Chapter 132: Stratagems Unfurl

Wu Ziyu rushed from the battlefield to the Bibo Camp, passing through the Sansha Camp and even visiting the Permanently Stationed Camp along the way. In the eyes of the commanders of these combat camps, however, he was not considered a "commander" in any sense. In discussions concerning military affairs, his sole utility lay in delivering supplies. During the Xiande Eighth Year, when the Huan She tribe launched a sudden raid on the Northern Mutual Market, it was Wu Ziyu's escort team that responded quickest, marking the solitary battle he had ever fought.

"As the main force of the Border Camp heads north, you will be its commander. Now that the Imperial Guards are to investigate the San Yan Camp, I hope to receive assistance from the Border Camp," Xiao Chiye put down his bowl and said. "The Liuying Tribe's ambush was clearly well-planned, cutting off the horse tracks to the San Yan Camp and leaving the Border Camp without its eyes and shield. If you retreat now, you can indeed ensure the safety of your supplies, but the battle zone that borders the Yi San Camp will fall completely into the encirclement of the Bi Sha people. No matter how many men Zhao Hui has in his three Yangliu camps, he will still have to split his forces into two, leaving a detachment to skirt around Dajing and head to the northeastern battlefront for long-range support. By then, even if there are ample supplies, the troops on the frontlines would have already been wiped out."

Xiao Jiming's decision to designate Bianbo Camp as a supply station was predicated on its direct horse trail connections with Sansha Camp and the Northeast Grain and Horse Route. This arrangement not only facilitated the swift provision of supplies but also allowed for rapid reinforcement of troops. Should this location be compromised, Xiao Fangxu, still entrenched at the front lines, would find his rear support effectively severed. The Northeast Grain and Horse Route, extending eastward, lacks a direct horse trail; Zhao Hui would thus be compelled to take a detour, even under the swiftest circumstances requiring no less than four days. Over these four days, to the east of Xiao Fangxu lies the ferocious Serpent Tribe, while to the south stands the formidable Eagle Song Tribe. Bereft of both reinforcements and provisions, the beleaguered elite forces under Xiao Fangxu, wearied by prolonged warfare, would prove vulnerable to the attritional tactics employed by the Border Sand people.

Wu Ziyu's fury had subsided. He stood silently for a moment before saying, "Zhao Hui's Liu Yang Three Bases are among the elite of the Northern Iron Cavalry. The Lofty Eagle Clan here wouldn't be able to stop him in a surprise attack. He could easily abandon the distant northeastern front and march from here to the battlefield."

"The Three Great Camps of Liuyang, being the elite of the Northern Borders, have clashed with the Han She Clan more than anyone else. Arumor knows them as well as you and I do. You're aware that Zhao Hui could forcefully break through to reach the battlefield. Thus, Arumor must have considered that possibility from the start. With such an ideal opportunity for a surprise attack today, he only sent the Yelling Eagle Clan. Can you guess what he's thinking?"

Wu Ziyu's expression turned grim.

Among the Thirty-Six Strategies, there was one called Lure the Prey by appearing to Let It Go. Today, Wu Ziyu's troops were ambushed at the Bianbo Camp, and his personal guards would rush to the Northeast Grain and Horse Route with vital supplies in this crisis. By the time Zhao Hui receives these crucial resources, it will be too late. Long-range support is the least desirable option; he can only refocus on reclaiming the Bianbo Camp and adjust his strategy based on the number of Yelling Eagles provided by the personal guards. Once he arrives, Arumor might have already withdrawn the Yelling Eagles, replacing them with the elite cavalry of Biansha to ambush and strike at Zhao Hui with full force.

Regardless of the outcome, Zhao Hui will be delayed at the Bianbo Camp, leaving Xiao Fangxu at the battlefield without reinforcements. Arumor knows the Northern Border Iron Cavalry all too well.

