Chapter 5 Sudden Change of Military Orders

"General Zuo, I have a question that I would like to ask Lord Guo." Qin Feng stood up again, expressing his displeasure.

I know that many of you may have thoughts similar to those of Colonel Qin. Changing the established strategy suddenly before battle will present us with numerous difficulties. However, this time it is indeed a decision made out of necessity. As for the specific circumstances, I would like to invite Elder Guo to elaborate on it.

The commander said, "I understand!" Qin Feng, feeling rather disinterested, replied, "Our death-defying battalion has always been engaged in this kind of work. Rest assured, we will do our best. However, after the battle, our battalion must receive the credit. Those who survive should receive the most substantial rewards."

In light of this, the court has decided to change the marching route, to take advantage of the situation and catch them off guard by altering the original route. To maintain secrecy, the court has specifically dispatched Princess Zhaohua to comfort the troops, while Guo has disguised himself as the princess's guard to convey the latest orders and the new offensive route said Guo Jiuling

However, such a frivolous fellow was naturally overlooked by these generals within the grand tent

"Qin wind," Zuo Lixing said sternly

Not long ago, a spy case involving the Western Qin was uncovered in the capital, where a Western Qin agent hidden within our Ministry of War was apprehended. This individual had just been promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of War earlier this year. During the interrogation, we learned that the detailed operational plan previously reported by General Zuo had been completely leaked to the Western Qin by him. Therefore, on the path you were originally advancing, the Western Qin has already set a trap, waiting for us to deliver ourselves to them.

"What problem does the Prefect Qin have?" Guo Jiuling stared at Qin Feng and asked

Zuo Lixing shook his head and said, "I did not see it."

Guo Jiuling nodded in appreciation and said, "Captain Qin, you have raised a good question. General Zuo, have you noticed any changes in personnel within the court from the official reports?" He turned to look at Zuo Lixing.

With a loud bang, Zuo Lixing slammed his palm on the table, "Qin Feng, do you have such audacity? Since you are aware that this is a matter of national importance, how dare you speak recklessly? The latest offensive direction was personally ordered by the Second Prince and brought by Her Highness the Princess. Where to attack is decided by the court, how to attack is determined by me. When is it your turn to speak?"

Only the young guard behind Princess Zhao Hua in the account revealed a look of anger in his eyes

The subordinate stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "The Death Corps, the Death Corps, has always been the vanguard." He naturally understood that the first name called would be his own

"That is only natural," Zuo Lixing said with a smile. "Once this matter is accomplished, you will no longer be a school lieutenant. I will petition the court on your behalf for merit, promoting you to deputy general. After six years in the death squad, it is time for you to be promoted."

"In order to confuse the enemy, your death squad will continue along the original route," said Zuo Lixing, observing the change in Qin Feng's expression. He continued, "You should act according to the situation, but make sure to convince the Western Qin people that we are still advancing along this road, and that the original plan remains unchanged. The longer we can delay, the better. You have served in the military for many years and are experienced; I believe you can handle this matter well. Moreover, your actions will be the decisive factor in the success or failure of our army's operation this time. If you show any signs of weakness, all our careful planning may come to naught. If that happens, do not blame me for being merciless in enforcing military law."

"The internal affairs are handled by the internal guards, and they have their own methods. Currently, this Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War is still continuously transmitting intelligence to the people of the Western Qin, and all this intelligence is accurate," Guo Jiuling said with a smile.

Alright, now that all the generals have gathered, the military council will officially commence. According to the latest orders, the direction of our army's offensive will undergo some changes. " Zuo Lixing cleared his throat and looked at the generals below.

Since there are no issues, I shall now begin to assign the operational tasks for this mission. " Zuo Lixing's expression became solemn: "This time, the Xiqin people have mobilized an army of over 100,000 men to consume us. Our objective in this operation is not to capture cities or plunder lands, but to turn this army against itself and eliminate it. Once we defeat this Xiqin army, the southern territories of Xiqin will be at our mercy.

As soon as Zuo Lihang spoke these words, a chorus of murmurs immediately arose within the tent, with the vast majority of people displaying expressions of envy, although some were genuinely happy for Qin Feng. It is indeed rare for someone like Qin Feng, who has served as a school officer in the Death Squad for six years, to exist. However, seeing Qin Feng's dismissive expression, it was clear that he was not impressed.

