In any war, it’s essential to plan the battlefield, especially for such a bitter battle fought right at their doorstep.
Standing in front of the sand table, Liang Feng’s gaze was sharp as he stared at the miniature hills and valleys that undulated before him. Shangdang’s terrain was treacherous, surrounded by mountains on all sides, but the interior was as flat as a prairie. To get past Tongdi and Xiangyuan counties, one would enter the Shangdang Basin, covering several counties, including Tunliu, Changzi, Huguan, and Lugu. If they wanted to confront the enemy outside their gates, they would naturally have to take the initiative.
“Fu Jun, will the Xiongnu army really attack from Niexian?” Yiyan had already led his troops out and taken over the defense of Lu City. He knew the prowess of the Xiongnu well and naturally couldn’t rest easy. Now, half of Shangdang’s border was adjacent to the Xiongnu-occupied territory. How could they be certain of the enemy’s marching route?
“Now that Yangyi has fallen, the Xiongnu forces in the Taiyuan region are likely to be even stronger. They won’t waste time detouring through Xihexian. Wuxiang is mountainous terrain, not conducive to the advance of a large army. The best route is through Niexian.” This was the shared opinion of Liang Feng and Yiyan. With the Xiongnu’s large army, there was no need for elaborate strategies. They could simply follow the main road.
“Why not directly deploy troops to Niexian then? If the Xiongnu army crosses Niexian, there will be more paths for them to reach Lu City. If they march faster, it might be difficult to intercept them!” Wu Ling expressed his concern.
“Deploying troops directly to Niexian would put too much pressure on our forces. It’s better to take a few steps back and increase our strategic depth,” Liang Feng shook his head.
They were fighting a defensive battle, not an offensive one. Holding Niexian would be a risky move. In case of defeat, the enemy could easily penetrate their defenses without facing any significant resistance. This strategy was not suitable for the predominantly new recruits in Shangdang. On the contrary, extending their strategic depth would allow for greater maneuverability and provide some psychological advantage to the new recruits.
As for interception… Liang Feng smirked, “General Wu, there’s no need to worry. No matter how fast their horses are, they can’t outrun the beacon fires. Only when they arrive will they realize how different Shangdang is compared to other counties.”
※
“General, there’s another beacon fire ahead!”
Thick black smoke billowed up into the sky, reaching for the clouds. Liu Cong clenched his teeth. How many of these Wu forts were there? How many beacon towers had they passed by? Shangdang was truly making him anxious.
Among the Xiongnu nobility, the activities of the Buddhist followers were no secret. He was well aware of the details of the disastrous defeat at Lu City. Stories of falling stars into the camp and lightning striking on open ground sounded almost like the antics of the Yellow Turban rebels in the late Han dynasty, tinged with an air of mystery. However, Liu Cong was not the type to be scared off by spirits and ghosts. On the contrary, his thoughts were similar to those of Liu Yuan. He believed that this was more a case of “trickery,” a play orchestrated by the Buddhist follower.
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Therefore, after receiving his father’s orders, Liu Cong mustered all his energy. Among the large army, there were only three thousand cavalry, while the rest were foot soldiers. With five thousand light cavalry, they could conduct night raids. But what about the other twenty thousand? Just the sprawling camp spread across several miles would make it difficult for those mystical tricksters to handle.
However, the reality was far different from what he had expected. Upon leading his army into Shangdang, he didn’t encounter defenders or fearful civilians; instead, he found a vast expanse of empty land. Nothing but barren soil, even the wheat stalks were completely burnt, and the villages along the way were deserted, devoid of any signs of life. It felt as if he had stepped into a ghost town.
However, when the first Wu fort appeared in front of him, thick black smoke billowed up violently. It was a beacon fire! Who would have thought that these people would ignite beacon fires at the Wu forts? The lands surrounding Nie County were mostly rolling hills, and if the smoke rose high enough, it could be seen from dozens of miles away. These scattered Wu forts seemed to be interconnected beacon towers, marking their path clearly from one place to another.
Some of his subordinates suggested attacking these Wu forts to prevent them from transmitting messages. However, Liu Cong did not agree. Seeing this scene, how could he not know what the Shangdang Prefect was planning? Most of these Wu forts had just been constructed, and their defenses were still fresh. If they were to spend time conquering them, they might be vulnerable to attacks from behind.
Speeding up was also not the best option. With these defense measures in place, if their troops moved too quickly and carelessly, losing their formation, they might fall victim to enemy ambushes. Facing such cunning adversaries, a steady and methodical approach was the only way. Moreover, there was Liu Yao’s surprise attack on Gaodu. If Zixi knew that the prefecture had been breached, could he remain calm?
