"You are new to commanding troops; do not be too eager for success."
"Siege warfare is a battle of elite morale. Only steadiness can bring you the opportunity to breach the city’s defenses. If you are impatient, you will ultimately fail." Watching the impatient Wei Bo, Wei Wuji continued to instruct him patiently.
"I understand," Wei Bo imdiately replied, though only he knew if he had truly taken the words to heart.
Zhao Feng. Such composure in defending the city... He truly is a capable general. Why isn’t he one of our Wei n? Wei Wuji looked toward the distant Wei City, a hint of regret in his heart.
If given the choice, he would even swap Wei Bo to the opposing side to get Zhao Feng in return.
It all ca back to the sa issue. He was old and did not have much ti left to protect the state of Wei. He urgently needed a qualified successor to guard Wei in his stead.
「Zhao Jing!」
Under Wang Jian’s personal command, the Zhao border city collapsed with a single strike, and the Qin flag was already planted on the city tower.
Wang Jian’s army of two hundred thousand, all elite soldiers from Lantian, split up and advanced.
"Senior General."
"The border city has been successfully captured. General Wang Ben has also sent a battle report confirming the successful capture of West City," a Main General reported to Wang Jian.
He was none other than Yang Duanhe, one of the three Main Generals from Lantian.
"Border cities are easy to breach, but ahead of us is Lian Po, commanding the troops personally. It will take so ti to break through," Wang Jian said gravely.
"Lian Po is a formidable general who once went head-to-head with Lord Wu’an. With him defending the Zhao border, it will indeed be difficult," Yang Duanhe nodded in agreent.
In the world today, if there were a ranking of generals based on prestige, the late Lord Wu’an Bai Qi would sit at the top. But if the ranking was limited to living generals, Lian Po would be in first place. This was because he had faced Bai Qi at Changping without being defeated. Had Lian Po not been replaced at Changping, the great defeat of Zhao might never have happened. This alone was a testant to Lian Po’s capability.
Wang Jian slowly stood up, walked over to the map inside the tent, and surveyed it. All the cities and fortresses of the Zhao state were accurately marked.
"Quyang City," Wang Jian said solemnly. "It is the most formidable fortress on the Zhao border. The ease with which our army has taken these few border cities is because Lian Po intentionally abandoned them. He is concentrating his defense on Quyang. As long as Quyang holds, the entire Zhao defensive line will remain unbroken."
"Quyang is only fifty li from this city. If our army marches at full speed, we can arrive in a day. The day after tomorrow, our troops can be at the foot of Quyang City’s walls," Yang Duanhe said respectfully.
Wang Jian studied the map for a mont, then ordered, "Issue my command. Instruct Wang Ben to lead his troops to Lower Quyang."
"Senior General, are you planning to break Lower Quyang and cut off Lian Po’s supply lines and reinforcents?" Yang Duanhe imdiately understood.
"According to our intelligence, Lian Po has only one hundred thousand troops. Our army holds an absolute advantage in numbers. If the Zhao state wants to reinforce Lian Po, their only options are the two hundred thousand soldiers of the Zhao Border Army in Dai Territory or the three hundred thousand Zhao troops on campaign against Yan," Wang Jian explained. "The Zhao Border Army in Dai Territory has already been tied down by ng Wu; they cannot possibly move south in the short term. As for the three hundred thousand troops sent to Yan, that depends on the King of Zhao. But even if he wants to withdraw his forces, Yan won’t let them retreat so easily."
"A head-on clash with Lian Po is out of the question. We must rely on our army’s strengths," Wang Jian stated gravely.
"Senior General, you are wise," Yang Duanhe imdiately agreed.
"There’s more."
"When you send the orders to Wang Ben, instruct him to march with extre caution. Lian Po is an exceptionally prudent man. If I can think of splitting our forces to attack Lower Quyang, he can certainly think of it as well."
"Defeating Lian Po will be a truly difficult battle," Wang Jian said earnestly.
"I understand," Yang Duanhe nodded imdiately, then dispatched a trusted aide to deliver the orders.
Lian Po. Back then, Lord Wu’an did not defeat you directly. Instead, he used cunning strategies to create a rift between you and the King of Zhao, which led to your withdrawal and thus our victory at Changping. But this ti, I will truly defeat you.
Once I succeed, I will prove to the world that Qin still has generals on par with Lord Wu’an.
Looking at the map before him, Wang Jian felt a surge of ambition. He had once received guidance in the art of command from Bai Qi himself and held a deep respect for the man in his heart. He also knew of Bai Qi’s greatest regret: never having defeated Lian Po in a direct confrontation.
But now, he had the chance to do it.
Defeating Lian Po head-on would not only fulfill Bai Qi’s final wish, but it would also allow Wang Jian to make a na for himself throughout the world. Naturally, he yearned for this opportunity.
"Report!"
"Urgent news from Yingchuan County! Lord Xinling of Wei, Wei Wuji, is personally commanding a large army heading south to attack our Qin’s Wei City in Yingchuan!" a ssenger proclaid loudly as he burst into the tent, holding up a military report.
Wang Jian snapped back to reality and turned his gaze to the ssenger.
With a wave of his hand, Yang Duanhe imdiately stepped forward and took the military report.
"Read it," Wang Jian commanded.
"Senior General," Yang Duanhe began, "this is an urgent report from General Li Teng. Wei Wuji has raised an army of no fewer than two hundred thousand to invade our territory. They have already reached the outskirts of Wei City."
"Furthermore, within Yingchuan County, many forr mbers of the Han nobility have gathered n and started riots in various locations. The entire county is now in a state of great turmoil," Yang Duanhe reported, his expression grim.
Wang Jian showed no surprise. "Just as I expected. Wei Wuji has made his move."
"But, Senior General," Yang Duanhe said angrily, "how dare Wei Wuji raise troops to invade our Qin? Is he not afraid that Qin will retaliate later?"
Wang Jian gazed at the map, a faint smile on his face. "And why would he not be afraid of our Qin?"
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