Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 401 Contest of Titans (Part 1)

Speaking of the four armies in the north, apart from the daring and courageous Beiping Army, the other three should not laugh at each other. The Liaoxi Army had a tradition of "avoiding battle and falsely reporting military achievements," the Guangning Army suffered repeated defeats against the Xiongnu barbarians, and the Fanyang Army was even worse, having a dark history of collapsing in a single battle.

Now, the old generals of several armies have either died in battle or been killed, and one has been forced to leave the army. The generals in command are all young military officers.

Meng Liulang's bravery and fighting prowess are undeniable, still surpassing all the generals of the North. Li Chi avenged his previous humiliation with two brilliant victories. Yang Hu is renowned for his strategic acumen, while Lü Feng is completely different from his father, becoming a fierce and relentless general on the battlefield.

Without Li Chi needing to provoke him, Lü Feng was already eager to try.

Elite troops are forged in battle. No matter how much you train in the drill ground, it's not as effective as fighting in real battles. Those who survive and survive become elite troops. Seeing Li Chi's Liaoxi army's combat strength rapidly increasing, how could Lü Feng not feel a burning desire? He couldn't wait to send troops out immediately to fight a major battle with the Xiongnu cavalry.

Yang Hu poured cold water on everyone's hopes: "So far, the Xiongnu haven't deployed a real cavalry army. They've been sending out small groups of cavalry. If we encounter a cavalry force of one or two thousand, we certainly have a fighting chance. But if the enemy has five or six thousand cavalry, or even more, they can organize an efficient cavalry charge. If we can't withstand it, it will be a major rout."

"Our four armies, with a total strength of over 30,000, are more than enough to defend the city. However, they are still lacking in strength to fight a decisive battle against the Xiongnu army. We should wait for General Pei to lead reinforcements to join us. With General Pei in command, we can unleash our full fighting power and win a decisive battle!"

Li Chi nodded in agreement instinctively: "General Yang is right."

Meng Liulang raised an eyebrow: "More than 30,000 troops, consuming a large amount of military rations every day, are we just going to sit idly by and watch the people be robbed and killed? I still insist on taking the initiative to attack! First, to boost the morale of the troops; second, to train the troops in actual combat; and third, if General Pei can do it, we may be able to do it too."

“General Pei will ascend the throne and take charge of Yan County in the future. He can’t always lead troops to fight. It will still be our four armies that guard the border and deal with the Xiongnu barbarians. If we start training now, even the dullest knife can be sharpened.”

Lü Feng was thrilled and nodded repeatedly, "Meng Liu is right."

Who are you? How dare you call someone Meng Liu?
Meng Liulang clicked his tongue, raised an eyebrow at Lü Feng, but didn't say anything harsh or unpleasant. After years of war and officialdom, the once arrogant and unruly young man had finally matured and grown up.

Lu Feng had no idea that Meng Liulang was secretly criticizing him, and continued enthusiastically: "I think the same as Meng Liulang. The Pei family army has grown from nothing, and has trained elite troops through victory after victory. The Beiping army is also one of the best in the north. My Fanyang army is a bit inferior, but that doesn't necessarily mean we can't win."

Li Chi hesitated for a moment, glancing at Meng Liulang and Lü Feng, then at Yang Hu.

Yang Hu remained calm: "This is the second problem that worries me. There are four of us, each in charge of our own forces, and none of us are willing to submit to anyone else or listen to anyone else. Now there are two completely different ideas, like four horses pulling a carriage in different directions. Where can such a carriage go? How far can it go?"

Lu Feng grew impatient and rolled his eyes: "So, in the end, you just want us all to listen to you? Why should we?"

Meng Liulang raised an eyebrow to show his agreement.

Exactly! They're all commanders of their own armies, why should they listen to you?
Li Chi clearly knew Yang Hu's capabilities better and remained silent.

Yang Hu coldly glared at him: "Just because my Guangning army was the first to surrender to General Pei, and because I, Yang Hu, was the first to fight alongside General Pei. Furthermore, General Pei often listens to my advice when formulating strategies. Why can't you listen to it?"

Li Chi said calmly, "The Liaoxi Army was the first to change its flags and raise the Pei character flag."

Meng Liulang scoffed: "Warfare is about fighting strength and courage. If seniority were useful, why don't you two go and fight the Xiongnu general, Pu Nu?"

Lu Feng struggled for a long time, but couldn't come up with a single sentence that said he was better than the other three armies. His face turned red with frustration.

Yang Hu and the other two didn't even look at Lü Feng, each glaring at the other coldly, clearly unwilling to yield to the others. Just as the young generals were locked in a stalemate, another personal guard quickly delivered a letter: "General Pei has led his troops past Yan County, and the main army will arrive in a few days. General Pei has sent another letter."

The four generals roused themselves and simultaneously extended their hands.

The guard delivered the letter to Li Chi.

Li Chi opened the letter, his expression suddenly becoming complicated, and silently handed it to Yang Hu. After reading it, Yang Hu passed it to Meng Liulang.

Lu Feng, anxious, peeked out to take a look as well. Then, he quieted down and behaved himself.

The letter contained only two short sentences.

If all four armies gather, they must obey Yang Hu's command.

Although Pei Qinghe hadn't arrived yet, she had already anticipated the chaotic scene of the generals arguing amongst themselves, each refusing to submit to the others. Meng Liulang, in particular, was the most troublesome, having defied even General Zhang in Bohai Commandery.

Meng Liulang held the letter, frowning, and after a moment, reluctantly handed it to Yang Hu.

Yang Hu, as if holding a sacred sword, glared intently and said in a deep voice, "General Meng Pei trusts and values ​​me, and has temporarily entrusted me with this important task. From now on, the three of you will obey my orders."

Li Chi and Lü Feng agreed together.

Yang Hu glanced at Meng Liulang, who pinched his nose and responded.

Yang Hu softened his voice: "It's not that we can't take the initiative to fight, but that we must plan carefully before we act. This is Liaoxi, our territory. We are familiar with the terrain, which is advantageous. The people are all on our side, and we have the support of the people. If we plan carefully and take advantage of the timing, the advantages will be entirely in our hands. Either we don't move out, or we do, we must win a great victory."

Meng Liulang then perked up and listened.

Li Chi and Lü Feng nodded repeatedly.

Yang Hu pointed to the map and began to formulate specific strategies for troop deployment and city defense.

The four armies should be integrated, with the defenders mainly composed of the elderly, weak, or new recruits. All cavalry should be concentrated in one place, totaling about three thousand, and led entirely by the skilled warrior Meng Liulang. They will be deployed in a crucial battle to ensure victory. The infantry sent into battle should be the most elite, brave, and resilient, skilled in military formations.

The Guangning Army had specially trained in formations to deal with cavalry, and the Liaoxi Army could also select quite a few. However, the Fanyang Army, by this standard, could only field less than 30% of its elite troops.

Lu Feng was somewhat unwilling, so he volunteered: "I am willing to take the lead."

Yang Hu glanced at Lü Feng: "This is a war, not a battle of wits. The Fanyang army is indeed weaker. However, General Lü is indeed a fierce general."

"I also entrust the three thousand elite soldiers of the Guangning Army to you. I will stay in the city to oversee the situation."

(End of this chapter)