xymnovel Chapter 459 Division and Encirclement
Chapter 459 Division and Encirclement
"No!"
Zhang Fan pointed to the three routes of advance on the map, "Our core tactic now is a triangular formation with three armies advancing at the same pace!"
General Meng Tian in the central route is the spearhead, while our armies at Gaoque and Yunzhong are the flanks.
"The key to this formation lies in the distance. In the event of battle, the three sides can quickly converge and provide support!"
Zhang Fan pointed to the westward movement of the Grass Wolf Tribe. "If we pursue a small tribe westward now, our marching route will be lengthened, and the distance between us and the central army will increase!"
Once the triangular formation is broken, the flanks will be exposed.
"The Xiongnu people grow up on horseback and are masters of setting ambushes on the grasslands. The westward movement of the Grass Wolf tribe is likely a decoy, intended to lure us out of our formation."
Zhang Fan said calmly, "It's not worth risking stepping into a trap for a small tribe."
After listening, Fusu nodded in deep agreement.
"Pass on my orders!"
Zhang Fan put away the map and ordered in a deep voice, "Ignore the Grass Wolf Tribe heading west and proceed north as planned!"
"During the march, we must constantly calculate the distance to Meng Tian's army in the central route. We must not be greedy for merit or advance recklessly, nor should we lag behind; we must maintain a tight formation!"
At this point, Zhang Fan's eyes flashed, and he added another command.
"Furthermore, notify the logistics and supply battalion. From today onwards, our 30,000 troops will no longer be pulling heavy grain wagons, except for the three days' rations they carry with them."
"Transfer all our surplus provisions to the central army! Let Meng Tian's central army be responsible for the logistics of the entire battle line!"
Upon hearing this order, Fusu was filled with doubt.
"Teacher, if all the supplies are concentrated in the central route, the burden on the central army will inevitably increase, and their marching speed will slow down. Moreover, such a large supply train will surely become the biggest target for the Xiongnu cavalry, attracting them to plunder it."
Zhang Fan smiled.
"That's exactly what I want—for them to come and take it from me."
Looking at the northern wilderness, Zhang Fan explained, "The Xiongnu people's favorite tactic in battle is to flank and raid their supply lines!"
If our three armies each carry provisions, the Xiongnu will send countless cavalry units to harass our supply wagons daily. We will be in the open, while they are in the shadows; it will be impossible to defend against them.
"Now I'm putting all the supplies in the middle of the route. It's like telling the Xiongnu openly, 'The fat meat is right here.'"
"The central army numbers 100,000, all heavily armored infantry, and their defenses are the most formidable. If the Xiongnu want to seize this supply of provisions, they must concentrate their main force for a head-on confrontation. Those small groups of cavalry simply cannot break through their defenses."
Zhang Fan gripped the reins with both hands, a cold glint in his eyes: "As long as the main force of the Xiongnu dares to besiege the central supply lines, our left and right armies, having lost their baggage, will be able to..."
This would allow them to move lightly and flank from both sides at top speed.
"Then we'll cut off their retreat and trap them on the grassland!"
After hearing this arrangement, Fusu felt enlightened.
Using provisions as bait, concentrate defenses while simultaneously freeing up mobility on both flanks.
It may seem like they've put all their eggs in one basket, but in reality, they've spread a huge pincer-shaped net across the grassland.
"Teacher is brilliant! I will go and relay the order immediately!" Fusu bowed and accepted the order.
Soon, a dull horn sounded outside Gaoque Pass.
Thirty thousand elite Qin soldiers advanced towards the vast grasslands to the north.
……
Deep in the northern desert, the royal court of the Xiongnu.
The tent was dimly lit. Modu sat in a wheelchair, his gaze fixed on the sheepskin map in front of him.
The curtain was lifted, and Ji Dan strode in, looking anxious.
"Your Highness, news has come back from the front lines."
Ji Dan lowered his voice and reported, "The Qin army has left the pass. But they ignored the Grass Wolf tribe migrating westward and instead advanced directly north!"
"Furthermore, neither the eastern nor western armies carried any supplies. All of the Qin army's provisions and supplies were concentrated in Meng Tian's central army!"
Maodun stared coldly at the map, his eyes showing no emotion.
"I wasn't fooled after all."
Maodun pointed to the location of Gaoque Pass on the map. "The Grass Wolf Tribe's bait has been seen through. It seems that the true immortal master of Qin is among the army on the western side!"
He looked at the center of the map, which represented the main force of the Qin army, and sneered.
"Concentrate the supplies in the center and defend it with heavy infantry. Once we attack the supplies, the main forces on both flanks, no longer burdened by baggage, can quickly encircle them!"
This plan is truly brilliant!
Ji Dan rubbed his hands together, saying, "Your Highness, the Great Chanyu and the Left and Right Wise Kings are waiting for my next plan in the main tent! The Qin army's formation has no flaws. How should we deal with it?"
Maodun raised his head and glanced at Ji Dan.
"Since the middle lane is tough to conquer, let's leave it alone for now!"
Maodun swept his hand across the map. "Send the order down to the tribes to launch a preemptive strike. Ignore the supplies in the center; concentrate your cavalry and harass their flanks from the east and west!"
Ji Dan was stunned: "Harass the flanks? The Qin army's flanks are unarmed and move quickly. If they get caught up, our cavalry will be in danger!"
"What I want is for them to be fast."
Maodun interrupted Ji Dan.
His finger moved northward along the route of the Qin army's advance, eventually stopping at a river that ran east to west.
"Wuyao River!"
Maodun spoke up, "This river blocks the Qin army's only way north."
"The river is currently frozen over, and the Qin army could have easily crossed it. However, the grasslands have been sunny for days, and the ice has undoubtedly thinned considerably due to the heat, unable to withstand the prolonged trampling of a large army!"
Maodun stared at the map and set up a trap.
"Have the Chanyu send troops to the middle reaches of the Wuyao River. Before Meng Tian arrives, break through all the continuous ice on the central section of the river!"
"Once the ice breaks, without ships, Meng Tian's 100,000 heavily armored soldiers and supplies will inevitably be blocked on the south bank and unable to cross the river."
As Ji Dan listened, her eyes gradually widened.
Maodun's finger moved to the west.
"The central route is stalled. But the western army is unburdened by supplies, and with our cavalry constantly harassing them, they will surely advance rapidly."
"Once the western army crosses the river on the ice, send men to circle around to the rear and break the ice on the western section of the river!"
Maodun slammed his palm heavily on the position of the western army.
"Completely trap the western army on the north side of the river!"
"The central army cannot cross the river and cannot provide support. At that time, we will gather our main force and decisively defeat this isolated and helpless western army!"
The tent was completely silent.
Ji Dan stood there, a chill running down her spine.
He looked at Maodun, who was sitting in a wheelchair, and was deeply moved.
Faced with the Qin army's formation and the bait of supplies, Modu glanced at the map and used the terrain and weather to devise a deadly plan.
Cut off the central route, allow passage on the western route, break through the ice to cover the rear, and divide and encircle the enemy.
Every link is meticulously connected, and the logic is extremely rigorous.