knife

Chapter 806 Shrinking the Battle Line
With Li Dachui and Xiao Changche setting the tone, things became much easier from there.

In other words, no matter how the situation in Jiangnan develops, it cannot affect the decisive battle between the Beiting Protectorate and Linghu Ye.

Chang Lei opened up a new battlefield in the southeast, sweeping all before him. This undoubtedly posed a great threat to the army of the eight towns in Jiangnan under Jiang Qian's command. Once Chang Lei opened up the entire southeast and joined forces with Na Wei, the entire Chu Kingdom would undoubtedly become Chang Lei's spoils of war. This would also cause Li Dachui's painstakingly planned scheme to be completely destroyed.

Giving up such a large benefit is hard for people to accept.

In addition, there was the unspoken but obvious relationship between Jiang Qian and Li Dachui.

Everyone thought that Li Dachui was launching a war against Linghu Ye ahead of schedule, defeating Linghu Ye as quickly as possible, and then sending his army into the pass to support Jiang Qian and turn the tide in Jiangnan.

But now it seems that is not the case.

This was a huge relief for many people.

For example, Chen Liang, Mao Daxian, Qian Jia, and Zhou Yi.

Although Li Dachui has never given the impression of being an impulsive person, he is still very young. It is only natural for him to get angry when he sees the situation he has worked so hard to build being destroyed and his woman being bullied.

Since we are in charge, the initiative of the Beiting Protectorate is greatly enhanced.

In such a decisive battle, the most crucial element is actually the choice of battlefield.

Whoever decides to start the war on their own battlefield will have an absolute advantage.

The point of contention between the two sides is precisely this: constant friction and small-scale skirmishes, each trying to steer the other in their favor.

“Lately, I’ve been thinking about why we’re following in Linghu Ye’s footsteps!” Xiao Changdao said. “He’s the one who’s anxious, not us, right?”

“That’s right!” Mao Daxian nodded repeatedly: “Actually, in my opinion, it was a bit too fast for us to take over Boling County at the end of last year. We should have stayed outside the pass for a few more years to develop. Then, when we enter the pass, defeating Linghu Ye will be as easy as squeezing a snail with ten fingers. It’s a sure thing.”

“I disagree with that. Young Master has gone to great lengths to create such a good opportunity. How can we not seize it?” Gu Xiaoman said.

"Boling County has been captured, and Fanyang County has also been captured, but now they have become a burden!" Mao Daxian spread his hands and said, "Such a large area and such a long defensive line could both become points of breakthrough for Linghu Ye. We have to guard against them all. What a huge expense! If we hadn't even come out of the pass yet, tsk, just Yangguan Pass alone would have made Linghu Ye helpless!"

The matter that Mao Daxian mentioned actually has many supporters outside the Great Wall.

Not only could everyone not keep up with Li Dachui's thinking and actions, but the development of the area outside the Great Wall was also lagging behind.

After the Northern Yuan was destroyed, everyone thought that they would have a few years to recuperate and rebuild.
As a result, Li Dachui made a trip to the interior of the country, and the world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape) changed drastically.

While people admired the move, they were also genuinely worried, because the pace of development outside the Great Wall was too fast and too ambitious. One wrong move and it could easily backfire.

This time, the military was expanded by 100,000, increasing the regular army from 50,000 to 100,000. This brought many problems. From the end of last year to this year, the military preparations over the past few months have been exhausting for everyone present.

“What the Chief Secretary said is actually quite right. Our battle lines are far too long right now!” Xiao Changdao said. “Therefore, I think we should shrink our battle lines and wait for Linghu Ye to come to us.”

Chen Liang glanced at the map hanging on the wall and said, "Governor Xiao, do you mean we should withdraw our entire army to the Boling-Yangguan line? What about Fanyang?"

Fan Yang Lu Xin took a deep breath, his face somewhat grim. He glanced at Li Dachui and Xiao Changche at the head of the table, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

On the contrary, Cui Shu looked pleased.

With Boling County as the main battlefield, and the Cui family being the local strongmen of Boling, the cooperation of the Cui family was indispensable. The importance of this battle was self-evident; it could be said to be a battle to establish a new dynasty. As long as they won, the Cui family would undoubtedly become the pillars of the dynasty.

“Prefect Lu, you should withdraw all troops and defend the prefecture city. The elite forces of Fanyang are all around the prefecture city. As long as the prefecture city is not lost, the losses will be controllable. The Protectorate will remember the contributions made by Fanyang in this battle!” Big Hammer said.

Lu Xin stood up, bowed, and said, "The entire Fanyang prefecture is willing to go through fire and water for the Protector-General's great cause, without hesitation!"

Xiao Changche nodded and said, "Next, we will begin to consolidate our battle lines, deploying our defenses around four points: Boling County City, the Cui family's old residence, Huxiao Plain, and Yangguan Pass, and await Linghu Ye's attack!"

"Based on my understanding of Commander Linghu!" Chen Liang pondered, "He will definitely concentrate his forces to attack Fanyang, trying to force us to come to its aid. If we hold our ground and refuse to come to its aid, he will really target Fanyang!"

“If we really face such a situation, Prefect Lu, then we must prepare to save our men but lose our territory!” Li Dachui said. “As long as we have the men, losing Fanyang is no big deal. I’d like to see if he can get here after he takes Fanyang.”

Although Lu Xin's expression was unpleasant, he knew that this was a strategic plan that concerned the overall situation and could not be changed because of his opposition. Since that was the case, he might as well agree more readily, so that in the future, he could use this friendship to get more benefits for Fan Yang in front of Li Dachui and Xiao Changche.

What we lost this time, we will definitely get back in the future, no matter how hard we try.

"No matter what the situation or what the cost, Fanyang will obey the orders of the two Protectors." Lu Xin's tone was firm and unwavering, earning him the respect of everyone in the room. Everyone knew very well that behind this declaration of obedience lay the bloodshed of countless Fanyang people, and the Lu family would inevitably lose its foundation because of this war. It was likely that they would no longer be the Fanyang Lu family; of course, they might become the Chang'an Lu family instead.

Cui Shu lowered his head, perhaps realizing that this was exactly what Li Dachui and Xiao Changche wanted to achieve.

After this battle, the Lu family of Fanyang and the Cui family of Boling might very well lose their first two characters.

He didn't care about himself anymore, since Li Dachui had a huge handle on him anyway. If he said to go east, he wouldn't dare to go west. But Li Dachui and his men had always been too embarrassed to deal with Lu Xin as harshly as they had with him. Now, they could take advantage of this battle to settle everything at once.

Thinking back on all the things Li Dachui has done over the years, Cui Shu took a deep breath. If Li Dachui doesn't have this world, who will?
Compared to him, I'm just a blockhead!
The door was gently pushed open, and Tu Jiaojiao tiptoed in, handing a document to Xiao Changche.

(End of this chapter)