Yangyi? For a moment, Ge Hong thought he had misheard. But upon seeing Liang Feng’s expression, a shiver ran down his spine, and he became somewhat breathless, “Lord Prefect intends to attack Yangyì?”
Yangyi had just been captured by the Xiongnu, and such a stronghold would naturally require steadfast defense. It was not a place one could simply attack and conquer. Yet, Liang Feng had just openly mentioned it and appointed him as the County Magistrate of Yangyi. If Ge Hong didn’t know this Prefect well, he might have thought that his mind had gone astray or he had developed some sort of hysteria!
“Shangdang needs Yangyi as a barrier. If this city is not taken, Jinyang will be in danger,” Liang Feng solemnly stated.
This was the strategic goal he had carefully determined. The geographical location of Yangyi was too crucial, as it served as a vital link between Shangdang and Jinyang. If Yangyi were to fall, establishing communication with the defenders in Jinyang would become exceptionally difficult. With the Xiongnu cutting off the connection between Jinyang and Shangdang, they could easily be dealt with one by one.
If one had to designate a battleground, Yangyi was indeed the best choice.
“However…” Ge Hong hesitated for a moment and then said, “But Yangyi is such a strong fortress. Without tens of thousands of troops and spending more than a month, how can we possibly retake it? Not to mention the Xiongnu’s main force is still outside Jinyang. If they rush to Yangyi, they can arrive in half a day!”
They had a fortified city and a large army. It was not something that could be easily taken, even with the odds heavily against them. Ge Hong had read military texts and had experience on the battlefield. How could he not see the absurdity of this situation?
“If it were in the past, capturing Yangyi would indeed be extremely challenging. But this time is far from ordinary; we have celestial assistance. According to Li Xin’s calculations, there will be a solar eclipse on next year’s New Year’s Day,” Liang Feng revealed his trump card.
Ge Hong could hardly believe his ears, “You want to go to war on New Year’s Day because of a solar eclipse?”
This was no joke! New Year’s Day was supposed to be a day of peace, and not to mention, a significant celestial event like a solar eclipse. If such an event occurred, even the New Year’s court ceremony would be halted, let alone starting a military campaign.
Liang Feng had no intention of joking, “Though we managed to repel the Xiongnu earlier, our forces have suffered significant losses. If we engage in another battle, Shangdang will be defenseless. Choosing New Year’s Day is precisely because it’s unexpected. The celestial event is the key to frightening off the Xiongnu. For the sake of the tens of thousands of people in Shangdang, this battle must be fought.”
Ge Hong, to some extent, understood the current situation in Shangdang. Insufficient troops, a multitude of refugees, and a contested region. If the Xiongnu attacked again, not only would several hundred or thousands of soldiers be at risk, but even the cities themselves would be in imminent danger. Should they follow in the footsteps of someone like Sima Teng and abandon the entire region? Or should they turn it into a battlefield, making all the cities into scorched earth?
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However, Ge Hong was reluctant to choose either of these options. After a moment of silence, he spoke, “Your Excellency, how can you be certain that a solar eclipse will occur on that day? Remember that even the Chief Astronomer, responsible for monitoring celestial phenomena, may not always predict solar and lunar eclipses accurately. Let alone the predictions of a layman like Li Xin? In the late Jian’an era, there was a prediction by the Chief Astronomer of a solar eclipse on New Year’s Day. All the court officials advised canceling the New Year’s ceremony, but Minister Xun insisted on holding it, and as a result, the solar eclipse did not happen. Historians can make mistakes, and celestial anomalies may disappear on their own. It would be absurd to base everything on a solar eclipse.”
“Capturing the city does not depend on a solar eclipse,” Liang Feng responded, “This time, we will use gunpowder. Therefore, the success of the siege is not contingent on celestial assistance!”
Ge Hong was left dumbfounded. As the person in charge of researching and producing gunpowder, he was well aware of the current developments. Using this substance for sieges had been a major focus of research and had indeed produced some usable weaponry. However, who would have expected it to be used in a situation like this?
To use gunpowder for a surprise attack on a city, could it succeed? Ge Hong couldn’t guarantee it himself, as nobody had ever attempted it. But using gunpowder to attack a city during a solar eclipse, could it succeed? This was a question that didn’t need an answer.
Liang Zixi, it turned out, had come up with this idea, just as he had with the Battle of Lu City!
