Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 299: The Consequences Are Unavoidable
In Nanyang County, Kong Donglai anxiously waited. Although things seemed a bit off, with Xiao Liming personally leading the army and bringing 200,000 elite troops, the scale seemed excessive. However, the army was dispatched, and it seemed that it could bring some opportunities to Nanyang County.
Two reports of victories came from the front line. Nangong Zhi had attempted two attacks and achieved good results. The allied forces of Guangling County and Songzhou County had almost collapsed in a single battle, with no morale, completely opposite from their previous brave and determined state.
“The situation seems pretty good!”
To the west of Nanyang County, Nangong Zhi was leading 300,000 troops against the enemy; however, this 300,000-strong army was inflated, with many of the soldiers being reservists, far weaker than the combined forces of Guangling County and Songzhou County. But thanks to Nangong Zhi’s leadership, they had managed to hold their ground for now and had even won two battles, taking advantage of the opportunity when the First Prince had dispatched troops.
However, after achieving two victories, Nangong Zhi immediately decided to “stop while ahead and not advance further,” setting up camp and preparing for defense. This action, however, confused many people. Why not pursue the victory? Why had he become cautious at such a good time?
In the face of everyone’s doubts, Nangong Zhi did not explain but firmly carried out his orders. Given Nangong Zhi’s past authority, no one dared to oppose him. Even Kong Zhiying, the left general of Nanyang County, and Chen Jin, the right general, could not refute Nangong Zhi’s decision at this moment.
As Nangong Zhi set up camp, Wang Chuan, Shangguan Guang, Gao Bin, and others grew anxious. Nangong Zhi, as expected of a “military talent,” had swallowed two bait traps and then set up camp, refusing to move.
At this point, Gao Bin couldn’t help but turn to praise Shangguan Yong. “Xiao Yong did well. Nangong Zhi really didn’t take the bait. So now, let’s move on to the second plan.”
“Not so fast!” Shangguan Yong stopped Gao Bin’s actions.
“Why? This was your idea!” Gao Bin looked at Shangguan Yong, his tone now tinged with dissatisfaction. In fact, Gao Bin had begun to feel some jealousy toward Shangguan Yong.
Shangguan Yong completely ignored Gao Bin and turned to explain to his father, Shangguan Guang, and the head of the Wang family, Wang Chuan: “Nangong Zhi took our bait, but then he stayed put, setting up camp in a defensible position by the mountains and water. His defense is nearly flawless.
In fact, Nangong Zhi is telling me that he has seen through our strategies and is ready for them.
So, we cannot continue with the previous plan; otherwise, we will only face a crushing defeat.
I believe we should adopt a plan within a plan. We will still follow the original strategy but with some modifications. For example, originally, we were going to send elite troops to disrupt the enemy.
Now, we will still send elite troops, but it won’t be a siege, and we won’t try to finish everything in one go. Instead, we’ll focus on harassment. We will send many, many elite small teams to continuously harass the Nanyang County forces, making them unable to rest.
We’ll use planes, artillery, and the like. Nanyang County has many new recruits. First, we will frighten these new soldiers and, when the time is right, during large-scale troop movements, these new soldiers may break down and collapse, potentially disrupting Nanyang County’s entire military strategy.”
“Very good!” Shangguan Guang looked at his son, filled with pride. The future is in good hands!
Gao Bin, watching from the side, felt a little envious. He felt like he was being overlooked!
At that moment, a messenger arrived with news. It turned out that, as Shangguan Yong had predicted, Xiao Liming, leading 200,000 troops south, had seen a roadside “tea stall” and unexpectedly ordered the entire army to retreat!
At this point, Gao Bin’s gaze toward Shangguan Yong completely changed.
What exactly was going on?
………………
After Gao Bin listened to Shangguan Yong’s suggestion, he sent 20 personal guards to wait at the entrance of a broad valley. Inside the valley was a wide road. This was an essential route.
These 20 personal guards sat scattered in the middle of the road, boiling water and brewing tea. To be honest, these 20 personal guards were extremely nervous. Twenty people were blocking the way of 200,000 soldiers, which seemed very foolish and naive.
So, you can imagine how poorly the tea was made. As for this so-called tea stand, it was really just a makeshift one, created with magic to form some temporary stone tables and stone benches. They were crooked and had no embellishments, just waiting there.
When Xiao Liming led the 200,000-strong army to arrive, the yellow sand swept through the valley, the flags seemed to connect to the sky, and the sight of the armor shining in the sunlight was blinding. The twenty personal guards were already so scared that their faces turned pale, as white and soft as tofu.
It was only when Xiao Liming sent someone to inquire about the situation that these 20 personal guards of Gao Bin slowly said, “It was the magistrate who told us to wait here and brew tea… to wait for the military governor Xiao (Xiao Liming is the governor of the northwest).”
Then, Xiao Liming, taking advantage of the situation, exaggeratedly sighed, “Gao Bin, this bastard, actually had preparations in place, he’s so fearless! If we attack recklessly, we’ll likely suffer heavy losses. Retreat the troops!”
With the decision to not fight, the soldiers naturally had no objections. They clattered as they came and thundered as they left. Half an hour later, the vast army vanished without a trace. Only the disordered valley could prove that a major battle had almost taken place here.
The twenty personal guards who had narrowly escaped death finally regained their senses—they hadn’t died after all?! Then, the twenty personal guards almost ran back to Songzhou County. One of the team leaders took a plane to the front line and informed Gao Bin of this news.
Soon after, more information arrived. Xiao Liming, leading the army, had actually made a turn and headed east—this clearly meant he was either going to attack Anyang or Li Yulong.
“Great!” Gao Bin cheered and jumped with joy, “Immediately ‘inform’ Nanyang County of this information, then we’ll send our army out to defeat Nanyang County in one fell swoop!”
…………
“What!” Upon receiving the news, Kong Donglai was completely stunned! Such an absurd thing really happened?
Twenty people blocked 200,000 soldiers, and the renowned Northwest Governor Xiao Liming just withdrew his troops like that. But soon more information came in, revealing that Xiao Liming had used “attacking Songzhou County” as an excuse and cover, and his true goal was to attack Anyang County, where Li Xian was, or Kaiping County, where Li Yulong was!
“I’ve been played!”
“I’ve been tricked!”
“I publicly supported the First Prince to ascend the throne and become Emperor, looking like a fool!”
Kong Donglai, who had always been the one scheming against others, finally experienced the bitter consequences! No wonder Xiao Liming personally led the army, no wonder it was 200,000 troops; it finally became clear that their real target was the east.
The First Prince, on the surface, had agreed to support Nanyang County and attack Songzhou County, but it was all just a well-played act.
Kong Donglai was furious, feeling like the wild geese had turned on him!