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

Chapter 1093 Preparing for a Full-Scale Operation!

The worst is happening.

"Your Majesty, then we..." Ran Min asked at this moment. He was somewhat dissatisfied with being transferred to Gao Yao's side; Ran Min's destiny lay on the battlefield.

"The plan remains unchanged." Gao Yao's gaze sharpened again. "It may even be brought forward. Pass down the order to tell the soldiers that this battle is not only about unifying the world, but also about creating peace for future generations."

"Yes," Ran Min slowly withdrew.

Gao Yao was the only one left in the room. He looked at the sand table again, his finger lightly tracing the curve representing the Great Wall.

But Gao Yao had no time to delve deeper. Once the war machine was started, it could not be stopped. He had to wage two wars simultaneously: one for internal unification and the other for external defense.

The biggest variable is the 400,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen sharpening their swords on the grasslands.

"Guards!" Gao Yao suddenly shouted.

The guards entered immediately.

"Immediately send an order to the Liaodong front: change the original steady and cautious strategy, adopt blitzkrieg tactics, and quickly defeat the main force of the Wei army at all costs."

"Send orders to the northern border defenses: all border posts shall be placed on first-level combat readiness, beacon towers shall be on constant watch, and cavalry scouts shall be sent out three hundred li ahead for reconnaissance."

"Send a message to the Ministry of Works: I need three thousand improved light crossbows, with a range of no less than three hundred paces, to be delivered within one month."

A barrage of orders rained down. Gao Yao's mind raced, calculating all the possibilities: What if the Xiongnu invaded from the south while the Huaxia army was engaged in a decisive battle with the Wei army? What if the Left and Right Wise Kings were only feigning an alliance and were actually plotting their own schemes?

Thinking of this, Gao Yao suddenly laughed, a somewhat ferocious laugh.

He walked to his desk, spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, and began to draw a complex diagram. It was a strange chariot: four wheels, a front guard plate, and a crossbow firing port. The chariot was lightweight and could be pulled by two horses.

"In grassland warfare, mobility is key. So let's turn our camps into mobile fortresses." Gao Yao muttered to himself as he drew. "Light crossbow carts, musketeer teams, rapid supply vehicles... we'll advance across the grasslands in a chain of vehicles, step by step."

The blueprints gradually took shape, revealing a complete tactical system designed for grassland warfare. A glimmer of light rekindled in Gao Yao's eyes—yes, the Xiongnu had the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan's help, but he possessed the system himself. The system had provided Gao Yao with numerous mechanical design blueprints; while a perfect replica of the steel behemoth was currently impossible, replicating a wooden one was entirely feasible.

Nomadic peoples excel at open field battles? Then force them into siege warfare. The Hun cavalry are swift and elusive? Then restrict their movement with wagon formations. Logistical support is difficult? Then invent canned food and compressed rations.

"My lord, it's already midnight," the attendant whispered a reminder.

Gao Yao looked up and realized that the candle was already more than half burned.

"Okay, I'll wait a little longer." He rubbed his aching wrist and continued to refine the drawings.

After the two armies set out, Xianyang was unusually calm. The city remained bustling, shops operated as usual, and people lived their lives as normal. However, observant people could notice that the city's defenses had been significantly strengthened, with the Imperial Guards patrolling more frequently and conducting stricter checks at the city gates.

Gao Yao remained in the palace, reviewing memorials and presiding over court assemblies daily, seemingly as usual. But only those in the inner circle knew that a war without gunfire had already begun.

The Imperial Study became the de facto war command center. Every day at 9 PM, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and Zhuge Liang would secretly enter the palace to report on the progress and formulate strategies.

That night, the three of them arrived as promised.

"The Eastern Expedition is progressing smoothly," Chen Ping reported first. "Yue Fei's main force has crossed Mount Tai, traveling sixty li a day, and is advancing according to plan. Lü Bu's vanguard has arrived at Langya and joined up with Huo Qubing's sea force. General Huo has sent a letter saying that fifty ships are ready and can carry 30,000 troops across the sea within five days."

Gao Yao nodded: "What about Wei Bao?"

“Wei Bao has learned of our eastern expedition, but he does not know the movements of the southern expeditionary force,” Zhang Liang said. “He sent an envoy today to inquire about the eastern expedition, and his tone was quite suspicious. I used the excuse of ‘suppressing the rebels in Liaodong and preventing them from moving south’ to deflect the question.”

Does he believe it?

"I'm half convinced," Zhang Liang analyzed. "Wei Bao isn't stupid; he knows that after my eastern expedition, he'll be my next target. But he doesn't dare to make any rash moves right now—although our army is on an eastern expedition, our forces in the north and south haven't moved. If he attacks, we might be caught in a two-front war."

Xiao He added, "In terms of the economy, we have begun to tighten the grain supply to Wei Bao, by a small margin, reducing it by 10% each month. At the same time, the money shops have begun to slowly recover loans, creating the illusion of a tight credit environment."

"Wei Bao's reaction?"

“He ordered all counties to increase their grain reserves and restrict grain exports. But the effect was limited—the grain distribution channels are in our hands, and he can’t control them.” Xiao He smiled. “What’s even better is that his restrictions have caused grain prices to rise, and the people are complaining. Our people are secretly stirring things up, saying, ‘The King of Wei is incompetent; he can’t even manage grain properly.’”

Gao Yao listened with satisfaction. This is the war of comprehensive national strength: a multi-pronged approach encompassing military, economic, political, and public opinion, making it impossible for the opponent to defend against.

"And what about the Xiongnu?"

"The feint is still in effect," Zhuge Liang reported. "Our Xiongnu scouts report that our troops in the north have been frequently shifting positions, suggesting a major operation. Modu Chanyu has postponed his southern invasion plan and convened a meeting of all tribes to discuss countermeasures. This should buy us at least two months. However, the Chanyu's health is failing."

Two months would be enough for the Eastern Expeditionary Army to conquer Liaodong and return to the Central Plains.

“But there’s a variable,” Zhang Liang said gravely. “We’ve received a secret report that Wei Bao has secretly contacted the remnants of the Chu forces and harbors hatred towards our country. If Wei Bao allies with Chu, it’s suspected he might be planning a rebellion in Kuaiji.”

Gao Yao frowned. This was indeed a hidden danger. Three years ago, he defeated Xiang Yu, and the Chu Kingdom disintegrated, but the remaining forces returned to Jiangdong. If these people colluded with Wei Bao, it would be troublesome.

"Can it be stopped?"

“We can give it a try.” A cunning glint flashed in Zhuge Liang’s eyes. “The remnants of Chu are not a monolithic entity. The Xiang clan has many conflicts with the Jing and Zhao clans. We can secretly support the Jing clan and instigate internal strife so that they have no time to look north.”

How many resources are needed?

"Five thousand taels of gold, fifty thousand shi of grain, and a batch of military equipment," Zhuge Liang estimated. "The Jing clan is currently short of food and weapons. If we provide them with timely assistance, they will be extremely grateful. Furthermore, if we promise to support the Jing clan as their leader after the restoration of their kingdom, they will devote all their efforts to dealing with the Xiang clan."

“Approved.” Gao Yao said without hesitation, “but it must be done in secret, and we must not leave any evidence.”

"I understand."

The meeting lasted until midnight. After seeing the three off, Gao Yao stood alone by the window of the imperial study, gazing at the starry sky.

Three years of preparation, now it's time to unleash our power. The pieces are in place, the game is set. Eastern expeditions to Liaodong, southern intimidation of the Central Plains, northern defense against the Xiongnu, western stabilization of the Qiang territory... This is a grand strategy, every move requiring meticulous calculation.