The Demon Lords-Chapter 635 - 112: Waves Wash Everything Away (part 2)_2

He replied with a single word: "Wait!"

「...」

"Your Highness, our Yan soldiers are indeed not accustomed to naval warfare," Li Fusheng spoke up.

Ahead, a new round of offensives had just concluded. Ultimately, the Yan Army forces that had forcibly crossed were unable to secure a foothold on the opposite bank and were once again repelled.

The Eldest Prince nodded and said, "Fortunately, neither the wild people nor those rebels are proficient in naval combat either."

"Indeed," Li Fusheng concurred.

These two military commanders showed no particular emotion regarding the recent setback. The stalemate on the current battlefield was primarily intended to draw the attention of the rebel army and the wild people on the other side.

The true decisive maneuver still lay with a cavalry force of a few hundred, conducting a stealthy crossing to riddle the entire defensive line with holes. Naturally, it would then collapse with a mere push.

With the Wang River being so long, how could the enemy possibly defend its entire length?

While not a guaranteed victory, the overall situation, at least, still favored their side, so there was no need for excessive alarm.

"The wild people haven't committed their full strength; it seems they're planning to retreat at any moment," Li Fusheng remarked.

"Yes, consequently, the morale of the rebel army on the opposite bank is progressively declining. Wear them down for at most ten more days, and they'll collapse on their own."

"Ten days is a bit long."

"No matter, we can afford to wait."

"REPORT!"

Just then, a messenger from the Left Army delivered military intelligence from Deng Jiuru.

The Eldest Prince opened and read it, his brows instantly furrowing.

Then, he handed the military intelligence to Li Fusheng beside him.

Li Fusheng exclaimed, "Heh, the old fellow actually succeeded? No, could it be a trap?"

The Eldest Prince shook his head, saying, "Deng Jiuru does possess skill in warfare; he hadn't underestimated the enemy or advanced recklessly."

"In that case, Your Highness, we no longer need to wait another ten days."

The Eldest Prince clasped his hands behind his back, saying nothing.

A huge opening had presented itself. Should he take it or not? Although a steady and cautious approach had always been his established policy, one he had adhered to since the expedition began, allowing such an opportunity to slip away before his very eyes would be too foolish and hidebound.

"Your Highness, once Deng Jiuru's men are across, even if the wild people want to drive them back into the river, they won't be able to do so immediately, will they?"

The Eldest Prince remained silent.

Soon, the second and third dispatches of military intelligence from the Left Army arrived.

The situation on the far bank of the Wang River was now quite clear: no enemy ambush forces had been sighted nearby.

In truth, even if there were an ambush, the Yan Left Army, with its combat capabilities, should be able to withstand it.

Even if the combat strength of the provincial troops wasn't as great as that of the Zhenbei or Jingnan Armies, they were, at least, forces under the Black Dragon banner, and their morale wasn't actually poor.

The combat strength of the wild people and the rebels had been thoroughly assessed through several engagements during this period, and both sides had a clear comparison in their minds regarding quantity and quality.

The military situation was urgent. The Eldest Prince knew there wasn't much room left for him to think and deliberate.

Moreover, warfare, ultimately, is unlike a game of chess. No matter how meticulous or prudent one is, in the end, one must still cut the opponent's throat with a blade and inevitably be spattered with blood. This is the immutable nature of war. Trying to maintain a tepid, passive stance from beginning to end was simply unrealistic.

The Eldest Prince took a deep breath

and ordered, "Order Deng Jiuru to cross the river! Order Li Bao's unit at the front to organize another river crossing and pin down all the enemy forces in Jade Plate City here!

Li Fusheng!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I order you to lead 10,000 cavalry to the Left Army to provide support! Simultaneously, order the Right Army at the rear to move closer to the Left Army. The Cheng State armies are also to press forward and feign a river crossing downstream!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The Right Army was not large. It was primarily formed with Imperial Guards as its core and had previously been deployed as the rearguard, stationed further back.

Now that the decision to act had been made, there could be no further hesitation. A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit. Today, they would shatter this Wang River defense line in one fell swoop!

"Simultaneously, find a way to contact all units that have already stealthily crossed to the other side and have them launch their attack ahead of schedule!"

"Yes!"

「...」

Upon receiving the Eldest Prince's military order, Deng Jiuru immediately slammed his hand on the table.

He then drew his saber and cleaved the desk before him in two.

The bald, clean-shaven old general roared, "Cross the river! Cross the river!

Whether my Left Army, whether the many military families of our Great Yan, can still hold their heads high in the future—it all depends on today!

Gentlemen, show your true abilities, show your bloody courage! Tell the men under your command, don't always be looking enviously at the Zhenbei Army and Jingnan Army, thinking they're the only ones who get to feast and live well every day!

Since they call themselves real men, then today, I, this general, will give them this opportunity! Let them use the sabers in their hands to prove to the world

that our Great Yan knows how to fight!

That our fighting strength is not limited to just the Zhenbei Army and Jingnan Army! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

That all our Great Yan military personnel

are Tiger Guards!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Soon, ferries and pontoon bridges began to be utilized to their utmost capacity, and soldiers and warhorses were continuously transported to the opposite bank.

As a precaution, Deng Jiuru himself, along with his command banner, had crossed the river early. The banner was planted in the center of the military encampment currently under construction.

No need for reckless moves, nor is it necessary. As long as our main force holds this position securely, the mission will be considered accomplished.

After crossing the river, some impatient generals, their ambition stoked by success and eager for more glory—a classic case of 'conquering Long only to set one's sights on Shu'—proactively requested to lead their own troops to probe in other directions. Some even made bold declarations, volunteering to act as the vanguard and strike directly at Jade Plate City.