After Ning Eming left the courtyard, Xu Fengnian, still slightly tipsy, was tidying up the remnants on the stone table when the two deputy commanders, Zhou Kang and Chen Yunhui, arrived together with grim expressions. Xu Fengnian already had a premonition and gestured for the two influential figures from the border army to take a seat. As expected, Chen Yunhui delivered the grim news: Tian Heng, the commander of the Youzhou cavalry, had split his forces into two. He sent his deputy, Yu Luandao, to lead 20,000 cavalry on a detour to the Hulu Pass, while the veteran general personally led 10,000 cavalry to intercept the iron tide from the Northern Mang’s eastern front. After three engagements and retreats, only 4,000 cavalry remained, all of whom perished at Jitou Slope, the border between Youzhou and Hezhou. Yan Wenluan had no choice but to urgently dispatch 16,000 elite infantry from northern Youzhou to reinforce the Helan Mountain defense line in the northeast. During this time, due to the inaction of Cai Nan, the military governor of Lianghuai, who chose to watch from the sidelines, Hezhou was left virtually undefended. Wang Sui’s cavalry advanced unopposed, charging straight toward the eastern gate of Youzhou.
Chen Yunhui sighed, “Though we knew the court couldn’t be relied upon, Cai Nan, who commands over 100,000 troops, was once Gu Jiantang’s right-hand man. Yet in the end, he didn’t even have the courage to put up a token fight. It’s unclear whether this was Cai Nan’s own decision or if the newly appointed civil official, Han Lin, received secret orders from Tai’an City.”
Zhou Kang, the “Golden Pheasant,” snorted coldly, “There’s no difference. Cai Nan is a dog Gu Jiantang raised outside. Gu Jiantang himself isn’t much better—just another dog the Zhao family threw to the two Liao regions. By avoiding battle and handing over Hezhou to Wang Sui, Cai Nan and Han Lin must have had an understanding. The court wants Northern Liang to bleed, while Gu Jiantang wants to preserve his strength for future bargaining with the Zhao family. The only decent troops Gu Jiantang has left are the Doyan elite cavalry raised by Tang Tieshuang. If Cai Nan suffers heavy losses, he can forget about ever returning to Tai’an City in glory.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “Actually, Cai Nan and Han Lin did communicate. Both wanted to fight, but Han Lin wanted to fight immediately, while Cai Nan was waiting for Gu Jiantang’s secret letter.”
Chen Yunhui and Zhou Kang exchanged glances. Zhou Kang, being blunt, lowered his voice and asked curiously, “Your Highness, is this intelligence from the Fushui Bureau?”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Earlier, at Taoshu Town near Wudang Mountain, I had dealings with Yin Maochun and Han Lin’s son. I took the opportunity to make a shady deal. This time, Han Lin proactively leaked the court’s true intentions as a gesture of goodwill to Northern Liang.”
Zhou Kang exclaimed in surprise, “That’s strange! Did the Zhao brat and Gu Jiantang suddenly grow a conscience and start playing the benevolent bodhisattva?”
Xu Fengnian cut to the chase, “Gu Jiantang has to fight due to circumstances. Not to mention his grudge with Wang Sui, the Eastern Yue prince consort, Wang Sui’s blatant departure from the eastern front is a direct slap to Gu Jiantang’s face. No matter how patient Gu Jiantang is, he must consider public opinion. The reason he wants Cai Nan to act later is likely to coordinate with the two Liao border armies for a major battle. Before that, he naturally wants Wang Sui to clash with our Youzhou forces first, so he and Cai Nan can reap the benefits. For Gu Jiantang, this is a golden opportunity. If successful, the balance at the two Liao border could shift from a stalemate to an advantage for the two Liao. As for the court… Han Lin didn’t say much, but I gathered hints that someone proposed an aggressive strategy during a small court meeting, using Jibei and Hezhou as bait to lure the enemy deeper. To execute this, not only Cai Nan but also Yuan Tingshan’s remaining private troops from the Li Family’s Yan Fortress and the newly risen deputy general of Jizhou, Han Fang, would become unwilling pawns.”
Zhou Kang clicked his tongue, “This is a rare bold move from Tai’an City. Your Highness, those old fogies like Zhao Wei and Yang Shenxing wouldn’t have the guts for this, would they?”
