Chapter 87: Seizing A Strategic Stronghold With Ease
The perspective shifts to the third party who believes they are watching the play from the dry riverbank.
In the 10th month of the 32nd year of the Shu Tian Calendar, Prince Lelang suddenly declares open rebellion against Da Yao, prompting Da Yao to launch extermination operations. The northern Wei Guan rebel ministers and local noble families are initially delighted, thinking they can sit on the sidelines, gathering in pavilions with flowing wine along curved streams, plates of fruit and dried meats, freely expressing poetic brilliance. However, ten days later, they discover: they were clearly sitting very far away, yet someone suddenly leaped over a hundred li and kicked them twice hard.
Wu Fei does not limit his gaze to “Zhenzhou,” but looks very far ahead. Similar to Three Kingdoms Kill, if I fight to the death with the enemy and win, what if the third-party mantis stalks the cicada only for the oriole to follow behind and bite me?
Wu Fei: I need to weaken the third party first. The sword in his hand plows northward on the sand-turned simple map.
Having also received a military order document as guarantee from the southern main camp, Wu Fei confirms that Wu Hengyu can hold any reinforcements coming out of Lelang City, carefully calculates the time to ensure his uncle can arrive promptly to take over the main camp he established in northern Zhenzhou, then boldly advances north, cutting off two pieces of flesh on Wei Guan’s territory as well.
Wu Fei’s strategic judgment is this: after the Northern Army captures the Five Prefectures of Chong Shui, they need sufficient buffer zones in the north.
If not done this way, after capturing Zhenzhou, the Imperial Court’s next step will surely be to urge the Wu Family Army to attack Wei Guan. At that time, after the main army enters Yongzhou via the Great Passage, the Imperial Court will definitely appoint prefects in the Five Prefectures of Chong Shui.
If the Wu Family Northern Army fights for too long on this Wei Guan battlefield, the longer the time, the more personnel control nodes the Imperial Court will insert. The Imperial Court will appoint locals one by one as prefects and county magistrates, preemptively seizing the Wu Family Army’s lifelines in Zhenzhou. The so-called establishing a headquarters to govern the area is just a joke.
Noble families are all wallflowers; when the Wu Family Army is strong, they will reconstruct local interests with the Wu Family Army at the core; if the Wu Family Army weakens, they will use Imperial Court support to form their own local interest groups.
When the Wu Family Army moves to Yongzhou and has no foothold after prolonged fighting, if the rear foothold is dug out, that will be Gongsun Zan’s fate.
Wu Fei: But if we secure a base in southern Yongzhou in advance, the Wu Family can maneuver freely when attacking Wei Guan, advancing and retreating at will.
…Wo Niu Pass dividing line…
Wu Fei personally leads five hundred troops through the mountain ridge, clearly feeling the crossing of different climate zones. A blast of northern cold air hits them in the face.
Looking at the mountain stream carved by knives and axes, Wu Fei touches the second phoenix leaf on his arm, and nine long cries echo from above the valley. Nine Phoenix appears in the sky, swoops down rapidly, swings its tail feathers into the mountain stream, landing right in front of Wu Fei. Wu Fei jumps slightly, grabs its tail feathers, and ascends like grabbing a helicopter cable.
After takeoff, the tail feathers flick slightly, Wu Fei flies up, then Nine Phoenix twists and spirals downward like a swimming dragon, catching Wu Fei on its back before he lands, and Wu Fei, controlled by the Body Fixing Technique, handles this sequence of movements with extreme proficiency, quite dashing and at ease.
Wu Fei’s perspective pulls high, clearly seeing the full view of this northward road: between the mountain ranges, the needle-leaf forests and broad-leaf forests on either side of the road change abruptly like a dividing line.
After exiting closed-door cultivation, with merchants from Wo Niu Pass as attendants, the entire army marches toward Yu City.
Wu Fei dismounts from Nine Phoenix, rides the Dragon Horse, personally leads the team to change flags, dons armor, then takes the troops to bluff the city.
Wu Fei does not approach from the south, but leads the team in a big detour, arriving at northern Yu City pretending to be Northern Army reinforcements. Along the way, Wu Fei specifically instructs Wu Family disciples to act slovenly, to wave their flags loosely, and not to manage the non-commissioned officers he promoted. Wu Fei advises the non-commissioned officers: being too rigid makes it look like visiting someone else’s home; act like returning to your own home.
