Chapter 400: The Inside Agent

"What a blood-red dusk."

Today's brutal and bloody Luoyang assault-and-defense battle had drawn its curtain. Through his telescope, Wu Zhengchun saw that all the Chuang army troops who had attacked the west gate had already withdrawn to the edge of the West Pass, leaving behind only countless shattered corpses and wrecked siege equipment between the West Pass and the west gate.

Especially in that narrow, thirty-pace strip from the city wall to the rampart wall, corpses were piled on top of each other, everywhere was scarlet blood and flesh, and the stench of blood permeating the air could not be dispelled no matter what.

Atop the city wall, too, lay rows of cold, stiff dead bodies. Although many Chuang army corpses had been thrown down from the wall, plenty still remained on the wall top. Everywhere was blood and entrails, already frozen solid into ice in the frigid weather; one careless step on them and you risked slipping.

"These bloodstains, perhaps, will remain on the city wall forever."

Wu Zhengchun thought to himself as he patrolled the wall top.

All around him were Luoyang government troops and local militia volunteers busily bustling about. They were all cheerfully cleaning the battlefield, collecting weapons, banners, and such, and hacking heads off corpses one by one. At the same time, each of them was beaming and chattering away, wondering how much reward silver they would get, given today's bountiful achievements.

According to Wang Dou's instructions, for the heads taken on and below the wall, Wu Zhengchun was willing to share them with the troops under Garrison Commander Yang and the local militia volunteers of the west city, which overjoyed them — today's battle had been a real earner for everyone. While they were busy, the Shunxiang troops under Wu Zhengchun were leisurely warming themselves by the fire and resting inside the shelters.

At the sight of them sitting around swaggeringly and enjoying themselves, the officers, soldiers, and local volunteers on the wall top found it only natural. Of course, when those officers and soldiers secretly slipped gold, silver, and other valuables from the corpses into their own pockets, the Shunxiang troops merely smiled indifferently.

Now, toward gold and silver, the Shunxiang troops — whether soldiers or veterans, whether officers or common troopers — all regarded them very lightly.

Their military merits would be recorded in the registers by their superior officers and the army's internal disciplinary officers. When they returned to the Eastern Route in the future, they would receive corresponding rewards of silver, farmland, family property, and the like. With gold and silver currency depreciating, even the soldiers all hoped to receive rewards like farmland in the future, to pass on to their descendants; very few wanted silver.

The bustling soldiers and civilians of the west city filled both inside and outside the city. Not only atop the city wall, but also inside and outside the rampart wall, and even on the battlefield over by the earthen platforms, people kept going to clean up. Rolling stones were gathered and hauled back; scaling ladders, moat bridges, and such were chopped into kindling and dragged back into the city for firewood; the Chuang army heads below the wall were likewise collected.

Many people vomited even as they cleaned up.

Compared to the wall top, the death states of many Chuang army corpses below were far too gruesome. Not to mention those bodies blown apart by cannon fire, even those Chuang soldiers crushed to death by rolling logs and stones below, or the corpses burned to death by fire pots and the like — all were unbearable to look upon. Anyone seeing these things, either a bloody pulp or black as charcoal, would feel sick to their stomach.

The cannons abandoned by the Chuang army on the various earthen platforms were likewise dragged back into the city.

It turned out the Chuang army had deployed over a hundred cannons two hundred paces beyond the west gate. After the assaulting Chuang soldiers fled in rout, these cannons were left behind. The Shunxiang army gunners looked down on those one-jin-shot breech-loading falconets, but Wu Zhengchun and the others were still very covetous of those five grand-general breech-loading cannons.

The carriages of these cannons had basically all been smashed apart, but they could be used again once remounted on carriages — just like the thirty grand-general breech-loading cannons captured a few days earlier. The battalion commander of the Shunxiang army's artillery unit was determined to get these five grand-general cannons; in any case, the army had no shortage of gunners.

With this great victory in defending the city, Army Preparations Circuit Intendant Wang Yinchang and the Luoyang Garrison Commander were also overjoyed. After the Chuang army at the west gate was routed, the Chuang troops at the east gate and south gate also withdrew in succession.

