Chapter 223

Chapter 223

In the years when the previous dynasty attempted to suppress the two self-proclaimed emperors in the south, Wu country had been looking for opportunities to invade the Central Plains. It was only due to the resistance of several prominent generals at the border that Wu country's cavalry failed to achieve their goal.

When the Xingping Emperor left Jizhou before his throne was secure, the Khan of Wu country saw another opportunity and once again sent troops to harass Jizhou.

Wu country looted the grain from the border people and slaughtered dozens of villages. For Feng Ji, this was not just a matter of national honor but also a personal vendetta, as his father, General Feng Duan, had died in this war. Combined with the Xingping Emperor's policy of using military force to intimidate Wu country, Feng Ji unleashed his military talents to their fullest in this campaign against Wu.

Internally, Feng Ji ordered Zhao Liangchen to lead 50,000 troops to guard the outer regions of Datong to prevent Wu country from exploiting any weakness there. He also instructed Zhao Liangchen's eldest son, Zhao Zhuo, to lead another 30,000 troops to closely monitor Lv Sheng's movements in Liangzhou. If Lv Sheng showed any signs of attempting to ambush Chang'an, Zhao Zhuo would attack from the rear. As for Chen Wang in Liaozhou, Feng Ji was very confident in the coordination of Xiao Zhen and Qiao Changshun.

Externally, Feng Ji bribed and pacified another tribe of Wu country to divide the Khan's power, while simultaneously applying ruthless force against the various tribes of Wu country. He decimated the Wu people, reduced their available troops, and seized their horses, cattle, and sheep, cutting off their food supply and financial resources.

Only when Wu country had no soldiers and no money to sustain them for many years to come would they truly fear the Central Plains and not dare to send troops again.

The people of Wu country were innocent, but if Feng Ji sympathized with them, they would grow strong and use that strength to slaughter the people of the Central Plains. The hardworking farmers of the Central Plains, who had tilled the land for generations, should not be forced to sacrifice their lives, grain, property, or families to the Wu invaders.

In the face of the larger situation, when the people of the Central Plains were willing to kill each other, they would be even less merciful to external enemies.

By mid-August, after five months of encirclement and pursuit, the 270,000-strong army of Feng Ji, Xiao Zhen, and Chen Wang had advanced thousands of miles into the grasslands. The tribes of Wu country either fled early or became casualties under their army's blades. However, the main force of Wu country chose to avoid battle after suffering two defeats, hiding and making it difficult to find them.

Chen Wang, to preserve his strength and guard against potential court intervention, always followed behind Xiao Zhen, sharing in the military successes without risking too much of his own forces.

One evening, after eating and drinking his fill at Xiao Zhen's main camp, Chen Wang returned to his own camp a few miles away.

In the middle of the night, Chen Wang was awakened and informed that an envoy from Wu country had arrived.

The envoy could only act under the cover of darkness due to the sentinels everywhere during the day.

Chen Wang had someone keep an eye on Qiao Changshun's side and went with his three sons to meet the envoy.

The envoy from Wu country brought two boxes of gold as an inducement and then brought up Qin Sizhu, the ruler of Hezhou, trying to persuade Chen Wang to ally with Wu country. If Chen Wang helped Wu country defeat the large army of Feng Ji and Xiao Zhen, Wu country would support Chen Wang in becoming emperor of Liaozhou, and they would assist each other in the future. If the court attacked one, the other would send troops to reinforce.

Chen Wang asked the envoy to step down so he could discuss this matter with his three sons.

"Father, the envoy has a point. If we help the court cripple Wu country, they won't dare move south again, but then the court will turn its attention to us. If Wu country suffers a crushing defeat, we'll be in trouble."

"But if we ally with Wu country and help them turn the tide, our Chen family will be branded as traitors. Not only will the people of the world curse us, but even the people of Liaozhou will not accept us. Unless it's a last resort, I don't want to be criticized behind my back."

