Chapter 455 - Chapter 455: Chapter 462: Announcing the Withdrawal of Troops (2/2)
After several days of fierce fighting, there was a preliminary outcome to the battle at Yiyang Prefecture. Although the Imperial Army had greater numbers, they had not been there long, and the leading general, who was more brave than skilled in strategy, had an initial advantage. However, they gradually fell into a disadvantage and were utterly routed in the last major engagement, falling into a trap set by Han Yu, which forced them to announce a retreat.
The battle brought significant losses to both sides. Though Han Yu was adept at using military strategies and tactics, he could not change the fact that his opponent’s forces were multiple times larger, an inherent disadvantage. To have defended Yiyang and even won this war was already remarkable. Nearly one third of his soldiers were casualties, but morale was at an all-time high.
On the Imperial Court’s side, the losses were even greater. After tallying, over half the troops were casualties. However, they still had more troops than Liu Xiu’s army, even after the losses. Yet, the morale was quite low after the defeats, creating a stark contrast between the two sides.
“General Han, we’ve really won, we’ve actually defeated the Imperial Army!” an Advisor under Liu Xiu said joyfully, barely containing his excitement.
However, Han Yu wasn’t completely satisfied with the outcome and expressed some regret, “Zhao Fan reacted quite alertly; we almost captured him. It’s such a shame. If we had caught Zhao Fan, that would have meant a real victory! Without their general, the Imperial Court’s army would need to send a new commander, giving us time to recuperate and reinforce. Plus, with the current chaos in the court, it’s uncertain if they can continue fighting; our crisis would have been resolved. Now that he has escaped, it’s going to create a lot more problems, and the war has to go on.”
“General Han, this is already a great success, and it was all thanks to your brilliant strategy that Zhao Fan fell into the trap without any suspicion. That’s the reason we won this battle. Before this, I could scarcely believe we would win the war. I apologize for any disrespect in what I said before; it was wrong of me to underestimate your abilities. With a general like you, my Lord can rest easy!”
This Advisor had been one of those who opposed Han Yu’s plans earlier and had tried to persuade Liu Xiu to retreat. Now his face showed the joy of victory, tinged with shame for his earlier stance. Nevertheless, he was someone who owned up to his mistakes. Others, however, were unable to do the same, with some even showing a flicker of dark thoughts amidst their celebration.
Han Yu noted the expressions and behavior of these men. Those who wore their feelings so openly on their faces were not to be feared. What truly concerned Han Yu were the deeply hidden traitors.
Meanwhile, Zhao Fan returned in a wretched state with the remnants of his forces.
“General, are you all right?” Zhang Meng asked with a sense of alarm.
Zhao Fan shook his head. Though the ordeal had been dangerous, as a military officer, facing peril on the battlefield was routine. He had faced similar dangers more than once or twice and wasn’t easily frightened. Shrugging it off, he tore a piece of cloth from his robe and tied it around a wound on his arm. “It’s nothing. Just a minor injury with a bit of blood loss.”
“It’s a relief that you’re fine, General. That moment truly scared me to death! General Han is too fierce, not only a masterful strategist but also highly skilled in combat. He almost had you cut down right there. Thankfully, it was just off by a little. If something had happened to you, and we lost our leader, that would have spelled major trouble,” a minor officer in the company of Zhao Fan and Vice General Zhang said as he patted his chest, visibly shaken. Zhao Fan might not have felt disgraced before, but after this junior officer’s comments, his face grew dark.