With a clear plan in mind, Liu Cong did not immediately attack Nie County. Instead, he bypassed the city’s walls and led his army for two more days. The empty land remained empty, and the beacon fires continued to blaze. Walking through such desolate wilderness, all he saw were Wu forts and beacon fires that seemed to reach the sky. Nowhere else had made him feel like he was penetrating enemy territory so deeply. When would the enemy appear? Did they have to march all the way to Lu City?
When yet another beacon fire erupted seemingly out of nowhere, he could no longer bear it!
These were not signals for communication; they were clearly meant to disrupt his troops’ morale! They had encountered no enemies, no civilians, only an endless array of beacon signals. It left his soldiers on edge, and his commanders filled with doubt. If they continued like this, before even starting the battle, their morale would crumble! They couldn’t let these cunning fox-like enemies lead them by the nose any longer!
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With a flick of the reins, Liu Cong shouted loudly, “Reach Xiangyuan before tomorrow and begin the siege!”
***
“Captain, the enemy’s marching speed has increased, heading towards Xiangyuan!”
With beacon fires, scouts, and spies stationed in various Wu forts, news of the enemy’s movements naturally reached Yiyan promptly.
“They are preparing to attack the city.” Upon hearing the scout’s report, Yiyan guessed the enemy’s intentions.
They hadn’t chosen to engage in a siege battle at Nie County; instead, they lured the Xiongnu army into a second defensive circle to disrupt their morale. Nothing was more draining than remaining on high alert for sneak attacks all day long. As long as they didn’t engage in battle, the enemy would remain unsettled.
If the enemy commanders were foolish, they might have continued straight to Lu City. But it was clear that their opponents were not reckless. Choosing to attack Xiangyuan first was meant to boost their troops’ morale. Although it might take several days for twenty thousand soldiers to conquer a county like Xiangyuan, they had more options.
If reinforcements arrived, they could lay siege to the city and wait for reinforcements. If no reinforcements came, they could dispel the eerie atmosphere they had created earlier and boost morale. If they could capture the city walls, it would be even more advantageous. After only three days in the region, they had already settled on a strategy, indicating that the enemy was a skilled general.
But facing such a commander was even better!
“Immediately break camp and move towards West Zhangpo to confront the enemy!” Yiyan ordered.
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West Zhangpo was a key location on the route to Xiangyuan County, with open terrain that provided enough space to set up formations. It was an excellent location for a field battle.
Upon hearing the commander’s orders, generals like Sun Jiao and Wang Long stood up and responded, “Understood!”
There was no sign of panic or fear on their faces. They had rehearsed various battle scenarios before leaving Lu City, including setting up their formation at West Zhangpo, which their commander had emphasized. With their preparations in place, the enemy had fallen into the designed battlefield as planned. For experienced commanders like Sun Jiao, what kind of formation was this?
Moreover, they had the protection of their Lord!
Seeing his determined subordinates ready for battle, Yiyan coldly nodded. Clearing the land of civilians and adopting a defensive stance could make the enemy lose their patience. Taking the initiative to fight not only disrupted the enemy’s plans but also made them underestimate the defenders.
With these subtle shifts, they gained not only an advantage on the battlefield but also psychological leverage.
This was Yiyan’s first time leading such a large-scale battle, but his thinking was clearer and more resolute than ever. Victory at West Zhangpo was a necessity!
And there was Gaodu… Yiyan squinted his eyes slightly, a hint of cold determination in his gray-blue eyes. The enemy’s advance was not very fast, and they hadn’t attacked Nie County first. It might not be solely because of his strategy. If the enemy split into two groups, one heading straight for Nie County and the other taking the route to Gaodu, encircling from both sides, the pressure on Upper Tang would be even greater.
Therefore, he didn’t mobilize the troops of the Liang family but instead issued orders for them to be on high alert. The Liang family could not afford any mistakes! He wondered if Zhang He could defend Gaodu for their lord!
※
“Deputy Zhang! Gaodu reports that there are thousands of light cavalry crossing the Qin River and approaching Gaodu!”
“It’s really happening!” The camp received a warning yesterday, urging them to be cautious. Today, the enemy’s presence appeared on the flank of Gaodu, and it was a considerable number of cavalry!
Rising to his full height, Zhang He shouted sharply, “Immediately close the Zhiguan Pass and Taihang Pass! Seal the gates of Gaodu tightly! Order the nearby civilians to enter the city as quickly as possible, without delay!”
