Chapter 251: The Game (Part 2)

This time, Director Liu Tan Tan did not follow Wang Yang's words; his gaze was resolute as he said:

"The Art of War says: 'Throw them into death to find life; place them in doom to ensure survival.' Now our troops have landed, fighting with our backs to the water—every man will fight to the death. This is Han Xin's strategy for defeating Zhao! It can be used now!"

Wang Yang firmly rejected:

"It cannot be used!

When Han Xin defeated Zhao, he first stationed ten thousand men with their backs to the water—this was a solid formation established beforehand;

then he feigned retreat, luring the enemy, while two thousand light cavalry slipped behind to seize Zhao's camp—this was the surprise force arriving afterward;

Han's forces were few, easily encircled; by camping with their backs to the water, they had no rear to fear, so they used terrain to compensate for their numerical weakness, maintaining a broad front to match the enemy—this was adapting to circumstance.

First came the solid formation as foundation—that is the orthodox. Then came striking the vulnerable and attacking the empty—that is the unexpected. Only when both orthodox and unexpected are fully prepared can one leverage circumstance. With all three in place, can you place them in death to find life!

Ma Su did not understand this—he had orthodoxy without surprise, and could not perceive circumstance; thus he merely threw his men into death without bringing them to life. Tell me, Liu Brother: in this battle, what is orthodox? What is unexpected? And how will you adapt to circumstance?"

"This..."

Director Liu Tan Tan could not answer.

Feng Feng Feng Yiling stared, wide-eyed and frozen.

After a long silence, Director Liu Tan Tan said: "I know nothing of warfare, but since you, Zhiyan, possess such talent, why not deploy troops and fight the enemy?"

Wang Yang looked at Director Liu Tan Tan: "Do you know what the essence of warfare is?"

Director Liu Tan Tan thought a moment and said: "Naturally, it is organizing the army, preparing arms, feeding horses, sharpening blades..."

Wang Yang shook his head:

"What you describe is preparation before warfare. In an ideal state, training soldiers, drilling formations, strengthening bows and crossbows, hardening armor and sharpening blades, selecting the finest troops across the land to form an unmatched force—this is what every general throughout history has desired.

But reality rarely conforms. When Han Xin defeated Wei, most of his elite troops had been sent to Xingyang to resist Chu; he led only several ten thousand remaining men to attack Zhao, hence the saying: 'Driving market folk into battle.' When Chen Xi raided Zhao and Dai, the Emperor issued urgent orders summoning troops from across the realm, yet none arrived—only Handan had soldiers, hence the question: 'Can this boy even command?'

Precisely because military readiness and equipment rarely meet expectations, the general must display ingenuity. Before warfare, organizing and equipping troops must be solid and earnest—no shortcuts. But during warfare, one must exhaust every trick possible! When a trick presents itself, seize it—do not let it slip; when no trick exists, create one—trickery lies in human ingenuity.

Mountain gorges and treacherous terrain? Stretch out archers. High slopes overlooking below? Deploy cavalry charges. This is exploiting terrain's advantage. Thick fog and mist? Conceal troops. Strong, biting winds? Launch fire attacks. This is exploiting heaven's timing. The enemy is arrogant, we are timid? Stage a fake surrender. Soldiers are angry, the commander is suspicious? Incite internal revolt. This is exploiting human psychology. Of the ten principles of warfare, five are tricks!

Now the enemy has set an ambush at Tiger Head Pass, fully exploiting every advantage; we cannot rush to land on the shore, as the land route from Wenyang Commandery has been cut off. Unless we land troops early, before the ambush is fully prepared, and seize the high ground first—even if isolated and unsupported—we might still fight. If the enemy sees we are ready, they may withdraw—or they may gather more troops to surround us. And they will claim you launched the first invasion. Whether we win or lose, this lies beyond Han's border; even Jingzhou's Sima's escort troops halt at the border mountains. As Governor of Wenyang, you have no imperial order, yet you recklessly mobilize troops across the border, provoking frontier conflict—when the barbarian crisis erupts, the blame will fall entirely on you. How will you answer?"

Feng Feng Feng Yiling listened, secretly startled; Director Liu Tan Tan's expression shifted several times, his gaze lowering, weighing options before he looked up at Wang Yang:

"I don't understand—if you know there's an ambush, why not report it to the Inspector's office? Even if you won't tell the Prince of Badong, you could inform the Governor of Yongning and summon troops from Yongning Commandery to approach Tiger Head by land—that would be easiest... Well, perhaps you have your reasons; I promised not to ask, fine. But this matter is too grave, involving over a hundred lives—it's beyond a single commandery's capacity. Since neither you nor I have a good plan, we must seek outside aid!"

Wang Yang read his tone and expression, sensing Director Liu Tan Tan's resolve, and sighed heavily:

"I told you before: trust only me..."

Director Liu Tan Tan immediately said: "Of course, that's why I didn't report it—but now the situation is beyond us—"

Wang Yang fixed his gaze on Director Liu Tan Tan and said slowly:

"There's another thing I didn't say: I, too, trust only you.

Jingzhou is vast, but you alone are worthy of my trust."

Director Liu Tan Tan froze, his heart jolted.

Looking into Wang Yang's eyes, he felt as if seeing for the first time the profound loneliness and trust hidden within. He suddenly felt shame—his insistence on seeking outside aid had betrayed Wang Yang's heavy sincerity and trust.

This is precisely what is meant by: "A gentleman may be deceived by righteousness."

Director Liu Tan Tan immediately straightened his robes and bowed deeply to Wang Yang:

"I was shortsighted and nearly betrayed your trust—I am deeply ashamed!"

Wang Yang quickly returned the bow:

"Liu Brother! Between us, why say such things?"

