695 Navy and Army Moving as One (1/2)

Chapter 695-Navy and Army Moving as One

Translator: ryangohsf

Editor: Nora

Jiangling, City Lord's Manor.

After returning from the port, Cao Cao was in an excited state.

They would definitely fight this war, but the problem was how.

Cao Cao summoned Chen Hao and Jia Xu, these two strategists, for a discussion. As the player representative, Ouyang Shuo was also invited. The special use of the voyage squadron meant that Ouyang Shuo would have a lot of speaking rights.

Seeing Cao Cao so excited, Ouyang Shuo had to calm his spirits, ”Prime minister, allow me to introduce to you the player situation of both camps.”

”Speak!” Cao Cao did not dare to underestimate the players again.

”During this battle, our player army has 270 thousand. Without the navy, we only have 250 thousand troops. The enemy player camp has 350 thousand troops, and they might have a navy too.”

”The difference is so great?” Cao Cao frowned.

Ouyang Shuo nodded.

After the loss of Red Cliff, the remaining Cao troops that escaped numbered around 100 thousand. Along with the 30 thousand troops Cao Ren left at Jiangling City, they had around 130 thousand troops.

At the same time, the Sun Liu Alliance Army had split into three routes.

Liu Bei led 20 thousand troops to go against the current of Xiangjiang to attack Linxiang. Huang Gai's navy was less than 10 thousand. After entering Dongting Lake, they would turn into Yuanjiang.

Hence, only around 20 thousand Zhou Yu forces chased Cao Cao.

According to such a comparison, although Cao Cao had a lack of players, it was not that important as the numbers on both sides were similar.

However, the important problem apart from numbers was morale.

After the Cao army suffered that grievous defeat, their morale had already hit rock bottom. They lacked the mood and the will to fight. Hence, in history, their huge army was chased all the way by Zhou Yu.

In the end, Cao Cao did not spend too long here, leading his troops back north. A year later, the Jiangling that Cao Ren defended was taken down.

With that, it was easy to see that the 130 thousand Cao army was not going to be of use in a short time. On the contrary, the Zhou Yu army possessed high morale and were at their sharpest.

The morale of the native army would also affect the morale of the player army.

The Lords in the Cao Cao Camp had lost all hope in this battle and were deflated. On the contrary, the players in the Sun Liu Camp would want to end this battle in one swoop.

Even with the presence of the voyage squadron, it was not looking good for the Cao army.

Apart from that, there was one more factor that should be considered. After Sun Quan received the new about the victory at Red Cliff, would he lead the army to assist the frontlines?

Even if he would not, Ouyang Shuo believed that Di Chen and the others would find a way to persuade him.

With that, the situation would greatly worsen.

The Battle of Red Cliff was far from a naval battle; the battle of armies was the main component.

...

”How does their navy compare to yours?” Cao Cao asked.

Ouyang Shuo thought about this matter; among the enemy, probably only Xiong Ba, Zhan Lang, and Xunlong Dianxue had decent navies. Their warships were bought from Shanhai City.

As for cannons, only Xunlong Dianxue had obtained 30 from Shanhai City.

Whether or not Xiong Ba or Zhan Lang had their hands on any cannon technology, Ouyang Shuo did not know. Although such technical manuals were not common, they were not unique either.

Strictly speaking, Xiong Ba and the rest had chances to obtain such technology from other avenues.

Gaia also had a rule that when a certain technology was grasped by more than five in a country, it would be opened to all players.

Based on that example, if Ouyang Shuo taught the steam engine technique to Consonance City, Fallen Phoenix City, Stone City, and Black Lion City, the entire region would receive it.

Hence, shortly after Avic Fort developed the steam engine, the entire country entered the industrial revolution.

”Warships are similar, firearms weaker.” Ouyang Shuo replied.

When Cao Cao heard this reply, his brows jumped, ”Wen He, say your thoughts.”

Throughout this entire process, Jia Xu did not make a sound till Cao Cao called him. Only then did he stand up and say, ”Lord, I feel that we should attack using the navy and defend using the army.”

”Please elaborate.”