Chapter 122: Little Horse Crosses The River
About half a month after the Eastern Market Army arrived in Bo Prefecture, the subsequent four thousand able-bodied men arrived continuously at Lu Jiao City, where they built defenses with the core troops. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
Some strong and powerful men among the able-bodied men were selected to receive spears and halberds and began training in formation, flag signals, and commands, displaying the atmosphere of a corps.
After finishing all this, Wu Fei dispatched Gong Qian to contact the wealthy households who had fled to the mountains in Bo Prefecture.
Wu Fei handed the token to Gong Qian with both hands: To restore the mountains and rivers, we must contact the righteous men here.
Two years ago, Gong Qian never imagined that one day he would help Wu Fei commit transgression and conspire with local great clans. But he saw that Wu Fei was stepping on the path to death step by step, and this death-seeking was all for the greater good of the country. As a scholar, Gong Qian could no longer refuse the request.
There was no way around it; the local people kidnapped earlier were quite united and refused to reveal where their main families were. Wu Fei emphasized no torture. Thus, they had to thicken their skin and trouble the worldly-wise Gong Qian.
As a top diplomat, Gong Qian had extraordinary ability to track human traces. After spending a day with the local youth whom Wu Fei had “invited,” Gong Qian chatted fluently with him in the Bo Prefecture accent, easily finding the right path and inviting over the representatives of these “reclusive” great surnames.
These great surname representatives were all elders, among whom the Li surname traced back to relations with the Li family that had arranged the marriage betrothal with Wu Fei. Its direct line had migrated south, some had defected to False Hao, and of course some collateral lines held firm in their native soil, truly betting on all three sides.
As a person from the 21st century, Wu Fei firmly believed: Once a clan splits and belongs to different interest strata, class contradictions arise. When False Hao entered Bo Prefecture, they certainly cooperated with some great clans, but they also seized the means of production from those unwilling to cooperate, and that was the contradiction.
Under the locust tree, Wu Fei met these elders, using the well water in these earthen bowls as wine, downing it in one gulp. He began asking the pot that shouldn’t be stirred: “How have you been living in the mountain ridge?” “Do you have clothes for this winter?” “Do you remember the village back home?”
Having fled to the mountain forest, these remnant clans uncherished by father or mother suddenly felt grief from the heart.
Especially as they talked, Wu Fei’s singing mood surged: “My home is on the southern slope of Yan Ridge, where there are deer, pigs, fish and shrimp. And the millet, wheat, elm, and willow covering the mountains and fields.
After singing a song, Wu Fei said to these sorrowful people: “Fellow elders and villagers, our army has come from afar and wants some local brothers to guide the way. I don’t ask for much: from every ten households, send me one able-bodied man; for each one, I give thirty taels of silver as settlement fee. If you work with me, you are my brothers.”
The clan elders nodded to each other, then an elder said tremulously: “Sir, we have no place to spend silver money. As long as you let us return to our native soil (Bo Prefecture estates), let alone fifty percent tax, even ten percent.”
Wu Fei was deeply moved by this heartfelt patriotism, his eyes brimming with tears. Of course, moved is moved, but then he took paper and pen to sign an agreement with these village elders, meaning the “accounts” still had to be settled clearly.
In the following days, Wu Fei visited ten or so villages of great surnames in the mountains, inspecting rice jars and salt bags, confirming that these collateral lines of great surnames hiding in the mountains to avoid disaster were in dire straits, some families with just a few people wearing only one piece of cloth clothes. Then he knew how to win hearts.
Thus, on the third day of the army’s encampment, after receiving the first batch of two hundred men.
The first day did not involve strict beating and scolding training for them, but focused on bestowing favors: simply dividing these local braves into teams and groups, then having these local teams drive carts and horses loaded with salt and cloth into the mountains to first settle part of the “settlement fee” bills.
The army could not solve the grain shortage in the mountains, but with salt, it could to some extent alleviate the grain crisis, as pickling meat could preserve it for a period of time.
After all this was done, Wu Fei dispatched his capable subordinates to begin strict training for this group of “native soldiers.”
Not expecting them to fight, but hoping these native soldiers would play the role of living maps. Large-scale infiltration would be useful.
