464 Famous General Di Qing (1/2)
After listening to the report of the Black Snake Guards, Ouyang Shuo's brows tightly locked together.
In the entire north region of Zhaoqing Prefecture, including Wulong County, there were a total of twelve territories. Each city had around one to two thousand troops.
The problem laid in the fifty thousand iron cavalry on patrol.
The camp of the fifty thousand iron cavalry was fifteen kilometers north of Tianshuang County.
Based on the intel from the Black Snake Guards, the twelve cities had formed a wartime alliance. The moment one of them were attacked, the fifty thousand iron cavalry would learn of the news and head to assist.
It seems like a smart person was instructing the South Alliance. The entire north region of Zhaoqing Prefecture was airtight, and it did not seem to have any weakness.
Ouyang Shuo's goal was to take down Tianshuang County, which acted as the grain base of the alliance army.
Wulong County was a three days journey away from Tianshuang County.
The fifty thousand cavalry patrolled the entire north side. Hence, to attack Tianshuang County, they needed to deal with the cavalry first. If not, the enemy could easily pincer them in.
With only one division to fight fifty thousand soldiers, it was another one versus five scenario.
Considering that there were around thirty thousand troops housed in Tianshuang County, they could only play it smart in this battle. Without specific intel, Ouyang Shuo did not dare to strike.
The same day, Ouyang Shuo sent out around ten spy squads to investigate the movement patterns of the enemy.
_Zhaoqing Prefecture, Yun An County._
220 thousand alliance army troops had already gathered up at Yun An County. Along with them, there were also large amounts of grain and siege weapons. They transported the endless supply of grain from Tianshuang County to Yun An County.
The fifty thousand vanguard force had investigated the locations of the Shanhai City Army. The South Alliance members had gathered once again to discuss tactics.
Hefu did not solely make decision anymore.
The other Lords brought their advisors and generals, who would voice their opinions one by one. After all, they were better at wartime commanding. Hefu and the others were only in charge of strategic decisions.
Amongst the generals, one of them was the most eye-catching, he was the famous General of North Song, Di Qing.
Di Qing had a tattoo on his face, and he was skilled at riding and shooting. He was born in a cold and povertous area, a courageous man. During the Song Xia War, he wore a bronze mask and charged to the front, gaining many war credits.
In the imperial court, Yin Zhu, Han Qi, Fan Zhongyan, and other important generals all had relationships with him. Fan Zhongyan had given him the Spring and Autumn Annals, causing him to start to read and get familiar with the art of war.
Di Qing had participated in a total of twenty-five wars, and he gained fame for his night assault on Kunlun Pass. However, the imperial court had doubted him, which resulted in him dying of depression. After his death, he was respected and worshipped, given the title of Wuxiang.
”For military matters, what we worry the most about is a person who doesn't know much giving orders to people who are more experienced.” Hefu looked around, “Hence, I suggest that we Lords don't do anything. We will leave the military matters to the generals. What do you all think?”
”Alliance leader is right. I agree!”
”I agree!”
”Good, so that is settled.” Hefu continued, “Since that's the case, we must choose a commander to lead all the troops. The order of the commander is equal to my orders, so whichever general dares to betray or go against the orders, the commander will deal with them based on military law. We Lords won't interfere. What do you think?”
”Great!”
”I agree!”
The Lords knew that although the alliance army was strong, it had many problems. The biggest issue was that the soldiers came from many territories. Without military law controlling them, they were just like scattered sand.
Just a few simple words from Hefu solved the two biggest problems of the alliance army. Even Yuan Ping felt impressed, and he did not jump out to create problems.
As expected, Di Qing was pushed to become the commander of all the troops.
In front of all the Lords and generals, Di Qing was handed the power. Hefu and the others backed out of the tent and allowed Di Qing to lead the battlefield.
Di Qing was a person of few words. Only after considering everything and thinking clearly would he strike. He desired absolute certainty. His style was similar to Baiqi’s.
Di Qing had planned the troop distribution to the north of Zhaoqing Prefecture.
Di Qing knew that in a war, grain was of utmost importance. As the grain base of the army, they needed to defend Tianshuang County; they could not lose it.
As the Lords backed down, Di Qing officially started the meeting. Like the legends said, he wore a bronze mask and had disheveled hair. He sat at the lead position, emitting the aura of a leader.
Not all the generals in the alliance army were happy with him leading them.
”The enemy is housed in three cities, forming a triangle formation. How should we break it?”
Di Qing was an eccentric character, directly throwing the hardest question to the generals seated.
When the other generals heard his question, they all looked at one another. They did not know what he meant.
This was the intelligence of Di Qing in play. He knew about matters of the military. It might seem like the other generals did not have any objections to him taking the lead, but in their hearts, it was different.
Since the olden times, there was no second to martial arts.
Hence, Di Qing decided to act independently from the start. He wanted to use this chance to clearly learn the characters of the generals present. After knowing them, he would make plans.
Only by knowing oneself can you win all wars.
”Why, you all don't have any ideas?”