The news of Sun Wu’s army launching a preemptive strike was immediately detected by Dong Xiuxian. Dong Xiuxian was greatly surprised, not expecting the enemy to dare to attack at such a time.
But!
Dong Xiuxian, already somewhat fearful of Sun Wu, felt that the enemy was up to some new scheme. Yet, after much thought, he had personally overseen all defenses, ensuring no oversights.
"Assemble the entire army. I want to see what nefarious plots the enemy has in store this time."
Previously, Dong Xiuxian had indeed underestimated his opponent, not taking matters seriously enough, which led his army to fall into enemy traps repeatedly. However, this time, he was fully prepared. No matter what schemes or tactics the enemy employed, he would not be easily fooled.
Dong Xiuxian's army began to assemble, and Sun Wu's army also started advancing towards the enemy. Dong Xiuxian believed that in a head-on confrontation, the enemy's hundreds of thousands of troops were no match for him.
This time, he was determined to exact revenge and crush the enemy's hundreds of thousands of troops in a frontal assault.
However, Dong Xiuxian had no idea what fate awaited them.
He also had no idea what was happening in their homeland territory.
The two armies quickly assembled and advanced towards each other, then faced off.
Dong Xiuxian did not rush in. Because it was nighttime, he feared the enemy might have laid traps. For safety, he would not allow his soldiers to be easily lured into anything.
The lessons from previous encounters had made Dong Xiuxian exceptionally cautious. Even though his soldiers outnumbered Sun Wu’s by several times, Dong Xiuxian still had to be careful because the enemy was exceptionally cunning.
Sun Wu had no scheme this time, or rather, it was an open gambit that Dong Xiuxian had no solution for.
Sun Wu was waiting, awaiting news from Bai Qi.
Dong Xiuxian was also waiting, waiting for Sun Wu to initiate the attack.
Dong Xiuxian decided not to attack, not to fall into any traps, and see what the enemy would do. Even if they had some scheme, he would leave them helpless.
Dong Xiuxian was very confident this time. Let them set their traps; he would just wait for them to attack. Once daylight came, he would see through all their schemes and surely achieve victory.
Dong Xiuxian had made all necessary defensive preparations. No matter where the enemy attacked from, he was confident in his ability to annihilate them.
Seeing that Sun Wu was not attacking, Dong Xiuxian laughed heartily and said, "Haha, I guessed right! The enemy is definitely waiting for us to attack. But I have seen through their tricks long ago. They think I’ll fall for it again? I’m not that foolish."
"The Marshal is brilliant! The enemy has caused our army heavy losses time and again with their schemes. This time, they must be at their wits' end," a general quickly praised.
"Marshal, shall we just wait like this?" another general asked.
"Wait! Why would the enemy attack late at night? It's precisely because they've laid out traps for us to fall into. Have we forgotten the lessons from the past few times?"
"The enemy knows they don't have the numerical advantage, yet they are openly confronting us. Do you think they are that foolish?"
"If the enemy were that foolish, we wouldn't have suffered so many losses. Therefore, we will remain steadfast and wait. No matter what the enemy does, I will wait for them to attack. If they dare to attack, they will never return."
Dong Xiuxian spoke with great confidence, regaining his former spirit and dignity, feeling he could finally avenge their past defeats.
"The Marshal is brilliant."
"The Marshal speaks the truth."
"The Marshal is truly the Marshal! I almost fell into the enemy's trap again."
"Naturally. This Marshal has campaigned for over two hundred years, mostly achieving victory in every battle. Although this is the first time facing such a cunning enemy, they still cannot escape my discerning eye."
Dong Xiuxian was very confident, waiting for the enemy to attack.
On Sun Wu's side.
"The strategist guessed correctly. Dong Xiuxian indeed dare not act rashly. It seems we have struck fear into his heart," Sun Wu smiled. They had made no preparations at all; if the enemy attacked, they might have even gained some advantage.
Unfortunately, the enemy dared not, or rather, they had been thoroughly battered by them.
"It's mainly because the Marshal has inflicted tremendous damage on the enemy these past few times, coupled with Wei Qing's single blow that caused a million casualties. If the enemy were to be reckless again, they would be too foolish," Guo Jia analyzed.
"Also, it's so dark at night, and the enemy has no idea what our arrangements are. And our open confrontation, they are bound to suspect some kind of plot," Guo Jia explained his analysis of Dong Xiuxian's psychology. Anyone in his position would hesitate to make a move.
Waiting, waiting, Sun Wu soon received news and said, "Strategist, Bai Qi has begun to capture the first territory."
"It seems we will be victorious soon," Guo Jia said with a smile upon hearing this.
"Notify Wei Qing and have him prepare. The enemy's defeat should not be far off," Sun Wu ordered.
Wei Qing quickly received Sun Wu's message and said, "Qin Qiong, it seems we will win this battle."
Qin Qiong also received the message and smiled, "I'm just waiting for the envious gazes of others. A million soldiers, and we didn't lose a single one. Who can compare to such a record?"
"Hahaha!!!"
The two smiled at each other and then prepared.
Dong Xiuxian's army.
"Report!"
Upon hearing this sound, Dong Xiuxian inexplicably felt a sense of foreboding, as if something bad was about to happen.
"Impossible! I have made all the necessary arrangements. I must be overthinking. The enemy must have attacked from somewhere else."
With this thought, Dong Xiuxian quickly collected himself, regained his composure, and asked, "Speak, what is it?"
"Reporting to the Marshal, disaster has struck! Soldiers in the army have mutinied. They claim their territory has been breached." the soldier hastily reported.
"What!"
"How could this be!"
"How is this possible."
"No way!"
Dong Xiuxian was stunned. He suddenly remembered that the enemy's reinforcements had never arrived, nor had he received any news of them. At that moment, he realized a terrible outcome.
"It's over, it's over, it's over! The enemy is indeed cunning to the extreme, attacking our territory!"
"Pfft!"
"Marshal!"
"It's bad, quick, someone! The Marshal is not well..."