Chapter 234: Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell
In the Xiangbei Campaign, Xuan Chong personally arrived in Xiang Prefecture to oversee the situation, began clearing logistics, and conducted merit evaluations for each army corps. He did not personally command, but instead handed over command of this campaign to Wu Rui at the end.
The saying goes, a fist does not strike the young and strong; the muscle density and bone strength of twenty-year-olds are at their peak, allowing them to overcome skill with brute force.
And in the mental contest of commanding large corps, a young brain outperforms a forty-year-old brain by a significant margin.
It is said that Xuan Chong now has the option to redeem an auxiliary system called “Super Brain,” which costs about 1 academic credit, but he ultimately gave it up. The reason was that he had already schemed to this extent himself, and using academic credits to cheat against Zhao Cheng would somewhat insult his own efforts.
As for what Zhao Cheng is doing? He is leading seventy thousand troops southward, with each army consisting of ten thousand men, the core being around two thousand battle soldiers. The numbers of regular soldiers and auxiliary soldiers fluctuate, requiring statistics on battle supplements and food and grass requirements.
Over these years, Zhao Cheng has incorporated Xuan Chong’s system into military strategy, but the scholar-officials under him are still using the old version.
Xuan Chong’s drill manual actually makes military strategy calculations more complex. Xuan Chong relies on non-commissioned officer organization to complete the overall calculations.
Without a stable non-commissioned officer training system, Zhao Cheng has to personally handle a series of combat command functions from the grassroots to mid-level in the staff department. — He is going to be worked to death.
So Zhao Cheng still uses a mix of new and old methods, keeping some decision-making authority himself, promoting some scholars, and allocating tasks according to Xuan Chong’s non-commissioned officer organization.
For example, right now, wherever the army passes: 1: Local militia join the army. 2: Recruit criminals to form suicide squads. 3: Communicate with local wealthy families, using promises of official positions to get local strongmen to provide servants to form “militia.” At this moment, it is an opportunity for local strongmen like Liu Bei and Cao Cao with substantial family assets to rise.
Each army under Zhao Cheng has actually expanded in personnel to over ten thousand at present.
The martial artists he originally conscripted from various local noble families have now risen with the corps expansion, transforming from being ordered about to becoming the backbone organizing local military and civilians.
Zhao Cheng had to use several methods for statistics, then reconcile and compare.
Xuan Chong’s side, however, has only one set of calculation standards. Relying on an efficient administrative system: clarifying exactly how many people each route of troops has and how they are categorized.
The advisor team gathered around Zhao Cheng is a makeshift group of the smartest people recommended by various noble families from different places. These advisors are loose and undisciplined among themselves, lacking sufficient discipline.
Such as having each general report troop numbers, then having the camp’s food officers report food and grass consumption, then having camp medical officers statistic the consumption of “herb lozenges” and submit, followed by verification; these mathematical calculations, the wise scholars are unwilling to labor over excessively.
…Commentary…
Xuan Chong’s evaluation of Zhao Cheng is: Most generals in feudal dynasties can only coordinate one route of army. Specifically, how many people are in that one route? The higher the level of the military strategist, the more people they lead. He (Zhao Cheng) can organize a massive and multi-unit corps in an orderly manner, but personal tactics and techniques have limits; once entering comprehensive confrontation of multiple subsystems, he will fall at a disadvantage.
Xuan Chong reviewed all of Zhao Cheng’s operations in this battle. He does have “multi-line operations” of advancing on multiple routes, but his “multi-line operations” can only target one strategic objective at a time.
However, if it is multi-line against multi-line, his multi-lines cannot attend to other objectives beyond the single target he has locked onto.
This national war has already exposed his flaw. While focusing on the southern front, the military deployments on the Yongzhou and Xia Prefecture fronts had major oversights due to inadequate personnel considerations, which is a lack of “multi-line multi-objective” capability.
It is said that over these years of southern campaigns, Xuan Chong has tempered a talent team in the southern region, while in the north letting returned talents handle affairs independently, which is training their ability to stand on their own.
Returning to the current warfare, in the traditional battle tactic of hundred-thousand-strong armies arrayed against each other. Xuan Chong is absolutely capable of going one round against Zhao Cheng.
Both sides are on the same level in flag signaling, strengthening control over subordinates, enhancing troop execution, etc. In confrontation, each calculates how to create local advantages for a frontal decisive battle, while dispatching several thousand surprise troops to raid flanks and rears, absolutely trading blows.
