Looking at the confident Wei Wuji before him, Zhao Feng glanced once more at the fortified city of Daliang in the distance.
"It is indeed a fortress that is difficult to breach, but what if it is truly breached?" Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
In his mind, he had long conceived a method to take the city. However, the approach was somewhat audacious one that seemed almost divine in nature.
Yet, in history, this very strategy had indeed been used before.
Historically, the Qin general Wang Ben had been commanded to attack Wei. However, Wei's capital was heavily fortified and nearly impenetrable. In the end, Wang Ben diverted the waters of the Great River and the Hong Canal, flooding Daliang.
No matter how strong a city's walls were, they could not withstand the force of nature. Eventually, the deluge turned Daliang into a vast lake, submerging the army and supplies within. Facing an inescapable situation, King Jia of Wei surrendered alongside his officials.
"If you wish to breach the city, your Wuan Army will suffer casualties of at least ninety percent," Wei Wuji said with a smile, his words carrying a trace of madness.
He already knew that Wei was doomed. Yet, he was determined to drag Qin down with it, ensuring that the Qin state would pay a heavy price for Wei's fall.
"So, it seems that Lord Xinling has made up his mind."
"Even if I turn Daliang into a wasteland, you are determined to obstruct the advance of my Qin army," Zhao Feng said calmly, yet his words carried an undercurrent of deadly intent.
Flooding Daliang with the waters of the Great River and the Hong Canal…
Daliang's low-lying terrain made it impossible to turn it entirely into a vast lake, but it would still cause massive casualties. The city's formidable defenses would become meaningless, and the floodwaters would eventually collapse its walls.
"Old man, I look forward to seeing how you plan to breach my Wei capital," Wei Wuji responded confidently. He did not believe that Zhao Feng could easily overcome the fortifications he had meticulously reinforced over three years.
Even though Zhao Feng had never lost a battle since taking command, Wei Wuji remained firm in his belief.
Seeing Wei Wuji's unwavering confidence, Zhao Feng merely shook his head and said no more.
However, in his mind, the plan to flood Daliang was already set in stone.
Perhaps this deluge would turn Daliang into a wasteland, leaving countless dead in its wake.
But this was war.
For victory, the Wei state and Wei Wuji had been willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of lives in the burning of Yanggao City.
Since they cared so little, why should Zhao Feng?
Now, with both armies positioned, Wei Wuji was ready to make the Wuan Army pay dearly for Wei's demise. Zhao Feng would certainly not be foolish enough to reveal his flooding strategy beforehand otherwise, Wei Wuji would undoubtedly come up with countermeasures.
Thus, the key was to act silently, without warning.
Once the floodwaters engulfed Daliang, all of Wei Wuji's carefully laid defenses would become a joke.
"Enough," Wei Wuji said, rising to his feet.
"Meeting you today has settled one of my lingering thoughts."
"I will take my leave now."
"If you wish to destroy Wei, then come at us with all your might."
"I fear nothing, and neither does the Great Wei!"
Straightening his aging frame, he turned and strode towards Daliang.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng did not say another word. He turned as well and made his way back to the Qin encampment.
As soon as Wei Wuji returned to the city walls
"Lord, what was Zhao Feng's intention?"
"Did he attempt to persuade you to surrender?"
"Though we have no retreat left, we still have hundreds of thousands of troops! If Qin wants to destroy us, let them come at us with everything they have!"
"Lord, we swear to fight to the death and never surrender!"
The gathered Wei generals spoke in unison, their voices filled with determination.
Wei Wuji raised his hand, and the noisy generals instantly fell silent.
"Would I ever surrender?"
"I have already issued a challenge to Zhao Feng. If he dares to attack, then we shall strike the Qin army with all our might!"
"From today onwards, the city will remain on full alert."
"Everyone must remain on guard at all times do not allow the Qin army any opportunity for a sneak attack!" Wei Wuji commanded coldly.
"Lord is wise!" the generals responded in unison.
After giving his orders, Wei Wuji turned and gazed at the Qin army outside the city walls.
"Zhao Feng, Qin State come at us!"
