Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Chapter 98 Creating Opportunities

As night fell, the lights in the military camp flickered gently in the breeze.

Li Mao sat inside the tent, his mind racing with thoughts.

"Your Highness, the night scout team has set off," Li Jingqing reported after entering the tent.

"I hope they can complete their mission successfully and bring back useful information," Li Mao said with a hint of anticipation.

"The road ahead is fraught with danger, Jing Qing. How do you think we should ensure that the enemy's defenses are breached?"

"Your Highness, we could consider using some strategies. For example, we could create a false disturbance to distract them," Li Jingqing said after a moment's thought.

"You're right. We should first confuse the enemy, then create an opportunity. Let's stall for time as long as we can," Li Mao sighed.

Shortly after, a guard whispered, "Your Highness, the squad has reported back that they have found the weak point of the enemy's outpost."

Li Mao raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Li Jingqing: "This is a rare opportunity, we can't let it slip by."

"Your Highness, it's time to act. With the enemy's distribution map in hand, we can prioritize clearing out the outer outposts," Li Jingqing suggested.

“Good. Send a capable raiding party as soon as possible and attack their weak points.” Li Mao’s gaze was firm. “Make it quick so the enemy can’t react.”

"Yes, Your Highness." Li Jingqing responded and left.

At the same time, the assault team quickly and systematically assembled.

"Brothers, this mission is arduous. We must seize the opportunity and strive to take their outposts in one fell swoop, thus gaining an advantage for the overall situation," the general called out before setting off.

"Fear not the hardships, we will not fail this mission!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the night sky.

Under the cover of darkness, the raiding party moved silently toward the enemy's position.

Every step was taken with utmost care, and one was alert to any disturbance around them.

……

The messenger rushed to Li Mao's tent and reported, "Your Highness, the outer sentries have been successfully eliminated."

"Continue to proceed according to plan," Li Mao ordered in a deep voice.

Li Jingqing returned to his tent and said to Li Mao, "Your Highness, the raid was a success. The first phase has been completed, and we have infiltrated the outer perimeter of the enemy camp."

"Very good! Next is the enemy's core camp. We must maintain a steady pace while accelerating the speed." Li Mao nodded with satisfaction.

"Yes, the arrow is already on the bowstring, and we have no choice but to release it." Li Jingqing also felt the urgency of the situation.

"Jing Qing, immediately mobilize the main force and seize this opportunity to expand our gains. I will request more support supplies to arrive," Li Mao decisively ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness." Li Jingqing quickly obeyed the order.

That night, things proceeded as planned, with the main force rapidly advancing towards the enemy's central camp.

Caught off guard, the enemy's situation quickly reversed.

Li Mao issued the order to consolidate the positions already secured, without rushing to achieve quick results. After all, the troops were few in number and absolutely could not be too dispersed, otherwise all previous efforts would be in vain.

At the same time, Li Mao quickly analyzed the enemy's next possible counterattack position.

"The enemy's formation is in disarray. How can we better consolidate our advantage?" Li Jingqing hurriedly entered the tent to inquire about Li Mao's orders.

"We must set up camp on its perimeter and strengthen our defenses at night to prevent the enemy from launching a counterattack," Li Mao said clearly and logically.

"Your Highness, I plan to allocate some troops to intercept the enemy's food supply lines, cut off their supply chain, and force them to collapse without a fight, leaving them with no worries about their rear," Li Jingqing added.

“Good. Once their food supply is cut off, the enemy will inevitably become more vulnerable. This is the best strategy,” Li Mao agreed.

Then, Li Mao continued to instruct, "Do not be careless. Once the position is secure, we will accelerate the implementation of the second phase of the plan."

"I will obey my orders."

……

At dawn.

Li Jingqing hurriedly returned to the camp and bowed to Li Mao, saying, "Your Highness, we have set up camp on the outskirts of the enemy's territory and doubled the patrols to ensure absolute safety."

“Well done,” Li Mao nodded in approval. “We must ensure that not an inch of land we have captured is easily taken back.”

Just then, a messenger rushed over, his face grave: "Your Highness, there is an enemy envoy at the front requesting peace talks."

Upon hearing this, Li Mao frowned slightly and asked with a hint of doubt, "Peace talks? Sending an envoy at this time, I'm afraid there are ulterior motives."

Li Jingqing echoed, "In my opinion, it's best to be cautious and avoid falling into the enemy's trap."

“However, let’s hear their intentions first, so we can act accordingly.” Li Mao pondered for a moment, “Invite the envoy in; I’d like to see what they plan to do.”

Shortly afterward, an envoy dressed in strange clothes was brought into the tent.

After entering the tent, he bowed respectfully, his tone revealing a hint of nervousness: "Greetings, Your Highness. I am Zhang Xian, the strategist of the Wolf Army. I have come here on my lord's orders to discuss some important matters with Your Highness."

"Oh? Speak plainly." Li Mao sat behind the desk and waved for the visitor to sit down.

"Your Highness's army has inflicted heavy losses on our Wolf Army. My lord is willing to negotiate peace to prevent more people from dying in the war." Zhang Xian carefully chose his words, intending to soften the situation in the negotiations.

"Peace talks?" Li Mao's lips curled slightly, clearly not entirely trusting the other party. "I suppose your esteemed envoy hasn't considered everything thoroughly?"

“Our lord naturally hopes to reach a lasting agreement, and also hopes to jointly restrain other external enemies,” Zhang Xian quickly added, sensing the other party’s doubts.

"Tell me the terms of the peace talks," Li Mao asked with a half-smile.

"We are willing to formally send envoys to meet you. If peace is achieved, we will exchange goods and resources without any hesitation," Zhang Xian hurriedly expressed his sincerity.

"Jingqing, what do you think?" Li Mao turned his head slightly and asked Li Jingqing beside him in a low voice.

"Your Highness, I think we can feign agreement first and take the opportunity to gather more information about the enemy's movements, but we must also be prepared to go to war at any time," Li Jingqing suggested.

After a moment's thought, Li Mao nodded and said, "We respect peace talks, but we will not lower our guard, and we also hope that your army will treat us with sincerity."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. My lord will surely send an envoy in three days. I hope both sides will maintain communication." Zhang Xian's tone was noticeably more relaxed.

“If your lord is indeed trustworthy, then it is not impossible to negotiate peace.” Li Mao deliberately chose an ambiguous response.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will convey these words to my lord."

Zhang Xian bowed again to take his leave, and the camp returned to silence.

"Jing Qing, increase manpower to monitor enemy movements and conduct thorough patrols to ensure we are not ambushed. At the same time, prepare to receive the envoys three days from now," Li Mao calmly instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness," Li Jingqing replied.

Li Mao sat quietly in the large tent, carefully savoring every word Zhang Xian had just said.

Inside the tent, the light and shadow flickered. He stared at the topographical map spread out on the table, his heart heavy with responsibility, which he felt growing ever heavier.

"Your Highness, do you think Zhang Xian's words are reliable?" Li Jingqing walked to Li Mao's side and asked in a low voice.

Li Mao shook his head slightly and said, "Although there is some sincerity involved, we still need to guard against the enemy seeking a respite."

After giving a brief explanation, Li Mao wrote down everything that had happened that day in a memorial and ordered a messenger to send it to Chang'an by express courier.