This was the highest state of alert and an emergency evacuation plan that the Liang family and Gaodu had practiced countless times together. The most dangerous thing when cavalry attacked a city was to catch the defenders off guard. Any hesitation could allow the enemy to rush through the city gates!
Thankfully, they had prepared in advance! However, even so, it would still be a tough battle. This was his first time stationed at the Liang family!
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“Order all units to be on high alert. In this battle, we can only win, not lose!” Zhang He declared loudly.
“Brave and mighty! Invincible in a hundred battles!” In the training grounds, countless voices echoed the response, like thunder on a winter day. The large banner with the words “Brave and Mighty” fluttered above the soldiers, who stood like a forest of spears!
※
After a night of rest and preparation, Liu Cong’s army moved again. Just ahead was West Zhangpo, and beyond that, it was only three li1 from Xiangyuan County. In a small city like that, with only 8,000 soldiers and horses besieging it, the rest could be used to guard against flanking attacks. Whether it was luring the enemy into battle or besieging the city and waiting for reinforcements, they had the upper hand.
What was the use of tricks? What about psychological warfare? Ultimately, they had to face close combat! Just a difference in numbers could secure their unbeatable position.
However, as the army had just traveled two li, a scout came racing back, “Reporting to the general, there are enemy forces ahead at West Zhangpo, they’ve set up camp and formed their ranks!”
“What?” Even Liu Cong couldn’t help but lean forward and quickly asked, “Are you sure it’s the enemy coming to meet us? How many of them?”
“About five thousand, all infantry!” the scout replied.
All infantry, and they dared to obstruct his large army? Liu Cong’s eyes narrowed, and he grinned coldly, “I didn’t expect to find such ‘valiant warriors’ in Shangdang. Since they’ve set up their formation, let them witness the might of our Han army!”
Field battles were much easier than siege warfare. He had a well-trained army of 20,000 soldiers, so what did he have to fear from this mere 5,000? Even if it was a trap, it was a juicy opportunity, and not seizing it would be a great pity.
“Advance the entire army! Slay the enemy and conquer the city!”
With this command, the massive army moved toward West Zhangpo!
In any war, it’s essential to plan the battlefield, especially for such a bitter battle fought right at their doorstep.
Standing in front of the sand table, Liang Feng’s gaze was sharp as he stared at the miniature hills and valleys that undulated before him. Shangdang’s terrain was treacherous, surrounded by mountains on all sides, but the interior was as flat as a prairie. To get past Tongdi and Xiangyuan counties, one would enter the Shangdang Basin, covering several counties, including Tunliu, Changzi, Huguan, and Lugu. If they wanted to confront the enemy outside their gates, they would naturally have to take the initiative.
“Fu Jun, will the Xiongnu army really attack from Niexian?” Yiyan had already led his troops out and taken over the defense of Lu City. He knew the prowess of the Xiongnu well and naturally couldn’t rest easy. Now, half of Shangdang’s border was adjacent to the Xiongnu-occupied territory. How could they be certain of the enemy’s marching route?
“Now that Yangyi has fallen, the Xiongnu forces in the Taiyuan region are likely to be even stronger. They won’t waste time detouring through Xihexian. Wuxiang is mountainous terrain, not conducive to the advance of a large army. The best route is through Niexian.” This was the shared opinion of Liang Feng and Yiyan. With the Xiongnu’s large army, there was no need for elaborate strategies. They could simply follow the main road.
“Why not directly deploy troops to Niexian then? If the Xiongnu army crosses Niexian, there will be more paths for them to reach Lu City. If they march faster, it might be difficult to intercept them!” Wu Ling expressed his concern.
“Deploying troops directly to Niexian would put too much pressure on our forces. It’s better to take a few steps back and increase our strategic depth,” Liang Feng shook his head.
They were fighting a defensive battle, not an offensive one. Holding Niexian would be a risky move. In case of defeat, the enemy could easily penetrate their defenses without facing any significant resistance. This strategy was not suitable for the predominantly new recruits in Shangdang. On the contrary, extending their strategic depth would allow for greater maneuverability and provide some psychological advantage to the new recruits.
As for interception… Liang Feng smirked, “General Wu, there’s no need to worry. No matter how fast their horses are, they can’t outrun the beacon fires. Only when they arrive will they realize how different Shangdang is compared to other counties.”
※
“General, there’s another beacon fire ahead!”