Word came that although the defending troops at those two gates had achieved considerable kills, their results were far less illustrious than those at the west gate. Once this military merit was reported up the chain, what awaited Wang Yinchang and Garrison Commander Yang would be a meteoric rise in their careers.

The two of them, brimming with pride and satisfaction, directed the defending troops in cleaning the battlefield. As the sky gradually darkened, the battlefield inside and outside the city was fully cleaned up...

At this moment, both of them and Wu Zhengchun received word: news of the great victory at the west gate had spread, and the whole city was jubilant. The Prince of Fu had also issued a decree: all defending troops in the city were to assemble, and the heir Zhu Yousong would lead the Prefect of Luoyang and various officials to comfort the soldiers and civilians, bringing food and cold-weather clothing as a reward. Moreover, the Prince of Fu would host a banquet at the princely palace and personally feast all the city-defending civil officials and military officers.

Wang Yinchang was overjoyed. Stroking his beard, he smiled at Wu Zhengchun and said, "Company Commander Wu, the Prince of Fu is hosting a banquet. Come with this old man at once."

Wu Zhengchun cupped his hands in salute: "This humble officer is honored. After you, my lord."

By now, the sky had already darkened. All the assaulting Chuang troops had withdrawn to their camps. Only the lights at the East Pass, South Pass, and West Pass slowly kindled. Seeing that the Chuang troops at the passes were shut tight in a defensive posture, there was no worry they would launch another attack that night.

However, to be prudent, when everyone descended the wall, they also arranged corresponding night-watch personnel, lighting lanterns and torches. If the Chuang army attempted a night raid on the city, the alarm could be sounded immediately.

The crowd descended the city wall. In front of the troop-hiding caves within the inner wall, and along every street of Luoyang, it was already a sea of joy. Dense crowds of Luoyang soldiers and civilians huddled around densely burning campfires to keep warm, while loudly chatting and laughing about the recent battle.

Sure enough, Wu Zhengchun saw the heir Zhu Yousong leading a large entourage of officials along the streets to offer comfort. Clearly, after news of the great victory spread, the Prince of Fu's household had also spared no expense. The reward meal was quite sumptuous — it was actually pork stewed with vermicelli, a dish many commoners of Luoyang did not even get to eat during the New Year.

Great buckets of vermicelli were carried over, steaming hot, filling the soldiers and civilians on the streets with jubilation. Everyone ate their fill while laughing heartily and celebrating the victory.

Following behind Wang Yinchang, when Wu Zhengchun reached the crossroads, he saw Gao Xun, who had assisted in defending the south-facing Dongfeng Gate, and Shen Shiqi, who had assisted in defending the east-facing Changchun Gate, already there. From afar, just by their walking postures, Wu Zhengchun had already recognized the two.

Gao Xun walked with considerable steadiness, his bearing giving off a graceful, distinguished air. Shen Shiqi, on the other hand, swaggered like a crab, head held high, belly thrust out. In the army, Xie Yike and Gao Shiyin both had a similar gait. The various generals in the army jokingly called the three of them the Three Crab Generals.

Seeing Wu Zhengchun, Gao Xun smiled and saluted: "Company Commander Wu."

Shen Shiqi glanced at Wu Zhengchun, the fierce flesh on his face twitching. Somewhat sourly, he said, "Brother Wu, I hear you fought quite well at the west gate. Seems when we return to the Eastern Route, the General will promote you."

Wu Zhengchun's dark, thin face showed no expression. He merely cupped his hands and said, "This is all thanks to the General's efforts. This humble officer dares not boast of merit."

Shen Shiqi snorted and was about to say something when Gao Xun exclaimed, "Ah, the General is here."

The three looked — wasn't that him? They hurriedly stopped talking and strode forward to greet him.

The sound of horse hooves rang out, and they saw Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu, escorted by several hundred armored cavalry, striding over in this direction.

In this great victory of the Luoyang assault-and-defense battle, the troops under Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu had contributed enormously, serving as the mainstay. The Prince of Fu was feasting the various defending officers of the Shunxiang Army and the Vanguard Battalion. As their superior officers, Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu were naturally the key invitees. Wang Dou had three hundred bodyguards — half elite musketeers, half saber-and-shield soldiers. Not only did every man have a tall, large horse, but they were all veterans Wang Dou had brought out since the days of Jingbian Fort and Shunxiang Fort, utterly loyal and of exceptionally outstanding combat strength, commanded by Xie Yike.

