Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 234 The golden cicada escapes from its shell
During the Xiangbei Campaign, Xuan Chong personally arrived in Xiangzhou to oversee the operations, begin logistics preparations, and assess the contributions of each army corps. He did not personally command the campaign but ultimately handed over command to Wu Rui.

The saying goes, "You can't fight someone when they're young and strong." Twenty-year-olds have the strongest muscle density and bone strength, and can overcome skill with brute force.

In a battle of wits commanded by large groups, a young mind is far more powerful than a forty-year-old mind.

Xuan Chong could now exchange for an auxiliary system called "Super Brain," which would cost about one academic credit, but he ultimately gave up. The reason was that he had already planned things to this extent, and using academic credits to cheat against Zhao Cheng would be somewhat insulting to his efforts.

As for what Zhao Cheng was doing, he led 70,000 troops south, with each army consisting of 10,000 men, and the core force comprised about 2,000 combat soldiers. The number of regular and auxiliary troops varied, and supplies were replenished during battles; all these factors, including the required provisions, needed to be carefully monitored.

Over the years, Zhao Cheng has incorporated Xuan Chong's system into his military strategy, but the scholar-officials under his command still use the old version.

Xuan Chong's manual actually made military calculations more complex. Xuan Chong relied on the organization of non-commissioned officers to complete the overall calculations.

Without a stable system for training non-commissioned officers, Zhao Cheng was expected to single-handedly assume a series of operational command functions from the grassroots to the middle ranks within the staff department. —He was going to be worked to death.

Therefore, Zhao Cheng still combined the old and new, keeping some decision-making power in his own hands, promoting some scholars, and assigning tasks according to the Xuanchongna officer organization.

For example, right now, wherever the army goes: 1. Local militia are recruited. 2. Convicts are recruited to form suicide squads. 3. Local wealthy families are contacted, and under the guise of promising official positions, they are persuaded to provide servants to form "local militias." This is the opportunity for wealthy local magnates like Liu Bei and Cao Cao to rise to power.

Each of Zhao Cheng's armies now actually has more than 10,000 personnel.

The martial arts practitioners he originally recruited from wealthy families in various places have now risen in status as the army expands, transforming from being used as servants into the backbone of organizing the local military and civilians.

Zhao Cheng had to use several methods to conduct statistics before calculating and comparing them.

Xuan Chong, on the other hand, only had one set of calculation standards. Relying on a well-functioning administrative system, they figured out exactly how many people were in each army and how many types of troops they were divided into.

The advisors gathered around Zhao Cheng were a makeshift team composed of the most intelligent people recommended by prominent families from various regions. These advisors were unrestrained and lacked discipline.

For example, after the generals reported the number of soldiers, the army's grain officer reported the consumption of provisions, and the army's medical officer tallied the consumption of "herbal lozenges" and submitted them, and then the calculations were verified; the wise men were unwilling to spend too much time on these mathematical calculations.

…Commentary…

Xuan Chong's assessment of Zhao Cheng was: Most generals in feudal dynasties could only coordinate one large army, and the number of people in that army was limited. The more skilled the strategist, the more people they could command. He (Zhao Cheng) could organize a large army with many units in an orderly manner, but individual skills and tactics have their limits; once he entered a full-scale confrontation involving multiple subsystems, he would be at a disadvantage.

Xuan Chong reviewed all of Zhao Cheng's operations in this battle. He did indeed employ a multi-pronged approach, but his multi-pronged approach could only target one strategic objective at a time.

However, in a multi-line versus multi-line scenario, his multi-line approach cannot cover targets other than the single target he has locked onto.

This national war has already exposed his shortcomings. While he was focusing on the southern front, the military deployment on the Yongzhou and Xiazhou fronts suffered major oversights due to inadequate personnel considerations, which demonstrates his insufficient ability to manage multiple fronts and objectives.

In recent years, Xuan Chong has been leading expeditions to the south, honing his team of talents while simultaneously allowing returning talents to handle affairs in the north, all to develop their ability to take charge independently.

Returning to the current battle, in the traditional tactic of 100,000 men forming ranks, Xuan Chong is absolutely capable of going toe-to-toe with Zhao Cheng.

Both sides are on the same level in terms of command and control, strengthening the management of their subordinates, and enhancing the execution capabilities of their troops. When facing off, each side calculates how to create a situation where they have a local advantage for a head-on battle, while simultaneously dispatching thousands of surprise troops to flank and attack from the rear, making it a back-and-forth affair.

However, Xuan Chong is now unwilling to cooperate with Zhao Cheng in playing this traditional "combination of orthodox and unorthodox" style of play.