Thick black smoke billowed up into the sky, reaching for the clouds. Liu Cong clenched his teeth. How many of these Wu forts were there? How many beacon towers had they passed by? Shangdang was truly making him anxious.
Among the Xiongnu nobility, the activities of the Buddhist followers were no secret. He was well aware of the details of the disastrous defeat at Lu City. Stories of falling stars into the camp and lightning striking on open ground sounded almost like the antics of the Yellow Turban rebels in the late Han dynasty, tinged with an air of mystery. However, Liu Cong was not the type to be scared off by spirits and ghosts. On the contrary, his thoughts were similar to those of Liu Yuan. He believed that this was more a case of “trickery,” a play orchestrated by the Buddhist follower.
Advertisement
Therefore, after receiving his father’s orders, Liu Cong mustered all his energy. Among the large army, there were only three thousand cavalry, while the rest were foot soldiers. With five thousand light cavalry, they could conduct night raids. But what about the other twenty thousand? Just the sprawling camp spread across several miles would make it difficult for those mystical tricksters to handle.
However, the reality was far different from what he had expected. Upon leading his army into Shangdang, he didn’t encounter defenders or fearful civilians; instead, he found a vast expanse of empty land. Nothing but barren soil, even the wheat stalks were completely burnt, and the villages along the way were deserted, devoid of any signs of life. It felt as if he had stepped into a ghost town.
However, when the first Wu fort appeared in front of him, thick black smoke billowed up violently. It was a beacon fire! Who would have thought that these people would ignite beacon fires at the Wu forts? The lands surrounding Nie County were mostly rolling hills, and if the smoke rose high enough, it could be seen from dozens of miles away. These scattered Wu forts seemed to be interconnected beacon towers, marking their path clearly from one place to another.
Some of his subordinates suggested attacking these Wu forts to prevent them from transmitting messages. However, Liu Cong did not agree. Seeing this scene, how could he not know what the Shangdang Prefect was planning? Most of these Wu forts had just been constructed, and their defenses were still fresh. If they were to spend time conquering them, they might be vulnerable to attacks from behind.
Speeding up was also not the best option. With these defense measures in place, if their troops moved too quickly and carelessly, losing their formation, they might fall victim to enemy ambushes. Facing such cunning adversaries, a steady and methodical approach was the only way. Moreover, there was Liu Yao’s surprise attack on Gaodu. If Zixi knew that the prefecture had been breached, could he remain calm?
With a clear plan in mind, Liu Cong did not immediately attack Nie County. Instead, he bypassed the city’s walls and led his army for two more days. The empty land remained empty, and the beacon fires continued to blaze. Walking through such desolate wilderness, all he saw were Wu forts and beacon fires that seemed to reach the sky. Nowhere else had made him feel like he was penetrating enemy territory so deeply. When would the enemy appear? Did they have to march all the way to Lu City?
When yet another beacon fire erupted seemingly out of nowhere, he could no longer bear it!
These were not signals for communication; they were clearly meant to disrupt his troops’ morale! They had encountered no enemies, no civilians, only an endless array of beacon signals. It left his soldiers on edge, and his commanders filled with doubt. If they continued like this, before even starting the battle, their morale would crumble! They couldn’t let these cunning fox-like enemies lead them by the nose any longer!
Advertisement
With a flick of the reins, Liu Cong shouted loudly, “Reach Xiangyuan before tomorrow and begin the siege!”
***
“Captain, the enemy’s marching speed has increased, heading towards Xiangyuan!”
With beacon fires, scouts, and spies stationed in various Wu forts, news of the enemy’s movements naturally reached Yiyan promptly.
“They are preparing to attack the city.” Upon hearing the scout’s report, Yiyan guessed the enemy’s intentions.
They hadn’t chosen to engage in a siege battle at Nie County; instead, they lured the Xiongnu army into a second defensive circle to disrupt their morale. Nothing was more draining than remaining on high alert for sneak attacks all day long. As long as they didn’t engage in battle, the enemy would remain unsettled.
If the enemy commanders were foolish, they might have continued straight to Lu City. But it was clear that their opponents were not reckless. Choosing to attack Xiangyuan first was meant to boost their troops’ morale. Although it might take several days for twenty thousand soldiers to conquer a county like Xiangyuan, they had more options.
If reinforcements arrived, they could lay siege to the city and wait for reinforcements. If no reinforcements came, they could dispel the eerie atmosphere they had created earlier and boost morale. If they could capture the city walls, it would be even more advantageous. After only three days in the region, they had already settled on a strategy, indicating that the enemy was a skilled general.
