kingnovel Chapter 2079 Time is of the essence!
Chapter 2079 Time is of the essence!
The battlefield has reached a brutal stalemate.
The bodies of Tang soldiers piled up more and more outside the Chu army camp, their blood staining the ground red, and the air filled with a nauseating smell of blood and burning flesh.
Although the Chu army had the advantage due to its fortifications, the continuous defense also consumed a large number of arrows and defensive supplies, and the soldiers were under great tension.
Looking at the still towering Chu army camp and the Chu soldiers on the walls who stood as steadfast as statues, Xue Kehu felt a sense of powerlessness for the first time.
He understood that it would be virtually impossible for his troops alone to break through the fortified camp that Ma Chao and Han Xing had worked together to build over several days.
His fierce attacks seemed to be merely a futile waste of manpower, failing to achieve the strategic objective of drawing away the main force of the Chu army.
Meanwhile, Ma Chao, inside the camp, looked at the Tang army, whose offensive was gradually showing signs of fatigue, with an even deeper gaze.
He knew that Xue Kehu's fighting spirit had been dampened, and the real test might have just begun.
Guo Ziyi's backup plan, and the remnants of Li Jing's army that may be approaching, are the key issues that he needs to deal with with all his might.
He ordered again: "Order scouts to re-examine and expand the search area! Pay special attention to the flanks and rear of our troops!"
As night deepened, the battle situation remained shrouded in mystery.
The bloody and tedious battle of attack and defense lasted for a full hour in front of the Chu army camp.
Xue Kehu's offensive was like a wave crashing against a reef; though surging and powerful, it could not budge the reef in the slightest.
The bodies of Tang soldiers piled up beneath the stockade walls, and morale gradually waned under the Chu army's tenacious resistance and precise long-range attacks.
The initial momentum had been exhausted. Although the offensive had not stopped, it was clear that the momentum was waning.
Inside the camp, Ma Chao remained seated firmly in the center, but his brows furrowed more and more deeply.
Xue Kehu's aggressive attack was too obvious. Despite suffering such heavy losses, he still did not retreat, which was highly unusual.
He and Han Xing exchanged a glance, both seeing the same doubt in each other's eyes.
Did Guo Ziyi pay such a high price just for a hopeless attack?
Just as these doubts were lingering in his mind, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the tent.
A weary scout cavalryman was led in by his personal guard. He knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse from the rush:
"Report! To the two generals! Our scouts on the outer perimeter have detected unusual activity!"
Ma Chao and Han Xing perked up and looked at the scout at the same time.
"speak!"
"About 15 minutes ago, our scout teams in the northwest and northeast directions almost simultaneously discovered traces of unidentified cavalry!"
"Each unit has about three or four thousand men. They move extremely quickly and secretly, avoiding main roads and taking only small paths and hills. It seems... it seems they are making a roundabout movement towards our rear!"
"Because of the darkness and the fact that the enemy was very vigilant, we were unable to get too close to confirm their specific banners, but judging from their armor and equipment, they were undoubtedly Tang soldiers!"
This news, like a flash of lightning in the darkness, instantly illuminated the fog in Ma Chao and Han Xing's minds!
Instead of supporting Xue Kehu on the main battlefield, the two Tang armies, each numbering several thousand men, secretly attempted to outflank the Chu army from the rear.
Their purpose is obvious!
Veteran Han Xing's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He suddenly stood up, his gray hair and beard seeming to tremble slightly from the moment he made his decision.
He looked at Ma Chao, speaking very quickly but with exceptional clarity:
"General Ma! Xue Kehu's relentless attack here at all costs is indeed a ploy to draw our attention and cover up his true objective!"
"These two flanking Tang armies must be reinforcements sent by Guo Ziyi, and their target is Li Jing, who has retreated here!"
Without hesitation, he immediately volunteered: "General Ma, please immediately muster your elite cavalry and personally lead them to intercept and pursue these two Tang armies!"
"With me here at the camp, Xue Kehu, that trapped beast, can't cause any trouble! If he dares to attack again, I'll let him taste what an impregnable fortress is!"
