Thank you to Yuki for the ko-fi~ ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
The preparations of the Xiongnu for the army and provisions had not even started when the news reached Jinyang.
“An army of a hundred thousand, this is an invasion from the entire nation.” After receiving the latest military report at Xinling, Liang Feng immediately summoned military and civilian officials to discuss the matter.
This time, Liu Yao had invested heavily. Not only had he mobilized the elite Xiongnu forces, but he had also enlisted leaders from the Qiang and Di tribes, rallying their forces together. As a result, not only was the recently recovered Hedong under the threat of this military force, but even the hinterlands of Si County and Bing County were also at risk.
They had prepared for a possible invasion by the Xiongnu, but who would have anticipated such a massive scale? Did they need to withdraw from Hedong and defend their old territories?
“This battle has come about because of the locust disaster. The Xiongnu are short on food. It might be better to hold firm, clear the fields, and strictly defend the cities, exhausting their provisions. The enemy should collapse without us having to attack.” Duan Qin was the first to voice his opinion.
“Inappropriate,” Zhang Bin shook his head. “In this battle, the Han forces will likely bring a large number of cavalry. If we avoid battle, the cavalry will sweep through like locusts, penetrating deeply. Bing County can be defended, but Si County might not. Moreover, if the Xiongnu invade, the Xianbei of the Duan clan in You County are likely to become restless. If Ji County is attacked, we’ll be caught in a situation of being attacked from both ends.”
The Tuoba clan is already facing a shortage of food, not to mention the Duan clan Xianbei, who have been involved in the Ping County battle for over a year. Once they go to war with the Xiongnu, these Xianbei people will surely take advantage of the situation and loot extensively.
For Bing County, assembling a force of similar size is not difficult. However, using this limited force to defend against a larger enemy attacking from both sides is indeed challenging.
“How about sending troops to surprise Chang’an?” Chi Jian suggested from the side.
“With the natural defenses of Tongguan, entering Yong County is not easy. Moreover, Chang’an is no less formidable than Luoyang. As long as soldiers are holding the city, it’s extremely difficult to conquer,” Zhang Bin immediately shook his head. In the past, when Yiyan raided You County, it was a successful strategy. However, the key was the element of surprise. Liu Yao, being an experienced commander, and also fond of surprise attacks, would certainly consider this. Conquering Chang’an would not be an easy feat.
“Why not have me lead the troops to intercept the enemy in Hedong?” Yiyan suggested.
This was also a viable option, but in doing so, they would have to engage in direct confrontation. If the Xiongnu diverted their forces and the Duan clan suddenly attacked, how would they cope?
Various advisers and generals expressed their opinions. Liang Feng, sitting at the top, lightly tapped his knee with his fingers and suddenly said, “I will personally lead the troops and go to Hedong.”
“Absolutely not!” Several voices exclaimed.
Yiyan had already half-risen from his seat, urgently saying, “The situation is perilous, how can the Lord personally take such risks?!”
Liang Feng raised his hand to stop him, then turned to Zhang Bin, asking, “How many Qiang and Di in Yong County and Qin County are followers of Buddhism now?”
Among these individuals, only Zhang Bin’s expression remained unchanged. He calmly responded, “The number of believers is likely more than half.”
“Since there are so many followers, why not use the name of Buddhism?” Liang Feng raised the corner of his lips.
The Qiang people were already believers in Buddhism, especially with Zhufa Hu residing in Chang’an, which further promoted the prosperity of Buddhism in Yong County. In such a place, how could Xinling pass up the opportunity? With the Xiongnu relocating their capital, the teachings of Buddhism gradually infiltrated the boundaries of Yong County. After two consecutive years of natural disasters and pestilence, Bing County was enveloped in a mythical aura.
Such psychological tactics might not be apparent on ordinary days, but how about on the battlefield? Buddhist followers leading the army into battle would, with just this action, shake the morale of many.
Seeing that Zhang Bin’s expression remained unchanged, Liang Feng understood that he probably had already considered this idea. However, some matters are not easily brought up by subordinates.
Since that’s the case, let him broach this topic.
Moreover, there is more than one advantage to him personally leading the troops into battle.
“If news spreads that I am leading the troops to resist the Xiongnu and leaving Jinyang, would the Duan clan Xianbei ignore it? They would likely immediately dispatch their forces. The Tuoba clan needs food and wants to sell livestock, right? No need for such trouble. Let them use livestock as dry rations and coordinate with the military forces of Ji County to encircle the Duan clan. As long as victory is achieved, I will provide them with food and forage!” Liang Feng decisively declared.
The Tuoba clan needs food, and what nomadic tribes do in times of food shortages is well-known to everyone. Moreover, providing food is secondary; for the Tuoba clan, the territory in You County held by the Duan clan is undoubtedly a tempting piece of meat. With the assistance of the Tuoba clan’s elite troops, repelling the Duan clan is not too difficult.
This way, he would not only face a single battlefield. However, who says Bing County doesn’t have the strength to fight two battles simultaneously?
But making such a decision is still too risky.
Yiyan’s expression had completely changed: “The battlefield is not like discussing strategies on paper. What if something unexpected happens? My lord cannot personally go to war!”
