Chapter 175: 174: Confidence_1

Chapter 175: Chapter 174: Confidence_1

” Zhang Duanrui raised his head in surprise and looked at the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, Mr. Bai has been traveling nonstop every day, his archery…”

Before Zhang Duanrui could finish speaking, the Crown Prince had already stepped forward to personally assist Bai Qingyan up. Solemnly, he said: “This battle was entirely planned and arranged by Mr. Bai. Only with Mr. Bai in Wanping to handle any emergencies will I not panic. Mr. Bai must stay by my side for me to be at ease!”

The Crown Prince’s words were full of sincerity. If he hadn’t been mindful that Bai Qingyan was a woman, he would have grasped her hand firmly to express his true feelings.

She understood that the Crown Prince was wary of her. Therefore, even though there was no capable general available, the Crown Prince did not want her to command troops or meet with the Bai family army.

Even though this was expected, Bai Qingyan couldn’t help but feel disappointed in the Crown Prince.

Today, they faced the massive Xiliang army purported to be hundreds of thousands strong. Achieving victory with a weaker force is already difficult; without a capable general… in a battle that permits only victory, not defeat, the lives of soldiers and the nation’s fate weighed less than his suspicion.

She closed her eyes and suppressed her despair toward the Imperial Family, lowered her gaze respectfully, and said: “In that case, please make arrangements quickly, Your Highness. I will return to change my clothes first.”

Just now, Bai Qingyan had come directly from the training ground, and the clothes under her cloak were already soaked with sweat, clinging to her body.

The Crown Prince did not expect Bai Qingyan to agree so readily and quickly breathed a sigh of relief. Nodding repeatedly, he said: “Good, good, good, thank you, Mr. Bai. Go change your clothes quickly!”

Seeing Bai Qingyan leaving, Qin Shangzhi grew anxious: “Your Highness, this time we are luring part of the Xiliang forces into the Wengshan Canyon. We are unable to preemptively know the Xiliang forces’ size or who is leading them! Mr. Bai has previously fought in the southern territories with the King of Zhen and is familiar with the Wengshan terrain. Only with Mr. Bai commanding five thousand troops in an ambush can we ensure complete safety!”

“Your Highness!” Zhang Duanrui stood up and said, “I am willing to vouch for Mr. Bai with my life. Your Highness, let Mr. Bai command the troops!”

In this expedition, the only commanders available were himself, Zhang Duanrui, Zhen Zeping, Shi Panshan, and once Young General Bai Qingyan!

Zhang Duanrui deeply understood the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s caution toward Bai Qingyan. However, this battle was urgent, and to win with a smaller force, they couldn’t afford any missteps!

Bai Qingyan had strategized the division of troops into four forces, each led by them. As long as no mistakes were made, victory was certain. But without Bai Qingyan, the one most familiar with Wengshan, the variables increased significantly!

The Crown Prince saw Bai Qingyan gazing at him calmly and resolutely as if seeing through his fear of the Bai family… of Bai Qingyan. His heart skipped a beat, and he steadied himself, saying: “Mr. Bai is the one orchestrating the overall strategy of this battle—how can he risk his life in Wengshan? Only with Mr. Bai in Wanping to handle unexpected incidents will I not be caught off guard.”

Zhen Zeping, being simple-minded, nodded in agreement: “Your Highness is right!”

Zhang Duanrui gritted his teeth tightly.

Qin Shangzhi still wanted to persuade further, but Bai Qingyan had already bowed and taken her leave. Watching her departing figure, he sighed deeply, praying that the general setting the ambush in the Wengshan Canyon could annihilate the Xiliang army!

Waiting outside the government office, Bai Jinzhi and Xiao Ruohai saw Bai Qingyan emerge and hurried to meet her.

“Eldest Young Lady! How did it go?” Bai Jinzhi asked.

Bai Qingyan tightened her cloak and stepped over the threshold of the government office, standing under the lantern light, gazing at the still pitch-dark Wanping City. She said: “As expected, the Crown Prince wants me to stay in Wanping.”

Bai Jinzhi was furious and was about to rush in to confront the Crown Prince. But upon hearing her sister say “as expected,” she blinked and asked blankly: “Eldest Young Lady, do you have a plan?!”

Although it was within her expectations, having to gamble with the lives of innocent soldiers weighed heavily on her. She descended the government office’s steps, heading toward the military camp. After a moment, she lowered her gaze and said to Bai Jinzhi: “Go back and rest well! By this afternoon at the latest, it will be our turn…”

Earlier, when making arrangements, she had chosen to lead five thousand soldiers in an ambush in the Wengshan Canyon, not because setting an ambush in the Canyon would be safer than Zhen Zeping and Shi Panshan’s plan to feign defeat and lure the Xiliang forces into the valley!

On the contrary, the Wengshan Canyon was truly perilous. The Canyon’s terrain wasn’t steep, but rather, similar to the east side of the Wengshan Valley where the Xiliang forces set their ambush, with gentle slopes that made it easier to reach the top.

If they seized the high ground in the Canyon to set up an ambush, with equal troops they would surely win. But if the enemy’s forces far outnumbered their ambush units, and Xiliang’s desperate commanders sought survival, they could order their men to block arrows with their bodies and charge upwards!

Even if only one Xiliang battalion broke through the Canyon, retaking the east side of the Wengshan Valley, the Jin forces, weaker in numbers inside the valley, would face disaster!

Qin Shangzhi and Zhang Duanrui knew that the Wengshan Canyon’s terrain was complex. Without a commander familiar with the area leading the troops, there could be mishaps. But the Crown Prince still refused to let her command.

Here in the Wengshan Canyon, Bai Qingyan had the confidence. Among the commanders accompanying the expedition, none but her could lead five thousand soldiers and trap the Xiliang forces in the Canyon.

Because… aside from her previous experience battling there, her foster brother Xiao Ruojiang had long scouted the area and familiarized himself with every inch of terrain!

At this moment, the map of Wengshan provided by Xiao Ruojiang was in her hands! This map, drawn using the Bai family army’s mapping techniques, detailed the topography meticulously and was unparalleled in its precision.

Moreover, Xiao Ruojiang had studied the temperaments and behaviors of all Yun Poxing’s generals and had passed this information to her on her way to the southern territories, making her equally familiar with the Xiliang army’s commanders’ marching preferences!

Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory!

This was Bai Qingyan’s confidence!

She had Zhen Zeping feign defeat and retreat in two directions…

One, to create the impression of Xiliang chasing in a panic.

Two, to first swallow a portion of the Xiliang forces within the Wengshan Canyon!

Three, to reduce the number of Jin troops emerging from the narrow valley entrance.

Four, to strive to preserve the ten thousand troops split by Zhen Zeping’s feigned defeat.

But since the Crown Prince did not let her lead, whether these ten thousand soldiers who rush into the Wengshan Canyon could be preserved wouldn’t be considered. Should the Xiliang forces wipe out the five thousand Jin soldiers set in ambush and seize the high ground, they could quickly massacre these ten thousand soldiers.

Then, if the Crown Prince didn’t want to lose, didn’t want the Jin forces inside the Wengshan Valley to be annihilated, she would have to deploy!

She calculated clearly. Therefore, after assigning the rope-pulling task to Huying Camp, she made no further arrangements!

The Huying Camp would withdraw after completing their task, rest, and then join her in battle!

She had to thank the Crown Prince’s wariness for giving her such an opportunity.

When Bai Qingyan returned to camp, she happened to see Xiao Rongyan about to board a carriage to depart. “