But now, Xuan Chong does not want to play this traditional “combination of orthodox and unorthodox tactics” with Zhao Cheng.
Xuan Chong handing command to Wu Rui and the staff departments is to tell Zhao Cheng: “Lord, the era has changed, there is no more orthodox and unorthodox; each group in the corps can be orthodox or unorthodox; assembly orders can gather for frontal assault, dispersal orders can enable multi-route surprise attacks. This is the true form of modernized troops.”
…The era has changed, military strategists have crossed versions…
On the map, Xuan Chong’s corps, under Wu Rui’s mobilization, began forming two red blocks synchronously enveloping.
Haotian’s blue block appears very passive, clearly shocked by this synchronous maneuver spanning a full thirty kilometers.
Zhao Cheng quickly reacted, dispatching ten thousand men each to the left and right to build fortified positions on both sides. To prevent Wu Rui’s pincer attack from both flanks.
It can be said that Zhao Cheng’s reaction is very correct; his seventy thousand army splits into two routes of troops on both flank positions for defense. And Wu Rui’s attacking forces do not hold absolute advantage, so if the attack is frustrated, after Zhao Cheng grips Wu Rui’s “two fists” of offense, he still has spare troops from the remaining hand to mobilize and strike one route first.
However, after these twenty thousand on both wings were dispatched by Zhao Cheng to the flank positions, Wu Rui issued another order, leaving one thousand on the position to confront the two routes of troops dispatched by Zhao Cheng; then the main force maneuvered again. That is, shifting superior forces to another location. (Using one thousand to contain ten thousand)
This situation is, let’s see how many troops you, Zhao Cheng, can split off to defend each direction?
This is the new version, which Wu Rui calls “multi-stage acceleration run”!
The multi-stages are respectively: one: discovering enemy military intelligence; two: processing intelligence; three: making decisions; four: execution; five: analyzing enemy feedback to one’s own rapid execution. Then re-entering one.
Wu Rui and other non-commissioned officers, through multiple tactical simulations, determined that as long as their own series of processes is faster than the opponent’s, the corps can always act first, with minimal cost prioritizing action, forcing the opponent into passive response at higher cost.
This way, through a series of military decisions, the opponent’s military resources are dispersed in the short term across large “spaces requiring defense” in the confrontation, creating the effect of “prepared everywhere, weak everywhere.”
That is to say, now the two ten-thousand-man troops Zhao Cheng split off are still prepared under the assumption that “Wu Rui is in front with a large elite assault group”; as for the intelligence that Wu Rui left one thousand troops to contain while shifting the main force elsewhere, the two armies Zhao Cheng dispatched cannot obtain this intelligence, leaving it to Zhao Cheng’s central hub to handle.
No matter how divinely calculating Zhao Cheng is, without sufficient intelligence, even a clever woman cannot cook without rice.
Over these years, Wu Rui has been grinding his team in this aspect through a series of military exercises. Like striving for full marks on an exam, making this loop turn faster and faster.
On the current Baitu map, Xuan Chong sees that the red corps modules can always force Zhao Cheng to react first, then leave small forces as “afterimages” to fool Zhao Cheng’s reactions; Wu Rui’s battle tactic has succeeded.
…All the martial arts in the world, only speed breaks them…
Zhao Cheng, without lifting the war fog, is confused; deploying one ten-thousand corps to both sides did not hold them off, and now signs of large corps appear in the rear.
The result is that on Zhao Cheng’s decision map, Wu Rui’s mere thirty thousand troops appear layered heavily in every direction. Really calculating by traditional troop strength, Wu Rui has over a hundred thousand surrounding, but this is fundamentally impossible.
July 1st, after the second day of Wu Rui’s high-mobility maneuvers, Zhao Cheng already sensed the situation was dire. Wu Rui’s troops, backed by ample food and grass supply, kept maneuvering.
Zhao Cheng’s scouts always discover large corps assembling in every direction. And his subordinates on the defended directions all continually report facing Chong Army attacks.
Narration: Due to the defensive troops Zhao Cheng dispatched passively building fortified positions; this also compressed the scouts’ outward exploration space synchronously. In short, Zhao Cheng lags in external intelligence feedback.
Looking at the map of his deployments here, Zhao Cheng pondered: “Staying put is a dead end, must break out!
Everyone followed Zhao Cheng’s gaze and was stunned: this is retreating into Ji Prefecture? Zhao Cheng said: “Since the opponent won’t take Ji Prefecture, then we will.”
