Chapter 1688: Chapter 1688: Difficult Choices
"This is truly a good strategy." After hearing Xu Jia’s plan, Ye Shikai couldn’t help but sigh. In the time it took to sip his tea, Xu Jia seemed to have foreseen the direction of the battle and planned to repay the Qin Army with their own trick, which was indeed a clever method. The Qin Army was already at a disadvantage in terms of manpower, and the defending General Xu Zhi had average abilities. The 100,000 Qin troops relying solely on rations brought with them probably wouldn’t last three days. Once their supply line was cut, if they didn’t surrender, they would starve to death.
"Earlier, I deliberately did not disclose this, fearing that the plan might leak. After all, these surprise troops would be meaningless if discovered by the Qin Army. During these five days, I had General Shangguan instruct every soldier to carry five days’ worth of rations and memorize the route for the flank attack. I also withheld this information from the General, so I beg the General’s forgiveness."
"The Think Tank is blameless. If we can take Ba Shu without bloodshed, the Think Tank will have earned the highest merit." Ye Shikai was very excited; this plan was considered flawless.
"Then how did the Think Tank know the flank route?"
"Haha, several months ago, I already sent people to infiltrate Ba Shu, map the terrain, especially around Gui Xiang, as it’s a necessary path for our army entering Sichuan. As the Think Tank, if I didn’t know the geography, I would be considered a mediocrity." Xu Jia said blandly, "There are several little-known mountain paths near Gui Xiang, even the local garrison doesn’t know them, only the hunters from nearby villages. After obtaining the routes, I created a map and handed it to General Shangguan."
"Gentlemen Generals, do any of you have any objections to my arrangement?" As soon as Xu Jia said this, everyone was speechless. His arrangement was impeccable, how could these generals have any objections?
"A brilliant strategy by the Think Tank, if victory is won by surprise, I will report this to the ruler."
"Thank you, General." Xu Jia’s lips curled up slightly as he waved his feather fan. He intentionally prolonged the patience of these generals, clearly could have spoken earlier, but waited until Ye Shikai arrived to explain. He let these generals stand here idly for more than two hours. In fact, these people were dissatisfied with Xu Jia; on one hand, because of his "aloof" demeanor, and on the other, due to his shallow experience. Xu Jia was only in his thirties with no previous command experience, yet he was suddenly elevated to the Think Tank position, second only to one in the army, and could issue orders to generals who considered themselves veterans, which they naturally resented.
"Ahem, moreover, in the following days, I will need everyone to work hard, launching continuous attacks on the village, following the old practice of feigning attacks, but making the Qin Army believe it’s a full assault, thank you."
"Alright, since the Think Tank has given the orders, then all generals will follow them." Ye Shikai said calmly. Although these generals were unwilling, they had no choice. If they could really defeat the Qin Army, it would be worth the grievances suffered.
Wounded Soldier Camp.
Ah ah.
As soon as he entered the camp, Ye Shikai could hear screams that seemed like a scene from hell. Dozens of soldiers lay in every tent, moaning incessantly. The army medics had already bandaged them, but the military supplies were scarce, especially with the continuous increase in wounded soldiers. The camp was already nearly full.
"I didn’t expect so many brothers to be wounded or die in the past few days." Ye Shikai’s face turned grave as he let out a long sigh.
"Indeed, attacking villages and cities is the worst strategy. Facing deep moats and high walls, soldiers can only use their lives to fill the breach. If we could subdue the enemy without fighting, and take the Qin Army’s camp without bloodshed, it would be the best choice." Xu Jia nodded slightly.
"Thankfully, I have your help."
"Haha, General Ye, if things go as I expect, in five days, the Qin General Xu Zhi will lead 100,000 Qin troops to surrender. By then, we must be prepared."
"Yes, if there really are so many Qin troops, it will be difficult to manage." At this thought, Ye Shikai couldn’t help but feel a wave of pressure. 100,000 men, even disarmed, are an enormous threat in the ancient era of melee combat. If they resist, there will likely be trouble.
Moreover, 100,000 prisoners will consume vast amounts of grain daily. For this expedition, the collected rations were enough for an army of 200,000 for two to three months, but suddenly adding so many prisoners, there’s likely not enough food for them.
"Think Tank, in your view, if the Qin Army surrenders, how should we deal with them?" Ye Shikai asked back.
"General Ye, I understand your character, but given our army’s current situation, we simply cannot support so many prisoners. We don’t have enough food, and if they collectively resist, it will be a major disaster. So... my suggestion is..." Xu Jia extended his hand, lightly drawing his palm across his neck, and Ye Shikai already understood his meaning.
"You mean to emulate the Qin General Bai Qi, and bury them all alive." Ye Shikai spoke seriously and candidly.
"Yes, I know the General is righteous, but at this moment, it is also an act of desperation. Back then, the Qin General Bai Qi buried 400,000 Zhao troops out of necessity."
"We can think of other solutions. Previously, you gave me a map, marking the location and storage of several Qin Army granaries. Once we seize the Qin Village, these grains will be ours. I recall there’s still 200,000 shi, enough for 100,000 Qin soldiers for several months."
"General, that’s... unlikely. Those granaries, I’ve already had General Shangguan destroy all of them. If we didn’t, the Qin Army could still receive supplies."
"This..." Ye Shikai was momentarily speechless. What Xu Jia did was right; the map’s purpose was precisely for this. If those granaries weren’t destroyed, the war would continue indefinitely. But, without food, how can so many prisoners be sustained?
"General, this matter should be planned early; those who achieve great things don’t bother with trifles. Otherwise, if conflict erupts, 300,000 men will kill each other, and more will die."
..............................
Deep into the night.
"The General is here, someone bring tea." Man Cang stood up immediately when seeing Ye Shikai arriving.
"There’s no need, I just came to take a look." Ye Shikai said calmly. This time he came to the vanguard camp not to supervise the battle, but to understand the situation.
"These days, you’ve led the subordinates to take turns attacking the camp, truly a difficult task."
"General, you only let us feign attacks every day, barely get near the camp before running back, it’s really unsatisfying." Man Cang couldn’t help but complain, "Waiting for a time when we can have a fierce battle."
"There will be hard battles, but not now." Ye Shikai continued to ask, "Man Cang, how have the Qin troops been these days?"
"How would they be? With our constant day and night feigned attacks, they’re already panicking. I suppose they haven’t had a good night’s sleep for days."