Ge Hong felt a complex emotion welling up within him. While everyone saw the solar eclipse as an ominous celestial event, no one had dared to consider it as an advantage. Was this boldness or recklessness? Ge Hong clenched his lips and said, “Your Excellency, do you know that a solar eclipse is seen as an omen of rebellion against a ruler? Even if it scares away the Xiongnu, for you, Your Excellency, it may not necessarily be a good thing.”
The sun represents the emperor, and the moon represents the minister. Therefore, a solar eclipse symbolizes the minister overshadowing the emperor. In the late Han Dynasty, if a solar eclipse occurred, the Three Excellencies might all face punishment or even death. If they chose to send troops on New Year’s Day and a solar eclipse happened during the siege, the impact on Liang Feng’s reputation would be unpredictable.
Upon hearing this, Liang Feng chuckled, “If it can save the lives of the people in this commandery, why should we avoid it because of the potential blessings or misfortunes?”
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He had certainly considered using the impact of a solar eclipse. It was not a good omen; it was the worst of all celestial phenomena. The “Book of the Later Han” states, “Among the great omens, there is none greater than a solar eclipse.” This was an established fact of this era. Furthermore, there was also the symbolism of a minister prevailing over his ruler.
If the Marquises of the Sima family in Luoyang or Chang’an were to learn of this matter, who knows how they would view him. However, it wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts now. If they didn’t try, he feared that they wouldn’t even have the chance to explain themselves when those with the surname Sima came with their armies. Moreover, Liu Yuan declared himself the True Heir, and this event coincided with the recapture of Yangyi during a solar eclipse. The deterrent effect would only be more outstanding.
Looking at the composed expression of the person before him, Ge Hong didn’t know what to say. Who could go to great lengths, even if it meant bearing a bad reputation, to save the lives of so many people? Sima Teng had already fled, and more aristocrats, in high positions with formidable armies, were locked in a power struggle between Luoyang and Chang’an, vying to control the emperor. Did anyone care about the struggling common people?
Ge Hong had experienced war and upheaval. The rebellion incited by Zhang Chang and Bai Bing had swept through the whole of Jiangnan and nearly endangered his family. With a hundred fellow villagers, Ge Hong had joined the rebel forces to quell the unrest, all in the name of averting further bloodshed and saving more lives. However, nobody cared about his contributions at the time. Now, someone needed him to step forward once again, to save the common people of this commandery.
“Yangyi is in peril, and it’s not an ideal destination. However, if Ge Lang assists in this campaign, we will surely succeed without a doubt!” Seeing the conflict on Ge Hong’s face, Liang Feng rolled up his sleeves, bowed deeply, and knelt.
He was the best candidate Liang Feng could think of. Although Ge Hong was still young, he was no less talented than the others. He had distinguished himself in battle, excelled in military strategy, and had the courage to match. What was even rarer was the arsenal of weaponry developed by Ge Hong personally, using gunpowder. No one understood the usage of those siege engines better than him.
He could command a direct assault on the city, make the most secure use of gunpowder, and even face astronomical phenomena like a solar eclipse without losing his composure. What was more important was that Ge Hong was “one of their own.” After capturing the city, he could directly take control of Yangyi, ensuring its smooth operation and incorporating it into the defense system of Shangdang. This was something that none of Liang Feng’s other subordinates could achieve, not even the recently recruited Linghu Kuang.
This bow was made with a kind of solemnity that far exceeded mere courtesy.
However, Ge Hong’s feelings were no longer the same as the excitement he had when he first agreed to serve. In his heart, there was now a tinge of nostalgia and a touch of heroism. He took a deep breath and let out the long-held breath, bowing and saying, “I am deeply grateful that the Marquis does not reject me. I am willing to give it a try!”
The same words, for the second time, carried a completely different meaning from the previous time.
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※
January passed quickly, and the weather in Bing County became colder. Unfortunately, this winter had not seen any snowfall. Aside from the cold, there was the worrisome dryness. No one knew if it would affect next year’s harvest.
Even though they had suffered a defeat in Shangdang, Liu Yuan still went hunting on the last day of the year, paid homage to his ancestors, performed rites for heaven and earth, and prepared for the New Year’s grand assembly. This was only the second time since the founding of the Han Dynasty that the New Year’s assembly was held. With Sima Teng’s escape and the subsequent power vacuum in Bing County, the significance of this assembly was far from ordinary. Not to mention the civil officials, even the military officers on campaigns far from home had to rush back to Lishi.
