sovbooks Chapter 8 Template: Huo Qubing!
Chapter 8 Template: Huo Qubing!
Zhu Mu stood in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a deep voice:
"In today's battle, you all deserve the greatest credit! General Deng Yu, who defended Fuzhou Gate to the death, should be a role model for our entire army! General Xue Xian, with his surprise attack, greatly boosted our morale! And all the brothers who fought bloody battles on the city walls, you are all heroes of our Great Ming!"
He took a deep breath, his voice becoming impassioned:
"After this battle, I will personally petition my father to commend you all! All brothers who died on the battlefield will receive double the compensation! I, Zhu Mu, will be responsible for raising your children to adulthood! Those who have rendered meritorious service in this battle will be promoted, ennobled, and their wives and children will be granted titles and honors—nothing will be spared!"
He looked around at the crowd and said firmly:
"Gentlemen, by defending Hongdu, we are not merely defending a city, but the lives of all our comrades! In the future, when the world is at peace, your names will be inscribed in history! Your names, along with the city of Hongdu, will be immortalized!"
These words were a promise, an encouragement, and a grand promise.
But after such a bloody battle where every day was uncertain, such a large pie was more inspiring than any reward of gold or silver!
The generals were filled with fervor and shouted in unison:
"I am willing to die for you, my lord! I am willing to die for the Ming Dynasty!"
After everyone calmed down a bit, Zhu Wenzheng frowned, stepped forward, and made a bold suggestion.
"My lord, although our army won today's battle, it was a Pyrrhic victory. The situation of the enemy outnumbering us has not changed. If this continues, our army will eventually be exhausted."
He glanced at Zhu Mu and said in a deep voice:
"The best course of action now is to buy time. I have a plan that might give us a brief respite."
Zhu Mu looked at him:
"Cousin, please speak."
A resolute glint flashed in Zhu Wenzheng's eyes:
"Feign surrender!"
The moment those two words were uttered, the entire room was astonished.
This is undoubtedly a risky move. If not handled carefully, the envoy sent out will not return, and it will also completely enrage Chen Youliang, bringing about even more frenzied retaliation.
However, a glint of light flashed in Zhu Mu's eyes.
He knew that this was a clever plan devised by Zhu Wenzheng in history to buy himself a chance to catch his breath.
But he knew better that Chen Youliang was suspicious by nature, and a simple feigned surrender would probably not work; on the contrary, it would make him think that Chen had run out of ideas.
Moreover, historically, night raids and fire attacks intended to facilitate a feigned surrender have failed due to the enemy's tight defenses, resulting in heavy casualties.
He absolutely could not let these warriors sacrifice themselves in vain.
"A feigned surrender is feasible."
Zhu Mu's opening remarks set the tone, silencing the previously restless generals.
"But we cannot feign surrender just to buy time."
He walked up to the sand table, his eyes gleaming:
"Chen Youliang has been besieging the city for a long time, and the feeding of his 600,000 troops and horses has been extremely costly. He is even more anxious than we are! If we only send people to negotiate, he will most likely launch a fierce attack while negotiating, in order to test the strength of our army."
Zhu Mu's fingers landed heavily on the sand table, representing the location of Chen Youliang's naval camp.
"Therefore, our feigned surrender must be a diversionary tactic! On the surface, we send envoys to create the illusion that morale within the city is low and on the verge of collapse, thus lulling Chen Youliang's main force into a false sense of security. Our true objective, however, is his naval fleet and logistical supplies!"
Zhu Wenzheng's eyes lit up:
"Does the young master mean... to feign surrender as bait, and then launch a fire attack?"
"That's right!"
Zhu Mu nodded.
"But we can't just send a few brave warriors on a surprise attack. Chen Youliang's defenses are formidable; a small force won't succeed. If we're going to fight, we must wage a blitzkrieg that will leave him utterly devastated!"