This marching troop arrives at the city gate claiming to be from the Guan Dynasty sent to the southern region for preparatory combat, coming to collect food and grass. After the main army stands outside the city, a hundred men enter and immediately seize the city gate.
Such an important Wei Guan supply depot town in southern Yongzhou is thus tricked and seized.
The captured Yu City garrison commander is bound five-flowered and brought before Wu Fei, who upon seeing him asks: “Aren’t you rebels? Why not fight the violent Da Yao, but attack us instead?” Wu Fei: “We are the Yao Army.”
The garrison commander incredulously mutters: “How could you possibly be the Yao Army?”
After being imprisoned, he keeps repeating “How could you possibly be the Yao Army?” and doesn’t sleep for three days and nights.
…After the eagle is fitted with restraints, Wu Xiao Que bounces around very happily…
At the Prefect of Yongzhou’s mansion, they have not yet received any news of southern cities falling.
Prefect of Yongzhou Ji Fei is even participating in a poetry gathering hosted by a hermit. Since this is a elegant venue of “great scholars laughing and chatting, no commoners coming and going,” vulgar matters cannot be discussed.
As Prince Bo’s confidant, after his appointment, Ji Fei wants to stabilize the local situation and urgently needs recognition from local noble families. With Yongzhou in chaotic times, these families holding the “Classics” no longer “pacify the world,” but choose “self-cultivation.” Thus, current military and government affairs are dismissed as miscellaneous tasks.
As governor, he is inherently a “vulgar person,” now shamelessly squeezing into this circle.
So, when a clerk from the governor’s mansion anxiously seeks to report to Ji Fei, he is blocked at the door by the host hermit’s servant with a broom, not allowed in, saying it would pollute the poetry gathering’s pure atmosphere.
At this time, the hermit’s poetry academy is blooming with a hundred flowers and glistening fresh fruit—this is indeed the effect of “pure atmosphere,” starting from the “spirit” to regulate “essence” and “energy,” thereby extending lifespan; if supplemented with some “medicinal stones,” one can maintain this dust-free charm.
This is the Confucian School’s current method of “self-cultivation.”
Although Governor Ji Fei holds worldly great power, he does not want to abandon this transcendent cultivation experience, so he accommodates these famous scholars. After all, how could a “vulgar person” understand such refined poetry gatherings?
After the clerk reports and waits endlessly without seeing his own governor, he starts shouting outside. This shout dissipates some of the “poetic brilliance” that had been rising in the courtyard.
All the famous scholars look dissatisfied at the governor, and the hermit issues an order to expel the guest.
Feeling his face lost, the governor cups hands in apology. Of course, he does not want to leave just like this: if he leaves now to handle “vulgar matters,” it proves he is a vulgar person and he won’t get poetry gathering invitations in the future.
Thus, he walks out with a stern face.
After hearing the clerk’s report, he immediately rages: “Nonsense! Da Yao troops appearing in the southern region? In Zhenshui Land to the south, Prince Lelang and Da Yao are fighting like mad dogs—how could they head north?!”
Then he thinks this clerk was planted here by Guotai’s Zhao Cheng, and according to reliable news from Guotai, Zhao Cheng has lost power.
Thus, Ji Fei immediately orders: “A few thugs bluffing—how could they seize my city? You must be a rumor-monger spy sent from the south to disrupt our morale! Men, drag him away and lock him up until I deal with him later.”
Afterward, handling these “vulgar matters,” Ji Fei returns to the poetry gathering and, to dispel the dissatisfaction of the worthies, immediately composes a poem, restoring the poetry gathering’s poetic brilliance.
Since Ji Fei is composing poetry, the prefect’s advisors dare not decide on their own; facing urgent messages from southern city generals, they have to take the “prudent” approach: send fast horses to notify the southern prefectures to defend against “bandits” and not act rashly.
Five hours later, after Ji Fei finishes composing, he returns to the governor’s mansion and is shocked to see a “gap” on the prefecture’s feng shui map, then again sends fast horses with a second order to counter the “southern invasion.”
This order conflicts with the previous “hold position” defense.
Wei Guan garrison commanders south of Yongshui, receiving two orders from the governor’s mansion, all summon their subordinates in their respective camps to discuss.
Their subordinates all agree: “Enemy situation unclear now—must observe quietly.”
The Wei Guan garrison nearest Yu City, at Lu City: “Joking—Yu City has fallen, who knows how many troops attacked; no one knows.”