In a different battleground, no one would dare to act so recklessly. But Bing County was not what it used to be. All the Jin military commanders had withdrawn into their cities, hoping that the Xiongnu would not attack the cities. Those cities that had already fallen into the Han nation’s hands stood united, watching over each other and not fearing surprise attacks from others. Besides, even if there was a battle to be fought, it only took two days to travel from Lishi to Jinyang. Who could capture those fortified cities in two days?
As a result, not only the commanders above but even the soldiers guarding the cities rarely relaxed. After a year of fighting, they had finally reached the end of the year. On New Year’s Day, they could put down their weapons, enjoy rewards, and have food and drink. Why not have a good time during the New Year’s festivities?
From top to bottom, everyone held this mindset, and there was hardly anyone worrying about the war. The newly captured city of Yangyi was no exception. Inside the city, there were 800 Xiongnu soldiers and over 1,000 former Jin soldiers who had surrendered. However, no one feared these surrendering soldiers rebelling. On the contrary, those who surrendered and opened the city hoped most for the Han nation’s victory. Otherwise, what was the point of betraying their loyalty to their former lord? It would be meaningless.
With so many people guarding the city, the city’s generals ordered a grand feast on New Year’s Eve. At such a feast, the rarest wines and foods were generously provided, and everyone drank with joy.
Hearing the cheers coming from the city, the soldiers still standing on the city walls couldn’t help but feel impatient. It was their bad luck to be on duty during this time. Who could wholeheartedly focus on their posts at a time like this? It was just a perfunctory task. In no time, colleagues were sneaking food and wine to the city walls, where soldiers gathered in small groups, eating and drinking.
However, as the distracted city guards huddled together for warmth and snacks, several shadows silently climbed over the city walls and stealthily moved toward Yangyi’s temporary central command. No one noticed these fleeting shadows; they went undetected, waiting in silence for their prey to arrive.
A night of celebration passed. As dawn approached, the soldiers on the city wall, now rubbing their sleepy eyes, began to wake up. They hadn’t drunk much alcohol, but their stomachs were full. With a pleasant feeling of fullness, a soldier tightly wrapped in winter clothing blinked and looked outside the city. What he saw froze him in place.
Outside the city gate, an army was arrayed in strict formation, appearing out of nowhere.
Yangyi? For a moment, Ge Hong thought he had misheard. But upon seeing Liang Feng’s expression, a shiver ran down his spine, and he became somewhat breathless, “Lord Prefect intends to attack Yangyì?”
Yangyi had just been captured by the Xiongnu, and such a stronghold would naturally require steadfast defense. It was not a place one could simply attack and conquer. Yet, Liang Feng had just openly mentioned it and appointed him as the County Magistrate of Yangyi. If Ge Hong didn’t know this Prefect well, he might have thought that his mind had gone astray or he had developed some sort of hysteria!
“Shangdang needs Yangyi as a barrier. If this city is not taken, Jinyang will be in danger,” Liang Feng solemnly stated.
This was the strategic goal he had carefully determined. The geographical location of Yangyi was too crucial, as it served as a vital link between Shangdang and Jinyang. If Yangyi were to fall, establishing communication with the defenders in Jinyang would become exceptionally difficult. With the Xiongnu cutting off the connection between Jinyang and Shangdang, they could easily be dealt with one by one.
If one had to designate a battleground, Yangyi was indeed the best choice.
“However…” Ge Hong hesitated for a moment and then said, “But Yangyi is such a strong fortress. Without tens of thousands of troops and spending more than a month, how can we possibly retake it? Not to mention the Xiongnu’s main force is still outside Jinyang. If they rush to Yangyi, they can arrive in half a day!”
They had a fortified city and a large army. It was not something that could be easily taken, even with the odds heavily against them. Ge Hong had read military texts and had experience on the battlefield. How could he not see the absurdity of this situation?
“If it were in the past, capturing Yangyi would indeed be extremely challenging. But this time is far from ordinary; we have celestial assistance. According to Li Xin’s calculations, there will be a solar eclipse on next year’s New Year’s Day,” Liang Feng revealed his trump card.
Ge Hong could hardly believe his ears, “You want to go to war on New Year’s Day because of a solar eclipse?”
This was no joke! New Year’s Day was supposed to be a day of peace, and not to mention, a significant celestial event like a solar eclipse. If such an event occurred, even the New Year’s court ceremony would be halted, let alone starting a military campaign.
