What Yue Qiong said was something both Yan Chi and Zhao Shuhua already knew. Zhao Shuhua asked, “What are the Marquis’s plans?”

Yue Qiong sighed, “The Rong barbarians want to delay. If we could afford to delay, it wouldn’t matter, but right now, we can’t afford to either.” Zhao Shuhua’s hands tightened slightly around her teacup. Yue Qiong’s words had struck at her core concern – among the three factions, Zhao Shuhua was likely the one who feared delays the most.

Zhao Shuhua asked again, “Should we press our advantage and pursue?”

Yue Qiong nodded and looked toward Yan Chi. Yan Chi said, “If we can achieve a quick victory, naturally no one wants to spend too much time in the north.”

Hearing this, Yue Qiong knew both Yan Chi and Zhao Shuhua shared this intention. He said, “Since that’s the case, I’ve been thinking of a strategy these past few days. Currently, the Rong barbarians are stationed halfway up Luofeng Slope, in an extremely advantageous position. Luofeng Slope is a low hill, suitable for both defense and offense. Although we have more troops, even if we deploy our entire army, it would be difficult to surround their main camp. So I thought since this is the case, why not find a way to drive them down the mountain first?”

Yan Chi and Zhao Shuhua looked at Yue Qiong, both showing expressions of keen interest.

Yue Qiong continued, “It’s now midsummer, and Luofeng Slope is densely forested. If we start a fire at the foot of the mountain, the Rong barbarians will have to come down.”

In mountain warfare, setting fire to the mountain was indeed an excellent strategy.

Yan Chi frowned and said, “However, Luofeng Slope has paths all over it. We won’t know which way the Rong barbarians will come down.”

At this, Yue Qiong smiled, “I’ve already investigated this. If we set fire to the mountain, they can only escape through two places.”

As he spoke, Yue Qiong had his deputy hang a map on the wall.

“The Rong barbarians are tribes who live on the cold plains. They dwell in grasslands and forests, so they know better than us how to survive in the wilderness. On the Luofeng Slope, there are two valleys with streams – these will serve as two firebreaks. We’ll start the fire south of their current main camp. As the fire spreads upward, it will force them to make a choice: either head west toward the grasslands or follow the ridge upward and then move northwest.”

Cheng Wei asked, “Won’t they cross over the mountain ridge?”

Yue Qiong shook his head, “The mountain ridge won’t stop the fire. Besides, I’ve already planned this out – we’ll execute this plan when the southwestern wind is blowing, which will perfectly drive them northwest. At that time, the Shuoxi Army will be stationed on the grasslands west of Luofeng Slope, while the Northern Prefecture Army will guard the northeastern direction north of Luofeng Slope as a precaution. The Jinzhou Army will wait in the valley to the west of the Luofeng Slope. This way, no matter which direction the Rong barbarians retreat, we can surround them.”

Yan Chi and Cheng Wei studied the map Yue Qiong had drawn. After a moment, Yan Chi said, “If the map is accurate, this could work.”

Yue Qiong smiled and said, “This map was drawn after I sent a hundred men to scout the mountain. It’s accurate. However, there’s one point – previously we only deployed thirty thousand troops, but this time, I plan to deploy the entire Jinzhou Army. The Shuoxi Army and Northern Prefecture Army should each deploy around fifty thousand troops. Only then can we achieve a decisive victory.”

Zhao Shuhua frowned, “We need to deploy so many troops?”

Yue Qiong looked at Cheng Wei and the others, saying, “If this strategy succeeds, we’ll have the initiative while the Rong barbarians will be on the defensive. General Cheng should know that without numerical superiority, we’ll only achieve the same results as before, unable to significantly damage the Rong barbarians.”

Zhao Shuhua looked at Cheng Wei, who nodded in agreement.

Zhao Shuhua then turned to Yan Chi, “What does Prince Rui think?”

Yan Chi carefully studied the map, mentally reviewing everything Yue Qiong had said. Considering that the Shuoxi Army had been in the north for a long time, he also felt it was indeed time for a decisive battle. Although the fire strategy had many uncertainties, he still nodded and said, “We can try it.”

Hearing this, Yue Qiong knew they had agreed to the plan. He added, “I’ve already had the camp’s diviners calculate – the right time will be in four or five days.”

Upon hearing they needed to wait four or five days, Zhao Shuhua felt relieved. They had just won a victory, and this was precisely the time to press their advantage. She had only feared that Yue Qiong would be too hasty and reckless, risking her troops. After Yue Qiong, Yan Chi, and the others finished discussing the details and the final battle strategy was set, the council finally dispersed.