Garrisons along Yongshui and series of prefects slyly choose to obey only the first order, not crossing Yongshui.
…Leisurely elegance versus racing against time…
On Yu City battlements, the Wu character great flag is already raised. Wu Family military strength in Yu City is no longer just the five hundred from the seizure; six thousand have all entered Yongzhou. Wu Fei dispatches one thousand to garrison Yu City, while calling for some local laborers from Zhenzhou to come for co-defense.
The remaining five thousand main army camps outside Yu City; the large stockpiles of food and grass and equipment in the city are transported to the army.
As the huge sundial on Yu City turns, Yao Calculation power infuses the feng shui; at this time, the terrain of the Great Passage slowly rotates—originally vehicles needed human push or beast pull, but now winds blow north, so all vehicles with sails can move on their own.
Now Wu Fei faces two choices. One: stop here, leave one or two thousand to guard Yu City, immediately return to the Five Prefectures of Chong Shui with this elite troop to join the pursuit of Prince Lelang. Two: capture a few more cities, return a bit later—anyway, riding Nine Phoenix, he alone can quickly return to defend the northern Chong Land main camp.
Wu Fei’s original plan: six thousand northward troops steal one Wei Guan city! Leave the troops here, he rides Nine Phoenix back!
Wu Fei does not plan to use this troop of his to grind attrition with Prince Lelang’s mad army in the south. Even including those soldiers recruited from mine slaves.
In Wu Fei’s mind, there is an account: soldiers able to fight far from home must be preserved well; losing them is a big loss for him. If they die, he still has to support their families back home.
Scheming Wu Xiao Que: For attrition wars in some place, use local forces to form military strength whenever possible. Just like the laborer legions recruited in Zhenzhou—they volunteered; Wu Fei didn’t connect with their families during recruitment. Serving at home, after the battle they can be disbanded locally. Similarly, if they die in battle, no need to support their families—that’s the local prefects’ headache. Forming troops from local youths equals a free manpower sink.
As for the mad army? Incite local rebellions everywhere to counter Prince Lelang’s tyranny, then raise the great flag in the main camp to rally local heroes, maintain basic organizational capacity, continuously squeeze Prince Lelang’s control areas with surprise attacks and nibbling blows, exchange for war losses, ultimately drown these lunatics in an ocean.
Returning to this newly opened battlefield in southern Yongzhou, Wu Fei holds the element of surprise, so he must fast attack: occupy strategic points as much as possible. Moreover, Yu City’s “lack of defense” is really too undefended.
Wu Fei looks at the full warehouses in Yu City, pats his chest to soothe his excited emotions: too many supplies in the city—not just grain, but also siege weapons! Wu Fei’s original intel only knew Yu City had massive grain, but his non-commissioned officers excitedly report: this is a military base; with these city supplies as foundation, it’s truly “heaven offers, not taking invites disaster!”
Wu Fei checks: these ample supplies were prepared starting last year under Guotai Great General’s instructions.
That is, Zhao Cheng planned to use them at the right time to capture Wo Niu Pass and supplies for southward advance, but Wu Fei surprise-attacked and took them!
Wu Fei: My luck is really too good, or is it (Wu Fei’s gaze turns toward Guotai in the east) that heroes think alike?
…Aggressive or conservative…
On the gate tower, Wu Fei deliberates.
The great flag flaps in the wind, while below the steps a group of battalion officers starts clustering. Among Wu Fei’s current subordinates, whether Wu Hanluan forcibly sent Wu Family disciples or the non-commissioned officers Wu Fei brought from Lingnan seeking merit, after suddenly tasting victory, they can’t hold back, wanting to claim more merit in this battle.
If Wu Fei rides Nine Phoenix back now, this group will definitely not stay put and go rogue.
Sure enough, Wu Fei already hears various small voices outside.
…”Tiger Head, you’re from the general’s clan, you go.” “I say rice bucket, didn’t we agree together?”…
While these camp teams elect representatives, Wu Fei’s personal soldier comes out, bangs the “gong” toward this group in the corner.
A loud “clang” shocks the squad leaders like mice seeing a cat. The personal soldier then says: “General orders: off-duty camp teams enter the tent.”
After this gong bang, naturally cavalry from below the battlements go to each camp to relay orders; off-duty camp teams must arrive at the tent within two quarters of an hour.
But today, “coincidentally,” those needing notification are all at the door, squatting in the shadows of the camp fence “discussing mutually.”
