Chapter 239: Civil And Military Coordination
On September 5th, a north-south encirclement formed; of course, encirclement does not mean deploying a ring outside and then quietly defending without worry. Encirclement means you can pinch the enemy general with ten fingers.
And pinching does not mean the end; you still need to crush it with force.
If the Chong Army only encircles now without quickly striking the knife; it is possible for Zhao Shanhe’s elites and the outer areas to make contact. Then, the Hao Army’s various units in the campaign coordinate synchronously (of course he does not have this ability). It would turn into the Wanmaji Chong Army being encircled.
This is not it; in the great decisive battle that Xuan Chong heard about in his previous life, “blossoming at the center” finally turned into “overextending alone”, which is having planned the campaign deployment but lacking execution ability.
Now, Xuan Chong also showed off his own “campaign command” ability.
With a bamboo token conveyed outward, the northern front line dispatched battalion-level small teams of five hundred men each, launching multi-line contact battles against the encircled Zhao Shanhe forces.
From the map, the northern red group where Xuan Chong resides launches “sword lights” like “Ten Thousand Swords Style”, radiating toward the blue block Zhao Shanhe Group on the map, severing the tentacles of the Hao Army probing outward.
…Perspective enters this sword light on the east side…
At 3 p.m. on the 5th, a three-hundred-man Hao Army team tried to trace villages along the river to find food and grass, firewood, and other resources.
Suddenly fireworks lit up in the sky, and the leading Hao Army general riding a horse knew this was not their own fireworks signal, immediately shouting: “Enemy attack!”
Subsequently, this Hao Army team out foraging for supplies hastily formed a line in disarray with uneven helmets and armor. Its general dispatched a group of bow cavalry to intercept the Chong Army.
However, this Chong Army cavalry group was re-equipped, a pure firearm unit; rifle range is relatively short, but firing rate is faster, with sabres inserted at their sides, obviously intending close combat after firing the firearms.
In the cavalry charge between both sides, the knights on both sides looked at each other’s faces on the undulating horsebacks.
The Hao Army’s thirty archers rapidly fired three volleys, hitting ten men in the Chong Army, but it had no effect, as armor effectively defended against arrowhead penetration.
The Chong Army cavalry did not slow down at all, continuing forward; after the Hao Army knights were stunned, they instantly entered ten-step range, followed by a crisp sound, then gunpowder smoke erupted from the horsebacks.
In the Chong Army tactics plan, the rifle cavalry’s range is a disadvantage; to seize the upper hand, they must endure bow and arrow shooting, arriving at a certain distance before firing.
The Chong Army’s revolver firearms fired rapidly, rows of projectiles shining with “copper sheen” sweeping over the Hao Army bow cavalry unit like a storm. Hao Army cavalry fell from their horses one after another, and immediately after, the Chong Army reloaded a new revolver and swept toward the crossbowmen still busy winding.
Under the bullet barrage, the Hao Army scattered in panic and began to rout. Then the Chong Army’s sabres were raised for pursuit and slashing! — This is the new round of cavalry tactics after wall-style charge. The next step in cavalry tactics is to carry light machine guns for assault.
These Hao Army units dispatched outward to search for supplies were actually flying the “regular army” flag, mobilization soldiers who received one month’s military pay; they were cocky at first, unaware that three days later they were mobilized fifty kilometers to this place to endure Xuan Chong’s tactical strikes.
When these Hao Army soldiers discarded helmets and armor and routed back toward Zhao Shanhe’s main force, the Chong Army cavalry commander did not pursue, but tended to the wounded, destroyed weapons on the ground, and left.
These squad leaders from the non-commissioned officer school could understand Xuan Chong’s current operational intent. Pursuing now has no meaning; Zhao Shanhe forces’ current problem is that food and grass is cut off, returning to camp still consumes food and grass, and if not resolved, they will mutiny.
In the just-concluded assault, the exchange ratio was one to fifteen, with Chong Army holding the advantage; but during pursuit, if encountering roaming Hao Army elites, it would not be worth it.
And this was just a single small scene among many “sword light” clashes.
