Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 360: Chapter 177: Military Array Stage 4, Capture the King to Capture the Bandits

"Lord, the hearts of the people in Yuanxi County have not turned towards us; it is not worth the risk to save them. I have a plan to offer, which can break the Plum Blossom Military Array without any effort, and add another great general for you."

Yuo Qiu, as for his character, is not very commendable, but his talent and learning are indeed impeccable.

Since he sought refuge under Chen Ping for the sake of his life, he has indeed been devoted, streamlining and organizing all trades in Xingqing Prefecture within less than a month.

From an outsider’s perspective, he possesses both thunderous methods and a compassionate heart, embodying Chen Ping’s ideas quite well.

Moreover, Yuo Qiu is ten times bolder than those scholars from poor families who were promoted from Xingqing Prefecture. When implementing policies, he relies on Hu Yong’s newly trained Xianzhen New Army, which acts without any restrictions, carrying the implication that those who follow me will prosper, and those who resist will perish.

Of course, methods are just tools; the ultimate goal is peace.

What satisfies Chen Ping the most is that while Yuo Qiu’s methods are ruthless and his actions shrewd, he hasn’t forgotten to help elevate the fame of Chen Ping, this Grand General of Xingqing.

Frankly, in Xingqing Prefecture City, Yuo Qiu’s reputation is exceedingly poor, with many secretly saying he’s nothing but a wicked dog.

However, Chen Ping’s reputation remains absolutely illustrious.

Walking through the streets, there are citizens who weep with gratitude, coming to pay their respects.

Achieving this is undoubtedly commendable.

Sometimes Chen Ping wonders.

If the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou hadn’t met him, hadn’t been killed in the Youx Mountain Deep Valley the day before obtaining the Azure Dragon Seal...

After his rise, he might have truly relied on his civil and military officials to weaken the Eight Prefectures and Eleven Commanderies of Jiangnan, causing the notion of home and country to fade.

There was a real possibility that the Beizhou army could have conquered swiftly.

The number of those who would surrender would be more than ten times those who would die in battle.

Therefore, despite Chen Ping having attracted some desolate literati with the Azure Dragon Seal and his undefeated reputation, some of whom are indeed talented and capable scholars, Chen Ping still prefers Yuo Qiu’s way of doing things.

This proactive engagement is intended to be aggressive as fire, using speed against speed, to crush the furious arrogance of the East Wood Army’s three divisions. It mustn’t be a straightforward military confrontation, hence Chen Ping kept him by his side for advice.

"Mr. Yuo, what strategy do you propose? Speak freely; if you can break this array, it will count as your achievement."

Through the mist, as Chen Ping observed the shadow of the Yuanxi County city through the eyes of the Little Cyan Bird soaring in the sky, Chen Ping waved his hand, and five thousand cavalry halted.

Leveraging the unique perspective of the Little Cyan Bird, he saw the Qingjiang River winding, fields lush and green, and on a vast plain, there was an overwhelming military array, as well as the chaotic and tumultuous scene within Yuanxi City.

At this moment, the scouts reported back.

A cavalry, clad in leather armor, hit by two arrows, rushed over, saw the cavalry formation, and quickly dismounted, kneeling in submission, "General, the situation has been verified. Baimei General Mei Yu has already made a probing attack on the city, nearly breaking through."

"Furthermore, Yuanxi County Captain Fang Ji led eight hundred cavalry out for a challenge. Mei Yu engaged him alone, and after one move, killed Fang Ji and defeated the eight hundred cavalry. It is said that only five hundred survived and retreated into the city..."

No wonder, the city is in such turmoil, with no fighting spirit left.

However, from the perspective of the Little Cyan Bird, it could be seen that the city still has at least three thousand to five thousand armored soldiers, not to mention countless strong laborers and civilians.

Yuanxi County’s forces are actually not weak; if they fight determinedly to defend the city, they can withstand the East Wood Army’s attacks for two or three days without any issue.

"I remember when Vice Magistrate Wu from Xingqing Prefecture issued the decree to arrest bandits. Yuanxi County responded; at that time, when I passed through this county, its troops were considered elite."

Chen Ping recalled the day when he traveled through this area with Hua Lian’er, not only encountering an attack from Spring Water Sword Sect’s Old Zhao, but afterwards, facing an onslaught by almost every Jianghu person and city soldier. Only after killing many did they manage to escape into the wilderness.

This suggests that the Magistrate of Yuanxi has a significant ideological inclination issue.

"Indeed, Magistrate Zhao Shicheng of Yuanxi has been leaning towards Beizhou for a long time and has been flirting with the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou. Not only him, but also three major families and two commercial firms in the city are all connected with the Zhao Family."

"They are unwilling to join the East Wood Army because they have seen through East Royal Lord’s nature; no matter how strong the army, it cannot escape the tricks of bandits and is not a Bright Lord, unlikely to succeed. If this city is captured, their assets and lives will be at risk, so they will certainly fight desperately."

Yuo Qiu continued eloquently and then paused, "Though Zhao Shicheng is indeed talented, especially good at composing poetry... but he looks down on the Jianghu grass-roots, ignoring the laborers of the Qingshui Gang."

"What do you mean?"

Chen Ping became interested.

"Although the Qingshui Gang does not boast many experts, the gang leader and vice gang leader have only barely practiced Opening the Three and Four Extraordinary Meridians. However, this gang is vast in numbers and houses many Jianghu people discontent with the Government. Now, with the East Wood Army attacking the city, they are the biggest threat."

"What do you mean?"

"Initially, Lord entrusted Weichi of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall to take over the Yuanxi army, but he didn’t manage to do so. Upon arriving at Yuanxi County, he was apprehended, though not killed, left utterly constrained. However, two days ago, he sent a message saying that he had already secured control over the northern waterways of the city..."