Xuan Chong handed over command authority to Wu Rui and the staff to tell Zhao Cheng: "Sir, times have changed. There is no longer any combination of orthodox and unorthodox tactics. Each group in the corps can be orthodox or unorthodox; when training orders are issued, they can be gathered together to fight a frontal attack, and when training orders are issued, they can be split up to launch surprise attacks from multiple directions. This is the true form of a modern army."

...Times have changed, and military strategies have evolved...

On the map, Xuan Chong's troops, under Wu Rui's command, began to split into two red blocks that simultaneously outflanked and encircled the enemy.

Haotian's blue block appeared passive, clearly shocked by the synchronized maneuver spanning a full thirty kilometers.

Zhao Cheng reacted quickly, deploying 10,000 men on each side to construct fortified positions, in order to prevent Wu Rui from launching a pincer attack.

It can be said that Zhao Cheng's reaction was very correct; he divided his 70,000 troops into two routes and deployed them to defend the flanks. Wu Rui's attacking force did not have an absolute advantage. As long as the attack was thwarted, and Wu Rui's "two fists" of attack were held, Zhao Cheng, who still had one hand left, would have extra troops to mobilize to attack one route first.

However, just as the 20,000 troops on both flanks had established their positions on Zhao Cheng's sides, Wu Rui issued another order: leave 1,000 men on the front lines to confront the two columns of Zhao Cheng's troops; then the main force moved again. In other words, the superior force shifted its location. (Using 1,000 to contain 10,000)
The question is, how many troops can Zhao Cheng spare to defend all directions?
This is the brand new version, which Wu Rui calls "Multi-stage Accelerated Run"!
The process involves several stages: 1. Discovering enemy military intelligence; 2. Processing intelligence; 3. Making decisions; 4. Execution; 5. Analyzing enemy feedback regarding the rapid execution. Then, we return to stage 1.

After numerous tactical simulations, Wu Rui and other sergeants determined that as long as their procedures were faster than the enemy's, the corps could always take the lead and act with minimal cost, forcing the enemy to respond passively with higher costs.

This series of military decisions disperses the enemy's military resources in a short period of time to a large number of areas that "require defense," creating an effect of "preparedness everywhere, yet scarcity everywhere."

In other words, Zhao Cheng has now divided his forces into two units of 10,000 men each, and their "response is still based on the assumption that Wu Rui is in front of them and that there is a large number of elite attacking groups." As for the intelligence that Wu Rui left behind 1,000 troops to hold back while the rest of the main force moved away, the two armies Zhao Cheng divided his forces could not obtain this intelligence and handed it over to Zhao Cheng, the central authority, to handle.

No matter how brilliant Zhao Cheng is, without sufficient intelligence, he is like a skilled cook without rice.

Over the past few years, Wu Rui has led his team in a series of military exercises, working tirelessly to achieve top marks, like striving for a perfect score on an exam, making the cycle run faster and faster.

Based on the current map, Xuan Chong's strategy of forcing Zhao Cheng to react first by leaving a small number of troops as "afterimages" to deceive Zhao Cheng's reaction is successful.

...Of all martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses...

Unable to dispel the fog of war, Zhao Cheng was bewildered. He had deployed 10,000 troops to both flanks but failed to defend them, and signs of a large army approaching from the rear appeared.

The result was that on Zhao Cheng's decision map, he saw Wu Rui's 30,000 troops appearing in layers from all directions. If calculated according to traditional troop strength, Wu Rui would have hundreds of thousands surrounding them, but that was simply impossible.

On July 1st, after two days of Wu Rui's highly mobile operations, Zhao Cheng realized the situation was dire. Wu Rui's troops, relying on ample supplies, had been constantly on the move.

Zhao Cheng's scouts consistently spotted large troop formations gathering in all directions. His subordinates, deployed along defensive lines, also repeatedly reported encountering attacks from the Chen army.

Narrator: Because the defensive forces sent by Zhao Cheng were forced to build fortified positions, the space for scouts to explore the outside world was also compressed. In short, Zhao Cheng fell behind in the transmission of intelligence back to the outside world.

After looking at the map he had set up, Zhao Cheng thought to himself, "Staying here is a dead end; we must get out!"
Everyone followed Zhao Cheng's gaze and was stunned. Was he going to retreat into Jizhou? Zhao Cheng said, "Since the other side is not taking Jizhou, then we will take it."

An advisor immediately said, "If we leave, then to the north—(everyone worried that Xuan Chong would take the opportunity to head north and occupy Heluo)."
Zhao Cheng suddenly became bolder and slowly said, "He has no intention of conquering the world."