……
On September 6th, in the Hao Army main camp, defeatism was spreading; after the rear of the thirty-thousand-man corps was cut off, all the dispatched units probing messages from various routes returned dejectedly.
Facing the chaotic troops from various units, Zhao Shanhe issued orders, notifying the vanguard echelons to camp thirty li away, slowing the main camp’s marching speed, with other camps converging toward him.
Obviously, Zhao Shanhe also learned his lesson and did not continue as a pure brute. Now concentrating all troops together, he feared the Chong Army would divide and eat them.
Zhao Shanhe thought hugging into a group would prevent being eaten, unaware that this actually reduced risk for the Chong Army; by clustering like this, the entire army’s speed slowed, giving Xuan Chong sufficient mobilization space.
Xuan Chong: “Yan Laoxi boasts of studying opponents expertly, issuing pocket handbooks; thinking the opponent ‘Forward’ never ate five divisions. Thus he concentrates the corps, unaware of feeding Forward a full meal.”
Thus, seeing them cluster, Xuan Chong began mobilizing corps toward surrounding key points, aiming to swallow a big one in one bite!
The Chong Army’s rhythm suddenly accelerated.
At the same time, in the main camp, Zhao Shanhe waited for his corps to assemble, still immersed in the original plan of defeating the southern route blocking Bei Xie Jing “Chong Army”.
In Zhao Shanhe’s view, the other Chong Army units were very strong, gaining no advantage against them. The only one he could defeat was Wen Siting’s force dragging along large numbers of villagers.
Zhao Shanhe was firm in his judgment: as long as defeating one Chong Army unit and recapturing Bei Xie Jing, linking with Zhao Cheng in Ji Prefecture, he could advance or retreat freely.
Note: Zhao Cheng once commented on Zhao Shanhe, considering his troop leading rigid, unaware of adapting to circumstances. This is a ready example. In this campaign, Xuan Chong had begun “whale swallowing”, yet he still thought defeating Wen Siting would settle it.
Here, after Zhao Shanhe’s personal soldiers passed the orders, the main army rolled forward like a flood.
Almost that very evening, Xuan Chong also received news that Zhao Shanhe was avoiding battle, preparing to thrust south at Wen Siting’s unit. Thus, leaving two thousand troops in Wanmaji, he had Sun Aoling lead two groups totaling eight thousand troops pressing south.
Xuan Chong issued orders to Wen Siting: “Do not defend Bei Xie Jing to the death; now their target is you. Move west to Deer Crossing for defense.”
…Lucky general…
In the south, upon receiving the news, Wen Siting immediately stood up, looking at the intelligence and slowly saying: “Deer Crossing.” He hurriedly got up from the couch, looking for shoes to wear.
Wu Ling sitting nearby: “Why not Fan Bridge? The Hao Army’s pottery figurines and jade lions can pass through there.”
Wen Siting thought for a moment, opened the map and said: “The commander’s intent is to preserve manpower, hoping we first save ourselves. He fears we will be forcibly broken through, so has us hold Deer Crossing. If the Hao Army chooses Fan Bridge—”
Wen Siting circled his finger on the map, adding sixty li of road; then pointed to Sun Aoling’s corps moving south from the north, just able to collide.
Wu Ling frowned: “In that case, we get no merit.”
Wen Siting grinned: “Little brother, rest assured, Zhao Shanhe will definitely choose us. But you, restrain yourself, do not show up too early.”
Wu Ling: “Big brother, take good care of me.”
Wen Siting: “Naturally, definitely let you eat meat.”
That evening, Wen Siting had all his troops change into local native residents’ clothes, only wrapping cloth strips of different colors on their arms to indicate unit types.
Sure enough, after Wen Siting’s troops moved ostentatiously, Zhao Shanhe from the north accelerated toward Wen Siting’s direction.
Zhao Shanhe was desperate for a decisive battle with Wen Siting.
In this battle, though other Zhen State units showed higher professionalism; Wen Siting’s “cloth clothes stratagem” ultimately spread widely in history books, leaving the allusion “cloth clothes challenge”. — After all, this was an “ingenious stratagem” everyone could understand.