The personal soldier pretends not to see this group and starts to leave, but these merit-seeking squad leaders can’t wait.
Wu Fei’s personal soldier is immediately grabbed by the sleeve by a Wu Family clan squad leader, who asks: “Hey third brother, does the general know we’re outside?”
This personal soldier looks at him like a fool: “Camp affairs not to be leaked outside.”
…In the Wu Family Army, besides Wu Hengyu, who dares really fight Wu Xiao Que?…
After one cup of tea time, these officers and soldiers stand neatly armored in the camp; their original “force palace” momentum turns into kids waiting for homework check upon meeting Wu Fei.
Wu Fei looks at the sand table, which shows the Five Prefectures of Chong Shui and nineteen cities in three southern Yongzhou prefectures.
Glancing at the sand table, Wu Fei looks up at them and asks: “Now discuss strategy—what are your views?”
Immediately an outsider non-commissioned officer says: “General, our army is now strong and well-equipped; we should attack Lu City and Chang County. These two are key cities south of Yongshui; occupying them allows us to hold and block Wei Guan’s northern Yongshui invasions.”
Wu Fei looks at the others: “You all think the same?”
These generals glance at each other; the second leads: “Young Marshal, issue orders; this subordinate general is willing to be vanguard.”
Wu Fei is silent for a moment, then exhales: “What if I say no attack?”
The generals look at each other; someone indignantly says: “Earlier the general’s moves were brilliant; I thought the general a hero—why now bind feet like a woman?”
As soon as this is said, all generals’ faces change drastically, for this is direct insult. If the main camp commander pursues, beaten to death is no grievance. The speaker is also shocked—originally a thought, how did it come out? (A faint red light flickers imperceptibly)
Surrounding generals hurry to smooth it over, kneel to beg forgiveness for him.
Wu Fei lightly brushes it off letting everyone sit, then casually says: “Just take ten military cudgels later. Don’t waste meeting time.” —As if not just insulted himself.
Then, Wu Fei looks at the sand table map, waiting. Soon, an eagle lands; Wu Fei unties a letter from its leg. After reading, he nods. The letter is simple: “Go all out as much as possible, no rush; fake Prince Lelang lacks troop control talent.”
Here, due to daily reports, Wu Hanluan knows Wu Fei’s situation like the back of his hand. Quick victory benefits Da Yao but with huge losses. Conversely, Wu Fei’s “neglecting legitimate profession” now greatly benefits the Wu Family Army.
Knowing the rear is secure, Wu Fei exhales in relief.
Wu Fei points west on the map to the still-present non-commissioned officers with a wooden stick: “Very well, if not aggressive, it’s unfair to you all. Order: each camp arrange duty shifts, rest of troops finish resting, all officers and soldiers eat three full meals, sleep early tonight.”
Non-commissioned officers hear this clear “prep for battle,” eyes light up. But as Wu Fei names them one by one, most are assigned to outer perimeter on standby for reinforcements.
…Wu Fei anticipates a slightly tough battle…
Thirty hours later, Chang County main city. Here the city walls are five zhang high; garrison on the walls tremble, looking at the troops under the Wu character great flag outside, all hoping their reinforcements arrive soon.
Wu Fei mobilizes five thousand troops (three thousand battle soldiers, two thousand local militiamen) to surround the city in three rings; six counterweight catapults transported from Yu City take a morning to assemble and configure.
The giant wood materials for these catapults are excellent quality—not just for beams, but also bridges. Wu Family Army carpenters check the grain: good grief, even imported from Southern Border. Merchants laboriously transported north for certain big buyers, stockpiled in Yu City—ended up robbed by Wu Fei.
In the three-meter square wooden frame at the front of the seven-zhang high wooden lever, twenty-five 200-kg stone locks are continuously loaded for five-ton counterweight; at the lever front, a 100-kg “cannonball” is tightly netted with ropes, containing 15 kg gunpowder, which triggers explosion upon hitting the wall.
Projectiles arc into the sky one after another.
Due to Wind Control Rune, Da Yao world’s firearms always fly wing-to-wing with old lobbing methods.
Catapult projectiles without Wind Control Rune have 300-step range; with it, up to 600 steps away. Moreover, Wu Fei uses guidance in this battle.