…Far away, bouncing and gathering strength…
Shu Tian Calendar Year 36, April, the size of the troops Wu Fei brought to the main camp grew larger, and the firearms and supplies distributed by Da Yao also arrived.
Grain at the camp was continuously stockpiled; everything edible, including sea cows hunted from coastal rocks, had their thick fat layers boiled into salve and sealed in wooden barrels for preservation.
Grain was increasingly stockpiled full, but the army still showed no movement, to the point that idle gossip had spread from Yao Capital in the rear. However, in the next combat distance, the length of their one-time advance across bridges and rivers in the marching system grew longer and longer.
April 12, Wu Fei stationed troops at Lu Jiao City and began dispatching scouts to probe the enemies in Bo Prefecture.
Outside Lu Jiao City, a team of firearm cavalry began raiding out of the city. The target was the marching contact between the Haotian main camp in Bo Prefecture and Gu Shou Pass, a hundred li away.
Hooves and whips began ravaging the Bo Prefecture land.
The guns held by this cavalry team were somewhat short and had large revolvers; they were repeating muskets with percussion cap ignition. That is, each chamber on the cylinder was loaded with gunpowder and bullets, and the metal tube at the bottom like a pencil lead was fitted with a percussion cap. As long as one manually turned the wheel while pulling the trigger to strike the cap, continuous firing was possible.
As early as early April, Wu Fei learned through local intelligence that Gu Shou Pass needed a batch of ironware to reclaim and open up land outside the pass. Wu Fei decided to proactively create a “small case” to harass the Hao Army in Bo Prefecture.
This was like certain strategies in real-time strategy games: “First hit the mining cart, then lure the enemy out, and shake their head left and right while pinching it.”
That is, the side with operational advantage first uses small maneuvers to make the enemy feel their military deployment is not so “comfortable” and want to relocate, then during the relocation of the operationally weaker side, the advantaged side suddenly concentrates troops to eat up their exposed part, forming local advantage.
Wu Fei: Must first “harass” to lure these dumb bears out of their cave; they’re coiled up over there, hard for me to gnaw.
…Hitting the mining cart began…
At Meng Jia Ao, False Hao’s servant soldiers were laboriously pushing the cart wheels. The big-headed soldiers recruited locally in Bo Prefecture complained: “Why is this road so muddy?”
However, on the nearby high ground, killing intent suddenly appeared, and correspondingly, the birds around the transport team collectively took flight high because they felt the target of the killing intent’s impact was them.
The Haotian troops encountering the attack still had some discipline and tried to form a wagon laager for resistance, but just some.
As the Eastern Market cavalry charged in turns, after the first round of guns and cannons sounded, they collapsed.
This group of laborers (actually imperial collaborators) pulled out by Guotai had really low morale; they hadn’t even fully wound their crossbows, let alone fired in volley. Facing one round of rifle volley from their own side, they collapsed and fled along the “encircle three, leave one open.”
Wu Fei’s subordinate cavalry did not over-pursue, merely scattering the False Hao men and horses from afar.
While the cavalry formation was driving them off, the logistics soldiers waiting on the hillside immediately came down with carts and horses. These logistics soldiers were able-bodied men who, after training, belonged to auxiliary forces and quickly cleared the battlefield.
After searching the battlefield, all twenty large carts of ironware and medicinal materials left by False Hao were taken away.
Ten hours later, when Hao State’s rescue force arrived, all the ironware had been pulled to the riverbank, loaded onto ships, and left. Obviously, shipping this cargo out of the pass required a long journey, but transporting it to the riverbank and temporarily hiding it somewhere was very easy.
When the False Hao governor leading five hundred men and horses arrived at the interception site, seeing the chaotic wheel tracks and the hooves left by the ambushing men and horses nearby, he reached the idiotic conclusion: This was no ordinary bandit.
Nonsense; an ordinary bandit big robbery gang could at most have twenty or so people, but this was a bandit gang of over a thousand, and organized with clear division of labor.
…More planning underway…
This was of course no ordinary bandit; in the following days, massive robbery cases appeared across southeast Bo Prefecture.
Three days after the Meng Jia Ao robbery, the Iron Armor Manor under False Hao control was also targeted. The bandits clearly had inside help; they blew open the manor with gunpowder, rushed in within a short time to suppress it, and abducted forty blacksmith masters and fifty thousand jin of fine iron.
