nycdaug Chapter 150 Warships
Chapter 150 Warships
This was like two nails driven into Yuan Shu's heart. Using this as a base, the autonomous region's army could accumulate strength and, as long as the time was right, could march south and strike directly at Shouchun!
"General, I believe that our army can now completely surround and not attack. As long as we control the Sishui River, the enemy will have no way to cross the river. According to the reports from the front-line scouts, the enemy camp does not have much food and supplies, while our army has huge reserves of food and military equipment. It is not a problem to wear down the enemy."
Xiahou Dun returned to the city, found Gao Shun, and shared his thoughts. Although he had been authorized to take full command, this plan could potentially alter the overall strategy, so Xiahou Dun still needed to discuss it with Gao Shun, since he was not yet the true commander.
Upon hearing Xiahou Dun's plan, Gao Shun agreed without hesitation, telling him, "As long as it doesn't violate the most basic principles, you can use any tactics you like for the next period of time."
"The only place where our army might still have a battle is Pei County, and the most important objective of this battle has been achieved. What we need to do next is to capture as many enemy soldiers as possible. These are the future able-bodied men of our autonomous region."
"I understand." Hearing Gao Shun's words, Xiahou Dun immediately felt relieved. As long as Gao Shun agreed, everything else would be easier to discuss.
Ji Ling's real hardships were just beginning. With no way out and no reinforcements, his food reserves were only enough for the army to eat for five days. This was considered economical. If he still couldn't find a solution, Ji Ling would have no choice but to order all soldiers, including lower-ranking officers, to eat only one meal a day.
"Sir, what should we do now?"
Ji Ling asked Yang Hong, who was completely at a loss for what to do. However, he also knew the urgency of the situation, as he had been holding the beauty in his arms every day since arriving in Xiapi.
Today, he was no longer seen holding her in his arms. Instead, he hurriedly found Yang Hong. Their escape route was cut off, and they could not contact Shouchun in the rear.
Yang Hong was at a loss for what to do. He said, "According to that captain of the supply battalion, the autonomous region's navy has at least a hundred warships, while our army has no warships in Sishui."
"If we want to cross the south bank, we need warships to provide cover, otherwise our men on the river will be sitting ducks for the autonomous region's navy."
"Then, sir, do you have any way to avoid that damned enemy navy?" Ji Ling asked.
Most people in this era were unable to see the power of the navy, resulting in a very unclear understanding of naval power. Unlike the autonomous region, they did not have a person like Chen Er who transcended the times.
The autonomous region not only developed a navy, but also gradually built a naval fleet with strong combat capabilities, even on this eastern sea.
This naval fleet had no enemies. According to Andrei and others, the Western ships already possessed strong steam power and combat capabilities.
Although it's unclear why they didn't develop artillery, those were still genuine steam-powered ironclad warships, and even if they were to ram, few ships could withstand their impact.
"I haven't thought of that yet." Yang Hong shook his head in disappointment. He only had a superficial understanding of the navy. Yangzhou had naval warships, but Yang Hong had always thought that the navy was just an auxiliary force, only good for protecting infantrymen crossing the river. As for fighting for control, Yang Hong had never considered such things before.
"I used to underestimate the role of the navy. Now it seems that in places with rivers, it is difficult to control the entire battle without a powerful navy," Yang Hong said with a hint of melancholy.
"General Ji, I suggest that our army first search and consolidate its defenses, and hoard the main force in one place, far away from the enemy in Xiapi, preferably close to the riverbank, so that our army can find an opportunity to quickly cross the water and retreat. This northern expedition to Xuzhou has certainly failed, but Yuan Gong's more than 100,000 troops cannot be completely lost here," Yang Hong said.
"Sir, I understand."
Ji Ling replied that he could now rely on Yang Hong's wisdom. Yang Hong was right; with the fall of Pengcheng, the plan to launch the Northern Expedition against Xuzhou had fallen through. Now, Ji Ling's task was to protect the hundreds of thousands of troops.
We must at least protect the most elite 70,000 to 80,000 men. Otherwise, even if Ji Ling is favored by Yuan Shu, she won't be able to withstand attacks from others after we return. Everyone is jealous of Ji Ling and wants to replace her in Yuan Shu's eyes.
"Hurry up and send the order for the army to prepare to set off, with the destination being the ferry crossing!" Ji Ling kicked the guard next to him, urging him to hurry up and deliver the order.
The army must immediately set off and retreat! Preserve our manpower.
Will Xiahou Dun let Ji Ling have his way? Obviously not. The First Army's only cavalry regiment has been dispatched. Their goal is to use their mobility and the superior range of their rifles to harass the retreating Yuan army.
"My goal is simple: to prevent Ji Ling from withdrawing peacefully. If you can destroy the enemy's supplies and provisions, that would be even better."
This was Xiahou Dun's order to the cavalry regiment, but he added, "However, everything must be done with your own safety as the priority. You cannot act recklessly! You have the advantage of mobility and range, so you absolutely cannot suffer any losses! Understand?"
"Yes, General, we understand."
The cavalry regimental commander and the three battalion commanders answered Xiahou Dun's question. They understood their mission and the tasks they were responsible for. Of course, they also felt that their lives were much more valuable than those cheap infantrymen of Yuan Shu's army.
"Let's go!" Xiahou Dun ordered.
At the end of March 2190, Yuan Shu's army, which was heading north, suffered a major defeat. Although the First Army Corps of the Autonomous Region did not completely surround Ji Ling's army, the main force of Yuan's army, which could not cross the Si River, could not get any supplies from the rear, nor did it receive any reinforcements.
Faced with dire straits, Yuan Shu's main force only lasted seven days before signs of mutiny began to emerge. In the end, Ji Ling chose to lead a group of trusted confidants and key generals to protect Yang Hong and cross the Sishui River under the cover of night.
Since they numbered only one or two hundred, they were not discovered by the cavalry patrolling the riverbanks or the naval patrol boats sailing on the river. Xiahou Dun only learned of Ji Ling's escape the following day.
Because the commander-in-chief was gone overnight, the entire Yuan Shu army was thrown into chaos. Countless soldiers and junior officers marched in droves toward the First Army's position and surrendered to the First Army.