12dz Chapter 2126 Su Tingmei's Plan
Chapter 2126 Su Tingmei's Plan
"Take the initiative?"
"Fighting against the Scorpion Clan cavalry in the open field?"
"How...how can this be allowed?"
As soon as Su Tingmei finished speaking, it immediately sparked a fierce wave of opposition among the generals!
The generals, who had just been bewildered by the possibility of being "ignored," now jumped up as if their tails had been stepped on.
Deputy Commander Liu shook his head vigorously: "No! Absolutely not!"
"Mr. Su, you are unaware of this! The Scorpion Clan cavalry are swift as the wind, and their advantage in open field battles far surpasses that of our infantry!"
"Although our army has cavalry, their numbers, horsemanship, and even their warhorses are inferior to those of the Scorpion Clan's elite troops!"
"To abandon the advantage of defending a fortified city and engage in open battle is tantamount to using one's own weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths! This is the way to certain defeat!"
The capable young general also said urgently, "Yes, Mr. Su! We are almost certain to win the city defense, but in open battle, the outcome is uncertain, and the chances of victory are slim!"
"If the attack fails, not only will we suffer heavy losses, but it could also undermine the very foundation of our defenses, putting even Youzhou City in danger! The risk is too great!"
"The Scorpion Clan is just waiting for us to leave the city! They'd love to fight in the open!"
"Your Highness, this is far too risky. Please reconsider!"
"Defending the city is the best course of action; launching an attack would be unwise!"
Opposition was widespread and almost unanimous.
The generals' reactions were understandable.
The mindset developed over many years of fighting against the Scorpion Clan is to rely on city defenses and avoid large-scale open field battles.
Su Tingmei's proposal completely overturned their familiar and safe combat mode, touching their instinctive fear of field combat and their resistance to unknown risks.
Chu Xuan frowned, looking at the vehemently opposing generals, then at Su Tingmei, whose expression remained calm as if she had anticipated this reaction, and asked in a deep voice:
“Mr. Su, what the generals said is also true.”
"Field battles are certainly not advantageous for us, and launching an offensive carries enormous risks. Since you have proposed this, you must have given it careful consideration and are able to mitigate these risks?"
All eyes were once again fixed on Su Tingmei, waiting for him to continue.
Should he stick to his own opinion, or be refuted by the opposition of his generals?
Will this strategist's "brilliant plan" be able to persuade these border generals who are used to scorched earth tactics?
The atmosphere in the hall became tense and delicate once again.
Faced with the almost instinctive and fierce opposition from the generals, Su Tingmei's face did not show the slightest surprise or annoyance.
He seemed to have anticipated this backlash, and even viewed it as a necessary step before proceeding with the plan.
He gently swayed the crane feather fan in his hand again with that unhurried rhythm, and the breeze he created seemed to carry a calming power.
After the generals' objections subsided slightly, he spoke calmly and slowly, his voice still clear and peaceful, yet carrying a clear and logical quality that seemed to dispel all doubts:
"Generals, please calm down. What I, General Liu, have said to you is invaluable advice, and it is also the hard-earned experience accumulated over many years of fighting against the Scorpion Clan. How could I, Tingmei, dare to take it lightly?"
He first acknowledged everyone's concerns, easing the tension, and then changed the subject:
"However, the generals seem to have misunderstood the meaning of taking the initiative to attack."
"What Mei said about using offense as a form of defense does not mean that my entire Youzhou army should come out of the city to face off against the 100,000 Scorpion Clan cavalry in a decisive battle on the open field."
He gestured with his feather fan and began to elaborate on his tactical plan: "That is the act of a reckless man, not the act of a wise man."
"The meaning of 'listening to the plum blossom' is limited, precise, and continuous proactive harassment and restraint."
"First, we should attack them when they are unprepared and disturb their peace."
Su Tingmei's gaze swept over the generals: "Although the Scorpion Clan army is large, its food and supplies also rely on transportation from the rear, and its camps are not a monolithic entity."
"I can select the bravest and most courageous soldiers in the army to form several or even dozens of light cavalry squads, ranging from several hundred to several dozen. They will not carry heavy armor, but will only be equipped with powerful bows and crossbows, oil, and other supplies."
“They would launch attacks in the dead of night, in the wind and rain, or under the cover of the terrain, taking turns to strike their outer cavalry, patrols, and grain transport teams, burning their haystacks, harassing their camps, and shooting their warhorses.”
"Secondly, attack what they must defend, and lure them into battle."
He continued, a calculating glint in his eyes: "According to intelligence reports, Gongsun Yi's 100,000-strong army is not all concentrated in one place under the city of Youzhou."
"The main force was stationed at the old village of Heishibao, thirty miles to the northeast, while several detachments were stationed at water sources or transportation routes in the southeast and northwest, forming a defensive triangle."
"Our army can feign an attack on the encampment of their detachment, or harass their water sources, forcing their main force to divide its troops to come to the rescue, or frequently mobilize its forces."
"As long as their troops are in a state of movement, on alert, and forced to respond, it will be difficult for them to calmly assemble and plan a long-distance raid to the south."
"Thirdly, show the enemy weakness and lure them deep into our territory, but never engage in a decisive battle."
Su Tingmei's feather fan drew an arc in the air: "Occasionally, I can send out a sizable force to challenge them outside the city, or to escort the grain convoy, seemingly creating an opportunity."
"When the enemy cavalry comes to pursue, pretend to be outmatched and quickly retreat to within the range of the city's crossbows or into a pre-arranged ambush in a favorable location."
"If we can achieve some success, that would be best. Even if we can't, it will keep the enemy on edge, making it impossible for them to judge our true intentions and strength, and they will not dare to easily divide their troops and go far away."
He concluded with a resolute tone: "Therefore, the core of our army's proactive attack lies in the word 'disturbance' and the word 'entanglement'!"
"Like a bone-deep sore, or like a pack of wolves harassing a tiger, you don't fight it head-on, but you make it restless and exhausted, always feeling threatened."
"The objective is to delay, deplete, and tie down their forces and energy to the greatest extent possible, so that they cannot successfully execute their strategy of disengaging and launching a pincer attack from the south."
"At the same time, it can also improve the mobile combat capabilities of our cavalry and boost the morale of the soldiers defending the city."
Su Tingmei's detailed and layered analysis unfolded like a clear tactical picture before the generals.
What he described was not the desperate field battle they initially imagined, but a more flexible, cunning, asymmetric harassment warfare aimed at attrition and containment.
The hall fell silent again, but this time the atmosphere was completely different from the previous bewilderment and opposition.
The generals' faces showed thoughtful expressions, and the resistance in their eyes was gradually replaced by understanding.
The old, bearded general, Deputy Commander Liu, stroked his beard and pondered, "Does Mr. Su mean to use small, elite troops to harass them relentlessly, so that they can't have peace?"
"Like...like hyenas harassing a pride of lions on the savanna?"
"Exactly that."
Su Tingmei smiled and nodded: "Although lions are fierce, they cannot hunt or travel far safely due to the constant harassment from hyenas."
"Our army is to be the hyena that keeps Gongsun Yi, the wise lion of the north, constantly annoyed and unable to escape."