Chapter 173 - 138: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
Chapter 173: Chapter 138: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole
’We can’t afford to gamble. Our only chance of survival is to strike first.’
"Once we’ve subdued them and taken the Mantuo Tribe’s supplies and troops, fighting the Shengman shouldn’t be a problem."
Xiao He nodded, his jaw set. "I’ll see to it at once."
He then led his men out of the tent.
After everyone had left, Xiao Hua asked, "What exactly is your plan?"
"It’s a plan to lure the snake from its hole and test the Mantuo Tribe. In three days, I’ll feign leading the main army out of the pass. We’ll also transfer a portion of the troops stationed near the Mantuo Tribe, making it look like they’re being sent as reinforcements. Then, we’ll see how the Mantuo Tribe reacts.
"If they don’t mobilize, so be it. But if they attack first, it will prove they’ve been planning to take advantage of our war with the Shengman all along. In that case, I’ll lead our army and annihilate them.
"This way, the other Vassal Towns will have no grounds to object.
"After all, the Mantuo Tribe will be the ones who initiated the battle.
"We’re a cavalry force, so we’re mobile enough. Ten days is more than enough time to make a circuit around the three tribes.
"Once we beat them into submission, the Shengman will be easy to deal with."
Lu Yuan laid out the entire plan in one breath.
A look of shock appeared on Xiao Hua’s face. She asked softly, "But the most crucial part of this is a swift and decisive battle, crushing the Mantuo Tribe with absolute strength. Can we really do that?"
She sounded uncertain.
Lu Yuan placed his hands on the desk, a confident smirk on his face as he looked at Xiao Hua. "Speaking of which, you still haven’t witnessed my true strength. This time, I’ll let you see it. We have a hundred-thousand-strong army now. As long as the Military Array drills are complete..."
"I might lack confidence against the Dayong Imperial Guard or the Beast Riders, but against the Mantuo Tribe’s cavalry? They don’t even qualify as Elite Cavalry. With just a few experts holding their lines, how can they possibly compare to me!"
His voice was measured, yet it radiated conviction.
For a moment, Xiao Hua was stunned. She truly had no idea just how formidable Lu Yuan was. Her impression of him was frozen in their time at Icefield Fortress. Even though she knew he had later become a General, it was only as a Patrol General for Dayong, and besides, Lu Yuan was so young.
She hadn’t really considered his strength. After all, despite his distinguished military achievements for Dayong, those had been small-scale battles where he was merely a participant, not the commander.
However, she saw Lu Yuan through rose-colored glasses.
Since he was the one who said it, Xiao Hua immediately nodded.
"Alright, don’t dwell on it. We’re not just going to solve the Shengman problem; we’re going to settle matters on the border as well. The Northern Barbarians’ cavalry is said to be the best in the world. I’ve seen that the mounts of these Elite Cavalry can cover hundreds of miles in a single day.
"It would be a terrible waste not to put that to use." With that, he headed outside.
Xiao Hua followed behind him.
Stepping out of the command tent, they saw the army already stirring into action.
Xiao He was directing the soldiers, who were leading their warhorses toward the drill ground.
A look of satisfaction appeared on Lu Yuan’s face.
Say what you will about Xiao He, his ability to execute orders was excellent.
Once the Fourth-Grade Military Array was fully drilled, it would provide an insurmountable advantage against an ordinary tribe.
According to Lu Yuan’s plan, once this battle was won, he would have to deal with internal affairs upon his return to the Imperial City.
As for the Vassal Towns, he would win some over and suppress others.
Although the Northern Barbarians were currently weakened, to be honest, they were still an absolute behemoth in the eyes of the other Vassal Towns.
As long as he could keep them from uniting...
He could defeat them one by one.
At that point, Dayong would no longer have to fear deploying its armies abroad.
For the next few days, Lu Yuan remained in the camp, occasionally going out to survey the terrain.
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Early this morning, Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua were eating breakfast in the command tent.
"SWISH!"
Xiao He threw open the tent flap, a blast of wind and snow rushing in with him.
Seeing Lu Yuan, he cupped his fist and said, "Your Highness, the army has finished drilling the Military Array. They will have no problem forming it on the battlefield."
"And the army stationed near the Mantuo Tribe?" Lu Yuan asked, looking up.
"They have also completed their drills. I sent specialists to oversee it two days ago. They are ready for battle," Xiao He said quickly.
Lu Yuan nodded with satisfaction.
"Any movement from the Shengman?"
"We’ve sent thirty Scout parties to watch their camp. There’s been no unusual movement. This time, the Shengman are starting to use their heads; they won’t attack within the next half-month.
"It’s obvious they want to drag this out and wear us down. Their supply train is constantly transporting goods.
"Judging by the scale, it will take them at least ten more days to finish."
Lu Yuan nodded. "Good. Proceed according to plan. Remember my orders: if the Mantuo Tribe provokes you, don’t just stand there. You can trade insults, but do not strike first.
"If they dare to draw their weapons, then you don’t need to hold back."
"As you command!"
With a cry of acknowledgment, Xiao He withdrew. Lu Yuan, meanwhile, stepped out of his tent.
The sixty-thousand-strong army had already assembled.
He mounted his warhorse and shouted to the troops under his command, "March out!"
Then, he led the great army out beyond the pass.
However, they didn’t march far. Before they came within range of the Shengman scouts’ surveillance, they veered off to the side. They had dispatched their own scouts in a dense screen, precisely to block the prying eyes of all other factions.
To this end, they had even dispatched Innate Realm experts to patrol the perimeter.
At that very moment, upon receiving a message, thirty thousand of the forty thousand troops stationed near the Mantuo Tribe were also pulled away. They departed in a great hurry,
as if something major had just happened.