As the leader of the Eastern Route and the founder of this army, Wang Dou's safety affected the hearts and minds of countless people. Therefore, the entire army, from top to bottom, did not permit Wang Dou to go anywhere alone. Wang Dou himself also placed great importance on his own safety; wherever he went, these three hundred bodyguards never left his side for a moment.

After receiving the message from the Prince of Fu's envoy, Wang Dou came over from the North Pass. Chen Yongfu likewise brought over a hundred of his personal retainers along, with his son Chen De at his side.

After dismounting, Wang Dou stopped Gao Xun, Wu Zhengchun, and Shen Shiqi from saluting. He smiled and said, "I have heard about the Luoyang assault-and-defense battle. You all fought very well."

Wu Zhengchun and Gao Xun both saluted respectfully, saying it was all the General's achievement. Only Shen Shiqi was smug and brimming with pride, grinning from ear to ear as he saluted...

Wang Dou helped them up and laughed, "Today, you are the main characters. When the Prince of Fu hosts the banquet later, you may drink freely and heartily — but remember not to get dead drunk, that's all."

Everyone laughed heartily. After exchanging some pleasantries with Chen Yongfu, Chen De, and that Company Commander assisting in the defense from the Vanguard Battalion, the group clustered around Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu and strode toward where the heir Zhu Yousong was.

At this moment, Regional Commander Wang Shaoyu, Mobile Corps Commander Liu Jianyi who defended the east gate, Mobile Corps Commander Luo Tai who defended the south gate, and others were also gathered together. They saw that Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu had already walked up before the heir Zhu Yousong. Over there were Army Preparations Vice Commissioner Wang Yinchang, former Minister of War Lu Weiqi, and others. Watching them chat and laugh merrily, Zhu Yousong was extremely cordial toward Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu.

Looking again, the Shunxiang troops were spread across every street, gathered around campfires, chatting and laughing loudly. The passing Luoyang soldiers and civilians all cast reverent gazes toward them. It seemed that with these iron-armored soldiers, all wearing uniform eight-petaled iron helmets, the city's populace had found their backbone, and Luoyang City would henceforth be safe and sound.

Liu Jianyi and the others watched with both envy and jealousy. Luo Tai cursed, "We also fought bitterly today, our subordinate troops suffered no small losses, yet all the limelight has been stolen by Wang Dou and his lot."

He and Liu Jianyi exchanged a glance, both seeing the look of extreme resentment in the other's eyes.

Never mind how Prince of Fu Zhu Changxun and the heir Zhu Yousong feasted the victorious officers and soldiers inside the princely palace, or how the Luoyang soldiers and civilians celebrated tonight. In the Chuang army camp, however, gloom hung thick, a scene of deathly stillness. The surging, razor-sharp morale the hundreds of thousands of Chuang soldiers had when they first arrived at Luoyang had already vanished.

Inside the government office at the West Pass, in the main council hall, Li Zicheng sat motionless the entire time. The various generals and advisors in the hall were all silent.

After capturing the three passes of Luoyang, to better direct the battle, Li Zicheng had moved his headquarters inside the West Pass. Today's assault had failed, with severe losses. After withdrawing his troops, Li Zicheng summoned the various generals overnight to discuss matters, but from the very start, the hall fell into silence.

After a long while, Li Zicheng sighed: "Could it be that taking Luoyang, all these days of planning, was nothing but a dream?"

Silence fell over the hall again. Luoyang City was like a copper pea — you couldn't steam it soft, boil it tender, hammer it flat, or fry it to bursting. Compared to the various cities of Henan Prefecture that had fallen in a single stroke over these past months, the difference was truly heaven and earth.

Thinking of how they had staked everything on today's assault, only to get this result, how could it not chill everyone's hearts? What was serious was the loss of army morale. After withdrawing at dusk, starving soldiers and common troopers in the various camps had already begun sneaking away to seek a living elsewhere.

