532 Three Battlefields Prelude (2/2)
The risk of this mission skyrocketed. Gan Ji could turn his attention from Li Feihong and Diaochan toward them at any moment.
”We will retreat from this spot ASAP. General Huang, please escort these people away from this area. General Lu, organize the troops and prepare to withdraw. We can't get in the way of their battle, or our units will be wiped out.”
Sun Shangxiang didn't stop there. She sent clan messages to Sun Quan and others.
Sun Shangxiang: ”Li Feihong and the prime consort are fighting Gan Ji nearby. We're going to escort civilians back with us. I want all of you to construct fortifications and barricades ASAP. Prepare for the upcoming monster siege and be wary of the collateral damage of their fight!”
She chose not to get involve with Gan Ji and focused on the undead army instead.
”What about our test…” Lu Meng still wanted to know about zombies and the headshot test.
”Three 8-wing freaks are fighting nearby. Do you want to get in the middle of that!?”
”Uh, of course not.”
”Then, do what I said if you want to live. We'll test whatever you want to know later.”
Sun Shangxiang's unit and escorted the civilians and withdrew from the area. She didn't care about the humiliation that she went back on her words since the situation was not in their favor.
.
.
.
At Lujiang Battlefront, the Immortal Legion and the Crimson Angel Legion still maintained their formation, waiting for the reinforcement from the Navy Legion of Gan Ning.
From Gan Ning's last month's report, the shipbuilders had completed a total of ten 18th-century frigates, which could carry cannons on board. The warships and 500 standard vessels were on its way from the east coast toward the Yangtze River.
From Dong Bai's initial plan, this unit would rendezvous with Sun Quan's two legions at Guangling and attack Yang Province from the eastern front.
However, the interference of Gan Ji thwarted their move. Sun Quan's armies had to defeat the undead army first before they could enter Guangling. Moreover, Gan Ji, Diaochan, and Li Feihong were fighting in this area, which made it difficult for Sun Quan and Sun Shangxiang to get there.
Guo Jia, the appointed grand commander of the main forces, gazed at the strategic map on the table in front of him. On the opposite side of the table, the loli goddess was standing on top of a box, looking at the map as well.
”Most of our generals are with the pincer units… so we're nothing but a distraction, eh?” Guo Jia muttered to himself after he analyzed the personal assets Diaochan had given him.
At Lujiang, Liu Yang, Taishi Ci, Zhang Xiu, Zhang Ji, Liu Ye, and Liu Xie were the only commanders, not including Guo Jia and Dong Bai.
The Silver Axe unit was still on its way to Lujiang, so Guo Jia added Xu Huang, Jia Xu, Yan Yan, and Zhang Ren as his future chess pieces. As for Sun Quan's two armies, Guo Jia didn't count on them since they got entangled with the undead unit on the other front.
”Goddess, can you spy on our enemy south of the river. I need to know the number of their 4-wing cultivators or higher.”
This was the advantage of having an 8-wing angel in the army. Liu Yang alone could see everything through her immortal sight without the need of a scout or a spy.
”All Cao Cao's men have left and are currently at Chaisang. His army is still marching on the way, though. As for our enemy commanders, I see only five. Sun Ce, Song Qian, Chen Wu, Lu Su, and Zhu Zhi.”
Chaisang located in the south of Jiangxia and southeast of Lujiang. It was a major city with 200,000 population, where Cao Cao could conscript more troops. However, it was almost 200 kilometers away from Chibi, where Zhang He and Zhang Liao's units were heading.
”What is their strength?”
”Sun Ce, 7 wings. Song Qian, 5 wings. Chen Wu, 4 wings. Lu Su. 4 wings. Zhu Zhi, 6 wings.”
”What about ours?”
”Taishi Ci, 7. Zhang Xiu, 6. Zhang Ji, 5. Liu Ye, 3. Liu Xie, 4. Dong Bai, 6.”
”Where is Cao Cao Army's current position?”
Liu Yang pointed at Pengze County on the map, which was 120 kilometers away from their frontline. They were marching toward Chaisang to regroup with Cao Cao's new unit.
”How long does it take for a 4-wing cultivator to fly 200 kilometers?”
”At a casual pace, 20 minutes. If they rush it, 10 minutes.”
”What about 5-wing or higher?”
”5-wing has the same speed. 6-wing can cut the time in half.”
”Hmm.”
Guo Jia pondered. He had many ideas that he could destroy Sun Ce's forces within less than a month, but the problem was their casualty. He wanted to limit the loss of the ally soldiers.
After 10 minutes of silence, Guo Jia decided, ”Send words to our soldiers. Have them gather all lumber and disassemble all wooden houses. Use those woods to craft as many catapults as we can.”
”Catapults?” Liu Yang was puzzled, ”What are you using them for? We have cannons. Catapults are outdated weaponry.”
”If we're using it as a weapon, then yes. But I have another use for them. Please be sure to modify their strength, so they can shoot across the river. Also, don't bother about warships. We will not fight in the water.”
”Huh?”
”Have faith in me. I know what's I'm doing.”
”Oh, limiting the intel, eh? I'm fine with it.”
Although Liu Yang didn't know what Guo Jia was scheming, she trusted him.
The order was passed down afterward. Their 200,000 soldiers used their wooden resources to make catapults as ordered.
After a few weeks of preparation, 10,000 catapults were made.
Xu Huang's unit also bypassed the undead army and arrived at Lujiang to reinforce the frontline. Now, 420,000 soldiers assembled and ready to cross the Yangtze River.