Transmigration begins with archery training

General Chen's arrangement—is it perhaps an attempt to persuade the garrison in Zhaotong Prefecture to surrender?

"Exactly."

Chen Sanshi did not deny it: "The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans, the next best is to disrupt their alliances, the next best is to attack their army, and the worst is to besiege their cities. If we can persuade the garrison inside the city to surrender, we can not only reduce the losses of Dasheng, but also save time and gain a valuable opportunity for battle."

"Lord Chen, do you think we haven't tried?"

The Tiger Warriors Commander, Martial Saint Fan Tianfa, said: "Even before the war began, we repeatedly tried to persuade him to surrender, and even offered him the conditions of a count. But he was stubborn and inflexible. After the Qing Kingdom was defeated in the Battle of Wutian Mountain, he fought with 30,000 men down to just over 1,000. In the end, he managed to break through the encirclement and entered Zhaotong Prefecture City, where he has held out ever since."

"It can be said that Deng Feng is extremely loyal to the Qing Kingdom. Even if he were to die on the city wall, he would never surrender. Otherwise, he would not have been able to hold out until now."

"General Fan, you are mistaken. Sometimes, whether a city surrenders or not is not up to the commander alone."

Chen Sanshi remained calm and composed, revealing his thoughts: "Once the people in the city lose their will to resist, it will be difficult for the eight thousand garrison troops to maintain their resolve to hold out any longer."

Among the civilians were the families of the local garrison.

Just like back in Poyang.

The brothers risked their lives to help him escort the people across the river, not because they were selfless, but because their own families were ahead of them.

Conversely, if one can ensure the safety of family members, the will to resist will be greatly weakened.

Especially now that the enemy is at the gates and there is no hope in sight.

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

Vice-General Zhan Taiming objected: "Can you really convince them to open the gates and surrender just by talking?"

"Of course not, so we have to show them."

Chen Sanshi said, "For example, releasing surrendered soldiers."

"Release the surrendered soldiers? That's probably not a good idea."

Fan Tianfa frowned: "The people of Qing Kingdom can be spared the death penalty, but if we release the prisoners, wouldn't that be like letting a tiger return to the mountains?"

Meng Quji raised his hand to signal him to stop, and instead of arguing, he patiently asked, "How much do you want to put in?"

Chen Sanshi uttered two words: "Release everything."

"That's a bit absurd."

Meng Quji calmly refused, saying, "These 20,000 surrendered soldiers can be assimilated into the Great Sheng's own people in the future. We obtained them at a considerable cost. If we let them go so easily, wouldn't all the battles we fought before be for nothing?"

"Yes."

Fan Tianfa was somewhat disappointed. He said, "General Chen, your four crossings of Hongze were indeed remarkable, but not every battle can be won by taking shortcuts. Sometimes, you have to fight head-on. In my opinion, let's not waste any more time discussing this. You should quickly lead your troops to Zhaotong Prefecture, which will relieve some of the pressure on Cui Congyi and his men. Even if it comes at a cost, as long as we can capture Zhaotong Prefecture, it won't be a loss."

The other generals also acquiesced.

They thought it was some kind of earth-shattering plan.

Chen Sanshi could only offer advice; he did not have the final say.

Releasing 20,000 prisoners was indeed an absurd idea.

But he felt it was really feasible.

"I agree with Lieutenant General Chen's opinion."

A clear voice rang out, and Fang Qingyun took over the conversation: "As far as I know, these 20,000 men are not elite troops, but just local garrison soldiers. They didn't have much fighting spirit to begin with, and after being captured, all they have left in their minds is the thought of survival. It will probably take two years to assimilate them into our own people. They will not help the current battle situation at all, and will only increase the consumption of food and fodder for nothing."

"Moreover, General Chen's intention was not truly to let the tiger return to the mountain."

"Going north, there is a Ghost Gate Gorge. The terrain is treacherous, only wide enough for two people to walk side by side. It is extremely narrow and cramped. Once you go in, there is no way back, and there is no possibility of counterattack."

"After leaving the canyon, we are thousands of miles away from the other places where the main force of the Qing Kingdom will appear. It will be impossible to reorganize and reorganize us within half a year. For us, it is no different from death, but for the other Qing Kingdom soldiers defending the city, it is the only hope for survival. With hope, they will no longer fight like cornered beasts."

"Everyone must understand that before any battle begins, we must clearly define our true objectives."

"And we have only one main objective this time."

"That means taking out the 50,000 elite troops in Yongle Prefecture and the Tang King in the city. The rest don't matter. Once they are gone, Dongqing will be doomed on the border and will have no choice but to give up the three prefectures."

"Commander Chen, am I right?"

Chen Sanshi agreed, saying, "General Fang's words are exactly what I was thinking."

War is not about killing, but about achieving strategic objectives.

Whether to use ruthlessness or mercy depends on the actual situation at the time; whichever strategy can win should be used.

"Even General Fang thinks it's feasible?"

Meng Quji began to hesitate.

Clearly, in the military, seniority is the real deciding factor.

He pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, releasing so many surrendered soldiers is still a huge loss."

"General Meng would be best to do as he says."

Fang Qingyun's attitude was firm: "If this plan fails, it will not be too late to send the Xuanjia Army to Zhaotong Prefecture. As for the loss of releasing 20,000 surrendered soldiers, I will bear it all myself. I will write a memorial to His Majesty."

"Good! Since General Fang has said so, it would be too timid of me not to give it a try. Let's do as Lieutenant General Chen says!"

Meng Quji finally made the decision: "Pass on my command: keep the surrendered generals above the level of organ refinement; the rest, send the surrendered soldiers into Ghost Gate Gorge in batches, no more than five hundred at a time. Also, send people to guard the gorge! General Chen, do you have any other requests?"

"I want temporary command and control over all troops except those in Yongle Prefecture!"

Chen Sanshi clasped his hands in a fist salute.

it's necessary.

Otherwise, if he tries to persuade someone to surrender in one place while attacking or massacring a city in another, things could easily go wrong.

"Okay, I'll give you that authority!"

Meng Quji readily agreed, then emphasized, "But Lord Chen, you should understand the five words 'there is no joking in the army,' right?"

"This humble general is willing to accept the military order."

Chen Sanshi added, "But the release of prisoners must be done as soon as possible. If I am not mistaken, the reinforcements from the Southern Xu Kingdom will arrive soon."

"Yes."

Meng Quji said, "This is also what I'm worried about. Currently, our Great Sheng Dynasty has the upper hand, but once the reinforcements from Nanxu arrive, the situation will immediately become serious."

Sending troops to Nanxu was something everyone tacitly agreed upon; it was inevitable.

……

Yongle Prefecture.

"Report!"

"Your Highness, the Sheng Dynasty has sent reinforcements again."

"Why are you panicking?"

Emperor Li Gong of Tang used a dagger to cut into the steaming roasted lamb leg in front of him and asked unhurriedly, "How much is there?"