Baiti Ridge was still positioned somewhat too far north, and over half of Chishan Association’s forces at Baiti Ridge were slow-moving women and children.
Liang Army cavalry moved swift as wind, their momentum like thunder and lightning.
In a situation where they need not worry about Great Chu using warships to mobilize troops along rivers and waterways for interception and blockade, once Liang Army cavalry crossed the Huai River heading south, all areas on the Yangtze River’s northern shore without heavy troop defenses would very likely fall under their control.
Whether Han Qian or Feng Liao, neither could be certain at this moment that Liang Army scouts and spies lurking in the Jiang-Huai region truly hadn’t noticed Chishan Association’s presence at Baiti Ridge.
Xuzhou’s river forces would need at minimum ten days to half a month to reach Jinling. Chishan Association’s forces and women and children at Baiti Ridge needed to withdraw in advance to the western shore of the Hangou Canal at this time to guard against trouble.
This was also the main reason Feng Liao rushed over to see Wang Wenqian.
Without Wang Wenqian’s agreement, how could several thousand Chishan Association members and their families withdraw en masse ahead of time to the Hangou Canal’s western shore without coming under attack from Huaidong forces?
“If my lord’s expectations are correct, the fortified towns at places like Yingzhou and Xuzhou in Liang Kingdom have now all dispersed large numbers of cavalry into garrison. The Huai River has already formed thin ice at this time. In two more days comes the Heavy Snow solar term. If the weather continues this cold for another three to five days, the river ice will basically seal the Huai waters. And once the Huai River completely freezes solid, Liang Army cavalry might water their horses at the Yangtze’s edge within a day and night. At that time, Chishan Association’s meager forces can only seek shelter in Yangzhou,” Feng Liao said humbly.
“Where is Han Qian himself—is he still in Chuzhou?” Wang Wenqian wasn’t so easily fooled. He stared at Feng Liao and asked.
“My lord predicted the navy might suffer a defeat. Thinking that when Liang Army crosses the Huai River to water their horses at the river’s edge, the court might transfer reinforcements from Xuzhou, he returned to Xuzhou ahead of time to make preparations when the navy headed north through the Hangou Canal,” Feng Liao said impassively.
“By the time Jinling makes up its mind and transmits an edict to Xuzhou to transfer reinforcements, that will drag on until the year of the donkey or month of the horse!” Yin Peng interjected anxiously.
In Yin Peng’s view, given the court’s degree of suspicion toward Xuzhou, they would probably drag things out until the main forces attacking Chaozhou in Huaixi had suffered devastating losses and the situation had deteriorated beyond recovery before possibly deciding to transfer troops from places like Xuzhou eastward for imperial rescue.
And after Han Qian received the imperial edict, assembling troops from Xuzhou to advance eastward along the river would take at least another month.
If the situation truly deteriorated to this point, during this one month, with no other threats to Liang Army on the Yangtze’s northern shore, after joining forces with Shouzhou Army, they might not presumptuously think to cross the river to directly attack Jinling in their haste, but would most likely press eastward in pursuit, attacking Huaidong.
And at that time, even if Han Qian didn’t hold past grudges and was willing to aid Huaidong, with Xuzhou’s limited military forces, how much pressure could they relieve for Huaidong?
“General Zhao, what do you think?” After pondering for a while, Wang Wenqian didn’t question Feng Liao about anything else, but looked at Zhao Zhen and asked.
Whether or not to agree to Chishan Association’s forces withdrawing west of the Hangou Canal to temporarily establish themselves relying on Yangzhou forces—he needed to ask Zhao Zhen’s opinion.
Zhao Zhen furrowed his brows, staring at Feng Liao for a long time.
During the Jinling campaign, Zhao Zhen’s forces had suffered the most catastrophic losses under the Left Guangde Army.
Previously, if Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan hadn’t made the final decision, he would never have been happy to see Chishan Association establish themselves on the western shore of Fanliang Lake. But at this moment, thinking about the scenario Feng Liao had speculated—Liang Army about to water their horses at the Yangtze—after pondering for a long time, he finally said: “Chishan Association’s forces may first withdraw west of the Hangou Canal, but how to handle them subsequently should still be reported to His Highness for instructions.”
“Good!” Wang Wenqian immediately had someone spread out a map of Yangzhou on the desk.
