大唐双龙传 [Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan] by Huang Yi

[Laoren]

thanks foxs.

[hungryhero]

thanks foxs

[徐中銳]

I too trust you're feeling better And Huang Yi tends to slow boil everything ? We may be battling for the next few weeks

[foxs]

Xiaohu, thanks for asking, I am not 100% recovered, but definitely better than last week. Lao Qianbei, Hungry, you are welcome. Xu Xiong, and then the battle will be told in just one paragraph: Li Mi was defeated because his heart was not pure ... Oh wait, this is not Gu Long ...

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Book 18 Chapter 6 – Military Camp Learning

Yang Gongqing spread out the map on the table, showing the Luo River cutting across the middle. Above it, near the top of the map area, was the Yellow River, which flows parallel to the Luo River. The Eastern Capital Luoyang was represented by a black square dot, located at the western extremity of the Luo River. To the east of it were, subsequently, Yanshi, Luokou, Hulao, and Yingyang. The latter two were built by the Fan River and Suo River, respectively, where the Yellow River met with Luo, Fan and Suo, three rivers.

Standing around the table Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Wang Xuanshu, and Linglong Jiao, four people, were studying the map carefully.

Pressed for time, with the enemy’s troops might arrive any moment, no one dared to lower their guard.

Kou Zhong pointed to the fine marking that represented a city a bit north between the Eastern Capital and Yanshi, saying, “Li Mi’s army is concentrated here. Li Mi is certainly a wily old fox, because dispatching troops from Jinyong, either attacking the Eastern Capital or Yanshi, there is not much difference in term of route, so that it would be hard to pin down which target he is going to attack, or maybe he is going to split his troops to attack two targets at the same time.”

Wang Xuanshu said, “That was precisely the reason Die set up massive military force at Yanshi. If Li Mi has the impertinence to force his troops into the Eastern Capital, our force in Yanshi can then put him in the predicament of facing enemies in front and behind him, while at the same time we can threaten Hulao, Luokou’s safety in the east.”

Yang Gongqing said, “Therefore, if Yanshi fell, the Eastern Capital would also lose its stronghold on the east, and then Li Mi would not have any misgivings protecting his rear or any supply problem, he could focus all his strength in attacking the Eastern Capital. Therefore, whether we can defend Yanshi or not, it really is the crucial point of success or failure.”

Linglong Jiao raised the same concern as Kou Zhong’s speculation, “If he split his troops into two, combined with Dugu Clan’s forces from the inside, with Luoyang being the main target and besieging Yanshi as secondary target, how do we cope?”

Yang Gongqing asserted, “If Xuan Yong’s intelligence is correct, Li Mi has absolutely no ability to launch military offensive of this scale. Moreover, if the Dugu Clan and Yang Dong can defend the Imperial Palace for more than two days, it could already be considered not bad; if they wanted to coordinate outside and inside offensives, that would be ‘having the heart, not the strength’. Let alone all they are hoping for is Shangshu Daren and Li Mi would fight until both sides suffer; how could they be stupid enough to lead the wolf into the house? Therefore, I am not worried about the Eastern Capital at all.

Pointing to a mountain range extending about a hundred li across north of Jinyong city, Xu Ziling asked, “What mountain is this?”

“That is Mount Mang,” Yang Gongqing replied, “Ke Feng’s Laojun Guan is located on one of the summits called Cui Yun Peak.”

Kou Zhong said, “Li Mi is indeed cunning; Jinyong City’s back is leaning against Mount Mang, so he has no fears of trouble in the rear. If we march to Jinyong, he could hide ambushing troops in the mountain, which would be able to kill us before we even have time to think.”

Yang Gongqing said, “Not only that, if he must give up Jinyong, he could pass through Mount Mang, cross over to the great river, retreat and defend Hebei’s strategic town Heyang, which is also Li Mi’s front line force and supporting force’s supply line’s logistic base. Strategically, this arrangement is invulnerable. Therefore, supposing Li Mi does not take the initiative to attack, we practically have no way of getting to him. If we presumptuously attack Luokou, he could send troops from Jinyong to break through Yanshi, our expeditionary force will only end up in total defeat.”

This moment Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling already had thorough understanding of both sides’, theirs and the enemy’s, situation; they started to understand how geography and surroundings played a decisive role in the war.

