Chapter 412: Decisive Victory

Wang Yang was dismissed, Li Li Li Jingxuan rejoiced.

Li Li Li Jingxuan had originally been involved in military affairs; now he was officially and legitimately appointed Chief Military Advisor.

The Prince of Badong had somewhat wished for Li Li Li Jingxuan to directly assume all of Wang Yang's authority, just to irritate Wang Yang, but Li Li Li Jingxuan's humble origins and lack of prestige made him unable to command respect, and the Prince of Badong also did not wish to estrange Wang Yang too deeply, so he abandoned the idea.

Yet Li Li Li Jingxuan was still delighted. He knew he lacked noble lineage and could not ascend as swiftly as Wang Yang. But now, in this time of conquering the realm, was precisely when martial prowess mattered! Since he now held command of military affairs, how could he fail to earn merit?

Are princes, generals, and ministers born of a special bloodline?

Those with true ability are not limited to the Lord of Langya!

Li Li Li Jingxuan stood atop the grand riverboat, gazing in all directions, full of ambition; recalling the soldiers' saying, "The Lord of Langya is skilled, the robed man sits at the bow's end," he couldn't help but laugh. At this moment, he truly wanted to ask Wang Yang: Wang Zhi, are you still sitting at the bow's end? — Huh?

Steamed perch, smooth water shield soup, diced duck feet, amber honey lotus root, and one dish Wang Yang specifically requested: salted vegetable stewed tofu.

Wang Yang ordered five small dishes, a flask of Baling clear wine, spread a mat and set a table, and sat at the boat's bow.

Watching the campfires along the shore, they glowed like fireflies; the sails and masts on the river, dense as forests.

The bright moon hung in the sky, veiling the misty waters in gauze;

The Milky Way stretched to earth, scattering glittering light across distant hills.

Wang Yang admired the river view, ate his small dishes, poured and drank alone, utterly at ease. As the wine warmed him, he began reciting:

"In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor modeled himself on Heaven and Earth; the Four Sages followed the order, each establishing their laws. Tang Yao yielded the throne; Yu Shun was not pleased. Their imperial virtue, glorious and enduring, is recorded for ten thousand generations. Thus begins the 'Annals of the Five Emperors'..."

"From the 'Self-Introduction' of Grand Historian Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian. Military Advisor Wang, what a refined mood you're in!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan walked over with a smiling face.

Wang Yang smiled, twisted his wrist, laid his chopsticks horizontally, and made a gesture of invitation:

"Join me?"

"No, no, no—I'm just a common man, I wouldn't dare disturb your elegant mood. Your family's scholarly heritage is profound; I truly admire it. To be honest, if not for the final words 'thus begins the Annals of the Five Emperors,' I would never have recognized this as a passage from the Records of the Grand Historian."

Li Li Li Jingxuan, as always, delighted in invoking Wang Yang's "family scholarly heritage." Wang Yang laughed:

"Military Advisor Li, you're too modest. You rise not by family heritage, but entirely by your own merit—that is true ability. Indeed, you shouldn't be called Military Advisor anymore; you should be called Advisor Advisor Zhiyi, right?"

The Prince of Badong removed Wang Yang and promoted Li Li Li Jingxuan, appointing him to the position of Advisor Advisor Zhiyi. This post was the chief among all military advisors, equivalent to the Grand Command's Chief Strategic Advisor, appointed only by the imperial court, ranking just after the Four Upper Officials in provincial hierarchy, typically bestowed upon high-born scholar-officials. Had this been a formal court appointment in peacetime, Li Li Li Jingxuan would have been undeniably soaring to the heights of power.

Li Li Li Jingxuan sighed:

"With you, Military Advisor, as a jewel before me, my position as Advisor Advisor Zhiyi is merely filling a role without merit.

Let me speak frankly: the assault on Xiakou is complex and multifaceted—only someone as deeply versed in military strategy as you can coordinate it!

The entire army longs for you to resume command of military affairs and preside over the central command.

I have repeatedly petitioned the Prince, urging him to restore your authority.

When you one day return, I would be content merely to serve as a lowly clerk under you, holding the brush and taking orders!"

Wang Yang set down his cup and said with feeling:

"The twists of fate most reveal human nature. Only in crisis does truth and falsehood become clear. Since you are willing to speak for me, I dare not offer empty thanks. Let me offer you a strategy to take Yingzhou in the blink of an eye."

