Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 1060: Compassionate generals cannot command troops; even a wise strategist can transform!

"Second Young Master, the Qiang army's offensive this time is fierce, and I'm afraid it won't last long," Wang Chuan said worriedly.

Gao Zhe nodded: "Proceed according to plan. At noon, I will lead the army out of the south gate. At that time, General Wang is requested to launch a counterattack at the east and north gates to attract the attention of the Qiang army."

"As ordered!"

The battle began at dawn. The Qiang army, disregarding casualties, launched a frenzied assault on the city. Although the watchtowers were destroyed, they used human ladders, stepping on the corpses of their comrades to climb upwards. The battering rams once again approached the city gate, their impacts thunderous.

Although the southern army fought valiantly, their arrows and logs were running out, and the pressure was increasing. A section of the city wall at the east gate was even scaled by the Qiang army, but Gao Niu and his personal guards managed to repel them.

As noon approached, the battle intensified. The Han army had suffered over a thousand casualties, while the Qiang army had suffered fifteen thousand. Corpses piled up like mountains beneath the city walls, and blood flowed like rivers.

At noon, the south gate quietly opened.

Gao Zhe took the lead, leading two thousand elite soldiers out of the city gate. These two thousand soldiers were all lightly armored, carrying swords and shields, and moved swiftly. They did not shout, but instead circled around to the flank of the Qiang army at top speed.

At this time, the Qiang army's attention was entirely focused on the east and north gates, leaving their flanks vulnerable. By the time they discovered the southern border army's attack, Gao Lin had already led his troops into the Qiang army's rear.

"Kill!" Gao Zhe brandished his longsword and led the charge.

Two thousand soldiers from the southern border charged like tigers into a flock of sheep, instantly shattering the Qiang army's rear. Gao Zhe's swordsmanship was a true inheritance from Gao Yao; wherever his sword flashed, Qiang soldiers fell to the ground. Gao Wu, wielding his spear, followed closely behind, charging left and right, unstoppable.

Umuhan was greatly alarmed upon receiving the report and hurriedly dispatched troops to reinforce the city. However, Wang Ben saw that the time was ripe and ordered the garrison at the east and north gates to launch a counterattack.

Suddenly, the battlefield situation reversed. The Qiang army was attacked from both sides, and their formation was thrown into chaos.

Gao Zhe led his army straight to Wumuhan's central army. Wumuhan personally led his guards to meet the enemy and fought Gao Lin.

The two clashed, sparks flying. Wu Muhanli's sword was heavy and powerful, while Gao Zhe's swordsmanship was light and agile; for a time, it was difficult to determine who was superior.

After thirty rounds of fighting, Gao Zhe feigned an opening, luring Wu Muhan to strike with all his might. He dodged to the side and then stabbed Wu Muhan's right arm with a backhand sword.

Umuhan cried out in pain, and his scimitar fell to the ground. His personal guards rushed forward to protect their lord, fighting and retreating simultaneously.

Seeing their commander wounded, the Qiang army's morale collapsed, and they retreated in disarray. The Han army pursued their victory, killing countless enemies.

The battle lasted until late afternoon, when the Qiang army suffered a major defeat, with over 20,000 casualties. The remaining troops retreated thirty li before regaining their footing. The Southern Army won a great victory, with only over 2,000 casualties.

When Gao Zhe returned to the city, he was covered in blood, but his eyes shone brightly. The soldiers and civilians in the city lined the streets and cheered, their voices shaking the heavens.

That night, a grand celebration was held in Didao City. However, Gao Lin did not attend the victory banquet, but instead held a meeting with Wang Chuan, Gao Niu, Zhang Liang, and others at the prefect's residence.

“Although the Qiang army was defeated, its strength remains.” Zhang Liang analyzed, “Wumuhan has gathered his defeated troops and still has nearly 30,000 soldiers who can fight. If we wait for them to recover their strength, they will still be a major threat to our army.”

Gao Niu said, "The main force of the Fourth Army Group will arrive tomorrow. At that time, our army will have 40,000 troops and be well-equipped. We can go out of the city to fight the Qiang army."

Gao Zhe nodded: "Of Mr. Zhang's three counter-offensive strategies, one is 'pursue the victory and strike at the heart of the enemy.' The Qiang army has just suffered a defeat, and their morale is low. Our army should press on and completely crush them in one fell swoop."

Wang Chuan hesitated for a moment: "We shouldn't pursue a desperate enemy. The Qiang territory is vast and the terrain is complex. If we go too far into their territory, we might be ambushed."

Gao Zhe stood up and walked to the map: "General Wang is right. But Mr. Zhang had foreseen this and ordered Mr. Chen Ping to send spies to infiltrate the Qiang territory and draw up a detailed map. Moreover, the various Qiang tribes are not united. Wumuhan has just been defeated and his prestige has been greatly damaged. There must be some tribes that will not submit."

