Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1791 - 1784: Tactical Guidance

Chapter 1791: Chapter 1784: Tactical Guidance

The Wen Family dislikes the Wu Family’s unauthorized launch of the West Outer Heaven War, yet they themselves are planning to spearhead two large-scale wars. It’s hard to say which of these two families is more righteous or more troublesome.

However, after understanding the conflicts between the Dongsheng Empire and other nations, Cheng Ziang realized this outcome was inevitable.

Relying on his increasingly vague memory, he understood that the Beichang Empire claims to be the legitimate successor of Kyushu, which directly challenges the legitimacy of the Wen Family’s court. So it’s pretty obvious that the Wen Family’s court would definitely make a move against the Beichang Empire.

As for the three Yipa tribes in the northwest, they are indeed much easier to deal with, perhaps not even requiring warfare.

But the reason they still need to use force against them is clearly because the Wen Family court has its own considerations, probably wanting to show these nomadic tribes a taste of their power first, and then gain their submission through virtue.

Thus, even though the Dongsheng Empire seems to be fighting on two fronts, in fact, their main adversary is still the Beichang Empire in the northeast.

Conquering the Beichang Empire would mean that the Wen Family court has established an army that doesn’t rely on the Wu Family, while also signifying the complete withdrawal of the Wu Family’s influence from the court.

Clearly, conquering the Beichang Empire holds significant meaning for the Wen Family court, allowing them to prove themselves and most importantly, to avenge the past hardship at the Snow Boundary Pass.

Cheng Ziang always felt that the Wen Family court was a very vindictive group.

After a moment of contemplation, Cheng Ziang asked, "Are you training new troops in preparation to take action against the three Yipa tribes?"

"That’s right," Jiuyun Shuang nodded, speaking softly, "The court has already drafted a resolution and will soon decree an expedition."

"So, your main enemy is the Yipa cavalry?"

"Exactly, Manor Lord, do you have a strategy?"

"If the new army is to fight against cavalry, they need to be fully prepared," Cheng Ziang said. "Don’t think that having firearms will allow you to act recklessly, unafraid of the cavalry threat."

"I understand this very well. Even demon clan troops equipped with new weapons still find it difficult to withstand the impact of the Heavenly Army cavalry."

"It seems you have learned quite a bit from the West Outer Heaven War."

"You’re too kind, Manor Lord, the court has always been summarizing the experiences from the West Outer Heaven War. Especially after your participation, the situation in the war reversed, and the court attaches great importance to this."

"I don’t know much, can you tell me more?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Uh..." Jiuyun Shuang hesitated for a while, finally making up his mind, nodding, and said, "If it’s Manor Lord, then... after all, you all are trustworthy people."

"Speaking of which, we should be meeting for the first time, so why do you trust us so much?" Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but laugh.

"You all are people of benevolence and righteousness. I’ve heard a little about your deeds in Kyushu. So I’m very sure that you all are trustworthy."

"That’s quite weak reasoning..."

Cheng Ziang opened his mouth, but ultimately didn’t speak, just keeping it to himself.

He seemed to realize that Jiuyun Shuang’s trust in him was closely related to the Wen Family. Rather than Jiuyun Shuang understanding him, it was more likely that the Wen Family understood him.

"The court has authorized me with a new army of ten thousand and thirty Kunzhou, to embark on an expedition against the three Yipa tribes," Jiuyun Shuang said.

"Kunzhou?"

Cheng Ziang was taken aback for a moment before he suddenly reacted.

Oh, right, the Dongsheng Empire can venture into the West Outer Heaven, not just because of their strong soldiers, but most importantly, because they possess the advanced secret weapon, Kunzhou.

Kunzhou is an aerial transport craft modified from the Overturning Beast, originally trained and modified by the demon clan people of the West Outer Heaven.

The Kyushu Empire launched several West Outer Heaven Wars, not only claiming countless lives of the demon clan people but also seized their aerial weapon, Kunzhou.

But although they possess Kunzhou, the Dongsheng army rarely used it in battles, using it mostly as a transport vehicle.

Cheng Ziang always felt that if the Dongsheng Empire dared to boldly employ Kunzhou on the battlefield, the demon clan people of the West Outer Heaven would have nothing to defend.

However, the Wen Family court had no interest in the West Outer Heaven, which directly led to the Dongsheng army not engaging in full-force combat.