Li Li Li Jingxuan did not truly believe Wang Yang trusted him, and naturally took his words of gratitude as insincere. But he was deeply curious what strategy Wang Yang would propose.

Li Li Li Jingxuan bowed respectfully, assuming an attitude of eager attention:

"I beg you, Military Advisor, instruct me."

"I predict the Yingzhou navy will concentrate its fleet before our forces cross Tu Kou, anchoring at Guan and Huangjin Pus. You can strike while unprepared: gather all fast boats and elite troops, abandon the infantry on both banks, launch a night assault, cross the Great and Small Jun Mountains, surge downstream two hundred and thirty li, and arrive directly beneath Yingwu Isle! They will assume our forces rely on land-water coordination and never expect this—this is divine troops descending from heaven! The Yingzhou navy can be destroyed in one battle. Before the decisive battle even begins, their navy is annihilated; our main force follows, and Xiakou will fall without a fight."

(Previous two diagrams)

The first diagram shows the overall direction: the red arrow indicates the route along the Yangtze toward Xiakou.

The second diagram shows approximate locations: Sha is Shayang, also where the Prince of Badong's main army is stationed; Nie is Niezhou, mentioned earlier by Wang Yang in his orders; the eastern side of Niezhou is Nie Kou.

(Continuing from previous diagram: the triangular 'Jun' is the Great and Small Jun Mountains; the circle on the opposite shore is Runan City, previously mentioned; the heart-shaped mark above is Lushan; the crescent across from Lushan is Yan Yue Lei; the smiley face opposite Yan Yue Lei is Xiakou City; the star south of Xiakou is 'Yingwu Isle,' where the grass grows lush; the riverbank opposite Yingwu Isle is Guan Pu; the Yangtze splits behind Yingwu Isle into a slow-flowing zone, which is Huangjin Pu, also called Huangjun Pu, a natural harbor at the time.)

Li Li Li Jingxuan was startled, thought carefully for a moment, then said stiffly:

"Military Advisor Wang, you're joking."

Wang Yang picked up a duck foot:

"I'm not joking."

After staring at Wang Yang for a long while, Li Li Li Jingxuan spoke:

"If the enemy is prepared, attacks ahead and blocks behind, cuts off our retreat, and coordinates land-water assaults, not a single sail of ours will return."

Wang Yang drained his cup and smiled:

"War is like scholarship: the key lies in the word 'cut.' I cut this strategy as viable. Do you have another judgment? Of course, I no longer hold office—I'm a retired man, unable to synthesize the full picture or make decisive judgments on the spot. I merely offer this suggestion for your consideration; whether to act on it or not rests entirely with you."

"No, no, no—it must still be the Prince—"

"Oh, stop being modest! Who doesn't know that military strategy is entirely your domain? Whatever you decide, the Prince will surely follow."

Li Li Li Jingxuan had completely lost interest in playing along with Wang Yang; his mind was entirely consumed by this strategy.

If someone else had proposed it, he might have pondered it briefly and moved on. But he had always admired Wang Yang's ability and, during this time beside him, felt he had learned much. After careful consideration, he believed this strategy was indeed perilously brilliant—if successful, this single surprise force would secure great victory; if it failed, this force might be utterly annihilated.

As he wrestled with doubt and inner turmoil, suddenly—he understood!

This damn thing was Wang Yang deliberately trying to annoy him!

When Wang Yang himself led troops, he balanced orthodox and unexpected tactics, meticulous and secure. Now that he was out of power, he tossed out this wildly risky strategy for Li Li Li Jingxuan to choose, explicitly calling it only a suggestion for reference! If Li Li Li Jingxuan followed it and succeeded, it would still be Wang Yang's flawless planning; if it failed, Wang Yang was merely a retired man, unable to control the full situation, "unable to make decisive judgments," so the blame would fall squarely on Li Li Li Jingxuan—the one who could control and decide.

If he refused it, and later proved right, then it would be Li Li Li Jingxuan's failure to recognize opportunity—missing a golden chance...

If he held higher rank, he could simply order Wang Yang to rejoin military affairs, calculate the full picture, and formally submit advice! But he could not command Wang Yang, the Prince of Badong was still angry with Wang Yang and would not voluntarily restore him to the center of power, and this strategy was so dangerous that even if Wang Yang had genuinely proposed it, he dared not use it. What if Wang Yang, stripped of power and harboring resentment, secretly wished for military disaster and deliberately set a trap?

Li Li Li Jingxuan cursed inwardly, yet his expression remained calm:

"Thank you, Military Advisor, for your instruction. I shall return and carefully deliberate. The night is late; I won't disturb you further."

