knife

Chapter 623 Cut off their retreat
A deathly silence enveloped the prefectural governor's mansion in Tong'an County.

Prefect Yan Cheng, Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Wu, and others stood with their hands hanging down under the tree, their bodies already soaked.

Although the rain wasn't heavy, they had been standing outside for far too long.

Their gazes were all fixed on the old man in the octagonal pavilion that jutted into the lake ahead.

A few days ago, the news of He Zudao's army's defeat and death came, which surprised everyone.

The enemy's army was far more powerful than they had imagined.

We had oversimplified things before.

Everyone thought that once the army arrived, they would attack from both sides. But in the face of absolute strength, any schemes would be nothing but a mirage.

But before they could even launch their attack, their ally had already been wiped out by the enemy.

This can be considered an inauspicious start.

These people basically all looked down on He Zudao.

Even if this person is a master of innate skill, even if this person once made the world's powerful families tremble with fear.

But in the end, it was just a pawn.
A sharp blade manipulated by others.

He was strong-willed throughout his life, but he was born at the wrong time. He was schemed against by others all his life and ultimately met a tragic end.

These people, however, consider themselves to be those who wield the knife and those who sit at the chessboard playing chess.

If someone dies, they die. Losing this ally just means fighting a few more people in battle.

Na Wei fought very smoothly on the northern front.

Kang Zhen and Han Tan suffered repeated defeats, and the entire Ruyin County had lost one-third of its territory. The number of troops lost was at least several thousand, and a large portion of them were Jiang Qian's most trusted Tiger Legion.

It seems that although Li Dachui destroyed He Zudao, he also suffered a serious loss of strength and was unable to mobilize enough troops to rescue Han Tan Kangzhen for the time being.

By the time he recovers, Ruyin will probably be too weak to fight anymore.

From this perspective, He Zudao's death was still worthwhile.

The entire Tongan County was quite cheerful a while ago.

Confidence and optimism fill everyone's heart.

Until today, news of Chen Yan's crushing defeat arrived.

No one expected Chen Yan to fail.

More than three hundred warships!
Moreover, this time, most of the powerful families in the Great Chu spared no effort and used all their resources to gather these warships!

In the first battle, they suffered heavy losses.

Of those that escaped back, it is reported that less than half still retain combat effectiveness. The rest, having barely managed to make it back, all need major repairs and will be unable to fight again in less than six months to a year.

This result means that the Great Chu has lost control of the Yangtze River.

Next, the Yangtze River will become their paradise; they can come and go as they please.

The remaining warships of the imperial court could only be carefully hidden. Let alone fighting the enemy, they couldn't afford to be discovered, otherwise they would be wiped out.

This loss is something Danyang simply cannot afford.

Chen Yan's defeat overshadowed Na Wei's victory in Ruyin County.

The old man in the pavilion finally sat down, which relieved the people watching from a distance.

"Come on in!" The voice seemed to ring in their ears. The three of them hurried inside.

"What bad news has come this time? Speak!" Xiang Ying looked at Xiang Zhuang.

"Uncle, the scouts have reported that Li Dachui has indeed amassed a large army opposite us!" Xiang Zhuang said. "So far, we have confirmed that there are 20,000 troops under the command of Ke Wuji and He Yiming, about 10,000 troops from Yong'an County, and the troops of Yue Qi and Sheng Ju, former subordinates of He Zudao, from the Eight Garrisons of Jiangnan!"

"Where is the Tiger Legion?"

Xiang Zhuang shook his head: "Nothing was found!"

"So where do you think the Tiger Legion went?" Xiang Ying asked.

"Is it possible that they went to Ruyin County? After all, the Wei's Southwest Wolf Army is only a stone's throw away from Ruyin County!" Yan Cheng guessed.

Xiang Ying shook his head: "This kind of piecemeal tactic is not something that Li Dachui and Jiang Qian, with their strategic and tactical expertise, would do!"

Xiang Wu's expression changed slightly: "Father, are you guessing that the remnants of the Tiger Legion might take a boat straight to Tong'an and cut off our way back?"

"It's not a guess, it's inevitable!" Xiang Ying said decisively.

"Why isn't Li Dachui going to rescue Han Tan of Ruyin, but instead concentrating his forces to attack us?" Xiang Zhuang shouted. "Why is that?"

"Why? Of course, it's to create chaos within our ranks!" Xiang Ying shook his head: "If I'm not mistaken, after learning of Chen Yan's defeat, Na Wei's attack on Ruyin County will immediately become all bark and no bite. Once we suffer another defeat here, Na Wei will immediately withdraw his troops!"

The expressions on everyone's faces turned serious.

Although Xiang Ying didn't say it explicitly, the meaning behind his words was already very clear.

"General, what will happen to Tong'an if the army retreats?" Yan Cheng's face turned pale. Xiang Ying and the others could just pack up and leave, but he, Yan Cheng, was a local of Tong'an. Without the support of the army, how could he resist the enemy's attack?

That's someone who even wiped out He Zudao.

"We can only defend the city and hold the key towns. As for the other places, we should abandon them. I will soon send more local troops to help you!" Xiang Ying said. "Yan Cheng, your family can retreat with me, but you must hold the line!"

"I understand!" Yan Cheng said in a trembling voice.

With a sigh, Xiang Ying said, "I need to buy some time now. I need to get back to Danyang before Na Wei realizes what's happening and make arrangements. If Na Wei gets back to Danyang first, it will be troublesome!"

"Does he think he can compete with you, Uncle, for power in the court?" Xiang Zhuang said angrily.

"Whoever has the hardest fist, the strongest power, will naturally have the loudest voice!" Xiang Ying said. "Everything else is insignificant!"

Everyone was silent.

This is what it means to be beset by internal and external troubles!

"Xiang Zhuang, go to Luoyang and meet Li Guohua, then go to Chang'an and meet Linghu Ye!"

What conditions should we offer them?

"We'll agree to whatever conditions they set!" Xiang Ying said. "As long as they have the ability to obtain it, we'll accept it!"

“Nephew understands!” Xiang Zhuang said, “If we can persuade them to attack Xiangyang and seize Jinghu, it will actually be advantageous for us!”

Just as they were discussing how to quickly withdraw their troops, how to establish a scorched-earth policy, and how to deal with the potential challenges that Na Wei might bring, a figure came running in from outside. Judging from the person's appearance, everyone's expression changed, and they all looked at Xiang Ying in unison.

What you fear will come to pass!
"General, urgent report from the garrison of Andu Bridge!" The messenger's voice trembled, clearly aware of the gravity of the situation: "Wang Dao led nearly a hundred warships to attack Andu Bridge. The garrison of Andu Bridge has been routed, and the enemy has landed."

"How many people are there?" Xiang Wu asked urgently.

"At least five thousand Wuben soldiers were among the first to land!"

(End of this chapter)