novelhk Chapter 804: You can’t fight, but I didn’t say you can’t scare!
Chapter 804: You can’t fight, but I didn’t say you can’t scare!
Xiang Yu exhaled heavily, the surging fighting spirit in his chest forcibly suppressed, like a trapped beast locked back into a cage. He looked at Yi Xiaochuan and Fan Zeng, sighed, and said in a deep voice, "Okay, if that's the case, then let's continue training!"
Xiang Yu's voice was filled with resentment, yet also with helplessness. "Look at Gaoyao. Now that they've captured Xianyang, what tricks can they pull?! Pass the order, all camps, double your training, no slacking! Bows, crossbows, battle formations, cavalry, archery, no one should be neglected! Keep the soldiers' blood hot at all times!" He waved his hand violently, as if to sever the oppressive feeling before him.
At this point, Xiang Yu truly had no intention of continuing his attack. Although he knew Gao Yao intended to attack Xianyang, the stakes were already clear; continuing the assault would be tantamount to seeking his own demise. While Xiang Yu was brave, he was no reckless man. Unable to strike, he could only gather strength, sharpen his weapons, and wait for the opportunity that would present itself. He turned, preparing to personally supervise the training on the parade grounds, quenching his anxiety with sweat.
"slow!"
Just as Xiang Yu was about to take his first step, Fan Zeng's old yet remarkably clear voice rang out again, like a stone dropped into a calm lake. Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the white-haired old man.
Fan Zeng's cloudy eyes gleamed with shrewdness. He twirled his long beard and slowly walked forward. His voice was not loud, but it had the power to see through the situation: "Don't worry. Although we can't fight, we can't 'scare' them!"
"Scared?" Xiang Yu raised his thick eyebrows, stopped, and a look of inquiry appeared in his eyes.
"That's right." Fan Zeng nodded slightly, confidently unfolding his plan. "We can dispatch three thousand elite cavalrymen in rotation. It doesn't have to be a large number, but they must be elite and capable. They should patrol the area around Xianyang City day and night, roaming like ghosts for dozens of miles. They don't have to attack the city walls or strongholds, just choose the right moment to appear, raising a cloud of dust within sight of the city walls, or rushing past on the official roads to disrupt the supply routes and merchants."
He paused, emphasizing, "Remember two things: First, our actions must be completely unpredictable! East one day, west the next, out in the morning and back in the evening, or hiding during the day and traveling at night. We must not let Gao Yao figure out our army's intentions and patterns. Second, our commanders must be extremely alert, well-versed in the essentials of cavalry warfare, and must know how to assess the situation, be able to advance and retreat, never engage in a lingering fight, and certainly not be trapped and entangled by the enemy! Their mission is simply to harass them, like mosquitoes and flies circling and biting, to annoy them and make them unable to sleep or eat!"
Fan Zeng's words fell silent in the tent. Yi Xiaochuan, standing nearby, his eyes flashing with surprise. He glanced at Fan Zeng, secretly praising him: "What a brilliant tactic to tire and disrupt the enemy! I was so focused on training my troops for defense that I overlooked the ingenious use of attacking instead of defending. Experience truly brings wisdom! Fan Zeng, truly worthy of being honored as Xiang Yu's 'Uncle', has a sharp eye and a meticulous mind!"
Yi Xiaochuan quickly deduced the consequences of this plan: dispatching three thousand elite cavalry to carry out harassment in rotation would be cost-effective, yet would create sustained pressure. Gao Yao, possessing the new capital of Xianyang, seemed secure, but in reality, he was like sitting at the center of a massive target. He would have to be on high alert at the slightest sign of trouble outside the city.
To prevent this elusive Chu cavalry from turning a "feint" into a real surprise attack, Gao Yao had to deploy scouts extensively around Xianyang, even stationing large numbers of garrisons at key passes, food routes, and city gates for extended periods of time. This was no overnight feat, but a protracted and protracted process.
"In this case," Yi Xiaochuan couldn't help but speak, his voice full of admiration and excitement, echoing Fan Zeng and explaining the subtlety of this plan to Xiang Yu.
"When Gaoyao relocated its capital, it had a lot of work to do. Communication with local officials and powerful figures, the transportation of supplies, and the appeasement of the people all depended on smooth roads. Our cavalry followed them closely, repeatedly harassing their vital transportation arteries. Gaoyao was either forced to dispatch heavy troops to guard every important entry and exit, which was a huge expense; or it could only reduce necessary communication with the outside world, but this was tantamount to tying its own hands and feet, and for its newly relocated capital, it was tantamount to chronic asphyxiation! The purpose of moving a capital was stability and development. If even basic communication was cut off, what was the point of this 'capital'?"
The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became, and the gleam in his eyes grew brighter. "The further benefit of Mr. Fan Zeng's plan is that it forces Gao Yao to actively seek battle! Our army is erratic. If he wants to completely escape this endless harassment and the enormous logistical and mental pressure, the only way is to take the initiative and attack, seek out our main force for a decisive battle, and try to annihilate our 'fly' in one fell swoop! And this..."
Yi Xiaochuan looked at Xiang Yu and said in a resounding voice, "This is exactly the result my Chu army desires most! As long as he dares to leave Xianyang and escape the fortified city, what will my Chu army fear in a field battle? This is actually a perfect opportunity for us to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop! Mr. Fan Zeng's thoughts are so far-sighted, Xiaochuan admires it! I was not thoughtful enough before."
"Brother Yu," Yi Xiaochuan turned to Xiang Yu, his tone earnest, "Mr. Fan Zeng is absolutely right! Once this plan is implemented, it will be like a thorn in Gao Yao's side, making him feel uneasy day and night. If we can force him to lose his composure and come out in full force, it will be a godsend!"
Xiang Yu listened to Fan Zeng and Yi Xiaochuan's back-and-forth analysis. Although he might not have fully grasped the complex calculations, he understood the most crucial point: this strategy could force Gao Yao to come out and fight! What shocked him even more was that Yi Xiaochuan and Fan Zeng, his two most important advisors who often disagreed with each other, had now reached a rare and complete agreement!
In many important decisions, Fan Zeng always acted like an elder and "father," his words often imbued with an unquestionable tone of instruction. Even when offering advice, it always seemed as if he was making decisions on Xiang Yu's behalf. Calling him "Yu'er" in private was fine, but in formal occasions, he often ignored Xiang Yu's authority as the King of Chu.
Xiang Yu's inherent pride and rebelliousness made Fan Zeng's attitude increasingly intolerable, leading to the shelving of many sound strategies. Yi Xiaochuan, on the other hand, was completely different. He understood Xiang Yu's temperament well, addressing him as "Great King" in public and "Brother Yu" in private. When offering advice, he always consulted Xiang Yu's thoughts before deftly incorporating his own, always safeguarding Xiang Yu's authority and feelings. Naturally, Xiang Yu preferred Yi Xiaochuan's voice.
At this moment, these two men, representing different sources of wisdom, unexpectedly united their forces to face their common enemy, Gao Yao! This was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Xiang Yu, boosting his confidence more than any bold words could. The hesitation that had plagued him instantly dissipated, and a surge of pride surged within him.
"Good! This is a good idea!" Xiang Yu slammed the table with a sound like a bell, and a long-lost happy smile appeared on his face. "Mr. Fan Zeng's idea is great! Xiaochuan also explained it thoroughly! Let's do it! I will go and select the most agile cavalry generals and the most capable men!" He acted decisively, turned around and strode away to make arrangements.