PFC Chapter 62 Courageous Progress
Chapter 62 Courageous Progress
"Does anyone have any other ideas?"
Li Sheng asked again.
The crowd did not answer.
"It seems I still need to increase my efforts in training these old buddies!"
Their inherent limitations due to their birth make them accustomed to following orders.
No wonder there's a saying that a simple peasant class can't achieve anything significant.
However, Li Sheng was not discouraged. Difficulty in achieving something does not mean it is impossible. The peasant brothers can still be re-educated.
Li Sheng then explained his plans and analysis to everyone in detail...
According to Li Sheng, based on previous reconnaissance, there was a small hill on the north bank of the river, directly opposite the shallowest ford. If he were a bandit, he would definitely choose to cross the river there, because the riverbed was flat and the water was no more than waist-deep. That hill was precisely the perfect starting point for an attack, offering a commanding view and allowing him to swoop down and strike the enemy's flank.
Realistically, the bandits were numerous, and crossing the river couldn't be accomplished in one fell swoop. The vanguard would cross, the central army would still be in the water, and the rear guard would remain on the north bank. If, at this crucial moment, a detachment could seize the small hill on the north bank and launch an attack from high to low, striking directly at their rear, the bandits would be thrown into disarray, panicking and scrambling to cross. Meanwhile, the ambush troops on the south bank could then suddenly strike, splitting the bandits in two. Those remaining on the north bank wouldn't be able to cross, and those who had crossed wouldn't be able to retreat, leaving them unable to coordinate their efforts.
In this way, the Yellow Turban rebels can be defeated in an instant.
Chen Yuan's deployment merely concentrated all his forces on the south bank. While this might secure victory, it wasn't guaranteed. Seeing the unfavorable situation, the rebels would inevitably retreat, at most injuring their vanguard, while their central and rear guard would likely escape unscathed. In a few days, they would certainly change direction and wreak havoc on other counties, potentially impacting even more civilians.
After listening to Li Sheng's analysis, everyone suddenly understood.
Anyone with eyes to see can see that Brother Sheng's decision-making is more proactive and aggressive than that of County Lieutenant Chen Yuan, and will achieve greater results.
"Brother Sheng, you're absolutely right, but we're just nobody here, so there's no point in us saying anything."
"Yeah yeah."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At this moment, Li Sheng stood up.
"That's not necessarily true. Let me go see the captain first."
Everyone was stunned, and the tent fell silent for a moment.
"Brother Sheng, the brothers all believe in you!"
"Yes, I think Sheng-ge is right."
Since following Brother Sheng, everyone has never seen him make a wrong decision, so they trust him completely, even to the point of seeming somewhat blind.
If outsiders knew, they would definitely think that Li Sheng and his men were a bunch of lunatics.
Seeing everyone supporting him, Li Sheng felt a little touched, but he also felt an invisible pressure on his shoulders.
Everyone trusts me so much, I certainly can't let them down.
Li Sheng tightened his belt and stood up.
"Have the brothers prepare themselves and wait for my news."
He strode towards the central army camp.
The guards in front of the tent were somewhat surprised to see Li Sheng approaching.
"Commander Li, what brings you here?"
Li Sheng clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Brothers, I have important business to discuss with the Commandant. Please inform him of my presence."
The two guards exchanged a glance, and one of them spoke.
"Please wait a moment, Commander Li, while I go inside to consult with some officials."
"This is troublesome."
Li Sheng spoke gently and was very friendly, making the two guards feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
A moment later, the guard came out.
"Commander Li, the captain has agreed to see you. Please come in."
Li Sheng nodded his thanks and then went into the tent.
Upon meeting Chen Yuan, Li Sheng got straight to the point.
"Captain, I have something to say and would like to ask for your guidance."
"speak."
Li Sheng raised his head, his gaze calm.
"The strategy of attacking while the enemy is crossing the river is undoubtedly the safest and best course of action, Commander. However, I dare to presume to perform a meritorious service for you!"
Chen Yuan looked at him in surprise, a smile on his face.
"Continue."
"promise."
Li Sheng continued.
"During the day, I scouted the terrain on the north bank. There is a small hill directly opposite the ferry crossing, which is high up and offers a commanding view. If we can send a team of elite troops to quietly wade across the river before the bandits cross, seize the hill and hide there, then when the bandits are halfway across, the ambush troops on the south bank will attack all at once, and the ambush troops on the hill on the north bank will also swoop down from the high ground at the same time, striking the bandits from the rear."
He paused, gesturing with his fingers in the air.
"At that time, the bandits will be blocked by our large army on the south bank, and ambushed by our troops on the north bank. Those still in the water will be unable to advance or retreat, and they will surely be thrown into chaos. Our army can divide them into three sections, preventing them from supporting each other. The Yellow Turban bandits can be completely annihilated here, and not a single one will escape."
Chen Yuan's brows twitched slightly, and he remained silent for a moment.
"If the ambush is set up on the north bank and the bandits discover it in advance, that group will be isolated and none of them will be able to return."
Chen Yuan had considered the point Li Sheng made, but he ultimately chose a more conservative approach.
"Therefore, I say we don't need many; my one garrison of elite troops is enough."
Li Sheng had great confidence in him and his subordinates.
Based on his observations over the past few days, most of the government troops in Xiapi County looked like clay chickens and earthen dogs, not to mention the Yellow Turban rebels.
Chen Yuan neither immediately rejected nor immediately agreed.
He stroked his short beard, his gaze fixed on Li Sheng, as if assessing the young man's worth.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"You're not afraid of death."
Li Sheng clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"I only want to fight this battle well, to earn more merits for the Commandant, and to earn more merits and money for the elders of Siyang who follow me."
Chen Yuan glanced at him, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, it was unclear whether it was approval or something else.
"Let me think about it. You go back first."
Li Sheng said no more and bowed as he withdrew.
As evening approached, Chen Yuan sent someone to summon Li Sheng again.
Chen Yuan's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Li Sheng.
"Village Chief Li."
His tone was very formal, lacking the relaxed atmosphere of the daytime, clearly indicating that he had been thinking about it for a long time.
"Your subordinate is here."
"Your unit will act as the vanguard, crossing the river first to seize the high ground on the north bank. Are you confident of success?"
Li Sheng raised his head and said resolutely.
"Your subordinates will surely prevail!"
Looking at Li Sheng's imposing appearance, Chen Yuan's admiration grew even stronger.
What a brave general!
If he were to return victorious, a suitable woman from the family could be chosen to marry him.
Now, when it should be a time to discuss important military matters, Chen Yuan, the commander of the army, thought of his own personal affairs.
His decision to respond to Governor Ba Gong's order to go north and quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion was undoubtedly motivated by a desire to achieve great deeds.
Chaos is precisely the opportunity for advancement. Powerful clans and gentry throughout the Han Dynasty all wanted to profit from the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Didn't the master also send Chen Deng and Chen Yuanlong to various places?
The family used to study the classics, which is how they achieved their current status. But when chaos strikes, it is still more secure to control the military!
Although Chen Yuan was also a member of the Chen family, he also had his own interests and demands.
In his view, the Chen family of Xiapi was still inferior to the Chen family of Huaipu, the main family. If he could establish his own achievements, he might be able to gain more say in the dialogue with the main family.