Xu Fengnian hesitated, his expression unreadable, “Chen Wang, the left attendant of the Chancellery, Sun Yin, who was just kicked out of the Imperial Academy, and the recluse Lu Xu, who recently switched allegiances from Zhao Xun—it must be one of these three. But without the approval of Qi Yanglong and Huan Wen, and the support of Zhao Youling and Yin Maochun, this strategy couldn’t leave the capital to reach Han Lin in the provinces.”
Zhou Kang looked puzzled, “Why does it sound like we owe Northern Liang a huge favor?”
Xu Fengnian joked, “Not quite. Tai’an City is like a spoiled brat who suddenly learned to consider the bigger picture. Though self-interest is still the main driver, it’s still surprising to the adults around.”
Chen Yunhui chuckled but then grew worried, “With Wang Sui’s army pressing in, will it affect the battle at Hulu Pass?”
Xu Fengnian nodded, “There will be an impact, but Wang Sui can’t change the overall situation. In fact, he might not even intend to. Yang Yuanzan, Liu Gui, and the recently reinstated Huang Songpu are all obstacles to Wang Sui’s control over the Northern Mang military. By preemptively reinforcing Youzhou, he’s already justified himself to the Dowager Empress and Taiping Ling. Watch—once the Northern Mang’s eastern front is bogged down by Gu Jiantang and Yang Yuanzan’s army is annihilated, Wang Sui will rise above the rest, becoming a figure of power rivaling Dong Zhuo. That’s when he’ll truly begin to shine.”
Chen Yunhui sighed, “The fall of Hutou City was ill-timed, but there was nothing we could do. Liu Jinu did his best. At this stage, it’s about who can endure longer.”
In the original strategy devised by the older generation of Northern Liang advisors and generals like Li Yishan and Yan Wenluan, while they anticipated Northern Mang’s all-out assault, they expected the main thrust to be at Lingzhou, Liuzhou, or Youzhou—not the heavily defended Liangzhou. But Dong Zhuo made two unexpected moves: first, pressing on three fronts to minimize Northern Liang’s cavalry advantage and mobility; second, personally leading the central army to relentlessly attack Hutou City, coincidentally capturing it just as Liangzhou’s elite cavalry were secretly heading to Hulu Pass.
Xu Fengnian said calmly, “This war has had two turning points so far. The first was Wei Liang’s reckless attack, where both sides set traps. In hindsight, Dong Zhuo’s ambition was greater, but the interference of the minor officer Qifulong Guan foiled both plans, inadvertently saving Northern Liang. The second was Dong Zhuo’s attempt to shift the focus back to Liuzhou, secretly moving tens of thousands of his personal troops, only to be intercepted by Chu Lushan’s 8,000 cavalry. I thought Hulu Pass would be Northern Liang’s third turning point…”
He smiled wryly, “But now, that seems meaningless.”
Chen Yunhui said solemnly, “Nearly 200,000 Northern Mang barbarians dead, including Yang Yuanzan! Your Highness, how is that meaningless?!”
Xu Fengnian was silent for a moment, then said slowly, “Earlier in the council, I only gave empty words of encouragement. Since you, Zhou Kang, came to me, I’ll speak plainly.”
Zhou Kang said sheepishly, “Scold or beat me as you wish, Your Highness. Just being allowed into this courtyard today is more than I expected.”
Xu Fengnian waved his hand, “On the cavalry front, we currently have your 30,000 left cavalry in Liangzhou, Qi Dangguo’s Iron Pagodas, Yuan Nanting’s White Feather Guard, and He Zhonghu’s scattered 40,000 right cavalry—totaling over 80,000. That’s most of our border cavalry. As for infantry, excluding those already in Huaiyang Pass and Liuyaling towns, Gu Dazu has 30,000, and you, General Chen, have brought some Youzhou infantry. Zhou Kang, you’re not wrong to refuse to hole up in Zhongzhong, but Gu Dazu isn’t wrong either to fear losing all 30,000 left cavalry in exchanges. Gu Dazu hit the nail on the head: anyone and any troops can die outside Liangzhou, as long as the new city is completed by autumn of the third year of Xiangfu. From now on, all troop movements and attacks centered on Huaiyang Pass and Zhongzhong must serve this goal.”
