12dz Chapter 2016 Feng Mulan's Advice
Chapter 2016 Feng Mulan's Advice
The voices of the pro-war faction resonated powerfully!
Another group of generals preferred Feng Anguo's more conservative strategy.
A general in charge of logistics and supplies said with great concern, "Your Majesty, by taking the initiative to go beyond the pass, the supply lines will be exposed and need to be protected by troops."
"Although we still have enough food and supplies, the long-term standoff has taken a huge toll."
"It would be better to hold the pass, rely on the strong city defenses, wear down the enemy's morale and supplies, and wait for the arrival of Generals Xue and Ma's army."
"At that time, our army will have an absolute advantage in strength, and we will have a greater chance of winning the decisive battle and suffer less losses."
"Defend? Until how long? What if the Tang army sends reinforcements from within the country?"
"Strike while the iron is hot! We should strike while the iron is hot and finish him off!"
"Your Majesty, it is best to play it safe. Our army already has the advantage, there is no need to take risks."
"Advantages aren't gained by waiting; they're earned through action!"
A debate gradually broke out in the hall, with both sides sticking to their own arguments and having their own reasons.
The pro-war faction is aggressive, while the pro-stability faction has its reasons.
Chu Ning and Feng Mulan listened quietly without rushing to express their opinions.
Chu Ning's fingers tapped lightly on the back of the chair, his gaze deep as he moved between the sand table and the arguing generals, weighing the pros and cons and risks of each plan.
Feng Mulan's gaze remained calm, occasionally exchanging a glance with Chu Ning, clearly indicating that she was also making meticulous calculations in her mind.
This strategic decision concerns the ultimate outcome of the war in southern Xinjiang and cannot afford the slightest mistake.
The debate in the council chamber was like a boiling cauldron, with the generals of the pro-war and pro-defense factions each sticking to their own arguments and refusing to yield.
Ran Ming's bald head was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and he waved his thick arms, trying to drown out the voices advocating for a more cautious approach.
Feng Anguo remained calm, but his tone became increasingly firm, repeatedly emphasizing the risks of acting rashly.
The entire hall seemed to have become a battlefield without gunpowder, where strategic ideas clashed fiercely.
Just as the argument reached a stalemate, Chu Ning, who was sitting upright, coughed softly.
The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to possess some strange magic, instantly piercing through all the noise.
The hall fell silent instantly, and all the arguing stopped abruptly.
No matter how agitated the generals were just moments before, they immediately composed themselves and turned their gazes to the emperor on the throne, awaiting his divine judgment.
Chu Ning showed no emotion on his face. His deep gaze slowly swept over everyone and finally landed on Feng Mulan, who had been silent by his side.
He knew that his beloved concubine was not only the bravest in the army, but also a master strategist, and had fully demonstrated her ability to plan and strategize in the Battle of Luoxia Mountain.
At this critical moment of strategic decision-making, he was eager to hear her insights.
"My beloved concubine,"
Chu Ning's voice was calm, with a hint of consultation: "You heard what the generals said just now. Both offense and defense have their reasons. I wonder what your opinion is on this, my dear consort?"
In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Feng Mulan.
This Imperial Noble Consort, who had just made outstanding military achievements, was no longer just the emperor's concubine in everyone's eyes, but also a commander and strategist worthy of attention.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Feng Mulan calmly bowed slightly, a faint yet confident smile curving her lips.
She did not directly endorse either side, but instead proposed a seemingly compromise, but actually more practical, strategy:
"Your Majesty, generals,"
Her clear and melodious voice reached everyone's ears: "Whether one is eager for battle or holds firm and awaits reinforcements, the key lies in an accurate assessment of the current enemy situation."
"Our army's current knowledge of Li Jing's consolidation of his forces within the pass is still not comprehensive, including his specific deployment, morale, food reserves, and even the coordination among various units."
"Under these circumstances, whether one launches a full-scale attack or adopts a completely defensive approach, it is inevitable that there will be some degree of recklessness involved."
She walked to the sand table, and with her slender fingers, lightly touched the location representing the Tang army camp at Zhennan Pass:
"Therefore, I believe that the best course of action at present is not to launch a full-scale attack or to defend completely, but to probe and restrain."
"First, we should send an elite force to launch a probing attack on the Tang army's camp."
Her gaze swept over Ran Ming and the others, who were eager to try: "The purpose of this action is neither to break through the camp nor to seek a decisive battle."
"It is to take the initiative to attack instead of defend, and force them to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of their defenses, troop deployments, and reaction speed."
"To find out the strength of their camp, the layout of their crossbow formations, the patterns of their cavalry attacks, and even to observe the state of their soldiers in battle."
"This intelligence is crucial for our army's future decisions, whether to launch a direct assault or engage in a prolonged siege."
"This is a trial balloon, a way to put the initiative in our hands."
Her analysis elevated a local attack to the level of strategic reconnaissance, giving the generals who had been fixated on "attack" or "defense" a sudden clarity.
Even Feng Anguo, who advocated for a cautious approach, nodded slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression.
However, Feng Mulan's next words made everyone's expressions even more solemn.
She abruptly changed the subject, calmly revealing a crucial new piece of information:
"In addition, according to the secret report just delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Emperor Li Shimin of Tang has urgently mobilized 100,000 troops in the country, led by the veteran general Guo Ziyi, and they are rushing to the southern border day and night to provide support."
"It is expected that their forwards will arrive in the war zone within half a month at the earliest."
This news was like a boulder thrown into calm water, causing the generals to murmur among themselves.
One hundred thousand fresh troops!
This is absolutely a force capable of changing the balance of power on the battlefield!
Before the discussion could escalate, Feng Mulan continued to elaborate on her overall concept:
"This reinforcement is not to be ignored. We must find a way to intercept and delay it, and we must not allow it to successfully join up with Li Jing."
"Otherwise, even if our army wins at Zhennanguan, it will pay a much heavier price."
Her finger traced an arc on the sand table, pointing in the northwest direction where Tang reinforcements might arrive:
"Therefore, I suggest that we immediately send a message by carrier pigeon, ordering General Ma Chao's troops, who are currently approaching Zhennan Pass with General Han Xing, to change their original route."
"There's no need for us to come and join you. Instead, we should immediately turn northwest and be responsible for intercepting and harassing Guo Ziyi's 100,000 Tang troops!"
She looked at Feng Anguo and added, "General Ma Chao's forces are mostly composed of Xiliang cavalry, who are skilled in long-distance raids, flank harassment, and mobile annihilation of the enemy."
"Using this elite force, relying on favorable terrain, to launch layer-by-layer attacks, constantly harass their supply lines, exhaust their troops, and slow down their advance is the most appropriate course of action."
"We do not seek complete annihilation, but rather to keep them firmly tied down, preventing them from being deployed to the main battlefield at Zhennanguan in a timely manner."
Then, she pointed to the location of Xue Huaide's troops: "At the same time, order General Xue Huaide to lead his and General Guan Yun's troops, totaling 120,000 men, to accelerate their approach to Zhennan Pass!"
"Once they arrive, our total military strength will exceed 300,000, giving us an absolute advantage over Li Jing. At that time, we will have a greater chance of winning the decisive battle!"