NFBE Chapter 15 Another Storm
Chapter 15 Another Storm
Although the intrigues within the country have been eliminated, the tense situation on the border remains like a dark cloud. Xuan Yuanche and Su Yao know that this contest with their neighbor is not only about the country's territorial integrity, but also about the peace and future of their people.
Amidst the intensive military preparations, Su Yao played a unique role. Utilizing modern strategic thinking and combining it with the military characteristics of the era, she offered advice and strategies to Xuan Yuanche. She proposed constructing a multi-layered defense system, not only establishing strong fortifications and defensive lines along key border routes, but also organizing a flexible and mobile reserve force in the rear to rapidly support various battlefields during wartime.
Xuanyuan Che wholeheartedly agreed with Su Yao's suggestion. He personally directed his soldiers to train day and night, while simultaneously dispatching elite scouts deep into neighboring countries to investigate the enemy's troop deployments, food reserves, and military plans. However, the neighboring country seemed to have noticed Xuanyuan Che's actions, with small-scale conflicts constantly erupting along the border, like the calm before a storm.
During a border skirmish, Xuanyuan Che's army was ambushed by the enemy. Taking advantage of the terrain, the enemy laid numerous traps, forcing Xuanyuan Che's troops into a fierce battle. At this critical moment, Xuanyuan Che displayed extraordinary military talent. He calmly directed his soldiers to break out of the encirclement, while he himself led a small elite cavalry unit to strike directly at the enemy's command center, disrupting their deployment and successfully leading his troops to safety.
This battle made Xuanyuan Che realize that he could not merely passively defend; he also needed to take the initiative and seize control of the war. After analyzing the battle report, Su Yao proposed a bold plan—a surprise attack on the neighboring country's supply depots. She believed that cutting off the enemy's food supply would weaken their fighting capacity and give their side a strategic advantage.
After careful consideration, Xuan Yuanche decided to adopt Su Yao's plan. He selected an elite special forces unit, which he personally led, and under the cover of night, traversed the rugged mountains of the border region, quietly advancing towards the neighboring country's supply depot. Su Yao remained in the country, responsible for coordinating rear support and intelligence transmission.
The surprise attack initially went smoothly; the special forces infiltrated the supply depot like ghosts, successfully avoiding enemy patrols. But just as they were preparing to set fire to the supplies, the enemy suddenly tightened their defenses. It turned out that this was a trap set by a neighboring country, deliberately luring Xuan Yuanche into a trap.
Xuanyuan Che found himself in a dilemma, but he did not back down. He decisively ordered his troops to engage the enemy in fierce fighting, using the supplies in the supply depot as cover to fight against an enemy force several times their size. In the fierce battle, Xuanyuan Che's troops gradually became trapped and suffered heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, Su Yao sensed something amiss back home. Through secret communications with the front lines and her own analysis, she uncovered the enemy's plot. Without hesitation, she organized a rescue force composed of talented young people from across the country. Although not professional soldiers, they were filled with patriotism and unwavering loyalty.
Su Yao personally led the rescue force, traveling day and night to the neighboring country's supply depot. At the critical moment, the rescue force arrived, launching a surprise attack on the enemy from the rear. Working in conjunction with Xuan Yuanche's troops, they successfully turned the tide of the battle. Caught in a pincer movement, the enemy forces were thrown into chaos and fled in disarray.
Looking at Su Yao, who was exhausted but had a determined look in her eyes, Xuan Yuanche was filled with emotion and admiration. This battle had made them realize their importance to each other more deeply, and their relationship had become even stronger through the baptism of war.
However, the storm of war did not dissipate. Neighboring countries, unwilling to accept defeat, began to unite with other surrounding nations, attempting to encircle Xuanyuan Che's state. Upon hearing the news, some ministers within the country were filled with anxiety; some advocated for peace, while others insisted on continuing the fight. The court was in turmoil, with no consensus reached.
Xuanyuan Che and Su Yao knew that they had to demonstrate firm leadership and decisiveness at this critical moment. On the one hand, they actively reassured the ministers, analyzed the situation between themselves and the enemy, and explained their own advantages and countermeasures. On the other hand, they accelerated the pace of military reforms, widely recruited civilian warriors, strengthened military training, and developed new weapons.
In diplomacy, Xuanyuan Che dispatched envoys to other friendly countries to seek support and alliances, attempting to break the encirclement by neighboring nations. Su Yao, meanwhile, used her prestige among the people to organize them to engage in self-sufficiency through production, ensuring the supply of goods within the country.
Just as the various forces were locked in a power struggle and the situation was becoming increasingly tense, a mysterious figure quietly appeared before Xuan Yuanche and Su Yao. This person claimed to know the core military secrets of the neighboring country and the weaknesses of the alliance. He said that as long as Xuan Yuanche and Su Yao agreed to his conditions, he would be willing to lend them a hand.
Xuan Yuanche and Su Yao exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with doubt and vigilance. Who exactly was this mysterious figure? What was his purpose? Was it genuine assistance, or another, deeper conspiracy? In this turbulent moment, they had to make careful choices, for any wrong decision could lead to the destruction of the nation and the suffering of its people.