Chapter 1340 - 328: The Marquis’s Residence

Chapter 1340: Chapter 328: The Marquis’s Residence

The forces of the two major camps of Town South Pass to the east and west have already been deployed. First to move were the cavalry from both camps, each with ten thousand strong. Although the Yan Army was right there, the two cavalry units did not choose to circle around but instead coordinated with the Chu infantry within the village to make a gradual advance.

In fact, the use of cavalry is not a secret to any experienced commander.

Their main characteristic lies in their mobility, which far exceeds that of infantry.

Most of the time, once the battlefield is laid out, excluding the very rare case of heavily armored cavalry, cavalry are generally released to either cover the battlefield or maneuver around it. In any case, they have a lot of freedom.

However, the two Chu cavalry units seemed to be bound there, chained and not free at all.

Their main general and commander did not dare to grant them freedom.

According to common sense, to crush an enemy force that is deep in your territory, one should first compress their maneuvering space, cut off their retreat, and finally force them into a decisive battle with you.

Compressing space is what cavalry should do, but Nian Yao did not dare to let the Chu’s precious cavalry do this.

If other Yan State commanders were in charge, they might have done so, but who can blame them when the enemy commander is Tian Wujing!

Nian Yao knew that if he dared to send them out, Tian Wujing would dare to swallow them.

The cavalry of the great Chu is already few, and in defense battles, they are even more needed for mutual support and connection. If they were to be squandered in such a manner on the battlefield, Nian Yao would truly be out of his mind.

However,

when the Yan Army is already here, and can even gaze at Town South Pass, it would be inappropriate not to do anything.

Admiring the Yan’s Southern Marquis is one thing; after all, heroes appreciate each other;

but to cower without any action out of fear would undoubtedly deal a huge blow to morale.

The Yan people can boast about how their Yan cavalry is invincible in the field, and indeed, there was a saying over at Snow Sea Pass that "not even ten thousand cavalries can defeat it";

but as their opponent, you absolutely cannot believe it!

If you accept it, the soldiers underneath will also subconsciously accept it. Defensive combat is defensive combat indeed, but defense is to wear down the opponent, waiting for the opportunity to strike!

If you truly degrade into something as useless as the Qian people, and collapse as soon as you leave the city, then what’s the point?

Hence, General Nian must deploy troops.

But, although they are deployed, what should be done after deployment is... there’s much to ponder deeply.

Rather than saying the troops from the two major camps to the east and west are advancing, it would be better to say they are seeing guests off.

Infantry stays in the center, cavalry provides support, steadily pushing forward.

And the north gate of Town South Pass has not been opened from start to finish.

Prince Jingnan’s banner still stood there, and for a moment, it created a sense of host and guest reversal.

General Nian stood on the city wall, his eyes bloodshot.

The bloodshot eyes were not due to tension but from not sleeping for two days, naturally leading to some weariness, yet his mind remained exceptionally clear.

He had already seen through the scheme laid out by the Yan people.

He set up a pocket trap, only for Prince Jingnan to throw in a nail.

In truth, battlefield confrontation sometimes isn’t much different from street duels, it’s all about countering and exploiting opportunities for a strong strike.

Nian Yao knew what Tian Wujing was doing by bringing his troops here. It’s clear that they didn’t really come to attack the city; the high and mighty Town South Pass isn’t somewhere you can just waltz into.

But ironically, the more it is perceived this way, the more dangerous it becomes. You think they’re not here to fight but just to press you, but they might just turn this pretense into reality.

Yet, General Nian faced limitations as the army camps and strongholds to the north were all being "watched" by various Yan troops, limiting the forces he could mobilize, naturally causing him to be somewhat restrained in his response.

Nonetheless, after the gradual pressure from the forces of the two camps, General Nian had already issued military orders; the rear camp forces would soon arrive, and besides, the various troops to the north would complete a new round of adjustments within half a day.

At the very least, the two highly mobile troops, Dugu Ni and Xiao Lou, were capable of quickly returning to defense.

Just like string games, you unravel me, I unravel you, let’s see whose reaction is faster and whose hand speed is more deft.

By then, with the Yan troops scattered outside, the Chu army could fully leverage local superiority in numbers on certain plots.

Yangshan Village could be swallowed, and even Tian Wujing under Town South Pass is a dumpling that Nian Yao dares to cook.

Unlike the treacherous and cautious advance of the eastern and western Chu forces, the Yan Army, apart from the part of outpost and scout riders, was in a complete state of rest.

The rapid advance of the army itself consumes horsepower; seizing the time to conserve and restore horsepower was the immediate priority.

Even the Pixiu of Prince Jingnan was lying on its side at this time, sunbathing its belly.

And Tian Wujing himself was seated on the ground.

The tentative and careful scheming of the Chu, at this moment, seemed rather like making eyes at a blind man.

...

Over twenty miles south from West Mountain Fort, Gong Wang’s division was slowly trailing a unit of Chu soldiers.