14: Chapter 14 Zhao Zilong Offers a Plan to Defeat the Enemy! (Part 2)
Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes were filled with expectation.
Caiwei had already picked up the teacup, thinking that once Zhao Zilong finished explaining his method for defending the city, she would refill his cup to show her gratitude.
"To be honest, Princess, Beiguan City cannot be held. Firstly, Beiguan City is too small to station a larger army; secondly..."
"Lord Zhao, the Princess wants to know how to defend the city, not to hear your analysis on why Beiguan City cannot be held."
Hearing Zhao Zilong analyze the reasons why Beiguan City was indefensible, Caiwei immediately became angry.
Princess Zhu Yunxi's expression was also poor; she didn't even stop Caiwei from scolding Zhao Zilong.
Outside the door, Cai Wenjing was somewhat disappointed.
"What on earth is Zhao Zilong doing? He just said it was worth a try, so why is he saying Beiguan City can't be held now, and even analyzing the reasons for it?"
"Is this what the Princess wants? Isn't this just adding to her troubles?"
"Miss Caiwei, please don't be hasty. Listen to my analysis—no, listen to me finish."
Zhao Zilong felt somewhat helpless. Why was Caiwei so impatient? Couldn't she just let him finish?
Wasn't he analyzing the reasons first so he could then present the counter-strategy?
"What else is there to say?"
*Thud!*
Caiwei slammed the teacup heavily onto the table. She used quite a bit of force; any harder and the cup might have shattered.
Princess Zhu Yunxi treated Caiwei very well. Caiwei viewed the Princess as her master, but even more so as an elder sister. Since Zhao Zilong couldn't resolve the Princess's worries, she truly couldn't maintain a good attitude toward him.
Furthermore, Zhao Zilong's words were clearly adding to Princess Zhu Yunxi's distress.
One could easily see this from the Princess's now-dimmed expression.
"Lord Zhao, this Palace is tired and needs to rest. You should head back for now."
Zhao Zilong was startled. He could tell that Princess Zhu Yunxi was dissatisfied with him as well, as she had already issued an order for him to leave.
Zhao Zilong said, "Princess, the books haven't been organized yet."
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "There's no need to organize them for now. Also, Lord Zhao, you don't need to come by for the next few days. If this Palace needs your help, someone will be sent to summon you."
Princess Zhu Yunxi's voice wasn't loud, and her tone wasn't harsh, but the content of her words was extremely cold.
Not only was she telling Zhao Zilong to leave now, but she was clearly telling him not to come back in the future.
She was truly angry with Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong was unwilling to leave just like this. This was his chance to align himself with the Princess. Setting everything else aside, having a backer like the Princess would make his life more stable.
Zhao Zilong stood up, bowed slightly to Princess Zhu Yunxi, and said, "Princess, once I have finished speaking, I will leave. Without your permission, I will never disturb you again."
"Lord Zhao, do you still want to trouble the Princess?"
Caiwei huffed angrily.
Is this Zhao Zilong ever going to stop?
Although the Princess had previously said it was fine for him to speak his mind, she only wanted to know if he had a way to defeat the enemy. If he didn't, he should have just said so. She knew the Princess wouldn't have blamed him; after all, so many generals in the imperial court were helpless in this matter.
But Zhao Zilong shouldn't be here giving a random analysis that only made the Princess more upset.
This was clearly rubbing salt in the Princess's wounds.
Princess Zhu Yunxi looked up at Zhao Zilong. After a long moment, she finally said, "Fine, this Palace will hear Lord Zhao out."
Outside the door, Cai Wenjing had a look of helplessness on her face.
"Fortunately, the Princess has a good temper and is very kind-hearted, otherwise Zhao Zilong would be in deep trouble today."
Zhao Zilong said, "Since the Princess does not wish to hear the reasons why Beiguan City is indefensible, I shall not speak of them. Let us speak directly of how to ensure no territory is ceded and no reparations are paid."
"Beiguan City is short on both troops and provisions. Defending the city would be incredibly difficult. In my opinion, it would be better to abandon the city directly when the Northern Barbarian army attacks and have the entire city's military and civilians retreat to Wuyang City."
"Lord Zhao, are you preparing to just give up the city?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi's tone grew heavier.
Caiwei glared coldly at Zhao Zilong.
"The Princess misunderstands. This move is not ceding the city; it is a tactical withdrawal."
"And if the Northern Barbarian army continues to attack Wuyang City? Will Lord Zhao be able to hold it then?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi was on the verge of an outburst.