Yang Gongqing sighed and said, “That was the reason I was in full support of Kou Xiongdi’s tactic of showing weakness to the enemy; otherwise, if we let Li Mi pushing toward the Eastern Capital along the west of the river, drawing our forces away from Yanshi, and then he immediately turn back to Jinyong, we could only return to Yanshi. And if this happens several times, we would be led by him by the nose, tired of constantly running for our lives, and it would be a marvel indeed if we don’t get beaten.”

Kou Zhong had known that Li Mi already planned this clever tactic, hence he came up with the ruse of showing weakness to the enemy. But even after considering a thousand times, ten thousand times, he had never considered that Wang Shichong nearly lose his life for real.

Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, “If we desperately defend Yanshi, with Li Mi’s current strength, will he have any way of breaking through the city?”

Yang Gongqing unyieldingly said, “How much would Li Mi’s injured and weary troops be able to accomplish? As long as we have enough rations and fodder inside the city, I can guarantee that we will be able to hold on and will not let a bunch of Wagang thieves to prevail.”

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Great General’s remark has immediately inspire Xiaodi to come up with a plan, which is the wonderful move of burning their grains.”

Wang Xuanshu had a flash of understanding, “That is superior to the tactic of luring the enemy. We could have fake army provisions transported to the army camp by the pontoon bridge on the southern bank, acting as if we are about to march toward Luokou soon. If the enemy believes that they are successful in burning our rations and fodder, they might immediately send their troops to the south. Is that what you think?”

Kou Zhong shook his head and said, “Er Gongzi is still missing something; we want them to burn the real army provisions. As long as we have provisions remaining for ten days, that should be enough.”

Other than Xu Ziling, the three people were looking at each other in astonishment.

Having a card up his sleeve, Kou Zhong said, “Only by letting them burn the real army provisions would we be able to deceive Li Mi and Shen Luoyan. This is the ‘sinking the boat by a hatchet, fighting the city from its back’ tactic, let the lower-ranked people lose their hearts, only then will we obtain the rivers and mountains in one battle.”

Yang Gongqing sucked in a deep breath of air, “Isn’t it too risky?” he asked.

Full of heroic air, Kou Zhong puffed out his breast and said, “Without the risky move, how are we going to defeat the Duke of Pushan Li Mi, who always emerge victorious from every battle? It is precisely because no one would guess that we are so audacious that they will fall into our trap. As long as we can defeat Li Mi’s main force going down south, Shan Xiongxin’s bunch of old and weak, remnant soldiers, what can they possibly achieve? At that time we will split our force into two, one taking Jinyong, the other pressing on to Luokou, the army provision can be sent from its source at the Eastern Capital, without any worry that someone would cut our supply line!”

Yang Gongqing’s countenance alternated between bright and dark; it was obvious that he was hesitating and could not make up his mind.

Xu Ziling spoke heavily, “Right now the Eastern Capital is too busy to look after itself; if Li Mi employs cutting-off tactic, we will be left alone; sooner or later, because our provisions will be finished, we will fall. Since that is the case, why not trying to lure Li Mi into coming into battle sooner? Then we will at least have a chance to win.”

All blood drained from his face, Wang Xuanshu reminded everybody, “But it’s just a chance.”

Yang Gongqing raised his eyes to look at the beam of the building; it was quite a while later that he opened his mouth, “During the old dynasty, every time Shangshu Daren engaged in battle against Li Mi, he lost not because of military power at all, but because of strategy. This time our military power cannot match the opponent’s, the only way to victory is to rely on strategy. Very well! I’ll bet my money on Kou Zhong against Li Mi, let’s see Laotian [lit. old heaven, God] actually stands on which side.”

Wang Xuanshu took a couple of rapid breathing to calm his nervous mind; he asked Kou Zhong, “Xuanshu is in charge of protecting the provision and the storehouse; how exactly am I supposed to proceed in this matter? An intentional publicity will be …”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “When singing, one must sing the entire song, when dancing, one must perform the entire dance; only then will the audience you are not taking unfair advantage of them. Right?”

The last sentence was addressed to Linglong Jiao, who was staring at him, watching him talking; the latter’s pretty face blushed slightly, and she hung her head down.

Ever since expressing her feeling that she liked Kou Zhong a little bit, it was suddenly so easy for her to have red clouds appeared on her jade cheeks because of Kou Zhong.

Wang Xuanshu nodded and said, “Xuanshu understood. Ay! If this scheme did not come from Junshi’s mouth, Xuanshu would definitely oppose it strongly.”

