"To deal with the tiger, to beg for its skin, is to court one's own destruction. To become an enemy of the Tianri tribe is dangerous, but to become their ally and vassal is even more so," the generals lamented.
"Notify all camps to be wary of the enemy launching a night attack on the north and south camps! Within this month, we must not allow the enemy to ascertain our logistical intelligence!"
After Liang Xiao's mobilization, he kept Qin Feng, Nan Jiyun, Yue Yun, and Yue Qingtian behind.
"The enemy cannot break through the western frontier in haste. By common sense, we should wait for them to exhaust themselves, but times are different now. The enemy's ability to mobilize such a massive amount of manpower and resources indicates their national strength is beyond imagination. Even if they only collect materials to constantly produce trebuchets, it will cause great casualties to our army."
"Therefore, we must use a strategy of going with the flow to swiftly annihilate the enemy, to prevent further complications. If we cannot achieve a great victory, we would rather defend resolutely and await more firearms and cannons from the rear."
The generals seemed to grasp something: "First, engage in repeated tug-of-war with the enemy to wear down their patience, then lure them out and decide the outcome in one decisive battle!"
Liang Xiao nodded, "Exactly! But I cannot delay here for too long. I must return to the capital within a year. Because the stability of the domestic situation is even more crucial. The nation's productivity is no longer what it was, but the hidden dangers that come with it must also be guarded against."
Nan Jiyun and the other two looked bewildered.
Qin Feng pondered for a moment and could not help but sigh.
"Within the foreseeable decades, our nation's productivity will likely multiply several times compared to the era of Emperor Wen. The explosive growth in productivity, while making the national strength flourish, also very likely creates unprecedented contradictions. Forgive my impertinence, but since ancient times, ruling a nation has not deviated from six methods: weakening the people, fooling the people, tiring the people, humiliating the people, impoverishing the people, and oppressing the people. The emperor wishes for Daqian to forge a different path, and although Your Majesty is wise and mighty, you are too kind..."
Liang Xiao nodded slightly.
To counter the threat of foreign races and unify the country, he had initiated an Industrial Revolution in Daqian. This was an unexpected occurrence born of necessity, a leap forward for this era.
Looking back at history, he could not find any situation similar to Daqian's, nor could he predict whether the increase in national productivity would lead to unprecedented oppression, resulting in clashes of thought and interest, and ultimately, collapse.
In any era, the populace is largely ignorant, and once people enter a group, they tend to become blind.
But he did not wish for the development of the Qian people to be hindered. Any slight misstep could lead to eternal damnation, and all their efforts would be in vain. The efforts of Zhuo Zifang, Mu Cheng, and countless others who contributed to the future of this land would be wasted.
He only hoped that the Qian people could safely navigate every historical stage, that the people would not live in constant fear, that everyone would have enough to eat, be educated, be cared for in their old age, and receive medical treatment.
Water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it – an eternal truth.
The court was already trying to improve the lives of the people, but among the thousands upon thousands of officials, not every one could be incorruptible.
The civil and military officials of the capital's current generation still trusted him, but what about the next generation?
Would the army, for various reasons, change its original intentions, or even rebel?
Would powerful local factions still become uncontrollable?
Although the future emperors of Daqian would bear the surname Xiao, they were his descendants. Could they consistently implement the policies he left behind?
Because Daqian's current situation was unprecedented, he could not guarantee any of this. But he knew that if he did not handle it well, the future Daqian might repeat past mistakes, and all efforts would be in vain. Until he could confirm that Xiao Xun would cherish the people as much as Xiao Qing did, he and his wife dared not be careless.
Xiao Qing was still too kind and had never truly experienced his homeland. Facing those "hidden dangers," she might be too lenient.
He had to stay by his Shuang'er's side at all times.
But the Tianri tribe was the enemy that had to be defeated now. He needed to ensure the best possible outcome, guide the use and coordination of firearms, and minimize casualties among the soldiers.
Because the soldiers of Daqian in this generation were also his most unwavering supporters, they could deter the rampant power of corrupt capital and officials. The Qian people still needed them to carry forward the Daqian military spirit and ensure unity between the army and the people.
Besides his wives, only Qin Feng, Zhang Yang, and Hong Jie could truly understand his concerns.
Liang Xiao also sighed, looking at everyone, and said sternly, "The enemy has learned from their mistakes, and it will not be easy to annihilate them. If we cannot conquer the Guishuang Dynasty within a year, I will return to the capital, and the western campaign will be entrusted to you all."
"Your subjects will certainly crush the Tianri cavalry and conquer the Guishuang Dynasty!" Nan Jiyun and the others vowed.
As warriors, they did not understand politics well, but they could feel the helplessness in Liang Xiao's words.
Liang Xiao and the assembled officers discussed through the night and decided to focus their defense on the north.
According to Qin Feng's analysis, if the enemy were to launch a surprise attack from the south of Yumenguan, they would find themselves in a precarious position, attacked from both front and back. Therefore, the enemy's main objective would certainly be north of Yumenguan, bypassing it to launch a surprise attack on the areas north of the western frontier and west of the northern frontier.
Even if the assessment at Yumenguan was mistaken, with the support of the rear troops, they would be fully capable of resisting the enemy's southern surprise attack.
After all, further south were mountains and rivers, as well as the east-west spanning Tianjiang River. The enemy did not have the capability to cross the river and could only explore along the northern bank of the Tianjiang River.
The western district of Yumenguan would continue to be held resolutely, but the northern district had opened its gates. The southern cavalry had also returned to the pass in large numbers and was redeployed to the north by Liang Xiao. The remaining southern forces were led by Yue Yun to guard against enemy surprise attacks.
Due to the overwhelming number of enemy cavalry, Daqian scouts could only patrol a range of fifty li west of Yumenguan. The remaining fifty li of visibility was still controlled by the enemy.
Fifty li was enough for cavalry to launch a surprise attack at night.
To block the enemy's reconnaissance of the rear supply lines, the two army camps at Yumenguan no longer intended to withdraw their positions.
"All officers and soldiers must not lower their guard. The enemy is an unprecedented formidable cavalry force, with the Xiongnu iron cavalry and the Tianri elite cavalry. Their military equipment has undergone at least two rounds of reform, and they even possess formidable weapons like the仿制回回炮 (imitation trebuchets)!"
Nan Jiyun and Yue Yun separately informed the entire army, and everyone stood ready to face the enemy.
At night, Daqian scouts from the west urgently returned to report.
"The enemy has divided into two routes, directly targeting our two army camps. The enemy's main force cannot be determined at night!"
The generals of the two army camps roused themselves and stood ready.
Thirty li west of Yumenguan, Caesar, one of the marshals of the Tianri tribe, led a contingent of cavalry towards the southern camp of Yumenguan.
Attila and Mars led the Xiongnu cavalry and Tianri cavalry respectively, heading straight for the northern camp of Yumenguan.
Dozens of li behind them, infantry were advancing towards Yumenguan as a diversion.
"Even if we cannot break through Yumenguan, we must inflict casualties on the enemy cavalry and liberate our own cavalry!"
Attila gave a speech before the formation and then whipped his horse eastward.
"Why have the scout cavalry, riding the finest steeds, not returned yet!"
Ten li to the east, Nan Jiyun personally led a squad of white-robed soldiers and successfully ambushed the scouts of the Western Alliance.