This was truly an awkward situation.
The Qin army had 600,000 elite soldiers. If the Chu Country didn't respond, these 600,000 elite soldiers would be able to march straight into the Chu Country's hinterland. However, the 400,000 Chu soldiers were now facing a sturdy defensive fortress, as well as the 600,000 Qin soldiers behind the fortress who refused to fight.
Attack and defense were completely reversed. The Qin Country had invaded the Chu Country, and now, the Chu Country was going all out to attack the Qin Country's fortress.
In terms of military strength, they were at a disadvantage. In fact, in the first two months of the confrontation, although Commander Xiang Yan had sent troops to challenge them many times, he had never focused on attacking. However, King Chu's orders from behind forced him to summon his army to attack. In this three days of siege, Chu had lost more than thirty thousand infantry, but Qin's stronghold remained untouched.
It could be said that the slight advantage that Jing Yu had gained from leading the cavalry to attack the Qin army had gradually disappeared with the passage of time.
On this day, Xiang Yan stopped attacking the city and gathered all the generals in the tent…including Jing Yu. Although he was young, everyone knew how powerful he was. When they were arranging the seats, he sat on the first seat to the left of Xiang Yan.
When everyone had arrived, Xiang Yan told them about the terrible situation. The most important thing was that the rations from the rear were already ten days late.
"If the rations don't arrive in another three days, our army will run out of rations.”Xiang Yan says with a frown.
His words created a silence of three breaths. Then, the generals looked around at their colleagues and whispered to each other. Without rations, the soldiers could not move their horses, and the soldiers 'biggest reaction was likely to be mutiny. This had nothing to do with whether they were patriotic or not. Even these generals could not blame any soldier.
Someone directly suggested to Xiang Yan to kill the escort officer who failed to transport the grain. There were also people who requested Xiang Yan to send more people to urge them, and even requested the King to issue an edict to urge the transportation of grain. Xiang Yan waited for them to argue for a few minutes before raising her hand to signal them to quiet down.
"I've already asked, it's not that the escort officer is not doing his job well, it's just that the rations in the rear can't keep up with the supply of the army.”Xiang Yan sighed and said," Our army hasn't fought for two months. How much is the daily consumption of 400,000 soldiers? The grain reserves in the national treasury had been emptied. At present, the king has issued an edict to collect grain from the entire country…I'm afraid it will take some time before it can be supplied.”
The soldiers were all strong men. If he didn't wear armor or do military training, he would consume less energy and eat less. However, how could they not do this during the war? This is the first reason.
Now, the transportation of grain and fodder was all dependent on people and horses. The food and fodder used to transport 400,000 people, and the escorts and horses alone could eat up a quarter of the food and fodder.
After two months, the Chu Country had already encountered a predicament in terms of grain and fodder.
"This, what should we do?"
A general looked at the people around him, not knowing what to do. They were not any better than him. However, someone noticed that Jing Yu's expression remained calm after he sat there. He couldn't help but cup his fists and ask,
"Young General, do you have a good plan?"
His words caused the tent to fall silent again. Even Xiang Yan looked at Jing Yu.
Jing Yu glanced at this person and knew that he was Long Qie's father, the general of the Soaring Dragon Legion. Seeing the anticipation in the eyes of the others, he could not help but smile bitterly and say,
"A clever housewife can't cook without rice. Without food, any plan will become empty talk.”
Everyone in the tent looked disappointed, but Jing Yu continued,"Right now, the only way is to abandon this open and defenseless land and retreat as soon as possible.”
Xiang Yan nodded." I thought of that too. However, how could the Qin army allow us to retreat safely? It was likely that he, Wang Jian, had been waiting for this move! Once my army leaves, what awaits us is defeat and national subjugation.”
Jing Yu stood up from his seat and cupped his fists at him."Marshal, don't worry. Give me fifty thousand soldiers and I can buy three days for the army to safely cross the Wo River.”
"Oh?" Xiang Yan looks at him in surprise. On that small body, a tender face is filled with calmness. Compared to his words, it gave people a sense of confidence that they would definitely succeed. However, this confidence was not displayed by him, but by the people watching him…he could succeed.