The three armies returned to their respective camps, naturally beginning another round of rest and training.

In the Shuoxi Army’s council hall, Yu Qi smiled and said, “I didn’t expect the Marquis to be so decisive, but with everything so dry now, once the mountain fire starts, who knows where it will spread.”

Yan Chi replied, “There are two valleys with streams on the mountain. The area that can burn is exactly where the Rong barbarians’ main camp is – it shouldn’t spread uncontrollably.”

Xiao Cheng then asked, “Will Your Highness personally lead the fifty thousand troops this time?”

Yan Chi nodded, “Of course. This battle is crucial – I wouldn’t be at ease if I didn’t go.”

Gu Ling said, “But according to the Marquis’s arrangement, although we’ll be ambushing from the grasslands, we still need to split into several directions.”

Yan Chi nodded, unfolding a newly drawn map. He pointed to several spots and said, “These places have already been scouted. We’ll station troops at these three points. Who wants to lead troops?”

Yu Qi immediately smiled and said, “I volunteer! Your Highness, how about letting me lead the vanguard?”

Yan Chi frowned, “This attack on the Rong barbarians’ main camp will face a hundred thousand troops. You’re too aggressive to lead the vanguard – why not take the flank instead?”

Yu Qi’s smile immediately disappeared, and he pleaded, “This time I promise not to be reckless or take risks! Please give me another chance, Your Highness!”

Yan Chi glanced at Gu Ling and said, “If you want to lead the vanguard, fine, but Gu Ling will go with you.”

Yu Qi was quick-witted and full of ideas, but lacked steadiness, while Gu Ling was much more calm and composed. Yu Qi realized Yan Chi wanted Gu Ling to keep an eye on him. He gave a sheepish smile and said, “Very well, Your Highness. I won’t let you down!”

Yan Chi nodded, “I’ll lead the center army myself. Xiao Cheng will take the left wing, and Chu Feishi the right wing. Each of you will command ten thousand troops.”

After these arrangements were made, everyone dispersed. Gu Ling left the main tent and naturally headed toward the wounded soldiers’ camp. Yu Qi, coming out behind him, saw where he was going and smiled, “Gu Ling, you’ve been paying a lot of attention to the wounded soldiers’ camp lately…”

Gu Ling raised an eyebrow and said coolly, “Is there something wrong with that?”

Yu Qi waved his hands, “No, no, no, it’s just that I remember you didn’t used to be so detail-oriented. Now you’ve changed your ways. Since we’ll be fighting together this time, you must keep an eye on me – if anything goes wrong, you’ll be punished along with me.”

Gu Ling smiled slightly, “So you know I need to watch you.”

Yu Qi put his hand on Gu Ling’s shoulder, “Hey, at least I know my limitations!”

As they talked, they approached the wounded soldiers’ camp, where they saw Qin Wan leading Yue Ning in their busy work.

Yu Qi saw Qin Wan from afar and smiled, “Our Princess is truly like a living Bodhisattva…”

Gu Ling also looked at Qin Wan and after a moment said, “Indeed.”

Yu Qi then withdrew his gaze and said hesitantly, “Speaking of which, there’s been no news from the south for several days. Who knows where Ge Yang has reached now? I can see His Highness intends to withdraw after this final battle, to avoid being put in a passive position when Ge Yang arrives.”

Gu Ling narrowed his eyes, turned around, and looked toward Shuoxi, “Shuoxi is still better.”

Yu Qi laughed loudly, “That’s for sure.” Then he snorted, “I’ll send a message south now. Ge Yang better not try any tricks.”

When Qin Wan returned to the central army tent, she learned of the plan to burn Luofeng Slope and that Yan Chi would personally lead the troops. Her heart became anxious, and she couldn’t help but worry, “The Rong people have a hundred thousand troops this time. I feel very uneasy about this.”

Yan Chi embraced Qin Wan and said, “Don’t worry, we still have the Jinzhou Army and Northern Prefecture Army. A hundred thousand men aren’t much.”

Qin Wan sighed, “If this goes smoothly, the Rong barbarians will surely suffer heavy casualties. Then we won’t need to continue north, right?”

Yan Chi nodded, “Exactly. If we continue north, we won’t be able to sustain it much longer. Moreover, the court’s reinforcements will arrive soon, which will only put us in a more passive position. After this final battle, the Shuoxi Army will have done its duty.”

Qin Wan embraced Yan Chi’s waist, “I hope everything goes smoothly and we can return to Shuoxi soon.”