I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 130 Ma Su Offers a Strategy

After repelling the enemy, Li Yan strode into the main tent, the atmosphere so oppressive it was suffocating.

His armor was still covered in dust, but it couldn't hide his overwhelming anger and sense of defeat.

He kicked over the table, scattering military books and maps all over the floor.

The dull thud of the bamboo slips hitting the ground was particularly jarring in the deathly silent tent.

"I, Li Yan, was entrusted by the late emperor to command military affairs both inside and outside the capital. I have spent half my life on the battlefield, yet I have been repeatedly ambushed by the enemy, resulting in the innocent deaths and injuries of my soldiers. This is my fault."

Li Yan's words were not filled with regret, but with deep anger at being tricked.

The generals in the tent knew perfectly well that Li Yan was furious and anxious, so no one dared to speak. They all lowered their heads, afraid of being implicated in Li Yan's anger.

At this moment, the tent flap was lifted, and Ma Su walked steadily into the tent.

He looked at the crowd, heads bowed in silence, and then noticed the bamboo slips scattered on the ground. After a slight hesitation, he bent down and picked them up.

"General, things have come to this point; regret is useless. The enemy has repeatedly gained the upper hand, and our troops' morale is low. You must make a decision quickly!"

Li Yan's eyes suddenly turned fierce, and he hissed at Ma Su, "Since you knew the enemy would launch a sneak attack, why didn't you say so sooner?"

Ma Su knew that Li Yan was trying to save face, so he bowed and said, "General, as a military advisor, I should have been aware of this. It was my fault. However, the most urgent task is not to punish him, but to turn the situation around."

"Time waits for no one!"

Li Yan withdrew his fierce gaze, which was also the reason he summoned Ma Su here.

He disliked arrogant scholars like Ma Su.

When Ma Su mismanaged Yuexi, a rebellion broke out, and Ma Su himself led troops to quell it.

Although Ma Su was not a capable ruler, his military vision and insight were still highly appreciated.

This time, his ability to predict that the enemy would sneak up from the cliff to launch a surprise attack on the rear was superior to everyone else present.

"In your opinion, what should we do now?"

Ma Su cupped his hands and analyzed, "The enemy has launched numerous attacks, not adhering to conventional tactics, but rather adapting to the situation. Ultimately, however, they cannot escape the word 'speed'."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"However, the enemy launched three surprise attacks, and each time they withdrew immediately after gaining a small advantage, never lingering in battle. This tactic was not to annihilate the enemy to achieve victory, but to wear down our army's morale and strike a blow to our fighting spirit. This is a brilliant strategy to defeat the strong with the weak."

Li Yan did not refute.

On the battlefield, morale is king.

Having fought for many years, he deeply understands the principle of striking with overwhelming force.

If the morale of the army is low, even if there are 100,000 soldiers, they are just useless troops.

"broken!"

Wu Yi suddenly slapped his forehead, as if he had thought of something, and his expression changed drastically.

"Since the enemy is always one step ahead of us, has that high ground in the northwest also fallen into their hands by now?"

The Northwest Highlands were crucial to the entire battle, and the generals couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this.

Ma Su sighed, "Given the enemy's swift and decisive style, the Northwest Highlands are almost certainly in their hands."

Li Yan immediately stood up and shouted, "Pass on my military order: the Right Army shall immediately go to reinforce and assist General Chen in capturing the Northwest Heights."

"This subordinate obeys!"

As Du Qi, the commander of the right wing, was about to depart after receiving the order, Ma Su stepped forward and stopped him, saying, "Wait!"

"Military Advisor Ma, this northwestern highland is crucial to the outcome of this battle. A moment's delay could ruin everything," Du Qi said anxiously.

Ma Su smiled calmly.

"I have always known that General Du is cautious and taciturn. It is better to listen to Ma Su's advice first before sending out troops."

Du Qi had no choice but to give up after hearing this.

