

His gaze lingered around Shimanzi Slope, but he couldn't figure it out no matter how he looked.

However, as his gaze moved southeast along Shimanzi Slope, his mind suddenly exploded with a "boom".

Jade Toad!

Ning's cavalry was about to launch a surprise attack...

Do not!

It's not a jade toad!

They knew that Yu Chan didn't have much food or supplies worth scavenging, and the Ning army probably knew that too!

Currently, there is only one place with the most grain and supplies!

Ulin!

The thought of the consequences of Wulin being attacked suddenly made Yan Wujiu panic, and even the hand holding the map was trembling!

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Seeing Yan Wujiu's expression, Cheng Lin couldn't help but ask with concern.

"Urin!"

Yan Wujiu suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes chillingly cold. "The Ning army's true objective is to launch a surprise attack on Wulin!"

Only by launching a surprise attack on Wulin can this Ning army obtain enough food and supplies!

Once Wulin falls, the Ning army from Guanzhou can quickly cross the river and arrive!

Upon hearing Yan Wujiu's words, Cheng Lin's expression changed drastically, and he said anxiously, "Your Highness, we must quickly intercept this Ning army!"

"Stop them? How can we stop them?"

Yan Wujiu flew into a rage: "We only have five thousand cavalry, and the Ning army even sent men to protect our left rear flank. How are we supposed to stop them?"

"But……"

Cheng Lin was extremely anxious, but seeing Yan Wujiu's fury, he swallowed back his words and instead cast a pleading look at Wei Zhui.

"Your Highness, we have to think of a way. We can't just stand by and watch the Ning army launch a surprise attack on Wulin."

Wei Zhui was also somewhat flustered, and his face turned extremely pale.

Even if he didn't lead the troops, he knew the consequences of losing Wulin!

"Let me have some peace and quiet!"

After saying that, Yan Wujiu took the map and went to sit down to calm down.

They misjudged Ning Jun's objectives, lost the initiative, and were unable to stop him at all!

Forcibly sending troops to intercept them will only increase unnecessary casualties.

calm down!

Now more than ever, we need to stay calm!

Yan Wujiu kept telling himself this in his heart, and kept forcing himself to calm down and think.

Ulin still has 30,000 troops.

However, these 30,000 troops were deployed in two locations.

One was inside Wulin City, and the other was the Linjiang military camp, which was built to guard against a surprise attack by the Ning army crossing the river.

If we divide our forces to defend, I estimate we won't be able to hold either location.

If the troops are concentrated in Wulin City, and the Linjiang military camp is lost, the Ning army from Guanzhou on the other side of the Yi River can quickly rush over and besiege Wulin City together with that cavalry.

However, Linjiang Military Camp lacks tall city walls for protection, and its defensive capabilities are no match for Wulin City. If troops are concentrated in Linjiang Military Camp, they are likely to be defeated by Ning Army's cavalry.

Choosing the right option is a difficult problem!

After much hesitation, Yan Wujiu finally made up his mind.

Defend the Linjiang military camp!

That Ning army couldn't possibly carry too many supplies. As long as Si Rong could hold out for a day, I could send Flying Riders to provide rapid support!

At that time, they will attack from both sides and wipe out this Ning army in one fell swoop!

and……

As he was thinking, Yan Wujiu suddenly froze.

A moment later, Yan Wujiu suddenly burst into laughter without warning.

"Ha ha……"

Upon hearing Yan Wujiu's laughter, Wei Zhui and Cheng Lin's expressions suddenly changed.

"Your Highness, are you...are you alright?"

Cheng Lin looked at Yan Wujiu, who was laughing heartily, with a nervous expression, and asked cautiously.

He was genuinely afraid that Yan Wujiu would be driven mad by Ning Jun.

"Your Highness, you must pull yourself together! We haven't been defeated yet!"

Wei Zhui also offered his advice with concern.

"Of course we didn't lose!"

Yan Wujiu looked up at the two of them. "Wasn't our original plan to feign defeat and retreat to Yuchan?"

"Now we have even stronger reasons to retreat to Jade Toad!"

"Now, the Ning people will no longer doubt our purpose in retreating to Yuchan, will they?"

Yan Wujiu's face was full of smiles.

Now, they can not only achieve their goal, but also avoid sending those 20,000 troops to their deaths in the Tiger's Mouth direction. They even have the opportunity to wipe out Ning's elite cavalry!

Three happy events!

He should be happy!

Upon hearing Yan Wujiu's words, Wei Zhui and Cheng Lin were stunned.

Yes!

They were originally planning to retreat to Yuchan!

Right now, it's just a matter of changing the method to achieve the goal!

While they were distracted, Yan Wujiu quickly gave the order: "Send men to take the back roads and get to Wulin as fast as possible. Tell Si Rong the news and order him to concentrate all his troops at the Linjiang military camp. Even if the entire army is wiped out, they must hold it for me for at least one more day!"

"yes!"

The messenger received the order.

Yan Wujiu exhaled a breath of stale air, slowly stood up, and coldly ordered, "Pass down the order: all infantrymen, take the provisions and retreat to Yuchan immediately!"

"Order Akagi and Hu Damao to immediately lead their troops to join me in a pincer attack to cover the Ning army cavalry!"

Ningjun can launch a surprise attack on Wulin!

He knew in his heart that Si Rong's troops would inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Therefore, Ning Jun must also pay the price!

First, surround and eliminate the Ning army cavalry providing cover, thus covering the retreat of the main force!

Once the main force has withdrawn some distance, send Flying Riders to quickly advance towards Wulin to support Si Rong...