Chapter 654 - Chapter 654: Chapter 297: Troops Head to Xichuan_3

Chapter 654: Chapter 297: Troops Head to Xichuan_3

Meanwhile, the other side’s attempt to recover their vitality would also face harassment from Chilih Country and Kunhai Country.

Lu Yuan’s acceptance of the two dogs was not merely for show.

At critical moments, they could also serve as ferocious dogs released from their cage to attack the enemy.

The current blow to Nanzhao Country did not mean that the war between Chu State and them would be over.

After recapturing Xichuan, the Chu army, which would enter a recuperation period, might not take the initiative to attack Nanzhao Country again.

However, the starving Kunhai and Chilih countries, both exhausted within, desperately needed a large amount of money, food, and people. They required massive food to fill their stomachs.

So where would this food come from?

Chu State could not provide it, and even had to collect tribute from the hands of these two dogs.

Finally, only the neighboring states of Dali and Nanzhao could provide it.

With just a little guidance from Lu Yuan, he could make these two vassal states target Nanzhao and hinder their recovery.

As for Dali Country, Su Country and Song Country would be responsible for dealing with them, so there was no need for Lu Yuan to worry.

After conquering Da Changhe Country, Lu Yuan had already arranged everything properly for the remaining two Great Barbarian States.

…

Shenwu’s 6th year, June 8th. After resting for five days in Yuzhong Prefecture and inspecting Xichuan’s internal affairs, Lu Yuan finally began to mobilize troops and dispatch generals to strategize against the Nanzhao Army.

Outside Yuzhong Prefecture City, the Central Army camped.

“Chu Wei, in this battle, you will lead the navy to transport the army to the rear of Xichuan’s army. After they land, you will take your 20,000 navy soldiers and block the Yangtze River for me. You must not let any barbarian soldiers cross the river.”

Lu Yuan looked at the many generals gathered in two rows below and spoke to his disciple Chu Wei, the naval commander in the front left.

“I obey my orders.”

Chu Wei heard the command, immediately stepped forward, and took the command arrow.

In the battle of Xichuan against the barbarians, the two previously deployed naval forces would also participate.

Combined with these 20,000 naval soldiers and the 180,000 land soldiers gathered in Yuzhong Prefecture City, a total of 200,000 soldiers would participate in this battle.

With this naval force intercepting the Yangtze River, a strong defensive line could be formed.

Just like how the Zhou people’s 300,000 strong army had been blocked by the Yue Country’s navy at Dongting River, today the Nanzhao army without a navy would be blocked in the north of Xichuan. All they could do was look across the Yangtze River and sigh.

Even if a small portion of the Nanzhao army had good luck and managed to cross the Yangtze River and escape back to Jiangnan, there would still be 60,000 soldiers led by Huang Xuan in Jianchuan, forming a second defensive line to further block the Nanzhao deserters in the north of the river.

With such multiple layers of defense, it would be nearly impossible for the Nanzhao forces in Xichuan to escape back unless they risked severe shortages of supplies and heavy casualties by traversing thousands of miles of unpopulated mountains again as before.

Two defensive lines, the Yangtze River, and Jianchuan will cause any Nanzhao army attempting to flee south to fall along the way.

“Han Shun.”

After arranging the naval mission, Lu Yuan looked at another of his disciples, West Chuan Duwei, and Left General Han Shun, and ordered, “You will lead 10,000 county soldiers from your original division, 10,000 prefecture and county soldiers, and I will give you an additional 20,000 forbidden troops. You will lead these 40,000 soldiers to board the ship with Chu Wei.

After arriving at the rear of Anyue and Panshi Prefectures in Xichuan via the water route, you will immediately lead the troops to attack and occupy the local area.

At this time, the main Nanzhao army is in the front line of Nanchong and Panshi Prefectures, with no major army in the rear.

After occupying these two places, you will immediately build an interception defense line to block the way for the Nanzhao army to escape to the west.”

When the Nanzhao army first emerged from the mountains, the initial location they appeared was in Anyue Prefecture.

Lu Yuan assigned Han Shun to block this area and further cut off the enemy’s escape route to the south.

“I obey my orders.”

Han Shun stepped forward in response, taking the arrow and accepting the command.

“Li Liang.”

Lu Yuan looked at another disciple, Rear General Li Liang, and continued to give orders, “I will give you a forbidden army, the remaining 10,000 prefecture soldiers from the Xichuan army, and another 50,000 militiamen, totaling 80,000 soldiers.

I want you to lead this army to defeat the enemy in front of Yuzhong Prefecture, eliminate all 30,000 Nanzhao soldiers stationed in front of Panshi Prefecture, and leave no one behind.

Is it possible for you?”

In the junction of Yuzhong and Panshi Prefectures, there were 30,000 Nanzhao soldiers stationed, responsible for monitoring the Chu army in Yuzhong Prefecture.

It was precisely this group of soldiers who had been intercepting the refugees escaping into the territory of Xichuan State earlier.

They had also killed refugees in the past as a provocation against the Chu army in the Yuzhong Prefecture.

Lu Yuan was extremely resentful toward these soldiers.

Now he issued an order to have them exterminated without leaving a single one alive.

Facing these murderous words, Li Liang solemnly said, “I obey my orders.”

“Hmm.”

Looking at this disciple, Lu Yuan nodded slightly, not doubting his ability to complete the mission.

Among many disciples, except for Zhou Qing, Li Liang’s ability was second only to Chu Wei, and he had always been entrusted with important duties.

Previously, when attacking Da Changhe Country, he had led one wing of the army, successfully completed the task of capturing Nongdong Kingdom. Later, he also cooperated with Li Xiong to capture the southern part of Kunhai Country.

His military merits were ranked first among all generals.

In this battle, Li Liang was given 80,000 troops to deal with only 30,000 Nanzhao soldiers; it would be an easy and straightforward task without any surprises.

“Lan Zhaoyun.”

Lu Yuan looked at his father-in-law and gave the same command, “I will also give you a forbidden army; you will lead them to attack Chengdu Prefecture and capture the capital of Xichuan State, Jinguan City.

This place is where the Nanzhao army’s supplies are stored.

Capture this city, and you will starve the Nanzhao army of 100,000 soldiers. There are only 3,000 guards in Jinguan City at the moment. Can you capture it?”

As a master of an ancient teaching, Lan Zhaoyun was no stranger to various means and capabilities. He had previously launched a rebellion and become a general in Chu Country in the course of capturing Huichuan Country.

Upon hearing the order, Lan Zhaoyun stepped forward and said, “I will definitely take the city.”

After making arrangements for these four routes, Lu Yuan stood up and looked at the remaining generals around him, saying sternly, “The remaining soldiers will be personally commanded by me, leading two forbidden armies, totaling 40,000 soldiers, to attack Nanchong Prefecture from the south.

Over there, the lord of Xichuan State and a forbidden army are defending Nanchong Prefecture City, attracting 70,000 of the Nanzhao army and the Nanzhao Big Emperor Son themselves.

All generals shall follow me directly to Nanchong and cut off the rear of the Nanzhao army’s main force.

In this battle, I want to meet the Nanzhao Big Emperor Son and see if he is more powerful than the great witch ceremony of the Chilih tribe!”

Influenced by the bloodthirsty and confident words, the many generals present could not help but shout together, “Yes, we are willing to follow the king to kill the enemy!”

On the 8th of June in the 6th year of Shenwu, 180,000 Chu soldiers from Yuzhong Prefecture split into five routes, advancing by land and water, launching a full-scale attack against the Nanzhao Army.