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao was first taken aback, then suddenly slapped his thigh, realizing what was happening:
"So that's how it is! Guo Ziyi, you're really something, trying to use a feint attack while secretly advancing! You wish!"
He instantly understood Han Xing's entire intention.
Xue Kehu was a pawn in the feint attack; the two outflanking forces were the real hooks, their purpose being to clear the road and establish a rendezvous point before Li Jing's remnants arrived.
Han Xing ordered him to lead the cavalry to attack, intending to turn the tables, take advantage of the enemy's eagerness to provide support, follow the clues, find Li Jing, the big fish, and capture him completely!
"General Han is brilliant!"
Ma Chao's face was instantly filled with excitement and fighting spirit. He grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.
"A frontal assault is a tough nut to crack, but this flanking maneuver might just be easy prey!"
"Not participating in the great battle at Zhennan Pass has always been a regret in my heart. If I can take the head of Li Jing, the God of War of the Tang Dynasty, here, this achievement will be enough to make up for my regret!"
"Hahaha, I, Old Ma, would be very grateful to accept such a generous gift!"
His laughter was hearty, full of confidence and anticipation.
To kill or capture the enemy commander-in-chief is an unparalleled achievement that any general dreams of!
"Without further ado!"
Han Xing solemnly instructed, his tone grave: "General Ma, although Li Jing has been defeated, he must have loyal guards by his side, and the support troops sent by Guo Ziyi are no ordinary forces either."
"You must be extremely cautious on this trip. Speed is of the essence in war, and you must be able to adapt to any situation."
"Once Li Jing's whereabouts are confirmed, there's no need to ask for instructions. Make a decision on the spot and strive for a decisive kill! We absolutely cannot allow this big fish to join forces with Guo Ziyi's main force!"
"General Han, rest assured!"
Ma Chao clasped his hands tightly, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "Even if Li Jing is a true dragon, he is now a dragon trapped in shallow waters! This spear of mine is just waiting to drink blood! I will make sure he never returns!"
At that moment, Ma Chao did not delay any longer.
He strode out of the central command tent and shouted sternly, "Personnel Battalion, relay my orders!"
"All cavalry of the Valiant Cavalry Battalion and the Breaking Camp, assemble immediately, men gagged and horses hoofed, and prepare to follow me out of the camp!"
The order was quickly issued.
The cavalry units that were waiting in the side camp of the Chu army camp immediately sprang into action.
There was no deafening clamor, only the low creaking of armor plates rubbing together and the occasional snorting of warhorses.
The soldiers moved swiftly, checking their horse tack and gripping their weapons tightly; a chilling aura silently permeated the air.
Ma Chao mounted his horse and took the spear handed to him by his personal guard.
He glanced at the front lines, where the sounds of battle still raged, but Han Xing had taken over command. He believed the veteran general would be able to hold the line.
"Open the side door!" Ma Chao shouted in a low voice.
The heavy side gate was slowly pulled open, revealing the pitch-black night outside.
Ma Chao's gaze swept over the 10,000 elite cavalrymen who had assembled behind him. They would be divided into two teams, each led by a trusted deputy general, to track down the two mysterious Tang cavalry units.
He took a deep breath of the cold night air, pointed his lance forward, and spoke in a low but powerful voice:
"Let's go! Let's show those Tang dogs who truly reigns supreme on this battlefield!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he took the lead and charged out of the camp like an arrow, disappearing into the vast night.
Behind them, ten thousand iron cavalry, like two silent torrents of steel, split into two groups and swept away silently in the directions indicated by the scouts.
Their target was the dark depths that might conceal the Grand Marshal of the Tang Dynasty.
Inside the Chu army camp, after watching Ma Chao leave, Han Xing immediately turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on the direction from which the battle cries still echoed, a cold, stern smile playing on his lips:
"Xue Kehu, it's time for your performance to end."
He ordered, "Send word to the vanguard to intensify the counterattack and let Xue Kehu taste his own medicine. He won't be able to escape easily!"
A hunt and counter-hunting battle revolving around Li Jing has officially begun on this vast battlefield.