Chapter 521: Both Sides Taking A Step Back
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Silong continued to chart his own course, maintaining the army camp in the mountains for four days without any intention to launch an attack.
However, the nightly harassment of the enemy persisted.
Deputy General Lin, unable to command Qin Silong, found himself in a bind. Their official roles were relatively minor, and there was no formal designation of a commander’s authority. Although, before departure, it wasn’t explicitly stated that Deputy General Lin held command, on the surface, it was expected that he should heed Qin Silong.
All Deputy General Lin could do was expedite the situation report.
The round trip took four to five days.
On the fifth day, Deputy General Lin received orders, instructing him to personally lead the troops and initiate the first attack in front of everyone. Of course, Deputy General Lin could put on a show. During the assault, he could arrange for trustworthy individuals to protect him.
Once Deputy General Lin took the lead, it would be impossible for Qin Silong not to follow suit in the subsequent rounds.
Simultaneously, Qin Silong received orders from higher-ups to attack Three
Flower County within three days.
There was no time to waste.
The attack would commence tomorrow at the latest.
Qin Silong had meticulously prepared his battle plan. He presented it to Deputy General Lin, discussing the intricacies of the battle with the other four chiliarchs.
The plan outlined on the paper was explicit: tomorrow morning, Qin Silong intended to orchestrate a feigned attack with a portion of his forces. In reality, it would be a form of harassment to lull the enemy into a false sense of security, promptly withdrawing and repeating the process multiple times. The same strategy was set for the afternoon, with a genuine all-out assault planned for the night.
However, Deputy General Lin opposed this approach. He advocated for an immediate full-scale attack tomorrow morning, dismissing any notion of further strategic posturing. The other four chiliarchs sided with Deputy General Lin, emphasizing the urgency of the situation with only three days remaining. Failure to launch a timely attack could lead to consequences under military law, leaving no room for further delay.
Qin Silong expressed his concern, stating, “This will disrupt my battle plan.”
He argued that the initial morning feigned attacks served to mislead the enemy, creating a tactical advantage during the nighttime assault.
Throughout the days of harassing the enemy, Qin Silong had meticulously selected 50 elite Razor Sharp Squads. Each member possessed a detailed topographic map, enabling them to coordinate with the blueprint and memorize the surrounding terrain during daylight hours.
A narrow, stealthy path, suitable for only one person, was identified to bypass the opponent’s defenses and infiltrate the enemy’s rear. These elite squads would preposition themselves on the mountain, ready to spring into action when the general attack horn sounded.
The synchronized attack on the entrance from both inside and outside would be executed by these 50 operatives. Their movements would be concealed effectively during the night, reducing the risk of premature detection by the enemy.
This crucial information, however, remained known only to Qin Silong. The potential for intentional leaks was a significant concern, prompting him to keep the details guarded.
Qin Silong harbored a suspicion that the higher-ups did not desire his victory in the war. The directive to bring 5,000 ordinary soldiers seemed more like a sacrificial move.
Anticipating dissent from Deputy General Lin and the others, Qin Silong’s suspicions proved valid.
As expected, Deputy General Lin voiced his concerns, stating, “We’re unfamiliar with the terrain. Engaging in a night battle is akin to operating blindly. Our chances of success are undoubtedly low.”
The other four chiliarchs aligned themselves with Deputy General Lin’s perspective.
Qin Silong feigned helplessness and offered a compromise, saying, “Alright, let’s initiate daytime attacks, but on a smaller scale. The main offensive still needs to be executed at night.”
Despite this concession, Deputy General Lin and the others remained unsatisfied.
“No, weakness in the initial attack is unacceptable! It will detrimentally impact our morale. We’ll appear feeble if we perceive the enemy as formidable.” This time, Qin Silong stood firm.
“All is fair in war. Regardless, I believe our chances of success are higher if we launch the attack at night!”
In the end, a compromise emerged.
Qin Silong decided to commence the first attack tomorrow morning. Depending on the resistance encountered, he would either capitalize on the momentum and swiftly assault the entrance or, in the face of formidable opposition, strategically withdraw to regroup. The nighttime hours would witness the mobilization of all forces for a comprehensive, general attack..
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