Suratto City, inside the city.
Night falls.
Although Suraduo City is in the central region of Tianzhu, the climate in Suraduo City is hotter. It is hot and humid all year round, but it also rains a lot. It is a tropical climate. At night, Tianhai time is also later.
Valens stood on the tower of Suratra City, waiting for the latest statistics and news from the sentry.
After he returned to the city and the cavalry led by Guan Yu withdrew, the Roman cavalry and infantry under Valens withdrew one after another and entered the city one after another.
Valens was a little relieved that more people came back.
After all, many people came back.
When Valens looked at the western sky and the sun was setting, Libius came back in a hurry.
Libius had a solemn look on his face. He walked to Valens and reported: "Dear Duke Valens, the number of soldiers who have returned has been counted. Currently, the number of soldiers who have escaped is known , there are more than 38,000 people, and more than 20,000 people have fled and are currently missing."
"Damn it!"
Valens heard this and punched the wall.
He had more than 60,000 elite soldiers, but once he stood down, he did not defeat Guan Yu or destroy the opponent. Instead, he lost more than 20,000 of his own soldiers. It is true that some people escaped, but most of the more than 20,000 people outside were definitely killed or became prisoners.
It would be a great blessing for the other two or three thousand people to escape.
Valens gritted his teeth and said: "These reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty did not come early or late, but they came at this time. The impact on us is really too great. The situation is not good, and adjustments must be made."
Libius said: "How to adjust it?"
Valens said: "Comprehensive defense."
Libius's cheeks twitched and he looked helpless. In the current situation, of course, it was impossible to take the initiative and could only guard Surudha City. It's clear that Ming's army is coming and the other side is stronger. Now going out of the city to fight, isn't it just seeking death?
Before Libius could say anything further, Valens continued: "While we continue to defend in an all-round way, we must further send people for peace talks."
"ah!!"
Libius looked surprised.
He didn't understand even more and said: "Grand Duke Valens, do you want to ask for peace? Once your approach spreads to the country, you will immediately encounter huge opposition and be criticized by countless people. Even, Some people may think that you are collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country, and they will send you to the gallows."
Valens said: "This is the current tactic and must be done. Sending people to peace talks is not to surrender, but to better deal with the Ming army."
Libius was a little dizzy and didn't understand.
Is the peace negotiation to better deal with the enemy?
Is there such a means?
Is there such an arrangement?
Libius said in a deep voice: "Grand Duke Valens, your wisdom is as towering as a mountain and half as vast as the sea. Please forgive me for not understanding your strategy. Please explain it carefully."
Valens' eyes flashed with wisdom and he said: "It's a very simple truth. When the Ming army comes, they will definitely attack Suradhuo City. At present, after we lose a battle, once the Ming army becomes large-scale The attack may not be successful."
"So, we need to delay."
"When the domestic army arrives, our power will further strengthen and we will have the opportunity to fall out with Ming."
"Everything is for follow-up operations."
Valens looked at Libius and said in a deep voice: "Libius, you are the most eloquent person in our camp and the best at debating. So this time, I plan to arrange for you to Go and have peace talks with the Emperor of Ming Dynasty."
"Your goal is only one. We promise not to attack any area in Tianzhu. However, we only need Suraduo City as a port city for us and as a place for our business. For the Ming Dynasty, it is just a small city. City, I think they will definitely agree."
Libius's cheeks twitched.
His eyes were a little panicked.
He didn't know what kind of person the Ming Emperor was. If he went on a mission now, what if he was detained or killed?
Libius said nonchalantly: "Grand Duke Valens, your mission as an envoy is of vital importance. I'm worried that I am not qualified and will not be able to complete the mission. So, please choose another suitable person."
"No, you are the most suitable."
Grand Duke Valens spoke without hesitation.
He looked serious and further said: "This is an order, and it is also a test for you. I remember that back then, as an envoy of the Roman Empire, I also went to the Parthian Empire to negotiate with the emperor of the Parthian Empire."
"As a qualified person, you must overcome fear. Only in this way can you be qualified for higher official positions."
"If you can't achieve this and still want to be respected by Her Majesty the Queen, then it's impossible."
"Of course, I also tell you that under normal circumstances, two warring countries cannot kill the enemy's envoys casually. This is impolite and does not conform to diplomatic etiquette."
Valens said: "You don't actually need to worry, just go and persuade the emperor of the Ming Dynasty to complete the task."
Libius felt very sad and unhappy.
However, he noticed the killing intent in Valens' eyes and shuddered suddenly.
He couldn't afford to mess with Valens.
Libius arrived immediately: "Dear Duke Valens, I am willing to go. Everything is for the Roman Empire and to defeat the Ming Dynasty."
The coldness on Valens' face dissipated, and then he smiled and added: "And for your glory."
"yes!"
Libius answered loudly.
Valens waved his hand and ordered: "Go and prepare. Tomorrow morning, you will go on a mission."
"As you command!"
Libius agreed.
After Libius left, Valens stood on the top of the tower and looked towards the Ming army's camp in the distance. Although it is far away, in fact, because of its high position, one can clearly see the bright stars.
The fire burning everywhere made Valens have many thoughts in his heart.
Night attack!
Fire attack at night!
As a result, the Tianzhu people in the city were once again escorted and made into dead soldiers to attack the Ming army.