Liang Feng had no intention of joking, “Though we managed to repel the Xiongnu earlier, our forces have suffered significant losses. If we engage in another battle, Shangdang will be defenseless. Choosing New Year’s Day is precisely because it’s unexpected. The celestial event is the key to frightening off the Xiongnu. For the sake of the tens of thousands of people in Shangdang, this battle must be fought.”
Ge Hong, to some extent, understood the current situation in Shangdang. Insufficient troops, a multitude of refugees, and a contested region. If the Xiongnu attacked again, not only would several hundred or thousands of soldiers be at risk, but even the cities themselves would be in imminent danger. Should they follow in the footsteps of someone like Sima Teng and abandon the entire region? Or should they turn it into a battlefield, making all the cities into scorched earth?
Advertisement
AD
However, Ge Hong was reluctant to choose either of these options. After a moment of silence, he spoke, “Your Excellency, how can you be certain that a solar eclipse will occur on that day? Remember that even the Chief Astronomer, responsible for monitoring celestial phenomena, may not always predict solar and lunar eclipses accurately. Let alone the predictions of a layman like Li Xin? In the late Jian’an era, there was a prediction by the Chief Astronomer of a solar eclipse on New Year’s Day. All the court officials advised canceling the New Year’s ceremony, but Minister Xun insisted on holding it, and as a result, the solar eclipse did not happen. Historians can make mistakes, and celestial anomalies may disappear on their own. It would be absurd to base everything on a solar eclipse.”
“Capturing the city does not depend on a solar eclipse,” Liang Feng responded, “This time, we will use gunpowder. Therefore, the success of the siege is not contingent on celestial assistance!”
Ge Hong was left dumbfounded. As the person in charge of researching and producing gunpowder, he was well aware of the current developments. Using this substance for sieges had been a major focus of research and had indeed produced some usable weaponry. However, who would have expected it to be used in a situation like this?
To use gunpowder for a surprise attack on a city, could it succeed? Ge Hong couldn’t guarantee it himself, as nobody had ever attempted it. But using gunpowder to attack a city during a solar eclipse, could it succeed? This was a question that didn’t need an answer.
Liang Zixi, it turned out, had come up with this idea, just as he had with the Battle of Lu City!
Ge Hong felt a complex emotion welling up within him. While everyone saw the solar eclipse as an ominous celestial event, no one had dared to consider it as an advantage. Was this boldness or recklessness? Ge Hong clenched his lips and said, “Your Excellency, do you know that a solar eclipse is seen as an omen of rebellion against a ruler? Even if it scares away the Xiongnu, for you, Your Excellency, it may not necessarily be a good thing.”
The sun represents the emperor, and the moon represents the minister. Therefore, a solar eclipse symbolizes the minister overshadowing the emperor. In the late Han Dynasty, if a solar eclipse occurred, the Three Excellencies might all face punishment or even death. If they chose to send troops on New Year’s Day and a solar eclipse happened during the siege, the impact on Liang Feng’s reputation would be unpredictable.
Upon hearing this, Liang Feng chuckled, “If it can save the lives of the people in this commandery, why should we avoid it because of the potential blessings or misfortunes?”
Advertisement
AD
He had certainly considered using the impact of a solar eclipse. It was not a good omen; it was the worst of all celestial phenomena. The “Book of the Later Han” states, “Among the great omens, there is none greater than a solar eclipse.” This was an established fact of this era. Furthermore, there was also the symbolism of a minister prevailing over his ruler.
If the Marquises of the Sima family in Luoyang or Chang’an were to learn of this matter, who knows how they would view him. However, it wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts now. If they didn’t try, he feared that they wouldn’t even have the chance to explain themselves when those with the surname Sima came with their armies. Moreover, Liu Yuan declared himself the True Heir, and this event coincided with the recapture of Yangyi during a solar eclipse. The deterrent effect would only be more outstanding.
Looking at the composed expression of the person before him, Ge Hong didn’t know what to say. Who could go to great lengths, even if it meant bearing a bad reputation, to save the lives of so many people? Sima Teng had already fled, and more aristocrats, in high positions with formidable armies, were locked in a power struggle between Luoyang and Chang’an, vying to control the emperor. Did anyone care about the struggling common people?
Ge Hong had experienced war and upheaval. The rebellion incited by Zhang Chang and Bai Bing had swept through the whole of Jiangnan and nearly endangered his family. With a hundred fellow villagers, Ge Hong had joined the rebel forces to quell the unrest, all in the name of averting further bloodshed and saving more lives. However, nobody cared about his contributions at the time. Now, someone needed him to step forward once again, to save the common people of this commandery.
