Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝⋆˙⟡♡
“Shi Le has mobilized his forces,” Wang Mi said with a displeased expression in the large tent.
For him, this was not good news. When the Jin Dynasty relocated its capital, he was tasked with besieging, but he found himself alone facing the forces of Bing County. In the process, he lost over eight thousand troops. After managing to regroup his forces, he engaged with the army of Guo Xian, resulting in the loss of several thousand more soldiers. Although they seized a considerable amount of supplies and slaves along the way, the painstakingly trained elite troops couldn’t withstand such losses.
While assistance in the battle was welcome, the fact that Shi Le, who had long allied with Liu Yao, was now joining in was a cause for annoyance, especially considering Wang Mi’s strained relationship with Liu Yao.
“Those Xianbei only lead ten thousand riders; it might be insufficient to besiege a city. Why fear them, Brother?” Wang Zhang snorted, “Besides, this is the Emperor’s decree. That manipulative opportunist Shi Le wouldn’t dare defy orders. Just command him, and the credit will surely be yours!”
Wang Zhang spoke lightly, but Wang Mi nodded slightly. In his view, Shi Le, who randomly chose to submit to a lord, was indeed like a fence-sitter. Moreover, he had more troops than Shi Le. It was clear who the commander and the subordinate were; wasn’t it?
“Let him enter Yan County from Chenliu and join forces with Cao Yi to encircle remnants of Gou Chun!” Wang Mi said decisively.
Previously, Cao Yi had engaged Gou Chun’s forces in Qing County and achieved significant results. However, later, the troops from Ji County intervened, causing some losses. Now that Shi Le, a formidable general, was available, why not collaborate to encircle Gou Chun? When the smaller Gou was defeated, the larger Gou would be isolated and vulnerable. Wasn’t this the opportunity to take Yu County and advance into Shou City?
As for whether Yan County was difficult to conquer and whether they might be ambushed by the forces of Liang Feng, who guarded Si County, were not his concerns.
The messenger hurriedly left for Wang Mi’s main tent, but Shi Le received the military order before reaching there.
“Attack Yan county?” One of his trusted subordinates became anxious upon hearing this. “Yan County is adjacent to the eastern part of Si County, won’t we run into the Bing County forces?”
The subordinates who had followed Shi Le to escape from Ji County all remembered the disastrous experiences of the past. The troops of Bing County were not easy to deal with. If they were attacked from behind while attacking Yan County, it would be disastrous. Didn’t the Emperor order them to assist in attacking Yu County? Wasn’t this order from Wang Mi deliberate?
However, Shi Le remained unperturbed, “Attacking Yan County is fine. The Bing County forces should not have the leisure to worry about others recently.”
Before he set out, Liu Yao had hinted that he should not get too close to Wang Mi. Shi Le had long been aware of the deep-seated conflict between the two. However, choosing the direction of the attack was not something others could influence. Yu County belonged to Wang Mi, and it was clear that it was a marriage proposal. On the other hand, Yan County was an untouched piece of fat, just waiting to be consumed. Once devoured, his own strength would immediately skyrocket.
More importantly, Liu Yuan seemed to be intending to attack Bing County. Whether it was the forces from Si County or Ji County, they shouldn’t make reckless moves and should conserve their strength to deal with the Han state. As long as he could continuously capture cities, allowing more refugees to pour into Si County, it would be a significant accomplishment.
Given this perfect opportunity, how could he not firmly seize it?
“Pass the order down, shift the attack to Chenliu!”
Following Shi Le’s command, this cavalry swiftly changed direction and headed towards Chenliu. Five days later, the Chenliu County government was breached!
While the two large armies wreaked havoc in the regions of Yu County and Yan County, Zu Ti, stationed in Luoyang, found himself overwhelmed. Since Linghu Kuang had returned to Luoyang with twenty thousand civilians, his responsibilities had significantly increased.
Ordering people to repair houses, busy with spring plowing, and having to accommodate the continuous influx of refugees, it was indeed a multitude of tasks. Fortunately, thanks to the lord’s command to leave Linghu Kuang behind to assist, he finally had some moments of respite.
Once Luoyang was roughly stabilized, Zu Ti began to plan the recovery of the counties in Henan and Henai that had been occupied. However, unlike the majority of generals in Bing County who immediately organized a strong attack, he did not rush into it. Instead, he carefully studied the county officials and military commanders in charge of each county. Afterward, he secretly sent out undercover agents, either to incite surrender, sow discord, or create divisions. With little effort, the fallen cities began to stir.
After all, the cities occupied by the Xiongnu were just taken at the end of last year. How could the puppet Han forces fully assimilate in a short time? Under pressure to defect, there were also many remorseful commanders and county officials. After successfully turning two counties, with the cooperation of Linghu Kuang’s forces, Zu Ti began to systematically clear the strategic strongholds near Luoyang. It was unclear whether it was due to insufficient forces or if Luoyang’s significance to the Xiongnu had diminished. Surprisingly, he encountered little resistance in his military operations.
With the assistance of Wei commandant Ge Hong, who dispatched troops from Xingyang to reclaim lost territories, there were signs of the imminent pacification of the eastern part of Si County.
However, while regaining control of the counties was a positive development, the pressure on Luoyang was growing. By late March, there were shortages in the grain supply provided by Bing County. The recently recovered territories were impoverished, and only the starving civilians remained. Adjacent Yan County also suffered from military conflicts, leading to a daily influx of a large number of refugees.
