Chapter 005: Shocking Surprise Attack (Part Two)

Su Jie continued, "General, do you know how many Zhao troops are still in Shangdang County now"

You need not say much; I have my own opinions.

The generals immediately stepped forward to persuade, questioning whether this was too frivolous.

As Su Jie spoke to this point, he noticed that the generals present had no intention of interrupting. Wang He merely nodded slightly, without making any further comments.

Su Jie approached the map of Shangdang County and said, "Our Qin ironclad army has been attacking Shangdang County for over a month. Both the Qin and Zhao armies can be said to be exhausted, but when measured by strategic supplies, our Qin army is inferior to the Zhao army. At this moment, our forces seem to have a slight advantage, but we are still far from being able to easily conquer Shangdang County"

This Su Jie does not seem to be suffering from madness

Gao Hudun could no longer sit still, and he stood up to say: "Su Jie, although I do not know why you would think of a night raid, do you not know that behind my Qin army lies Lushui? To the east of Lushui, there are hidden sentries of my Qin army. Let alone twenty thousand men, even if two hundred men were to land, they would be immediately detected by my troops"

Before the crowd had finished discussing, Su Jie cupped his hands towards Wang He and said: "General, the Zhao army is certain to launch a surprise attack on the main camp in the near future. Although we cannot ascertain the exact date, we must not let our guard down from today onward. If we do not take precautions, we will surely suffer setbacks. If the Zhao army does launch a surprise attack, we can turn the situation to our advantage by feigning a great defeat, luring the main force of the Zhao army into the Peng Gorge, and then ambushing them with fire. This city will fall on its own."

Before Wang He finished speaking, Su Jie said: "General, if I were the enemy general, I would certainly take advantage of the moment when the main general of the Qin is underestimating the enemy, sending out 20,000 troops to circumvent the army camp, using the mountains and forests in the rear for cover, launching a night raid on the main camp with fire attacks, and then coordinating with the cavalry inside the city for a sudden charge. Not to mention 100,000, even 200,000 would perish here."

What are you saying? Night raid?

At this moment, Su Jie noticed Wang He’s expression and realized there was a chance. Wang He did not intervene at this moment, presumably wanting to hear what Su Jie had to say.

At this moment, in addition to Wang He, several silent generals in the arena began to deeply contemplate Su Jie’s words. If this is indeed the case, it would be nothing short of a catastrophic disaster

At this moment, Wang He was also uncertain about Su Jie’s words. Even an ordinary soldier should not be so bold and reckless. Who among those present was not a seasoned veteran who had fought on the battlefield for a lifetime? "Could it be that Su Jie truly has a way to provoke the Zhao army into action? If so, wouldn’t that mean the Shangdang Commandery is...?" Upon thinking of this, even Wang He found it hard to contemplate further. That would be an extraordinary achievement, capable of opening the gateway for the Great Qin to advance eastward.

At this moment, Su Jie is already quite certain; as long as he can persuade Wang He, the situation of a great defeat for the Qin army tomorrow can surely be changed

Absurd ... ... Someone, take this brat out and give him fifty military strikes with a staff

Su Jie spoke words that were shocking, prompting a flurry of discussions among the generals

"Silence..." Wang He shouted angrily to stop them

The Shangdang Commandery still has at least 80,000 troops, while our Qin ironclad forces, after this month, number only over 100,000. Why do the generals believe that the Zhao army is already unable to defend the city? Or is it that we in the Qin have the illusion that we can conquer it within a few days, or even within ten days?

Boldly, Su Jie, what is your intention in daring to disrupt the morale of my army? Do you not realize that your words, once spread, will inevitably shake the resolve of my great army

Gao Hu was also taken aback by Su Jie, his mind shaken

Su Jie, be cautious with your words. Do you not know that there is no child's play in the military? If you speak recklessly, it is a grave offense punishable by death. Is it not because the generals cherish talent that such a public display is made

Wang He was also taken aback by Su Jie, saying: "How to utilize it, and how not to investigate it"

Su Jie replied solemnly: "I report to you, General, that although I, Su Jie, am aware of my humble status and insignificant words, the battle of Shangdang County is crucial to the grand strategy of our Qin Dynasty in sweeping through the six states. It also relates to the shame of the death of two hundred thousand valiant souls of our Qin in the Battle of Changping over a decade ago, buried in Zhao territory. My life is insignificant, but at this moment, even if it means my death, I must offer a strategy to defeat the enemy. If my words are not accurate, you may decide my fate, whether to kill or to punish, as you see fit."

If this stalemate continues, my Qin can indeed conquer Shangdang, but by then, I fear that only a few of the hundred thousand Qin troops will remain. It is likely this prerequisite that leads you generals to believe that my Qin can always capture cities. If the enemy general perceives this and takes advantage of it, wouldn't our army find itself in a perilous situation without realizing it?" Su Jie made a shocking statement, directly revealing that the Qin army would be annihilated.

The words of Su Jie caused a tightening in the hearts of everyone present, and Wang He and the other generals displayed varying expressions.

Wang He said: "Su Jie, since it is thus, I shall heed your words. If you can persuade me, I will personally report your merits to the king. However, if your words are merely for show, then... I shall revoke the rewards I previously granted to you."

Su Jie, unhurried, said, "What General Gao has said is indeed very true. However, has General Gao ever considered that if the main commander of the Zhao army had secretly hidden hundreds of Zhao soldiers near Lushui, infiltrating our ranks, it would not be difficult for them to quietly cross Lushui once our army lets its guard down? At that time, if twenty thousand Zhao soldiers were to lie in ambush behind our army, it would be a time of great peril."

Wang He, upon being questioned by Su Jie, did not think too much and could only respond: "The Shangdang Commandery governs seventeen cities, and at this time, more than half of the military forces are concentrated in the Shangdang Commandery. From my observation over the past month, there are at least 80,000 troops."

As Gao Hu was about to refute Su Jie with righteous indignation, he was stopped by Wang He.