After all, the command system of the Dongsheng army was filled with people from the Wen Family, while the military generals were merely tools for charging into battle.

But this time, the Wen Family court decided to fight on two fronts, clearly not just for show. So Cheng Ziang was very curious to see how the Dongsheng army would use Kunzhou this time.

"A new army of ten thousand, thirty Kunzhou..." Cheng Ziang repeated these words.

The Dongsheng army’s military force declaration isn’t fictitious like those of Earth’s feudal states. Ten thousand means ten thousand combat units, excluding logistics.

The reason for this is quite simple: for a long period, the wars both within and outside Kyushu were predominantly led by cultivators serving as generals.

The classic pre-battle challenge originated from this system.

The strength of high-level cultivators can rival or even exceed that of an army of ten thousand, so inventing troop numbers provides no deterrent to opponents whatsoever.

Instead of fabricating troop numbers, declaring the number of high-level cultivators would have a more substantial intimidating effect.

Considering Jiuyun Shuang has to confront the three Yipa tribes simultaneously, Cheng Ziang thought ten thousand seemed too few, at least they need about thirty thousand.

This also indirectly verified Cheng Ziang’s theory that the main focus of Dongsheng’s attack wasn’t the Yipa in the northwest, but the Beichang Empire in the northeast.

Sending ten thousand to attack Yipa, it was hard to tell if they believed in Jiuyun Shuang’s ability or meant for him to sacrifice himself.

However, given Jiuyun Shuang’s family being a major power in the Northern Province, this seemed more like a deliberate move by the Wen Family court.

Jiuyun Shuang leading ten thousand troops might not be enough against Yipa, but that doesn’t mean the Nine Thousand Battalion of the Northern Province can’t handle it.

The Wen Family court clearly wants to use Jiuyun Shuang to force the Jiuyun Clan of the Northern Province to make a choice. Whether they support the Wen Family or remain ambiguous.

For the Wen Family court, declarations from the Northern Province and Yun State are crucial, being the flanking guards of the capital with rich martial virtues.

Hence, they have shown great patience with the major aristocratic families of these states, absorbing many of their young into the Wen Family.

"I have a question." After pondering for a long time, Cheng Ziang spoke.

"Please, Manor Lord."

"Is the General planning to lead ten thousand to conquer Yipa, or planning to rely on other forces?"

The intention behind Cheng Ziang’s words was very clear, and Jiuyun Shuang immediately understood.

After a slight frown and a moment of silence, he looked up, stating seriously, "If my father aids, that would, of course, be best. However, if my father is unwilling, I’m still willing to lead the army alone on an expedition, swearing to subdue Yipa."

"The General’s lofty ambition is admirable," Cheng Ziang nodded in satisfaction.

"Then, Manor Lord..."

"Has the General considered deploying Kunzhou into the battle, participating with the new army?"

"Yes, I have thought about it," Jiuyun Shuang pondered, hesitating before saying, "But, how exactly to use them, I still..."

"Is there a sand table in the camp?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Yes, yes, Manor Lord, this way please."

Under Jiuyun Shuang’s guidance, Cheng Ziang arrived at the sand table in the camp. Thanks to the Dongsheng Empire’s Kunzhou, their military intelligence department could perfectly replicate a scaled-down map of the Yipa terrain.

From the sand table, Yipa largely consists of highland grasslands, with tribes mostly gathered around water sources.

The grassland terrain grants cavalry unparalleled mobility, and although the Yipa horses are small in stature, they excel in speed and have lasting endurance.

The horses of Kyushu, although tall and with a powerful charge, lack endurance. Sending cavalry to chase Yipa’s cavalry might result in exhaustion by them.

Therefore, to overcome Yipa’s cavalry, the best tactic is a surprise attack from the air.

"Have you heard of the Island Hopping Strategy?" Cheng Ziang asked, leaning against the sand table.

Of course, the three had never heard of it, and Cheng Ziang didn’t expect them to answer, only to use this to lead to the strategy he wanted to share.

"Please, Manor Lord, enlighten us," the trio exchanged looks, and Jiuyun Shuang respectfully bowed.

"The Island Hopping Strategy is a tactic used in naval battles to deal with enemy islands."

"Naval battles — the sea is not a place one can venture lightly; there are fierce beasts in the sea!" Ziyan widened his eyes in shock.