After Ji Xinghe left, Su Chuanyun, who had already burrowed underground, was temporarily safe due to the collapse of the Empire's forces.
However, this safety was short-lived. Once Tao Wucha regained command and stabilized a portion of the Empire's forces, he issued the order to dig out Su Chuanyun.
Of the more than two thousand Imperial mechas previously on this battlefield, less than half were still present and able to obey Tao Wucha's commands, but it was still a substantial number.
Most of them made for Ji Xinghe's rear, aiming to block him off for good. A small fraction remained, possessing full capability to unearth Su Chuanyun.
After detecting this change, the Federation immediately revised the target of some of its remote firepower.
As the saying goes, the rich cover with firepower; the poor maneuver with tactics.