This major case was long premeditated. All that iron material was transported to the riverbank and then shipped away. At the same time, Wu Fei’s raiding team arrested all the blacksmiths, not leaving a single one, and captured them strictly according to the list.
Two days later, over a hundred mules and horses needed by the Bo Prefecture Hao Army for city defense were also robbed.
The continuous major robbery cases were enough to enrage the Hao State officials guarding here.
Hao State governor Su Dong: “The new Yao Army is too lacking in martial virtue; not attacking cities or seizing land, but turning to plunder? If they can, why can’t we plunder too!”
But a few days later, after squads under Su Dong confirmed the density of checkpoints and river patrols in the area where Wu Fei was at Lu Jiao City, they “wisely” believed they shouldn’t retaliate with such despicable means.
Patrols between Wu Xiao Que’s camps were tight; impossible to infiltrate.
…Perspective shifts to Yao Army side…
In the main camp, Wu Fei stared at the map, pondering.
Sunzi’s Art of War is a warfare classic, but because it has too many golden phrases, the battle tactics and initial “concepts” each general finds in this book are often different, creating the unique characteristics of every successful general.
Wu Fei’s current decision-making focus is “more calculations, more victories.” Seize the initiative by outcalculating the enemy.
For example: In later-era public security, a term often mentioned is juvenile crime and technological means. Why the distress? Juvenilization and technologization indicate strong criminal planning ability. Twenty men planning a crime: how to start, how much to plunder, how to stay hidden, then how to escape, fence goods—far more to worry about than two numbskull thieves who can’t even cover their faces properly.
What is the advantage of Wu Fei’s troops? Many non-commissioned officers! Strong ability to use brains for planning.
Every major case is planned by three to five non-commissioned officers; after setting targets, they have fifty to seventy core members (rope-puller army) execute key links, mobilizing hundreds of able-bodied men to cooperate.
First, these ruffians from Eastern Market Army suddenly cut into the rear with forty men according to tactical drill manual, disrupting the victim’s group’s judgment. When the victim’s attention shifted, the ambushing main force surprise attack. After eliminating all resisters, signal for the waiting cleanup team nearby to drag away the goods. This “criminal ability,” if within twenty people, would require special police heavy fists in later eras to eliminate.
And now this armed robbery is not only large-scale but backed by a large military organization system? This exceeds crime and is proper “sparrow warfare.”
Observing on the silk book map, Wu Fei saw that Guotai’s banners had shown some reaction, seemingly stimulated and wanting to launch an attack.
Wu Fei marked False Hao’s troop points in Bo Prefecture with a red pen, substituting the “enemy attack” perspective.—That is, he discovered their command system was scattered and incoherent, at least four systems; of course, it might be one command system, but the top general too incompetent, leaving subordinate detachments to act independently.
But their mobilization? By Wu Fei’s standards, it was like a paralyzed old lady carrying a walking stick to duel him.
These feudal troops, long unmobilized, were like a body squatting too long, suddenly trying to stand, muscles numb, hard to balance. Couldn’t even walk (march) properly.
…Wu Fei confirmed the enemy, turned to confirm allied forces…
April 15, Wu Fei hurriedly entered Marshal Zhu’s large tent, thick-skinned, sweet-talking like honey: Big brother, little brother got into trouble from greed.
Marshal Zhu, seeing Wu Fei like this, was helpless and tentatively believed that Wu Fei had led this absurd Eastern Market Army to rob Hao State villages in the north, and now couldn’t withstand retaliation, having played too far.
Of course, Marshal Zhu patted his chest guaranteeing he would not sit by while Lu Jiao City fell. As long as you (Eastern Market Army firmly hold), our (Zhu family army) reinforcements will arrive within ten days.
Wu Fei pretended to breathe a sigh of relief, then asked: “Little brother has heard Hao State has air patrol forces?”
Wu Fei’s bottom line was that as long as Marshal Zhu’s route didn’t drag legs or let Hao Army raid the nest, cutting off his southern merchant caravan northward supply chain, it was fine.
That is, Wu Fei required Zhu family army to stay alert during his military operation. Stop crickets and board games in camp. Properly patrol the defense zone. But couldn’t say it with “command” attitude.
