Who put the yellow robe on me?

Chapter 157: A soldier never tires of deceit

Dianzhang frowned, obviously confused by Jiang Chen's words.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen patted his shoulder gently and explained patiently, "If the Northern Qiang and the Western Regions go to war under Gaochang, how do you think the Western Regions will respond?"

Dianzhang pondered for a moment and slowly replied, "Gaochang is the first checkpoint in the Western Regions and a crucial strategic stronghold. The King of the Western Regions will never give up Gaochang easily and will definitely provide him with all his support."

Jiang Chen nodded, the smile on his lips deepened, his eyes flashing with cunning light: "That's right, the King of the Western Regions will never give up Gaochang.

"But have you considered that General Xianyu has already led the Western Region's most elite Tiger Guards to battle. The remaining troops are simply no match for the Northern Qiang's Black Wolf Cavalry. What will the King of the Western Region do then?"

A flash of enlightenment flashed in Dianzhang's eyes, and he said as if he had suddenly realized something: "If the Huben Army does not withdraw, Gaochang will fall! The other armies in the Western Regions are unable to withstand the iron cavalry of the Northern Qiang! The King of the Western Regions can only order the Huben Army to return to defend Gaochang!"

Jiang Chen smiled, his eyes brimming with pride and approval. "That's right. If the Tiger Guards retreat, the Western Region's combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced. Once they are forced to retreat, our army will undoubtedly pursue them. It will only take a moment to annihilate the Western Region's army."

"What if General Xianyu doesn't retreat?" asked Dianzhang.

Dianzhang thought that since the Sixteenth Prince had set a trap for him, what if he didn't take advantage of it?

Jiang Chen's smile widened. "If you were the King of the Western Regions, and your general took your most elite troops away and disobeyed your command, what would you think?"

Dianzhang's face lit up with sudden enlightenment, his eyes filled with admiration and worship. "Your Highness, I understand! The King of the Western Regions will question General Xianyu's loyalty and even suspect he's colluding with the Northern Qiang! This will not only cost Xianyu most of his military power, but will also lead to chaos within the Western Regions!"

Jiang Chen nodded gently, his eyes gleaming with calmness. He slowly said, "Indeed, true victory is never achieved through a single battle, but rather through the dismantling of the enemy's internal order. The only thing that can destroy a nation more than foreign forces is the suspicion between the ruler and his subjects!"

Dianzhang looked at Jiang Chen with admiration, his respect for his master's strategy growing even stronger. He had never seen anyone so farsighted and able to see the battle situation so clearly.

Every move Jiang Chen makes is like a carefully planned chess piece, not just for an immediate victory or defeat, but for the collapse of the entire Western Region.

"Your Highness is truly amazing!" Dianzhang exclaimed sincerely, with deep admiration in his voice.

Jiang Chen did not respond directly to his praise, but looked up in the direction of Gaochang in the distance, his eyes cold and steady, as if he had foreseen the situation that would follow.

The wind blew through his cloak, bringing with it a smell of dry dust, and the air was filled with the smell of impending gunpowder.

He said slowly, "Dianzhang, this is just the beginning. We must continue to observe and see what decision the King of the Western Regions will make. Every step forward will determine the fate of the entire Western Regions."

Dianzhang nodded in acceptance. He knew that this battle had just begun...

……

Outside Gaochang City, yellow sand filled the sky. The Northern Qiang army was lined up densely like an iron barrel under the city, with flags fluttering and war drums rumbling, which made people feel oppressive.

The third princess Yelu Mengmeng and the eldest princess Yelu Qingmin of the Northern Qiang sat upright on their war horses, quietly gazing at Gaochang City.

Yelu Mengmeng's beautiful eyes moved calmly, their expression filled with anticipation and scrutiny. Her black cape fluttered in the wind, and she appeared cool and majestic.

Yelu Qingmin, on the other hand, had a serious expression, with a fighting glint in his eyes. He was obviously confident about the battle that was about to unfold.

"General Tuoba, go ahead and challenge them." Yelu Qingmin waved his hand gently, his tone full of contempt for the enemy.

"Yes!" Tuoba Daiyong responded, then rode his horse slowly towards the city of Gaochang.

He held a spear in his hand, his eyes were like an eagle, and the desire to fight flashed on his cold face. He obviously disdained the Western Regions without the Tiger Guards.

Tuoba Daiyong arrived at the foot of the city, raised his head and shouted loudly: "Do the people in Gaochang dare to come out and fight?!"

Xuanyuan Feiyan, who was on the city wall, heard the words and his eyes became stern. He then rode out of the city and stared at the densely packed Northern Qiang generals.

Tuoba Daiyong's familiar face made him frown, and a trace of anger flashed through his heart.

"General Tuoba, what do you mean?" Xuanyuan Feiyan asked coldly, with disdain and questioning in her tone.

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Daiyong raised a sneer at the corner of his mouth, with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

He raised the spear in his hand, pointed it directly at Xuanyuan Feiyan, and said in a cold voice: "General Xuanyuan, I'm sorry, but if you open the city gate and surrender now, our lord might show mercy and leave you with an intact body."

Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Feiyan's heart surged with anger, and she sneered, her voice filled with sarcasm and disdain. "General Tuoba, it was you who negotiated peace in our central camp a few days ago, and now it's you who's challenging us at the gates of Gaochang. Are all of you Northern Qiang such shameless villains who go back on your word?"

When Tuoba Daiyong heard this, instead of getting angry, he laughed even more arrogantly.

He gently raised his spear, shaking it slightly, his tone filled with sarcasm: "General Xuanyuan, do you think there's any trust or loyalty on the battlefield? All is fair in war, and you still don't understand?"

Xuanyuan Feiyan snorted coldly, her tone filled with disgust and anger: "Hmph, I only regret that our General Xianyu trusted the wrong people and actually trusted you, these fickle barbarians!"

Tuoba Daiyong's face suddenly turned ashen, and a flash of anger flashed in his eyes.

Since ancient times, the two major nomadic peoples, the Northern Qiang and the Xiongnu, have been known for their bravery. What they hated most was being looked down upon as "barbarians" by others. They believed this was the greatest insult to them.

Tuoba Daiyong stared at Xuanyuan Feiyan, gritting his teeth and saying, "General Xuanyuan, do you know that your life will end here today? Since you dare to insult my Northern Qiang, today, I will use your blood to wash away this shame!"

Xuanyuan Feiyan looked at Tuoba Daiyong's angry expression and felt a slight tightening in her heart, knowing that she had touched the other party's sore spot.

However, on the battlefield, life and death were at stake, and he was no longer afraid of any threat. He replied coldly: "General Tuoba, if you have the guts, come and try!"

Tuoba Daiyong roared, "Attack!" Then he spurred his horse into a gallop, and the spear in his hand pierced Xuanyuan Feiyan's face like a poisonous snake, whistling towards him with the sound of the wind.

Seeing this, Xuanyuan Feiyan was not willing to be outdone. He dismounted, drew his sword, and with a flash of cold light, he met Tuoba Daiyong's attack.

The two men's horses' hooves were flying, and they clashed under the city in an instant. The collision of swords and spears made a deafening sound, and flames splashed everywhere, with magnificent momentum.