stonecrandall Chapter 798: Insist on taking charge personally and taking over Nanjun!
Chapter 798: Insist on taking charge personally and taking over Nanjun!
Gao Yao's gaze slowly swept over the worried faces of Xiao He, Cao Shen, and other important officials. Their furrowed brows and hesitant expressions clearly revealed their thoughts. His lips curled up slightly, a soothing tone in his voice as he spoke in a steady and clear voice:
"I understand your concerns. They're simply concerns about me personally heading to the front lines and taking on dangerous risks. However," he changed the subject, his tone revealing unquestionable resolve, "while it's safe to sit at the center and direct strategic planning, personally supervising the battle and boosting morale at the front also has its irreplaceable benefits. Rest assured, what I just said was 'remaining at the front and commanding the battle,' not 'personally taking up my sword and charging into battle.' In this battle, I intend to command the central army and personally lead the charge. From my presence, I will rally the soldiers and ignite their resolve for victory. My presence will be the anchor of the sea! What do you think of this arrangement?"
Gao Yao understood the situation clearly. The core of Xiao He and the others' concern was that if he, the heart and soul of the Southern Frontier Army, were lost, the entire situation would collapse in an instant. But he also knew that Xiang Yu, the arch-enemy now entrenched in the north, was no longer the headstrong and self-righteous overlord described in history books, who would mobilize an army of 100,000 at the drop of a hat.
"Today's Xiang Yu is definitely not the impulsive Overlord of Western Chu recorded in history." Gao Yao's voice deepened, a hint of the coldness that came from someone who knew his opponent well. "The repeated setbacks and defeats I suffered have long since worn away his arrogance. He's learned to be patient and to assess the situation. Unless he's absolutely certain of a decisive strike and the potential for enormous profit, he won't easily unleash all 100,000 cavalry."
Indeed, the Chu army, with its elite cavalry, enjoyed a significant advantage in field battles across the vast northern plains. Once the battle was underway, even if the southern border troops were able to fight, they would inevitably pay a heavy price and would be unable to gain any substantial advantage. However, this did not mean that the Chu army was an invincible force. On the contrary, it harbored significant hidden dangers that could be fatal.
"The Chu army's greatest weakness is its lack of fodder and pay!" Gao Yao tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the sand table, as if tapping on the Chu army's lifeline. "They don't have the wealth we have in the southern border. The territories Xiang Yu occupies are mostly in the bitterly cold and barren north, where grain production is scarce. He scraped together this 100,000-man cavalry, but once this massive war machine is fully operational, the costs will be immense, far beyond his ability to sustain."
Gao Yao's eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if they could penetrate the map and see the mountains of fodder and the dwindling granaries behind the Chu army camp.
The strength of ancient cavalry lay in its mobility and impact, but its weakness lay in its horrific consumption! War horses were priceless. To maintain their stamina for long-distance raids and charges, they needed a daily supply of grass and beans. One horse might not seem to eat much, but what about a hundred thousand war horses? Day after day, that's a bottomless pit enough to devour the entire northern region's food reserves! "He said with a cold calculation in his tone, "And that's just for the warhorses. A hundred thousand-man army, fed by both men and horses, once fighting far from home, the difficulty of transporting food and fodder, and the terrifying consumption, were astronomical. Every day, every moment, was burning through Xiang Yu's dwindling reserves!
Therefore, Gao Yao could confidently assert, "The Chu army currently has no capital to squander! They must fight with meticulous calculations, striving for 'results greater than losses'! Every battle must have a clear objective and a substantial expected reward. Otherwise, Xiang Yu would suffer losses with every battle. This means that even if he has the courage and ability to launch a surprise attack on Xianyang, he must weigh the pros and cons: How much is the value of Xianyang without me, Gao Yao, guarding it? Is it worth risking almost all of his elite troops and his already limited food reserves, and taking the enormous risk of advancing alone and cutting off his supplies?"
Gao Yao straightened his back and gazed at his advisors with a burning gaze. His confidence stemmed from his deep insight into Xiang Yu's transformation and his precise grasp of the cold, hard numbers behind the war. He believed he had already seen through Xiang Yu's calculations.
Gao Yao's calm and insightful analysis reverberated throughout the tent, like the resounding sound of a rock, crushing the previously pervasive doubts. The worry on the faces of Xiao He, Cao Shen, and the others remained, but it was replaced by a deeper contemplation. They exchanged glances, each seeing a similar shock and undeniable admiration in the other's eyes.
Gao Yao's words were detailed and insightful, hitting the nail on the head. One hundred thousand cavalrymen sounded awe-inspiring and unstoppable.
Could they truly breach Xianyang's towering walls? The answer was murky in everyone's mind. Cavalry was invincible in open combat, common sense would have it, but sieges and fortifications? That was the domain of infantry and equipment. Gao Yao had already made preparations, with 30,000 elite Southern Border troops on the outskirts of Xianyang. Under Gao Yao's guidance, this army had been transformed, particularly skilled in defense, maintaining Xianyang like an impenetrable barrier. If they encountered them in the wilderness, the Southern Border troops might struggle to withstand their sharp advance, but relying on a fortified city? Even with a Chu army of 100,000 men and ample provisions, it wouldn't be possible to conquer this formidable nexus for three months!
Furthermore, the Chu army's critical weakness, highlighted by Gao Yao—its food and fodder logistics—dangled like a sword of Damocles over Xiang Yu's head. Cavalry supply lines were inherently fragile and lengthy, requiring a constant flow of fodder and supplies. Amidst the looming food shortage, it was doubtful whether the Chu army could sustain a high-intensity offensive for even a month, let alone three. The question of whether it was worth it must have weighed heavily on Xiang Yu's mind. Without Gao Yao's presence, could the strategic value of Xianyang offset the immense cost of food and fodder and the potential heavy losses it would incur? The answer was clearly uncertain.
A brief silence fell in the hall, broken only by the occasional crackling of candlelight. Finally, Xiao He took a deep breath and broke the silence. The prime minister, known for his steadiness and thoroughness, now wore an expression of relief and resolution.
He lifted his robe sleeves and bowed solemnly. "Your Majesty has been thoughtful and insightful. My earlier concerns were truly for your safety. However, since Your Majesty has a foolproof plan and a thorough understanding of the enemy, I...will obey your orders!" His words conveyed both recognition and responsibility. He understood that Gao Yao's persistence wasn't reckless, but a confidence based on accurate judgment.
"We obey!" With Xiao He's unequivocal statement, Cao Shen and other important officials no longer objected. They all bowed and agreed, their voices coalescing into a forceful force. Gao Yao glanced around, his gaze sharp as a torch, observing the finally unified thoughts and cohesive will. He nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face. This wasn't pride, but relief at having reached a consensus.