Director Liu Tan Tan felt even more ashamed: "You treat me with open sincerity, yet I nearly ruined things through my stubbornness. Zhiyan, I'm sorry—I was rash..."

Wang Yang said, "I am the one who should be ashamed: Liu Brother, with the enemy hidden and us exposed, to have your loyalty is my great fortune."

"Zhiyan, I know you must have a reason for this—but Zhiyan, you are both literary and martial, well-versed in ancient and modern wisdom! Your talent and strategy far surpass mine! Surely you can find a way to save everyone!"

I'm not "De Gaulle" (put on a hat and you're happy)...

"No." Wang Yang said directly.

Director Liu Tan Tan insisted: "There must be!"

Wang Yang was speechless: "There really isn't!"

Director Liu Tan Tan grabbed Wang Yang's wrist, his eyes gleaming with stubbornness: "Think again..."

Wang Yang had a plan—but Uncle's group was still uncertain, friend or foe; risking it would be unwise.

"Liu Brother, we've already discussed this clearly. 'No staying in a desperate place'—Tiger Head is a desperate place; fighting there is disadvantageous. There is no other solution."

Director Liu Tan Tan slowly released Wang Yang's wrist and said gravely:

"If there truly is no other way, I will send troops to land early, claiming I received secret reports of barbarian movements and feared for the envoy's safety—so I mobilized to protect them. If the court blames me, I alone will bear the responsibility!"

Wang Yang:...

"Even if you send troops, can you be sure you'll win?"

"We must try!"

"Warfare is a matter of life and death—it is not for trying!"

"Warfare is to suppress violence and save chaos, to defend the state! When I say 'try,' I mean 'fight.' The enemy ambushes our envoy—that is provocation! I respond with battle—what's wrong with that? Moreover, I've uncovered their plot; I am prepared against the unprepared—why can't we fight?!"

"Do you know who the enemy is?"

"Southern barbarians."

"Which southern tribe?"

"Does it matter which tribe?"

"What if they're not southern barbarians?"

"How could that be? Only southern barbarians could station troops in this position!"

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated; know yourself but not your enemy, you win one, lose one; know neither yourself nor your enemy, you are doomed in every battle! You've just taken office as Governor of Wenyang—you don't know how many troops you can mobilize, how many are combat-ready, what weapons you have, what armor, what morale. Do you know yourself? As for knowing the enemy, that's even less possible. You don't even know who the enemy is—how can you send troops without any chance of victory? Even if you win, do you know what consequences your actions might trigger?"

"If you know who the enemy is, tell me!"

"Precisely because I know, I won't let you do this!"

The two spoke rapidly, each refusing to yield; Feng Feng Feng Yiling stood beside them, his gaze shifting between them. Watching their clash, his throat moved, but he dared not interrupt.

Director Liu Tan Tan raised his voice, his tone noble: "I have been appointed Governor of Wenyang, to guard this land—how can I sit idle while the Emperor's envoy is slaughtered?!"

Wang Yang extended one finger: "One question: are you going to save your brother or not?"

Director Liu Tan Tan's momentum, once fierce, was halved by this sudden question about his brother; he muttered, "Save him," then resumed arguing with Wang Yang—but his confidence was far weaker now.

Seeing their deadlock, Feng Feng Feng Yiling suddenly stepped forward and bowed to Director Liu Tan Tan: "I have urgent news to report to Young Master!"

Director Liu Tan Tan blinked: "What is it?"

Feng Feng Feng Yiling remained silent.

Director Liu Tan Tan realized and looked at Wang Yang: "Zhiyan, then..."

Wang Yang sighed: "Go ahead."

As Director Liu Tan Tan and Feng Feng Feng Yiling turned to leave, Wang Yang called: "Wait!"

Director Liu Tan Tan turned back, puzzled.

"Your wine-fermented red bean soup is good—bring me another bowl. And a cup of grape juice... grape pulp."

Director Liu Tan Tan was stunned, then speechless.

Wang Yang remained calm and composed.

They gazed at each other for a moment, then both laughed.

Director Liu Tan Tan, parched from arguing, took the tea and drank.

"Uncle Feng, what's the news?"

"Do you remember the Duke's letter?"

"Of course—I followed Father's instructions: to save Ashen, I must rely on Wang Yang. But now the situation is too uncertain to follow his plan blindly."

"The Duke wrote four more words not on the letter. He told me to tell you only when you and Master Wang disagree and cannot reach an agreement."

"What four words?"

"Follow Yang alone."

Director Liu Tan Tan choked on his tea...

Director Liu Tan Tan returned to the room, sat heavily, stared at Wang Yang, and said nothing.

Wang Yang leaned against the carved window frame, stirring the red soup with a spoon, releasing delicate sweetness, and said calmly: "This soup is excellent—it reminds me of a snack I once ate, called wine-fermented red bean dumplings... Want some?"

"I'll follow your plan," Director Liu Tan Tan suddenly said.

Wang Yang stopped stirring: "You mean the soup is still..."

Director Liu Tan Tan grumbled: "I won't take your soup. I have no appetite."

Wang Yang smiled: "Then I'll toast you with grape pulp!"

Director Liu Tan Tan looked at Wang Yang, utterly serious: "I want your solemn promise as a gentleman."

"What promise?"

"You must do your utmost to secure a path to survival for the envoy."

Wang Yang ate two spoonfuls of soup and said: "The envoy's path to survival has never needed my planning."

Director Liu Tan Tan:??

"What do you mean?"

Wang Yang watched the red beans float in the soup, lifted his eyes, and through the rising steam, met Director Liu Tan Tan's gaze:

"They already have a path to survival. If I can, I will show it to them."