Finest Servant

Chapter 518

Chapter 518 DisagreementAs the leader of the merchant caravan had said, the army

Hold the city? Lin Wanrong looked at the crumbling walls surrounding Wuyuan. Weathered by years of wind, sand, and war, the walls were dilapidated. In most areas, they were less than a man's height. Considering the Turks rode tall horses, a flick of a whip would send them leaping into the city. How could this city be defended?

"Brother Hu, do you have any suggestions?" Seeing that Hu Bugui seemed to be muttering to himself, Lin Wanrong encouraged him.

Hu Bugui spoke urgently, "General, Military Advisor, I believe Deputy General Yu's strategy is impractical. Indeed, holding a city is our strength, but that applies to the tall walls of Xingqing. Wuyuan is a different matter altogether. These walls can easily be leaped over by horses, offering little defensive advantage. The nomads once attacked Xingqing and failed, falling back to Wuyuan, only to quickly withdraw. The easy-to-attack, hard-to-defend nature of Wuyuan is the reason. Being stationed in the city would limit us, making us sitting ducks for enemy attacks. It's truly a poor strategy."

Hu Bugui was straightforward, and not just in opposing Yu Zongcai’s opinion. His last remark of it being "a poor strategy" evidently struck a nerve with General Yu. Coming from a family of military leaders, and holding a high position at a young age, Yu Zongcai was naturally arrogant. His face changed, and he huffed, "Tall walls have their merits, as do low ones. Even if the nomads can jump over the walls, how can they be faster than our artillery and arrows? General Hu, your comments suggest you've been scared witless by the Turks! I heard that you've fought against them for over a decade without a single victory. No wonder you—"

"What did you say? Say that again—" Hu Bugui's sore spot had been hit, making him react like a lion whose tail had been stepped on. He had been fighting the nomads for twenty years and indeed, victories had been rare. But back then, he was just a low-ranking officer; could he have changed anything?

Lin Wanrong stepped in, halting the incensed Hu Bugui and coldly snorted, "Brother Hu, there's no shame in not defeating the nomads over the last twenty years. The moment you stood here, you became a hero of our great nation. Every scar on your body, every drop of blood you've shed is a badge of honor, worth a thousand times more than someone who only knows how to talk. What do you have to fear?"

The deputy general overseeing the left flank and the fierce commander of the right were in a heated disagreement. Xu Zhiqing couldn't help but slightly furrow her brows, "Brother Yu, General Hu, both of you are the left and right arms of our grand army. Although you have strategic differences, you are both working for the good of our Great Hua. Do not rashly speak and harm the harmony between brothers. This is the first time, so I will make a note of it. Should there be any further disrespectful remarks, I will report to the Marshal and you will be dealt with according to military law."

Her tone was calm, but her expression was incredibly serious. Hu Bugui and Yu Zongcai dared not say another word.

Miss Xu resolved the dispute and then turned to Lin Wanrong, asking, "General Lin, you've heard the suggestions of these two gentlemen. What do you think?"

Lin Wanrong replied with a solemn expression, "I agree with Brother Hu. This method of defending the city is simply tying our own hands, it's more harm than good—"

Yu Zongcai snorted softly, visibly discontented. However, Lin Wanrong was the commander of the right flank, a rank higher than him. Additionally, with Miss Xu's prior warning, Yu Zongcai did not dare to act rashly. He reluctantly clenched his fists and said, "General Lin, during the defense, our army's firearms and bows can be far more effective, causing greater casualties to the enemy. What do you mean by tying our own hands and it being more harm than good? I would like to hear the details."

Lin Wanrong indifferently said, "Brother Yu, while firearms and bows can indeed be powerful, they must be used correctly. If misused, they can become a burden. Our army has over twenty cannons and five thousand archers, but the first wave of attackers from the enemy numbers over sixty thousand. I don’t need to describe the fierceness of the Turkic fighters to you. Moreover, Wuyuan City has no natural defenses, and the enemy can enter by merely leaping on their horses. Once a breach occurs, it will be like a dam bursting—everywhere will be broken. At that point, our artillery will lose all its effectiveness, and our archers will be exposed to the enemy cavalry. The heavy artillery and supplies would become burdens that we can neither abandon nor withdraw. Imagine what a horrific scene that would be!"

He sighed deeply, as if that tragic scene had already appeared before his eyes. Yu Zongcai felt his heart tremble and hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead. Zuo Qiu also found himself agreeing and nodded.

Miss Xu glanced at him and softly said, "You make a good point. But according to your view, what should we do? Should we leave Wuyuan City and face the enemy in the open desert? Wouldn't that be exactly what the enemy desires?"

"A decisive battle is inevitable, but it will not be according to the enemy's wishes," Lin Wanrong said, locking his eyes on Xu Zhiqing's charming cheeks and smiling mysteriously. Miss Xu found it difficult to meet his gaze and quickly lowered her head, annoyed, "What are you smirking at? Speak up! How exactly should we fight?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Leaving Wuyuan City is a must. But not forward. On the contrary, in my view, we should retreat and leave Wuyuan to the Turkic invaders!"

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