Xiao Li raised his rod and pointed at the sand table: “The elite soldiers of our Great Liang descending by rope from both sides of the Great Wall to retrieve arrows from the battlefield was merely a ruse. While the Southern Chen forces surrounded and hunted down our soldiers on the battlefield, blocking our men from bringing arrows back to the city, the true elite forces we dispatched had already climbed the mountains from the dense forests on both sides. They retrieved fire oil previously hidden in the mountains, circled around the Southern Chen encampment, poured it down, and set the mountain ablaze.”
Jiang Yu’s pupils suddenly constricted. As expected, this was where his calculations had failed!
On the mountain, in order to use the dense forest to conceal their hidden grain supplies, they had not cleared out large isolation zones. They had thought this would prevent Great Liang’s scouts from discovering the exact location of the hidden grain, thus preventing them from setting fire to it.
But Great Liang had simply burned the entire mountain. Now, forget the grain supplies—even their military tents and other supplies on the mountain would all be lost.
Fang Mingda was also momentarily stunned. What had seemed like a certain victory had suddenly taken a sharp turn for the worse.
Then he felt his heart turn cold with fear. Great Liang’s strategy was far too solid.
If Great Liang had been even slightly reckless—if they had sent people out of the city before the attack or after just one or two assaults—they definitely would have been on alert and would have sent scouts to watch those who left the city.
But the opponent chose to feign that the city had run out of arrows after several rounds of defensive fighting, sending soldiers out to collect arrows. This completely diverted their attention. After all, climbing down from the city walls on ropes made one a sitting target, so descending from both sides of the Great Wall was understandable.
Their men killed those collecting arrows on the battlefield, and some Great Liang soldiers fled in panic back into the dense forest. Even if their scouts saw Liang troops running around in the forest, they would likely assume they were deserters.
The more Fang Mingda thought about it, the colder his back felt. He raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat streaming down his temples, staring at Xiao Li with lingering fear. He felt that this young Great Liang general, though young in years, had a frighteningly meticulous mind, sufficiently ruthless methods, and was utterly unpredictable.
Liu Zhixian collapsed on the ground, also dumbfounded. In his dozen-plus years in the military, he had never seen such tactics.
Fan Yuan looked at the ugly expressions on the faces of the three from Southern Chen and felt a surge of satisfaction in his heart. He shouted, “How about it? Do you concede or not?”
Liu Zhixian’s face was ashen with defeat. Fang Mingda was speechless. Jiang Yu’s gaze remained locked on the sand table, as if still searching for a way to salvage the situation.
Wen Yu looked at Fang Mingda: “This General Liu of your esteemed country—this Palace shall have him executed.”
How would Fang Mingda dare say half a word of disagreement? With his confidence for the upcoming negotiations completely shattered, he fawned obsequiously, “This person has repeatedly offended Wengzhu. His death is not enough—Wengzhu could even have him torn apart by chariots!”
However, Jiang Yu, who had been staring at the sand table, suddenly spoke up: “This person may be killed, but our Southern Chen has not yet lost this sand table simulation!”
Fang Mingda’s heart jumped. Worried that Jiang Yu might expose his identity, he hurriedly signaled him with his eyes, but saw Jiang Yu looking at Wen Yu with sharp, determined eyes.
After breaking out in wave after wave of cold sweat, Fang Mingda finally understood the purpose behind Jiang Yu’s action.
If they lost this simulation, Southern Chen would inevitably be at a disadvantage in the upcoming negotiations. Compared to exposing his identity, the negotiations with Great Liang were naturally more important.
Wen Yu glanced at Jiang Yu. Though he was merely an attendant who dared to speak out so boldly, she did not question it. She simply said to Xiao Li, “General Xiao, continue the simulation with him.”
Having received Wen Yu’s instruction, Xiao Li continued: “The fire oil was poured around your Chen army’s encampment. As the fire blazed through the forest and consumed the mountain, the Chen troops stationed on the mountain would find it difficult even to escape. The Chen troops at the base of the mountain rushing back to fight the fire would be like trying to put out a cartload of burning firewood with a cup of water. With grain supplies and military resources all burned, I wonder how your esteemed country intends to attack the city next?”
