A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1142: Stalemate

The conflict had once again reached a crucial stalemate. However, something none of the generals serving the Chu Dynasty had anticipated occurred.

Western Xia unexpectedly retreated, choosing to defend a minor city situated at its lowest elevation. This particular city, known as Beiguan Town, was the final settlement before the Great Chu's territory began. Beyond Beiguan Town lay the lands of Western Xia.

Nestled within a mountain hollow, this small town was characterized by its intricate terrain and difficult access. Only a handful of extremely narrow goat paths provided entry and exit, primarily used for transporting provisions and trade goods.

The land itself was arid, and the climate harsh. Even in times of peace, the population here was sparse. Without intimate knowledge of the local maps, discovering such a secluded town would be virtually impossible!

Consequently...

The city's complete annihilation occurred in the blink of an eye.

...

Yang He struck the table with his fist, his heart filled with profound regret. "We meticulously planned every detail, yet this was the single oversight!!"

He could never have fathomed that a mere town of a few thousand inhabitants would capture the attention of Hai Xiangjin. Most critically, the location featured a depressed terrain, making defense challenging while inviting attack. Such ground had never been favored by strategists, nor would anyone consider it a viable stronghold.

Yet, against all expectations, the King of Western Xia, employing a series of feints, had actually retreated to this very spot. They showed no mercy, not even sparing the few thousand souls residing there. In a single night, every man, woman, elder, and child was wiped out, leaving not a single survivor.

Even Xia Tingfeng and Yang Chenyi were incandescent with fury. If General Yang could not foresee this, who could?

In reality...

Someone had indeed foreseen it, and that individual was Rat. Despite his origins as a vagrant and a beggar, some matters transcend social standing.

He exhibited no surprise at Hai Xiangjin’s selection of this location as a stronghold. "Firstly, where there are people, there is sustenance! Even a few thousand individuals provide enough stored grain to provision an army of tens of thousands for three to five days!" (People depend on food as much as steel relies on fire; on the battlefield, even missing one or two meals can sap soldiers' strength, leading to defeat regardless of their might!)

"Secondly, while the terrain here is low-lying, the surrounding mountain forests and rocks are laced with interconnected trails, truly embodying the saying... a clever rabbit has three burrows!" At that moment, any soldiers who plunged into these dense forests would become impossible to track! The Chu Dynasty's attacking forces would likely face ambushes at every turn! Therefore, this location was far from an easy target.

Following this analysis, even Yang He was utterly astonished. The last vestiges of his condescension and prejudice evaporated, replaced by sheer admiration! How arduous it is to earn the respect of the Revered Minister Yang He, the Minister of War, was common knowledge.

Even Rat himself appeared quite taken aback. "Thank you, General, for your praise! My humble words have amused you!"

"Rat... Brother Rat..."

"Um... Brother, what was your original surname?!" Rat quickly inclined his head with a smile.

"There's no need for such formality; you may simply call me Rat!" Minister Yang noted Rat's reluctance to disclose his name. He immediately conjured images of Rat's pitiable life, orphaned and forced to endure hardship and begging since childhood. Consequently, he refrained from prying further and affectionately addressed him as Brother Rat.

After this brief exchange, they returned to the core discussion. The discussion continued regarding the strategy for this impending battle!

The map was unrolled and examined repeatedly. The terrain was scrutinized in meticulous detail.

Yang Chenyi proposed, "I believe we should advance from the front of the mountain, where the path offers slightly more width! This would allow the army to maneuver more easily!" In other locations, the narrow paths, barely wide enough for a single person, would prove overly restrictive.

Xia Tingfeng pondered for a considerable time, his brow furrowed. "Conversely, I advocate for attacking from the rear. Although those paths are narrow, they provide more options, allowing us to divide our forces into three prongs for an encirclement!"

Deputy General Cui offered a different perspective. "My suggestion is... we split our forces into two groups. One contingent will advance via the main path from the front, while the other will concurrently encircle from the rear through the smaller trails, executing a pincer movement!"

Deputy General Qin nodded in agreement. "I concur with Deputy General Cui's assessment!" These two had been seasoned comrades for many years, possessing remarkably similar strategic approaches.

After everyone had voiced their opinions, they turned their attention to Yang He. "General, what are your thoughts?!"

Yang He knitted his brows and gently shook his head. "I believe none of these proposals are optimal!"

"We have studied military treatises, but the enemy is equally adept in cunning and treachery!"

"Since Hai Xiangjin dares to hide in such a place, he must be fully prepared! He is not afraid of encirclement or flanking!"

"To deal with such an enemy, we must employ an unexpected strategy!"

But... what could this unexpected strategy be?

Yang He narrowed his eyes, pondering deeply, almost recalling it, but it eluded him.

After all, with his advancing age, his thoughts were not as sharp as they once were!

Just then, a voice filled with determination cut through the air.

"I believe we should utilize a fire attack!"

This suggestion immediately sparked clarity in Yang He’s mind.

He looked towards Rat, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Indeed! A fire attack!"

"Brother Rat, please elaborate!"

Rat, mimicking the soldiers, clasped his fist in a salute and continued his explanation.

"The climate in the Northwest is exceedingly dry, and the mountain forests are riddled with narrow paths, obstructed by rocks and overgrown weeds!"

"No matter which direction we attack from, they will possess ample escape routes!"

"It's akin to mice in the mountains; their burrows always have multiple exits, making them impossible to catch without employing water or fire tactics!"

"Currently, the Northwest is experiencing a severe drought, making a fire attack remarkably feasible. Therefore, a fire attack is undoubtedly the best course of action!"

His reasoning resonated deeply, convincing everyone present, both in their hearts and in their words.

Yang He was overjoyed, erupting into fervent applause!

"Excellent!"

"Magnificent!"

"Brother Rat, your intellect and talent are truly exceptional!"

"Your strategic acumen rivals that of a seasoned military advisor!"

"Should you achieve great merit in this battle, I shall personally petition the Emperor to have you transferred to my Ministry of War as a military advisor. What do you say to that?"

Rat stood utterly dumbfounded by the offer.

His small, slender frame trembled slightly, his heart pounding furiously, leaving him unsure of how to react.

The entire person was lost in a state of shock.

"Aren't you going to thank the General?" Xia Tingfeng nudged him gently on the shoulder.

Snapping back to reality, Rat shivered involuntarily.

With a resounding thud, he dropped to his knees on the ground.

"Thank you, General, for your immense kindness! I, a humble servant, shall never forget this profound favor!!"

His nose stung, a single tear welled at the corner of his eye, and his body continued to tremble slightly.

It is said that a man's worth lies in his integrity, and he should not kneel without good reason.

However, this particular kneeling was truly worthwhile.

He had grown up without parents to guide him.

At the tender age of three, while other children enjoyed warm cotton clothes during winter and nourishing meals, he could only beg along the desolate streets, desperately competing with stray dogs for scraps of food.

At five years old, when other children were sent to school to acquire literacy, he was preoccupied with strategizing which street to beg on next, just to quell the gnawing hunger in his stomach.

By eight years old, while others were diligently learning to read and write, he finally managed, through his own resourcefulness, to unite a group of fellow beggars from the adjacent alley, ensuring they were at least not starving and no longer subjected to constant bullying.

At ten, twelve, fifteen... his days consistently diverged from those of ordinary children.

But ever since he encountered his 'big brother,' they, this band of ruffians, had formed an unbreakable bond, living lives of relative freedom.

They were at least capable of extorting the callous owner of the rice shop on West Street and squeezing the madam of the brothel on East Street.