Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1658 - 523: Yangqu Retreats, Wuchuan Advances_2

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Nine Towns of the Southern Slope, whether it was Bashang that fell first or Beishuo that was breached by the Xia Army last night, each has a legacy of over a century.

A hundred years is a lengthy span of time, long enough for one to become emotionally dependent on it. Due to the unique governance system of the Nine Towns, those living in the outer areas naturally have little attachment to the towns, and some even resent the towns for severe exploitation.

However, for those who have lived in the towns since childhood and benefited from them, it’s a different matter.

Just as the Xia people revere Xia Hong like a deity and view Xia City as a spiritual symbol, other towns feel the same way. Hence, even though they know the might of the Xia Army is unstoppable, they are unwilling to surrender their towns.

Yang Jian was killed, Yang Fa was captured alive, Yang Zhun was defeated, Beishuo City was breached; knowing there’s no chance of saving it, there’s still a large group of die-hard Yang Family loyalists resisting desperately, preferring death over surrender to the Great Xia.

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While Cai Qiuhu was persuading Cao Qianyang to withdraw from Yangqu, at the northern Wuchuan East Valley City, Qin Feng and Wuchuan’s top senior officials found themselves in an extremely passive situation.

"Twenty thousand elite Xia soldiers are heading south directly to Wuchuan Town. We have no choice but to retreat for aid. The supplies in East River City can only last two months. If the Xia Army surrounds the town, we are doomed."

"Will Luo Yuan let us go? Four Xianyang Level are continuously monitoring East River City from all sides. The city’s army makes any move, they immediately react, clearly not allowing us to leave."

"Damn, damn, damn! Beishuo has been breached. That Yang Zhun swore that as long as East Valley City is defended, the Xia Army couldn’t advance. Isn’t this misleading us?"

"All fifty thousand soldiers are stationed in East Valley. The town has only ten thousand soldiers. Can they stop the Xia Army?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Beishuo had thirty-five thousand troops, all defeated by the Xia Army. We rely on just ten thousand? How is that possible?"

"The town cannot be lost, we must return!"

"What about the forty thousand Xia soldiers outside the city? The moment we leave the city, they’ll immediately strike. These days, the only reason we’ve been able to confront the Xia Army at all is thanks to our sturdy defenses. In the wild, battling them gives us no chance!"

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"Everyone, shut up!"

Qin Feng’s mind was already muddled. Seeing everyone continually discussing without any viable plan, he finally couldn’t hold back and shouted in anger, interrupting them.

Once silence returned inside the hall, Qin Feng turned towards the elder dressed in green brocade beside him, a hint of hope on his face, saying: "Given this situation, what should we do? Elder Cai, please advise us!"

Beishuo’s fall had forced Yanling County Governor Chu Tianxu back by Xia Hong. Alone, it’s impossible to defend Wuchuan. Qin Feng understood that the only hope for Wuchuan’s survival lies in Cai Yunhe before him, or rather, Cai Qiu behind him.

Cai Yunhe met Qin Feng’s gaze, then surveyed the numerous senior officials of Wuchuan in the hall, an undercurrent of disdain in his eyes, inwardly shaking his head.

In the end, they are lowly barbarians from a small Southern Slope locale, panicking over minor matters. Qin Feng, being the Lord, is especially lacking. Holding fifty thousand troops yet fears every threat; where is the leadership quality?

Of course, Cai Yunhe wouldn’t voice his inner thoughts. Seeing everyone’s eyes focused on him, he pondered briefly before solemnly speaking: "Returning to defend the town is impossible. Luo Yuan’s forty thousand troops must be informed of Beishuo’s defeat; otherwise, they wouldn’t monitor the city so intensely. Leaving now, even if you’re allowed to leave East Valley City, would you dare return to Wuchuan Town?"

On hearing this, everyone’s faces shifted slightly, their expressions becoming even more somber.

The information received is that twenty thousand elite Xia soldiers are heading south straight for Wuchuan Town. It seems they’re going to attack the town, but will they assault it immediately upon arrival?

Someone just said that as long as the Xia Army encircles Wuchuan Town, severing its links with East Valley and cutting off the military supplies for the fifty thousand soldiers in East Valley City, it won’t take more than a month for them to crumble without a fight.

Given this premise, it’s almost certain that when those twenty thousand elite Xia soldiers reach Wuchuan Town, they won’t assault directly. Instead, like the forty thousand troops outside East Valley City, they’ll encircle without attacking.