Now facing a shortage of resources, the winter wheat planted last year wouldn’t be ready for harvest for another month. How to cope with the impending famine? Moreover, compared to the conflicts in Yu County and Xing County, the Han forces had remained inactive in Si County for an excessively long time. Zu Ti began to feel uneasy and immediately sent a letter to Jinyang.
At this moment, news also arrived from Xing County. After more than a month of intense fighting, forced into a desperate situation by Cao Yi, Gou Chun intended to leave Qing County and rendezvous with his elder brother Gou Xi. However, on the way through Xing County, he was intercepted by the large army led by Shi Le.
Since entering Xing County, Shi Le’s forces have encountered little resistance, either capturing cities or accepting surrenders along their way. The size of his army has expanded from over ten thousand to a mixed force of forty thousand infantry and cavalry. With such military strength at his disposal, what significance do the remnant enemy forces hold?
In a decisive encirclement, Gou Chun couldn’t escape, meeting his demise.
Upon hearing the news of his younger brother’s death, Gou Xi, enraged, led his troops to Xing County to avenge Gou Chun. However, Wang Mi, who had been entangled in prolonged conflicts, followed closely behind. With a combined force of seventy thousand troops from Wang Mi and Shi Le, they surrounded Gou Xi. The outcome of this battle would determine victory or defeat!
The conflict in Yu County and Xing County was about to erupt. In the Palace of Pingyang, Liu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, “It’s time to attack Bing County.”
Spring is usually not the season for military campaigns, but with Guanzhong securing the rear, as long as Yong County remains stable, there shouldn’t be any issues with food supply. The campaigns against Yu County and Xing County rely on sustained warfare. Once a city falls, it can replenish soldiers, provisions, and countless spoils of war. This type of warfare ensures a perpetual advantage, and it’s the favored strategy of the Xiongnu.
However, Bing County is different. Liang Feng is too benevolent; even when resettling refugees, he ensures they are well-fed, and the taxes levied are surprisingly low. While this approach creates a comfortable life for the people, where will the food come from? Swallowing Ji County earlier has already put a significant strain on their military and financial resources. After gaining control of Si County, a series of actions to capture and rescue cities has further burdened them.
By now, Bing County should be facing shortages, with tens of thousands of refugees pouring in from Xing County. The only hope lies in the summer harvest. With April approaching, the wheat harvest is still a month and a half away. Shangdang has long become the granary of Si County. After the black market blockade, this batch of grain is their only hope!
What if they attack Shangdang now?
Can the strategy of holding onto strong defensive positions and clearing out the enemy still be employed? What is more important, the lives of the people or a season’s worth of food? If they lose the dependable strongholds, can the military strength of the Si County forces withstand the power of the enemy forces several times their size?
Not to mention, he doesn’t even need to engage in battle. Just send troops to trample and burn the mature grain fields. Such a move would be enough to make Si County too preoccupied to retaliate. At that point, he could start the preparations for relocating the capital.
The restless nights and anxious headaches of the past few days seem insignificant now. Liu Yuan rubbed his chest as if trying to dispel the stifling feeling within.
“Send Prince Qin this time. Lead fifty thousand troops and pacify Shangdang!”
※
“The Han is mobilizing its forces.” War reports gathered in Jinyang, with the most prominent one being reported by Xinling. Holding the small piece of paper, Liang Feng seemed to exhale, “Liu Yao is leading fifty thousand light cavalry, preparing to besiege Shangdang.”
Fifty thousand cavalry attacking Shangdang just before the summer harvest – this was indeed a critical piece of news. Not to mention the precarious situation near Luoyang. However, from Liang Feng to his subordinates, not a single person revealed a trace of worry.
Zhang Bin said, “This time, the Xiongnu is exerting all its national strength to disrupt the situation in Bing County. It’s the perfect time to counteract! As long as we can delay this cavalry, internal chaos is inevitable in the Xiongnu, and Liu Yuan, that old scoundrel, will also have his hands full.”
Indeed, in their plan, there was no need to defeat the enemy; simply delaying this force would achieve the desired effect. The Xiongnu’s strategy this time was cunning, but they miscalculated one thing.
Who said that Bing County could only rely on the summer harvest for survival?
On one side, they poured all their resources, and on the other side, there was premeditated planning. The winner and loser were determined from the moment the strategy was set.
“General Linghu, you take ten thousand soldiers and garrison Lishi, guarding against any flanking attacks from the Xiongnu.” Liang Feng gave the order.
“General heeds your command!” Linghu Sheng saluted and acknowledged.
“Boyuan, you lead the Tiger and Wolf Cavalry and twenty thousand stationed troops to Shangdang, coordinating with the three armies!” Liang Feng’s gaze fell on Yiyan.
After a month of anti-bandit training, the new recruits of the Tiger and Wolf Cavalry had seen blood and honed their skills, ready to be deployed. In this major battle, they naturally had to be put to the test!
“Your command!” Yiyan stepped forward, loudly responding. In his gray-blue eyes, a gleam of determination flickered.
Seeing that determined gaze, a smile appeared at the corner of Liang Feng’s lips. He turned his head slightly and said to Zhang Bin, “Meng Sun, the success or failure of this major battle ultimately depends on you.”
Zhang Bin smiled proudly, “Lord, rest assured, I will make the Han reap what they have sown!”
Want to foment chaos in Bing County? I’m afraid Liu Yuan will taste the bitterness of internal strife first. This game is coming to a close!
