kingnovel Chapter 2060 Lost the Bet
Chapter 2060 Lost the Bet
Wang Zhongsi sat quietly on his horse, watching Huyan Ying's resolute back and the rapidly gathering Scorpion Clan cavalry.
His face showed no surprise, only a deep weariness and an indifference that he had already anticipated.
He knew the true nature of these tribal alliances: they would unite for mutual benefit and scatter for mutual harm, and there was never any true loyalty among them.
As dust rose, Huyan Ying didn't even glance at Wang Zhongsi again before leading his remaining tribal cavalry away from the main battlefield like a receding tide, speeding off in what they considered a safe direction and completely exposing the Tang army's flank.
Wang Zhongsi gazed in the direction they had gone, and gave a very slight, cold laugh, which then transformed into unwavering determination and resolve.
He took a deep breath of the blood-soaked air, then turned his gaze back to the fierce battle ahead and the perilous rear beyond.
He knew that the worst had happened, and now it was time to make the final decision.
He turned to a loyal messenger beside him, his voice deep and clear, carrying an unquestionable authority: "Someone! Immediately, at the fastest speed, relay this military intelligence to Commander Li!"
He paused briefly, each word carrying immense weight: "Tell him that Huyan Ying has defected, and the situation on the battlefield is hopeless."
"Tell him... to stop worrying about us and immediately lead the troops that can be evacuated from the camp to retreat northwards, preserve our strength, and plan for the future!"
The messenger received the order, mounted his horse, and rode off in a cloud of dust.
Having arranged the most important step, Wang Zhongsi slowly drew the sword from his waist, its gleaming blade reflecting the blood-red setting sun on the horizon.
His gaze swept over the soldiers around him, who had followed him for many years and whose eyes were now filled with grief, indignation, and a determination to die. He gave his order in a loud voice, which resounded throughout the central army:
"All officers and men obey orders!"
"Form ranks! Prepare for battle!"
"I will personally lead all remaining troops to cover Commander Li's retreat!"
He didn't say anything grand or impassioned, but the two words "covering the rear" were enough to say it all.
This means that they will use their own flesh and blood to buy their comrades a final chance to evacuate.
This also means that they may very well remain on this foreign land forever.
The remaining Tang soldiers remained silent, then quickly and orderly began to change formations, creating a tragic atmosphere.
Wang Zhongsi took the lead, standing at the front of the formation. His shadow stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun, lonely yet as upright as a pine tree.
He will fulfill the final responsibility and dignity of a military commander in a battle that is destined to fail.
Under the cover of darkness, flames soared into the sky.
Inside the Tang army camp, the lights were bright, but they could not dispel the solemnity and grim atmosphere that permeated the air.
Shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and the mournful neighing of warhorses echoed continuously from the outskirts of the camp.
The white-horse cavalry under the command of Chu general Zhao Yu, which moved like the wind, relentlessly attacked the camp's defenses, trying to tear a fatal hole.
Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed as if water was about to drip from it.
Commander Li Jing, clad in heavy armor, stood before a massive sand table, his brow furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the symbols representing his own forces.
He had just repelled another fierce attack by the White Horse Cavalry, but his own casualties were steadily rising.
The news of General Gao Xianzhi's death cast a heavy shadow over the morale of the army.
Gao Xianzhi, whose bravery surpassed that of the entire army, also perished under Zhao Yu's spear. Zhao Yu's ferocity truly exceeded his expectations.
At this moment, the curtain was suddenly lifted.
A messenger, covered in blood and with ripped armor, staggered in, fell to his knees with a thud, his voice hoarse and urgent, filled with a desperate sob:
"General! General Wang... General Wang has an urgent report!"
Li Jing's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition coiled around his spine like a cold, venomous snake.
He forced himself to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "Speak!"
The messenger looked up, his face a mixture of blood, sweat, and tears, panting as he reported haltingly:
"General Wang... General Wang's army... 150,000 strong, launched a fierce attack for three days, but failed... failed to defeat Feng Mulan's Vermilion Bird Legion!"
"what?"
Upon hearing this, all the generals inside the tent were horrified.
150,000 against 100,000, and this is the result?
The messenger's voice trembled as he continued to deliver even more startling news:
"Just an hour ago, Emperor Chu Ning of Chu personally led three thousand elite imperial guards and suddenly appeared on the battlefield. Wherever the dragon banner pointed, the morale of the Chu army soared!"
"The Vermilion Bird Legion... The Vermilion Bird Legion is like a madman, their counterattack is exceptionally fierce!"
Li Jing's face instantly turned ashen, his fists clenched tightly, and his knuckles cracked.
Is Chu Ning personally leading the expedition?
How could he have left Zhennanguan?
This news completely disrupted all his plans!
However, the bad news wasn't over yet. The messenger's voice was filled with grief and indignation:
"What's even more hateful is that... the Scorpion Clan leader, Huyan Ying, seeing the situation was not good, actually... actually deserted the battlefield, taking his 30,000 cavalry with him and retreating directly!"
"General Wang's forces, which are now able to contend with the Vermilion Bird Legion, are no longer at an advantage!"
"The battlefield situation is already... already in danger of a reversal in the balance of power!"
The messenger practically shouted, "General Wang has ordered me to break through the encirclement at all costs! Report to the commander-in-chief! The situation is hopeless; please evacuate immediately!"
"General Wang... he has decided to personally lead his troops to cover the rear, buying time for the commander-in-chief!"
"puff--"
Li Jing suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his body swayed, and he almost fell to the ground if his personal guards hadn't caught him in time.
The tent was deathly silent, save for Li Jing's heavy breathing and the faint sounds of fighting coming from outside.
Finished!
It's all over!
A buzzing sound filled Li Jing's mind.
He had meticulously planned this high-stakes gamble, hoping to use his overwhelming numerical superiority to first wipe out Feng Mulan's elite Chu army, thus demoralizing them, before turning his attention to Zhao Yu, and even having a chance to capture Zhennan Pass.
But to his utter surprise, Wang Zhongsi's 150,000-strong army was no match for Feng Mulan's 100,000-strong Vermilion Bird Legion.
He never expected Chu Ning to have such courage to personally go to such a dangerous place.
He never expected that Hu Yanying, who was an important ally, would be so treacherous at such a crucial moment!
With Gao Xianzhi killed in battle, Wang Zhongsi obstructed, and Huyan Ying defecting, all the chips were lost at this moment!
Not only did he fail to achieve his strategic goals, but he also put himself and his hundreds of thousands of troops in an extremely dangerous situation.
With Zhao Yu's White Horse Cavalry launching a fierce attack on the camp from the front, and Wang Zhongsi's forces collapsing from the rear, the allied forces of Chu Ning and Feng Mulan could launch a surprise attack at any time. At that time, they would be attacked from both sides, and the consequences would be unimaginable!
"I lost the bet. This high-stakes gamble, I lost it all!"
Li Jing muttered to himself, his face drained of all color, leaving only a deathly pale and ashen expression.
It was a profound sense of loss and chilling despair, like falling from the pinnacle of ambition to the depths of despair.