Qin Feng cast a cold glance at the young man, then turned and sat down in his designated seat. He paid no mind to this fellow who seemed eager to kill him with a mere look; it was evident that he was one of those arrogant individuals from a prominent family in a big city, who, with a bit of skill, would be puffing up their chest as if they were invincible. Such a person, even if they possessed considerable martial prowess, would find themselves dead in an instant in a death camp, without a clue as to how it happened. However, the old man surnamed Guo, who had his hands tucked into his sleeves, exuded a faint sense of danger that Qin Feng could detect. This kind of intuition could only be honed by someone like Qin Feng, who had danced on the edge of death. From him, Qin Feng sensed an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness, suggesting that this old man had also come from a military background. The way Zuo Shuai addressed him indicated that this person held a significant position. From him, Qin Feng sensed an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness, suggesting that this old man had also come from a military background. The way Zuo Shuai addressed him indicated that this person held a significant position. Even Zuo Shuai, who commanded a large army, had to refer to him as Old Guo.

Guo Jiuling smiled as he looked at Qin Feng, spreading his hands: "Captain Qin, you see, there has been no change at all. This gentleman, the assistant minister, still goes to court every day, returns home to eat and sleep."

I understand! Qin Feng nodded and sat down. As Guo Jiuling said, the internal guards have their own methods. In fact, in the death squad, Qin Feng had seen many kinds of ruthless tactics, but compared to the terrifying organization of the internal guards, they were likely just small tricks, hardly worth mentioning. Since this gentleman has been caught by the internal guards at his weak point, they may have ways to make him obedient.

"What kind of joke is this?" Qin Feng jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Zuo Shuai, regarding this major military operation, how can it change so suddenly? According to previous orders, our death squad has already dispatched scouts to ascertain the route, the checkpoints of the Western Qin people along the way, the deployment of troops, and the distribution of villages and towns. We have painstakingly gathered all this information, and now with a change, are we not left in the dark? This, this is too childish, isn't it?" This, this is too childish, isn't it?

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Guo Jiuling, serving in the Imperial Guard. The opening remarks of the elder Guo immediately elicited a collective gasp from those present. The Imperial Guard is the most mysterious institution of the Great Chu, led personally by the Emperor. It is said that it is filled with experts from various fields, gathering talents from all walks of life, specifically tasked with completing assignments that are difficult for ordinary people. Naturally, the most feared of these tasks is to eliminate those whom the Emperor does not favor.

Qin Feng opened his mouth wide, staring at Guo Jiuling, "How is this possible?"

Do you all understand now?" Zuo Lixing said with a smile. "The people of the Western Qin want to take advantage of the situation and deal a heavy blow to our western border troops. This time, we will give them a surprise.

Everyone burst into laughter

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of gasps and curses erupted within the grand tent. Among military personnel, there are no refined individuals; in an instant, all manner of foul language was unleashed, turning the dignified central command tent into what resembled a gathering of common folk. Zuo Lixing and Guo Jiuling were evidently accustomed to such scenes, but Princess Zhaohua, who stood beside General Zuo, appeared extremely uncomfortable, her body shifting slightly, her eyelids drooping. The young man behind her opened his mouth as if to say something, but this time he was evidently more astute; observing the furious expressions of the generals throughout the tent, he wisely closed his mouth again.

Qin Feng's face turned red with anger as he gasped for breath and heavily sat back down. However, he felt quite dismissive in his heart; the Second Prince was far away in the capital, a distance of over one hundred thousand miles from here. What did he know about the situation at the front? Perhaps he was just trying to showcase his own brilliance. Facing the map, he came up with a marching route with a slap to his head, completely unaware that the gap between the map and reality is as vast as that between dreams and reality. On the map, the distances of two routes may appear the same, but in actual military movement, they could differ by several days or even over ten days. The army's advance is not a solitary journey; even without a road, a path can be forged. It involves thousands of troops, and a single mountain or lake could cause the army to waste countless hours. When two armies confront each other, any discrepancy in time can lead to disastrous consequences. Especially for a unit like the death squad he commanded, encountering such a situation could very well mean facing annihilation. The Left Commander is trying to flatter the Second Prince! Thinking of this made him even angrier.

Alright, each of you is a national general, what have you become? Shut up and listen to Elder Guo continue speaking. Zuo Lixing tapped the table and said

This Western Qin spy has managed to ascend to the high position of the Assistant Minister of War, which clearly indicates that the Qin people have invested considerable effort in him. The Western Qin people must also place great importance on this individual. Now that the Imperial Guards have solved this case and apprehended this Assistant Minister, the Western Qin people are certainly aware that he has encountered trouble. Given that this individual is already in a predicament, the Western Qin people would not naively believe that we would continue to act according to previous plans