Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors-Chapter 495 - 265: Counter-Encirclement_2

In the command tent, Fan Cun looked at the campaign map before him, while Liu Fa stood respectfully to one side.

"General Liu," said the Emperor, "I will only teach you this once, so watch closely.

"After this battle is over, pacifying Yan and Yun in the future will fall to you and Zhong Pingyuan."

Although Fan Cun was very fond of personally leading the charge into battle, after this fight, it truly wasn’t possible for him to do so anymore.

The reason Emperor Taizu of Sheng insisted on leading the charge this time was partly because the battle at hand was too critical—the Qi Army hadn’t formed a crushing advantage, and he didn’t trust anyone else with the task; and partly because the battlefield was relatively close to the capital, so he could still review and approve all the memorials to the throne without delay.

But if they were to recover Yan and Yun in the future, that would be far too distant from the capital.

When Emperor Taizu of Sheng personally led the campaign against the Northern Barbarians, it was because the Crown Prince was overseeing the state, eliminating worries about rear-area stability.

However, in this timeline, after Prince Yun ascended the throne, there was no entirely trustworthy figure in the rear to provide stability. Therefore, he had to personally oversee the situation.

Liu Fa listened with an open mind.

Fan Cun, no, at this moment, it should be said Emperor Taizu of Sheng, pointed to the Jin soldiers’ defensive area on the map and said, "Liu Fa, you are indeed a famous general of this era, but if you claim to be a great general for all ages, you are still far from it.

"You can charge into battle, lead from the front, and fight uphill battles! These are your strengths as a general.

"Even one could say that, throughout the Qi Dynasty at this time, no one can outperform you in a tough fight. Zhong Pingyuan’s strategic planning may be better than yours, but his planning is not top-notch, and moreover, his bravery does not match yours.

"But as a general, you also have a significant weakness, and that is your lack of understanding of the overall situation!

"Daring to charge, often slaughtering the surrendered, you may seem invincible in a hundred battles... heh, this actually reminds me of an old acquaintance. However, even if you are victorious in a hundred battles, if you don’t have someone who understands the big picture to coordinate the plans from behind, a single defeat could undo all your achievements!"

Liu Fa listened with an open mind.

If someone else had said this, he would have scoffed, paying no heed.

Who do you think you are?

To become a famous general, one must surely possess outstanding abilities. Liu Fa was the same; he had his pride.

But these generals, who often win victories and are adept at using strength to overcome guile, tend to become path dependent, resolving everything through bravery.

So, what if you encounter someone even braver than yourself? Perhaps you would find yourself in a difficult fight.

This is also why the Jin soldiers were not at all panicked upon learning that Liu Fa was leading the battle.

But the criticisms now came from the mouth of the Emperor, and this Emperor had already displayed in previous battles and military drills many remarkable qualities that even Liu Fa found astonishing.

So now, Liu Fa listened intently, wanting to understand what exactly he didn’t grasp about the "overall situation."

Emperor Taizu of Sheng continued, "Regardless of how you fight, what tactics you use, what opportunities you seize, it’s all for the sake of creating an overall situation. Once the situation is set, you can win no matter what; and then what follows is the pursuit and utter annihilation of the enemy!

"Without this situation, you could win ten times, twenty times, but if the enemy wins once, it could undo all your previous achievements!"

Liu Fa nodded, his expression as if to say, Yes, well said! But how should it be done? My Emperor?

Emperor Taizu of Sheng chuckled, "You’re considered the most skilled with cavalry among the current generals. I’ll give you ten thousand elite riders, to skirmish with the Jin soldiers! If you can survive and return, you’ll naturally know how this battle should be fought!"

Liu Fa was taken aback, and then his face darkened.

"Ah?"

...

On a limitless plain, two armies deployed their formations.

Wanyan Sheng, clad in full armor, stood on a hillock, overlooking the Qi Army below.

"The Qi infantry formation isn’t set, order an assault for a decapitation strike!"

The elite force of the Jin soldiers consisted mainly of cavalry, not as regimented in formation as infantry and with greater maneuverability, naturally better able to seize the initiative on the battlefield.

The Qi Army’s lack of cavalry was a well-known fact to everyone.

Although the Western Army had relatively more horses compared to the rest of the Qi Army, they still could not compare to the Jin cavalry.

So, while the Qi infantry was not fully formed, launching a surprise assault to crush them had become the standard tactic for these Jin generals.

However, before Wanyan Sheng could order the Kidnapper Cavalry to attack, a rider arrived with an urgent report.

"Report! An elite cavalry force of the Qi Army is harrying our flanks!"

Wanyan Sheng furrowed his brow, "Who is leading the troops?"

The messenger hesitated, then stuttered, "It seems... it’s Liu Fa!"

Wanyan Sheng glared at him, causing the messenger to lower his head in fright.

Liu Fa?

Wanyan Sheng was somewhat puzzled. Wasn’t Liu Fa the commander of the Western Army? How could he personally lead a cavalry attack on the flank? And if he did, who was left in command of his main forces?

But could the intelligence be wrong? It seemed unlikely.

Was... something overlooked?

However, in the face of the urgent military situation, Wanyan Sheng didn’t have the luxury to fully understand the matter before issuing commands. He had to adapt to circumstances and act accordingly.

"Order! Have the Kidnapper Cavalry annihilate this Qi cavalry!"

This seemed like a choice devoid of error.

The Jin cavalry was already superior, their greatest reliance throughout the campaign, and now the Qi Army was provoking them with a cavalry of their own, which was just playing into their hands, wasn’t it?

...

"Report! The Qi Army has retreated!

"But... their formation is unbroken, and the one leading the troops was unquestionably Liu Fa!"

Hearing the messenger’s report, Wanyan Sheng’s brow furrowed once more.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freew𝒆(b)novel.c(o)m Only