To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

Chapter 426 Strategic Planning is Truly Laborious

The darkness was no longer a shield for the Xiongnu. Under the bright light of the flares, the figures of the Xiongnu cavalry were clearly visible.

A barrage of armor-piercing crossbow bolts rained down on the chaotic Xiongnu ranks.

In pursuit of speed, the Xiongnu light cavalry wore lightweight leather armor, which was completely unable to withstand the penetrating power of the Qin heavy crossbows.

With just one volley, thousands of Xiongnu cavalrymen were pinned to death, horse and all, in the snow.

Blood instantly stained the blinding snowfield red.

"Retreat! Retreat immediately!"

Despite the stinging pain in her eyes, Luan Diyun held tightly to her frightened warhorse and cried out in despair.

Just then, the gates of the Qin army camp were suddenly flung open.

The dull thud of hooves sounded as tens of thousands of Qin cavalry, spear in hand, charged out of the camp under the cover of bright light.

Seeing the Qin cavalry charging towards them, Luan Diyun was terrified.

She knew that if she didn't leave now, all 30,000 people would perish here tonight.

"Forget about formation! Retreat north! Run!"

Luan Diyun slashed down a stray warhorse blocking his path with a single stroke and led the charge into the dark depths of the north.

The remaining Xiongnu cavalrymen, as if granted a pardon, abandoned their armor and weapons, desperately spurred their horses, and fled in a frenzy.

The flare's light lingered in the sky for several dozen seconds before gradually dimming and eventually going out.

Darkness returned to the snowfield, and the snowstorm continued.

Outside the Qin army camp.

A Qin scout captain rode up to the central command tent, dismounted, and loudly reported: "Reporting to the Grand Preceptor and Commander Meng! The enemy army has completely collapsed and is fleeing north!"

Our light cavalry has broken out of the camp. We request permission to continue the pursuit!

Upon hearing the battle report, Meng Tian's face was filled with ecstasy. He immediately turned to look at Zhang Fan, his eyes brimming with a desire to volunteer for the battle.

Zhang Fan shook his head without hesitation.

"Pass down the order: do not pursue a desperate enemy. Have the cavalry that went out immediately withdraw to their camp!" Zhang Fan's tone was very firm.

Upon receiving the order, the scout immediately mounted his horse and went to deliver the military command.

Seeing this, Meng Tian said somewhat unwillingly, "Grand Preceptor, the enemy is terrified. Now is the perfect opportunity to strike them while they're down!"

Looking at the snowfield outside the tent, which had returned to darkness, Zhang Fan calmly analyzed, "General Meng, although the Qin cavalry are well-equipped, the stamina and speed of their horses on the snow are absolutely no match for the Xiongnu horses that have grown up on the grasslands."

We were able to inflict heavy damage on them just now because of the surprise attack with the flares.

Once we pursue them into the dark, deep snow, the bright lights will be ineffective, and the enemy could easily use the terrain to turn around and attack us! Pursuit is unwise and will only increase casualties!

Upon hearing this explanation, Meng Tian nodded in deep agreement.

Then, Meng Tian was overjoyed. He stepped forward and patted Zhang Fan on the shoulder heavily, his excitement overflowing.

"Immortal Master! Your immortal magic is truly terrifying!"

Meng Tian burst into laughter, "It seems that the sixteen-character mantra also has a fatal flaw! On this plain, as long as night can turn into day, that damned battle tactic is completely useless!"

Fusu was greatly shocked. He had thought his teacher was joking, but he never expected it to actually work.

Faced with Meng Tian's constant praise of "immortal magic," Zhang Fan was immediately filled with helplessness.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain what magnesium powder combustion is, what a chemical reaction is, and what the principle of parachute hovering is.

But seeing the adoring looks in Meng Tian and Fu Su's eyes, he ultimately swallowed his words.

It's hard to explain!

In this era, this is the magic of immortality!

"Cough cough..."

Zhang Fan cleared his throat and steered the conversation back to reality, "General Meng, now is not the time to celebrate. The most important thing is to reassure the Qin soldiers and help them recover their strength as soon as possible."

Meng Tian immediately stopped smiling, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "I understand!"

"Distribute the remaining flares to the patrol posts in each camp."

Zhang Fan pointed out the direction outside the camp, "Arrange for men to take turns on guard duty. The other soldiers, do not remove their armor, continue to rest."

"Tell the soldiers that if they hear the sound of horses' hooves outside, they should not panic, and they should not leave the camp. They should launch flares directly into the sky."

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Fan's eyes. "As long as the enemy dares to get close, we'll use crossbows to wear them down from a distance!"

I'd like to see how many times those 30,000 men can withstand a hail of arrows!

"I'll arrange it right away!"

Meng Tian shouted loudly, turned around and strode out of the tent to arrange the next defense.

Inside the large tent, the charcoal fire still burned bright red.

Zhang Fan sat back on the soft couch and let out a long breath.

Just then, a delicate fragrance wafted from behind.

The twin sisters Luo Ying and Luo Li had quietly slipped behind the soft couch without anyone noticing.

The two girls obediently moved closer, one on each side.

Luo Ying stretched out her finger and gently pressed it on Zhang Fan's temple.

Luo Li lay half-lying on Zhang Fan's back, her small hands skillfully kneading the muscles of his shoulders and back as they slid down his spine.

"Master, you've worked hard. Let me help you rest." Luo Ying's breath was sweet and her voice was so gentle it seemed to melt one's bones.

Luo Li leaned close to Zhang Fan's ear and whispered, "Master has drunk so much mare's milk wine, he must be feeling hot. I'll help you undress now..."

Feeling the warm, soft flesh behind him and the just-right massage pressure, Zhang Fan's nerves, which had been tense all night, finally relaxed completely.

He closed his eyes, let out a comfortable sigh, and couldn't help but smile, feeling secretly delighted.

On the other side of the camp.

Fusu and Mofeng were standing there staring at each other.

Fusu: Do not look at what is improper, do not listen to what is improper.

I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles, and I didn't know where to look.

Mo Feng, on the other hand, was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

He glanced at the lamb leg he was gnawing on, now reduced to bones, then at the twins behind Zhang Fan, and couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Cough cough..."

Mo Feng coughed twice, grabbed Fu Su who was still in a daze, and said in a gruff voice, "Young Master, let's not get in the way here."

Fusu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, nodding repeatedly and stammering, "Yes, yes! Teacher, you have worked so hard in planning and strategizing, you deserve a good rest!"

The student...the student takes their leave!

Having said that, the two of them rushed out of the tent as if fleeing, lifting the curtain and rushing into the wind and snow outside.

"Sigh! Even the gods wouldn't trade this life for the immortal master!" In the wind and snow, Mo Feng wrapped his fur coat tighter around himself and complained sourly before pulling Fu Su to find another tent to sleep in.

……

at the same time.

In a sheltered valley forty miles away from the Qin army camp.

The Xiongnu set up camp.

Luan Diyun sat on a huge rock covered in snow, his face ashen and his fists clenched tightly.

shame!

I actually lost the battle!

Luan Diyun was panting heavily, his chest heaving violently.