Bai Qingyan took the map and glanced at it, the corners of her lips curving up: “Indeed, this is exactly Yun Poxing’s style.”
Xiao Ruohai stood beside Bai Qingyan and said quietly: “I’ll immediately send word to Shen Liangyu…”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Go ahead!”
·
On the road out of the city from the prefect’s mansion where Bai Qingyan was temporarily staying, the Tianfeng envoy lifted the carriage curtain. Seeing the city’s common people and soldiers working together to repair the city gates, they all showed hostile looks upon spotting his carriage bearing Tianfeng’s elephant banner. The feeling that a great battle was imminent grew ever stronger in his heart.
Just as he exited Pingyang City’s gates, the Tianfeng envoy saw a carriage bearing Yan’s banner speeding past his carriage in the opposite direction, making his mood even more grave.
When Feng Yao arrived, Bai Qingyan was standing with Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinzhi, Shen Kunyang, Cheng Yuanzhi, Xie Yuchang, Yang Wuce and other military generals before a massive map, discussing Great Zhou’s battle routes.
Wei Zhong had someone escort Feng Yao to the front hall for tea, then brought Xiao Rongyan’s letter into the room and handed it to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan had just finished reading Xiao Rongyan’s letter when she heard Cheng Yuanzhi say: “From last night’s situation, I, Old Cheng, believe… using fire oil against giant elephants is feasible! The Tianfeng people have extremely thick fur beneath the elephants’ armor. As long as there’s enough fire oil, it will catch fire! Even if that doesn’t work… as long as there’s enough fire oil, we can always burn something on top of the elephants’ armor. Won’t that turn those giant elephants into roasted elephants!”
“Using fire oil against the elephant army is indeed feasible, but… we must occupy the high ground advantage!” Bai Qingyan folded Xiao Rongyan’s letter, placed it aside, and stood up to walk toward the map, her voice steady. “Yesterday, fire oil was effective because we were on the city walls, occupying high ground. Naturally, we had the advantage with volleys of fire arrows!”
Yang Wuce stepped forward and pointed at Saddle Mountain: “We could set an ambush at Saddle Mountain in advance, find a way to lure the elephant army to Saddle Mountain, or force them into Saddle Mountain, and attack with fire oil. The problem might be whether we can block the exits on both sides of Saddle Mountain!”
“Blocking the exits is manageable…” Bai Qingyu stood beside Bai Qingyan, looking at the map. “We could place boulders and rejection barriers soaked in fire oil on both sides of the valley in advance. The difficulty… is how to lure the elephant army into Saddle Mountain, or force them into Saddle Mountain gorge.”
“I favor luring them in! Giant elephants are massive creatures. Only if the giant elephants force us into the gorge would it seem more realistic!” Shen Kunyang said.
Bai Qingyan shook her head, indicating disagreement: “Although Saddle Mountain isn’t far from Pingdu City, Pingyang City is equally close. Even if Tianfeng’s generals don’t see through our army’s deliberate attempt to lead people toward Saddle Mountain gorge, they would directly attack Pingyang City, forcing the army’s ‘fleeing’ toward Saddle Mountain to withdraw and defend. Wouldn’t this better allow them to capture the Great Zhou’s forces in one strike?”
“If we truly must lure Tianfeng’s elephant army to Saddle Mountain, first our attack on Pingdu City must be with the main forces, and we must suffer heavy losses to make Tianfeng pursue relentlessly!” Bai Qingyan looked at the map and said in a deep voice. “But now is not a time of absolute necessity, and setting an ambush at Saddle Mountain has too many variables!”
She walked to the giant map, her gaze falling on Hanwen Mountain, south of Pingdu City and north of the Dan River.
“If we want to set an ambush… it shouldn’t be at Saddle Mountain gorge! It should be… here!” Bai Qingyan pointed at Hanwen Mountain behind Pingdu City.