Xu Ziling said, “Not only this matter has to be kept in strict confidence, it also has to be carried out in strict confidence; military order for city defense must be strictly enforced inside the city, no one will be allowed to get in and out of the city gate. Unless with the Great General’s approval, all officers and soldiers must stay inside the camp, waiting for orders; night time must be especially strict.”

Yang Gongqing nodded and said, “That should be so. After the foodstuff is removed out of the storehouse, it has to be promptly replaced by counterfeit goods to make up the number. I will redeploy twenty-thousand troops in rotation to the wooden stronghold in Henan, to make it appear that we are going to attack Luokou.”

Kou Zhong added, “We’ll also have to station archers on the city walls on sentry duty; any carrier pigeon or other birds that look like they are going to fly out of the city must be shot down. Also, we must guard the irrigation ditch leading out of the city to prevent anybody sending out information. Only by doing this will we make people believe.”

Yang Gongqing laughed and said, “You are not afraid the real information will be cut off?”

Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong replied, “I am afraid that even our surplus grain will be burned by Li Mi; that would be exceedingly bad!”

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling removed their masks back to their original appearance. They urged their horses out of the city, and then slowly rode along the Luo River in the direction of the pontoon bridge.

The sun was setting in the west, on the camp on the opposite bank dots of lights started to appear, smoke from the stoves sprang up everywhere. Although on the surface it looked like a picture of peace and tranquility, in the inside it was actually full of impenetrable, depressing feeling like the stuffy atmosphere on the mountain just before the rain came down.

Talking and laughing, Kou Zhong said, “Yin Gui Pai seems to be suddenly disappear from the surface of the earth; I wonder if they are sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight?”

Xu Ziling took a deep breath, sucking in the fresh and clean smell of the river water, while lifting up his eyes to look at the layer upon layer of verdant and luxuriant forest beyond the opposite bank, extending as far as the eye could see into bluish-green lofty mountain range and hills.

The section of Luo River after Yanshi was winding and twisting downstream, in between rolling green hills, with deep forests filled with blossoming wild flowers adorning both sides of the river. The more than thirty warships moored along the bank looked like decorative objects in a landscape painting.

Kou Zhong spoke again, “I haven’t heard any news about Qin Shubao for a long time [see Book 3 Chapter 2]; I wonder if he is still working for Li Mi. I don’t want to kill him by mistake.”

Finally Xu Ziling produced a response, “Shen Luoyan is very clear what kind of man Qin Shubao is, and she is well aware of his relationship with us; therefore, she will never let him participate in this battle. Zhong Shao, you may set your heart at ease.”

Reaching the pontoon bridge, the two boys reined their horses to stop, to let a team of about fifty mule carts crossed over the bridge.

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[wangxiaohu]

Thanks foxs...

[chualot]

Thanks foxs. Is it just me or have you been translating more lately. Which is a great thing. Please keep it up.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks foxs. How is possible that you're translating faster than I can follow?

This seems like the beginning of the end for Li Mi. I fear for SLY.

[hungryhero]

Thanks foxs... Hope to see some fight next chapter..

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs.

[foxs]

Jaya, Xiaohu, Lao Qianbei, you are welcome. Chua, some days I have more time, some days I have less, but so far I manage to even it up for regular updates. Sky, speak for yourself ... there are a lot of people who think my speed is not fast enough. Hungry, not yet ...

---

Due to the load capacity on the pontoon bridge, only one mule cart was able to cross at one time.

Watchtowers, reaching ten zhang in height, were built on either side of the bridge, with archers serving on sentry duty, to guard and monitor the crossing.

Lowering his voice, Kou Zhong said, “If Li Mi holds back his troops without moving, and does not send his men to burn our granary, we might as well retain only five thousand men at Yanshi, and send out the rest via land water, two routes, to attack Luokou, taking advantage while Luokou’s military force is weak, using the before-the-thunderbolt-reaches-the-ears method we seize the city; and then calmly return to Yanshi, holding Li Mi’s hind legs. If Li Mi retreated, we then strongly defend our position at Luokou. This was precisely the method with which Li Mi defeated Yuwen Huagu last time.”

