Chapter 251: Countermeasures, Guo Jia's Concerns
After hearing Emperor Yu's question, all the important officials in the imperial court also looked at the young man in front of them who looked a little thin and pale.
Guo Jia stepped forward, without saying a word, first bowed to Emperor Yu, and then slightly arched his hands to the courtiers.
"Your Majesty, since the Bayi tribe fled to the desert north, I, the Great Yu, defeated Donghuai and conquered the southern barbarians. I won great victories on all three borders. With the Xuanjian Pass garrisoned in the west, there will be no losses."
"Now, the smoke is rising on the four borders again, and its root cause lies in Huainan. Because the King of Huai rebelled, they wanted to take this opportunity to carve up Dayu."
"Da Yan's 300,000 soldiers are pressing down on Xuanjian Pass. Their elite troops will definitely come out in full force. You can imagine the pressure on the Western Region by then."
Guo Jia paused for a moment, while Zhao Changying's face condensed and he said softly: "What you said makes sense, sir. Is there any way to retreat from the enemy?"
"It's quite simple."
Guo Jia pondered for a moment and said softly: "If you want to resolve the crisis in the Western Region, the key lies in Dali."
"Dali."
Ning Fan's eyes shone with a gleam of light, and he whispered: "Befriend far away and attack close."
"good!"
Guo Jia nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "In the past year, Da Yan has launched a fierce attack on Da Li. A large area of Da Li's northern territory has fallen, and the frontline soldiers have been defeated one after another. Now is the final stage of Da Li's counterattack. Good timing.”
"So, the grassroots suggest that we unite with Da Li to fight against Da Yan."
"To the west, we are fighting against Wu and Shu. We are pursuing a strategy of establishing close ties with distant enemies to contain all the forces in the Dayan Kingdom."
As soon as Guo Jia finished speaking, Shen Li took the lead in nodding his head and said with appreciation: "This is a good strategy. Make friends from far away and attack closely. If Da Li and Wu Shu are restrained, Da Yan will never dare to attack me with all their strength."
"What Mr. Shen said is absolutely true."
"However, the premise of everything is... that the hanging sword barrier cannot be broken."
Guo Jia also had a look of solemnity on his face, and said sadly: "Although we have received news that Da Yan has sent 300,000 troops, we have no idea how many soldiers there actually are."
"Besides, His Highness King Sheng has not yet arrived in the Western Region. If it is revealed before he returns..."
"The Western Territory is in danger!"
Guo Jia expressed his worries, and Zheng Xuan sneered at the side: "That's nonsense. The Xuanjian Pass in our western border is a natural chasm. It has never been broken since it was built."
"They only have an army of 300,000 people, and they want to break through the gate of my country in the west of Dayu. It is nothing more than wishful thinking."
Guo Jia completely ignored Zheng Xuan's sneer, but continued with a calm look on his face: "As for the danger in the east, it is much simpler."
"My Dayu's eastern border borders Donghuai for hundreds of miles. If we want to be impregnable, we need at least 200,000 troops to guard it."
"In the battle at Zhen Guogong's eastern border, they wiped out the main force of more than 200,000 people in Donghuai. Now, they have sent more than 100,000 troops again. They must have come out in full force, and even used the garrison in Donghai."
"So, in this battle, Donghuai is betting on the destiny of the country."
Guo Jia's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said in a serious voice: "They pulled more than ten soldiers to the border. Their country must be empty, and our army still has the advantage, if my prediction is good."
"The troops sent by Donghuai this time are not really intended to attack me, Dayu, but to contain our Zhenguo army. Donghuai should have reached some agreement with the King of Huai."
Emperor Yu had a deep look on his face, nodded slightly, and a sharp look suddenly appeared in his expression: "The Donghuai Kingdom is weak and restricted by Yingzhou. The number of troops they can use is more than 100,000, which is the limit."
“Instead of being passive defensive, it’s better to be proactive.”
"Your Majesty is wise."
Guo Jia smiled in agreement and said: "As long as we send a group of elite cavalry to attack the hinterland of Donghuai, use blitz warfare and harassment warfare to contain the main force of Donghuai, the danger in the east will be resolved."
"Even the border of Donghuai will become the back garden of our army, with free access."
"good!"
Ning Fan also nodded in agreement: "Heibingtai has set up a very complete espionage agency in Donghuai, and almost every move they make cannot escape the eyes and ears of Heibingtai."
"Father, my son proposed that Yue Fei lead the Wei army to march eastward and directly attack the hinterland of Donghuai. Let Ping Guo Gong and Yue Guo Gong lead 100,000 Zhen Guo troops to rush to the battlefield in the east. Zhen Guo Gong led the remaining troops. Stay in the capital in case something unexpected happens."
Emperor Yu pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhao Changying and his party: "What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I think this plan is feasible."
"I second the proposal!"
"Your Majesty, is this plan a bit dangerous?" Lin Qiushi said with a deep face and a solemn voice: "A 10,000-strong army has entered Donghuai, and it is a lone army. Once it is surrounded and suppressed by the main force of Donghuai, it is likely to be worse than disaster."
"Haha, there is no need to worry, Mr. Zuo Xiang." Ning Fan chuckled and said, "When the armies of the two princes march to the east, the main force of Donghuai will not dare to move lightly."
"Besides, the Beiwei Army is not something anyone can control. Who will have the last laugh in this battle is yet to be determined."
Seeing Ning Fan speak so confidently, Lin Qiushi stopped talking. Emperor Yu nodded heavily and immediately looked at Yue Fei: "Yue Aiqing, I make you the General of the East Conquest, and receive the general's seal. You can lead the way." The Wei army attacked Donghuai directly."
"I obey the decree!"
"Remember, containment is the main thing, don't be greedy for success. We don't ask for a big victory in this battle. As long as we can contain the main force of Donghuai, it will be a great achievement."
"promise!"
"Ping Guo Gong, Yue Guo Gong!"
"The old minister is here."
"You must quickly raise a hundred thousand troops and march to the east. Guard Yu's east territory strictly. Don't let a single soldier enter."
"Old minister, I obey."
After Emperor Yu finished speaking, Ning Fan suddenly added: "My Lords, I will send the people of Black Ice Platform to pass on the message to you two. If we find that the main force of Donghuai has returned to help, we can move our entire army to attack the border. The enemy retreats and we advance."
"Don't give the other side a chance to return to help."
Duke Ping and Duke Yue looked at each other, with a gleam of brilliance in their eyes, and nodded heavily: "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."
The three of them left the hall one after another, and Guo Jia's eyes fell on Zhao Changying: "My Lord, I wonder how many soldiers are still in the National Defense Army?"
"Less than 30,000!"
Zhao Changying also showed a bitter smile on his face and said softly "In the battle in the southern border, tens of thousands of soldiers were killed and wounded in the state defense army. Now His Royal Highness Prince Sheng has taken all the cavalry away. There are only more than 20,000 soldiers left in the army camp."
"There are more than 20,000 soldiers in the state defense army, plus the imperial army, the city defense camp, and the ghost army Taotie camp, there are at least 70,000 soldiers and horses."
"Now that Princess Changning and Minister Ji are on guard against the King of Huai in Huainan, and there is also the Qingyun Marquis of Zhennan City to contain him, Lu Kan can't make a big wave."
After Ning Fan's analysis, Emperor Yu shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice: "The war must not burn to my Dayu territory. Inform Ji Sui that once there are signs that the King of Huai has sent troops, immediately send troops to attack."
"As ordered!"
...