Within Yangzhou’s territory there were no high mountains. Even Shugang’s main peak was only some ten to twenty zhang high. Beyond the Hangou Canal in the southwest direction from Shugang, over forty li away stood Nashan with its main peak exceeding forty zhang in height—this was Yangzhou’s highest peak.
This was also a key point where they had immediately dispatched troops to garrison after Duke Changguo Li Pu withdrew yesterday without notice.
If things truly developed as Feng Liao predicted, with Liang Army possibly crossing the Huai River west of Hongze Basin at any time to march south in force, joining with the Palace of Tranquil Peace rebel forces, the cavalry and combined cavalry-infantry forces they could deploy in the initial phase would exceed a hundred thousand troops.
Once the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore commanded by Li Zhigao suffered severe setbacks, Yangzhou’s garrison had no way to establish a solid stronghold at Nashan to seal the enemy west of Nashan.
After Wang Wenqian consulted with Yin Peng and Zhao Zhen for a while, they finally decided to allow Chishan Association’s forces north of the river to temporarily migrate south from Baiti Ridge to Nashan.
If the situation became completely uncontrollable, Yangzhou forces could quickly withdraw to the Hangou Canal’s eastern shore, and Chishan Association’s forces could also retreat eastward with them. Moreover, they would only need to travel some twenty-plus li of post road to cross the Hangou Canal.
If the situation didn’t deteriorate, they also weren’t afraid that Chishan Association’s meager forces there could stir up any waves.
Even though Wang Wenqian’s arrangement carried implications of monitoring Chishan Association’s members on the northern shore, Nashan was only some twenty-plus li south from the Yangtze’s northern bank—truly one of Chishan Association’s best transit points in the short term. Otherwise, six to seven thousand people exposed without cover on the river beaches of the Yangtze’s northern shore would face an extremely dangerous situation.
Having settled these matters, Wang Wenqian directly assigned an official to leave with Feng Liao to handle this affair. Zhao Zhen also subsequently led his guards out of the city to adjust Yangzhou City’s western defensive deployments.
By this time darkness had fallen, and Wang Wenqian kept Yin Peng to dine in the rear residence.
“Is it really unnecessary to send someone to inform Li Zhigao?” Yin Peng asked somewhat hesitantly as he sat at the dining table.
From Huaidong’s standpoint, having the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore and Shouzhou Army fight each other to mutual destruction was what they most loved to see. But in the current circumstances, Huaidong and the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore were in a relationship where if the lips were gone, the teeth would be cold.
If the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore could maintain sufficient vigilance and not suffer devastating losses, Huaidong wouldn’t need to independently resist the southern advance of Liang Army.
At this time, rather than hoping for reinforcement from Xuzhou’s pitifully few troops, it would be better to hope the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore could preserve their strength.
Wang Wenqian put down his chopsticks and said: “With the main naval forces suffering devastating losses at Hongze Basin, without our reminder, Li Zhigao and the court ministers can all imagine the risks brought by Liang Army crossing the Huai to march south. The most prudent choice would naturally be for the main Imperial Guard forces currently assembled outside Chaozhou City on the northern shore to temporarily abandon the plan to assault Chaozhou City, dispersing to Shuzhou and Chuzhou to hold firm and guard against trouble. However, what choice the northern shore Imperial Guards will ultimately make is not only beyond our determination—even Li Zhigao, the Commander-in-Chief of All Forward Imperial Guard Encampments, cannot decide. Ultimately it still depends on what decision the court and Yang Yuanpu make. And with Duke Changguo having Li Xiu lead cavalry to rush to Yandun Mountain while he himself hurriedly returns to Jinling with Vice Censor-in-Chief Zheng Chang, I expect he will most likely still forcefully advocate capturing Chaozhou City before Liang Army marches south. Only this way can he bear less responsibility for the main naval forces suffering devastating losses at Hongze Basin…”
Yin Peng nodded. If the northern shore Imperial Guards abandoned attacking Chaozhou City at this time, Duke Changguo would not only bear responsibility for the main naval forces’ annihilation, but also bear all responsibility for the failed operations against Chaozhou. This would subject the Duke of Changguo’s mansion and their faction to unprecedented devastating losses—his daughter Li Yao might not even be able to preserve her position as Empress.
Duke Changguo’s intent in hurriedly returning to Jinling wasn’t difficult to guess.
