829 Lies (1/2)
Gu Shenwei had his own reasons for insisting on having the war start the next day, and the most important one was related to the Naihang Tribe: Zhe Su was not an ally. This message would sooner or later spread through every corner of their camp, and it would only lower their morale even further.
Dugu Xian had his own reasons, and it was also a principle he had always adhered to: attack was the best defense. Only by convincing the soldiers that the gap between their strength and the enemies' was not as large as they thought would they be able to steadfastly defend themselves until winter. Otherwise, their army might even flee upon seeing their enemies.
For the allied forces from the west, this was especially important. The war hadn't started yet, but fear had already possessed many of them. Rumors that Luoluo ruled undefeated on the eastern frontier had reached such a frenzied pitch that the idea of retreating to Heaven's Pass or Xiaowan Kingdom was starting to spread among the troops again.
After expressing his surprise, Duodun quickly regained his composure, and then put forward an objection. ”Your remarks are absolutely reasonable, Dragon King, General Dugu. But all of them are based on the assumption that we win the battle tomorrow. What if we lose? Our morale will fall even lower and more soldiers will desert.”
”It's better to deal with painful things quickly,” Shulitu replied. He meant it, too. Even though he was nervous about his delicate status, he still hoped that an outcome would surface as soon as possible.
Dugu Xian gave out a few short laughs as a reply. ”Dealing with painful things quickly sounds good, but stopping painful things from even happening is better. Here is my plan: we should assign the former Court Attendants Army and the 10,000 men of the Dragon Army to the Middle Corps, and have them fight first. The left and right wings will prepare themselves while standing by. Since only our Middle Corps is engaging, Luoluo will probably only send out part of his main force. We all know the fighting abilities of the Court Attendants Army. the All Dragon Army needs to do is cooperate. As long as the Court Attendants Army is not defeated, though a small victory will of course be preferred, we will immediately withdraw our forces and continue the fight another day. If we do this, the troops' confidence will recover and our morale will rise.”
Shulitu was the first one to agree. ”The troops will be greatly inspired if the Dragon Army advances valiantly.”
”That's right,” Gu Shenwei said. One of the his and Dugu Xian's goals was precisely to provoke Norland soldiers' fighting spirit by using their identity of outsiders.
But this battle plan didn't quite line up with the trap that Duodun had conceived of, so Liman asked, ”What if Luoluo doesn't buy it and launches an all-out attack? What do we do in that scenario?”
It was once again Dugu Xian who answered this question. ”In that case, the final showdown really will start ahead of schedule, and the Commander-in-chief will have to send reinforcements in response to how the situation evolves. My suggestion is to, if possible, move our right wing first. No matter what happens, we should keep at least part of the Left Corps in reserve, in case any of the spectating tribes try to fish in troubled waters. And then we can withdraw our troops gradually. In a word, tomorrow we just have to prove one thing – that Luoluo's army is not that formidable.”
After exchanging a glance with Liman and Azheba, Duodun put on a reluctant look and nodded.
”The Second Consort's 10,000 cavalrymen are also affiliated with the Middle Corps. We can have them join in on the first round of battle,” Duodun suggested.
”That would be the best,” Dugu Xian replied.
Although Mo Chu was the Commander-in-chief, the sole principle he adhered to was that ”noninterference generates the best outcome.” He only raised one question. ”Who will command the Court Attendants Army?”
”General Dugu, of course. He knows the entire plan the best,” Shulitu immediately answered.
Duodun instantly grew alert at these words. After pondering for a while, he thought that Shulitu would never put any of his subordinates in command anyway, so he also agreed.
A consensus had been reached. Mo Chu then issued a series of orders.
A large proportion of those former Court Attendants troops had already been stationed among the Middle Corps, so no major transfer was needed to gather the Court Attendants Army members. Then, half of the Dragon Army was ordered to move to the Middle Corps, which aroused curiosity and discussion among a lot of people. What had originally been supposed to cause the greatest sensation among troops – Dugu Xian becoming the Commander-in-chief of the Middle Corps – now barely provoked any discussion.
