Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 361: Chapter 77: Military Array Stage 4, Capture the Leader to End the Rebellion (Part 2)

Chen Ping has been busy lately with many affairs.

His main focus has been on the internal affairs of Xingqing Prefecture City. For the surrounding thirteen counties, he only issued orders to gather troops and provide grain, and also sent thirteen disciples of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall to manage their military forces.

Of the thirteen counties, only Luqiao County’s Wang Kai and Wuu Qingshan have sent letters stating they have taken office and control of most of the troops. The remaining eleven counties have not responded, and the provisions and troops have not been transported.

People like Weichi, Wang Kai, and Wuu Qingshan were personally selected by Chen Ping from dozens of outer disciples of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall.

Under his personal guidance, a total of eight outer disciples have advanced from the mid-stage of Primordial Iron Body to Great Success in Iron Body, which means they are robust in body and blood qi, and with some training, they can lead troops into battle.

After consulting his master, Chen Ping promoted these eight outer disciples to direct disciples, and also sent down his five senior brothers.

In his plan, having recently acquired Xingqing, he didn’t have close confidants, so those he trusted most were of the Primordial lineage. With Han Wushang and Sima Rou holding the fort, these people are relatively reliable.

As long as their martial force is decent, Chen Ping is willing to let go.

Just give it some time.

Eventually, the former disciples of Changkong Martial Arts Hall and disciples of Wind Thunder and Shifang Martial Halls will slowly be selected as generals among the skilled ones. This matter needs to be approached step by step.

It is not that Chen Ping particularly favors these martial arts hall disciples.

Rather, in this era, those who can afford to spend silver to learn martial arts in a martial hall typically have some surplus wealth at home. At least, once in a while, they can afford to eat meat.

Moreover, most martial hall disciples are literate.

Their goodness and morality, taught by martial hall masters, generally don’t stray too far off the path.

Compared to those in the Jianghu who mix in gangs, spending days killing, arsoning, stealing, deceiving, and kidnapping, they are certainly much better.

As for the household staff and confidants of various noble families, there are some talents among them, but Chen Ping is hesitant to use them for now.

While his foundation is not yet solid, using these people could result in uncertain loyalty.

"You mean to infiltrate the city?"

Chen Ping roughly understood what strategy Yuo Qiu was proposing.

To put it bluntly, it’s not worth much.

Currently, outside the city, Baimei General has eight thousand cavalry and fifteen thousand infantry arrayed in a square formation, refusing to move lightly.

If I were to lead these five thousand cavalry for a frontal charge, although we might win, it’s likely we would suffer heavy losses fighting more with less.

Of course, a general does not hesitate to lose troops; losing one or two thousand cavalry, or even two or three thousand if needed for victory, is acceptable.

Afterward, reorganizing the remaining soldiers and conquering generals can still be profitable.

However, that’s not how the calculations should be made. Right now, I’ve only just established a foothold, and troops, especially elite ones, are far too scarce.

Although the total military strength reaches two to three thousand, in reality, half are recruits.

Those who have seen bloodshed and undergone training, with combat power, can be chosen up to fifteen thousand, which is quite good.

Losing thousands in one battle would be a harsh blow for Chen Ping, potentially shaking the troops’ morale, requiring lots of time and effort to train and indoctrinate them again, which would be unnecessary.

Therefore, he not only wants to win but to win decisively.

The best strategy is to keep fighting and increasing the number and strength of elite troops while minimizing losses.

"Exactly, infiltrate the city, don’t charge their large formation, but engage in small clashes. With Lord’s skills, facing Baimei General, capture or kill would be effortless."

Yuo Qiu bowed formally and spoke in a deep voice: "The reason why the Four Spirits and Eight Generals of the East Wood Army are so famous is that these twelve generals are masters of military arrays, having reached the second layer of Fortune Array Mental Realm.

If Lord truly wants to charge their large formation with five thousand cavalry, it’s difficult to win quickly, making it essential to use a clever strategy and surprise troops. In the initial battle of wits, given the significance, Lord should consider thoroughly."

Chen Ping felt a chill in his heart.

He had also considered using battle to train, initially clashing with their large formation, and if seeing an opportunity, directly crush and kill, or if deemed too costly, retreat and devise another solution.

With Yuo Qiu’s words, he turned to look at Han Xiaoru and other disciples, as well as those fierce-looking cavalry, seeing their faces full of anticipation and excitement, feeling somewhat conflicted.

’These people indeed trust me immensely, believing I can lead them to a great triumph, not urgently seeking to train. At least, they shouldn’t suffer losses while I personally lead the troops in battle.’

The Fortune Array’s second layer Mental Realm mentioned by Yuo Qiu.

Chen Ping, of course, understood now.

In this world, when formations clash, there’s not only the technique of Man and Horse Unity, but the amplification of True Qi and Blood Qi on horse power and stamina is fundamental.

After forming a large formation, the main general can cohesively gather military qi, enhance personal combat power, and can face opponents several levels higher. It’s an indispensable way to deal with martial artist experts.

Because the Court hasn’t heavily restricted military array techniques here, everyone can form large arrays. Even mountain bandits and rogues can manage to use one or two incomplete military arrays, raising combat power greatly.

Especially in years of ongoing wars, anyone from the army generally masters a formation technique, able to develop their own military array.

Weaker war formations, like the past Xuanwu Guard Captain Zhang Lianshan, his Fortune Array level only reached Qi Gathering.

Meaning, he could gather the troops’ blood qi to launch a wave attack.