"Zhao Hui can't come, and we can't win either. The provisions at the battlefield will be consumed quickly. In just a few days, the Duke will still be embroiled in a fierce battle," Wu Ziyu said, walking over to a stand, snatching a map, and spreading it out on the ground. "The Sand Three Camp is adjacent to Sand Two Camp. When Arumor launches a northern assault, he'll be attacking the Duke's rear."

Tan Taihu had just finished cleaning up and came in barefoot with his robe draped over his shoulders. Seeing them huddled around the map, he crouched down to join them.

"Wu Ziyu raised his gaze and looked at Xiao Chiye, "What do we do now? We lose if we advance, and we lose if we retreat; every move is within A'muer's calculations."

Rubbing his facial scar, Tan Taihu said, "That might not be the case. He doesn't recognize the Imperial Guards. We're an unpredictable force." Pointing to Sand Third Camp, he continued, "This place is close to Luo Mountain in Zhongbo. That area is infested with bandits. For the Liao Ying Clan to evade the Northern Iron Cavalry's vanguard and launch a surprise attack on Bianbo Camp from the south with ballistae, they must have received help from the bandits. I may not understand many intricacies, but… Young Master Lan's words make a lot of sense."

Xiao Chiye raised his brow slightly and asked, "What did Lan Zhou say?"

"A wise man does not engage in unnecessary actions," Tan Taihu replied solemnly. "Why would A'muer go through such lengths to stop Zhao Hui? If he was having an easy time battling the Duke in the frontline, why would he divert troops here?"

Xiao Chiye leaned forward slightly, studying the map as he twirled his ring. "Indeed. A'muer's meticulous planning indicates that he is struggling in the frontline. It's already July now. If the war drags on without progress into the autumn, A'muer will face the harsh winter. All of Biansha's stored grain has been poured onto the battlefield. The longer the war drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for Biansha."

Wu Ziyu recalled something.

Xiao Chiye happened to say at this moment, "After Elder Brother was injured, A'muer changed his strategy for the past few years. When I was in7 Ci Prefecture, I heard that Biansha's cavalry had reached Tuda Longqi. In the past, their cavalry would retreat after attacking, but they didn't this time. Not only did they not retreat, they advanced steadily. A'muer has lost his patience in the desert. He's gradually nibbling away at the North, wanting to occupy our grasslands and camps. Hence, from this perspective, Bianbo Camp is crucial. If we lose this, the North will have to retreat significantly, and Sand Third Camp will collapse entirely. Our supposed defensive line in the east will utterly crumble. But if we hold out at Bianbo Camp, it'll lift Father's spirits. With him in the frontline, A'muer won't be able to push this border."

As Xiao Chiye spoke, he tapped at the location of Bianbo Camp on the map to emphasize his point to Wu Ziyu.

"You just need to hold out until the first snowfall of the year, and you'll deliver a heavy blow to A'muer. No matter what, we can't lose Bianbo Camp. Draw a north-south line from here, and we can only advance, not retreat."

Wu Ziyu said, "Since A'muer intends to trap Zhao Hui's three Liuyang camps here, how can we possibly stop him with our current force of 25,000 men? The SanSha Camp is crucial, and if A'muer stations the fierce Snake Clan there, we'll have even less chance of counterattacking."

Xiao Chiye retracted his lowered arm and pondered for a moment before saying, "The Border Sand cavalry have grown accustomed to the passive rhythm of the Beibei Iron Riders. A'muer is betting that the teams in the Bianbo Camp won't dare to launch a surprise attack to the east on their own. If they are caught off guard, it would take until dawn for them to retreat back to the SanSha Camp. If we set out before dawn, we'll arrive at the outskirts of the SanSha Camp right when they're resting."

Wu Ziyu shifted his squatting position, studying the map in silence for a while. Only when his legs had gone numb did he finally gather his resolve and say, "If the Governor has made up his mind, the remaining warhorses in the Bianbo Camp can be given to the Imperial Guards."