…Chong Army all elites…
On the strategic map, the huge blue corps symbol surged toward Deer Crossing like floodwaters.
On the eighth, the vast Hao Army crossed the river. However, the Hao Army’s crossing troops were all infantry. Not unwilling to send jade lions and pottery figurines, but the temporary floating bridges built by dismantling local houses for wooden planks were rickety; war chariots crossing had wheels collapsing several planks, flipping into the river; these giant soldiers were out of the question.
A few Hao Army had just crossed the shaking floating bridge, feet still feeling unsteady, some still vomiting.
This southward Hao Army had many northern troops; well, if Xuan Chong were operating, he would conscript local countryside troops, equip them with armor as the first wave crossing, secure the foothold, and cover subsequent troops entering.
Narration: Xuan Chong and Zhao Cheng are close friends; Zhao Cheng learned Xuan Chong’s non-commissioned officer structure, while Xuan Chong slightly learned Zhao Cheng’s vanguard selection technique. Every army has suicide squads.
After the Hao Army crossed fully eight thousand, two li away on the opposite riverbank, Wen Siting saw it was about enough and had the forward bait troops return.
Wen Siting held a signal gun, while his reliable brothers on the formation line each held command flags waiting for his orders.
With a “pop” sound, the entire army’s six thousand men stood up; though wearing cloth clothes, a murderous aura suddenly arose.
The infantry in breastplates gripped spears, donned helmets exposing only eyes, and advanced following the rhythm of the accompanying suona horns.
Before this battle, Wen Siting showed murderous, riding a Winged Tiger shouting to the armored officers and soldiers: “In this battle, if any camp team has ten or more deserters, the battalion lieutenant gets a one-inch tattoo on the face! If fifty or more flee, squad leader tattoos two inches or more! If a hundred desert, merit cleared! If battalion lieutenant deserts with subordinates, behead!”
Of course, the above were punishments for battalion lieutenants. For soldier deserters, Wen Siting granted battalion lieutenants pre-battle authority to execute on the spot “within twenty men”. (Previously mixing with grass-roots heroes, military law was somewhat playful; now directly using harsh laws to correct.)
Wen Siting knew this great war required “strict military law”. So he instructed his old brothers: in this battle, whoever dares turn back, delaying everyone’s merit-building, forget brotherhood.
In the formation’s suicide squads, his two young disciples, Zhang Hai and Guan Shan each led one; these two suicide squads, before battle, would toss a copper coin to decide who charges first, who supervises from behind!
…Straightforward in front, ingenious behind…
Zhao Shanhe saw the previously scattered peasant army on the opposite shore suddenly become neatly formed like a mountain, abruptly understanding! — This was not the “one-touch rout” motley crew of local ruffians from before; this was regular army.
When Zhao Shanhe panicked, he then heard rumbling cannon fire from the north bank.
He wanted to return to formation, but discovered a splash of vibrant color in the middle of the river!
“Xuan Chong” riding a Great Peacock was on the river surface.
Both sides separated by over a thousand zhang, “Xuan Chong” waved from afar, then circled over the river, and in the mist of the river water behind him, a batch of Dragon Horse troops appeared; immediately after, twenty tower ships drifted downstream. — These were fakes made by Wu Ling with paper.
Just as Wen Siting decided on blocking battle, Xuan Chong also learned the Hao Army was heading for Deer Crossing, so activated all contingency plans, not only accelerating corps southward but also dispatching the upstream fleet.
After cannon fire series hit the shore causing Hao Army chaos and collapse; Wen Siting’s formation just reached firing range, soldiers raised firearms ready to shoot.
This made Zhao Shanhe sigh deeply: “So coincidental, our general (Zhao Cheng) also grasps the battle situation so exquisitely.”
Next was firearm volleys reaping, then Wu Ling’s Winged Tiger and Griffin assault group, plus a batch of Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse war chariots entering from the flank, infiltrating, causing front army chaos.
Cannons also breached a gap, and the war chariot unit that just charged out and turned around perfectly turned back, charging into this gap again.