"I will personally bury your hundreds of thousands of Qin soldiers beneath my Wei capital, and make you pay the ultimate price for my Wei's destruction!"
Back in the Qin Camp
"Withdraw the army. Move five miles away from the city and set up camp. Deploy scouts within a thirty-mile radius," Zhao Feng ordered.
"Understood!"
Generals Tu Sui, Zhang Han, and Li You immediately acknowledged the order.
Soon, the army began an orderly retreat.
That night, within the Qin military camp
Zhao Feng sat at the head of the command tent, flanked by the three main generals of the Wuan Army.
"General," Tu Sui spoke gravely, "given the current fortifications of Daliang, apart from using siege ladders, there seems to be no other way to attack."
"Wei Wuji has reinforced the city walls significantly over the past few years. Every gate is sealed shut no human effort can pry them open."
"From our calculations, if we attempt a direct assault, the Wuan Army may suffer casualties of at least ninety percent."
"This is Wei Wuji's open scheme," Li You added with a sigh.
"He is using all his forces to defend Daliang, forcing us to attack, because he knows we must attack."
Zhang Han remained silent, but his face was filled with concern.
From their perspective, the battle seemed to have reached a deadlock.
The cost of breaching the city was simply too high.
"Bring me the map," Zhao Feng commanded.
"Yes, General!"
Zhang Ming quickly fetched a map of Wei's territories.
Inside the Command Tent
Several guards unfurled a map inside the tent.
Zhao Feng immediately stood up and walked toward the map. Seeing this, the three generals also rose at once and gathered around it.
"To breach the city, a direct assault won't work," Zhao Feng said slowly.
"But given the current situation, it seems we have no other choice but to launch an attack," Li You replied.
Zhang Han and Tu Sui also nodded in agreement.
Without saying another word, Zhao Feng waved his hand and pointed to a specific location on the map.
"Do you know where this is?" Zhao Feng asked.
"The Great River."
"This is the main course of the Great River. When the Upper General guarded Wei City in the past, the Wei River was merely a tributary of the Great River," Zhang Han answered without hesitation.
"And what about this place?" Zhao Feng smiled and pointed to another location.
"The Hong Canal."
"Although not as vast as the Great River, it is still a significant tributary, much wider than the Wei River," Tu Sui immediately responded.
At this moment, all three generals raised their heads, their eyes widening with excitement. Almost simultaneously, they realized the key to breaking through the capital.
"Breaching the dikes?"
"Flooding Daliang?"
"Diverting the waters?"
All three grasped the idea instantly and exclaimed in unison.
"No matter how well their city walls are fortified, no matter how strong they appear to be, can they possibly withstand the power of the Great River and the Hong Canal?"
"Against the force of nature, even the most formidable city will turn to ruins."
"Since Wei Wuji wants to drag our 300,000 elite soldiers of the Wu'an Army down with him, then I will borrow the mighty waters of heaven and earth to submerge Daliang. We will take the city without sacrificing a single soldier."
"The capital of Wei will be drowned." Zhao Feng's voice was cold.
"Brilliant, General!"
Without any hesitation, the three generals bowed deeply to Zhao Feng.
This plan undeniably was a stroke of genius.
Rather than sending their troops to die in a bloody siege, using the waters of the Great River to flood Daliang was the best strategy. As for how many would perish in the flood, that was not their concern.
On the battlefield, there was no room for mercy.
Mercy toward the enemy was cruelty to oneself.
Since the state of Wei was determined to take tens of thousands of elite Qin soldiers down with them, Zhao Feng would make sure they were the ones who perished instead.
That was only fair.
"Tu Sui," Zhao Feng commanded.
"This general is here," Tu Sui responded immediately.
"Take 100,000 of your troops send 50,000 to the Great River and 50,000 to the Hong Canal. Start digging channels and weakening the dikes."
"You have one month. After that, I want to see the waters of both rivers engulf Daliang," Zhao Feng said coldly.
"This general obeys!" Tu Sui accepted the order at once.
"Li You," Zhao Feng continued.
"This general is here."
