Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Merchants, envoys, and soldiers traveling between the Biao State and the Central Plains throughout history have consistently confirmed one fact: from May to September each year, the Biao State is hot, humid, and rainy, with muddy roads, rampant mosquitoes, and pervasive miasma, rendering it unsuitable for military campaigns. Conversely, from October to April of the following year, the weather is dry with little rain, making it ideal for troop deployment. While this generally holds true, there are occasional years with abnormal weather patterns, much like the Central Plains sometimes experiences floods or droughts.

Deng Chong’s appointment as the General of Yunzhou was specifically to conquer the Biao State. Over nearly two years, he, Deputy Commander Geng Yue, and the Yunzhou Prefect worked tirelessly, each focusing on different aspects: training troops, transporting warhorses and provisions, overseeing warship construction, or gathering intelligence on Biao enemy movements and seasonal changes. Their meticulous, step-by-step preparations aimed to ensure they knew both themselves and their adversary. Thus, when Emperor Xingwu finally issued the order to mobilize in mid-October, Deng Chong and Geng Yue, whose forces were already poised for action, immediately advanced on the Biao State along two routes.

Yunzhou commanded a total of 70,000 troops. Leaving 10,000 behind to guard against Biao army raids, Deng Chong led 30,000 infantry and cavalry along the northwestern land route toward the Biao capital, Wa City. Deputy Commander Geng Yue led 20,000 infantry and 10,000 naval forces along the southeastern water route toward Wa City. According to their plan, the two armies were to converge around the New Year at Xincheng, a strategically important town north of Wa City.

Biao soldiers were smaller in stature and inherently less effective in single combat than Yunzhou troops. Previously, they relied on small-scale sneak attacks, raiding Yunzhou border areas for people, money, and supplies before swiftly retreating. They leveraged the mountainous terrain and the miasma, to which they were accustomed, as defenses against the Yunzhou army. When Fu Daonian first became the Yunzhou Commander, he often dispatched troops in pursuit. However, due to fruitless efforts and soldiers falling ill, he gradually grew lax. Influenced by the "pillow talk" of Biao beauties, he became increasingly tolerant of the Biao State’s incursions, leading Biao soldiers to hold the Yunzhou army in contempt.

Then came their new General, Deng Chong.

If Fu Daonian was a lion gradually worn down and made lazy by the Biao State’s provocations, Deng Chong was a fierce tiger who had just discovered his territory being encroached upon. He dared to call the emperor and princes in the capital his brothers and held renowned founding generals like Zhang Jie and Meng Ji in disdain. How could he possibly tolerate a mere Biao State running wild on his own turf?

Yes, the Great Qi belonged to Emperor Xingwu, but Emperor Xingwu was his sworn brother, and he had helped his brother conquer this land. For outsiders to invade his brother’s territory was tantamount to invading his own!

Deng Chong arrived consumed by burning rage, and his troops, infected by their general’s fury, transformed into a formidable, wolf-like force. Even the naturally lazy soldiers were compelled to become as fierce as wolves or tigers, lest they incur the general’s wrath and face the whip.

Wherever Deng Chong’s army advanced, Biao soldiers crumbled and fled, local officials were captured, and government offices were razed by fire.

After several defeats, the Biao soldiers, recognizing their inferiority in combat against the Yunzhou army, adopted a scorched-earth policy. They abandoned villages and towns, retreating entirely into fortified camps to defend rather than engage.

However, Deng Chong’s army was in high spirits. Despite losing a small portion of their forces, they advanced relentlessly as planned, reaching the outskirts of Xincheng.

Xincheng lay a hundred *li* south of the Biao capital, Wa City. Consequently, the Biao emperor had previously deployed 50,000 troops to Xincheng to resist the Great Qi army.

Deng Chong, however, had only 15,000 troops remaining. Of the missing 15,000, 8,000 were assigned to logistics, 5,000 were deployed in captured camps to prevent Biao forces from cutting off their retreat and supply lines, over 900 were casualties, and more than 1,000 had succumbed to miasma sickness.

The army encamped ten *li* from Xincheng.

As soon as the commander’s tent was pitched, Deng Chong impatiently strode in. Glancing at the personal guards sprinkling medicinal powder along the tent’s edges, he glared at the officers who followed him in and demanded, “Any news on Geng Yue’s troops? Where are they?”

