Chapter 8 Change of Commanders Amidst Chaos

  "What should we do?" Ji Shengqin looked at Qian Budili with expectant eyes.

  Qian Buli swept his gaze over several martial generals: "What is everyone's opinion?"

  Jia Tianxiang picked up his teacup and took a light sip, using his actions to hint at the princess. The first half was all about his conversation with Qian Buli, now it's Ji Shengqing's turn to take action.

  "There are currently three opinions. The first is to take the initiative to go to war! Although the Flying Eagle tribe's elite light cavalry is extremely elite, they suffered heavy losses in the strong raid, and they attacked the troops stationed at the gold mine first, killing a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred themselves! Their own casualties will not be small either! In addition to these, there is another important factor. The elite light cavalry has crossed the entire glacier, and it is impossible to repair on the glacier. After a cruel battle, they are already exhausted to the extreme! If we can concentrate our forces to launch a surprise attack, we should be able to gain the upper hand! Hmm... This is General Ren's opinion."

  "The second opinion is to defend! Wang Rui has successfully destroyed the suspension bridge, cut off their supplies, and gained an advantage for us. Of course, we should take advantage of this advantage! As long as we can hold out in the city and defend it for a few days, we can exhaust them. When the time comes, victory will easily fall into our hands. This is General Du Bing's opinion."

  "The third opinion is to retreat immediately! The Flying Eagle tribe's losses are greater, but they are much stronger than us who are unprepared. Now we can only see the conspiracy on the surface of the water, and what is under the water, we cannot see clearly! Rather than taking risks, it is better to quickly leave the battlefield! This is the opinion of Earl Jia Tianxiang and Captain Wang Rui."

  Qian Buli gave Wang Rui a glance, only the ignorant can be fearless! Wang Rui is not a coward, his bravery can be seen from leading the patrol team to destroy the suspension bridge at the risk of their lives, and his cautiousness can also be seen from his suggestion to retreat at this moment. He has not been blinded by his own achievements! Although his official rank is the lowest, in Qian Buli's eyes, Wang Rui is a talented general!

  Jia Tianxiang replied, "Let me explain, the gold storage point is not in Snowy City, so as long as we can safely escort the princess away, it will be equivalent to foiling the Flying Eagle Tribe's plot!"

  The conference room fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes were focused on Qian Buli, of course, except for Ji Shengqing and Jia Tianxiang, the others' gazes were not very friendly, they couldn't understand why the princess and the earl believed in that young man so much.

  Qian did not leave silent for a moment: "How many troops can be mobilized in Xueyuan City?"

  "Adding those cavalrymen who escaped back, our cavalry can reorganize a thousand-man battalion. Gathering the patrol and garrison troops in the city, we still have more than two thousand infantry."

  "Do they have combat experience?"

  "Some of these... have soldiers who have been in combat."

  "What is the amount? I need an exact number!"

  Jia Tianxiang's expression was somewhat awkward: "A very small part, but I can guarantee that my troops have always been extremely strict in training."

  Qian Bulei fell silent again, this time his gaze was not fixed on the sand table, but instead he stared at the ceiling in a daze, as if thinking about something.

  "Military situation is urgent, Your Excellency mustn't delay any longer!" a cold and unyielding general said.

  "It's too late already." Qian Bulei smiled faintly: "I oppose the first proposal."

  "Why?"

  "Everyone has had an experience where a man's first time is always clumsy and tense, and usually can't stay hard for long before going soft..."

  Although the conference hall was filled with gloomy clouds, bursts of laughter still rang out incessantly. Jia Tianxiang looked at Qian Budui with a mixture of tears and laughter, while Ji Shengqin's face turned bright red as he hung his head low, staring silently at his toes.

  Qian Buli's expression turned cold: "My meaning is, don't expect soldiers who have never been on the battlefield! If our army gains the upper hand, let them go up and add a flourish to the victory, but once they fall into a bitter battle, they will immediately collapse! Even if the Flying Eagle tribe's elite light cavalry suffers heavy losses, it's not something that these inexperienced soldiers can contend with. Therefore, we absolutely cannot engage in a head-on battle with the Flying Eagle tribe!"

  "As for defending the city, this method seems very secure, but in fact it's a joke!" Qian Budiao shook his head: "They can build a pontoon bridge, they can also build a second one, their supplies won't be cut off for several days! And don't forget that they are all cavalrymen, if things get really tough they can slaughter their horses to eat, and when they get through the difficulties, we'll be in trouble!"

  Just then, Ren Shuai rushed in from outside: "Your Highness, Earl! Our scouts have found the enemy's cavalry vanguard! It won't be long before the enemy arrives at Snowy City!"