Jiang Yu braced both hands on the sand table, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. He said bitterly, “In ancient times, the Hegemon King broke the cauldrons and sank the boats. Now our Southern Chen has suffered the burning of our mountain encampment. Even if our military resources can no longer be preserved, we still have over fifty thousand soldiers remaining after this bitter battle. After the mountain burning, we will still have at least thirty thousand left. Even if we have to pile up corpses to fill it, we can fill the gates of Bairen Pass!”
Compared to Jiang Yu’s suppressed rage and fury, Xiao Li was surprisingly calm. He said, “When the Hegemon King broke the cauldrons and sank the boats, he still ordered all his soldiers to carry three days’ worth of rations. Southern Chen has been burned to nothing. If you cannot take Bairen Pass in one day, your soldiers will grow weaker from hunger with each passing day. This subordinate does not believe your country’s fighting strength can remain as vigorous as before. Moreover, the Hegemon King’s action was taken of his own initiative to inspire his soldiers’ morale and make them fight to the death. Your country’s military resources and grain supplies were burned by our Great Liang—your country’s morale will likely plummet, and a trend of desertion will arise.”
He also braced both arms on the sand table, lifting his eyes to meet Jiang Yu’s gaze, like two fierce wolves tearing at each other—except his fangs had already bitten into his opponent’s throat: “Due to the dangerous terrain of Bairen Pass, your remaining forces cannot all attack at once. Even if Bairen Pass lacks sufficient arrows, there are inexhaustible rolling stones and battering logs. If all the defending troops in the city fill the walls and rely on hurling rolling stones and logs, they can still prevent you from climbing the walls. Unable to breach the gates for a long time, your Southern Chen morale will only fall again and again. Your subsequent attacks will likely not have the momentum of the first assault.”
Jiang Yu stared fixedly at Xiao Li. This feeling of being suppressed to the point of having no ability to fight back made him both agitated and fearful.
In that instant, he had almost clearly formed a thought in his mind: If this person cannot be used by his Southern Chen, he must be killed!
Xiao Li saw the unwillingness in Jiang Yu’s eyes and continued: “This subordinate must remind your esteemed country—what Wengzhu has allowed me to use to defend the pass is only ten thousand troops. But the military forces and supplies that can be mobilized from Pingzhou are far more than this, not to mention the entire Tao Commandery.”
Hearing this, Fang Mingda’s official robes were truly soaked with cold sweat—one could wring water from them.
Jiang Yu’s face, which had been unwilling, also suddenly stiffened.
Yes, this was the most terrifying aspect of this sand table simulation.
—Their Southern Chen had reported their troop numbers and various supply needs as high as possible, yet Pingzhou, with its meager manpower and resources, had blocked their great army outside the pass.
In a real war, combining the strength of Pingzhou and Tao Commandery, the defense of Bairen Pass would only be fought even more effortlessly.
After digesting this realization, Jiang Yu felt his palms and soles turn cold.
This was not a real war, but if war broke out, it would absolutely be his most crushing defeat.
The Council Hall remained deathly silent for a long while, until Xiao Li turned and cupped his fists toward Wen Yu, reporting: “This subordinate has completed the simulation.”
Wen Yu called to those nearby: “Come.”
The guards standing in the corner immediately stepped forward, dragging away the ashen-faced Liu Zhixian. Soon, the sounds of a blade being drawn and something heavy falling to the ground rang out from outside.
Hearing those sounds, Fang Mingda’s entire body shuddered. When he opened his mouth again, all the fat on his plump face was trembling: “Weng… Wengzhu…”
But Wen Yu did not look at him. She stared at Jiang Yu and said, “A mere attendant would not have such bearing. I wonder which Southern Chen general you are? Your country’s envoys have repeatedly spoken of their sincere desire to form an alliance with our Great Liang. General, by hiding your identity in this manner, it is truly difficult to see any sincerity.”
Jiang Yu felt her gaze was like snow on a sword’s edge—cold, sharp, yet truly magnificent.
He stared at Wen Yu for two breaths. The young Great Liang general who had defeated him suddenly cast him a casual glance, instantly giving him the oppressive feeling that his throat was being crushed between a beast’s teeth.
Jiang Yu hastily withdrew his gaze, but the corners of his mouth imperceptibly curved upward.
Behind the throne of Great Liang’s princess, a fierce wolf was coiled.
He inclined his head toward Wen Yu apologetically and said with a light smile, “Indeed, nothing can escape Wengzhu’s eyes. Jiang Yu pays his respects to Wengzhu.”
