stonecrandall Chapter 808 Yi Xiaochuan’s idea, surprise attack on Yangping Pass!
Chapter 808 Yi Xiaochuan’s idea, surprise attack on Yangping Pass!
Yi Xiaochuan's words fell like a heavy lead weight in the military tent, stirring up a wave of suppressed emotions. His brow furrowed, and his sigh was shrouded in a deep sense of powerlessness, as if he foresaw the inexorable gloom that would loom at the end of Gongzi Gao's fate.
"Brother Yu," he said in a low, hoarse voice, "Even if we now understand Gao Yao's evil plan, what can we do? The die is cast, the arrow is on the string. The only thing we can do now is to pass the news to Wu Can as quickly as possible and pray to God. Maybe... maybe there is still a chance of turning things around."
The helplessness and despair in his tone were clear. Yi Xiaochuan knew full well that Gao Yao, once he made a plan, would be a man of stone, with no room for maneuver. Delivering the message was simply a matter of doing one's best and leaving the rest to fate.
A huge shadow loomed over his heart, and he almost murmured to himself: "Maybe... maybe at this moment, Young Master Gao has already..." He did not finish the rest of the words, but the unfinished sadness had spread. He almost had no illusions about preventing this tragedy.
Xiang Yu stood before the massive map, his massive frame tense as a tower of steel. He was no fool. He had heard Yi Xiaochuan's analysis clearly, and he understood the harsh reality within. Time! Result! Both, like icy shackles, held them captive. He pounded his fist against the wooden frame at the edge of the map, a dull thud echoing through the air.
"You are right, Xiaochuan. If that Gaoyao villain really dares to take action, Master Gao is probably in great danger now; if he hasn't taken action yet..." Xiang Yu frowned, his eyes flashing, "We sent a letter to remind Wu Can, of course it is a good intention, but Wu Can is not a fool! Master Gao is the foundation of his foothold and the key bargaining chip in his dealings with Gao Yao. Even if we didn't warn him, he would definitely regard Master Gao as a treasure and protect him with layers of protection. How could he let Gao Yao succeed so easily? The significance of this letter... is indeed limited!" He acknowledged Yi Xiaochuan's judgment. This act of passing on intelligence was more for peace of mind and had little effect on the overall situation.
"Then are we just going to do nothing and watch Gao Yao act recklessly?!" Xiang Yu turned around abruptly, his voice suddenly rising, like a trapped tiger roaring unwillingly, with a strong desire to fight and anxiety burning in his eyes.
"This is a godsend opportunity! Gao Yao is mobilizing a large army to march south, aiming at the fertile lands of the three counties of Hengshan King Wu Rui. It would be impossible to succeed without an army of over one hundred thousand! In addition, he has deployed troops in Dongjiao County to intimidate. At this moment, the troops in his hands must be stretched thin, and the rear is empty! If we can take advantage of the fact that his main force is stuck in the quagmire of Nanjun and attack decisively, and directly strike at his heart, we will surely achieve remarkable success and severely damage his foundation!" Xiang Yu became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had already seen the magnificent scene of the cavalry trampling through the enemy camp.
"No! Absolutely not!" Fan Zeng, who had been silent until then, now spoke out firmly. His voice was powerful and resolute, steadying Xiang Yu's restless mind like a rock. "Yu'er! War is a matter of national importance, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction! How can we let a momentary advantage disrupt our fundamental strategy?"
He leaned on his staff and walked steadily to the map, his bony finger accurately pointing to the area representing the Chu army's influence. "Our army's primary strategy at this moment is to defend our base, dig deep trenches and build high fortifications, and conserve our energy! At the same time, we must leverage Gao Yao's power to deplete his own strength! Since he wants to attack Wu Rui, let him do it! The harder he hits, the better, and the longer he drags it out, the better!"
Fan Zeng's gaze was as deep as an ancient well, gleaming with the wisdom of a seasoned strategist. "This is the strategy of 'sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight.' Even if Gao Yao seizes the three counties, so what? How many officials will be needed to govern the new land? How much energy will be required to appease the people? How much food and money will be needed to station a large army? All of these will be like maggots on the heel, constantly sucking away at his already shaky foundation!"
As one side gains strength while the other loses, time becomes our Chu army's greatest ally! When they are exhausted and plagued by internal and external troubles, then is the time for our army to strike with lightning speed and settle the situation in one fell swoop! Don't let momentary impatience ruin the long-term plan! "Fan Zeng's analysis was calm and insightful, getting to the heart of the strategy—trading space for time, using the enemy's attrition to grow our own strength.
Xiang Yu's chest heaved violently as he listened to Fan Zeng's words, rumbling like a bellows. Deep within him, a thirst for direct confrontation and overwhelming victory surged. Fan Zeng's strategy of "avoiding the enemy's sharp edge and wearing down their spirit"—though sensible—made him feel incredibly suffocated.
The bitter lessons of the past were like cold shackles, strangling his impulsive impulses. He sighed deeply, resignedly, a sigh that seemed especially heavy in the silent tent. He understood Fan Zeng's painstaking efforts; all of this was for the future of the Chu army, for ultimate victory. He forced down the fighting spirit in his chest, slowly unclenching his clenched fists until his knuckles turned white.
Amidst this silence, mingled with solemnity and resentment, Yi Xiaochuan, who had been bowing his head in deep thought, suddenly had a strange glint in his eyes, as if he had caught a glimmer of light in the mist. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping across Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng. His voice was low, yet piercing, "Brother Yu, Mr. Fan Zeng, in my humble opinion, this matter... may not be completely impossible. If Gao Yao's main force truly marches out and becomes deeply involved in the southern battlefield, there is indeed a place that may serve as a fulcrum for us to leverage the situation."
"Oh? Where?! Tell me quickly, Xiaochuan!" Xiang Yu's dull eyes instantly lit up, as if injected with a stream of hot magma, his entire body tensed with anticipation. As long as there was a battle to fight, a chance to strike Gao Yao in an upright manner, his spirits would immediately perk up.
In stark contrast to Xiang Yu's impatience, Fan Zeng's brow furrowed even deeper, a subtle hint of worry crossing his creased face. He scrutinized Yi Xiaochuan with a sharp gaze, a tinge of alarm ringing within him. The young strategist's thinking was sometimes too whimsical, too eager to achieve victory through risk. This fundamentally conflicted with his strategic philosophy of seeking stability, pragmatism, and careful planning before taking action.
In Yi Xiaochuan's view, the opportunity is fleeting, and it is worthwhile to gain the greatest strategic benefit at a controllable cost; while Fan Zeng firmly believes that what the Chu army needs is to accumulate absolute strength and completely crush Gaoyao with the momentum of a mountain in the decisive battle. Any "small moves" that may disperse strength and expose intentions may result in losses.
"Take Yangping Pass!" Yi Xiaochuan said in a decisive tone, spitting out four words word by word.
"Yangping Pass?!"
Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng cried out almost at the same time, with obvious surprise and shock on their faces!
Xiang Yu's mind raced, and he instantly understood Yi Xiaochuan's intention: "Xiaochuan, you mean... we give up on storming Xianyang and avoid the sharp edge of those 30,000 defenders? Take a detour and go straight to the throat of Hanzhong - Yangping Pass? Take it in one fell swoop?" His voice was full of disbelief, but also with a kind of excitement of sudden enlightenment.