"The Imperial Guards aren't cavalry; they don't need warhorses. Besides, the horses from Beibei are too heavy and make too much noise when they run. They're not suitable for a surprise attack." Xiao Chiye's gaze swept around the room, taking in Tan Taihu, Chen Yang, and Gu Jin before settling on Wu Ziyu. "This time, let the Imperial Guards give A'muer a 'greeting'."

* * *

The next day, before dawn, the imperial guards set out on their journey.

Despite his injuries, Gu Jin still took on the role of a scout. Tan Taihu accompanied Xiao Chiye, leaving Chen Yang behind in the Bianbo camp. Wu Ziyu didn't understand the arrangement, but seeing that Chen Yang didn't complain, he held back from asking questions.

The dew had yet to dissipate, and after only a short while, the imperial guards' armor was soaked as they walked through the grasslands. They didn't take the horse path but followed the route the Lookout Eagle Unit had retreated on.

"We're not far from the Zhongbo border. Why hasn't His Highness arranged for an inn?" Tan Taihu looked southward and said, "Once we cross this pasture and ride for another day and night, we'll reach Luo Mountain."

"The defenses against the Northern Iron Cavalry were set up for the Border Sand cavalry," Xiao Chiye said as he slung his sword over his shoulder and gazed ahead for a moment. "In the past, bandits dared not venture here, but times have changed."

" Whoever allies with the barbarian Tiansha is nothing but a contemptible descendant," Tan Taihu spat out bitterly as he brushed aside the grass.

The Imperial Guards marched at a swift pace, and by the afternoon, they had arrived within the jurisdiction of Sand Third Camp.

Gu Jin lay on the grass, motionless for a moment. Tan Taihu followed suit and, after a short wait, not seeing anything ahead, he asked, "Can you see anything?"

Gu Jin extended his hand to part the grasses, remarking, "Wu Ziyu is not mistaken. The Shan San Camp indeed harbors cavalry from the fierce Serpent Division. The droppings of their steeds bear witness to their recent presence. They have established patrol units around the encampment, demonstrating a vigilance surpassing even that of the Bian Bo Camp."

Gu Jin turned over, squinting his eyes as he gazed at the sky.

"Without the sound of whistles or the presence of hunting falcons, it is indeed clear that the Liang Ying Clan's ambush on Bian Bo's encampment yesterday was a mere decoy."

"This location isn't favorable for an ambush," Tan Taihu remarked. "The area around the camp is wide open, filled with grasslands. If we get any closer, we'll have no place to hide."

"This is the Sha San Camp," Gu Jin felt for the tobacco in his bosom and deftly stuffed it into his mouth to chew, saying, "Not only is there no place to hide within its bounds, but the camp's periphery is lined with iron caltrops, while barricades are set up both front and rear. Watchtowers stand guard at each of its four corners."

"How about entering through the drainage channel?" Tan Taihu turned back and whispered to Xiao Chiye, "After all, people need to eat, drink, and attend to their bodily needs."

Xiao Chiye remained silent. Gu Jin looked a little awkward as he lowered his head and whispered even more softly into the grass, "There used to be secret tunnels connecting the outside. Didn’t His Highness use this tactic to ambush the Border Sand tribes when he was fighting in the eastern mountains? The Prince felt that it was a vulnerability, so when he returned, he had all the tunnels in the various camps sealed up."

Tan Taihu silently closed his mouth and lay down as well.

The location for constructing a military camp was crucial, and sanitation was of utmost importance. Such sewage ditches could not be situated near the provisions or living quarters; they either needed to be deep or have an outlet. As a frequently used camp, Sand Three Camp naturally had an easier external drainage system. However, Xiao Chiye had once breached the Border Sand Tribe's camp with a small cavalry force, attacking from within and routing them. This left a profound impression on Xiao Jiming. As a precautionary measure, the drainage channels in the Northern Army's camps were all dug deeper and maintained regularly. Little did they know that this change would become a dilemma Xiao Chiye would face years later.

"How do we proceed now?" Xiao Chiye asked, looking at the sky. "There's no rush… We have a way."