At that time Yuwen Huaji, using military supply wagon, slipped away again from Huatai, leading his troops north to attack Liyang. Xu Shiji gave up Liyang and went west to defend Cangcheng [lit. storehouse city], while Li Mi’s twenty thousand strong cavalry was stationed at Qingqi. After occupying Liyang, Yuwen Huaji sent part of his troops to besiege Cangcheng. Xu Shiji and Li Mi communicated over the distance, and agreed to build deep ditch and high rampart, but did not go out to battle. However, if Yuwen Huaji attacked Cangcheng, Li Mi would send his troops from Qingqi to attack his rear, so that Yuwen Huaji would face the battle in two fronts. Lasting until Yuwen Huaji was out of provisions, employing a feigned-attack-first-and-then-strike-from-behind strategy, they defeated Yuwen Huaji at Tong Hill.

Kou Zhong’s strategy would not work the same way; it would require two things to be accomplished: first of all was to wipe out Yang Dong’s imperial guards, so that the Eastern Capital would be stabilized, and then he must cut off the supply line between Jinyong and Heyang. From these two, the latter was more difficult to accomplish; at best they would be engaged in open confrontation. But if they waited until Li Mi recovered his strength, the situation would be considerably worse.

How could Xu Ziling not understand Kou Zhong’s frame of mind, which was loaded with gains and losses? “Don’t worry!” he said resolutely, “Li Mi will come. And a lot quicker than you expected. Because he thinks he really inflicted serious damage on Wang Shichong, and that the Eastern Capital is in such a great mess. If he did not come now, then when?”

Kou Zhong smiled ruefully and said, “No one knows my mind better than you. Our military service at Jingling was merely due to us were there at the right time; during the battle we practically did not have time to think. But this time we make plans first and act later, moving the vehicles and dispatching generals on the battleground to face off against our adversary. If we lose, even if we are lucky enough to keep our little lives, our confidence will suffer big blow, then in the future we don’t have to bother our coming out again. ‘Victory or defeat is commonplace in military operations’ is just pleasant to hear, but for most armies, once defeated, it would be very difficult to rebound, so this time we really cannot afford to lose. If Li Mi won, the world will become the battlefield of two Li’s; other people could only stand on the sideline and watch.”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “Worrying is just as useful as his mother’s fart. Originally we have nothing, at worst we will be beaten back to our original shape. Just like the Old Yang said, ‘planning is with man, accomplishing with heaven’ [idiom: man proposes, God disposes]. For example, if there was a sudden thunderstorm, perhaps it would complete change the terrain. There are too many factors on the battlefields that are beyond human’s control.”

Kou Zhong was silent for a moment. Seeing the mule train has safely crossed the river, together with Xu Ziling they urged their mounts to climb onto the bridge. “What do you think of that beauty Shang Xiufang?” he suddenly asked.

Xu Ziling was stunned, “In time like this you still have time to think about women?” he asked.

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “This is called finding balance. Actually, during the banquet she asked me privately to come see her; who would have thought that Wang Shichong was wounded in the assassination attempt that I was so busy that during the dark sky and black earth [idiom: troubled times] unexpectedly I forgot about her.”

Xu Ziling appeared as if he wanted to express his feelings; he said, “It would be best to just forget about her. The moment she boarded the boat and started to leave Luoyang, she ought to cast all people and matters that happened in Luoyang to the back of her mind, and became very remote and obscure things. During the time when the battle is imminent, I dare not even think of Su Jie. Ay! How are we going to resolve this problem anyway?”

Reaching the end of the pontoon bridge, the two boys galloped toward the main gate of the wooden stronghold; both sides of the road were jam-packed with soldiers, vehicles and horses. However, under the heavy pressure of the war, not only there was no clamor of people chatting and laughing, they rarely saw smiling face either.

Kou Zhong asked softly, “Even Shi Feixuan is cast away to the back of your mind?”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “Shi Feixuan is indeed an amazing woman that is hard to forget; however, other than trying to forget her, what else can I do?”

Kou Zhong was astonished, “Ling Ye rarely spoke so forthrightly. I nearly forget to tell you, she called on me yesterday, advising me to withdraw from the power struggle, and then when my mind was in chaos, she simply left. Ay! She is indeed capable to bewitch any man to his death, but is also an unattainable beauty, making Xiaodi also suffer from the same lonesomeness. This is called misfortune we bear together!”

Xu Ziling burst out laughing, “Go to your Niang!” he swore.

Kou Zhong blurted out, “Isn’t my Niang the same as yours?”

In the meantime, two boys have entered the fort. The security at the gate was very tight, vehicles were not allowed to enter without thorough inspection. When the guards saw the two, they all showed deferential manners, a clear proof of their lofty status in the eyes of these soldiers.

