CHAPTER 1450: CHAPTER 1398: WHEN THE WINDS RISE

As for whether to perform exceptionally and take Chenliu directly, or to perform normally and consume more than half of Chenliu’s troops, both are extremely favorable.

The first option needs no explanation. If the battle ends directly, the strategic objective will be achieved immediately. However, in Liu Ye’s view, this possibility is extremely slim. After all, anyone that Cao Cao values to guard Chenliu cannot be an ordinary general.

The second option is most likely. Consuming half of the troops is also a massive blow to Chenliu. Even if the remaining forces retreat to Chenliu, they will be overwhelmed remnants, which is a major setback for Chenliu’s situation.

By then, whether it’s morale decline or a lack of troops, after a few days of besiegement and strong attack by Liu Ye’s forces, internal turmoil will erupt in the city. At that moment, capturing Chenliu City for Liu Ye will be just a matter of a flip of the hand.

When Cai Yang retreated to Chenliu, seeing the mere forty or so trusted aides remaining, his eyes reddened, almost shedding old tears. He never imagined losing so tragically, unable to retreat properly, and in such a short time, only so few could escape.

Of course, Cai Yang didn’t know that apart from these people, the others were killed by Chen Dao’s trusted aides. Otherwise, he would have felt even more heartbroken.

"Open the gate!" Cai Yang shouted desolately from atop his horse.

"It’s General Cai." The City Gate Commander was greatly shocked, hastily lowering the drawbridge and opening the gate to let Cai Yang in. Of course, witnessing only forty-plus troops return out of a deployment of a thousand etched a shadow in the City Gate Commander’s heart.

Upon entering the city, Cai Yang headed straight for the Chenliu Commandery Office, where Li Dian and Le Jin awaited his return.

Seeing Cai Yang enter, removing his helmet and casting it on the desk with a dejected expression, they knew things were not well and immediately inquired.

Cai Yang remained silent for a long time, sighed bitterly, and recounted the entire situation as it had occurred. Both Li Dian and Le Jin were greatly startled. However, Le Jin, being more experienced in the military than Li Dian, was especially alarmed upon hearing Cai Yang’s report.

"This is bad, quickly seal off the news." Le Jin immediately rose and ordered his trusted aides.

Li Dian only then realized what was happening upon hearing this. After Le Jin’s instructions, his aides had rushed out. However, the distance from the city gate to the city center was enough for many to learn of the event. Even after the news lockdown, numerous rumors still spread.

Two or three days later, a slew of rumors were already circulating in Chenliu City. Even by then, despite Le Jin’s efforts to clamp down further, the credibility of these rumors had only increased due to the initial suppression, causing unrest within the city troops.

Fortunately, Le Jin lived up to the name of a renowned general. By being generous with rewards, he managed to stabilize the army’s morale, although it was noticeably low.

"How is the morale of the soldiers in the city?" Le Jin asked upon seeing Li Dian return after patrolling. These past two days, Le Jin hadn’t dared to let Cai Yang continue patrolling, having him conduct drills in the military camp instead.

"Not good. Morale is still somewhat low. The morale boost from rewards a few days ago has begun to decline again due to the opponent’s continued absence. We dealt with a few deserters, but the situation is still not great." Li Dian shook his head in response.

The defeat of a thousand-man army isn’t frightening. What’s frightening is that aside from the initial forty-plus who returned, not a single one has come back since. More importantly, many soldiers saw this scene, greatly affecting morale.

"Liu Bei’s Army’s continuous victories indeed affect morale, and this situation is indeed absurd, with not a single person escaping back." Le Jin sighed, "Mano Cheng, do you have any thoughts?"

"When Liu Bei’s Army is about to arrive, generously reward the troops and then engage in a field battle. General Cai has already said he can hold off Chen Dao on the other side, and the opposing commander, Yu Jin, is more defensive than offensive." Li Dian thought for a moment and replied.

"That aligns with my thoughts. Engage them in a battle. As long as they don’t have a top commander with Legion Talent, we won’t lose." Le Jin said solemnly. However, mentioning Legion Talent caused a pang in his heart.

Le Jin always believed he was not inferior to anyone. Yet now, with his strength not achieving Inner Qi Manifestation, and his command unable to gain Legion Talent, what could be said of not being inferior?

"How about letting me do it?" Li Dian spoke after a period of silence, having worked so hard to avenge Zhao Yun. Although he hadn’t encountered Zhao Yun, trying his skills against others would at least give him a measure of his strength.

"Alright, I’ll be on the ramparts then." Le Jin pondered and replied. Li Dian, though young, had demonstrated a formidable and fluid military formation during drills, clearly putting in substantial effort.

"Even a minor victory or a draw will significantly boost our morale." Li Dian stated calmly, remembering the deaths of his father and brother, completely overlooking another crucial figure within the city.

"In fact, as long as it’s not a major defeat, it will be beneficial for our morale." Le Jin nodded, "However, in any case, a major defeat is out of the question."

Li Dian self-confidently nodded as well, holding the same view.

In a small courtyard within the city, a young man lay on a rocking chair, flipping through the paper classics in his hand, softly muttering, "On open ground, do not stop. At crossroads, gather allies. In isolated territory, do not linger. In besieged territory, strategize. In fatal ground, fight for life. There are roads one should not follow, armies one should not attack, cities one should not seize, lands one should not contest, and commands of the superior one should not obey."

After reading, the young man leaned back in the rocking chair, placing the invaluable scroll on the stone table beside him, a slight smile appearing on his face, "To win through surprise? Doing the opposite is indeed effective. With just this one move, though I don’t know what you’re up to, Mano Cheng and Wen Qian have already lost."

"However, this stratagem means you cannot capture Chenliu in a single stroke. Though you seem to play like a chess game, guiding your opponent along your thinking—the opponent will change midway." The seemingly youthful and refined man raised his hand to look through the gaps in his fingers at the azure vault.

[Liu Ziyang, if there is a chance, I truly wish to engage in a fair contest with a brilliant strategist like you. Sadly, this is impossible for both of us. If we don’t utilize everything external, we don’t deserve to be called strategists.] The refined man thought with a gentle chuckle.

At that moment, a gust of wind swept through, flipping a page of the paper book on the stone table, which read, "The time is when the heavens are dry. The day is when the moon is in the lunar eclipses of Ji, Bi, Yi, and Chen; these four asterisms indicate the days when the wind rises."

At this time, within Chenliu, preparations for the upcoming battle were underway. Many buildings were being demolished for obstructing troop maneuvers.