In that scenario, even if those fifty thousand soldiers leave East Valley City, it’s enough for Luo Yuan to have his men trailing them. Almost reaching the town, they’ll be flanked by twenty thousand well-rested Xia soldiers at the town nearby. How should they counter that?

"Ultimately, the issue hesitating you is singular from start to finish, whether to fight or defend!"

Cai Yunhe spoke again. This time, he didn’t hide his words, directly pointing out Wuchuan’s predicament before continuing: "I observed the Xia Army. Whether in equipment or cultivation, they are indeed slightly stronger than Wuchuan, but not to the extent of crushing us. If we truly fight, there’s still a chance of winning..."

"Is Elder Cai’s advice to take the initiative and confront the Luoyuan Tribe?"

Qin Feng’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression somewhat unpleasant, continuing before Cai Yunhe could answer: "I fear Luo Yuan won’t engage us now. Beishuo City has already been taken, he merely needs to pin us down. In a month, we’ll crumble without them lifting a finger..."

"Lure!"

Cai Yunhe uttered just one word, but everyone in the hall immediately understood, their expressions brightening a little.

"Luo Yuan closely monitors the town’s movements, fearing we might return for aid. Just toss a bait, and he won’t resist. The Xia Army outside has only forty thousand troops, with just six Xianyang Levels. Once fighting begins, who wins and loses is uncertain..."

Qin Feng’s face showed a struggle as he inwardly endured a conflict of heavenly proportions.

What Cai Yunhe proposed was something Qin Feng had just considered. The problem is that he genuinely fears the Xia Army, even with numbers exceeding by ten thousand, he still lacked confidence.

There’s no escape. The Eastern campaign by the Great Xia over these four years has left a significant psychological shadow on him and the Northern Five Towns, instinctively feeling that engaging directly with the Xia Army would only result in defeat.

But at present, is there any better plan?

Without eliminating the forty thousand troops of Luo Yuan, they definitely can’t return to the town. If problems arise in the town, it’s not merely a question of victory or defeat.

These top officials are safer. Earlier, Qin Feng already sent his son, Qin He, directly back to the town. He was to manage town defenses while also safeguarding their family members. If anything changes, he should promptly lead them away.

The key issue is the fifty thousand soldiers in East Valley City, whose families reside in Wuchuan Town. If the town is breached by the Xia Army, the consequences will be far more severe than losing military supplies.

"We must fight!"

After internally deliberating for a while, Qin Feng quickly came to a conclusion.

Conflict is presently the only way to break the deadlock. To aid the town, they can’t avoid the forty thousand troops of Luo Yuan. Instead of dragging things on, why not meet them in battle swiftly?

"Tianhao, immediately gather the army at the North City Gate. Displaying a retreat posture will lure the Xia Army to intercept. But instruct the soldiers clearly that leaving the city isn’t an escape, it’s a confrontation with the Xia Army, helping them mentally prepare in advance."

"I’ll take action now!"

Ye Tianhao evidently agreed with the proactive approach. After respectfully answering, he quickly turned and dashed towards the military camp.

"In the end, we still took the initiative to leave East Valley City. The initial targets of the Great Xia were Yangqu and Beishuo, posturing as though advancing on four fronts simultaneously, was merely to intimidate us into retreating. It’s regrettable that I couldn’t discern Xia Hong’s intent sooner, otherwise, we wouldn’t be so trapped now!"

Qin Feng’s face was dark as if about to bleed. After pondering for a moment, he looked towards his second son, Qin Shan, and solemnly ordered: "Shan, gather all Earth-Digging Realm individuals in the city."

On hearing Qin Feng’s command, everyone inside the hall was momentarily stunned, but then turned to gaze at the pitch-black sky outside, their faces immediately filled with excitement.

Initiating the attack has its benefits. Normally, if the Xia Army were to attack the city, Wuchuan would be passive. It can be anticipated that Xia Hong would choose to assault at dawn, as they arrived merely at the Cold Resistance Level.

Now, it’s them seeking battle proactively, hence choosing the timing for combat is inherently theirs.

"The city’s forces surpass those of the Great Xia by only ten thousand, not entirely stable. But with tens of thousands of Earth-Digging Realm lending assistance, the situation changes entirely..."

Qin Feng pondered silently as he closed his eyes, waiting for Ye Tianhao and Qin Shan to return with news.