Chapter 990: Chapter 950: Stalling for Time

Actually, it’s not just the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; almost everyone knows this: as long as Lin Yi can secure the throne, then Leng Yu will definitely be one of the most powerful people ever at Zhejiang University.

Moreover, there’s another possibility that after some time, Leng Yu’s status as Grand General may be replaced by the lofty position of Empress.

Although Lin Yi doesn’t mean it this way, everyone has this in mind.

After all, in this Dayou Country, Lin Yi is the first to get close to this woman and the first to hand power over to her.

It must be known that, since ancient times, female officials have been extremely rare, almost non-existent.

Not to mention a woman holding the position of a Grand General, which is unprecedented.

If it weren’t for Lin Yi’s recent ascension to the throne and his recent seizure of the throne from Prince You, causing no one to dare oppose him, it would be very difficult for Lin Yi to appoint a woman as Grand General, even if he had ruled for many years.

However, people now find Lin Yi’s intentions unclear and don’t dare to rashly offend him, fearing he might behead them if he’s displeased.

Otherwise, who would agree to this?

Otherwise, Leng Yu might not even appear here right now.

It is precisely because of Lin Yi’s action that such a monumental change has occurred in Dayou and even the current society.

People’s understanding has expanded, realizing that women can also act as officials.

Of course, these are all future considerations. At this moment, upon hearing the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue’s question, Leng Yu chuckles, then begins to explain:

"Hehe, Minister Wu just mentioned this issue earlier. At the start, Minister Wu said that we have a garrison of 200,000 troops, and the other side probably won’t attack here. Even if they do, they likely wouldn’t overrun a city defended by these 200,000 troops.

But what I want to say is, let’s not forget where the enemy’s conspiracy lies; surely, everyone is clear about what they’re currently doing.

If my guess is correct, the ten cities are bait. Each city has so many people assigned to attack.

This tactic is meant to confuse us. With so many troops over there, it can be considered the entire Yan Country’s military force.

Knowing they’ve dispatched all their forces to attack ten cities, will we just watch them continue their assault, or will we send troops to support?

After all, they want us to believe they have no other available manpower besides these troops.

Knowing this, I think we absolutely wouldn’t sit idly by, especially since the garrison there probably can’t hold out for long. If they truly join forces for an attack, our losses would be even more severe.

Under such preconditions, anyone would send out parts of the 200,000 troops for reinforcements.

The method of reinforcements might differ: perhaps sending a substantial force, or dividing the troops into smaller groups for aid.

Yet, one thing is certain: troops will definitely be sent to support.

That means our defensive forces will become vulnerable.

If that moment arrives and Zhao Country sends a strong army to attack, will we have any chance of resisting?

If a 100,000-strong army attacks our city defended by only ten or twenty thousand guards, can our city hold out?"

This series of rhetorical questions left everyone present astonished, inwardly admiring Leng Yu’s analysis while also accepting the result.

Just as Leng Yu described, the enemy might indeed have such intentions. If we truly dispatch all 200,000 troops for reinforcements, what would we have left for defense when the enemy attacks?

Relying on the one or two grand of Imperial Guard to resist tens of thousands of troops sounds like a fool’s dream.

Even if we mobilize all the garrison troops from the surrounding cities, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Moreover, the result would be all the neighboring cities falling into enemy hands.

This would allow Zhao Country to possibly turn around and surround the Capital City.

At that point, forget about sending messages; even a single mosquito wouldn’t be able to escape the Capital City.

Under such conditions, what chance do we have of winning?

By the time the military reacts, it will be too late.

Even though many are clear about this outcome, there’s a reluctance to accept it.

Thus, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue speaks again, questioning Leng Yu:

"General Leng’s analysis is indeed reasonable, but there’s one thing I don’t understand: why hasn’t the other side taken any action yet?

Also, if we don’t send out reinforcements, what would their next step be?

If our 200,000 troops stay put around the Capital City, are we just going to wait it out?"

Upon hearing this, Leng Yu nods and replies:

"Correct, if our 200,000 troops remain entrenched at the Capital City, they would indeed wait it out.

Take the current situation as an example.

They obviously have a superior advantage and numbers, yet they don’t launch an aggressive attack. They’re merely sustaining a prolonged battle, clearly aiming for our reinforcements to fall into their trap.

If we send troops to reinforce, they’d surely do everything to entangle us there. At worst, they’d combine forces and engage our army at one of the cities. At that time, with hundreds of thousands of their troops delaying us, could our 200,000 troops even be re-deployed?"

These words immediately brought about a sudden realization among everyone.

Indeed, if the 200,000 troops deployed and the enemy concentrated their forces, our side, without sufficient cavalry, wouldn’t stand a chance in combat.

We could only rely on the city for defense.

With 100,000 troops besieging, it’s impossible the 200,000 troops would act rashly or leave hastily.

[To be continued...]