Now, Great Zhou and Great Yan were eager to go to war, not only to drive Tianfeng from this land before spring arrived, but also to prevent war and danger from occurring on their respective territories, thus avoiding suffering for their people.
So to fight… they had to pull the battle line south, as far from Great Zhou and Great Yan as possible.
“Does Elder Sister already have a complete plan?” Bai Qingyu turned to look at Bai Qingyan, her eyes already showing amusement.
Grandfather once said… Elder Sister had natural talent as a general and commander, meaning… Elder Sister could both serve as a commander strategizing the overall battle situation, and as a general… fighting bloodily on the battlefield!
“Two generals could each lead twenty thousand soldiers, setting up formations at Pingdu City’s north and east gates. If Tianfeng wants to resolve the crisis, they’ll naturally have to send out giant elephants to meet the battle! Before fighting begins, have the soldiers pack and smooth the snow to make it slippery. As long as they send giant elephants out of the city… We’ll make sure their giant elephants never return!” Bai Qingyu roughly surveyed the terrain, pointing at Pingdu City’s south and west gates. “Yan will besiege the south and west gates!”
“Siege! Starve them to death!” Cheng Yuanzhi rolled up his sleeves. “This Xiliang lacks grain. Presumably, it won’t be long before they have to surrender! When they surrender, watch me not beat to death that son of a bitch Tianfeng emperor.”
Bai Qingyan looked at Cheng Yuanzhi’s gnashing teeth and smiled: “When the time comes, have Yan leave an opening at the south gate, giving Tianfeng a chance to break out, letting Tianfeng go south…”
“Going south… that’s Hanwen Mountain. Hanwen Mountain has high mountains on both sides with a gorge in the middle, not suitable for camping. And past Hanwen Mountain is the Dan River. Camping with one’s back to water is a military taboo!” Bai Qingyan pointed at the south side of the Dan River. “But camping after crossing the river, the Dan River becomes Tianfeng’s first natural barrier. So… if Tianfeng flees from Pingyang City, they must cross the Dan River and camp south of it!”
Yang Wuce gripped his sword hilt at his waist, nodding repeatedly, his eyes bright as he looked at Bai Qingyan.
Cheng Yuanzhi cupped his fists toward Bai Qingyan: “I, Old Cheng, will follow Young Marshal Bai’s commands. Young Marshal Bai, please give the order!”
Hearing this, Shen Kunyang, Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinzhi, Xie Yuchang, and Yang Wuce all cupped their fists, requesting orders.
“Bai Jinzhi and General Yang Wuce, immediately lead twenty thousand soldiers each to set up formations at Pingdu City’s north and east gates! Before attacking the city, have the soldiers pack and smooth the snow to prevent giant elephants from exiting the city. Begin the siege at the hour of Mao tomorrow morning!” She pointed at Pingdu City.
“Your Majesty, didn’t we agree with Yan… to send troops against Tianfeng and Xiliang tomorrow? Now we’re moving first, attacking the city tomorrow morning. When we besiege the city tonight… won’t Tianfeng and Xiliang be prepared?” Yang Wuce was confused.
Bai Jinzhi was also puzzled: “Yes, Elder Sister, don’t tell me Elder Sister doesn’t plan to cooperate with Yan anymore?”
Bai Qingyan glanced at Bai Jinzhi and spoke: “Elder Sister, having you besiege the city early is to give Tianfeng the impression… that my Great Zhou’s heavy troops besieging Pingdu City is only because yesterday Xiliang and Tianfeng attacked the city and we lost face, not because we want to fight! Making a show of besieging without attacking is just to vent anger and force Tianfeng to give us greater benefits!”
Seeing her eldest sister nod, Bai Qingyu continued: “It’s Great Zhou demonstrating our strength to Tianfeng while also telling Tianfeng that our Great Zhou doesn’t fear Tianfeng. But in reality, Great Zhou is still somewhat afraid because Tianfeng has elephant armies… giving them the false impression that Great Zhou is fierce on the outside but weak within.”