Wei Guan soldiers on the walls are shocked to find cannonballs rolling and turning on descent; when they try to flee, heads suddenly dizzy like dead drunk. These wall garrisons pass out drunk on the battlefield before the cannonballs land. (Yellow Millet Drunk Talisman Paper effect)
Projectile hits the wall, undoubtedly piercing the parapet; collision sends brick and tile fragments flying three zhang, then boom—explosion starts. Shockwave spreads on the wall, all bricks and tiles shake like armor plates. When shockwave dissipates, within its range bricks and tiles are uneven—facilitating Wu Family Army climb to some extent.
600-step lobbing makes wall bow and arrows unable to reach. As for inside the city, lacking counter catapults.
Of course, even with catapult long-range counterfire, useless—skyward, Wu Fei-designated Southern Border Crow People observer soldiers ride great kites aloft, constantly watching city movements.
Sure enough, after first round six projectiles bomb, spots garrison hiding tunnels on battlements.
East walls are mostly very thick; by wall-casting method, height-to-thickness ratio one-to-three. But like battleships, sides thick, tops not so. Catapults hit accurately, top-down initiation can inner-explode hiding garrison inside walls.
Soon second round catapults launch. High in sky, Kite Person reports projectile impact “front-back-left-right deviations”; six catapult crews turn calibration disks to adjust, finally on third shot parameters correct, smashing into mid-wall tunnel to lower levels. Projectile shatters brick-stone top causing collapse, clearly revealing terrified garrison covered in bricks and tiles.
Of course this moment very brief; instant later, firelight erupts within, drowning those thinking safe zone. —Seems like some senior officers.
Next, no garrison on walls.
Wu Fei stops expensive explosive rounds, switches to brittle stone projectiles to suppress wall soldiers, then starts trench work.
Zigzag trench slowly nears under battlements, but last fifty meters turns horizontal; crossbowmen in this horizontal groove start fire cover.
Actually no need—the garrison basically doesn’t show heads anymore; any peeking instantly smashed back by catapults.
Finally dig close to city corner, bury coffin at trench turn by corner.
Boom—east city collapses!
Outside army morale soars, but Wu Fei frowns.
Because Wu Fei looks around: no one comes to rescue? —To Yongzhou side. If really this easy to take, his subordinates will be even more arrogant.
Battalion officers crowd in!
“Young Marshal, now give me three hundred men, I can seize the flag.”
Another undermines: “City collapsed—need three hundred? Marshal, my team alone can take it, capture this city garrison alive.”
Wu Fei slams table: “Enough!” —All quiet down,
Wu Fei eyes the chipped city on sand table: “Heaven has mercy; shoot arrow message, give them six hours to surrender.”
Scene silent, officers and soldiers suppressed—great merit of storming city gone.
Wu Fei sees through their thoughts, cold snort: “This city breach great merit to earthworks group and Wind Control (kite) users; next to crossbowmen shooting from ditches at wall; then tomorrow if enemies don’t surrender, wall-seizing brave soldiers—no objections?”
With reward tiers set, generals shut up, no more clamor.
On shifting first-tier reward from first ascenders, generals have no rebuttal—earthworks burying gunpowder aside, this directly blasted open city; now southeast small dirt slope can run straight up. Without this blast, who knows how many brothers die.
Generals strive for merit but recognize reason.
And second-tier Wind Control users—those stone cannons so accurate, said due to them; they know nothing but when Wind Control fails several times, Wind Controllers fall from dozens zhang high, crippled heavy injuries—know this job no less blood labor than first assault.
Wu Fei turns: “Now arrange encircle three leave one open, release northeast side.”
Wu Fei: “Don’t release women; suspected city servants don’t release; only allow fleeing soldiers out. Additionally, brightly dressed ones, brothers extort enough money then release. Of course after taking money don’t kill, give passage token let them scram.”
Wu Fei inwardly plans: only latter two types can help Wu Fei convey message to Yongzhou native factions.
A battalion officer asks: “Sir, what percent of money to hand over?”
Wu Fei glances: “If I make you hand over, you’d hide a few taels gold even in shitholes. Keep for yourselves, but on return whoever loses armor or weapons—behead!”
Front sentence makes generals chuckle, but back sentence feels Wu Fei’s killing intent; several battalion officers mutter, still hand over some to Wu Fei.
Little do they know, Wu Fei doesn’t care about soldiers’ city-looting money—to preemptively vaccinate for next entering Chang County. Soldiers ignoring Wu Fei’s warning will be very dangerous.