In the camp, they were met by Yang Gongqing and Wang Xuanshu, since Linglong Jiao was out on intelligence gathering assignment.

During dinner, Kou Zhong took the opportunity to quiz Yang Gongqing about all kinds of military issues.

Out of curiosity, Xu Ziling asked, “When we were in the south, we witnessed Du Fuwei recruited village peasants into his army by force; it was extremely inhuman. How did the Eastern Capital army come about?”

Sipping his hot tea, Yang Gongqing said, “Since the beginning of Qin dynasty [221-207BC] up to the Northern and Southern dynasties [420-589AD], conscription has been the main method of army recruitment, with mercenary system as secondary. The so-called conscription means all adult males were required to enlist; when nothing happened, they were to serve for a number of years, but during the war, they stayed for the duration of the war. However, since the beginning of Western Wei [535-557AD], the government implemented military system in which in peacetime, when home manufacturing and farming were not busy, citizens went into military training. They have to serve one month of every year, either in the capital or borderland garrison. In wartime, they went to the battlefield; the war ended, they returned home. Weapons, equipment, and provision would have to be self-provided.”

Wang Xuanshu sighed and said, “Yang Guang sent out military expeditions over many years, making the soldiers stayed at faraway garrisons over a long period of time, which was hard to endure, so either they deserted and became fugitive, or rising in rebellion against him. Therefore, Die adopted the mercenary system. Under current situation, as long as we have adequate army provisions, those with courage and strength can throw their lives in for us. It is far superior to the conscription system. Especially the bodyguard unit; they must regard this as a lifelong career, and willing to live as professional military personnel with high salary, generous remuneration. Otherwise we would be thrown into a ‘many-generals-with-no-accomplishment’ or ‘large-tail-obstructing-action’ [i.e. rendered ineffective by subordinates] situation.”

Kou Zhong was puzzled, “With Eastern Capital’s financial resources, why is the number of army recruits less than Li Mi’s ‘many men, great force’? If we recruit talents that Yang Guang left behind, shouldn’t we be able to summon a large number of men and horses?”

Yang Gongqing laughed and said, “Haven’t you heard ‘all troops engaged in fine matters are not engaged in many matters’? Li Mi’s several hundred thousand main forces full of crafty plots and machinations, plus Yuwen Huaji’s lack of food supplies, still ended up in tragic victory. From this you know the importance of elite troops. Ancient sage once said, ‘the higher the number of troops, the weaker the army is; the higher the soldier’s pay, the poorer the country is’. Shangshu Daren is well aware of this principle, if he did not stop the recruitment process, it will only result in superfluous soldiers in crowded situation, which only bring out waste and dire poverty.”

After a short pause, he continued, “Too many men are useless, it will depend on whether the equipment and army provisions can match it. The recruits must undergo strict selection process, to eliminate redundancies and increase quality. The reason Li Shimin prevails in every battle lies in the team of thousand-plus elite troops through rigorous selection and training to form the ‘Black Armor’ cavalry, waiting for an opportunity and attacking suddenly, which repeatedly rendering amazing meritorious service, but also receiving extravagant reward. Although the number is small, they do not fear the enemy’s magnificent army with thousands of men and horses; as soon as the enemy’s disposition is thrown into chaos, his main force would immediately seize the opportunity to launch violent attack, inside and outside working together, the enemy could only nurse a grievance on the battlefield.”

Listening to him, Kou Zhong was radiant with delight; only then did he realize the importance of the ‘Duke Yang Treasure’. No wonder Wang Shichong’s twenty thousand men ‘small army’ was able to make Li Mi so afraid.

This was definitely the case of ‘listening to the words of a wise man can be superior to studying ten years of books’ [Chinese proverb].

Noticing that Yang Gongqing’s excitement, he asked about the organization within the military.

Although Lu Miaozi’s book on military strategy contained exquisite principles, it lacked Yang Gongqing’s personal hands-on, practical experience in managing the army.

