Chapter 77: Deciding The Plan
“Report!”
“Vice Commander of the Nian Battalion, Xiao Yi, and Vanguard Scout General Liu Tingrang have returned from scouting the enemy camp with important military intelligence to report!”
“Summon them! Let them wait in the Main Camp Tent.”
“Understood.”
Xiao Yi and Liu Tingrang passed through tents and quickly entered the Main Camp Tent.
The tent had just been set up, the charcoal fire not yet lit, and several guards were hanging a large map of the Capital Region.
Frost had not yet melted from Guo Wei’s armor. He was eating, his millet porridge on the commander’s desk barely touched, half a hu bing consumed, but two wine pouches already empty. He showed no signs of intoxication; on the contrary, his eyes were clearer.
Just as Xiao Yi was about to speak, Wei Renpu entered swiftly and said, “My Lord, we have captured several Southern Army spies.”
“Bring them in.”
Soon, five soldiers wearing Tianxiong Army armor were brought in.
Xiao Yi observed them and could roughly guess how they were exposed: the Northern Army had traveled a long distance and was exhausted and muddy, yet these spies were in pristine clothing and had clean faces.
“Haha,” Liu Tingrang laughed upon seeing them, jeering, “Damn it, with so little skill, they tried to scout like us, the foolish birds!”
“I am Cong Tuo, an attendant to the Son of Heaven. How dare you rebels compare yourselves to me? Bah!”
Wei Renpu asked, “What have you gathered?”
Cong Tuo replied, “The rebels have just established their camp, what good intelligence could there be to gather?”
“Then you shall report to Your Majesty that I have joined forces with Wang Yin with seventy thousand troops, and we are sworn to eliminate the traitors for Your Majesty. If Li Ye, Liu Zhu, and others repent and surrender themselves, it is not too late.”
Having said this, Guo Wei picked up a wine pouch, slowly drank the last drop of wine, and waved his hand as if swatting flies, indicating that Cong Tuo and the others should be released.
Wei Renpu, not missing an opportunity to strike at their minds, said, “Take them away. When My Lord writes another memorial, he will present it to the Son of Heaven.”
Cong Tuo seemed to want to say something defiant, opened his mouth a few times, then sheepishly cupped his fists and was led away.
“Report to the Marshal,” Liu Tingrang said proudly, “We have returned safely from scouting and have reaped considerable rewards!”
Guo Wei’s gaze swept over them like lightning, pausing on Xiao Yi for a moment, and said, “You were impatient. To personally scout the enemy camp as a commander is not the way of a general.”
Liu Tingrang quickly explained, “Reporting to the Marshal, it was General Guo…”
“Your subordinate admits fault.”
Xiao Yi immediately cupped his fists and admitted his mistake.
He felt that Guo Wei cared for him, and his reprimand was likely to prevent him from becoming arrogant and conceited due to his early achievements at a young age.
A steady demeanor was far more important than explanations.
Indeed, Guo Wei nodded and said, “In all things, preparedness leads to success, unpreparedness leads to failure. Do not be impulsive like San Lang.”
“Yes, your subordinate has noted it.”
“I will record this as a merit for you, but to defeat Chen Guang Sui, you still have much to learn.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Guo Chongwei arrived, followed by Generals Wang Yin, Li Hongwei, Cao Wei, He Fujin, Song Yanwo, and others.
Xiao Yi exchanged a glance with Wang Yin, who nodded slightly with a kind and amiable expression.
The next moment, feeling a gaze upon him, Xiao Yi looked and saw the Supervisor, Wang Jun.
He couldn’t help but think how quickly Wang Jun’s troops had traveled, seizing Fukou Pass and crossing Desheng Ferry, arriving at Chenqiao Posthouse at the same time as Guo Wei.
It seemed he was afraid of missing out on the opportunity to accompany the Emperor.
For some reason, Xiao Yi felt Wang Jun’s gaze was unfriendly, as if he disliked him. Yet, they had no prior interactions and he had never offended him.
Once the generals were in position, Guo Chongwei concisely uttered a single word.
“Speak.”