"I agree with Second Brother. Even without Wu country's support, with our 100,000 troops, the court wouldn't dare to make a rash move against us. If pushed too far, we could fight to the death with the Jizhou army, leaving the court with no troops to defend the northern border, which would be a real threat. So the court will only gnash its teeth at us but won't actually send troops to attack. Only after they have subdued Liang and Ling Kingdoms would they dare to challenge us openly."

Chen Wang nodded. "The southern region is the court's greatest concern. We should continue to wait and see. With the Xiao family speaking for us in the court, there's no reason for the court to move against us."

"Father, can we really rely on Xiao Zhen? I've heard that the Xiao family is known for their righteousness in Jinbei, so why would they be so willing to join hands with us? Could there be a trick?"

Chen Wang laughed. "You don't understand this. When a person is not yet successful and has no money or grain, they can only use false benevolence to win people's hearts. But once this person has soldiers and power, righteousness takes a back seat to interests. It's like Imperial Uncle Dou; he started as an upright and honest man but eventually turned corrupt."

The following morning, Chen Wang returned to Xiao Zhen's camp, this time bringing a severed head and two chests of gold as a lavish gift.

He swaggered in, and young generals such as Xiao Yan came over to watch the spectacle.

Chen Wang had always known that there were a few people around Xiao Zhen who refused to accept his bribes and looked down on him. This time, Chen Wang dramatically tossed the severed head of the Wu envoy at the feet of Xiao Zhen, Xiao Yan, and Xiao She, standing before them with a bold and defiant air. "You may doubt me, but the Chen family has been loyal for generations and will never become traitors!"

Qiao Changshun immediately flattered, "General, your high righteousness is truly a model of loyalty and good generalship in our time!"

Xiao Zhen stepped out of the main tent, saw this scene, and laughed. "General's high righteousness is commendable. I will immediately draft a letter to report this matter to the Emperor."

Chen Wang wanted to ensure that Han Zongping was aware of his loyalty, so when Xiao Zhen praised him, it would carry more weight.

Of course, Chen Wang didn't forget to show off at Feng Ji's camp as well.

General Feng Ji gave a sarcastic smile and offered a hollow compliment before saying, "General, you've arrived just in time. According to the scouts, the main force of the Wu army seems to have appeared in the Guban region. I need you to take your troops and investigate. If you encounter the Wu army's main force, hold them off while I bring reinforcements."

Chen Wang replied, "...I'd be happy to serve you, General, but unfortunately, after the disturbance with the Wu envoy last night, I came down with a chill and was nearly thrown from my horse just now. I hope you'll forgive me if my condition delays the pursuit of the enemy forces."

After speaking, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Feng Ji said, "...Forget it. Since you're unwell, go back and rest. I'll send another force in your place."

Chen Wang, looking dejected, was helped out of the tent and onto his horse, leaving a slouched and defeated figure riding away, much to General Feng's disdain.

Feng Ji sneered.

——

With the weather beginning to turn cold, to avoid prolonging the war into winter, General Feng Ji decided to split his forces into two groups to search for the Wu army's main force. His 150,000 troops would head northwest, while Xiao Zhen and Chen Wang's 120,000 troops would move northeast.

Xiao Zhen planned to send twelve scouting teams, each with two men. Worried that his scouts weren't familiar enough with the grasslands, Xiao Zhen asked Chen Wang to assign a Liaozhou scout to each team.

Though Chen Wang's forces weren't doing much, sending a few scouts was manageable.

Before the scouts set out, Xiao Zhen gave strict orders to his twenty-four scouts, telling them to follow the Liaozhou scouts' lead while in the field.

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Wang watched with a smile and said, "Nephew, there's no need for that. They're all scouts. My men have just been running around the grasslands for a few more years. When it comes to reconnaissance and adapting to situations, they may not necessarily be better than yours."

Xiao Zhen replied, "I just don't want any internal conflicts due to differing opinions that might delay the mission. General, you understand that the Emperor has tasked me with overseeing this campaign. The success or failure of this operation rests on my shoulders. If we succeed, the Emperor will be pleased, and I'll gain favor at court. But if we fail, General Feng will shift all the blame onto us. At that point, do you think the Emperor will believe him or me?"

Chen Wang's smile faltered.