Xu Fengnian poured himself a cup of wine, dipped his finger in it, and quickly pointed on the stone table, “Our first complete defense line outside Liangzhou was centered on Hutou City, with Liuyaling towns’ cavalry on the flanks for diversion. Then, the strategically located Huaiyang Pass and the defensive towns of Zhongzhong and Qingyuan formed a secondary line, creating a pincer. Even if Hutou City fell, we wouldn’t lose everything. Now, without Hutou City as a thorn, the Northern Mang army has spread out. Currently, besides Zhongzhong, Huaiyang Pass, Liuyaling, and Qingyuan are all under siege. In my view, Liuyaling can be lost, even Huaiyang Pass can fall, but Qingyuan must not. Losing Qingyuan, the western gate of Liangzhou, would force He Zhonghu’s scattered 40,000 cavalry to regroup and give Dong Zhuo free rein to attack Liuzhou. So, Zhou Kang, you must reinforce Qingyuan to intercept Dong Zhuo’s diverted cavalry, not only to slow their advance but also to try to annihilate this force of over 40,000. To this end, I’ll have Yuan Nanting send half the White Feather Guard to support you, creating a local numerical advantage.”
Zhou Kang frowned, “But then, Zhongzhong’s Gu…”
He caught Xu Fengnian’s meaningful glance and quickly corrected himself, “Wouldn’t Commander Gu be under too much pressure? With only 6,000 Iron Pagodas and half the White Feather Guard, Zhongzhong would lose all initiative.”
Xu Fengnian glanced at the “Golden Pheasant” and said gravely, “That’s the price Gu Dazu is paying—letting Zhongzhong’s infantry take the beating so you can fight freely in Qingyuan.”
Zhou Kang fell silent.
Xu Fengnian warned, “Northern Liang cares deeply about Qingyuan, and Dong Zhuo likely sees that too. Whether Qingyuan becomes a trap is something your left cavalry must judge on the ground. I hope you can resist the temptation of thousands of enemy heads. If you’re caught by the main Northern Mang cavalry, remember—no one can conjure another 30,000 cavalry for Qingyuan. If the left cavalry and half the White Feather Guard are encircled, not only Qingyuan but Zhongzhong will be lost. Gu Dazu, General Chen, and I would have to retreat to He Zhonghu’s forces, with only a half-built city behind us.”
Zhou Kang suddenly asked softly, “Given that both sides’ intentions are obvious, and Dong Zhuo will likely anticipate an ambush at Qingyuan, why not target his hidden forces instead? Our scouts can surely find them, and even in a direct clash, his Raven Blockers are no match. I promise not to act recklessly—I’ll follow Gu Dazu’s lead and prioritize preserving our forces.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head firmly, “Fighting at Qingyuan is about minimizing our disadvantage, not taking risks. Northern Mang can afford to gamble and lose; we can’t.”
He then smiled, “General Zhou, ‘the toad wants to live, the snake wants to eat’—doesn’t it feel frustrating?”
Zhou Kang laughed, “It’s a bit humiliating, but as an old soldier who followed the Grand General through the bloodbath of the Spring and Autumn Era, I know what’s at stake. But honestly, after all these smooth years in Northern Liang, if not for Your Highness coming to Zhongzhong, Gu Dazu might not have stopped me.”
Chen Yunhui, who had been quiet, mused, “We do need to reflect. Your Highness saw and heard today’s council. Except for Commander Gu, including myself, none of us could swallow our pride. For twenty years, in battles of over 10,000, we’ve never lost to the Northern Mang barbarians. So when Hutou City fell suddenly, undermining our gains at Hulu Pass, we were all stunned. If we don’t straighten out, we might suffer greatly this time. Your Highness, this isn’t flattery—your arrival was timely.”
At the courtyard gate, Xu Fengnian unexpectedly said to Zhou Kang, “If Dong Zhuo has two or more large ambushes at Qingyuan, consider retreating west. If necessary, circle back to Zhongzhong.”
Zhou Kang was stunned, “West? Your Highness, not far west is the border with Liuzhou!”
Xu Fengnian remained silent.
Zhou Kang’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked cautiously, “Your Highness, are you saying we can win at Liuzhou?”
Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, “Kou Jianghuai and Shi Fu are both generals who can turn the tide. Whether they can make Qingyuan the third turning point—we’ll see.”
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