“Yes,” Liu Tingrang stepped forward two paces and presented the drawn map of the Southern Army’s encampment. “We infiltrated Yuan Xi’s camp and glimpsed the Southern Army’s marching route, marked in red ink. Their intention was not Chigang, but to head north to Chan Prefecture and seize the Yellow River crossings…”
“No wonder,” He Fujin said. “I was wondering how that old fox Hou could have set up camp so quickly to block us. I thought he had a plan, but it turns out he ran into an opponent!”
“Not only that, we also discovered that the Imperial escort has already reached Chigang!”
Liu Tingrang, being young, was naturally excited and meticulously recounted all the intelligence gathered that day.
Xiao Yi supplemented and elaborated from the side.
As Liu Tingrang spoke, Xiao Yi clearly felt Song Yanwo’s fervent gaze upon him, nodding frequently, appearing very satisfied with the detailed intelligence.
Afterwards, Hou Renbao was brought in.
“Duke Guo, please accept this bow from Renbao. I thank Duke Guo for avenging the Hou family. Your great kindness is unforgettable!”
As soon as he entered the tent, Hou Renbao immediately knelt and kowtowed.
Xiao Yi looked and saw that he had calmed down, unlike how frightened he had been during the camp raid that afternoon. His plump body was surprisingly agile.
“In Qianyou First Year, when my father was the Military Governor of Fengxiang, he learned of Gaozu’s enthronement and wholeheartedly wished to serve. However, fearing an invasion by the Lord of Shu, he had to build fortifications for defense. Wang Jingchong took the opportunity to slander him, claiming my father had disloyal intentions and led troops to attack Fengxiang. My father rushed to the capital to explain, but Wang Jingchong colluded with two other military governors to rebel, and the seventy-odd members of the Hou family left in Fengxiang City were unjustly massacred, woe is me…”
Hou Renbao spoke with genuine emotion, his eyes red.
“It is all thanks to Duke Guo’s pacification of the three prefectures that the Hou family was avenged. For this, the Hou family has set up an altar and prays for Duke Guo daily!”
Liu Tingrang stepped forward and kicked him to the ground.
“Stop your pretense here. Old Man Hou Yi aided the wicked and set up troops to block the Marshal. Is that not ingratitude?!”
“Father was also forced,” Hou Renbao cried, “Father did not wish to be an enemy of Duke Guo. When he received the imperial decree, he was eating, and he threw down his chopsticks, cursing the traitors in the court who persecute loyal officials…”
“Nonsense!” He Fujin roared. “Do you think I don’t know Old Man Hou Yi? Is he this tough?”
“No, no, Father is very weak. Your nephew is willing to persuade Father to surrender to Duke Guo.”
“One more false word and you will be dragged out and beheaded.”
“Yes, in fact, all the generals in the Imperial Court fear Duke Guo’s might and are in a panic. Only Murong Yanchao boasts that the Northern troops are nothing and he can defeat Duke Guo in one battle. It’s absurd! Your nephew believes that as long as Duke Guo concentrates his forces and defeats this Yan Kunlunnu, the situation can be settled.”
Xiao Yi listened and secretly nodded. Hou Renbao looked foolish, but his judgment was not bad; he could be described as having “a pig-like face but a clear mind.”
The others in the tent agreed and stopped scolding him.
Guo Wei stood up, stepped forward, personally helped Hou Renbao up, and sighed, “My father and Duke Hou share a similar plight, how can I bear to attack him? You must persuade him.”
“Father has long wished to serve Duke Guo, but lacks an opportunity.”
Wei Renpu said, “Please have San Lang write a letter to his father, to inform Lord Hou of his safety.”
“It should be done, it should be done.”
Hou Renbao, having been helped up by Guo Wei, looked emotional, as if he wanted to sell his entire family, and said, “I also have another piece of intelligence!”
“Speak.”
“Murong Yanchao is greedy and stingy. The silver he bestowed was fake, and we privately mocked him for it.”
“What do you mean? How can silver be fake?”
