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As various combat units gradually entered the Danhe Defense Line, initial statistics from the battle reports began to emerge. The number of casualties, including the dead, wounded, and missing personnel, exceeded sixty thousand! This figure did not even account for several fortified positions that had been isolated in the rear of the Qin Army. If we also consider the defenders within the West Rampart who had completely lost contact, the total number would surpass eighty thousand! According to the battle reports, the estimated enemy casualties were over twenty thousand.
Lian Po looked at this battle report and felt a bit bewildered. What kind of calculation was this? In a defensive battle, shouldn't the losses be six to one? Oh! After all this time, our army actually chose to retreat from the Dan River with a casualty ratio of four to one!? Thinking of this made him furious, and he slammed the Bamboo Slip containing the statistics onto the ground.
"How can you be so careless in your work!? How can this be used!? Should I consider sending all of you to the front lines to count yourselves!?" Just as Lian Po was about to say a few more harsh words, he noticed that the kneeling person was trembling uncontrollably. He could only sigh lightly and said gently to this Zhao Family Disciple, "You have been with me for quite some time now. How can you still be so reckless in revising this battle report!? We still have many troops isolated on the battlefield by the Qin Army who have not returned, so we cannot report this casualty ratio."
Zhao Youjian felt slightly relieved at not having to go to the front lines where danger lurked at every moment and asked, "General! Do you mean we should first send someone out to contact our scattered troops on the battlefield and then report accurately?"
Lian Po's meaning was quite clear; if this battle report were sent back to Zhao Kingdom, it would be difficult for Plain King to maintain his composure. In other words, it was naturally better for our side's losses to be as low as possible. If we could turn it around, that would be even better, but all of this required completing the final statistics before knowing. Looking helplessly at his shaken subordinate, he asked, "If we don't do it this way, what do you suggest?"
You are the Commander; why are you asking me!? Zhao Youjian thought but could only lower his head and pretend to ponder over it, failing to come up with any opinion after a long while.
After waiting for a moment, Lian Po angrily said, "Immediately send out Contact Personnel to find out the whereabouts of the missing troops! Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and send people out to search!?"
It is well known that now is actually the best time to search for missing troops. A temporary ceasefire ensures that searching for scattered units can proceed without fighting during this period. However, this is time-sensitive; once the Qin Army completes their mission, subsequent clashes will commence immediately. This is a national war! Until both Sovereigns complete their negotiations formally, both armies could easily clash again at any moment.
Lian Po had his own plans; he hoped to use this lull in fighting to quickly contact various units scattered throughout Shangdang County. If they could recover a large number of missing personnel, that would be ideal; otherwise, those left outside would only be found by the Qin Army and annihilated on-site. If they discovered that various units had already constructed defensive fortifications or entered county towns, then they should simply notify them to hold their ground. This way, at least they could ensure that these troops would continue to harass the rear of the Qin Army in future battles.
The couriers carrying two sets of orders mounted their horses and crossed the Dan River Bridge back to the battlefield overnight. Each had their own search area assigned to expand their base or regroup nearby units for strength enhancement. There is no need for further elaboration here.
The subsequent search results were indeed encouraging; more than ten thousand scattered troops returned to the Danhe Defense Line, and nearly fifteen thousand were ordered to hold their positions and accept any wandering soldiers from other units.
The troops dispersed in Shangdang Region basically reconnected with the main force, which provided some comfort to the already helpless soldiers. With couriers coming and going, supplies of weapons and personnel were secretly replenished under cover of night. Due to concerns that deploying large forces might alert the Qin Army, they could only operate under the cover of darkness.
However, these were merely small actions that could not fundamentally alleviate the urgent situation facing the defense base. The reason the Zhao Army continued to hold on was simply to give confidence to the troops left behind, allowing those Soldiers who might never return to the main camp to know that their main force had always been watching over them.
Luzi and a group of over ten people took advantage of the night to travel and decided to rest in an abandoned village they found by the roadside. After a day of running, they were already exhausted. After spreading out and searching, they discovered that there was not a single person left in this deserted village. Fortunately, the houses were relatively intact. It seemed that the villagers had hurriedly left upon learning that this place would soon become a battlefield. They had not destroyed their homes, naturally intending to return after the war had passed.
Home is hard to leave! Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to abandon their own homeland?
Finding a courtyard suitable for resting ten or so people, Chang Yu pulled out a copper fork and opened the courtyard gate with a few jabs. He drew his Sword and jumped in first to confirm safety, then came out to inform Luzi and the others waiting Outside that they could enter.
Inside, all necessary supplies were present; only the thick layer of dust told these uninvited guests one answer: the owner of this house had not returned for many days. Since that was the case, they might as well treat it as a temporary lodging. Everyone lit a fire and began cleaning up, wiping tables and tidying beds. After a busy session, the aroma of food wafted from the stove, illuminated by the glowing fire.
Having gone a whole day without a warm meal, they finally had a chance to improve their situation!
While cooking, Chang Yu saw Luzi approaching and quickly wiped his face and hands with his sleeve to greet him. "General! We can eat soon!"
Luzi looked at Chang Yu's face, which still bore several streaks of black dust, reached out to wipe it away, and smiled, "You've worked hard; thank you."
"Not at all! This is my duty."
Chang Yu, having cleaned the bowls and chopsticks in the courtyard, entered while holding a stack of Ceramic Bowls. He was momentarily frozen at the doorway upon seeing several leaders talking by the stove, unsure whether he should come in or go out.
Wang Jian, standing next to Luzi, turned around and walked over to take a few Ceramic Bowls from him. He smiled and said, "This isn't a confidential discussion; there's no need to avoid it." With that, he turned and placed the bowls on the square table.
After all, there was a hierarchy in place; subordinates could not eat at the same table as Officers. This was also a rule that could not be broken at any time. Seeing three sets of bowls on the table, Chang Yu quickly said, "I’d better eat outside!"
Luzi turned to Wang Jian and said softly, "There aren't so many rules. I still have some matters to discuss." Just as he was speaking, noticing that Chang Yu intended to insist, he smiled and said, "What I say goes, right?"
Of course, there was no problem with Brother's words!
Chang Yu expressed his firm compliance and immediately asked his brother Chang Yu to gather everyone for dinner. During the meal, they also arranged the night watch schedule. If there was nothing else, they could take a rest.
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