In that voice, all calmness was lost, almost unlike the attitude expected of a subordinate.
Liang Feng raised his head, looked directly into those gray-blue eyes, and shook his head, “There is no foolproof method in the world. If we avoid the battle, it would be a disaster for the three provinces. Just as it was with Wang Jun back then, and it remains the same for the Han now!”
“Lord…”
Yiyan wanted to say something more, but Liang Feng waved his robe sleeves, stood up, and said, “Captain Zhang, you handle the arrangements for the military. Chief Clerk Duan is responsible for the logistics of food and supplies. Internal affairs in Bing County will be temporarily entrusted to Deputy Chief Chi. Spread the order: the three provinces are now under martial law!”
Having said that, he didn’t pause, taking large strides towards the exit. Watching his decisive figure, Yiyan clenched his teeth and hurriedly followed.
One in front of the other, the two figures disappeared. Zhang Bin withdrew his gaze, smiled slightly, and said to his colleagues, “This battle may be more arduous than the one against You County years ago. With our lord leading the troops, morale will surely soar. I hope everyone can work together to withstand the strong enemy…”
As he heard the hurried footsteps behind him, Liang Feng sighed inwardly. This young man indeed wouldn’t easily give up.
A hand suddenly grabbed his sleeve as he walked. Liang Feng halted, turned around, and looked back. Just a few steps, but Yiyan’s forehead was already covered in sweat. He held onto Liang Feng’s sleeve tightly, “My lord, this is a confrontation with tens of thousands of troops. It’s not like usual. How can you expose yourself to such danger?”
“Because it is a grand battle. As the commander, it is safer for me,” Liang Feng’s voice remained steady.
This was a plain truth. Rarely would the commander fall in a large-scale battle. The central army would be surrounded by personal guards, and breaking through such encirclement to reach the commander’s tent was nearly impossible. If the situation became unfavorable, the central army would retreat, with numerous soldiers and horses covering them.
Capturing the head of a general in the chaos of war was more a topic for storytelling and legends. That’s why there were many instances in history of emperors personally leading the troops to defeat but only one example of failure in the Tumu Crisis.
However, these words were useless for Yiyan, “But it’s still a major battle! In the chaos of war, where weapons have no eyes, and especially with so many Xiongnu cavalry, what if something…”
“Yiyan!” Liang Feng interrupted sharply, “How many times have you led troops, covering a thousand miles, and fought alone? Have I ever said a word?”
“That’s different…” Yiyan still wanted to say something.
“That is your duty. I believe you can do what you should. You can overcome the enemy,” Liang Feng’s voice paused, “Now, it’s time for me to fulfill my duty. If it’s just me, it might prevent tens of thousands of innocent people from dying in vain and avoid the devastation of several provinces. How can I avoid going to war? You have your responsibilities, and I have mine. Do you distrust me, or do you distrust yourself?”
His voice was unprecedentedly stern. Yiyan’s words choked in his throat. He hadn’t seen this side of his lord for a very long time. Yet, the fact was, the two first met on a small battlefield. One commanded and the other defeated the enemy, fighting side by side.
Seeing the change in Yiyan’s expression, Liang Feng sighed lightly and reached out to grip his arm, “It’s precisely because this battle is crucial that you cannot be swayed by personal emotions and miss the military situation. In this battle, I am the commander, and you are the general. How to achieve victory, defeat the enemy, and protect the lives of the people in the three provinces should be your sole considerations.”
Not the safety of just one person.
“Lord is the foundation and lifeline of Bing County. Once you go to battle, it will surely attract the enemy’s coveting…” Yiyan closed his eyes, suppressing his voice.
This was what he feared the most. If they could kill the Buddhist followers, the entire Bing County would collapse, and the Xiongnu would regain the “Mandate of Heaven.” This was an irresistibly tempting bait, and the attack by the Xiongnu would be different from the past.
Liang Feng smiled, “Then use me as bait, set up ambushes, lure the enemy, attack them when they are unprepared. Just like a strategic move in military chess, a single move can lead to countless changes. The less calm the enemy is, the greater our chances of victory. This will also tie down the enemy forces, preventing them from dividing and harming other counties.”
It was a strategy that benefited in multiple ways—attacking the enemy’s psyche, luring them into traps, and concentrating the military forces of both sides for a large-scale battle. Only through this could they keep the Han forces gathered in one place, sparing other counties from the ravages of war. This battle was crucial, akin to battles like Guandu and Red Cliffs, determining the survival or destruction of a force.
In this battle, he had the determination to win and the hope of victory!
His black eyes gleamed brightly, like the brightest stars in a summer night sky. His lord had never been afraid, no matter how powerful the enemy.
The tightly clenched heart gradually stopped trembling. Kneeling with that somewhat cold hand, Yiyan slowly knelt in front of Liang Feng, “I am willing to be the vanguard for Lord.”
It had been a long, long time since he had knelt in front of him like this. Memories of the past echoed in his mind. Stepping forward, Liang Feng supported his shoulders and embraced him, “I will also cheer for you, watching you break through the enemy’s formation.”
Different from the initial battles of the Liang household, and different from the solitary defense of Jinyang in the past. This time, he would go to the battlefield and fight side by side with him.