“Reporting, General,” replied an officer. “According to scouts, General Geng is currently engaged with the Biao navy, fighting to secure the waterway. The 10,000 infantry led by Zhang Jian are expected to arrive in three days.”

Mentioning Zhang Jian, who was with Geng Yue, Deng Chong looked at Zhang Su, who had been accompanying him. When they left the capital, the third son of the Zhang family was still pale and refined, like a scholar. Now, at twenty, after a year and a half of training with the Yunzhou army and marching thousands of *li* under the sun and wind to the heart of the Biao State, his fair complexion had darkened. Yet, this transformation made Zhang Su look more like a true military general—clad in armor, exuding natural authority.

Recalling Zhang Su’s fearless bravery in battle along the way, Deng Chong viewed him with greater favor. He merely grumbled briefly about Zhang Jian’s speed and said nothing more.

Chugging water from his canteen, Deng Chong instructed, “Eat lunch quickly and get some sleep. We’re outnumbered. The Biao State will surely attack our camp tonight.”

If the Biao State, with three times their numbers, didn’t dare to engage in open battle, they would be utterly pathetic!

The generals all obeyed without objection.

The usually taciturn Zhang Su then spoke, “General, if you can predict the Biao State will launch a night raid, their commander can also guess we’ll be prepared. Rather than giving us time to rest and recuperate, they might attack while we’re still resting. Either way, they’re counting on superior numbers to win.”

Deng Chong glared at him but conceded, “Makes sense. Alright, here’s the plan: except for those setting up camp, everyone else hide in their tents and eat their dry rations. After eating, no one sleeps. Keep your bows and broadswords close at hand. Once they’ve eaten, have the cooks light fires and set pots—just boil water. The smoke is merely for the Biao scouts to see anyway.”

Personal grievances were one thing, but in war, Deng Chong was never foolish.

The generals dispersed to make arrangements. Archers were concealed in tents near the southern edge of the camp, infantry occupied the middle, and cavalry were hidden on both flanks.

After the soldiers finished their dry rations and rested for half an hour, the cooks began to light fires.

As smoke curled upward, Biao scouts immediately returned to report to their commander.

The Biao commander dispatched 10,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. He refused to believe that twice as many well-fed and rested soldiers couldn’t defeat the tired and hungry Qi army!

Thus, 10,000 Biao cavalry charged ahead, tasked with breaking through the Qi camp, followed by 20,000 infantry ready to engage in close combat. However, as the Biao warhorses approached the Qi camp, the first wave of concealed Qi archers unleashed a volley of arrows, followed by a second and third wave. Simultaneously, 2,000 Qi cavalry burst forth from both sides of the camp, charging directly toward the 20,000 Biao infantry.

After over an hour of fierce fighting, the Qi army, at a cost of 3,000 casualties, left nearly 20,000 Biao soldiers dead. Deng Chong alone cut down over a hundred. If not for Zhang Su and others restraining him, Deng Chong would have pursued them all the way to the gates of Xincheng. Nevertheless, the blood-soaked Qi general, brandishing his long blade and riding his horse, still terrified the Biao commander watching from the city walls of Xincheng.

From that point on, the Biao commander, with his remaining 30,000 troops, stubbornly held the city walls, refusing to venture out again.

Three days later, Zhang Jian’s 10,000 infantry arrived at the Qi camp, boosting Deng Chong’s forces to over 20,000 once more.

After two days of rest, on the sixth day of the first lunar month, Deng Chong personally led the army to attack Xincheng!

However, while the Biao army was inferior to the Yunzhou army in open combat, their morale during the siege was ironclad, and they fought with exceptional bravery. Deng Chong launched two assaults but failed to breach the city.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Geng Yue sent another 10,000 troops to reinforce the main army.

Deng Chong frowned and asked, “Where is Geng Yue?”

The infantry commander’s face was grim. “General Geng was struck by an arrow in the shoulder. After three days of recovery, he suddenly contracted miasma sickness and had to remain on the ship to recuperate. He can only secure the waterways for the army now.”

