Chapter 863: Chapter 516: Annihilation of the Clan!
Commander Zhao Douan never anticipated that he would encounter a battle as soon as he arrived at the Western Front Battle Zone.
The Yunfu Rebel Army was attacking the city head-on, with the citizens inside the Prefecture holding the court’s leading general, Xue Shence, in check, while the enemy’s light cavalry quietly slipped through the defensive line, heading towards the Taicang Silver Mine.
Being newly appointed with enthusiasm, Great Governor Zhao immediately led the Divine Mechanism Camp’s Firearms Cavalry, following the map in his mind, using the shortest path to rush to the destination.
Outside the Taicang Prefecture, a fierce battle was unfolding.
The city gates were tightly shut, and the atmosphere was heavy; the loud and chaotic sounds of killing could be heard clearly even through the thick city walls.
At the top of the high city walls, Xue Shence stood at the most prominent position watching the battle, donned in chain armor with a crimson cape billowing behind him, a Fangtian Halberd standing by his side.
Standing there, he looked like a stabilizing force.
Below, the military formation roared with the sound of killing, and the drums resounded like thunder as the rebels, like ants, braved the rain of arrows, setting up ladders, attempting to climb to the top of the city.
The defending army on the walls tried their utmost to block them with logs and falling stones, nearly having their defenses torn apart several times.
The disparity in troop numbers was too great.
Yet, whenever the soldiers of the court’s side turned their heads to look back at the high city wall, and glimpsed the figure surrounded by banners, they would feel deep confidence and spirited fighting intent.
The name of the Yu Country’s "Military God" was displayed vividly at this moment.
"Minister Xue, how is the battle?" A breathless Governor Sun Xiaozhun ran up to the female wall.
In just a year, he had become leaner, gray strands of hair protruding from under the brim of his official hat.
Xue Shence turned his head back, his gaze calm:
"The magistrate needs only to comfort the city’s residents; as long as I’m here, Taicang City is as solid as gold."
His usual tone spread a reassuring strength in everyone’s ears.
Sun Xiaozhun nodded, his eyes full of gratitude. As the Taicang Governor, when faced with the ferocity of the rebel army, Sun Xiaozhun had already prepared for a scorched earth strategy, determined to defend the Prefecture at all costs.
Fortunately, Xue Shence arrived with his troops, and during this period, Xue Shence integrated local forces, repeatedly taking action, successfully curbing Yunfu Army’s offensive.
If not for the fact that his forces were stretched thin with many troops left on the Eastern Front defending against Prince Jing, he might have launched a counterattack and recovered lost territory, given his military command skills.
However, it seemed the enemy sensed the urgency and suddenly launched an attack on Taicang today.
This assault on the city is already the third round.
Seeing that no rebel soldiers had temporarily climbed the city wall, Sun Xiaozhun felt slightly relieved and said bitterly:
"Secretariat Envoy, the enemy was already pretending to retreat these few days, why such a fierce attack today?"
Xue Shence’s gaze swept down to the city, speaking solemnly:
"That Su Dan is more insane than I imagined. The information about Commander Zhao dispatching reinforcements to the Western Front must have been leaked. These traitors understand that I am currently on the defensive only due to a lack of troops. Once reinforcements arrive, the tide of battle will turn."
Hence, they want to seize more before Zhao Douan arrives. Governor Sun, do not be worried. Though the number of rebels below is large, from my observation, they haven’t exerted their full strength; their target is unlikely to be capturing the Prefecture but rather causing sabotage."
On the table behind him, moved to the city wall, lay the map of Taicang Prefecture.
Various areas on it were marked.
Xue Shence had not intercepted further intelligence and made judgments based solely on experience.
Therefore, when the enemy approached the Prefecture, he immediately ordered capable subordinates to lead cavalry from the East and West gates out of the city, rushing to several granaries for support.
With the intention to prevent the disruption of military supplies, it also led to a shortage of troops within the city, forcing him to personally oversee the defense on the wall, relying on the fortifications for resistance.
"Unfortunately, the number of troops I can deploy is too few; I must leave enough men to guard the city to avoid a breach, and there are still key points where troops cannot be dispatched for defense!"
Xue Shence’s fists clenched with a cracking sound, his lips pressed tightly together.
Sun Xiaozhun consoled:
"Even if you command troops like a deity, how can you contend with being outnumbered?
Not only did Mu Prince incite the Southwest Border Army, but he also has Zhao Shixiong as his vanguard, aggressively recruiting civilians into soldiers. It is said that in Yunfu, each household provides one soldier, and Mu Prince hides in the Huai River, receiving substantial support from the scholarly families..."
"Report—"
Suddenly, a messenger soldier with a red flag on his neck almost exhausted, rolled and crawled up the city wall:
"General, the scout from the west side has reported back, a large group of rebel light cavalry has torn through the defensive line, seemingly heading towards... the Taicang Silver Mine!"
Silver mine!
Was Su Dan’s target not the granary, but the silver mine? Could it be...?
Sun Xiaozhun’s face changed drastically. While silver mines were not as urgently critical as military supplies, in the long run, war is fought with money and grain, and if the silver mine has issues, the court’s national treasury, temporarily sustained by the New Policy, would again fall into distress.
"No wonder the news of His Majesty’s return to the palace has spread, yet the Yunfu Rebel Army remains aggressive, aiming to seize the silver mine! Now seeing they cannot seize it, they intend to destroy it!"
Sun Xiaozhun was greatly distressed, turning his gaze to Xue Shence.
The latter’s face was as somber as water, but he showed no panic, only saying indifferently, "I see."
Only..."I see?"
The messenger soldier and Governor Sun both stood frozen.
Xue Shence closed his eyes slightly, silent.
A general must avoid indecision and indecisiveness. Even if he immediately ordered the troops guarding the granary to rush to Taicang, it would be too late.
Not to mention, who could confirm this is not a "luring the tiger away from the mountain" tactic?
Sun Xiaozhun understood his meaning, his knees nearly giving way, hastily supporting himself on the parapet, he shook his head bitterly, removing his official hat, revealing that within a mere month, half of his hair had turned white.