My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"Hmm."

Dong An's face turned grave.

Since arriving here, they had received intelligence that the Liangzhou soldiers had split their forces outside of Yangchun Prefecture: one group crossed eastward while another stayed behind to attack and then defend the city. They also learned through a captured Thousand Captain that this strategy was proposed by Sun Xiangzong's closed-door disciple, the very Chen Sansi whom His Majesty had rewarded. The plan had even sparked an argument with Sha Wenlong, leading Chen Sansi to forcefully lead fewer than four thousand troops away, abandoning their warhorses in the process.

"What boldness! Knowing certain death awaited them in defending the city, yet daring to defy the Main General's orders to act alone. In the future, he surely would have been a force to reckon with. Sadly, they have no future."

At almost the exact same time, in a different place.

Liang Jinian of Mei Mountain, and Dong An outside of Yangchun Prefecture, simultaneously issued orders.

"Tell the West Qi Kingdom generals at Sword Gate Canyon to immediately call up an additional twenty thousand troops to pursue from the rear, and also prepare thirty thousand troops at Luotian Pass in advance, with a General of the Profound Image Realm in command. We must annihilate them all here!"

...

Before Luotian Pass.

Xiao Luo County.

Beyond this county lies Luotian Pass.

Intelligence from Yangchun Prefecture had returned.

As he had anticipated, they suffered heavy losses, fighting like trapped beasts.

Moreover, news had arrived from Zhao Wuji.

After being scattered earlier, he led the remnants of his troops to flee westward, darting between counties. They aimed to capture Wutong Prefecture, the weakest military point in the west, as a place to settle. However, their military strength was insufficient. If they had another three to four thousand men, there would be no issue. They inquired whether more troops could be dispatched to support or join forces. Wutong Prefecture was easy to defend but hard to attack, and it had a large supply of provisions. Once taken, it could definitely be held for a considerable time—more than forty days.

Chen Sansi and his group waited outside the city gate for the last piece of intelligence to make their final decision.

"Report—"

Zhao Kang rushed back in a panic, "Sir, terrible news! At Luotian Pass... At Luotian Pass, there are at least thirty thousand troops, and among them, there appears to be a General of the Profound Image Realm!"

"Report—"

Another frantic voice came from the rear. A scout reported, "More troops have joined the pursuit from behind. The exact number can't be determined, but there are at least twenty thousand people."

"This..."

"What do we do now?!"

"..."

Xie Sishu spun anxiously on the spot, "Wolves ahead and tigers behind, retreat means death, and progress is also death! I said we should not have come to Luotian Pass, but you insisted. General Chen, what should we do now?!"

Lu Shuhua frowned deeply, staring intently at Chen Sansi, "If we had known, we might as well have stayed with the Princely Heir to defend the city. With a few thousand more troops, we could have held out longer, perhaps until reinforcements arrived!"

"General Chen, it was your idea!"

Yu Song drew his sword, "You say, what should we do now? If there's no other way, shall we fight our way back?"

"Maps!"

Chen Sansi beckoned.

Xu Wencai, who had prepared for a long time, immediately spread out the map.

"Cross the Hongze River a second time!"

Chen Sansi slammed his hand onto the western side of the map.
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"Cross the river again?"

Xie Sishu's face showed utter confusion, "If we head west from here, we'll reach Yingzui Mountain and Golden Spring Manor. Not long ago, General Sha and his men were severely defeated there in battle with the Red Eyebrow Army. You want to go there? Are you mad?"

"The situation then is different from now."

Chen Sansi was forced to delay and explain to them.

It was the same old story.

His rank was too low, his power too insignificant. He had never commanded a large battle, nor did he have any prestige.

Convincing everyone by explanation was something he had to do.

"Have you forgotten what the enemy's main forces are doing now?

"More than half are in the western region, preparing to face the Yan State Army, and the majority of the rest are attacking Yangchun Prefecture. Plus the fifty thousand troops pursuing us, near Yingzui Mountain and even in Golden Spring Manor, there definitely won't be more than two thousand troops, and they'll be completely unprepared!

"If we go now, we can not only temporarily shake off the pursuers, but we might even burn their supply depots! This will increase their cost in the upcoming battle with our kingdom's great army!

"Don't worry, the information about the thinly spread troops can be corroborated by General Zhao on the western front. If you don't believe me, look."

The group was half-convinced.

In the end, it was Yu Song, who, after seeing the intelligence sent through Hai Dongqing from Zhao Wuji, was willing to accept the outcome, "Alright, then we'll do as General Chen says. We'll cross the Hongze River a second time and head straight for Golden Spring Manor. Death awaits us if we stay, and if we succeed, we will join forces with General Zhao. With a General of the Profound Image Realm on our side, we'll certainly have additional paths of survival!"

Zhao Wuji...

Chen Sansi sighed.

The journey was long; they had little chance of rendezvousing with Zhao Wuji.

But now was not the time to say it.

He had to lead them out in a way that they were willing to believe, first.

"Move out!"

"Wait, Vice Admiral Yu, we can't leave yet."

Chen Sansi instructed, "We need to leave a group behind to make a feigned attack and delay the crossing time. After reaching the shore, our horses will return to find us, and they won't be able to catch up anymore!"

Vice Admiral Yu surveyed the crowd, "Who's willing to go?"

"I'll go!"

Bai Thingzhi stepped forward without hesitation, "I'm willing to cover the rear for General Chen!"

"It's a feint, not a real rearguard action!"

Chen Sansi reminded, "Just make some noise at intervals, don't actually die out there!"

He was still somewhat worried.

Bai Thingzhi and Zhu Tong were both considered "brainless."

At the moment, Lu Shuhua and Xie Sishu were not likely to be willing.