Li Li Li Jingxuan took his leave, walked a few steps, then paused, turning his head with a faint, mocking smile:

"It's odd—Military Advisor, you've never been fond of drink, yet tonight you've such a thirst. Truly rare."

Without waiting for Wang Yang's reply, he walked off.

This seemingly casual remark meant: Don't pretend to be aloof, sipping wine and eating small dishes like some transcendent sage—you're just miserable, drowning your sorrows in drink! The pain is so great, even someone who dislikes alcohol has started drinking!

Wang Yang made no reply, poured himself another cup, raised the goblet to the bright moon, and continued reciting the 'Self-Introduction' of the Grand Historian:

"When Chu besieged us at Xingyang, we held out for three years; Xiao He stabilized the lands west of the mountains, calculated troop movements, ensured constant grain supply, so the people loved Han and refused to side with Chu. Thus begins the 'Biography of Chancellor Xiao.'"

A thousand miles away, under the same moon and wind, outside Wenyang City, the siege lines stood like iron.

The cold moonlight spilled over the city walls, scarred by countless arrow impacts. The defenders, gaunt and weary, leaned against the walls, swords and spears in hand, armor rusted and caked with dried blood. From some battlement, someone raised his head, gazing toward the northeastern horizon. That gaze seemed contagious—one, two, ten, a hundred. Those leaning against walls, crouching on ramparts, lying on the ground—all lifted their necks, gazing at the same night sky.

Wang Yi had grown thin, hands tucked in his sleeves, seated on a stool beneath the wall, surrounded by guards. He saw Director Liu Tan Tan, armored and sword in hand, leading a patrol, and waved him over.

Director Liu Tan Tan approached and asked the reason. Wang Yi grinned slyly, motioned Director Liu Tan Tan closer, until their ears nearly touched, then whispered:

"Tell me honestly—do you suspect Wang Yang fabricated a relief army just to keep us dangling, using us as bait to pin the Prince of Badong's forces, so he can achieve his own ends?"

Director Liu Tan Tan did not hesitate:

"No. I trust him."

"You really trust him?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he once told me: in Jingzhou, he trusts only me. Since he trusts me, I trust him."

(Chapter 251, 'The Game (Part 2)': "Actually, I trust only you. Though Jingzhou is vast, you alone are worthy of my trust." Director Liu Tan Tan froze, his heart jolted.)

Wang Yi fell silent:

"You believe his words..."

"Why not? Don't you believe him?"

Director Liu Tan Tan stared intently at Wang Yi.

Wang Yi paused, then waved his hand, his face open and honest:

"How could I not? He's my nephew! Who else would I trust?"

"Then why did you ask me..."

"I trust him fully—I was merely testing you!"

Director Liu Tan Tan straightened, continued his patrol, murmuring softly to himself:

"What we rely on now is nothing but this one word: trust..."

Wang Yang drained his cup, raised the moon, poured a second cup, and softly recited:

"Our ancestral army, Liu Jia was with us. He was ambushed by Bu, lost Jing and Wu. Yingling stirred Lü, and thus the King of Langya was made. Zhu Wu trusted Qi, went but never returned, then turned west into the pass, helped install Emperor Emperor Xiaowen, and regained the Yan kingdom. Before the empire was unified, Jia and Ze, by clan, became Han's bulwarks. Thus begins the 'Biography of Jing and Yan.'"

Inside Jingzhou City, in the back courtyard of a brothel on Xitong Lane, the gate was tightly shut. Many stood within—cooks, farmers, porters—all dressed in humble garb, their expressions solemn.

In the corner, a dandy who looked like a regular patron of the brothel was not enjoying himself inside, but stood anxiously in this shabby courtyard, pacing and restless.

Soon, the gate was lightly knocked three times, then five times, then one long knock.

The gatekeeper unlatched the door, and a vegetable cart creaked in, piled high with several large wooden barrels.

The dandy hurried forward, helping a woman dressed in coarse cloth and wearing a hooded cap out of one barrel. The woman then helped another hooded maid from the second barrel.

The woman faced the crowd and lifted her hood.

All in the courtyard bowed down at once!

It was none other than Lady Sun Sun Jingrong, mistress of the Jingzhou Vice Governor's residence.

(Chapter 402, 'Evidence': Wang Yang's brows lifted slightly, his hand resting on the sword gifted by Lady Le.)