Immediately an advisor said: “If we move like this, then the north— (Everyone worries Xuan Chong will advance north and seize Heluo)
Zhao Cheng suddenly grew bold, slowly saying: “He has no intention of taking Under Heaven.”
Zhao Cheng had a vague feeling that even if he died, if the people around him surrendered to Xuan Chong, Xuan Chong might disdainfully refuse! Zhao Cheng silently recited in his heart: “Wu Xiao Que has a particularly petty mind, utterly unwilling to touch anyone he looks down on.”
Sure enough, he stared at a sparrow on a distant treetop, grooming its feathers with its claws; the feathers were very bright, and the bird’s beak meticulously picked out all debris.
In a flash, Zhao Cheng seemed to understand Wu Fei’s temperament: he appears reasonable, but is actually extremely proud; once convinced of a principle, even against all the scholars Under Heaven, he will verify step by step on the Dao path before arguing.
Zhao Cheng’s advisor still wanted to persuade him to leave some troops to guard Heluo, Zhao Cheng slowly said: “Wu Yuanchang is extremely focused as a person; in this battle now, as long as I don’t die, he won’t act beyond.”
Advisor: “Lord, when do we move?”
Zhao Cheng: “Immediately, right now! Do not leak any information to Wu Lang or Li Feng. (These two are the troops Zhao Cheng assigned to defend the left and right flanks.)”
The advisor paused, then suddenly realized Zhao Cheng was planning a golden cicada shed-shell, leaving these two detachments in place.
…Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is the best…
On the evening of July 1st, when Wu Rui received the news, Zhao Cheng’s fifty thousand troops had already rapidly moved southeast.
Seeing this change on the map, he was somewhat dumbfounded and immediately consulted Xuan Chong.
“White Jade Mirror” conveyed the information.
Xuan Chong looked at the situation, stood by the sand table, and slowly said: “What do you think his advance route is?”
Wu Rui in the Xiang Prefecture army: “From military strategy, he can’t bypass Kuo Tian Ridge, so possibly~”
Xuan Chong: “Speak boldly.”
Wu Rui: “Possibly entering Ji Prefecture via Bei Xie Jing, but— (Bei Xie Jing is the Ji Prefecture side’s term, referring to a path northwest of Ji Prefecture leading to Chenzhou)
Xuan Chong looked at this student encouragingly: “Too outrageous, so you dare not decide, right.”
Indeed, by normal thinking now, Zhao Cheng not desperately fighting Zhen State but instead attacking Ji Prefecture is quite erratic. But Zhao Cheng’s side is just that erratic; his military strategy sometimes prepares for “easy seizure.”
After years of confrontation, Xuan Chong has gradually formed an impression of Zhao Cheng: so many years of strategic defense made it like an iron wall, preventing easy seizure of himself, only taking other places Under Heaven; as for now, unable to deal with him, opportunistically grabbing grass and rabbit is possible.
Xuan Chong to Wu Rui: “If he is indeed going to Ji Prefecture, what do you plan? Pursue, or annihilate.”
Wu Rui gritted his teeth and finally decided: “Rapidly annihilate these two detachments left behind; then contract the corps for the next stage campaign. (Next stage) From Xiang Prefecture along the Donghua River defense line into Ji Prefecture, force him (Zhao Cheng) out of Ji Prefecture.”
Seeing his reluctant expression, Xuan Chong couldn’t help but smile! From Wu Rui’s temperament, he now wants to roll up sleeves and properly compete with Zhao Cheng, and has long prepared; he brought out a full set of tactical plans, using continuous maneuver big moves to bait Zhao Cheng’s two “flashes,” preparing to follow with “Ancient Ingot Sword Wine Kill” for a decisive battle; but Zhao Cheng directly decisively abandoned two pawns and bolted east.
Pursue? Chong Army can now do maneuver warfare, but not necessarily faster maneuver speed; when Zhao Cheng decisively starts running, really can’t catch up.
Xuan Chong comforted: “First time in battle with this performance is not bad, you forced him to flee, impressive.”
Wu Rui gnashed his teeth: “Lord, next time please let me face him again.”
Wu Rui is not pleased with just “forcing flight” from Zhao Cheng; the power he brought this time was aimed at crushing Zhao Cheng in one battle.
Moreover, pre-battle simulations had ninety percent confidence in crushing Hao Army main force with the latest battle tactics, let alone now he and Wu Zaixing are both holding back energy.
Xuan Chong felt this guy was a bit arrogant, immediately scolded: “Fight well the battle you have now, don’t think of others! You think you’ll definitely win next time? First hand in your achievement report.”