This Zhao Zilong really didn't understand military strategy at all.
"Lord Zhao, are you going to say that if the Northern Barbarian army attacks Wuyang City, we should abandon Wuyang City as well?"
Caiwei also spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm and dissatisfaction toward Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Caiwei is clever; that is exactly what I mean."
"Clerk Zhao, if you are only suggesting a series of tactical retreats, then there is no need to say more."
Princess Zhu Yunxi's voice rose; she really couldn't hold back anymore.
"Clerk Zhao, the Princess is tired and needs rest. Please leave."
Caiwei spoke up.
Zhao Zilong did not leave. He said, "Princess, as I just said, I am proposing a tactical retreat, not ceding territory. You have not yet understood the key point."
Ignoring Princess Zhu Yunxi's grim expression and Caiwei's attempt to drive him away, Zhao Zilong pointed to the defense map and said, "Princess, look. Beiguan City is over a hundred miles from Wuyang City, and Wuyang City is over two hundred miles from Yulong City. If the military and civilians of both Beiguan and Wuyang are all withdrawn to Yulong City, then Yulong City will be impregnable. Even if the Northern Barbarian army could take it, it would be impossible without several months."
"Most importantly, when Beiguan and Wuyang are evacuated, not only must the people be moved, but all grain and livestock in the cities must be taken away, leaving no resources for the Northern Barbarian army."
"Even the water sources in the cities should be poisoned to make them undrinkable."
"Princess, what does he mean? Why doesn't Caiwei understand?"
Caiwei looked confused.
Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't seem to fully understand either, but she followed better than Caiwei. She said, "Lord Zhao, continue."
She had switched back to calling him Lord Zhao instead of Clerk Zhao.
It was clear her anger had subsided somewhat.
Zhao Zilong said, "What is the most important thing in warfare? Provisions. As the saying goes, 'Before the troops move, the provisions must go first.' I suggest withdrawing from the two cities and leaving no food behind specifically to stretch the Northern Barbarian army's supply lines. Once the lines are stretched, the consumption of food becomes enormous. Not only do the combat troops consume food, but the logistics teams transporting the supplies also consume a vast amount of grain themselves."
"Why are the Northern Barbarians attacking our Daye? It is because they lack food."
"With such massive consumption of provisions, how long can the Northern Barbarian army hold out? Furthermore, as long as Yulong City does not fall and we hold out for a few months, once spring arrives and the Beiguan River begins to thaw, the Northern Barbarian army won't be able to transport a single grain of rice from their rear. Knowing they cannot take Yulong City, the only thing they can do is retreat to the north; otherwise, they will all starve to death."
Caiwei was still a bit dazed, but Princess Zhu Yunxi understood, and Cai Wenjing outside the door understood as well.
"What a brilliant strategy! This way, not only do we avoid ceding territory and paying reparations, but it also causes massive depletion for the Northern Barbarian State. I'm afraid that after this battle, the Northern Barbarians won't be able to recover for two or three years and won't be able to send troops against Daye again. Meanwhile, Daye suffers no losses."
Cai Wenjing was filled with shock.
Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes lit up. If this were true, she wouldn't have to be married off.
"Mr. Zhao possesses great talent. Please accept Yunxi's respect."
Princess Zhu Yunxi's form of address for Zhao Zilong changed once more.
She was now calling him 'Mister'.
Zhao Zilong quickly said, "Princess, you must not. I cannot accept such an honor."
"Mr. Zhao is saving Daye from fire and water, and saving Yunxi from suffering. You are more than worthy."
Princess Zhu Yunxi insisted on bowing to Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong had no choice but to accept it.
Caiwei also said, "Mr. Zhao, Caiwei was very offensive and disrespectful earlier. I apologize to you now."
As she spoke, Caiwei also gave Zhao Zilong a respectful curtsy.
She was the type to admit her mistakes immediately, and her attitude was now excellent, leaving Zhao Zilong feeling quite helpless.
"Princess, I haven't finished speaking yet."
"Mr. Zhao, please sit and take your time. Caiwei, serve the tea."
Princess Zhu Yunxi's mood had improved significantly, and her face regained some of its luster.
"Yes."
With a smile on her face, Caiwei withdrew to prepare tea for Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong said, "Furthermore, to make the Northern Barbarian army retreat as soon as possible, I suggest sending out small, multiple groups of cavalry to disperse outside the city and ambush their supply convoys. Their primary mission will be to find ways to destroy the grain."