12dz Chapter 2004: Invading the Heart of Chu?
Chapter 2004: Invading the Heart of Chu?
Seeing the emperor's fury, he almost immediately investigated the crime of failing in his duty to gather intelligence.
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Changsun Wuji quickly stepped forward, bowed, and earnestly advised:
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This is not the time to punish the spies for their dereliction of duty! The most urgent task is to deal with the current crisis!"
He raised his hand and pointed south, speaking faster: "The Chu army has just won such a great victory, and their morale must be at its peak."
"On the other hand, our army has suffered heavy losses, its strength has been greatly reduced, and its morale is low."
"Chu Ning and Feng Mulan are by no means mediocre. They will not give our army a chance to catch its breath and will definitely press on to expand the victory."
"General Li Jing also judged in his letter that the Chu army would most likely concentrate its superior forces to launch a fierce attack on Gao Xianzhi's troops in the direction of the Canglang River, or even on the main defense line of Zhennan Pass!"
Changsun Wuji's face was extremely solemn, and his voice was somber: "Your Majesty, after this battle, the total strength of our army in the southern border is now far inferior to that of the Chu army."
"If we divide our forces to defend the Canglang River and Zhennan Pass, it will be easy for the Chu army to defeat us one by one with their superior numbers."
"The best course of action now is to act decisively, quickly adjust our deployment, and shrink our defenses."
"Only by concentrating all available forces can we stabilize our position and resist the fierce offensive of the Chu army!"
Outside the palace, the north wind still howled, swirling snowflakes that lashed against the windowpanes, as if playing a mournful background melody for the devastating news of the defeat in the southern frontier.
Inside the palace, the charcoal fire remained warm, but it could not dispel the biting chill that permeated the hearts of the emperor and his ministers.
Li Shimin stood before the imperial desk, his chest heaving violently.
He stared intently at the vast area of southern Xinjiang on the map, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through time and space to see the battlefield strewn with corpses and the even greater storm that was about to break.
Changsun Wuji's advice echoed in his ears, and he knew that the Prime Minister was right.
Anger won't solve the problem. What's needed now is the calmest, most rational, and most likely most painful decision.
A brief silence fell over the palace, broken only by the occasional crackling of the charcoal brazier and the relentless howling of the north wind outside, which resonated deeply in the hearts of the emperor and his ministers.
The urgent report from the southern frontier on the imperial desk was like a red-hot iron, searing Li Shiming's vision. Every word on it was soaked in the blood of the soldiers on the front lines and the shadow of great defeat.
The violent heaving of the emperor's chest gradually subsided, and the rage that was about to burst forth, like magma forcibly suppressed to the bottom of a frozen lake, transformed into a deeper and more dangerous coldness.
He slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the smooth rosewood tabletop, producing a dull and rhythmic "tap-tap" sound that was particularly clear in the silent hall.
He raised his eyes, those eyes that were once full of ambition to conquer new territories, now only showing the calmness and calculation of an emperor, looking down at Changsun Wuji, whose face was still pale but who was trying to remain calm.
"Prime Minister!"
Li Shiming's voice regained its composure, yet carried a metallic quality:
"In your opinion, how should I deal with the current situation? The blood of 100,000 soldiers cannot be shed in vain. I absolutely cannot admit defeat on this chessboard in the southern border."
Seeing that the emperor quickly regained his composure from his rage, Changsun Wuji felt somewhat relieved, knowing that this was the crucial moment to offer his advice.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and stood before the huge map of southern Xinjiang, pointing precisely at the location of the Canglang River.
"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to reverse the critical situation where our army is dispersed and in a weak position."
His voice was calm and clear, carrying an undeniable logic: "With the momentum of their great victory, the Chu army's next step will surely be to find our army's weaknesses in order to further expand their gains."
"General Gao Xianzhi, who is from the direction of Canglang River, is also a good general, but he does not have many troops under his command. Now, facing the main force of the Chu army that may be swarming in—whether it is Xue Huaide's troops or the Zhuque Legion—it will be difficult for him to resist."
"If the Canglang River is lost, the flank of Zhennan Pass will be completely exposed. At that time, even if General Li Jing has extraordinary abilities, he will find it difficult to reverse the defeat."
His fingers decisively swept from the Canglang River toward Zhennan Pass: "Therefore, my first strategy is to cut off one's own arm and clench one's fist!"
"Your Majesty, please issue an urgent imperial edict immediately, ordering General Gao Xianzhi to abandon the existing defense line along the Canglang River and lead all his troops to Zhennan Pass at top speed to join forces with the main forces of Generals Li Jing and Wang Zhongsi!"
"Concentrate all the remaining troops in our southern border region and hold the Zhennanguan line."
"The pass is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as our army is united and takes advantage of the terrain, we can withstand the Chu army's advance, stabilize the front line, and prevent the situation from deteriorating further."
Li Shimin followed Changsun Wuji's finger with his gaze and nodded slightly.
Giving up the Canglang River was regrettable, but given the absolute disparity in strength, concentrating forces was the only correct choice.
He said in a deep voice, "But simply shrinking the defensive line can only temporarily slow the decline. The Chu army is powerful. If we besiege them for a long time or keep looking for openings to attack, Zhennan Pass will not be a safe place either."
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Changsun Wuji immediately chimed in, which was the key point he was about to make: "Contracting the defenses is only to buy time."
"My second strategy is to consolidate our foundation and launch a full-scale attack!"
"Your Majesty, please issue an immediate decree to urgently transfer 100,000 elite troops from the various garrisons and prefectures across the country, as well as the Imperial Guards in the capital!"
"A highly respected and capable general is hereby appointed to lead the expedition, which will proceed day and night to reinforce Zhennanguan!"
"The day these 100,000 fresh troops arrive will be the day the balance of power between our army and the Chu army is reversed!"
"At that time, relying on the Zhennanguan camp, we can advance or retreat as needed, and the initiative may return to our hands!"
This suggestion made Li Shiming's eyes light up.
Mobilizing 100,000 troops is no small matter, involving provisions, weaponry, laborers, and domestic defense.
But given the perilous situation in southern Xinjiang, this is indeed a price that must be paid.
He nodded slowly: "Yes, you shall discuss this matter immediately with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, formulate a plan for the transfer of personnel and the selection of the commander-in-chief, and report to me as soon as possible."
"Old minister, I obey the order!"
Changsun Wuji bowed and accepted the order, but he did not stop. He changed the subject, and a deeper light flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, both of these strategies are our Great Tang's own countermeasures."
"However, the reason why the Chu army was able to achieve such a great victory this time is because they came with all their strength, and their rear must have been empty."
"Why don't we follow the old strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' and draw on external forces to attack what they are bound to defend?"
He pointed to the map again, this time his finger crossing the long battle line in the south and pointing directly to the heartland of the Chu Kingdom:
"Does Your Majesty still remember the Scorpion Clan? In this defeat at Luoxia Mountain, Helian Wujiu's 30,000 elite Scorpion Clan troops were completely wiped out, and the strength of his Golden Scorpion Clan was greatly diminished."
"How could the Scorpion Khan not be heartbroken? How could he not resent the Chu army? Now is the perfect opportunity for us to take advantage of his anger!"