"General Li, gentlemen, although the enemy has repeatedly seized the initiative, in my opinion, they are not to be feared."

Upon hearing Ma Su's words, the generals couldn't help but feel contempt.

Through these three encounters, they all realized the enemy's cunning and that they themselves were not confident of defeating the enemy. How dare you, a mere scholar, speak so presumptuously?

"Does the young one have a strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Li Yan frowned inwardly.

Although he admired Ma Su's talent, he also felt that Ma Su's remarks were somewhat too arrogant.

Ma Su remained calm and slowly said, "Throughout history, in countless battles, large and small, a general only needs to have the advantage of one of the following: opportune time, favorable terrain, and popular support to be invincible. Anyone who wants to have all three is simply delusional."

"Currently, the enemy has gained the upper hand by relying on swift and unexpected tactics. However, in all things in the world, there are gains and losses..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan's previous disdain vanished, and his expression became serious.

"Does this mean that the enemy, in order to achieve a surprise victory and seize the initiative, will expose flaws in their formation?"

Ma Su smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right. General, think about it carefully. After the enemy broke camp after their roll call, they first used cavalry to launch a surprise attack on our army, then they created smoke to cause chaos in our army, and then they attacked our rear. Now they have divided their forces to occupy the northwest highlands. They are already an exhausted army."

"Since the army is exhausted, they will not have time to build fortifications. At this moment, General, you should send the main force to attack the enemy camp from the front. You will surely win a great victory."

Upon hearing this, the generals' furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

Ma Su became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke.

"Once the enemy's main camp is attacked, the enemy troops on the northwestern highlands will surely panic upon learning of it, and General Chen can take advantage of the situation to seize it."

"General Du Qi, Ma Su is not trying to stop you from sending troops, but rather to help you achieve merit."

Upon hearing this, Du Qi bowed to Ma Su and said, "I was rash just now, please forgive me, Military Advisor."

Li Yan slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brilliant! This plan is excellent! Zhao Yun's army thought that after several raids, our army would remain still and hold their camp. They would never have expected that our army would strike directly at the heart of the enemy's stronghold."

Just as everyone was rejoicing, the supervising officer Zhang Yi said, "Military Advisor Ma, this plan is brilliant, but Zhao Yun is no ordinary man. What will we do if they consolidate their forces and hold their camp?"

"Both sides only brought three days' worth of rations for this exercise. If we can't break through after a prolonged siege, what will the outcome be?"

When pressed for an answer, Ma Su smiled and countered, "Does the supervising officer recall why the supply and logistics troops were left alone at headquarters after the main army set off?"

Zhang Yi replied without hesitation, "Naturally, it's because this exercise requires carrying three days' worth of rations, so there's no need for a ration escort team. Therefore, the supply and ration escort troops will remain at headquarters."

"If they're not needed, why are the supply convoys participating in the joint military exercises?"

Zhang Yi thought about what Ma Su said for a moment, then his expression suddenly changed.

"Military Advisor Ma, do you mean that if no victor is determined within three days, the exercise will continue, and both sides will have to rely on supplies from the rear?"

Ma Su nodded, his tone resolute, and said, "I have often been instructed by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang and I know his intentions well. If we cannot determine a winner in this training exercise in a short time, then the decisive factor will undoubtedly be the supply of provisions."

"If the enemy retreats and puts up a stubborn resistance, then we will surround them completely, cut off their supplies, and our army will win without a fight. This is the best strategy—to subdue the enemy without fighting!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi was filled with admiration. He immediately stood up, bowed, and said, "Military Advisor Ma truly deserves to be called an outstanding graduate of the martial arts academy. He is well-versed in military strategy and has a meticulous mind. I, Zhang Yi, have learned a great deal."

Li Yan burst into laughter after hearing this, his previous dejection vanishing completely.

"All troops, listen to my command! Follow Military Advisor Ma's plan without fail!"

"Anyone who disobeys will be court-martialed!"