This time, even the Hao Army had to cry and admit “perfectly connected”.
On the north bank, Zhao Shanhe stared blankly at the opposite shore. When the army sent across the river was repeatedly ravaged by war chariots, cannons, infantry, after just a few incense sticks, the scene of total army rout appeared; his face changed, an ominous premonition rising in his heart.
As a general, having campaigned for years; the opposite troops’ combat coordination flowed smoothly like a music score. This level of command was completely different from the previous rout of those peasant soldiers.
On the Chong Army position, aside from firearm firing tremors, were flag orders flashing like a diode array; all volley coordinations under central army control.
The most prominent was, even when crossing sorcerers used “Arrow Retreat Technique”, it still had no effect; when Arrow Retreat Technique hit a unit instantly, related flags changed from red to blue, the entire unit immediately ceased fire. Rear flying horses then passed overhead sprinkling runes, removing “Arrow Retreat Technique” after dozens of breaths and firing again.
And this was the true direct-line firearm troops’ training level of the Chong Army, not the previous peasant soldiers just changed clothes.
The pseudo-Chong Army of local heroes the Hao Army encountered before absolutely lacked such disciplined firing capability. Those hero martial world people could not accept diverse flag signals at all.
Zhao Shanhe looked at the Sitian Cheng nearby, asking why their magic was ineffective? The Sitian Cheng, body charred black, miserably explained: opponent has great power suppressing, all magic failed.
…True Peacock arrived…
The great battle ended in the afternoon, Hao Army frustrated at Deer Crossing. Xuan Chong flew to glance at the battlefield, praising Wen Siting and Wu Ling’s battlefield deployment.
The north bank Hao Army watched helplessly as these crossing subunits were annihilated, unable to act.
Because on the north bank side, unknown numbers of Chong Army fired cannons from afar. And Hao Army rear raised massive dust, suspected larger ambush troops.
In desperation, Zhao Shanhe led eight thousand hard-topping Wen Siting’s shore firearm grand array, assaulting for full three hours. Casualties fully two thousand.
After three hours, a Chong Army logistics unit loaded infantry cannons on ships to block the river middle, shelling the Hao Army.
And after Wen Siting resolved the half-crossing Hao Army, cooperated with Wu Ling’s air cavalry, using double mobility advantage to bomb-destroy multiple north shore crossing points.
As for why Hao Army also had cannons but did not use long-range fire to counter?
Chong Army heavy cannons could fire hugging the shore, Hao Army wanted to counter with their cannons, but Chong Army gunboats in the river prevented Hao Army cannons from deploying shore-hugging.
Hao Army hilltop-deployed cannons were also flipped by Wu Ling’s air assault.
As for Hao Army cannons unable to hit tower ships first; because these were river surface moving targets, Hao Army could only watch the shore being bombed.
After Zhao Shanhe’s vanguard defeated, he suddenly discovered his entire route’s main army trapped dead at the riverbank.
Difference between military strategist novice and veteran: novice arrogant while veteran calculating; novice stunned while veteran still calculating…
By the next afternoon, Zhao Shanhe discovered rear Chong Army pursuers had arrived, and overnight built five forty-meter-wide strongpoints; these strongpoints were one-and-a-half-meter-high earthen walls plus half-meter-deep ditches forming defensive barriers.
Hao Army felt rear cut off, in death throes launched counterattack. Under continuous Dragon Crossbowmen fire suppression, Hao Army charged once.
On the earthen barrier position, half-meter-deep trenches stuck full of bows and arrows, and recessed gaps on the earthen barrier had firearms continuously firing, massive corpses piled before the position.
And just as soldier corpses filled the trenches, about to trench warfare, tower ships appeared on the river surface, opposite shore cannon booms followed, then Zhao Shanhe received report of more Chong Army coming from the west.
…Paper talk meets old bird…
In the subsequent battle, Xuan Chong this old military strategist gave this Zhao Shanhe, exalted to the heavens by under heaven scholars as “new generation talent”, full-spectrum education.