Many ideas emerged, and Valens shook his head in denial one by one, because to achieve these goals, he had to go out of the city to fight. If we don't go out to fight outside the city, we won't be able to accomplish these things, and it will be useless to send out raids.
After all, strength is fundamental.
"Report!"
At this moment, a sentry came back from outside the city.
The sentry arrived at the bottom of the city tower, quickly climbed up the tower, came to Valens' side, and said: "Dear Your Majesty the Grand Duke, we have found out the situation of the Ming army coming to rescue. Generally speaking, the strength of the troops coming to rescue is, No less than 50,000 people, maybe more. Because during the day, the war was too widespread and it was impossible to accurately judge the number of Ming troops."
Valens' cheek twitched.
He looked even more serious.
Guan Yu's 10,000 elite troops blocked the attack of his 60,000 army, weakening his strength. Now, fifty or sixty thousand people have arrived again, and the overall strength of the Ming army has increased too much.
After all, it was impossible to fight outside the city.
Now, all we can do is defend.
But Valens was already praying in his heart, hoping that domestic reinforcements would arrive sooner. If there were no reinforcements for a long time, he didn't know how long he could hold on with his own strength alone.
When Valens was thinking about how long he could hold on, a flash of light suddenly flashed through his mind.
He thought of the garrison at the port of Guwani.
This is the weak point now.
Today, he has been busy retreating and returned to the city. Valens was even more busy preparing the defensive materials for Suratra City, and brought in a large number of bows, arrows, stones, and wood so that he could quickly counterattack if he encountered an attack. .
However, the defense of Guwani Port was ignored.
At Guwani Port, there are also warships he brought from Europe and Rome docked.
These are warships.
With these large ships that cut through the waves, he ensured his smooth sailing on the sea. Although the Guwani Port is also guarded by soldiers arranged by Valens, there are not many troops in the water village camp, only more than a thousand people.
This force is too small.
It is impossible to defend. People must be arranged to assist in the defense.
After Valens thought about it clearly, he immediately ordered: "Someone, please inform Split to discuss the matter."
"As you command!"
The soldier quickly went to inform.
After a short time, Split came to Valens' side and saluted: "Honorable Grand Duke Valens, do you have any instructions for summoning me?"
Valens said: "Split, I am informing you this time because there is an important matter that you must be responsible for."
Split said: "Please give me your orders."
Valens said: "As of now, we have fully retreated to Suratra City. However, the port has been ignored and there is no army to protect it. Therefore, I will allocate three thousand soldiers to you. Take your people and rush for reinforcements immediately. Sit in the port and set up fortifications.”
After hearing this, Split did not agree immediately. Instead, he said: "Grand Duke Valens, I don't think it is appropriate."
Valens said, "What do you mean?"
Split is over thirty years old and very strict in his work. Although he is only a general in the army to this day and does not even have a title. His status seems to be very ordinary and he is not from a noble family.
However, Split is very experienced.
He is a retainer of Valens' own fiefdom and a person who has been loyal to the Valens family from generation to generation.
So, speak more directly.
Split said solemnly: "We are now fully retreating to Suratha City, which means that we cannot rush to the aid of Guwani Port. Now, what is the difference between sending 3,000 people and sending 5,000 or 8,000 people? ?”
"Actually, there is no difference."
"Thousands of people cannot stop the Ming army's large-scale offensive. Once the Ming army wants to attack, it is inappropriate to send troops to leave now. It is a sheep entering a tiger's mouth, and it is to die. It is very inappropriate."
Split said: "Please think again."
hiss!
Valens took a breath after hearing this, it was indeed the case.
He ignored the combat effectiveness of the Ming army.
With the fighting power of the Ming army, even if they send three thousand people there, they will die and it is very inappropriate.
Valens thought about it and was at a loss for a moment. He asked, "What do you think we should do?"
Split said: "Now there is only one way to protect the garrisons in these ports and preserve our navy. That is to arrange for a group of soldiers to go there, bring a batch of supplies with them, and then bring the supplies from the ports themselves, Move them all to the boat."
"At the same time, order all the big ships in the port to go to sea and station themselves on nearby islands. As long as our big ships go to sea, even if the Ming army is invincible in land combat, they can only stare at it. It is impossible to do with our port navy? "
"Wonderful!"
Valens was instantly excited.
He looked in admiration and said: "As expected of a veteran in the army, Split, you have helped me a lot. This time, you brought three thousand people with you to escort a batch of food overnight."
"When you arrive, take a thousand people with you and coordinate with the original port garrison to quickly go to sea and find an island to garrison."
"The remaining two thousand people, return the same way."
"In addition, in order to ensure your understanding of Suraduo City, you must arrange for someone to be at the port every day, waiting for your sentry to report the news, and keep an eye on the direction of Suraduo City at all times."
"Once I can no longer resist, I will withdraw my troops. At that time, I need you to greet us and help us go to sea. Of course, it is best not to have such a situation. We will hold on from the beginning to the end and wait until the domestic army arrives. Also counterattack the Ming army."
Split solemnly agreed and said solemnly: "Please rest assured and promise to complete the task."
Valens smiled and said: "Go ahead, mobilize troops first, and then mobilize food."
"clear!"
Split agreed respectfully and left quickly.
Valens breathed a sigh of relief. Now that everything was arranged, he had nothing to worry about.