He turned around, his gaze resolute: "My mind is made up. Once the main force of the Fourth Army arrives, we will leave the city and engage the Qiang army in a decisive battle. If we win, we will pursue them relentlessly, taking them straight to the heart of the Qiang territory and eliminating any future threat!"

Seeing that Gao Zhe was determined and had a sure chance of winning, the generals all said in unison, "We are willing to follow the Second Young Master to defeat the enemy!"

On the fourth day, at 3:45 AM, the main force of the Fourth Army Group arrived at Didao City.

Thirty-five thousand elite troops, their banners obscuring the sun, their swords and spears like a forest. Among them were three thousand iron cavalry, both men and horses clad in heavy armor, the elite of the southern army.

Gao Niu and Zhang Liang exchanged a few words of admiration. Gao Zhe had defended the city for three days with less than 20,000 men and repelled 50,000 Qiang troops. They couldn't help but praise, "Second Young Master is truly a tiger cub!"

Gao Zheqian said, "It all depends on the soldiers' bravery and Mr. Zhang's strategic planning."

When the two armies joined forces, the Han army in Didao City numbered 43,000, and their morale was high.

At noon, Gao Zhesheng took charge of the troops.

"General Zhao Ming led his 20,000 troops as the left wing to attack the right flank of the Qiang army."

"The last general takes command!"

"General Gao Niu led 10,000 troops as the right wing to attack the left flank of the Qiang army."

"Order!"

"General Wang Chuan led 8,000 troops to defend the city and was responsible for the supply of food and fodder."

"As ordered!"

"I will personally lead 15,000 troops to attack the Qiang army's central camp. 3,000 iron cavalry will be the vanguard to break through the enemy lines!"

"promise!"

The plan was finalized, and the army marched out of the city. The 40,000 southern border troops marched forward in orderly formation, displaying impeccable discipline. In contrast, the Qiang army, though still numbering nearly 30,000, was demoralized, and its leaders harbored disloyal intentions.

The two armies faced off on a plain thirty miles outside Didao City.

Umuhan's arm injury had not yet healed, and he was barely able to ride his horse with his right arm in a sling. Seeing the well-organized formation of the Southern Army, he couldn't help but feel fear. But if he retreated now, his entire army would surely collapse, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and fight.

As the war drums sounded, the Southern Army launched the first attack.

Three thousand iron cavalrymen charged towards the Qiang army's lines like a steel torrent. The heavy cavalry's impact was extremely powerful, and the Qiang army's vanguard was torn apart like paper.

Gao Zhe led the central army closely behind, their spears like a forest, advancing step by step. The left and right armies launched attacks simultaneously, and the Qiang army was attacked from three sides, causing their formation to fall into chaos.

Zhao Ming, a veteran general, commanded the left flank with ease, quickly breaking through the Qiang army's right flank. Gao Niu led the right flank in a fierce attack on the left flank, and the Qiang general Zaxi fought valiantly, but could not withstand the Han army's onslaught.

By late afternoon, the Qiang army had suffered a complete rout. Umuhan fled in disarray under the protection of his personal guards, while the remaining troops either surrendered or fled, suffering countless casualties.

The Southern Army achieved a great victory, killing over 10,000 enemies, capturing 8,000, and seizing countless weapons and provisions.

That evening, the generals celebrated their victory at the Southern Army camp. However, Gao Zhe was once again absent from the celebration banquet.

Inside the central command tent, Gao Zhe was discussing the next steps with Zhang Liang, Gao Niu, and others.

"The main force of the Qiang army has been routed, and Wumuhan has fled into the heart of Qiang territory," Zhao Ming reported. "Whether to pursue them is up to the Second Prince to decide."

Gao Niu said, "Although our army has won, we are exhausted from continuous fighting. Moreover, we are deep in Qiang territory, where supplies are difficult and the risks are extremely high."

Zhang Liang, however, said, "Let's strike at the heart of the enemy and eliminate future troubles. Now that the Qiang army has just suffered a defeat and Wumuhan's prestige has been completely shattered, this is the perfect opportunity to thoroughly pacify the Qiang people."

After pondering for a long time, Gao Zhe finally made up his mind: "Order the three armies to rest for a day. We will set off the day after tomorrow and march into the Qiang territory!"

He stepped outside the tent and looked up at the starry sky. His father, Gao Yao, had once told him: "A general must have the courage to make decisive decisions, but also the heart of benevolence. However, sometimes benevolence is the greatest cruelty. If it is for the peace of the world, even if rivers of blood flow, it is worth it."