After breaking off relations, the prince's family regretted it for the rest of their lives.

Chapter 457: War lasts for three months, a letter from home is worth a thousand gold

No one spoke, no one knew what to say.

Chen Changan used a literati's way of thinking to analyze the problems on the battlefield. These were things they had never considered before and didn't know how to consider.

Chu Xinghe concentrated and said, "How can one battle decide the outcome? If it can be decided, didn't the old general decide it long ago?"

The generals all nodded, and that was the problem.

Chen Changan shook his head: "The chance to decide the outcome of a battle is right before our eyes... I want to ask, what will happen if we cut off the Xixia people's food supply?"

The generals looked at each other, and then shook their heads without exception. The movements were uniform, yet revealed deep helplessness.

The importance of food routes to marching and fighting is self-evident.

Since ancient times, wars have been fought for money and food, which is the lifeline of the army and the foundation that supports every battle and every charge on the front line.

How could the Xixia people not know the key points?

There must be layers of defense along the line, with elite troops patrolling day and night and secret sentries as dense as a spider web, so that no movement can escape their eyes.

Moreover, the terrain, with steep valleys and blocked rivers, the natural barriers plus man-made defenses, are simply an insurmountable line of death.

This food route is by no means a target that can be easily coveted.

Yan Qing shook his head and sighed, "Master Chen, you don't understand the habits of the Xixia people. When they go to war, they bring dried meat, cattle and sheep with them. When they arrive at a place, they slaughter them and eat them for ten days."

"But our city has never been defended for more than ten days, and they soon broke through."

"How many days have passed since they were defeated at Beacon Tower?"

"Five days."

"Then can I say that the battle at Beacon Tower disrupted their plans?"

Chen Changan pointed his finger at the map, passed the beacon tower, and placed his finger on a certain location: "As long as we send out cavalry to attack their food and grass transfer location, can we win a great victory?"

Inside the tent, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the solemn faces of the generals.

Wanting to penetrate the enemy's defense line and strike the vital points in the rear, the old general was silent for a moment and shook his head slightly.

"Unlikely." The old general snorted coldly, his eyes grim.

He shook his head slightly, glanced at everyone, and continued, "There are 600,000 troops gathering ahead. It's a torrent of steel that stretches as far as the eye can see, with layers of barriers and defenses as tight as an iron barrel. You can't fly over it."

The old general's words were powerful, as if they painted a picture of the enemy ready for battle in front of everyone.

The camps of the 600,000-strong army stretched for miles, with flags flying and swords and spears standing in rows. Any attempt to cross would be like hitting a rock with an egg.

"Even if you fly over, how many people can you bring? If you have too few, you can't cause any substantial damage to the enemy's rear, it's just a drop in the bucket, and you'll die in vain; if you have too many, you'll be too big a target and easily expose your whereabouts, and you'll be surrounded by the enemy."

Everyone fell silent, and the air seemed to freeze at this moment.

Chen Changan shook his head and smiled: "Number of people isn't a problem, right?"

"Back then, Huo Qubing led only 800 cavalrymen to conquer the Wolf's Lair, and gained great fame. He penetrated deep into enemy territory, fearlessly attacked the enemy, and galloped across the vast grasslands, making the Xiongnu people terrified."

"Why do we only think of retreat and impossibility when facing this dilemma?"

"We should also have such courage and ambition, and emulate General Huo's heroic deeds. Perhaps we can find a glimmer of hope in desperate situations, carve out a bloody path, and achieve unprecedented achievements!"

The old general was speechless, so Chen Changan said, "Yanzhi Mountain is the big mountain in front of us. Miss Yan, can you introduce it to me?"

Yan Qing nodded: "Yanzhi Mountain is like a natural fortress. To the north, the vast snow-capped mountains rise straight into the sky. The snow on the top of the mountain never melts all year round, and it flashes a dazzling cold light under the sunlight."

"The meltwater from the snowy mountains flows down and gathers at the foot of the mountain, forming a large and dangerous swamp. The swamp is muddy and unfathomable. It looks peaceful on the surface, but it actually hides mysteries. If you step into it carelessly, you will be swallowed up mercilessly, leaving behind only a string of desperate bubbles."

"Further north of this mountain is the territory of the Xixia people."

Yan Qing slid his hand downwards: "To the south, the majestic Yanmen Pass lies like a sleeping beast, tightly guarding this vital throat. One man guarding the pass, ten thousand men cannot open it."

"On the east and west sides are steep cliffs with jagged rocks, as if they were split by a giant axe from the gods, falling straight down, making people feel daunted."

"This is the basic situation of Yanzhi Mountain."

Chen Changan nodded: "That's it. Miss Yan said that one man can defend the pass. The guards here at Yanmen Pass are very strict, enough to resist the Xixia people for half a month."

"And just crossing Yanzhi Mountain will lead to Chiling Village."

"And Chiling is the transit point for food and fodder. As long as we control this place, we can cut off the Xixia people's communication. Will the Xixia people panic? Will we win?"

Inside the main tent, the atmosphere was as heavy as a materialized block of lead, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

Chen Changan's words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing thousands of waves, but after a moment, the entire lake fell into a nearly dead silence.

For a long moment, only the crackling of the candlelight continued.

"Your argument is plausible and tempting, but Yanzhi Mountain is right here. Can you fly over there?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Chen Yuwei concentrated and spoke.

"Of course I can't fly over there, but I believe that there are no roads in the world, but when more people walk on it, it becomes a road."

Chen Changan spread out his palms: "We have to try. If we don't try... hehe, if we allow the two sides to go to war, hundreds of thousands of troops will be put into battle. Regardless of winning or losing, how many casualties will there be?"

"So, I would like to ask the old general to give it more consideration. Chen Changan will take his leave first."

Chen Changan lowered his head and chuckled at everyone, then left the tent.

Everyone could see that Chen Changan...actually had a way to cross Yanzhi Mountain!

This is so unexpected!

The old general was silent for a moment when he saw Chen Changan leaving: "Yan'er, go and keep Chen Changan company. This kid...didn't finish his words."

"Oh, yes, Zhao Qingcheng sent a letter home. Show it to him."

The old general pointed to the letter on the table. Yan Qing nodded and followed him out.

I saw Chen Changan sitting in the yellow sand, with a gloomy look in his eyes, and I don’t know what he was thinking.

Yan Qing shook her head and chuckled: "Why, are you unhappy?"

"More than 2,000 soldiers died. How can I be happy?"

Chen Changan gritted his teeth, shook his head and said, "People say that a kind person cannot command an army. I... am not suitable to be a general."

"What do you mean by 'a merciful army'? If the Xixia people hadn't pressed us so hard, would we have been able to come out?"

Yan Qing shook her head and said through gritted teeth: "So, if you want to blame someone, blame the Xixia people."

Chen Changan shook his head and chuckled. He didn't blame anyone.

Yan Qing stretched out her hand: "Here, a letter from home."

The flames lasted three months, and the family letter was worth ten thousand gold.

Now is a time of war. How excited must Chen Changan be to receive a letter from home?

Putting aside his messy emotions, Chen Changan opened the letter from home.