“He used the silver to buy grain and fodder from Father. But I stole… no, I was playing with the silver and felt the weight and purity were wrong. I tested it with a magnet, and it was attracted. I then inquired with the Taining Army, and they called it ‘iron-cast silver.’ I think, apart from his guards and retainers, no one is willing to risk their lives for him.”
“This monkey, I am indeed impressed.”
The generals laughed and were amused, somewhat doubting the authenticity of this intelligence.
Guo Wei glanced at Xiao Yi and Liu Tingrang, raised his hand and pointed, and said sternly, “Generous rewards! Use real silver.”
“Thank you, Marshal.”
The generals burst into laughter, finding the commander’s remark unusually humorous.
Typically, military rewards were in copper coins, silk, and grain. Today, because of a piece of intelligence from Hou Renbao, Xiao Yi and the others would each receive a substantial sum of silver, which was rare.
Guo Wei turned around, hands behind his back, and looked at the map.
Hou Renbao, being adept at managing situations, turned to Xiao Yi and Liu Tingrang, bowed deeply, and said, “Thank you, two heroes, for giving me the opportunity to express my determination to join Duke Guo.”
Liu Tingrang was annoyed by him and pouted, letting out a soft snort.
Xiao Yi nodded and returned the bow, saying, “I hope to serve My Lord together with Lord Hou and San Lang.”
“This is Renbao’s good fortune, and Father’s good fortune.”
Hou Renbao was then reluctantly led away, with a foolish smile on his face, appearing harmless.
However, the strategy for this battle was decided according to his words.
“Marshal, we should concentrate our forces to attack Murong Yanchao. Once his forces are broken, the Southern Army will collapse without a fight.”
“While that is true,” Wang Jun said, “our army should not attack proactively, but rather entice Murong Yanchao to attack first. This will uphold righteousness and also make it difficult for the Southern Army to coordinate their forces. This person is impulsive and arrogant, and it will not be difficult to lure him into advancing rashly.”
“Indeed, Old Man Hou Yi wants to proceed steadily, while Murong Yanchao wishes to advance recklessly with bravery. The Southern Army’s formation appears tight, but in reality, their northern strategy is disrupted, forcing them to fight without proper preparation, and their morale will surely be agitated.”
“With many soldiers but a mixed command, coordination between units will inevitably have gaps…”
The generals each expressed their opinions.
After a long while, Guo Wei gave his order, his voice not fast, but resounding.
“Wang Yin.”
“Present.”
“Dispatch a detachment of elites to depart immediately and proceed secretly along the west bank of the Jinshui River. Seize the Longtou at Qingling Ridge to prevent the Southern Army from taking a detour to outflank our rear supplies.”
“Understood.”
Wang Yin cupped his fists and, with swift execution, immediately sent Wang Cheng’hui to personally lead the team.
“Guo Chongwei.”
“Present.”
“At dawn tomorrow, the vanguard army will advance to Qili Shop. Do not rush into engagement. Spread out many false signs and banners, creating the appearance that our main army is about to launch a fierce attack on Chigang. This will attract the attention of Murong Yanchao and Hou Yi, allowing our army to calmly form its battle array.”
“Understood!”
“Wang Jun.”
“Present.”
“You will carry my order and supervise the central army. At 9 AM tomorrow, we will break camp and set off. The various units will advance in order and form their array…”
As he spoke, Guo Wei slowly traced a line on the map with his bronze whip, stopping at a point.
Xiao Yi stared at the tip of the whip, recalling the terrain he had personally witnessed that day, thinking of the most suitable place for a large army formation around Chigang and Qili Shop. He made a judgment in his heart and murmured three words very softly.
“Liu Zibei.”
Indeed, as Guo Wei finished speaking, it was precisely so.
“Form the array at Liu Zibei.”
“Understood!”
“When the Southern Army is in disarray, it will be time for us to sweep through and advance directly to Kaifeng. I wish to share this grand undertaking with all of you.”
“Victory!”
Although Xiao Yi knew the historical outcome, he recognized this as the best learning opportunity. He strained his ears, his gaze greedily fixed on the map, learning to deploy troops and issue commands.
After this battle, he probably wouldn’t have another chance to personally train under Guo Wei.
