Chapter 1587: Chapter 1587: Deng County
"You’re right, something did happen in Wu County." Ye Shikai laughed bitterly, this was bad news. Although there were a few hundred bushels of grain, it was still a loss that had to be reported according to regulations.
"What exactly happened?"
"Someone set fire to the granary last night," Ye Shikai said plainly.
"What, how could this happen, what’s the extent of the loss?" Mi Wen shouted excitedly, showing a panicked expression.
"Rest assured, the fire was extinguished as soon as it was ignited. We lost over two hundred bushels of grain and some cloth. As soon as the fire was detected, our soldiers surrounded the ignited warehouse, preventing the flames from spreading," Ye Shikai explained.
"That’s good."
"Based on our experience of being attacked in the bamboo grove yesterday, I suspect that these arsonists are also cultivators, trained professionals who can break through defenses regardless of how tight they are. They’re simply unstoppable." Ye Shikai detailed the situation and shared his conjecture, receiving Mi Wen’s wholehearted agreement.
"If they are cultivators, they are indeed hard to defend against. For them, wall-climbing is not difficult."
"Now that I’m here, I can detect things in time. But when the Northern Expedition starts, I’ll be heading north to fight. What will happen to this granary in Wu County then?" Ye Shikai asked in return.
"Don’t worry, I’ll dispatch trusted generals to guard it. Also, since the opponent has cultivators, I’ll use cultivators to defend," Mi Wen nodded in agreement.
"Logistics and supplies are related to the frontline’s tens of thousands of soldiers. This is a critical matter and can’t be taken lightly," Ye Shikai reminded. In battle, losses are unavoidable, but if negligence leads to the destruction of supplies, the frontline could collapse, resulting in thousands of casualties overnight. Ye Shikai urged caution vehemently.
"I understand this point, rest assured. You are a talented general, but my men aren’t mere incompetents." Mi Wen’s lips curled slightly. "The royal family is deeply rooted in Chu Territory, with numerous noble families. As long as I call, thousands will respond. But the Qin Dynasty implements a merit-based nobility system where ordinary people can gain nobility status through military achievements. This inspires military power but severely weakens the original Qin Dynasty aristocracy, even the royals. A cultivator’s essential element is the cultivation method, which common families generally lack, not knowing about cultivation at all."
"I understand your point." Ye Shikai nodded. Most cultivators come from noble families of the Seven Kingdoms. The Qin Dynasty’s original aristocracy was severely weakened, resulting in far fewer cultivators compared to the Chu State.
"Your task is to fight on the front lines, don’t worry about the rest," Mi Wen reassured Ye Shikai.
"Understood," Ye Shikai shifted the topic. "When do I depart?"
"Two days later, you will enter Nanyang County as the vanguard."
"Where do we strike first?"
"Deng County."
Ye Shikai acknowledged the plan. In the past two days, he meticulously studied the map of Nanyang County to analyze the most suitable attack routes. Although Mi Wen’s strategy might not align with his, he could prepare accordingly. Attacking Deng County was within his expectations; it’s the gateway to Nanyang County but has short walls, few troops, surrounded by plains, making it easy to attack but hard to defend. According to intelligence from Xue San, Deng County is currently garrisoned by only five thousand Qin Army troops. A force of twenty thousand soldiers could easily capture it. Crucially, the county’s commander is useless, without strategy, possibly a coward.
"Leave this task to me."
"I was thinking the same," Mi Wen nodded.
"I have twenty thousand soldiers under my command who need a battle as baptism," Ye Shikai was pleased with this task. Though Deng County is small, at least it’s a county. Capturing it is indeed a significant achievement. Crucially, his troops contain many new recruits; their first battle can’t be too easy nor too difficult, and attacking Deng County is perfectly challenging.
"We must swiftly win after entering Nanyang, so the army won’t wait for your troops to capture Deng County before advancing. I will order them to continue progressing and attack the next city."
"Don’t worry, give me two days and I’ll capture Deng County, allowing us to move supplies there and support the front lines."
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"Xue San, you’ve worked hard."
In the deep night of the second day, Xue San finally returned to the camp with his cavalry, their faces marked with fatigue. They completed their task, investigating Nanyang County within two days.
"General, I have fulfilled my mission," Xue San smiled faintly, taking a few maps from his pack.
"This is a detailed map of Nanyang County drawn by my brothers and me, marking each county’s and village’s population, troops, funds, roads, and additionally, city defenses." Xue San pointed to Deng County on the map, indicating the number of Qin Army troops. Ye Shikai immediately gathered all officers in the camp for a nighttime strategy meeting.
"Deng County is surrounded by twenty miles of flat plains. Once besieged, the defenders will find it hard to escape. If reinforcements arrive, they’ll surely face our cavalry’s ambush. Thus, I boldly propose we besiege the city and attack the aid," a chiliarch under Man Cang analyzed.
"No, that won’t work," Ye Shikai shook his head.
"Old Ye, why not?"
"Deng County is merely a small county in Nanyang County, neither strategically important nor resource-rich, so there’s no need to defend it desperately. To the Qin Army, it’s a dispensable pawn. If I were the Qin Army’s commander, I wouldn’t send troops to lift the siege. Additionally, as you mentioned, Deng County is surrounded by plains. Even if reinforcements arrive from afar and lift the siege, how far can they run? My army’s cavalry will pounce on them, and even the reinforcements might be annihilated," Ye Shikai explained.
"But Deng County is Nanyang County’s southern gate, will the Qin Army abandon it so easily?"
"What of the southern gate, does not attacking Deng County mean no assault on Nanyang?" Ye Shikai retorted sharply, leaving the crowd speechless.
"My decision is made; the defenders of Deng County are soft targets. Delay will bring changes, so we mustn’t tarry. Swift and decisive action is needed. Within two days, I want to stand atop Deng County’s walls, sipping tea."
"Brothers, can you fulfill this wish of mine?" Ye Shikai asked.
"Rest assured, General, we will definitely give our all to seize the city."
