World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 316 - 181: Attack Tianlang Pass!_2

Chapter 316: 181: Attack Tianlang Pass!_2

"Nurdan, do you think we should hold our position at Tianlang Pass and wait for Suo Lun and Yan Yan to attack us from both front and rear?" Zhi Ning asked. "Do you think doing so would give us any chance of victory?"

Nurdan closed his eyes and thought for a while before replying, "A thirty percent chance of victory. After all, we are three separate armies, it would be difficult to act with a single will, and my ten thousand soldiers are not strong enough."

Zhi Ning asked, "Turing Duo, do you think it’s better to send nine thousand elite troops to attack Suo Lun, and leave Nurdan’s ten thousand weaker soldiers at Tianlang Pass? What’s the chance of victory with your plan?"

Turing Duo closed his eyes and considered for a moment before responding, "Less than thirty percent. The plan is fraught with uncertainties. A mistake in any step could result in the annihilation of our entire army. If Suo Lun’s few thousand City Defense Army holds out a little longer or if Nurdan’s ten thousand soldiers at the pass surrender too quickly, we are doomed without a doubt."

Zhi Ning then asked, "Gui Qinqu, you suggest taking a mountain route to attack Heavenly Water Main City. What do you think our chances are?"

Gui Qinqu replied, "Also less than thirty percent, possibly even lower."

Zhi Ning closed her eyes in agony. All three plans had less than a thirty percent chance of victory. Were they truly destined for destruction, condemned to utter defeat?

As the supreme commander of this great battle for Tianshui City, what exactly had she done wrong?

In terms of military strategy, she hadn’t made a mistake; she chose the most prudent option with the least losses. Hold out in the fortified city, wear down Yan Yan’s Army.

But who could have predicted that Suo Lun would be so unpredictable, daring to lead a force of more than a thousand men deep into Tian Shui’s hinterland?

There were three plans at the start of the war.

The first plan, proposed by Nurdan and others, was to take advantage of the exhaustion from Yan Yan’s Army’s long march, during which they had constructed no defenses, and launch a preemptive strike.

Zhi Ning rejected this plan, thinking the cost too great. Yan Yan’s Army excelled in open-field battles, and this plan would have been hitting them where they were strongest.

The third plan was Suo Hanyi’s, which was to have Tianshui City Guard make a detour through Baiyun County and attack Yan Yan’s Army from behind, in coordination with the forces at Tianlang Pass.

This plan was also rejected by Zhi Ning, as she feared the Tianshui City Guard might be lured away by Suo Lun.

She had chosen what seemed the most secure and flawless second plan, to hold out in the fortified city and wear down Yan Yan’s Army.

Looking back now, this conservative mindset was at the root of the present dire situation.

If they had gone with the first plan proposed by Nurdan and others, despite it being a mismatch, they might have won a Pyrrhic victory; but a victory nonetheless.

If they had used Suo Hanyi’s tactics, Yan Yan’s Army would have been annihilated by now, and the casualties of the Allied Army would have been minimal.

Now, because of her excessive caution, she had led the Allied Army into a terrifying predicament.

Sometimes, a good hand can kill you; unwilling to play your four aces or the joker. In the end, when your opponent has played all their cards, your good hand dies in your grasp.

Zhi Ning clenched her teeth, "That we have fallen into our current plight is entirely my fault. I made the mistake of being too cautious, striving for perfection."

"I dare not agree." Nurdan quickly said, "It’s because of my incompetence that the situation has turned out so badly."

Zhi Ning continued, "Now is the time to burn our boats. As we’ve discussed before, whether we stay put, or attack Suo Lun, or take a detour to attack Heavenly Water Main City, our chance of victory is less than thirty percent."

Seeing the fervent expression and the resolute look in Zhi Ning’s eyes, Turing Duo’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhi Ning said, "Back then, it was my excessive caution that led to this situation. So today, we need to burn our boats and launch a night raid on Yan Yan’s camp! If we win, we can not only turn the tide but also achieve a decisive victory."

As soon as she said this, the three others present were taken aback.

Turing Duo said, "But Yan Yan’s Army is best at field combat and has had many days to rest and recuperate. Attacking now will be very difficult."

Zhi Ning replied, "The defensive structures I’ve seen are merely wooden fences and some cavalry obstacles."

Suddenly, the others didn’t know how to respond. Although those simple wooden defenses seemed insignificant, even a slight slow-down of an attack could be very advantageous.

Zhi Ning went on, "Moreover, to avoid being pinched from both sides, this is the only way, right?"

That was indeed true. Both continuing to hold Tianlang Pass and launching a preemptive attack against Suo Lun carried the risk of being caught between two forces.

After all, Yan Yan’s Army was too close. The moment Zhi Ning’s Allied Army made a move, they would too.

Take the second plan for instance; the Black Cloth Army and Linhai Army, nine thousand strong, were to attack Suo Lun, while Nurdan’s ten thousand weaker soldiers stayed at Tianlang Pass.

Most likely, as soon as the elite soldiers left, Yan Yan’s fifteen thousand-strong army would attack Tianlang Pass.

By the time the nine thousand elite clashed head-on with Suo Lun’s few thousand City Defense Army, Tianlang Pass would already have fallen, and Yan Yan’s Army would be coming from behind.

But if they directly assaulted Yan Yan’s Army, Suo Lun’s troops were still two hundred miles away, which meant it would be at least a day and a night before they could arrive. During this day and night, the battle with Yan Yan’s army would already be over.

Turing Duo said, "If that’s the case, then it’s a head-on confrontation."

Zhi Ning replied, "We have nineteen thousand soldiers, Yan Yan has only fifteen thousand. We are three armies combined, while Yan Yan’s Army consists of many mercenary groups banded together. I believe we have at least a forty percent chance of victory."

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