nashuaworldcup Chapter 1111 Countermeasures
Chapter 1111 Countermeasures
The engineering commander said, "Even if we have the complete formula, Flying Eagle Gorge is steep and difficult to cross even in normal weather. Now, the heavy snow has blocked the roads, and the entire gorge is covered with ice more than ten feet thick. If it is bumped during transport, it is very easy to explode, and the pottery jars are easy to break. This method is not feasible!"
Xie Shang pointed to the upstream of Flying Eagle Gorge on the map, "We don't need to transport it from the camp to Flying Eagle Gorge. We can prepare it on-site there... It's impossible for the enemy to go up there, as the cliffs are all covered in thick ice, but it's very easy for us to go down."
The engineering commander looked at the cliff, his brows still furrowed. "Your Majesty's method is feasible, but who in the army has the skill to climb such a steep cliff?"
"I will go myself." Xie Shang's eyes were burning with determination. He had the skill of lightness and could easily climb the cliff.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't..." Everyone cried out to stop them.
Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "There's no need to say anything more, my mind is made up."
On the tenth day, the training entered its most crucial stage. Xie Shang personally inspected the soldiers of Da Zhou. No one dared to cheat in front of the emperor, and they had all truly trained diligently for ten days.
Xie Shang selected three thousand elite troops and divided them into three teams. They were to cross the five-mile snowfield without alerting the enemy and destroy the granary.
The fact that the enemy had not moved for a long time proved that their cavalry was not invincible, and that they might have been unable to move an inch in such harsh conditions.
After the heavy snow stops, the enemy will definitely attack again. They need to take advantage of the Northern Owl Kingdom's attack to climb the cliff and complete Operation Eagle.
Sure enough, on the fourteenth day, the iron cavalry of the Northern Owl Kingdom moved again, and the deafening sounds of fighting echoed through the snowy sea.
General Wang personally led the Great Zhou soldiers to meet the enemy, with the aim of drawing the enemy's attention.
Meanwhile, the three teams assigned by Xie Shang also set off for Flying Eagle Gorge three days earlier.
The howling wind swept across the snowfield, and the scouts who were observing the wind direction reported, "Your Majesty, the northwest wind will blow for the next three days."
Xie Shang took out a topographical map and said in a deep voice, "It's really heaven's help. As long as we release the Fire Dragon Water in Flying Eagle Gorge, the thick smoke will blow into the enemy camp. As long as we trap them in their natural shelter, we will have a chance."
Guo Xiao suddenly said, "If the wind direction changes to southeast, it means that the thick smoke will not only not blow into the enemy camp, but will instead flow back into our side."
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned and looked at Guo Xiao, "How could the scouts' calculations be wrong?"
Guo Xiao said, "I'm just assuming that things can change unexpectedly. If a southeast wind suddenly blows and we happen to be in the wind's path, then His Majesty's entire plan will be aborted, and all our efforts these past few days will be in vain."
Captain Chen said coldly, "The scouts have already predicted that the northwest wind will blow in the next three days, which will be perfect for implementing the plan. What does Captain Guo mean by saying this at this time? You do not believe His Majesty's decision, and you are making such remarks on the battlefield to confuse the army. Go down and receive twenty strokes of the military rod."
Guo Xiao explained, "Captain Chen has misunderstood. This humble officer dares not question His Majesty, much less so mislead the army..."
Before he could finish speaking, the scout said in a deep voice, "My guess is definitely correct."
Being questioned in front of the emperor made the scout feel ashamed.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
Xie Shang's expression was cold and indifferent. He was familiar with the ever-changing nature of the battlefield, where anything could happen.
He also understood that all plans had to be based on the assumption that the wind would blow from the northwest; if the wind suddenly changed direction, the losses would indeed be incalculable.
They must ensure that this battle is won flawlessly.
At this time, Xie Shang was their backbone, and his mind had to be clearer than anyone else's.
Xie Shang said, "Guo Xiao's words are not without reason."
When the Emperor spoke, everyone fell silent. Were all their efforts of the past ten days really going to be in vain?
The army's food supplies could only last for one or two days, and the medicinal herbs had long been exhausted. The Northern Xiao Kingdom had also seen through the Great Zhou army's desperate and desperate attack. If Pingcheng could not be held, more cities would fall. Therefore, this battle must be won.
Guo Xiao dared not say any more. These days he had clearly felt the alienation of his comrades. Just now he had only expressed his worries in a moment of desperation. If the southeast wind did not blow, but the northwest wind predicted by the scouts for the next three days, the emperor's plan would still have a good chance of success.
Xie Shang had already thoroughly studied the topographical map. His gaze fell upon a place marked "Black Pine Forest" upstream of Flying Eagle Gorge. He then said, "Guo Xiao, now tell me your solution. If the wind really changes direction and blows from the southeast, what countermeasures do you have?"
Guo Xiao stared blankly at General Peng Fei for a moment, "Actually, I only raised my doubts about the wind direction after General Peng reminded me of it last night."
Peng Fei's mind had already been disturbed by several of his subordinates. He was originally full of ambition when he first led his troops to the Northwest, but the harsh environment of the Northwest forced him to have almost no tricks up his sleeve. A strong attack would be like throwing an egg against a rock, so his mind was focused on defense.
He felt incredibly guilty for losing two cities in a row. Then last night, Guo Xiao suddenly stood beside him and spoke to him with a grin.
Guo Xiao said, "I used to be a spoiled brat with no other desire than eating, drinking and having fun. Many people actually looked down on me. All I saw in them was hypocrisy."
Since joining the army and becoming a soldier, I suddenly felt a sense of pride. Standing among the crowd, in front of the people, I felt that I was their support, able to protect more people, and I was extremely happy.
"On my very first day in the army, General Peng was my mentor, and I have never forgotten your kindness in training me."
Looking into Guo Xiao's sincere eyes, Peng Fei suddenly felt ashamed. How could he, a great general, harbor resentment because he was jealous of his subordinate's talent, or even have selfish thoughts of not wanting a capable person like Guo Xiao to stand out in front of the emperor?
Guo Xiao was indeed a talented general. He had already infiltrated the terrain of various parts of the Northwest and analyzed the location of the Northern Owl Army.
Guo Xiao's mere mention of the three words "Black Pine Forest" was enough to show that he had already thought of a solution.
People are often unwilling to admit their shortcomings, let alone let others see their weaknesses. People with this mentality will misjudge many correct things.
Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "What are your thoughts, General Peng?"
Peng Fei snapped out of his thoughts, pointed to the black pine forest mark on the map, and said in a deep voice, "If the southeast wind really blows, we will borrow the east wind. Of course, what I want to borrow is not the wind, but fire."
Xie Shang's eyes gleamed with a burning light. "It seems General Peng had already thought of this method. Explain it in detail so we can prepare a countermeasure in advance."
Peng Fei thought to himself that the emperor must have also thought of using the Black Pine Forest.
The emperor knew that he had lost two cities, but he never blamed him. These days, he also felt that he had lost the trust of his soldiers. The emperor deliberately selected him to help him regain his confidence.
Peng Fei was deeply moved.