…Xuan Chong thought haha in his heart: He fled, fled at the sight of the wind, heh.…
After ending communications, Xuan Chong looked at his reserve forces arriving from the rear line.
The five initial corps equipped with firearms have all been mustered, though the five corps are “soldiers,” the northern Hao Army coming south is “chariots.” (“Soldiers” only have cannons and infantry, “chariots” represent a series of mixed unit types including giant beasts, war chariots, cavalry, etc.)
War Kui, Guiche, are now debuting on a large scale on the northern front battlefield. The southern region’s dominance is infiltration combat, with little opportunity to shine.
Xuan Chong gazed at Zhao Cheng’s latest chess move. Honestly, Wu Rui didn’t predict Zhao Cheng’s golden cicada shed-shell, and Xuan Chong also found it unexpected. Because from a military strategist’s view, it is indeed a brilliant move, but as lord, the cost of this move is unimaginably high!
Xuan Chong grumbled: In a comprehensively disadvantaged situation, directly abandoning subordinates as pawns! This somewhat disregards the morale below.
Note: The current situation is, on three fronts, Hao Army completely defeated.
On Yongzhou and Xingzhou fronts, Su Ming’s War Kui armored army’s pincer offensive has surrounded the last living forces of the False Hao State Lord.
On Xia Prefecture front: Wu Zaixing simultaneously mobilizes Route A and Route B, Route A engages frontally, Route B cuts off the rear, reenacting the Battle of Changping.
And on Xiang Prefecture front: Wu Rui’s side to devour Zhao Cheng’s two waves of abandoned pawns. From the strategic map, the red corps has inserted into the original positions of Zhao Cheng’s army, forming two red circles blocking the two remnant armies originally for left-right defense.
Across these upper and lower three routes, Hao State has lost nearly a hundred thousand troops total! This is what happened in just over a month of engagements between both sides.
When the battle results finally settle, scholar-officials Under Heaven, no matter how stubborn, must carefully think how to phrase discussions on whether it is now Wood Virtue or Fire Virtue.
Any force losing so many troops in such a short time would be crippling! You Zhao Cheng as lord must step up to take responsibility and stabilize morale! But instead? You went straight to farming wilds.
Xuan Chong looked at his current corps, picked up three “B” corps chess pieces, and placed them east.
Not afraid of ten thousand, afraid of the one in ten thousand; what if Zhao Cheng directly infiltrates Kuo Tian Ridge for a backstab?
Though Zhao Cheng’s military supplies are all lost, as long as Zhao Cheng lives, he remains uneasy.
…Xuan Chong moved his finger, the three corps began heading east…
Toot toot toot, orderly trumpet calls rang out.
Wen Siting holding a whip, squatting at the barracks entrance, personally supervising his former fox friends and dog pals.
One day ago, his whip mercilessly targeted these good brothers; today these good subordinates all got up early on time, grabbed whips and ran to the barracks, eyeing who dares be late.
Guan Shan: “Big brother, we’re all here. Call the roll, don’t let the kite people in heaven catch us again.” — Due to being late, the whole army lost seven merit points, these squad leaders are all fired up.
Wen Siting nodded noncommittally, then glanced at the sundial and spring-powered clock.
After fully winding, the clock only runs forty-eight shichen, so daily still align with the sundial; when lacking sun, even perform “pray for sunshine” ritual to get the sun to peek from the clouds.
These dozen days, the small soldiers don’t know why, suddenly have to follow this abruptly appearing clock contraption.
Whole army up and down, several times more roll calls and reports than usual.
But Wen Siting, through his excellent social skills, probed from other colleagues that now all major armies are doing this.
Wen Siting himself has even more documents to handle, and with the general above busier, he keenly knows a bigger figure is now in the army, great war imminent.
At this time troops have completed roll call, today’s original drill task is firearms maintenance. And those three two-inch caliber small cannons with iron wheel mounts, after cleaning, drill with training rounds firing.
And today, a messenger on dragon horse flew over.
Wen Siting saluted the person on dragon horse, completed docking procedure with the messenger, received the bamboo-tip military order. Seeing the order, he immediately stood at attention, then blew whistle: “Whole camp emergency assembly!”
Zhang Hai asked: “Officer, where are we going?”
Wen Si pulled out Winged Tiger, mounted it, turned head and said: “Don’t ask.”
Then, feeling they are personal soldiers, slowly said: “Eastward.”