“Yangyi is in peril, and it’s not an ideal destination. However, if Ge Lang assists in this campaign, we will surely succeed without a doubt!” Seeing the conflict on Ge Hong’s face, Liang Feng rolled up his sleeves, bowed deeply, and knelt.
He was the best candidate Liang Feng could think of. Although Ge Hong was still young, he was no less talented than the others. He had distinguished himself in battle, excelled in military strategy, and had the courage to match. What was even rarer was the arsenal of weaponry developed by Ge Hong personally, using gunpowder. No one understood the usage of those siege engines better than him.
He could command a direct assault on the city, make the most secure use of gunpowder, and even face astronomical phenomena like a solar eclipse without losing his composure. What was more important was that Ge Hong was “one of their own.” After capturing the city, he could directly take control of Yangyi, ensuring its smooth operation and incorporating it into the defense system of Shangdang. This was something that none of Liang Feng’s other subordinates could achieve, not even the recently recruited Linghu Kuang.
This bow was made with a kind of solemnity that far exceeded mere courtesy.
However, Ge Hong’s feelings were no longer the same as the excitement he had when he first agreed to serve. In his heart, there was now a tinge of nostalgia and a touch of heroism. He took a deep breath and let out the long-held breath, bowing and saying, “I am deeply grateful that the Marquis does not reject me. I am willing to give it a try!”
The same words, for the second time, carried a completely different meaning from the previous time.
Advertisement
AD
※
January passed quickly, and the weather in Bing County became colder. Unfortunately, this winter had not seen any snowfall. Aside from the cold, there was the worrisome dryness. No one knew if it would affect next year’s harvest.
Even though they had suffered a defeat in Shangdang, Liu Yuan still went hunting on the last day of the year, paid homage to his ancestors, performed rites for heaven and earth, and prepared for the New Year’s grand assembly. This was only the second time since the founding of the Han Dynasty that the New Year’s assembly was held. With Sima Teng’s escape and the subsequent power vacuum in Bing County, the significance of this assembly was far from ordinary. Not to mention the civil officials, even the military officers on campaigns far from home had to rush back to Lishi.
In a different battleground, no one would dare to act so recklessly. But Bing County was not what it used to be. All the Jin military commanders had withdrawn into their cities, hoping that the Xiongnu would not attack the cities. Those cities that had already fallen into the Han nation’s hands stood united, watching over each other and not fearing surprise attacks from others. Besides, even if there was a battle to be fought, it only took two days to travel from Lishi to Jinyang. Who could capture those fortified cities in two days?
As a result, not only the commanders above but even the soldiers guarding the cities rarely relaxed. After a year of fighting, they had finally reached the end of the year. On New Year’s Day, they could put down their weapons, enjoy rewards, and have food and drink. Why not have a good time during the New Year’s festivities?
From top to bottom, everyone held this mindset, and there was hardly anyone worrying about the war. The newly captured city of Yangyi was no exception. Inside the city, there were 800 Xiongnu soldiers and over 1,000 former Jin soldiers who had surrendered. However, no one feared these surrendering soldiers rebelling. On the contrary, those who surrendered and opened the city hoped most for the Han nation’s victory. Otherwise, what was the point of betraying their loyalty to their former lord? It would be meaningless.
With so many people guarding the city, the city’s generals ordered a grand feast on New Year’s Eve. At such a feast, the rarest wines and foods were generously provided, and everyone drank with joy.
Hearing the cheers coming from the city, the soldiers still standing on the city walls couldn’t help but feel impatient. It was their bad luck to be on duty during this time. Who could wholeheartedly focus on their posts at a time like this? It was just a perfunctory task. In no time, colleagues were sneaking food and wine to the city walls, where soldiers gathered in small groups, eating and drinking.
However, as the distracted city guards huddled together for warmth and snacks, several shadows silently climbed over the city walls and stealthily moved toward Yangyi’s temporary central command. No one noticed these fleeting shadows; they went undetected, waiting in silence for their prey to arrive.
A night of celebration passed. As dawn approached, the soldiers on the city wall, now rubbing their sleepy eyes, began to wake up. They hadn’t drunk much alcohol, but their stomachs were full. With a pleasant feeling of fullness, a soldier tightly wrapped in winter clothing blinked and looked outside the city. What he saw froze him in place.
Outside the city gate, an army was arrayed in strict formation, appearing out of nowhere.