Lady Sun's gaze swept over the crowd, her voice low but carrying undeniable authority:

"The main army will arrive soon. At that time, others will distract the city guards; you simply charge and seize the gates. Success: great rewards for all! Failure: your families will be cared for by the Le and Sun clans. If Le and Sun are destroyed, the Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie family of Chen Commandery will raise them—"

Upon hearing the final words, the crowd was stunned and uncertain.

Lady Sun turned to the maid, who lifted her hood. Moonlight poured down, revealing the girl's delicate, exquisite face.

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing's starlit eyes were calm, her words ordinary, yet they steadied everyone's hearts:

"I am a daughter of the Chen Commandery Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie clan, fourth in my family. The Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie family will coordinate with all others; when the uprising begins simultaneously at several points in the city, success is certain."

Seeing Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Si Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Xie Lady Xie Niangzi arrive, the crowd's morale surged instantly! Whispers spread like fire catching wind!

Though the Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie clan's influence in Jingzhou may not rival the "local snakes" like the Yue family, this is the Chen Commandery Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie clan! No clan would dare exterminate the Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie!

The young man dressed as a pampered noble was Sun Sun Jingrong's cousin, Sun Yan, who now said anxiously:

"Will a large army really come? Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu isn't here, but he commands troops at Wenyang—what if he recalls them to kill us...?"

(Chapter 403, "Climbing High": "I know you disapprove of leaving Jingzhou now, but the encirclement at Wenyang is nearly complete—we must act. I have ordered Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu personally to oversee its defense...")

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing said coolly:

"Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu won't return. Wenyang is his death ground. The army will destroy Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu first, then strike Jingzhou."

Sun Yan looked skeptical, his lips moving as if to speak; his gaze flickered between Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing and Lady Yue, then he swallowed his words.

Lady Yue and Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing exchanged a glance, nodding in unspoken accord.

The next moment, Lady Yue raised her voice:

"Bind my brother."

The attendants surged forward, gagging and tying Sun Yan into a bundle.

Sun Yan's eyes bulged as he struggled, muffled cries erupting!

Unfair! Unfair! I only asked a few questions! What's wrong with asking? I meant no harm!

Lady Yue scanned the crowd:

"Does anyone else have questions?"

The crowd replied in hushed unison:

"We are ready to die for you!"

Lady Yue's expression hardened:

"Life or death together!"

"The Lu clan served as accomplices, plotting to weaken the capital, yet Bo rose against convention to restore order. The armies of Wu and Chu, Yafu stationed at Changyi to block Qi and Zhao, while Zhuge Zhuge Liang was left to bear the burden. Thus wrote 'The Hereditary House of Zhou Bo.'"

Wang Yang poured his third cup of wine and raised it to the moon.

Beneath the moon, the forest rippled like dark waves.

Three barbarian armies surged over the ridgeline, like a flood rising—where they passed, grass bent, trees fell, birds scattered in panic.

Chen Chen Chen Qingshan reined her horse atop the mountain ridge.

Spear tip unmoving, her black armor drank the moonlight;

Her black tresses bound, a cold beauty glowed in her phoenix eyes.

Behind her, Tian Tian Dadao, Leruolu, Ang Ta, and the other barbarian generals watched the endless black tide roll forward, their hearts surging.

The Yidu, Wenyang, and Yongning barbarian tribes had united and marched out of the mountains—something never seen before!

Ang Ta sighed:

"If all tribes had united earlier, the banners atop Jingzhou's walls would have changed long ago."

Leruolu chuckled.

Tian Tian Dadao shouted in reply:

"Even if they change, they'll change to the Divine Messenger's banner!"

Ang Ta:...

Leruolu:...

Wang Yang finished his third cup, poured his final one; now two or three parts moonlight pooled in the cup, four or five parts wild abandon rose to his brow. Leaning on the table, cup in hand, his drunken eyes half-lidded, he exuded radiant spirit:

"Winning without fighting, mastering the unseen. Zi Fang planned this—no fame, no martial glory, turning difficulty into ease, achieving greatness through small things. Thus wrote 'The Hereditary House of Liu Hou!'"

The great river stretched like a silken ribbon,

On its prow, a lone, serene figure.

He recited to himself, drank to himself,

As if the world's wars had never stirred.

Winning without fighting, turning difficulty into ease—this is the Liu Hou's way.

Voice sank, cup set down,

A thousand li before him, reduced to nothing.

————

A bit busy—taking a day off. Next update Friday, the 24th. May Day, come rescue me!!!