Zhao Cheng had a deep-seated feeling that even if he died and the people around him surrendered to Xuan Chong, Xuan Chong would probably refuse them all! Zhao Cheng silently muttered to himself, "Wu Xiaoque is extremely petty; she won't associate with anyone she looks down on."

He was gazing at a sparrow on a distant treetop, preening its feathers with its claws. The feathers were very bright, and the bird's beak was carefully picking out all the dust and debris.

Zhao Cheng suddenly seemed to understand Wu Fei's temperament. He was a person who seemed reasonable, but was indeed very proud. Once he believed in the truth, he would prove it step by step on the path of Confucianism, even if it went against the opinions of all the Confucian scholars in the world.

Zhao Cheng's advisor tried to persuade him to leave some troops to protect the Heluo region, but Zhao Cheng slowly said, "Wu Yuanchang is an extremely single-minded person. If I survive this battle, he won't cause any trouble."

Advisor: "My lord, when shall we proceed?"

Zhao Cheng: "Immediately! Don't reveal any information to Wu Lang or Li Feng. (These two are the troops Zhao Cheng ordered to lead to the left and right flanks for defense.)"

The strategist paused, then suddenly realized that Zhao Cheng was trying to escape, leaving the two groups of men behind. ...Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best...

On the evening of July 1st, when Wu Rui received the news, Zhao Cheng's 7 troops were already rapidly moving southeast.

He was bewildered when he saw the changes on the map and immediately consulted Xuan Chong.

After the "white jade mirror" conveyed the information.

Xuan Chong surveyed the situation, stood beside the sand table, and slowly asked, "What do you think is the nature of his marching route?"

Wu Rui, in the Xiangzhou army, said: "From a military strategy perspective, he can't bypass Kuotianling, so it's possible that..."

Xuan Chong: "Speak boldly."

Wu Rui: "It might be that we enter Jizhou from the Northern Sloping Path, but—" (The Northern Sloping Path is the Jizhou local term, referring to a route leading to Chenzhou in the northwest of Jizhou)
Xuan Chong looked at the student and encouraged him, "It's too unbelievable, so you don't dare to make a decision, right?"

Indeed, according to current common sense, it seems rather unconventional for Zhao Cheng to attack Jizhou instead of fighting Zhenguo to the death. However, this is precisely Zhao Cheng's unconventional approach; his military strategy sometimes prepares for "easy victory."

After so many years of confrontation, Xuan Chong gradually developed an impression of Zhao Cheng. Therefore, his strategic defenses over the years were as solid as an impregnable fortress, preventing Zhao Cheng from easily taking him down and forcing him to conquer other parts of the world. As for now that Zhao Cheng could no longer do anything to him, it was also possible that he would try to take advantage of the situation.

Xuan Chong asked Wu Rui, "If he is heading to Jizhou, what are you going to do? Pursue him, or annihilate him?"

Wu Rui gritted his teeth and finally made a decision: "Quickly annihilate the two units left behind; then the army will contract and prepare for the next phase of the campaign. (The next phase) will be to enter Jizhou from Xiangzhou along the Donghua River defense line and force him (Zhao Cheng) out of Jizhou."

Seeing Wu Rui's resigned expression, Xuan Chong couldn't help but smile! Judging from Wu Rui's temperament, he was now eager to have a good match with Zhao Cheng and had already made preparations. He brought out a complete set of tactics, using a series of powerful moves to trick Zhao Cheng into playing two "Dodge" cards, and then prepared to launch a decisive battle with "Ancient Sword and Wine Kill". Zhao Cheng decisively sacrificed two pieces and headed east.

Chase? The Chen army can now conduct mobile warfare, but that doesn't mean they are fast; when Zhao Cheng decisively starts running, they really can't catch up.

Xuan Chong comforted him, saying, "For your first battle, this is quite good. You managed to force him to flee; that's remarkable."

Wu Rui gritted his teeth: "My lord, please let me fight him again next time."

Wu Rui was not pleased with "forcing Zhao Cheng to flee." The forces he brought out this time were aimed at defeating Zhao Cheng in one battle.

Moreover, in the pre-battle simulations, they were 90% confident of defeating Hao Jun's main force with the latest tactics. What's more, he and Wu Zaixing were both holding back their energy.

Xuan Chong felt that this guy was getting a bit arrogant, so he quickly scolded him: "Focus on your current battle and don't think about anything else! Do you think you can definitely win next time? Now hand over your report card."

