Chapter 1687: Chapter 1687: The Ten-Day Pact
"What’s more worrying is the Qin Army in Ba Shu rushing day and night to aid Gui Xiang, numbering no less than a hundred thousand. If that’s true, I fear our army may struggle to conquer them." Ye Shikai sighed, punching the sand table.
"General, there’s no need to be overly anxious. Sometimes, a seemingly hopeless situation is often the beginning of a breakthrough." Xu Jia continued to ask, "How long does the General predict the Qin Army from the two counties of Ba Shu will take to gather here?"
"At most, five days. The Qin Army will be fully assembled. A hundred thousand troops crowding into this palm-sized place are like a massive boulder." Ye Shikai couldn’t help but complain.
"In that case, please select thirty thousand elite soldiers within five days, and pick one talented general to lead them. Five days later will be the time to defeat the enemy." Xu Jia said casually.
"General, are you speaking the truth?" Ye Shikai asked excitedly.
"In the military, one doesn’t speak lightly, especially since I’m now the army’s strategist. How could I gamble with the lives of thirty thousand brothers? I can issue a military warrant, within ten days, I will make these Qin soldiers surrender peacefully and offer the pass." When Xu Jia said this, all the generals present were shocked. This was a hundred thousand Qin soldiers; even if there were a hundred thousand buns, it would take a while to consume them. Many thought it was "a wild dream."
"Mr. Xu, this shouldn’t be said carelessly." Ye Shikai also found it hard to believe. If defeating a hundred thousand Qin soldiers was this easy, wouldn’t the world fall into our hands with laughter and ease?
"Of course, I’m not speaking carelessly. However, I’ll need General Ye to lend me something." Xu Jia changed his tone.
"What does Mr. Xu need? If I can do it, I will fully assist."
"I need the Commander’s Seal for these thirty thousand elite soldiers. Additionally, I need General Ye to order that the commanding general follow my commands completely, no matter the order."
"Alright, go and call Shangguan Jian." Ye Shikai said to the guard by his side.
"Yes, sir."
An hour later.
"Old Ye, why did you call me? I’m currently counting the wounded. There have been too many injured brothers these past two days."
"Shangguan, I have a task for you. Immediately select thirty thousand elite soldiers from the entire army to form a strong force, which you will lead. However, you must follow Mr. Xu’s orders." Ye Shikai said resolutely. Shangguan Jian was his absolute confidant, highly capable and adept at commanding. Having him in charge of command was responsible for those thirty thousand soldiers, while entrusting Shangguan Jian to Xu Jia was the greatest trust in Xu Jia.
"Yes, I obey the order." Seeing Ye Shikai’s seriousness, Shangguan Jian also became serious, kneeling on one knee to receive the Commander’s Seal.
"Mr. Xu, just tell me what orders you have. Since General Ye wants me to follow your arrangements, I will follow them without question. Whatever your command, I will give my all."
"General, first organize the thirty thousand troops, conserve energy, and don’t worry about anything else. As for the task, no need to rush; I’ll inform you in five days."
"This... I obey."
"General Ye, I have another matter that requires your assistance."
"Strategist, please speak."
"I need the General to dispatch a capable commander to feign attacking the Qin Army’s front camp. It must be done forcefully, but only appear as if fully assaulting, without engaging in close combat. The troops can be divided into several teams to take turns attacking, with the goal of tiring out the Qin Army." Xu Jia explained.
"I see, then I’ll have Man Cang handle it."
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Ye Shikai’s level of trust in Xu Jia was higher than any other military leader, which naturally caused dissatisfaction among many. Especially when Xu Jia "boasted," this matter drew discontent from many generals, and Ye Shikai handed command to Xu Jia, causing further "criticism." Some even sent "impeachment letters" back to Linxian City, intending to use Mi Wen to suppress him.
But Ye Shikai, being the supreme commander, adhered to "In the field, the commander’s orders prevail." Outside of Linxian City, the twenty thousand Chu Army was led by Ye, not Mi. All orders, appointments, and dismissals were controlled by Ye Shikai alone. To make Xu Jia’s mobilization more convenient and unhindered, Ye Shikai even handed a sword to him, allowing actions before reporting, leaving those "envious" generals angry but silent, cautiously avoiding Xu Jia.
In these five days, Man Cang led the Vanguard Army to attack the camp day and night, each time withdrawing after less than the time to burn two sticks of incense. After an hour, rotating troops attacked the camp again while others rested, exhausting the defending Qin Army. The exhaustion was both physical and mental, with morale low and soldiers sluggish.
The fifth day arrived quickly. Early in the morning, Ye Shikai entered his main tent, but the sight astonished him: dozens of generals gathered inside, while Xu Jia sat to the side, calmly sipping tea. Despite being stared at by dozens of hostile eyes, he was composed and unbothered.
"Wow, you gentlemen arrived early, even earlier than me." Ye Shikai coughed lightly and joked. Only then did the crowd disperse. Clearly, their presence wasn’t for anything else but seeking "guidance" from Xu Jia.
"General Ye, Mr. Xu previously said the time to defeat the enemy would be after five days. We generals are very curious, so we specially came to consult with the strategist." A general sneered.
"Indeed, we’ve heard that Mr. Xu uses troops like a god. We’re curious how it’s arranged."
"Strategist, why not share with us? I’m quite curious myself." Ye Shikai turned to ask. To be honest, he’d been itching to know what plan Xu Jia had in mind.
"Since the generals have spoken, I won’t beat around the bush." Xu Jia stood up slowly and walked to the crowd.
"Two hours ago, I ordered General Shangguan to lead thirty thousand elites to split and assault, one route from the water, another marching along the mountain path. They’ll reach the rear of the Qin Army camp within two days. Now, the hundred thousand Qin Army from Ba Shu’s two counties is all gathered in the camp, but their supply depot is a hundred miles away. Last time, Wang Li led troops to cut our supply line, causing General Huo’s ten thousand troops’ invasion of Shu to fail. This time, I have General Shangguan cut the Qin Army’s supply line. Their commander Xu Zhi is a mediocre talent; after days of feigned attacks and harassment from General Man, they are already an exhausted force, and now their supply line is cut with no reinforcements behind them. Knowing they can’t resist our army’s onslaught, once the rations in the camp run out, they will naturally surrender."
