Infinite Professions

Chapter 433: Chapter 223: Three Sides

Qinghe County, Qinghe Port.

Within Yangzhou, there is the Grand Canal, with the Weishui River as its main artery, connecting the Three Prefectures of Jinling and even reaching several states in the south, serving as an absolute lifeline.

The Weishui River descends from Jinling and enters Qinghe at Qinghe Port, and only upon entering Qinghe Port can one switch from water to land routes to head to Jinyang Prefecture City.

However, Qinghe Port is now heavily guarded, with a water village fortress, cutting off the river path and forming a strategic position with Qinghe County.

Amidst this strategic positioning, there is also a military camp with flags waving and troops well-organized, like coiled dragons and snakes, exuding a fierce killing intent, clearly an iron-blooded army.

Within the camp, at the central military tent, Xiao Ye sits at the head, wearing a gold armor adorned with wild goose feathers. Below him, civil servants and military officers are arranged on both sides, a gathering of talents.

Compared to the noble songs and feasts in Jinling City before, Xiao Ye now appears even more regal, wielding the power of military arms, as a result of weapons in hand.

He scanned the room with his gaze, speaking calmly and authoritatively: "Our army has been here for several days. Song Jian has divided his forces into three positions: one at Qinghe Port, another strengthening Huangshan Pass, and the third guarding Qinghe County. Does anyone have a strategy to defeat the enemy?"

At his words, everyone remained silent, until a plain-looking young man stepped forward: "Your Highness, the enemy has fortified camps and relies on firm cities and precarious passes. If we attack forcefully, there will be heavy casualties. Wisdom is the best strategy!"

"Oh?"

Xiao Ye glanced at him: "What does Jingfu have to teach?"

This man, Guo Xiu, styled Jingfu, was recruited to Jinling’s state mansion as a great talent, known for his resourcefulness and military strategy, currently serving as an Adviser in the army.

Guo Xiu bowed: "Coordinate from Jinyang, attack from inside and outside!"

"Hmm..."

Listening to this, Xiao Ye frowned.

This campaign is imperative for him, and he has officially deployed thirty thousand State Soldiers down the Weishui River to attack Qinghe Port, but in reality, there’s also a detachment aimed directly at Jinyang by land.

Jinling and Jinyang are connected, but the border area is called Guobei.

Yes, it’s the Guobei County where the Lanruo Old Demon resides!

Since the Lanruo Old Demon took over, land transport between Jinling and Jinyang has gradually been cut off, replaced by Qinghe river transport.

But this time, Xiao Ye employs surprise troops, urging the Jinling Prefect to suppress the Lanruo Old Demon, enabling the detachment to reach Jinyang’s center via land.

If this detachment succeeds, it would be a clever plan, allowing the water and land forces to meet, attacking Qinghe Port from inside and out, and breaking its city gate easily.

There’s only one flaw in this plan, it’s the time it takes, as land is not as fast as water routes, and they must guard against the Lanruo Old Demon. Even though the detachment is elite, it will take substantial time to reach Jinyang Prefecture.

Delay could bring change!

Xiao Ye is not keen on delay.

But not delaying...

Xiao Ye couldn’t help but recall the recent battle results.

He led the army down the Weishui River, arriving at Qinghe Port on July 25.

It’s now August 1, six full days have passed.

Excluding the first two days spent setting camps and forging weapons, he spent the remaining four days conducting probing attacks on Qinghe Port Water Village, Huangshan Pass, and Qinghe County Town.

The results were unsatisfactory.

Firstly, Qinghe Port Water Village, which is practically no different from a fortified city, but built on the Qinghe River Path, with high walls and complete armaments, housing three thousand Song Clan members under the name of Qinghe County Soldiers, and so-called Yellow Turban Warriors from the Divine Judgment Temple, constituting elite and hard-to-conquer forces.

His several attacks were repelled, with no more than eight hundred enemy casualties, while losing three thousand of his own.

Qinghe Port Water Village was thus, and Qinghe County Town was even more exaggerated, its walls almost as high as Jinling City’s.

The one defending is Song Ying’s son, Qinghe County Captain Song Jian!

As Wu Ying’s successor among Song Clan’s second generation, a martial arts exemplar, he not only understands military strategy but also acts very stably, making Qinghe County Town watertight, with one thousand government soldiers from Li Mubai reinforcing him, proving more than sufficient.

Xiao Ye’s probes also came to no avail.

As for Huangshan Pass last...

Even with Xiao Ye’s restraint, he feels the urge to curse.

It’s outrageous!

Huangshan Pass is not only high-walled but surrounded by dozens of villages, all built with solid and tight dock fortresses, like a turtle shell covered in spikes.

In front, the strong pass and perilous gorges are easy to defend and hard to attack.

On the sides, dock fortresses are linked, mutually supporting each other.

Not only Huangshan Pass cannot be taken, but even these dock fortresses are tough to conquer because those Song Clan bastards have dug many tunnels connecting them, allowing direct connection between dock fortresses, even to Little Yellow Mountain, achieving true mutual aid.

Upon arrival, Xiao Ye didn’t realize the severity and attempted to forcefully attack a dock fortress, resulting in a whole day of assault without success. Inside the small dock fortress, over a thousand warriors emerged one after another, holding back his attack.

After this, he learned that these village dock fortresses are connected by tunnels, not just one, and the village elderly, women, and children have been moved to Little Yellow Mountain. The remaining are able-bodied men from Song, Li, Huang clans, all now seasoned warriors.

What is this if not outrageous?

Which righteous villager would build so many dock fortresses, dig so many tunnels, and raise so many warriors.

Traitors, they long had rebellious intentions!

Xiao Ye’s heart filled with anger, yet he was helpless.

Huangshan Pass cannot be conquered!

It cannot be conquered, but it cannot be avoided either, because Little Yellow Mountain is crucial, heavily armed, and if Xiao Ye bypassed it, he’d be planting a landmine behind him. The Huangshan Pass garrison could strike, cut off supplies, sever his retreat anytime.