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Chapter 436: 225: The Key to Victory

Seeing that Yang Jing was still arguing about merits, Lu Yuan quickly intervened and changed the topic.

Then he looked at the two of them and said slowly, “Now that Guining Fu City has been captured in a day, the city’s defending general Gui Lianyun has been killed, and the fifty thousand Zhou soldiers inside the city have either surrendered or died.”

“There is no obstacle from Zhou soldiers to the north now until we reach the border with Fangling Prefecture.”

“Hence, my decision is that since it’s already late today and our soldiers are exhausted from the long battle, we shall rest for a night in this city.”

“Tomorrow at dawn, I will lead the troops to Fangling Prefecture.”

“What do you think, Martial Proclamation Marquis?”

Upon saying this, Lu Yuan looked at Yang Jing.

Among the hundred thousand troops under him, eighty thousand were his direct subordinates, while the remaining twenty thousand were under Yang Jing’s command as royal court soldiers.

In addition, Yang Jing represented Wuan Marquis and the royal court, and he was also an Inborn Grandmaster.

Given these factors, Lu Yuan needed Yang Jing’s input when making decisions and couldn’t act unilaterally.

However, Yang Jing usually behaved reasonably and did not raise any objections to Lu Yuan’s decisions as long as they didn’t involve core interests.

He would follow the commander’s ideas without causing any conflict.

So, upon hearing Lu Yuan’s plan, Yang Jing said, “Your Highness’ arrangements are prudent and cautious. I have no objections.”

“Good. Since Martial Proclamation Marquis has no objections, we will proceed accordingly.”

Seeing that Yang Jing did not object, Lu Yuan revealed a smile and then turned to Lan Cai’er, saying, “Your Majesty, now that Guining Fu City has been taken, it is a strategic location that not only separates the east and west territories of the Zhou People but also secures the rear of our surprise attack force. We must have someone guard this place.”

“So, my plan is that after I lead the army away tomorrow, you will stay behind and lead twenty thousand soldiers to guard this city.”

“While guarding the rear of our main army, you can also keep an eye on the captives in the city.”

“Do you have any objections, Your Majesty?”

In reality, the two cities of Wushan Prefecture and Jingmen Prefecture were already held up by the royal court reinforcements, making it highly unlikely that the Zhou People would send reinforcements here.

So, leaving twenty thousand soldiers and an Inborn Grandmaster at Guining Fu City wasn’t actually necessary.

But who could blame Lu Yuan for being concerned about his injured wife?

Since his wife had fought hard for him and sustained severe injuries, how could he bear to let her continue fighting on the battlefield given the circumstances?

So, letting Lan Cai’er stay behind in Guining Fu City to heal her injuries and guard the rear in case of an emergency seemed appropriate.

Furthermore, it wasn’t just about letting Lan Cai’er recover. This northern expedition was fraught with great risks.

Even the slightest mistake could lead to the annihilation of the entire army.

Of the eighty thousand troops remaining in Lu Yuan’s northern expedition, thirty thousand were his direct soldiers and the other fifty thousand were from the Miao People.

Having lost ten thousand soldiers in the northern expedition, Lu Yuan was already heartbroken.

Now, while preparing a surprise attack on Xiangyang City, he couldn’t bear to risk his direct troops.

So, by leaving twenty thousand soldiers behind in Guining Fu City, he would only have ten thousand soldiers remaining for the northern assault.

In this way, even if the surprise attack failed, he would only lose ten thousand soldiers and fifty thousand Miao People at most.

Although this outcome would still pain him, the preservation of twenty thousand soldiers’ vitality was somewhat more acceptable.

With these considerations and concerns, Lu Yuan made this arrangement.

As for Lan Cai’er, who wasn’t aware of the detailed plan, she naturally believed her husband was genuinely concerned about her well-being. Feeling touched, she didn’t refuse his kindness and nodded, saying, “I will follow Your Highness’ arrangements.”

Yang Jing hesitated after seeing this scene, but ultimately didn’t speak up against it.

What reason could he have for objecting?

Lu Yuan’s reasons for leaving Lan Cai’er behind were valid indeed.

Guarding the rear of the army and blocking the Zhou People’s communication between east and west were crucial tasks.

Just because it was difficult for the Zhou People on both sides to send reinforcements didn’t mean this place was invulnerable to attacks, right?

They were able to launch a surprise attack on Guining Fu City, so who was to say the Zhou People couldn’t do the same?

Therefore, leaving twenty thousand soldiers and an Inborn Grandmaster here was indeed a prudent strategy.

Yang Jing sighed in his heart, thinking, ‘Well, it’s just one less Inborn Grandmaster and twenty thousand soldiers. We still have more than seventy thousand troops, and with both Lu Yuan and me, we should still be able to carry out the surprise attack.’

Seeing no objections from Yang Jing, Lu Yuan nodded and smiled, “In that case, the matter is settled. Tomorrow, the Queen will lead twenty thousand soldiers to guard this city and the rear.”

“Marshal Proclamation Marquis and I will take the rest of the troops and continue northward.”

After that, the military meeting came to an end.

Yang Jing returned to his own camp to prepare for tomorrow’s battle, while the injured and exhausted Lan Cai’er was ordered by Lu Yuan to rest.

Lu Yuan remained in the tent, both writing the war report to be sent to Dangyang’s main camp and handling post-battle military affairs.

After working hard for more than an hour, when it was almost midnight, Zhou Qing hurried in.