Ever since Li Zicheng emerged from Mount Shangluo, his momentum had been like a rainbow. In just a few short months, he had expanded from a few dozen riders to several hundred thousand troops — people only joined, who ever retreated? This stark contrast was something he found especially unbearable. The moment deserters appeared, it shook the morale of every camp. If the war situation became unfavorable again, more people would flee, falling into a vicious cycle.

In truth, after today's failure, Li Zicheng had considered withdrawing his troops. But how easy was it to feed several hundred thousand soldiers? Without taking Luoyang, where could they replenish provisions and equipment? Once they retreated, given the current army morale, the result would be a total collapse like a mountain landslide.

Li Zicheng was already considering whether to abandon those several hundred thousand famine refugees and take his veteran camp and cavalry units to the somewhat wealthier Kaifeng Prefecture or Nanyang Prefecture. But if he did that, his plan to attract the realm's heroes to rally to him and shake the imperial court would come to naught. After all, the political significance of capturing Luoyang City was unimaginably huge, with all the money and valuables inside.

He still had many advantages. No matter what, he had to strive his utmost one more time.

After a long while, Li Zicheng asked Liu Fangliang: "Mingyuan, you were commanding the assault on the west gate today. Our righteous army clearly fought its way onto the wall top — why did we fail? What was the reason?"

Liu Fangliang stood up and saluted: "Chuang King, and all my brothers, my guess is that it was because Wang Dou's subordinates were assisting in the defense at each gate. So even though we fought our way onto the wall top, we still failed in the end. So many brothers were lost — I ask the Chuang King to punish me."

Li Zicheng shook his head. Although today's assault on Luoyang had cost the various camps many famine refugees and foot soldiers, the lives of these "soldiers" did not weigh on his mind. What concerned him was the reason for the failure, and whether there was still a possibility of capturing Luoyang City...

He was about to speak when a voice like a thunderclap rang out: “Chuang Wang, tomorrow let Old Liu here personally lead the troops to storm the city. We’ll build plenty of siege equipment and bring some brothers from the Old Camp. I don’t believe we can’t take this Luoyang city.”

It was Liu Zongmin who spoke. Li Zicheng waved his hand and said, “Jiexuan is like my own flesh-and-blood brother. Without a clear picture of the situation, how could I let you rashly venture into danger? Besides, the Old Camp is the very foundation of our righteous army — it cannot be used lightly.”

He then looked toward Liu Fangliang and said, “Even if Wang Dou’s Shunxiang Army is helping defend the west city, their numbers cannot be very large. Our righteous army still holds the advantage after all…”

Liu Fangliang said, “Chuang Wang, brothers Li Guo, Dayong, and I have fought field battles against the Shunxiang Army before. We know their combat strength is outstanding, and their close-quarters fighting is extremely fierce. My guess is that when they form ranks and fight atop the city wall, even though our righteous army has greater numbers, our hand-to-hand combat skills are far inferior to theirs — that is why the siege failed.”

He pondered for a long moment and said, “Reaching the top of the wall is simple enough — whether we use starving soldiers, nest carts, observation towers, or goose carts, many devices can accomplish it. But with the Shunxiang Army stationed along every section of the wall, it makes no difference whether we use those devices or not, since their only purpose is to get men onto the wall.”

“However, fighting atop the wall is not like a field battle where everyone surges forward at once and our righteous army’s superior numbers prevail. On the wall, it becomes a feeding tactic — our manpower advantage cannot be fully deployed. The brothers who climb up may not even kill as many as the Shunxiang Army on the wall kills of them. That is why today’s setback at the west gate was foreseeable.”

A hearty laugh rang out — it came from Niu Jinxing: “The art of war says: In the way of using troops, attacking the mind is supreme; attacking the city is inferior. Psychological warfare is supreme; armed warfare is inferior. Chuang Wang, a contest of brute force will not work — we can only win by cunning.”

Everyone turned to look at Niu Jinxing, and they saw he wore an expression of complete confidence: “A city is hard to storm — only with righteous soldiers acting as internal agents can it be taken. Generals Luo Tai and Liu Youyi incline their hearts toward the righteous army and are willing to abandon the darkness and come into the light. To take Luoyang, we must focus our efforts on them.”