kingnovel Chapter 2076 Making a prompt decision
Chapter 2076 Making a prompt decision
Guo Ziyi stood motionless, as if he had been turned into a stone sculpture.
His thin, resolute face was drained of color, turning deathly pale.
Those deep eyes were first filled with immense shock and disbelief, then surged with overwhelming grief—for those fallen comrades, for that annihilated army!
Wang Zhongsi, Gao Xianzhi, Liu Hongji... each of these names represents a glorious period in the Tang Dynasty, yet they have all fallen by the wayside!
However, this extreme shock and grief lasted only a few breaths.
Guo Ziyi abruptly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all his emotions were forcibly suppressed, replaced by an almost cold composure and decisiveness.
The more critical the situation, the more crucial it is for the commander to remain calm!
At this moment, the burden on his shoulders is heavier than a thousand pounds!
He took a deep breath, the air carrying the cool scent of the tent and the smell of blood, forcibly suppressing his surging blood and qi.
He had no time for grief, nor for inquiring about the details. The most urgent task was to deal with this catastrophic disaster!
He looked sharply at the messenger soldier, his voice regaining its composure, even carrying a reassuring quality:
"I already know. You've done very well. Go and heal your wounds and rest."
Then, he turned to the outside of the tent, his voice suddenly rising, carrying an unquestionable authority that resounded throughout the entire central army camp: "Men! Beat the drums! Raise the tent!"
"Summon all generals to a meeting immediately!"
The deep, rapid beat of the war drums, like the heartbeat of a dying beast, suddenly shattered the evening tranquility of the Tang army camp.
This drumbeat was different from the usual training signals, and even more different from the exciting rhythm of an attack.
Its short, continuous murmur carried an undeniable sense of urgency and grimness, instantly spreading to every corner of the camp.
The Tang generals, who were having meals, inspecting weapons, or taking a short rest in their respective camps, all turned pale upon hearing this unique drumbeat to signal the start of a rally.
They knew that unless there was an extremely urgent military situation, Commander Guo Ziyi would never have summoned his generals in this way at this time.
Without the slightest hesitation, the generals immediately put down their tasks, grabbed their helmets and swords, and rushed toward the central command tent at top speed.
A moment later, the once spacious central command tent was filled with generals in full armor and armed with weapons.
Their faces showed confusion, unease, and a hint of solemnity from being urgently summoned.
All eyes were on head coach Guo Ziyi.
Guo Ziyi remained standing in front of the huge map, his back to the crowd.
His figure remained upright, but everyone inside the tent could feel a low pressure emanating from him that was almost tangible.
As he slowly turned around, the generals saw that his usually resolute and composed face was now so gloomy that it seemed as if it could drip water, and his eyes contained an unprecedented solemnity and a trace of undisguised sorrow.
The tent fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.
Guo Ziyi's gaze slowly swept across the faces of each general under his command. His voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed out with difficulty from the depths of his throat: "I have just received a reliable military report."
He paused, as if gathering his strength, before continuing:
"Marshal Li Jing's troops encountered an ambush and counterattack from the main force of the Chu army at Zhennan Pass. After three days of fierce fighting, the 250,000-strong army was almost completely wiped out."
"boom!"
This news struck like a thunderbolt, exploding in the minds of all the generals!
Everyone froze on the spot, their faces filled with extreme shock and disbelief!
"Wh...what? Two hundred and fifty thousand troops...gone?"
A bearded general gasped in surprise, his eyes widening like copper bells.
"Impossible! Commander Li is a brilliant strategist, with elite troops under his command, and renowned generals like Wang Zhongsi assisting him. How could this be..."
Another, younger general turned pale and shook his head repeatedly, unable to accept this fact.
"Where did the Chu army get so many troops? Did they send the entire nation?"
Someone immediately realized the key point, their voice trembling.
"Where is General Wang? Where is General Gao? How are they?"
Some generals who were on good terms with Wang Zhongsi and others also pressed for answers.
The tent was instantly filled with sounds of surprise, panic, and grief, turning the solemn atmosphere into chaos.
This news was so shocking that it shook morale and overturned all their previous understanding and plans!
"quiet!"
Guo Ziyi suddenly shouted, his voice like thunder, instantly silencing all the noise.
His gaze was like lightning, sweeping across the entire area with an unquestionable air of authority. Under his intense gaze, the generals fell silent, but the fear on their faces did not fade.
"The news is absolutely true!"
Guo Ziyi's resolute statement shattered the last glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts.
"Generals Wang Zhongsi, Gao Xianzhi, Liu Hongji, and others have all fought valiantly and died for their country!"
A collective gasp filled the tent, followed by a deathly silence, the air thick with a profound sense of desolation and despair.
Each of these names was a pillar of the Tang Dynasty's military. Their fall signified a devastating blow to the Tang Dynasty's strength on the southern battlefield.
Guo Ziyi forcibly suppressed the surging empathy and grief in his heart. He knew that now was not the time to mourn.
He raised his voice, his tone carrying a power that could reassure the troops:
"Now is not the time to panic! Nor is it the time to question the reasons! The most urgent matter is only one thing—"
His gaze was intense as he spoke, each word deliberate and clear: "Ensure Li Shuai's safety!"
He walked to the map and pointed heavily at the area representing their current location and the direction of Li Jing's retreat:
Li Shuai was gathering his remaining troops and retreating towards this location, with the Chu cavalry hot on his heels!
"Our troops are blocked here by Ma Chao and Han Xing. We must act immediately to break the deadlock and bring Marshal Li into the camp!"
Upon hearing this, the generals perked up and refocused their attention on the map.
Yes, the marshal is still in danger!
Guo Ziyi no longer hesitated and began to issue orders clearly and quickly, demonstrating the decisiveness of a renowned general in a crisis:
"Xue Kehu, listen to my command!"
He first looked at his top general, a burly, dark-skinned, and fierce-looking warrior.
"The general is here!"
Xue Kehu stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell. He was a renowned and valiant general in the army, famous for his courage in fighting tough and fierce battles.
"I hereby order you to lead 15,000 elite infantry and cavalry, reinforced with 2,000 crossbowmen, out of the camp immediately and launch a fierce attack on the main Chu army camp!"
Guo Ziyi pointed to the location of the Chu army's camp: "The offensive must be fierce and the momentum must be great!"
"At all costs, keep Ma Chao and Han Xing's main forces pinned down, preventing them from paying attention to anything else, and ensuring they cannot divert their troops to intercept my reinforcements! Can you do that?"
This matter is of great importance, and he must make Xue Kehu understand the significance of this battle.
He demanded that Xue Kehu sign a pledge!