Chapter 1277 - 1113: To the Battlefield
Chapter 1277: Chapter 1113: To the Battlefield
After spending the past two days together, Yang has completely fallen for Gu Chengyu’s charismatic personality, becoming a little follower.
"What’s going on?" Gu Chengyu immediately stepped out of the courtyard and asked gravely.
"Mr. Gu, General Qi has already led troops into battle. This time, Da Xing’s army is coming in strong, reportedly with four hundred thousand men. It seems they intend to formally declare war."
Gu Chengyu looked at Yang Xiaoguang’s face filled with shock and excitement. Why does he seem unusually thrilled? War is approaching, and he’s this excited?
"We lost quite a bit of strength in the last night raid. Now General Chang’s health hasn’t recovered, and they want to seize the victory, which is understandable."
Da Xing isn’t foolish. Prince Gong took Huadong Prefecture a few days ago, so Da Xing must have heard about it. Since Dayan is already in chaos, Da Xing is just going to take the opportunity to step in.
"But has the battle already started?"
"Yes! However, Da Xing’s scoundrels didn’t play by the rules; they hastily sent a war note before the battle. Fortunately, we had already noticed and prepared beforehand, or the consequences would’ve been unimaginable."
Yang Xiaoguang despised Da Xing’s approach, those uncivilized savages only knowing how to take advantage of others’ misfortune.
Where have you seen two nations go into battle so casually? But since the opponent doesn’t care about their reputation, they’d dare a night raid, and now they even sent a war note?
In a face-off between the armies, a large group of soldiers marching, making a grand spectacle, it naturally couldn’t escape the attention of the Dayan scouts monitoring their movements. Yet did Qi Huan Yu report to Chang Yuan? General Chang is still the main general at Yuhe Pass!
"How many troops did General Qi take?" This victory is immensely crucial; it’s the first large-scale battle since Dayan Dynasty was founded. We can’t afford to lose, or it’d not only weaken our morale but also tarnish our grand nation’s stature and fortune."
"A full five hundred thousand troops, ten thousand more than Da Xing."
It’s no wonder Yang Xiaoguang wasn’t worried anymore; with so many more troops, if we still lost, Qi Huan Yu wouldn’t only lose face, he’d be unable to maintain his position at the court.
Suddenly, Gu Chengyu thought of something, "But are all the troops guarding Yuhe Pass gone? How many soldiers are left guarding here?"
"There’s still three hundred thousand; a few days ago, we transferred some from Yumen Pass!"
"Transferred from Yumen Pass? What’s left at Yumen Pass?" Gu Chengyu frowned, Yumen Pass is a crucial strategic location, how could they transfer troops away from there?
"There are still over ten thousand troops guarding Yumen Pass; if the enemy attacks, they must pass Yuhe Pass first, so Yuhe Pass remains the priority."
They naturally thought Yumen Pass should temporarily hold back; after all, if Yuhe Pass is breached, Yumen Pass can’t escape.
However, what Gu Chengyu was concerned about was not this. Since it’s said the main general guarding Yumen Pass, Ren Xiuguang, is suspect, why did Qi Huan Yu borrow troops from him? And he didn’t seem to refuse.
If Ren Xiuguang really is suspect, why agree to lend troops? Wouldn’t it be better to find an excuse to refuse?
Moreover, the troops traveled from Yumen Pass to here, marching day and night for over five days; did Qi Huan Yu know Da Xing’s movements five days before?
"Yumen Pass only left ten thousand troops. If Prince Gong’s army attacks other Prefecture cities again, Yumen Pass will struggle to rescue, let alone if those troops can support other Prefectures? This is extremely improper!"
Gu Chengyu strongly disagreed, external threats are important, but internal concerns also need vigilance. Especially when Prince Gong’s recent actions have been high-profile, he’s completely rebelled; how can we transfer all Yumen Pass troops now? We must leave some to support other Prefectures!
"Huh? Isn’t there ten thousand left? But after what you said, we should be cautious! But General Qi didn’t mention this issue."
Yang Xiaoguang also realized something seemed amiss, if Prince Gong really attacks other States now, the remaining soldiers at Yumen Pass can’t move, then wouldn’t that mean we’re being attacked simultaneously?
"Come with me to see General Chang, General Chang is the main general, even if he can’t go to the battlefield now, he can still decide how to dispatch troops, right?"
Unfortunately, the troops are already on the battlefield, he can only remind Chang Yuan, then think of other solutions. We don’t know whose idea this was, whether Chang Yuan knows."
If one can become a general, how can their minds be this simple? He thinks it must be deliberate.
Just as Gu Chengyu and Yang Xiaoguang reached the entrance to Chang Yuan’s courtyard, they were stopped by the soldiers guarding the gate.
"Greetings Mr. Gu and Lord Yang!"
"Is General Chang awake? Please notify him for us!" Yang Xiaoguang glanced at the courtyard, then asked.
"Today, General Chang’s condition is fluctuating. A doctor had been called to treat him, who just left. The general is very weary right now, and has fallen asleep, kindly ask you both to come back later!"
Faced with such evident refusal from the soldiers, Yang Xiaoguang felt quite annoyed.
"What? Now even seeing General Chang is impossible? Is this General Chang’s order or General Qi’s?"
Gu Chengyu stood by coldly, observing as the soldier stubbornly refused to inform, speculating Chang Yuan wasn’t aware of this matter. Maybe Chang Yuan didn’t even know about Dayan and Da Xing’s declaration of war; he’s been completely sidelined!
"Let’s go!" Gu Chengyu turned and left the area, pondering along the way which Prefecture city Prince Gong would attack first.
"You’re acquainted with Hundred Households Wang, right? Find a way to contact him, ask him to keep an eye on Prince Gong’s movements. As soon as Prince Gong shows signs of action, have him contact my guard to send a report to me by carrier pigeon. And let him be on standby, ready to assist at any moment."
He is at Yuhe Pass, unable to cover all bases. Meanwhile, Qi Huan Yu and Ren Xiuguang’s actions remain suspicious.
Perhaps there’s more between these two than Qi Huan Yu previously mentioned; maybe they’re allies.
"Yes!" Yang Xiaoguang nodded immediately, aware that Mr. Gu sincerely cared about the court’s welfare.
"I’m heading to the battlefield!" Gu Chengyu thought for a moment, then spoke again.
"Huh? That won’t do! The battlefield is far too dangerous, sir, you should remain in the city!" Yang Xiaoguang felt Gu Chengyu didn’t need to go to the battlefield; he’s a civil servant, not a military general.
Though Mr. Gu is skilled in martial arts, he can’t lead troops in battle on the battlefield, or personally fight, right? If Mr. Gu suffered any mishap, they couldn’t bear the consequences!
In the few days since Gu Chengyu arrived, he had already learned many glorious tales about this legendary character. Now his admiration for him was unending, like the flowing Yangtze.
He further understands the current Emperor holds Mr. Gu in high regard. Compared to Yin Kun, although his rank is somewhat lower, he has great prospects. His grandfather had advised not to neglect him.
"Let’s go!" Gu Chengyu didn’t bother saying more; he wanted to check the battle situation, and write a memorial back to the Capital.