Deng Chong’s heart sank. Miasma sickness—even with military physicians providing timely treatment, at most three or four out of ten patients recovered. If one was already injured…

Already filled with hatred for the Biao State, and now facing the potential loss of another veteran general who had fought alongside him, Deng Chong immediately decided to launch a third assault on the city. Just then, the Biao State sent an envoy to plead for peace talks.

Deng Chong drew his blade, ready to personally behead the envoy!

Zhang Jian and Zhang Su stopped him simultaneously. After having the Biao envoy taken away, Zhang Jian said, “General, before we left the capital, the emperor gave verbal orders: if the Biao State is willing to submit and offer tribute, we are to agree to peace talks. You must not prolong the war.”

Deng Chong spat at him. “The emperor was afraid the Biao State would be hard to conquer. Now we’re about to take their capital! What’s the point of peace talks? Men, listen to me—”

“Who dares act without orders!”

Zhang Jian suddenly pulled out a golden waist token from his robe, holding it high. He coldly scanned Deng Chong and the other generals. “By the emperor’s imperial decree, this token represents his presence. Those who disobey will be treated as rebels!”

Several deputy generals accustomed to following Deng Chong’s orders froze, exchanging uncertain glances.

Deng Chong snatched the token from Zhang Jian’s hand, confirming it was genuine. Frowning, he asked, “Why did the emperor give this to you?”

Zhang Jian then took out a scroll from his robe. “This is the emperor’s decree for you, General. Please kneel to receive it.”

Deng Chong glanced at the others, then knelt with a frown.

Emperor Xingwu’s decree was brief: “Deng Chong, how to fight is up to you, but when to stop is up to me. If you disobey, you are no longer my brother.”

After reading the decree, Zhang Jian handed it to Deng Chong.

Deng Chong stared at it, reading each character—every stroke was in Emperor Xingwu’s familiar handwriting!

Clenching his fists until they cracked, nearly tearing the decree, Deng Chong gritted his teeth and said, “Fine. We’ll listen to the emperor. Peace talks it is.”

Deng Chong agreed to peace talks but was dissatisfied with the Biao envoy’s terms. He demanded double the tribute from the Biao State before agreeing to withdraw. He gave the Biao emperor only three days to consider. If the envoy didn’t return with a new surrender document within three days, he would resume the attack.

The Biao envoy left in anger.

Deng Chong was also furious. That afternoon, he led troops to shout insults beneath the walls of Xincheng. After venting, he returned to camp but suddenly turned back before entering, walking east to a patch of wild grass to undo his belt.

The generals behind him chuckled, thinking nothing of it.

Zhang Su advised, “The wilderness is full of miasma, General. Perhaps you should return to camp to…”

As Deng Chong deliberately loosened his pants, exposing his legs, Zhang Su quickly averted his gaze.

Deng Chong laughed heartily. “What, you think I’m your father? I’ll piss right here!”

Zhang Su left without another word.

On the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, the envoy from Biao State returned with twice the tribute demanded by Deng Chong. After a cursory inspection, Deng Chong seemed satisfied. He tapped the envoy on the forehead and said, "Go back and tell your emperor that if he dares so much as set foot on the Great Qi border again, I’ll march straight to your capital next time and personally chop off your emperor’s head to accompany my wine!"

The envoy from Biao State was furious but dared not speak out.

Deng Chong shoved the envoy away and ordered the army to break camp!

***

On the tenth day after Great Qi’s withdrawal, Deputy Commander Geng Yue of Yunzhou, whose miasma-induced illness had worsened, passed away on a naval warship.

On the nineteenth day after Great Qi’s withdrawal, which was the eighth day of the second lunar month in the sixteenth year of the Xingwu era, just as the Qi army was about to re-enter Great Qi’s Yunzhou territory, Duke of Ding Deng Chong suddenly fell ill, with symptoms consistent with miasmic fever.

All accompanying military physicians were summoned and devoted all efforts to treating Deng Chong.

Deng Chong said carelessly, "Don’t worry, I’m strong and healthy. A mere miasmic fever won’t take my life!"

As Deng Chong had said, the miasmic fever did not claim his life. However, after a month of continuous medication, he barely recovered. The fifty-five-year-old Duke of Ding, his hair and beard had turned completely white, and he'd become gaunt and sallow.