SEC Chapter 433 So Shameless, Zhang Fan is Undoubtedly
Chapter 433 So Shameless, Zhang Fan is Undoubtedly
Meanwhile, north of Yinshan Mountain, at the central camp of the Qin army on the front line.
Several scout cavalrymen dismounted outside the gate and rushed towards the central command tent.
"Report!"
The leading scout captain entered the main tent and knelt on one knee before Meng Tian and Zhang Fan.
"Reporting to Commander Meng, Immortal Master! Your subordinates and brothers, following the trail left by the remnants of the Xiongnu army, have traveled north and have finally uncovered crucial military intelligence!"
Meng Tian immediately put down the map in his hand and asked in a deep voice, "Have you ascertained the exact location of the Xiongnu royal court?"
"Reporting to Commander Meng, it's basically confirmed."
The scout captain, panting heavily, reported, "Following those tracks, we discovered countless Xiongnu yurts in a vast basin deep in the northern desert!"
The defenses were extremely tight. There were so many scattered tribes along the way that the subordinates, fearing their presence would be discovered, dared not get too close.
Upon hearing that the location of the royal court had been confirmed, a hint of joy flashed in Meng Tian's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, the scout captain immediately reported another piece of news.
"However, Commander Meng, we've discovered numerous traces of military movement on both the east and west sides of the basin's perimeter!"
The scout captain looked solemn and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Judging from the density and depth of the hoofprints, the number of people is definitely no less than 100,000!"
Moreover, these traces were all recently left, clearly indicating that other Xiongnu tribes were rapidly gathering at the royal court!
Upon hearing this, Meng Tian's joy vanished instantly, and his brows furrowed tightly.
He turned around, strode quickly to the huge sheepskin map, and stared intently at the area deep in the northern desert.
"Not less than 100,000..."
Meng Tian muttered to himself, tapping the map heavily with his finger a few times, "Touman Chanyu has issued a rallying order, transferring all the troops of the Left and Right Wise Kings here!"
Adding to the original garrison of the royal court, the Xiongnu had amassed at least two hundred thousand troops in that basin!
Meng Tian took a deep breath and turned to Zhang Fan: "Immortal Master, the situation has changed. Our original plan to take advantage of the destruction of the Xiongnu's 30,000 elite troops and send light cavalry directly to break through the Xiongnu royal court is probably no longer feasible!"
Zhang Fan sat by the brazier, warming his hands by the fire, and nodded slightly: "Two hundred thousand troops huddled together for warmth, even if they lack food and clothing, they are still a tough nut to crack!"
We are now deep in enemy territory, and if we launch a forced attack and get bogged down, our logistical support will become a fatal weakness.
Meng Tian agreed, saying, "That's exactly right. The Xiongnu have amassed so many troops; clearly, they don't intend to flee, but rather to escalate the battle and fight our main Qin force to the death!"
This is not a local conflict on the front lines, but a major war concerning the survival of both countries!
This must be reported to His Majesty immediately for a decision by the court!
After saying this, Meng Tian walked to the commander's desk, spread out a roll of brocade, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write a military report.
In his memorial, he detailed the location of the Xiongnu royal court as discovered at the front lines, as well as the large-scale mobilization of the Xiongnu army, and requested the court to decide on the next strategic move.
After finishing writing the military report, Meng Tian paused for a moment, glanced at Zhang Fan who was drinking tea beside him, and then continued writing.
He wrote down in great detail the course of the battle over the past few days, especially Zhang Fan's "brilliant plan" of using flares to turn night into day and mixing white saltpeter into the grain to cause the 30,000-strong Xiongnu army to collapse, in order to praise Zhang Fan's achievements.
After finishing writing, Meng Tian blew the ink dry, rolled up the brocade letter, put it into a specially made cowhide copper tube, and sealed it with sealing wax.
"Guards!" Meng Tian shouted.
A capable messenger ran into the main tent.
"This military intelligence must be sent to Xianyang immediately, delivered to His Majesty without fail!"
"Here you go!"
The messenger took the copper tube with both hands and carefully tucked it into his bosom, keeping it close to his body.
He rushed out of the tent, swung himself up, and mounted a magnificent steed that had been prepared beforehand.
With a neigh, the horse galloped away, its hooves flying, and plunged into the snowstorm, racing southward.
Once outside the camp, one arrives at the wide, straight road built by the Qin Dynasty.
The messenger galloped along the straight road, oblivious to the wind and snow hitting his face.
The warhorse galloped continuously until it foamed at the mouth and was exhausted. The messenger then immediately stopped at the post stations along the way.
Without a moment's rest, he dismounted, donned a brand new, fast horse, and continued galloping south.
Day and night alternate, the sound of horses' hooves echoes!
Change the horse, but not the rider!
In just two days, this urgent military report, delivered by express courier, crossed the Yin Mountains, passed through Beidi County, and traveled all the way into Guanzhong, finally arriving at Xianyang Palace.
……
The morning court session is underway inside Xianyang Palace.
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials stood on both sides, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
With a notification, the battle report was sent directly to the main hall.
On the high imperial throne, the First Emperor Ying Zheng wore a black dragon robe and a twelve-tassel crown, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
He reached out and took the brocade book handed to him by the eunuch, unfolded it, and quickly scanned the words on it.
After reading the contents of the letter, Ying Zheng remained calm, his face showing no emotion.
He handed the bamboo slips to Eunuch Li, who was serving him.
"Read it to all my beloved ministers." Ying Zheng's voice was steady and powerful, echoing throughout the hall.
"Here you are."
Eunuch Li bowed and accepted the report, then turned around, cleared his throat, and began to loudly read aloud the battle report sent by Meng Tian.
In the first part, when Eunuch Li read about how 30,000 Xiongnu light cavalrymen launched a night attack on the camp, but were turned into daytime by the Qin's "powerful light magic," resulting in heavy casualties from trampling each other, the civil and military officials in the hall nodded and showed joy.
However, as Eunuch Li continued reading, the atmosphere in the hall began to become strange.
"The immortal master Zhang Fan devised a plan to lure the enemy deep into his territory, deliberately abandoning provisions. Beforehand, he mixed a large amount of white saltpeter into the provisions and horse feed. The Xiongnu army ate it, and that night the entire army suffered from severe diarrhea!"
Tens of thousands of warhorses collapsed from exhaustion, and the Xiongnu soldiers were routed, fleeing and defecating, leaving filth everywhere...
After Eunuch Li finished reading this passage, the entire main hall of Xianyang Palace fell silent.
The many important officials of Qin standing below twitched at the corners of their eyes, their faces instantly turning ashen.
Many self-proclaimed noble civil officials couldn't help but frown and feel nauseous.
When two armies clash, it should be a fair and square battle of troop deployment and sword and spear duel.
Even when they use tricks, they mostly employ feints or covert maneuvers.
Putting strong laxatives in the enemy's food?
The enemy's 30,000 troops were so exhausted they couldn't even pull up their pants, turning the entire battlefield into a giant cesspool.
That's so filthy and disgusting!
"This...this is utterly disgraceful!" a censor muttered under his breath, his face grim.
However, upon further reflection, everyone realized that this idea came from the immortal master Zhang Fan.
Considering Zhang Fan's style, everyone felt relieved.
Such a despicable method is indeed something Zhang Fan would do.