Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1558: Chapter 1501: Striking at the Vital Point

With Jia Xu’s explanation, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and the others all understood the importance of this battle and immediately curtailed their discontent, beginning to listen to Jia Xu’s suggestions.

”Zang Xuangao, Wei Wenchang, and Xu Yuanzhi have already disguised themselves as reinforcements to defeat a certain faction of Hu People to the west. Considering the Northern Huns’ current wisdom, the likelihood of them attacking this route of reinforcements is very high,” Jia Xu explained, having previously sent Zang Ba, Wei Yan, and Xu Shu away for this purpose.

”Strategist Jia, our army’s strength, even by your estimation, does not surpass the Northern Huns overall. Having Xuangao and others as bait seems excessively dangerous,” said Zhao Yun, seated at the head, who was the commander of this first northern expeditionary force. Zhao Yun was chosen as he is cautious and prudent, unlikely to act rashly.

”Therefore, on the tenth day, it will be time for us to strike, because this is when, according to my estimation, the Northern Huns would receive the battle report,” Jia Xu said calmly. ”If we cannot arrive when the Northern Huns attack Xuangao and the others...”

Jia Xu stopped short, and Zhao Yun’s expression turned noticeably somber. He finally understood why Jia Xu had asked him to mobilize without telling him the exact details, and, trusting in Jia Xu, he had agreed. Unexpectedly, Jia Xu had planned in this manner.

”Strategist Jia, please speak plainly,” Zhao Yun took a deep breath. This was no time for panic; remaining calm would allow one to think through any great challenge.

Jia Xu’s eyes revealed a hint of appreciation. Zhao Yun could remain composed under such circumstances—no wonder Chen Xi had recommended him as the commander-in-chief. Aside from his qualifications, his temperament was certainly remarkable.

Chen Xi, if aware of Jia Xu’s thoughts, would likely scoff. As someone who historically drew a military general’s stipend, leading charges from the front, often also handling duties of a civil official, and carrying the concerns of an advising minister, Zhao Yun was not merely a jest; it was hard to find a blemish on him...

Otherwise, even before the end of the Three Kingdoms, so many people began to admire Zhao Yun. As a non-monarch, Zhao Yun gained enough admiration to have a book, ”Yun’s Biography”, penned in his honor.

In the Temple of Zhao Lie and the Temple of Marquis Wu, Zhao Yun, ranked first among military generals, wore the robes of a civil official. This was entirely due to the admiration from future generations. In times when civil officials were favored over generals, the civil officials dressed Zhao Yun in their robes. In times when generals were favored over civil officials, they reshaped his image with the White Horse Silver Spear...

Had Liu Bei not led a life of constant turmoil without cavalry to showcase Zhao Yun’s abilities, the military mettle displayed at the Battle of Han River’s false camp strategy would have affirmed his status as a renowned general without fear.

”Xuangao, through his extensive battlefield experience, naturally has his own assessment. What we need to do is prepare everything before the Northern Huns latch onto them,” Jia Xu said with a calm demeanor. ”Xuangao dared to take on this task because he has enough confidence.”

”How do we prepare?” Zhao Yun calmly asked Jia Xu, while the other generals also looked at Jia Xu. At present, the Northern Huns’ military strength was overwhelmingly strong.

”As I said before, whether it’s the Miscellaneous Hun or the Northern Huns, if they encounter us separately, we are not afraid. However, once integrated, they become difficult to deal with,” Jia Xu said calmly. ”Therefore, the main objective in this battle is to divide the Northern Huns and the Miscellaneous Hun.”

”With the temperament of the Hun People, even if they integrate the Miscellaneous Hun, they merely use them as a tool. Upon receiving news of the disguised reinforcements of Xuangao and the others, they will not disclose the truth,” Jia Xu’s eyes glinted with savvy.

”I see...” Upon hearing this, Fa Zheng basically understood Jia Xu’s intention—to go along with the natural course of events.

”Xiaoo Zhi, you explain,” Jia Xu nodded towards Fa Zheng.

”Regardless of their motives, the Northern Huns’ primary goal in this battle is to seek victory. The Northern Huns alone cannot defeat us, so the Miscellaneous Hun will inevitably be drawn into the war, regardless of whether the Northern Huns are satisfied with them,” a cold gleam appeared on Fa Zheng’s face.

”In such a situation, the Northern Huns’ primary goal must be to enhance the combat power of the Miscellaneous Hun, sharpening them into a more lethal weapon to harm us. So, with no direct means against us, targeting aristocratic family private soldiers becomes an optimal choice,” Fa Zheng’s eyes flickered with cold sternness.

”What if the Hu People consecutively defeat aristocratic family private soldiers, and the Northern Huns don’t tell the opponents that it was the Han Regular Army?” Fa Zheng asked Jia Xu.

”Aristocratic family private soldiers may not necessarily suppress the Northern Barbarians. With the Northern Huns safeguarding them, the Northern Barbarians could leverage their numbers to achieve significant results before the aristocratic family private soldiers could gather,” Zhuge Liang said solemnly.

”So Xuangao and they will face the Miscellaneous Hun?” Zhao Yun frowned and said, ”Even so, with only 6,000 troops, it’s difficult for Xuangao and Wen Chang to retreat completely, let alone with the Northern Huns driving behind.”

”When the Miscellaneous Hun catch up with General Zang and his men, it won’t just be a small force anymore,” Chen Gong shook his head. ”Many scattered aristocratic families are heading north, so as a regular army, they can easily gather troops.”

”Then we must withdraw to Shanggu Commandery,” Jia Xu pointed at the map. ”Xu Yuanzhi’s eye for seeing through deception is crucial in this battle. As long as he doesn’t falter, retreating first to this area, or even retreating while fighting will not be difficult.”

”The Northern Huns’ intent revolves around enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Miscellaneous Hun. If the Miscellaneous Hun, due to their ignorance and fearlessness, truly push back the Han Regular Army after destroying several aristocratic family private soldiers as the Northern Huns foresee...” Fa Zheng said with a grave expression.

Although Jia Xu’s strategy blatantly disregarded aristocratic family private soldiers, no one brought it up at this moment.

”For the sake of their long-term strategy, the Northern Huns are bound to relax their control over the Miscellaneous Hun, leaving them to manage this battle,” Zhuge Liang also nodded slightly. Jia Xu’s grasp of human nature was always so profound; Fa Zheng prided himself on understanding people, yet he was far off from Jia Xu.

”If my estimations are correct, this is the situation we must act in,” Jia Xu nodded and said. ”However, even in this case, if our army becomes embroiled in prolonged combat, it will be detrimental to us.”

Zhao Yun nodded, understanding that compared to the Huns, their vice army was significantly lacking in hard strength.

Zhao Yun briefly contemplated Jia Xu’s strategy; on a strategic level, this was a fundamental strike to the enemy. The Northern Huns’ biggest issue lay in their lack of people, and Jia Xu was clearly targeting this weakness.