Marshal Zhu gave Wu Fei a particularly meaningful look, smiling: “In past years at this time, Bo Prefecture would send out many sky lanterns. Hmm, today’s wind and sand might be strong, no sky lanterns seen. If you’re not at ease, this old man has a dragon horse elite cavalry to lend to your volunteer army.”
Wu Fei nodded, thanked Marshal Zhu for the information, and unceremoniously borrowed the troops.
After Wu Fei left, Marshal Zhu’s son Zhu Chong cursed: “These dandies, stirred up trouble they can’t settle themselves!”
However, with a “pa,” Marshal Zhu smacked his forehead; this young marshal was dumbfounded.
Marshal Zhu stared at him: “No brains, don’t talk nonsense.”
Marshal Zhu then explained to his son: He’s not begging us, but reminding us; he’s about to get to work, telling us to stay vigilant, lest False Hao, desperate, steal our chicken!
Zhu Chong was incredulous. Marshal Zhu: “You didn’t think just because he’s from the capital, he must talk with nose in the air like Zhanlu Army. This guy can lead a bunch of capital slickers smoothly; besides being efficient, he knows how to talk. Don’t mistake his affability for lack of ability. This past month, he’s arranged over ten thousand men from south to north properly; this talent is here to establish merit.
Zhu Chong: “Then father marshal, should we follow?”
Marshal Zhu frowned: “False Hao’s generals are cunning; General Wu is new and eager for merit. We press from behind.”—Over these years, as a general directly fighting Hao, he had severe psychological shadow from Zhao Cheng.
Zhu Li Wang appreciated Wu Fei but dared not be reckless before battle, merely lending a batch of dragon horse elite cavalry; if Hao State suffered a setback under his hand and warfare went smoothly, then send a few hundred elite soldiers to assist. Thus, even if major battle next and lost, it was explainable to Emperor Shu; if won, could claim merit from cooperative battle.
…Old general has insight but no courage…
Returning to camp, Wu Fei lit the oil lamp, comparing the Northern Border situation. Currently, supplies, morale, and all preparations were at best; must fight, but at the moment to slam the chips down, heart still panicky.
Wu Fei finally experienced the great man’s description before the decisive battle in Huaihai Campaign: that feeling of “heart thumping like a little deer colliding.”
This is because the side that calculates more worries more about what they haven’t calculated, harming the overall situation.
Conversely, commanders who calculate less look at “decisive battle troop strength eighty wan vs sixty wan,” think they’ve calculated all, then confident with “advantage with me.”
In staff department, repeated war gaming. Wu Fei suddenly smiled, murmuring: “Little horse crosses river; without trying, never know.”
Wu Fei looked at the many generals: “Battlefield is full of deceptions; you all feel very uneasy too! Like facing a river, horse says it’s shallow, rabbit says bottomless, but we must cross. Ignore others; let’s test if this water is deep or shallow. And test what we really are! Pull out the mule or horse for a trot!”
Drums began beating in the army; one by one bamboo tokens felt the atmosphere, transforming into black birds poised to launch.
Wu Fei: “Zhang Wang!”
Zhang Wang: “Here!”
Wu Fei: “You take the fifth, sixth, seventh camps, advance seventy li, camp at Kong Lan Bridge and standby!”
Wu Fei: “Li Xiaorong!”
Li Xiaorong: “Here!”
Wu Fei: “Second Mobile Cavalry Camp to you, carry ballista troops, advance to Ao Mountain area; use fireworks as signal, harass or pursue enemies at opportunity, decide yourself.”
Wu Fei: “Mu Xingyu!”
A young man immediately stood up.
Wu Fei instructed: “This grain station may face enemy surprise attack; between 15th and 19th, lock the east line for me, don’t let enemy scouts lift their war fog here.”
Mu Xingyu nodded.
Batches of non-commissioned officers were dispatched on these tasks, while Wu Fei gazed at the eighteen below.
Wu Fei placed the flags forward on the map: “The rest follow me.” Outside the main tent, horses began neighing; clop clop hooves gradually faded, communication soldiers already deploying ahead.
On the sand table, this was a surprise attack jumping suddenly to seventy kilometers away within three days.