In the following days, the entire city of Hongdu seemed to fall into an eerie silence. The defensive strength of the city walls was reduced, and some of the garrison soldiers even deliberately complained to the people below about the lack of food and supplies, creating an atmosphere of demoralization and unsustainability.
Meanwhile, within the city, a meticulous and daring operation was being quietly prepared under Zhu Mu's leadership.
He selected five hundred of the city's most elite warriors and prepared a large amount of oil, sulfur, and ignition sources.
Time, amidst the intense preparations, quietly arrived at the third month of the city's defense.
On the night that Zhu Mu was making his final simulations for the raid, the long-silent system voice in his mind suddenly rang out again!
[Ding!] [Template Quest: Defend Hongdu City for three months (2/3), Completed!]
[Task Reward: One random character template draw.]
[Template extraction in progress... Extraction complete!]
Shining with golden light, a brand new card, brimming with sharpness and aggression, slowly emerged, replacing the previous Zhang Juzheng template.
[Character Template: Huo Qubing]
[Template Introduction: The most brilliant military genius of the Western Han Dynasty, Marquis of Champion. His fighting style was unstoppable, believing in "blitzkrieg" and "decapitation tactics." His motto was "How can I have a home when the Xiongnu are not yet destroyed?" He led troops to attack the Xiongnu four times in his life, winning all four victories. He created the legendary feat of sealing the wolf's lair, and his deep, long-range surprise attack tactics remain unmatched to this day.]
[Template Abilities: Fighter Insight, Lightning Strike, Breakthrough Charge.]
[Note: Upon obtaining this template, the host will initially possess Huo Qubing's keen sense of battlefield opportunities, unparalleled command ability for surprise attacks, and personal bravery in charging into battle. You are the sharpest blade on the battlefield!]
Name: Zhu Mu
[Equipped templates: Zhou Cang (Romance of the Three Kingdoms version), Zhang Juzheng, Huo Qubing]
【Strength: 60】
[Physical Fitness: 68]
【Speed: 72】
[Endurance: 66]
[Wisdom: 62]
[Specialties: Unparalleled tankiness, resource management, financial planning, bureaucratic reform, combat opportunity detection, lightning strikes, and breakthrough charges]
An aura of domineering power and relentless ambition instantly permeated Zhu Mu's entire body!
The fatigue vanished, replaced by an irrepressible, surging fighting spirit, a desire to charge into battle.
If Zhou Cang's model is as immovable as a mountain, and Zhang Juzheng's model is as strategic as a commander, then Huo Qubing's model is as aggressive as fire!
"They arrived just in time!"
Zhu Mu was overjoyed.
This kind of sweeping, direct, and lightning-fast tactic is exactly what this surprise attack needs right now!
He immediately changed his original plan.
"I will personally lead the team!"
Zhu Mu found Zhu Wenzheng, his eyes burning with a fierce fire.
"Cousin, you and General Deng Yu prepare to meet him in the city, and send an envoy to Chen Youliang's central command tent. Remember, make sure you maintain the proper appearance; stall for time as long as possible!"
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
Zhu Mu removed his heavy armor and put on a tight-fitting black outfit that allowed for easy movement. He held a steel spear that was lighter and sharper than before.
Behind him stood five hundred assassins, all dressed similarly and with resolute eyes.
Instead of attacking through the city gates, they silently slid down a secluded section of the city wall on the west side using ropes, like a group of ghosts blending into the darkness, bypassing the Han army's land camps and heading straight for the naval camp on the Gan River!
The "war opportunity insight" attributed to Huo Qubing's template allowed Zhu Mu to clearly perceive the weaknesses of the enemy patrols and the gaps in their rotation.
He led his squad like a slippery viper, precisely avoiding one hidden sentry after another, and silently made his way to the outside of the water fortress.
"action!"
With a low shout, Zhu Mu moved like lightning and was the first to rush out! The spear in his hand seemed to come alive, transforming into a jet-black dragon, and in an instant, it pierced the throats of several sentries at the entrance of the water fortress!