The tent was silent for a while. Xiang Yan glanced at the other generals, but they all avoided his gaze. He felt a little proud in his heart. Only he, the descendant of the Xiang family, had the courage to face the Qin army.
"Since you say so, you must have some understanding of the army's retreat.”Xiang Yan thought for a moment and then said,"Alright, I'll leave the command to you today."”
Jing Yu smiled faintly at him. When he turned to face the other generals, his face turned solemn, and in an instant, an aura pressed down. Many generals who had been through many battles couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts. They all praised in their hearts," Although the young general is young, he has already achieved the marshal's prestige. In time, he would definitely become a pillar of Chu.”
"The retreat will begin after midnight tonight.”Jing Yu ordered,"All the troops, prepare three days 'rations, travel lightly, and rest." If there is noise, behead; If there is disobedience, behead; Those who light the lamp and light the fire will be punished in full force. Those who march less than a hundred miles a day will be punished in full force.”
Everyone was looking at him, even Xiang Yan and Xiang Liang, who thought that they knew him very well…Their eyes were filled with astonishment. How could that child so calmly say such a military order that was so murderous that it sent chills down their spines? Within ten breaths, everyone in the tent seemed to hold their breath.
Gulp! Someone swallowed a mouthful of saliva, but no one laughed at the loud sound.
"Do you have any questions?" Jing Yu's black eyes swept around as he asked in a monotonous tone.
"Yu 'er, isn't your request too…?”Xiang Yan wanted to say on behalf of everyone that this request was a little too harsh. However, his words were interrupted by Jing Yu's cold gaze.
"If anyone breaks the rules, tell him before you kill him that there are 50,000 brothers protecting him with their lives.”Jing Yu did not change his mind and asked,"Marshal, do you want to go back on your words?”
Xiang Yan had just given him the command.
" This…" Xiang Yan's mouth twitched a few times. While complaining in his heart," This brat is really not giving me face ", he braced himself and said to the generals who were waiting for him," We'll follow Young General's orders." In addition, he told them that there were 50,000 soldiers of the Chu Country who were fighting a bloody battle for their retreat. He told them not to let down the blood of these soldiers.”
"I accept your orders!" The generals looked at each other and cupped their fists at Xiang Yan and Jing Yu.
With the clattering of their armor, they quickly walked out and went to deal with the military orders that Jing Yu had just issued. Only Jing Yu and Xiang Yan were left in the tent. At this moment, Xiang Yan asked,"
"Yu 'er, you still seem to have something on your mind. If 50,000 soldiers are not enough, I will leave some for you.”
Jing Yu shook his head," I started to make arrangements on the road to Wo River two months ago. 50,000 soldiers are enough to deal with the pursuit of the Qin army. However…" He laughed at himself without any expression," Saving these 300,000 soldiers might not be of much help to the war situation in Chu.”
The 300,000 strong army had returned to Shouchun, the capital of Chu. The crucial issue of rations had yet to be resolved. Or rather, because there were too many people, it would instead aggravate the early arrival of the food crisis.
Since Xiang Yan was a famous general, he could also think of this. He thought that Jing Yu was considering whether what he did was correct, so he walked to his side and patted his shoulder, comforting him,"
"As Commander-in-chief, we only need to do our best. It was for the sake of the future and also for the sake of every soldier. Seeing the results doesn't mean that we've given up the struggle. Just like how everyone would die sooner or later, could it be that knowing that one would die in the future, one would give up on living?”
Jing Yu was a little surprised. He tilted his head and looked at him from bottom to top. Suddenly, he smiled slyly and said,"Then, after seeing your own death, will you still give up on living in the future?”
"Uh…"
Xiang Yan did not expect that he would actually be waiting for him here. Looking at his expression, there was nothing she couldn't figure out. He was completely like a little fox. He laughed and shook his head. He did not answer and walked out of the tent.
"I hope…you can enjoy your old age.”Jing Yu said from behind him.
Xiang Yan paused for a moment. She did not turn around but said,""If you can call me grandfather, I will have no regrets in my life.”
"Then live well. When you're 90 years old, I can consider it.”
"This request is really high!"
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