…Xuan Chong chuckled to himself: He escaped, fled at the first sign of trouble, ha…

After ending the communication, Xuan Chong looked at the reserve forces coming from his rear.

The five initial legions equipped with firearms have been reorganized. Although these five legions are "pawns," the Hao army advancing south from the north consists of "chariots." ("Pawns" consist only of artillery and infantry, while "chariots" represent a mixed force including behemoths, chariots, and cavalry.)
The Zhan Kui and Gui Che are now making a large-scale appearance on the northern front. The main focus in the south is infiltration warfare, so they haven't had many opportunities to be seen.

Xuan Chong watched Zhao Cheng's latest move. To be honest, Wu Rui hadn't anticipated Zhao Cheng's escape, and Xuan Chong was equally surprised. From a military perspective, it was indeed a brilliant move, but for the lord, the cost was far greater than imagined!
Xuan Chong complained: "In a situation of complete weakness, you directly abandon your subordinates as expendable pawns! You're showing a lack of consideration for the morale of your men."

Note: Currently, Hao's army has suffered defeats on all three fronts.

On the front lines of Yongzhou and Xingzhou, the pincer movement of the Zhan Kui armored army, commanded by Su Ming, has surrounded the last remaining fighting force of the pseudo-Hao Kingdom's ruler.

On the Xia Prefecture front: Wu Zaixing simultaneously mobilized two routes, A and B. Route A was to engage in frontal combat, while Route B was to cut off the rear, which would lead to a repeat of the Battle of Changping.

On the Xiangzhou front: Wu Rui's side needs to eliminate Zhao Cheng's two groups of abandoned troops. From the strategic map, the red army group has already inserted itself into the original position of Zhao Cheng's army, becoming two red circles, blocking the two remnant armies that were originally supposed to defend the left and right.

In total, the Hao Kingdom lost nearly 100,000 troops across these three routes! This is the situation that occurred in just over a month of fighting between the two sides.

When the outcome of the battle was finally settled, even the most stubborn scholars and officials had to carefully consider how to organize their words and discuss whether the current situation was dominated by the Wood or Fire element.

Any force that loses so many troops in such a short time will suffer a devastating blow! As the lord, you, Zhao Cheng, should step up and take responsibility to stabilize morale! And what happened? You went off to fight in the wilderness.

Xuan Chong looked at his current army, picked up three pieces from the "B" army, and placed them on the east side.

It's better to be safe than sorry. What if Zhao Cheng can break through Kuotianling and turn around to ambush them?

Although Zhao Cheng lost all his supplies, he wouldn't feel at ease as long as Zhao Cheng was alive.

…Xuan Chong moved his finger, and the three corps began to move eastward…

The orderly sound of trumpets filled the air.

Wen Siting, holding a whip, squatted at the entrance of the barracks, personally supervising his former cronies.

A day ago, his whip was unreasonably aimed at these good brothers; and today these good subordinates all got up early on time, took their whips and ran to the barracks to see who dared to be late.

Guan Shan: "Brother, we've all arrived. Let's count off, so the kite flyers in the sky don't catch us again." — Because of their lateness, the entire army lost seven merit points, and these squad leaders were all invigorated.

Wen Siting nodded noncommittally, then glanced at the sundial and the wind-up alarm clock.

Once the alarm clock is fully wound up, it can only keep track of forty-eight hours, so it still needs to be aligned with the sundial every day; and when there is no sun, a "prayer for clear skies" ceremony is even held to let the sun peek out from behind the clouds.

For the past ten days or so, the soldiers, for some unknown reason, have suddenly been required to obey this unexpectedly appearing clock.

The entire army had seven or eight more roll call and roll call sessions than usual.

However, through his excellent social skills, Wen Siting found out from his colleagues that this was the case in all the armies.

Wen Siting himself had even more documents to handle, and the general above him was even busier. He was keenly aware that a higher-ranking figure was now in charge of the army, and a major battle was about to begin.

By this time, the troops had completed their roll call, and today's training task was to maintain the firearms. The three small cannons, each with a two-inch caliber and an iron wheel mount, were being cleaned and then used for a drill to fire training rounds.

Today, a communications soldier riding a dragon horse flew over.

Wen Siting saluted the man on horseback, completed the handover with the communications officer, and received the bamboo-headed military order. Upon seeing the order, he immediately stood at attention and then blew his whistle: "All battalions, assemble immediately!"

Zhang Hai asked, "Sir, where are we going?"

After pulling out the winged tiger and mounting it, Wen Si turned his head and said, "Don't ask."

Then, sensing it was a personal guard, he slowly said, "East."

(End of this chapter)