With his suspicions abound, Duodun made a few adjustments to his plan in response to the changes in the current situation. ”Azheba, you have an extra task now – you'll have to control not only Mo Chu, but also Dugu Xian. The Court Attendants Army belongs to me, and I can't have them die in vain on the battlefield.”
”Yes.” Azheba felt he had gained a huge responsibility.
But Liman came up with an idea. ”I think that we might be able to do it this way. Why don't we ask Luoluo to cooperate with us. First, he should only have his Middle Corps to fight us, and when Dugu Xian gives the command to withdraw, Azheba will make a move and take him hostage and order the 10,000 Dragon Army troops to bring up the rear. At the same time, Luoluo will order his left wing to launch an attack, and their opponent, as it happens, will be our right wing – ”
”The Dragon King wants to save his own men, so he will send the other half of the Dragon Army in.” Duodun finished Liman's sentence for him. ”Exactly, this is our new plan. I'll send someone to meet with Luoluo tonight. Ha-ha, the Dragon King wants to take this opportunity to promote that one-armed man to a higher position, but he won't expect that he has just walked into our trap.”
Azheba had been contemplating the situation for quite a while and another question had just occurred to him. ”The Dragon King, as well as a couple of his guards, has excellent kung fu skills and is not easy to deal with. Dugu Xian will probably be under the protection of kung fu experts.”
”Hee, I thought of that long ago,” Duodun replied in a slightly dismissive tone. ”The Dragon King, Nie Zeng, Tie Linglong, Shangguan Ru and the two Central Plainsmen – these six people are the only ones that can count as kung fu experts. And then there's this Mo Lin guy. I'll figure out a way to convince him to stand down.”
Upon hearing that Shangguan Ru's name was among the list, Azheba's heart lurched and the words ”She's not a kung fu expert. She just has a great tolerance for alcohol.” nearly slipped out of his mouth. But he eventually swallowed these words back down his throat, as he had already promised the prince that he would never let women obstruct his duty ever again.
Duodun resumed talking. ”Don't think that the Dragon King's the only one who has kung fu experts at his command. I promise – each of the Dragon King's bodyguards will be facing at least two kung fu experts. And with regards to the Dragon King himself, I have a special plan for him. Actually, if the plan goes smoothly enough, he'll die under a barrage of arrows and hand-to-hand fighting will actually be unnecessary.”
The two sharply answered ”Yes” at the same time. And then Duodun gave another order, saying, ”Azheba, go ask someone and figure out which army the Dragon King is commanding tomorrow. If he intends to do some acting and fight along with the Middle Corps, that would be the best.”
”Yes,” Azheba answered, trying to think of a way to gather the required intelligence.
Duodun watched him, a gleam of amazement appearing on his face. ”Azheba, you do know who to ask, don't you?”
”Instructor Shangguan?” Light dawned on Azheba.
Duodun nodded – this was yet another test for his subordinate.
As he rode into the camp, Azheba was weighed down with concern.
Shangguan Ru owned a small exclusive camp behind the encampment of the Middle Corps, and it was set next to the Second Consort's dwelling. As he walked closer, Azheba saw that the female soldiers were busy in the camp. The Flame Foal, with its bright color, stood out conspicuously.
The Dragon King has returned the horse, Azheba thought with a startle.
Upon noticing Azheba's arrival, Red Bat, who was grooming the Flame Foal, came over with a smile. ”Instructor just left to visit Second Consort. Do you want me to inform her that you're here?”
”That won't be necessary.” Azheba jumped off the horse and ordered his attendants to bring a few jars of alcohol to the gate of the camp, ”I got some good wine and I'd like to give some to Instructor Shangguan. Judging from what your tasks, I figured that you're going to participate in the war tomorrow as well, aren't you?”
”Of course we are,” Red Bat said excitedly. ”We're the female soldiers of the Land of Fragrance. Although we don't have the numbers, we're not afraid to fight. We'll join the Dragon Army of the Middle Corps and fight side by side with you, General.”