kingnovel Chapter 2102 Severe Losses
Chapter 2102 Severe Losses
"General! General Yuchi has fallen into enemy hands!"
"The Chu dogs will surely humiliate us in every way! This humble general requests permission to immediately muster our troops and attack the Chu army camp again! Even if it costs me my life, I will rescue General Yuchi!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked: "That old bastard Han Xing must be exhausted after yesterday's fierce battle!"
"This humble general is willing to be the vanguard, risking my life to open a breach. What does death matter as long as General Yuchi is rescued?!"
Seeing Xue Kehu's indignant expression, almost ready to draw his sword and charge out immediately, Guo Ziyi felt both moved and helpless.
He desperately wanted to rescue Yuchi Bo immediately, but as the deputy commander of the entire army, he had to remain calm.
"General Xue! Calm down!"
Guo Ziyi reached out and pressed down on Xue Kehu's shoulder, the force not heavy, but carrying an undeniable strength, his voice steady and powerful:
"How could I not know your feelings? General Yuchi is my beloved general and a pillar of the nation. I want to save him even more than you do!"
He looked directly into Xue Kehu's bloodshot eyes and said in a deep voice, "But now is not the time to act impulsively."
"Although General Yuchi has been captured, given his status, the Chu army will not harm him for the time being, and will most likely use him as an important bargaining chip."
"If we rush into an attack now, not only will we fail to save people, but we may also anger the Chu army, endanger General Yuchi's life, and put our army in an even more passive situation."
Xue Kehu wanted to argue further, but Guo Ziyi shook his head, his tone softening and becoming more reassuring:
"General Xue, you have fought a bloody battle for a day and a night, and your soldiers are also exhausted and in dire need of rest."
"What are the chances of winning if we force another battle? Besides, such a major matter requires careful consideration."
"Once Commander Li has rested for a while and recovered his strength, we will go into the tent together to discuss in detail how to rescue General Yuchi and deal with the current crisis."
"Right now, the most urgent task is to stabilize the camp, treat the wounded, and restore morale. Understand?"
Guo Ziyi's words were like cold water, gradually extinguishing the raging fire in Xue Kehu's heart.
He was panting heavily. He looked at the untreated wounds on his body and thought of the soldiers outside the camp who also needed rest. His feverish mind finally calmed down.
He understood that Guo Ziyi was right. Impulsiveness wouldn't solve the problem; it would only make things worse.
Yuchi Bo's capture was a fact, and a rescue required meticulous planning, not just reckless courage.
"The general understands."
Xue Kehu finally lowered his head, his voice filled with resentment, yet he accepted reality:
"I will follow the general's orders."
Guo Ziyi patted him on the shoulder and said sincerely, "Go and treat your wounds first, and comfort your subordinates. When Commander Li wakes up, he will summon you."
Xue Kehu clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, said no more, turned and strode away, but his back view seemed particularly heavy.
The capture of Yuchi Bo was like another boulder weighing on the hearts of all the Tang generals, adding to the already gloomy atmosphere of the camp.
After calming the agitated Xue Kehu, Guo Ziyi stood outside the central command tent, looking at the chaotic scene inside the camp and the low morale, his brows furrowed.
The cold wind was still biting, swirling the tattered flags and lingering dust.
The groans of the wounded, the urgent instructions of the medical officers, and the weary sighs of the soldiers mingled together, creating a unique and oppressive symphony in the camp after the defeat.
He knew that at this moment, as the commander-in-chief, he could not simply stay in the command tent and wait for Li Jing to finish his treatment.
The morale of the army, like a dam, was already in grave danger after a series of blows, including defeats, heavy losses, and even the death and capture of generals. It could collapse completely at any moment.
He must take immediate action to mend and appease the situation.
Guo Ziyi took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the solemnity and exhaustion on his face, and turned to the personal guard captain who had been following him, giving a solemn order:
"Order all battalions to immediately disarm and rest, except for necessary sentries and patrols!"
"The cooks must immediately start cooking hot soup and food, making sure that all soldiers, especially the brothers returning from the front lines, can have a hot meal!"
"All personnel in the medical officer camp must do their utmost to treat the wounded without fail! Any necessary medicines must be immediately transferred from the warehouse. Any shortages must be recorded, and we will find alternative solutions!"
"Yes, sir!" The captain accepted the order and quickly left to make arrangements.
The order was quickly relayed, and the exhausted soldiers felt as if they had been granted a pardon.
They removed their heavy armor, sought sheltered spots or squeezed into the still-intact tents, wrapped themselves tightly in their thin clothing, and leaned against each other for warmth and rest.
Soon, wisps of smoke rose from various parts of the camp, and the aroma of food began to dispel some of the blood and burnt smells, bringing a slight warmth to the cold and despairing atmosphere.
However, Guo Ziyi knew that simply issuing orders and providing hot food was not enough.
He needed to appear among the soldiers in person so that they could see that their commander was still there, that his concern was still there, and that their hope was still there.
He did not return to his own tent, nor did he go to eat. Instead, he summoned a scribe familiar with the camp's layout and said in a deep voice:
"Lead the way, let's go to the wounded soldiers' camp first."
"General, you..."
The clerk hesitated for a moment. The wounded soldiers' camp was a place of horrific scenes and foul smells, and it was also a place where diseases could easily spread.
"Lead the way." Guo Ziyi's tone left no room for argument.
The clerk dared not say anything more and quickly led the way.
The so-called "wounded soldiers' camp" was actually just a few large tents and an area temporarily enclosed by tarpaulins and wooden planks.
Even before getting close, a strong smell of blood, wound medicine, and the stench of rotting wounds assaulted the senses, making one want to vomit.
Inside and outside the tent, there were many wounded people lying around. Some had their wounds bandaged and were groaning in pain, while others were unconscious and barely breathing.
The limited number of medical officers and auxiliary soldiers were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground, and their foreheads were covered in sweat.
However, this is still a drop in the ocean in the face of so many wounded. Many of the injured cannot receive timely treatment and can only struggle in the cold.
Guo Ziyi paused as he stepped into the area.
The scene before him was even more horrific than he had imagined.
But he quickly composed himself, his face showing no disgust or fear, only deep sorrow and concern.
He walked over to the nearest row of wounded soldiers.
A young soldier had suffered a severe abdominal wound; the bandage was soaked with blood. His face was deathly pale, his eyes were unfocused, and he was muttering unconsciously:
"Mother...I'm cold..."
Guo Ziyi squatted down and reached out to test the temperature of his forehead; it was ice-cold to the touch.
He immediately took off his fairly thick cloak and gently draped it over the young soldier, saying to the busy medic beside him:
"Prioritize treating the seriously wounded. If there's not enough charcoal, go to my tent and get some immediately!"
"Yes...yes, General!" The physician was flattered and quickly replied.