Twisting his moustache, Yang Gongqing smiled and said, “How can an army of numerous men and horses, at least several tens of thousands, at most several hundreds of thousands, be formed into elite squads that can be used in battle? There is only one rule: ‘managing the many just like managing a few’. Namely, use a squad of five soldiers [orig. wu]. Two squads become fireteam [orig. huo, classifier for military units (old)], five fireteams become a squad [orig. dui] , two squad are Guan [platoon?], two Guans are Qu [regiment?], two Qus are Bu [division], two Bus become Xiao [brigade?], two Xiaos become Pi [corps?], and two Pis are the army [jun]. Whether it is ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, each unit must have control, one line of communication, and one way to string these units together, as if millions and millions of silk become one thread, crooked strands are pulled together into straight line, none does as he wants, there is no single stray strand. This is a whole and cohesive army, with the great general giving the guiding principle, attaining an effective control and simplifying the complex. In the entire army, from the generals to the soldiers, each person must understand his own responsibility and his relationship with superior, subordinate, and peers, left and right. The formulation is not random. Only then there will be ‘managing the many just like managing a few’ result.”

Kou Zhong praised, “No wonder just now there were so many people on the road, but there was no chaotic situation at all.”

Yang Gongqing said, “Whether it is a wu, a huo, a dui, a guan, a qu, a bu, a jiao, a pi, a jun, or perhaps wu, dui, qi [lit. banner], shao [sentry], si [department], ying [camp/battalion], shi [army division] are only different names, but all use either ten or five as the base, as its principle. Other commissions include heralds, drummers, flag bearers, physicians, groomsmen, signalmen, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other choice of persons, each department with its own duty, constituting a sophisticated combat system, which is qualified to decide superiority on the battlefield against the enemy.”

Kou Zhong was about to speak, suddenly there was shouting outside. While everybody’s countenance was changing, a bodyguard burst into the tent; flustered and exasperated he said, “Reporting to Commander Yang, things look bad.”

The four men were shocked; could it be that Li Mi’s wonder troops have arrived at Yanshi?

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs, for the military lessons. We are now all ready to do battle for the "TANG Dynasty". FORWARD, CHARGE, KILL,KILL,KILL.

[hungryhero]

Thanks foxs.
Yes....finally, I like this bad report. Hope it will be violent and bloody messy report hehehe...

[wangxiaohu]

Thanks foxs,
just realized that Taiyuan is today's Beijing..

[LuDongBin]

Thks foxs.

[chowbeng]

Thanks foxs,
just realized that Taiyuan is today's Beijing..

I don't think so..... Taiyuan should be the ancient city of Jinyang. During Tang and this period, it is the Northern Capital, which in chinese in Bei (north) jing(capital). But it is not the present day Beijing.

[wangxiaohu]

I don't think so..... Taiyuan should be the ancient city of Jinyang. During Tang and this period, it is the Northern Capital, which in chinese in Bei (north) jing(capital). But it is not the present day Beijing.

Oh, I thought when Taiyuan is called "Beijing", it referred to today's Beijing.

Thank you for your pointer, Chow xiong.

[foxs]

Ysabel, Jaya, DongBin, you are welcome. Lao Qianbei, hungry, not yet ... Xiaohu, Chowbeng, good to know ... These days I have more time, so I intend to take advantage of it by posting as much as I can. When the updates slow down, you will know that I am busy in real life; consider yourselves warned.

---

Book 18 Chapter 7 – Secretly Crossing the Wei River at Chenchang[1]

Dumbstruck, Yang Gongqing, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling and Wang Xuanshu, along with a group of high-ranking military officers, looked at the big granary, which already turned into coke. Nobody had anything to say. Lined up on the ground were a dozen or so barn dogs and more than a dozen guards, which had been burned until their bodies were difficult to recognize.

This storehouse was one of the sixteen granaries inside the city, but the amount of grains being stored here was equal to the other fifteen storehouses added together. The fire spread too fast, and generated more than a dozen flames at the same time. Were it not for the high wall separating the storehouse from the other residences, plus the overcast, thick and wet clouds of the month between spring and summer, it was quite possible that the disastrous situation did not stop as it did right now.

The deputy general in charge of guarding the storehouse was kneeling on the ground, trembling continuously, looking extremely pitiful.

Yang Gongqing angrily said, “This is impossible; I have already reinforced the guards, how could you not able to grasp even the enemy’s shadow, yet they were able to commit arson till it looks like this? At the very least, there ought to be some effort in putting out the fire.”

The deputy general spoke in trembling voice, “The fire well has been plugged with sand and stoned by the enemy.”

Stunned, Yang Gongqing said, “How did the spy transport the sand and the stones here?”

Kou Zhong spoke with confidence, “As soon as we send people to search, I am sure we will find a tunnel or something like that. This must be the evil scheme that the enemy has plotted actively. We’d better send people to inspect the other storehouses in the city.”