"Deploy 80,000 troops to cut down trees and build as many boats as possible."
"In addition, station 20,000 soldiers outside Daliang to keep the Wei army unaware of our plans. Keep them occupied with daily harassment and arrow attacks."
"This general obeys!" Li You accepted the order without hesitation.
"As for Zhang Han…"
Zhao Feng turned his gaze toward him.
"Your orders, General?" Zhang Han asked immediately.
"Disperse all cavalry forces and evacuate the civilians from the Wei capital and the lower reaches of the Great River and Hong Canal."
"But."
"After relocation, do not let them leave until Daliang has been flooded."
"Strictly monitor them. Once the city is submerged, further arrangements can be made."
"At the same time, have the cavalry remain vigilant. If any Wei soldiers appear kill them." Zhao Feng's tone was firm.
Though these were Wei citizens now, they would be Qin's people in the future part of the greater Huaxia lineage.
If their lives could be spared, Zhao Feng would do his best to prevent unnecessary casualties.
"This general obeys!" Zhang Han answered immediately.
"All right," Zhao Feng said.
"Go and execute your orders. I will remain here in the camp. If anything arises, report to me at once."
"This mission concerns the survival of our 300,000 elite troops. There can be no mistakes. Go."
"This general obeys!"
The three generals bowed once more and left to carry out their tasks.
"Master, your plan is brilliant," Zhang Ming said excitedly.
"With this strategy, Wei Wuji's defenses will become a joke."
"No matter how long he has fortified the city, no matter how strong his walls are, they will ultimately collapse under the floodwaters."
"The battlefield is ruthless," Zhao Feng sighed.
"Wei brought this upon themselves," Zhang Ming said with a chuckle.
"How is Yan Ting's progress?" Zhao Feng asked.
"As per your orders, ever since our forces entered Wei territory, Yan Ting has been searching for suitable young boys among the refugees. Most of the eligible ones have already been taken back for training." Zhang Ming reported.
"And the funds from the Jiu Xian House?" Zhao Feng inquired.
"Rest assured, Master."
"Everything is sufficient," Zhang Ming answered immediately.
"Good."
"Let Ying Bu and Han Xi continue as needed. As long as the funds from Jiu Xian House are sufficient, they may proceed." Zhao Feng instructed.
"Yes," Zhang Ming acknowledged respectfully.
From this point on, Zhao Feng had little else to worry about.
All that remained was to wait for the rivers to be diverted then Daliang would fall.
Time Passed At the Capital of Qin, Xianyang
"Your Majesty," an official reported.
"The Hangu Army is advancing swiftly. The defensive lines in Wei's western territory are collapsing. Within two months, they will reach the Wei capital." Wei Liao presented his report.
"Your Majesty," another minister stepped forward.
"The supply lines for both the Hangu and Wu'an Armies have been secured without any issues."
"However…"
"The latest reports from the supply lines mention that the Wu'an Army arrived at the gates of Wei's capital over twenty days ago."
"And yet… despite all this time, General Zhao Feng has not attacked."
Wang Wan hesitated, as if reluctant to continue, but ultimately spoke up.
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Jian, who was seated at the head of the military officials, immediately stood up.
Not long ago, he had just returned from the Lantian Camp.
Wang Wan's words were full of insinuations, and how could Wang Jian tolerate that?
"Prime Minister Wang, what do you mean by this?"
"Are you trying to say that Zhao Feng is delaying military operations?"
"Or are you implying that Zhao Feng is cowardly and deliberately avoiding the attack?"
Wang Jian spoke with a tone of sarcasm.
"General, you misunderstand."
"I was merely reporting to His Majesty and meant nothing else."
"Since the Wu'an Camp has already reached the Wei capital, it should naturally launch an attack."
Wang Wan responded with a smile.
"On the battlefield, situations change constantly. Zhao Feng will have his considerations, so there's no need for you to worry about it." Wang Jian replied coldly.
In his view, Wang Wan was simply stirring up trouble.
"General Wang is right."
"Situations on the battlefield change."
"Zhao Feng will naturally make his judgments."