Now that Wen Yu had exposed him, there was no point in stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it.
Among the Liang ministers present, quite a few had clearly heard of Jiang Yu’s reputation and couldn’t help discussing it in low voices.
Fan Yuan also let out a cold snort through his nostrils: “I wondered who it was—turns out it’s Southern Chen’s famous ever-victorious general. Your Southern Chen is truly interesting. First, a Chief Minister disguised as a servant, and now even the Imperial Commander dresses up as an attendant. Why not open a theater troupe and perform operas?”
Hearing Fan Yuan’s sarcastic words, both Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda’s expressions turned somewhat ugly, but since they were in the wrong first and were currently at others’ mercy, they could only swallow their anger in silence.
Jiang Yu cupped his hands and said, “This matter is this subordinate’s fault. This subordinate accepts whatever punishment Wengzhu decides.” (aiyinbei.com) [From Aiyinbei Novel, read the latest and complete chapters]
Li Yao, who was advanced in years and often lacked energy, frequently closing his eyes to rest, suddenly lifted his aged eyelids. His gaze, sharp as an eagle’s talons, pierced straight toward him: “So the disrespectful words your Southern Chen generals spoke toward our Great Liang and Wengzhu—were those also under your instruction?”
Li Yao had retired from office years ago, and Jiang Yu knew little about him. But seeing that while all the Liang ministers stood, he alone could sit to Wen Yu’s lower left, Jiang Yu could guess his status was certainly extraordinary. Hearing his question now, which struck straight at the vital point, Jiang Yu’s expression changed slightly. He bowed deeply and said, “I pray Wengzhu will see clearly—absolutely not. This person is arrogant and conceited. Even in the army, he repeatedly refused to obey discipline.”
He avoided mentioning Liu Zhixian’s previous provocation outside the city gates: “Today he was brought here after being released from Pingzhou’s prison. During the sand table simulation, Wengzhu and all the distinguished ministers were watching. When he suddenly spoke without choosing his words, this subordinate truly did not anticipate it. Poor supervision is this subordinate’s fault. Now that the person has been beheaded, if Wengzhu’s anger is not yet appeased, when this subordinate returns to Southern Chen, I will certainly report this to our King and Empress Dowager and have his entire clan of nine degrees executed!”
His response was watertight, but Li Yao had no intention of letting it pass: “Though this old man has long been absent from court, I know that when two countries send envoys to each other, they have always been treated with sincerity. Since Commander Jiang and Grand Steward Sikong have been sent as envoys to our Great Liang, why did you hide your identities?”
Their previous excuse about comparing martial skills with Great Liang’s generals naturally could not hold up. After brief consideration, Jiang Yu said, “This is indeed Southern Chen’s fault. However, Southern Chen’s current achievements have not come easily. Grand Steward Sikong is a veteran minister of three reigns in our Southern Chen and has been entrusted with this important mission. We also feared he might come to harm, and were afraid those below would be negligent in their duties. That is why we resorted to this inferior strategy.”
Li Yao sneered coldly: “Therefore, this is what you call sincerity?”
Fang Mingda kept raising his sleeve to wipe sweat, sheepishly nodding apologetically toward Li Yao.
Jiang Yu said, “Apart from this concealment, our Southern Chen truly does sincerely wish to form an alliance with Great Liang. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager and our King would not have sent Minister Fang here again to apologize to Wengzhu.”
Fan Yuan was about to mock them further when he heard Wen Yu say, “I believe Southern Chen has come with sincerity, just as I too hope to cooperate with Southern Chen.”
She paused here, and amid the surprised expressions of all the Liang ministers and the two men Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda, she parted her lips and said, “After all, for both Southern Chen and Great Liang, cooperating with each other yields the greatest benefits, does it not?”
Seeing Wen Yu suddenly speak this way, Jiang Yu couldn’t help becoming vigilant, though he still said, “That is naturally so. Since Wengzhu is still willing to choose Southern Chen…”
“Xin and Yi prefectures shall belong to this Palace. Southern Chen shall add three million shi of grain. These are this Palace’s current conditions for forming an alliance with Southern Chen. What does Commander Jiang think?” Wen Yu interrupted him, her gentle voice full of coldness.
Hearing the conditions she added, Fang Mingda—whether from being too fat or having stayed in the hall too long—nearly fainted on the spot!