Hao Army pinned dead at Deer Crossing point, Xuan Chong ordered arriving Sun Aoling to cross upstream.
Staff Department already coordinated ships on upstream river surface.
Hao Army remaining twenty thousand discovered this, but their command system had failed. At main camp edge, Hao Army saw upstream Sun Aoling crossing. Only minority Hao Army reserves wanted to seize chance for counter-charge wave, but south shore war chariots crushed, firepower strikes, made this just an idea.
Sun Aoling crossed in five batches at three locations, Hao Army not catching one “half-crossing strike”.
From the 9th to 12th these three days, Xuan Chong’s command strategies thrown out one after another; while Zhao Shanhe like a computer, issued not one effective order, still hesitating “fight” or “withdraw”.
At this moment, surrounding key towns all taken by Chong Army, encirclement closed.
By 12th morning, Hao Army lost three thousand good brothers brought from Yuhuazhou; these were Zhao Cheng’s direct lines, as for civilian husbands countless, scattering before positions then rounded up.
More importantly, army food and grass fully exhausted, Hao Army pots now cooking inexplicable horse meat.
Zhao Shanhe in the military tent looked at the current dire situation, face grimly turning the compass.
Finally Zhao Shanhe ordered, entire army pack baggage prepare withdraw.
…Transparent…
On the other side, Xuan Chong received latest scout report on Hao Army main camp. Xuan Chong judged: he wants to leave!
Then someone asked: “My lord, enemy wants to flee? How do you know?”
Xuan Chong pointed to enemy main camp across the river, asked: “How are the lights opposite?”
Then answered: “Enemy main camp lights blazing. Probably fearing night raid.”
Xuan Chong: “Night raid, set lights at camp gates, hide ambush in dark spots. Now enemy main camp lights everywhere. Guess what beaten daytime, men and horses exhausted, soldiers resentful, staying up for? Washing hands, hmm, drinking to forget worries?”
Military strategist common knowledge: when morale low, army enforces curfew. Unless explicit order to entire army, keeping all busy with no time for else, then night lighting.
Zhao Shanhe completely unaware, his intent to fight or withdraw all seen clearly by Xuan Chong.
…Cat plays mouse…
That night, Zhao Shanhe entire army prepared, planning quiet departure; but each time preparing to exit camp, discovered lights crossing river upstream and downstream. Thus, the startled bird shrank back to main camp, strictly guarding against camp raid.
Xuan Chong deliberately had people boat on river at night, releasing lights on river surface.
Zhao Shanhe bustled one night, ultimately no river crossing, instead exhausting precious stamina overnight; that evening three camp panics occurred, though suppressed, over a thousand fled, causing main camp unrest, everyone thinking “if cannot win, better flee early”.
Second morning, Zhao Shanhe set banquet in camp, inviting various camp generals into military tent.
These noble family soldiers’ generals, upon entering camp whispered among themselves.
After Zhao Shanhe appeared: “Gentlemen, our army trapped here now, should unite against common enemy.”
However in camp, many generals silently. They looked at Zhao Shanhe’s blood alliance cauldron vessel, and that obviously tricky alliance oath text, expressions varied.
Blood alliance is a Da Yao military ritual, Xuan Chong’s evaluation of this ritual: metaphysical to extreme, can disbelieve, but absolutely not casually try.
Because in Da Yao history, many lords violating blood alliances gained temporary advantage but ultimately abandoned by Heaven’s Mandate.
Xuan Chong associated with his world history, Three Kingdoms eighteen lords blood alliance against Dong Zhuo; masses waving anti-Dong flags to expand seized power, later rose and fell; even alliance leader Yuan Shao and chief ally Yuan Shu suddenly collapsed, sighing at Heaven’s Mandate. But only truly contributing Cao and Sun duo later had foundation.
Ultimately, Xuan Chong used materialism to understand: villains breaking faith has little impact on self. But a great man seeking achievement and his organization breaking faith, then when career reaches crucial moment.
Their past breach records dug up by contemporaries, becoming poison preventing team cohesion.
Thus at great undertaking’s most critical step, related people unwilling to assist, ultimately falling short.