"He has crossed over a thousand miles from northern Wei to the capital in less than three months."
"Tell me, is there another general in the world who could achieve this?"
Ying Zheng's voice echoed through the hall.
With these words, Wang Wan immediately fell silent.
"Prime Minister Wang."
"You must oversee the transportation of grain and supplies. Just ensure the safe delivery of provisions matters of military strategy are not your concern."
Ying Zheng turned to Wang Wan, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.
Hearing this, Wang Wan's face showed fear, and he quickly bowed. "I understand, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty."
"I have received reports."
"The Wei capital, Daliang, has been fortified for three years under Wei Wuji's command. Its walls have been thickened, its gates sealed it cannot be breached by force. A direct assault would only lead to unnecessary casualties."
"Zhao Feng, the Supreme General, is likely planning a strategy to take the city." Wei Liao stated loudly.
"According to Minister Wei, does this mean there is no way to breach the city?" Ying Zheng furrowed his brows.
He had some understanding of Wei's capital, but not as detailed as those who had personally surveyed it.
"On the surface, the only option is a costly siege."
"However"
"The Supreme General Zhao Feng has not launched an attack for an entire month. Perhaps he has found another way." Wei Liao said with a knowing smile, his eyes gleaming as if he had already guessed the answer.
Ying Zheng glanced at Wei Liao as if he too had realized something.
"Dismissed."
With a wave of his hand, Ying Zheng ordered the court to be adjourned.
Inside the Epang Palace
"Minister Wei, what do you think Zhao Feng is planning?" Ying Zheng asked, looking at Wei Liao.
"Your Majesty, please step into the rear hall." Wei Liao smiled.
After returning to the Epang Palace, Ying Zheng had not yet taken his seat when hearing Wei Liao's words, he immediately headed toward the rear hall.
In the rear hall stood the same massive sand table map.
Zhao and Han had been eliminated, and many cities of Wei had already been marked with the Qin flag.
Every time a war report arrived, Ying Zheng would personally remove the Wei banners and replace them with those of Qin.
For him, watching the territories on the map gradually become part of Qin was an exhilarating experience.
"Your Majesty."
"This map was created at great expense in manpower and resources by our Qin state."
"Now, please take a look at the location of Wei's capital." Wei Liao smiled and pointed to Daliang.
Ying Zheng's gaze swept over the map and landed on Daliang.
"Now, Your Majesty, look at the Great River and the Honggou Canal." Wei Liao said with a grin.
Ying Zheng's eyes scanned the map again, quickly fixing the locations.
In an instant, he understood.
"Using the waters of the Great River and Honggou to flood Wei's capital."
"No matter how thickly Wei Wuji has reinforced the city walls, they cannot withstand the force of a flood."
"If Zhao Feng truly adopts this strategy, Daliang will become a vast lake."
"The three to four hundred thousand troops stationed inside will lose all combat effectiveness."
"The Wu'an Camp will achieve victory without shedding a drop of blood." Ying Zheng chuckled knowingly.
"Now, we shall see if Supreme General Zhao Feng has indeed chosen this strategy."
"If he has"
"Then Wei Wuji's three years of preparation will be reduced to a joke." Wei Liao said with a smile.
"Minister Wei, you truly live up to the reputation of a Ghost Valley disciple."
"You deduced the strategy with just a glance."
"However"
"I believe Zhao Feng has indeed adopted this plan." Ying Zheng smiled.
"Based on the current signs, it does appear that the Supreme General has chosen to implement this strategy. After all, he would not have delayed an attack for an entire month without reason." Wei Liao confidently stated.
"One month."
"With three hundred thousand troops digging riverbanks and building boats, the timing is just right." Ying Zheng smiled.
"It seems that the future Grand Commandant of Qin is likely to be Supreme General Zhao Feng."
"With the merit of conquering Wei, he will not only secure his position as Supreme General but also pave the way for becoming Grand Commandant." Wei Liao remarked, carefully observing Ying Zheng's expression.
But Ying Zheng merely smiled in silence.
"The future is uncertain who can say for sure?" Ying Zheng replied with a deep meaning in his words.
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