Xiao Zhen gave him a meaningful look. "I can only help you in front of the Emperor if I can protect myself first."

Chen Wang's eldest son overheard this exchange. Later, during a private family discussion, the eldest son said, "Father, I still believe Xiao Zhen has his own agenda and isn't fully on our side."

Chen Wang replied, "Of course, he needs a plan. Otherwise, how could he gain the Emperor's favor? At least we have control over Liaozhou. Whether the Xiao family retains their military power depends entirely on the Emperor. If Xiao Zhen doesn't have the ability, he'll lose his influence. I hope he becomes powerful enough to outshine General Feng, so when he speaks for us at court, his words carry more weight."

You bribe people who have the power to help you; otherwise, what’s the point?

Five days later, two scouts returned, one from the Xiao family's troops and one from Liaozhou.

The generals convened in the command tent to hear the scouts' report.

Though the two weren't from the same unit, they were equally excited, taking turns to describe how they had spotted the main force of the Wu army in a range of low hills about two hundred miles from their current location, numbering approximately 70,000 troops.

Chen Wang asked, "Do you know who the enemy's commanding general is?"

The Liaozhou scout shook his head. "We didn't dare get too close for fear of alerting them."

In the Central Plains, commanding generals raise their banners high when marching, but the Wu army has no such custom. They just mount up, draw their blades, and ride off.

Xiao Zhen asked, "What about the terrain there? Can you draw it?"

An aide brought over brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. The two scouts began drawing. As scouts, sketching terrain maps was a basic skill. After a short while, they finished. Although there were minor differences, the overall layout of the hills was the same.

"They're low hills, but they cover a vast area. There are three exits, and the interior terrain is hard to judge," said the Xiao family's scout.

The Liaozhou scout and Chen Wang exchanged a glance and said no more.

Xiao Zhen smiled, clearly pleased, and said to Chen Wang, "This is our chance to earn the first major victory. As long as you assist me in annihilating this Wu army force, with real, solid military achievement in front of us, no matter how well General Feng tries to talk his way out of it, the Emperor won't believe him."

Chen Wang was also very happy. "Sounds good to me! We've been looking for them for so long. I’ve been itching for a real battle. Xiao Zhen, what's your plan for the attack?"

Xiao Zhen said, "Our armies will travel at night and rest during the day, then at dawn, we'll enter the mountains to launch a surprise attack. We'll place archers at each of the three exits, so they won’t have a chance to escape, even if they had wings."

Chen Wang nodded. "That's what I was thinking too. We shouldn't delay any further. Let's pack up and go. We can discuss how to divide our forces once we get there."

Back at the Liaozhou camp, the scout from Liaozhou was practically jumping with excitement. "General, four years ago, when we fought against the Wu country, I scouted that mountain and drew a detailed map of it. I kept the map, thinking it might be useful in future battles. This time when we mobilized, I brought several maps with me, including one of that mountain. Since the top of the mountain was so flat, I jokingly named it 'Bald Mountain.'"

Chen Wang was delighted. "Go fetch it right away!"

Once the map of Bald Mountain was in hand, Chen Wang saw that it detailed several mountain paths. As a general, a single glance was enough to identify the spots suitable for setting up camps, laying ambushes, and blocking routes.

Chen Wang laid out the terrain map on the table and looked up at his three sons. "With this map, we can leave the location of the enemy's main force to Xiao Zhen to attack. Our job is to set up ambushes on the outside. This way, we get the glory, keep our troops intact, and wear down the imperial forces—all in one go!"

The second and third sons of the Chen family were thrilled, but the eldest son remained apprehensive. "Father, are we certain that it's the Wu army's main force inside? What if it's General Feng's troops pretending to be the enemy..."

Chen Wang stared at his eldest son, and after a moment, burst into laughter. "My dear eldest son, I appreciate your caution, but you must not overdo it. The imperial court’s target is the Wu country. Even if General Feng doesn’t like me, he wouldn’t risk attacking us first. What if we weaken ourselves by attacking our own forces and then get ambushed by the Wu army’s main force?"

"Caution is good, but we must not miss out on this great opportunity because of fear."