"That's precisely the meaning, which is why artillery must fire with precision, or we risk friendly fire," I emphasized.
"But can you be sure our men will definitely be within the two small circles?" Bingbing asked.
"That depends on their execution. These two circles of mine aren't that large relative to the number of people. With a dense formation, a circular defense is easier to hold. Holding out until the enemy's larger circle forms shouldn't be a major issue," I replied.
"Alright, I trust you, big brother!" Bingbing raised her little fist, seemingly forgetting to say one word: ghost.
Following my orders, Little Slave copied the deployment map and drew two more copies. She took one to adjust the artillery positions. Bingbing took another, holding the jade pendant given by Yan Wangye, to convene a meeting with the military coffins from various camps in the city. She was to instruct them that after the breakout, they must hold the small circle according to the map, but not venture outside it.
I, meanwhile, took the third map and once again snuck out of Erqi City, heading towards the ring mountains. Hawk Pigeon? Thinking too much, I am far more useful than Hawk Pigeon!
On Li Yuanhao's side, as per my earlier instructions, most of the main reinforcements had been concentrated under his command to pin down the enemy. Only a small portion, perhaps a few thousand, were left to guard various strategic passes and intercept fleeing enemy forces.
Although Li Yuanhao didn't fully grasp the tactic, he chose to trust me and pledged to strictly adhere to the positioning within the outer circle, holding the circle and not exiting it.
Yan Wangye, completely baffled by my strategy, scratched his head. "Minister Wu, is this... Tai Chi tactics?"
"Just await news of victory," I said with a smile.
After giving my instructions here, I had to return, as the city needed me more.
Upon returning to the city, the time was nearly right. To make the simulation more realistic, I had Zheng Baobao notify the officials of the three provinces and six ministries to change into coffin attire and prepare to march out of the city with the main army. Those unwilling to leave would designate a servant to wear coffin attire to fill the ranks. The art of war is deception; warfare is a mutual performance. Whoever performs better wins.
The required personnel were quickly assembled. Unexpectedly, these officials were quite spirited. Very few were just filling in; most came themselves, declaring they would live and die with His Majesty. They were unaware His Majesty had already been rescued and taken to the outer perimeter.
at Geng Shi (7-9 PM), I gave the order to commence!
After three cannon shots, the ring mountains sector initiated the action. The Yin soldier impersonating me, wearing my uniform and seated on the banner with the character "Wu," led the charge. Li Yuanhao, clad in bright armor, astonishingly unfurled a new banner behind him bearing the inscription "King of Xiliang"!
I was utterly speechless. This fellow's obsession with titles and stipends had reached such a degree? He had the audacity to hoist his banner so quickly. The problem was, the enemy had no idea who this King of Xiliang was. It would have been better to simply display "Hao."
Fine, as long as this elder brother is happy.
The reinforcements descended the mountain and began to charge into the enemy's rear camp. Simultaneously, the north gate of Erqi City opened, and the main forces within the city poured out. Zheng Baobao led the charge. She had no banner, but her snow-white armor, stained with blood, was quite conspicuous.
With the two main generals appearing together, and the addition of many court officials, the enemy's Wang Lun would never have suspected that we were truly attempting a breakout this time!
The rebel cavalry moved almost in unison with us, beginning to outflank towards the north gate from other directions. As both sides gradually devolved into a chaotic melee, I ran along the city walls. As expected, the remaining rebel forces in the other three directions combined numbered less than five thousand. The vast majority of the rebel main force was concentrated at the north gate, aiming for a decisive victory.
My only current concern was whether these two formations of ours could accurately form the two circles.