Hence, Xuan Chong though disbelieving blood alliance spirits, out of “establishing trust” principle, absolutely avoids this minefield.
Even less playing word games quibbling on oaths. Even truly dealing with villains, only dispatch subordinate “low-quality talents” to do, self absolutely not speaking casually.
But now Zhao Shanhe dancing on the minefield, his cleverly written alliance oath only has “generals should bravely lead”, no “I shall lead soldiers personally”. This made Xuan Chong sneer: noble family scion? Nothing more.
Now Hao Army various camp generals all noble family scions, not fools, all shrewd; usually only they play such language arts with their own kneeling begging manor tenants. Now someone painting this big pie for them, who wants it?
These noble family scions quite wary of “alliance” such metaphysical methods.
However ultimately, these camp teams still forced to perform blood wine.
In military tent, axe-hand guards chillingly gleaming.
After Zhao Shanhe’s oath fuss finished, immediately purged dissenters. Because some camp teams previously played smart claiming illness, did not come for blood alliance, instead sending deputy camp teams or family nephews. Planning to send proxies to test fortunes before stating position.
But such small smarts now unable to take stage, Zhao Shanhe calling this meeting wanted camps supporting him, not perfunctory responses. — Though alliance oath Zhao Shanhe played tricks to gain future advantages, but now oath formed, holding sufficient righteousness, thus Zhao Shanhe had big stick to deal with people.
With personal soldiers entering various camps, under full view, took away these camps not participating in “blood alliance”.
These camp officers, some wanted resist, but under nearby many camps strict readiness, their soldiers obediently laid down weapons, completing team handover.
Zhao Shanhe like a gambler, after bad situation, smashed home kang head taking hidden money, preparing all-in bet.
Blue Evil Moon high shining, Heluo Region, Zhen Hao’s various countryside militia flying “for overall situation” flags, everywhere seizing grain for self; now south Zhao Shanhe using “alliance oath” as lead, making others back him.
For Blue Evil Moon, most easily obtainable “benefit grab” is ignoring others’ “unchangeable” promises, being that “arrogant over all rule-followers” smart person.
…Abandon trust, establish trust…
13th, annihilation began; on encirclement positions, Xuan Chong mobilized mobile cannons shelling Hao Army positions, forcing Hao Army to assault his positions.
And Xuan Chong dispatched one route south, trying to see if could encircle a point to strike reinforcements on Ji Prefecture side.
And in countryside, Xuan Chong arrived Chenzhou south, received rebel armies incited by Wen Siting.
These heroes brothered with Wen Siting, but upon seeing Xuan Chong felt fear. Because this Duke Zhen had, unlike Wen Siting’s frivolity, an indescribable heavy aura.
Soon they witnessed the “heavy” reason; Xuan Chong per list, arranged women for marriage to their able-bodied leaders. Then distributed money to these able-bodied.
Xuan Chong: “Lay down knife, I give each a field, a house. Want to pick up knife, two paths; first, after assessment enter ranks, treatment same as Wen Siting’s troops. Second, take knife to carve own sky, I divide goods for you to go.”
Everyone exchanged glances, willing to follow Duke Zhen’s arrangements.
Wen Siting’s frivolity because dealing with many heroes, knowing “shared riches promise” is polite talk. Joining under Wen Siting just for a mouthful of rice.
And now Xuan Chong heavy because truly fulfilling Wen Siting’s promises.
Zhen Hao fundamentally unaware of Zhen State’s strategy here. Zhen State not planning victory momentum to sweep under heaven, but with food as outline, revolution from west to east.
Eastern three prefectures, masses of independent farmers not attached to great clans all bankrupted; even mountain gully villages raided by these regular army-flagged militia for strong requisition. Militia began mutual grain seizure, after crossing boundaries both sides bandit suppression.
Old promises bankrupted, new promises born.
Xuan Chong knew the trust he built would someday be overdrawn by some smart villains; but mountains and rivers produce heroes generationally, always heroes “for great achievements, establish great trust”. He just filling correct answers on this lesson.