Promptly an officer accepted the order and left.

Wang Xuanshu pulled the other three aside and spoke in low voice, “This is called ‘a mistake of mistake’. I have just had the real provisions transported to the camp outside the city. The burned grains in here are all fake stuffs. Because my personal bodyguards were responsible for the transport, nobody knew that the new shipment was fake goods.”

Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong said, “Er Gongzi’s efficient work is indeed amazing; was the stuff carried by the fifty mule-train the real grains?”

Wang Xuanshu was pleasantly surprised; he nodded and said, “It was indeed. So what do we do now?”

Yang Gongqing’s spirit greatly aroused, he said, “This is called mistakenly hit the secondary vehicle; also known as Heaven helps me. Right now we must do everything we can to search for the spy. All outsiders not registered locally must be locked up for questioning, while heavily reward citizen who report suspicious characters. On the other hand, we must strengthen the storehouses guards, while trying to find a way to open a secret granary to store our grains.”

Realizing that he had inadvertently set up great merit, which would definitely gain his father’s praises, Wang Xuanshu gladly left to make the arrangement.

Kou Zhong spoke in low voice, “Looks like we should go back to the Commander’s mansion to drink wine to celebrate; we are going to welcome Li Mi’s army soon!”

※ ※ ※

It was not even dawn yet, someone came to wake Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling up and had them go to the Commander’s Mansion, where they saw by Yang Gongqing at the main hall. Wang Xuanshu was yawning. But Linglong Jiao, with windblown-dust face, was sitting by Yang Gongqing’s side, talking and pointing to the strategy terrain chart lying on the table.

As the two stepped into the main hall, Yang Gongqing looked up and saw them; laughing aloud, he said, “Wagang troops are coming!”

Hearing that, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, crowded over in great delight.

Linglong Jiao spoke excitedly, “I have made contact with our informers all over the place, even seeing it with my own eyes, Li Mi’s vanguard unit is pressing on toward Yanshi. If they did not stop over anywhere, we should be able to see Wagang troops’ banner from the top of the city wall. I already dispatched more than a dozen martial art masters with fine qinggong to closely watch their movement. They will send the information via carrier pigeon.”

Kou Zhong asked, “Which troops are moving? How many?”

Linglong Jiao replied, “It’s the new army recruits from outside the city, under Shan Xiongsin, Chen Zhilue and Fan Wenchao, three men’s command. The main force inside the city has not made any movement.”

Yang Gongqing anxiously said, “Li Mi is going to use decoy.”

Xu Ziling asked, “Did Miss Jiao sneak inside the city to see what’s going on?”

Linglong Jiao proudly said, “No city defense can stump me, Linglong Jiao, but the private residences housing the troops are tightly guarded, I was afraid to beat the grass and scare the snake, so I could only look from a distance. The city was quite and peaceful, evidently Li Mi considers victory is within his grasp, he is completely confident.”

Wang Xuanshu asked, “Are those new recruits really as bad as what Xuan Yong said?”

Linglong Jiao replied, “The vanguard regiment under Shan Xiongxin numbered approximately three thousand; they set out in the evening. Because the forest obstructed my line of sight, I could only estimate the number based on the dust raised by the troops; they are all infantry, and they don’t march in squad formation, so I know they are not properly trained regular troops.”

Astonished, Kou Zhong said, “Miss Jiao unexpectedly can tell a lot of things from the dust kicked by the troops; you must be an expert in observation and detective work on the military intelligence.”

Obtaining his praise, Linglong Jiao delightedly cast him a sideway glance and said, “If you want to learn, I can be your Shifu. If the dust is rising high, it is the cavalry; infantry would create a low, wide and rolling dust. Shan Xiongxin’s new army recruits raised low, scattering, untidy dust, precisely because of insufficient training and their formation was not in good order. For well-trained elite army, the dust may rise in columns, clear and not random. When the troops stop the dust stop, this is the marching of the troops under powerful general. The dust scattered left and right, front and back, this is not marching in formation.”

Listening to her, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling submitted with all their hearts; now they knew that observing the enemy was also a scientific knowledge.

This moment a bodyguard came in to report that they had just received information from the front line via the carrier pigeon.