  If Qian Buli was zealous about the war, then Ji Shengqin's worship of him was also zealous. Every word that Qian Buli said, Ji Shengqin remembered firmly in his heart. Upon hearing this unexpected news, Ji Shengqin suddenly reacted: "You... you just said it too late, did you already anticipate that they would continue to attack Xueyuancheng after the strong raid on the gold mine garrison?"

  Qian didn't answer Ji Sheng's words, but instead smiled and asked: "Who can tell me what kind of person Zhamuhe, the chief of the Flying Eagle tribe, is?" Often, pretending to be profound is more thought-provoking than speaking straightforwardly.

  This unexpected news brought a huge shock, and most people were immersed in worries about the future. Jia Tianxiang recovered the fastest: "Zhamuhe is a very capable person, he once called himself 'Little Qianlong'! However, the Flying Eagle tribe was born with insufficient, after..."

  "I don't need that much." Qian waved his hand: "One word! Use one word to describe Zha Muhe!"

  Jia Tianxiang smiled wryly, it's very difficult to describe a person with just one word. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Crazy! However... don't think that Zhama is an arrogant person. He is unpredictable in battle and has repeatedly defeated strong enemies and gained the upper hand in the struggles between various tribes on the grasslands. Even General Wei Yun of my Ji Zhou Kingdom, when facing Zhama, could only defend the pass and dare not come out to fight."

  "I know what I should do now, isn't that right, a famous general of the past...?!" Qian Buli's eyes lit up, and immediately changed the subject: "I want command authority!!"

  Jia Tianxiang smiled and looked at Ji Shengqing, who stood up with a smile: "I, as the eldest princess of the Ji Zhou Kingdom, hereby confer upon... Qian... Mr. Qian the title of Commander-in-Chief of Xueyuan City! All military affairs will be decided by General Qian! Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded on the spot!" It seemed that Ji Shengqing and Jia Tianxiang had already discussed how to confer the title on Qian Buli.

  "My name is Qian Buli, from now on, Your Highness can just call me by my name." Qian Buli felt very helpless, he didn't expect to still use his original name in this world, Qian Long was no longer usable, and he couldn't just come up with a new one.

  "Alright, is the money ready? This name really has meaning." Ji Shengqin covered her mouth and smiled.

  Money can't leave, no mood to flirt, changing generals before a battle is a big taboo in the military, but Money has no choice, what's coming is a battle with a foregone conclusion, apart from himself, Money doesn't believe anyone else has the ability to turn the tide.

  "Which is the weakest force in the city's battle?"

  Jia Tianxiang thought for a moment: "It should be the security team."

  Ridiculous dialogue, as the leader of a city's army and about to command a battle, not even knowing what forces he has at his disposal, can he still win? The several generals in the council chamber all showed despair in their eyes.

  "Du Bing listen to orders!" Qian Buli issued the first command.

  "Alright!" Du Bing stood up, whether he was convinced or not, the four words "execute immediately without delay" still lingered in the hall, and he didn't want to become the target for the new leader to establish his authority.

  "The enemy cavalry vanguard will arrive soon, you lead the picket troops out of the city to meet them."

  "You... are you kidding me?!" Du Bing's eyes widened, his normally handsome face twisted in a grimace: "You want me to lead the security team against the Imperial Guard Cavalry?! This is a complete waste of time! Those security troops will collapse at the mere sight of the cavalry from afar!"

  "If what you said really happens, I'll give you credit for it." Qian Buli said calmly.

  Du Bing's fists were clenched so tightly that they turned white, his eyes gleaming like a wolf's as he stared fiercely at Qian Bu Li. After a moment, he spat on the ground and turned to leave. The other generals in the hall looked at Du Bing's back with complex expressions, this order was essentially sending him to his death, using the security troops to fight against the elite cavalry? Was it possible for them to survive?

  "Hold on." Qian added calmly, "When the guards flee, I hope you'll be the first to escape back into the city."

  "Damn it!" Du Bing turned around and roared in anger: "I'd rather die on the battlefield than be a coward!"

  "This is an order!" Qian Buli ignored the other party's provocation.

  "You... Your meaning is... Let me lure the enemy?" Du Bing finally understood something, and his address also changed from "you" to "you".

  "Alright then." Qian Bu Li smiled: "However, I hope the Guard's retreat can be more realistic."

  "But... where is our ambush?" Du Bing's mood had improved a lot, but he also had even more questions.

  "You're asking too many questions." Qian Buli turned to Jia Tianxiang: "Baron, let's go out and take a look at the Near Guard Light Cavalry's prowess."

  "As you wish!" Jia Tianxiang smiled and stood up.