But facing such a commander was even better!
“Immediately break camp and move towards West Zhangpo to confront the enemy!” Yiyan ordered.
Advertisement
West Zhangpo was a key location on the route to Xiangyuan County, with open terrain that provided enough space to set up formations. It was an excellent location for a field battle.
Upon hearing the commander’s orders, generals like Sun Jiao and Wang Long stood up and responded, “Understood!”
There was no sign of panic or fear on their faces. They had rehearsed various battle scenarios before leaving Lu City, including setting up their formation at West Zhangpo, which their commander had emphasized. With their preparations in place, the enemy had fallen into the designed battlefield as planned. For experienced commanders like Sun Jiao, what kind of formation was this?
Moreover, they had the protection of their Lord!
Seeing his determined subordinates ready for battle, Yiyan coldly nodded. Clearing the land of civilians and adopting a defensive stance could make the enemy lose their patience. Taking the initiative to fight not only disrupted the enemy’s plans but also made them underestimate the defenders.
With these subtle shifts, they gained not only an advantage on the battlefield but also psychological leverage.
This was Yiyan’s first time leading such a large-scale battle, but his thinking was clearer and more resolute than ever. Victory at West Zhangpo was a necessity!
And there was Gaodu… Yiyan squinted his eyes slightly, a hint of cold determination in his gray-blue eyes. The enemy’s advance was not very fast, and they hadn’t attacked Nie County first. It might not be solely because of his strategy. If the enemy split into two groups, one heading straight for Nie County and the other taking the route to Gaodu, encircling from both sides, the pressure on Upper Tang would be even greater.
Therefore, he didn’t mobilize the troops of the Liang family but instead issued orders for them to be on high alert. The Liang family could not afford any mistakes! He wondered if Zhang He could defend Gaodu for their lord!
※
“Deputy Zhang! Gaodu reports that there are thousands of light cavalry crossing the Qin River and approaching Gaodu!”
“It’s really happening!” The camp received a warning yesterday, urging them to be cautious. Today, the enemy’s presence appeared on the flank of Gaodu, and it was a considerable number of cavalry!
Rising to his full height, Zhang He shouted sharply, “Immediately close the Zhiguan Pass and Taihang Pass! Seal the gates of Gaodu tightly! Order the nearby civilians to enter the city as quickly as possible, without delay!”
This was the highest state of alert and an emergency evacuation plan that the Liang family and Gaodu had practiced countless times together. The most dangerous thing when cavalry attacked a city was to catch the defenders off guard. Any hesitation could allow the enemy to rush through the city gates!
Thankfully, they had prepared in advance! However, even so, it would still be a tough battle. This was his first time stationed at the Liang family!
Advertisement
“Order all units to be on high alert. In this battle, we can only win, not lose!” Zhang He declared loudly.
“Brave and mighty! Invincible in a hundred battles!” In the training grounds, countless voices echoed the response, like thunder on a winter day. The large banner with the words “Brave and Mighty” fluttered above the soldiers, who stood like a forest of spears!
※
After a night of rest and preparation, Liu Cong’s army moved again. Just ahead was West Zhangpo, and beyond that, it was only three li1 from Xiangyuan County. In a small city like that, with only 8,000 soldiers and horses besieging it, the rest could be used to guard against flanking attacks. Whether it was luring the enemy into battle or besieging the city and waiting for reinforcements, they had the upper hand.
What was the use of tricks? What about psychological warfare? Ultimately, they had to face close combat! Just a difference in numbers could secure their unbeatable position.
However, as the army had just traveled two li, a scout came racing back, “Reporting to the general, there are enemy forces ahead at West Zhangpo, they’ve set up camp and formed their ranks!”
“What?” Even Liu Cong couldn’t help but lean forward and quickly asked, “Are you sure it’s the enemy coming to meet us? How many of them?”
“About five thousand, all infantry!” the scout replied.
All infantry, and they dared to obstruct his large army? Liu Cong’s eyes narrowed, and he grinned coldly, “I didn’t expect to find such ‘valiant warriors’ in Shangdang. Since they’ve set up their formation, let them witness the might of our Han army!”
Field battles were much easier than siege warfare. He had a well-trained army of 20,000 soldiers, so what did he have to fear from this mere 5,000? Even if it was a trap, it was a juicy opportunity, and not seizing it would be a great pity.
“Advance the entire army! Slay the enemy and conquer the city!”
With this command, the massive army moved toward West Zhangpo!