Thinking of this, Yin Peng said with further worry:
“His Majesty is young and vigorous, unwilling to accept such devastating losses. Perhaps he truly will support Duke Changguo’s advocacy to assault Chaozhou City before Liang Army marches south.”
“The problem lies precisely here. If Huaidong is truly eager to make its voice heard on this matter, it will only prompt this son to act recklessly. What he learned from Han Qian in the past was always to take risks and unorthodox paths. The main naval forces suffered devastating losses—he has already been deeply harmed by this,” Wang Wenqian said.
“Has Han Qian truly returned to Xuzhou?” Yin Peng asked somewhat doubtfully.
“Perhaps he returned, perhaps he hasn’t. Who can be certain at this time?” Wang Wenqian said noncommittally.
As State Magistrate bearing the heavy responsibility of commanding Yangzhou’s local military forces, Yin Peng didn’t dare slack off and rest at night either. No matter how the situation changed in the future, he needed to first further mobilize Yangzhou’s local military potential. After hastily filling his stomach, he took his leave.
Wang Wenqian always wanted to maintain composed and natural calm. After Yin Peng left, he still sipped at small dishes his concubine had personally cooked, drinking a pot of rice wine to the dregs before putting down his cup and asking Wang Jun who stood to one side: “Jun’er, do you think Han Qian has confidence he can persuade Li Zhigao to defy the imperial order and not attack Chaozhou City?”
“Ah!” Not expecting her father to suddenly ask this, Wang Jun’s hands fumbled in confusion, nearly dropping the tea bowl she held. She widened her eyes to look at her father, as if she hadn’t heard clearly what he had just asked.
Wang Wenqian stared into Wang Jun’s eyes.
“Chaozhou is less than two hundred li from Jinling. Aside from the Left Dragon Sparrow Army being Li Zhigao’s direct forces, the Left and Right Martial Guard Armies and provincial troops are merely under Li Zhigao’s command—Father himself doesn’t believe Li Zhigao would dare defy orders or could act on his own authority. Why ask your daughter this question?” Wang Jun said.
“Han Qian should have already sent someone back to Xuzhou at this time to transmit orders transferring the river forces eastward, shouldn’t he?” Wang Wenqian asked again.
“Father has determined the Marquis of Qianyang is a treacherous hero. Shouldn’t the Marquis of Qianyang wait until the court lowers its lofty and overbearing stance before leading reinforcement troops down the river—wouldn’t that better allow him to influence the court’s situation? Why would he need to mobilize troops without imperial summons, inviting criticism and suspicion?” Wang Jun said.
“How could Han Qian determine that the navy entering Hongze Basin would certainly be defeated? And how did he predict so early that everything was Liang Army’s conspiracy?” Wang Wenqian asked.
“Father has already drawn so much out of your daughter through probing. This matter, your daughter truly cannot guess,” Wang Jun said.
When Wang Jun remained silent, Wang Wenqian had no intention of letting her off, saying: “Once the situation becomes irretrievable—not to mention that the heartland regions east of Yangzhou City will all be subjected to enemy cavalry raids—just west of Yangzhou City alone, there are over a hundred thousand common folk in the countryside. Whether to evacuate them eastward ahead of time or gather them into fortified cities to avoid war chaos—all hangs on a word from you, Jun’er…”
“Why does Father need to match wits against your daughter,” Wang Jun said, pursing her lips. “No matter what decision the Marquis of Qianyang makes, west of Yangzhou City will still possibly suffer worries of enemy cavalry invasion—what Father hesitates over is merely whether or not to deploy heavy forces west of the Hangou Canal. What Father hesitates over is merely whether or not to take this opportunity to covet Chuzhou.”
Wang Wenqian sighed inwardly. What he was hesitating over at this moment was indeed whether or not to dispatch more elite combat forces near Nashan. After all, once the situation deteriorated, especially if the main Imperial Guard forces on the northern shore faced danger of annihilation, Yang Yuanpu would very likely submit to circumstances and transfer reinforcements from Huaidong.
This would also be an excellent opportunity for Huaidong forces to formally occupy Chuzhou.
However, with Great Chu’s main naval forces annihilated and unable to discern Han Qian’s intentions, if Huaidong forces entered Chuzhou too early, the risks they would bear were too great…