Yang Gongqing received it, took a quick look, and handed it over to Linglong Jiao, saying, “Li Mi’s out-of-town forces are striking up two separate camps on their way toward us, but the main force inside the city still has not made any move. It appears that he is trying to lure us out to attack. Our army provisions were really burned by him, we would have wanted to have decisive battle as early as possible, before our grains run out, rather than painstakingly defending a city under siege.”

Wang Xuanshu nodded and added, “At that time his main force may launch surprise attack on us, killing us while we are caught unprepared.”

Noticing both Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had deep frown on their faces, Yang Gongqing asked in surprise, “Li Mi appears to have fallen into our trap, why do you look troubled instead?”

Xu Ziling said, “I have a feeling that something is not right. Li Mi has Ke Feng as his spy, he ought to know that our side has Miss Jiao, a first-class expert in scouting the enemy’s movement, glaring like a tiger watching its prey, monitoring his troops’ situation. If that is the case, how would he use the decoy?”

Kou Zhong added, “In Miss Jiao’s opinion, did the tight security at the guarded entrance to the private residences housing the troops defy reason?”

Linglong Jiao’s tender body shook slightly; revealing a thinking-deeply expression, she nodded and said, “That is so. The patrolling troops were not ordinary soldiers, but martial art masters within Li Mi’s troops, hence the reason I shrank back.”

‘Bang!’

Kou Zhong slapped the table and said with a sigh, “What a cunning Li Mi! If I guess correctly, he must be using a tunnel or some kind of covering to transfer his main force in batches to a secret camp outside the city. And then when we mistakenly assume that his main force has not left the city, and presumptuously meet Shan Xiongxin’s new army recruits’ attack, he would use the same ruse he defeated Zhang Xutuo in the past, by pretending to be defeated and luring us out of Yanshi, and then from somewhere his troops appear to ambush ours. If that happens, it would be strange indeed if we are not going to be wiped out.”

His countenance changed, Yang Gongqing said, “Does that mean we already lost the decisive opportunity?”

“Not necessarily,” Kou Zhong replied, “Moving out forty thousand men via a secret tunnel only under cover of darkness is something that cannot be accomplished in just a night or a half. Just by looking at when Shan Xiongxin’s troops will arrive, we’ll know how much time is needed, because no matter what, Shan Xiongxin’s new troops will have to wait until Li Mi’s main force is ready before they dare to setup formation outside the city to wait respectfully.”

Wang Xuanshu anxiously said, “If we cannot grasp where Li Mi’s main force is going to move to, we would only be able to send our men into the city to wait painstakingly, our previous plan cannot be carried out anymore.”

Before Kou Zhong could answer, a guard came to report that Xuan Yong was seeking audience.

Xuan Yong only greeted Yang Gongqing and the others briefly before solemnly reported, “Li Mi’s worthy to be called the most outstanding schemer of the present age; unexpectedly he already dug three underground tunnels in advance, and transferred his main forces in batches north to Mount Mang. Were it not for Xiaoren grew suspicious, I would never be able to guess his trick.”

Yang Gongqing asked nervously, “Do you know the exact location of their camp?”

Xuan Yong dejectedly said, “Shen Luoyan is using her reconnaissance bird circling in the sky, so I did not dare to rush indiscriminately into action, plus she is setting up strategically located outposts along the mountain roads so that there is no way to trail them. According to my estimate, based on the current rate, Li Mi would need at least one night to transfer all of his main forces north to Mount Mang.”

Everybody was back around the table to look at the map. They saw that at the upper left corner of Jinyong city, Mount Mang was slanting down straight toward Yanshi’s northeast corner, in unbroken mountain range of about a hundred li, covering a vast area. If they could not grasp the whereabouts of those forty thousand men, when the battle started, the ambushing troops might come out suddenly from anywhere north of the city, which would be confusing and strike fear in their hearts.

Xuan Yong said, “Right now our side does not dare to act blindly without thinking, plus the opponent has martial art masters as numerous as the cloud; as soon as they appear, we wouldn’t be able to escape even if we tried.”

Kou Zhong’s left palm chopped horizontally across, he spoke ferociously, “First of all we must kill that flat-haired beast! Ay, but this will only alert that Shen poniang.”

“Leave this to me,” Linglong Jiao said, “I can enter Mount Mang from the other side, without following the mountain road. As long as they make fire to cook, or perhaps cutting down the forest to open up a path, there are always traces to be found.”

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[1] Chapter title: an idiom, referring to s stratagem used by Liu Bang in 206BC against Xiang Yu of Chu. Figuratively means to feign one thing while doing another.