Chapter 413: Achieving One

Tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap, tap-tap, tap.

On the grand house-boat, the Prince of Badong leaned back in his seat, cheeks puffed tight, fingers drumming the table, one beat after another. Below him, his counselors either studied maps, pored over documents, or whispered in consultation.

The Prince of Badong's fingers tapped faster, his cheeks puffing tighter, until suddenly—bang! —he slammed his fist onto the table.

Everyone jumped, hastily raising their heads.

"Enough waiting! Let him sleep! Let him come or not! I don't believe anything can't be done without Wang Zhi's face! Li Li Li Jingxuan, start now!"

No one spoke aloud, but all inwardly rejoiced. Wang Yang was arrogant with talent, refusing to bow; the Prince had cold-shouldered him, and he had cold-shouldered the Prince in return—sometimes hungover, sometimes unwell, now even skipping council meetings. No wonder great clans have such presence! Keep it up! Absolutely keep it up!

Li Li Li Jingxuan also feared Wang Yang's return to favor; after all, this man could flip life and death, reverse ghosts and gods—best if he never showed his face to the Prince. And Li Li Li Jingxuan worried that if Wang Yang came, he might sway the Prince to use that "unorthodox strategy"...

Li Li Li Jingxuan composed himself and replied aloud:

"Gentlemen, the situation is now clear: the enemy has contracted its full force, concentrating troops to hold Xiaokou, Lushan, and Yan Yue Lei for defense. The fate of Yingzhou hinges on these three points. This morning, General Liu Chao requested to lead the vanguard against Lushan. What do you all think?"

Tao Rui responded:

"Lushan is terrain of great danger; Liu Chao's vanguard commander should not be stalled there. If we fail to take it, we break our own momentum. We are numerous, the enemy few—why fixate on one point? Better to advance on all three fronts simultaneously. Meanwhile, order Liu Chao to cross Xiaokou and raid downstream, securing the entire Yingzhou region first."

Xue Shao added:

"I also support attacking all three at once. First, it cuts off enemy mutual support; second, it reveals their weaknesses. If we take one by storm, all is well. If things go awry, we can break two and encircle one, then drive straight east without delay."

The Prince of Badong nodded along, when Guo Wen's deep voice interrupted:

"In normal circumstances, a three-pronged attack is standard—but this situation is not normal..."

The Prince of Badong asked curiously:

"How is it not normal?"

"Your Highness, Xiaokou, Lushan, and Yan Yue Lei appear to form a pincer, but each pincer's posture differs.

If Lushan is the center, Yan Yue lies across the Mian River, Xiaokou spans the Great River—like two rear wings extending outward: attacking, they reinforce Lushan; defending, they aid Lushan. If we attack Lushan alone, it will be extremely difficult to take.

If Yan Yue is the center, Lushan shields its front, the Mian River its outer moat, Xiaokou a massive barrier shielding its flank. If we attack Yan Yue alone, we face enemy forces from three sides, land and water both treacherous.

But if Xiaokou is the center, it stands alone on the southern bank, while Lushan and Yan Yue lie north—externally seeming to support, internally truly isolated. And the enemy's own strategy places greatest weight on Xiaokou!

Xiaokou is both the heaviest and the most isolated. Heavy means the most troops; isolated means we can most easily sever its reinforcements.

Rather than dividing forces across both banks, land and water together, we should concentrate solely on the southern bank, attacking Xiaokou by land, while our navy monitors Lushan and Yan Yue.

If Lushan and Yan Yue do not come to aid, we focus entirely on the siege, unburdened. If they do come to aid, we strike their flank—gaining far more than if we stormed the walls.

Once Xiaokou falls, the enemy loses its foundation; Lushan and Yan Yue will collapse on their own.

If Lushan and Yan Yue's reinforcements are defeated, Xiaokou loses its aid, and morale plummets!

Thus, attacking Xiaokou is striking at the heart..."

The Prince of Badong praised:

"Brilliant strategy! Wu You, you've got it!"

Guo Wen bowed deeply:

"Your Highness flatters me. I merely adapted to the enemy's posture. The enemy is weak and scattered across three points—truly unwise. Heaven itself grants Your Highness victory!"

The Prince of Badong's mood improved; he turned to Li Li Li Jingxuan:

"Li Li Gongyu, what do you think?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan stared at the map, his expression tightening:

"I feel something is amiss..."

The Prince of Badong's face hardened instantly:

"What's amiss?"

"I wonder why Kong Xiu of divided his forces to defend three points? Given their current state, holding two would be far more secure."

Guo Wen said:

"Greed for completeness is human nature."

Li Li Li Jingxuan's gaze grew solemn:

"No. The defender of Yingzhou is not greedy.

He retreated three hundred li, abandoning territory as if discarding worn-out shoes—would a greedy man do that?

After Feng Feng Quanzu's defeat, they could have pressed forward in victory, yet they withdrew and did not pursue—clearly, their ambition lies beyond petty gains.

Since our army entered Yingzhou, the enemy's advances, retreats, attacks, and defenses have all been methodical. Clearly, Kong Xiu—or whoever advises him—is no ordinary man!

Your Highness's military secretary has advanced step by step precisely because he saw this.

Of course, aside from the military secretary's own brilliant strategy for victory..."

Li Li Li Jingxuan feigned a bitter smile; everyone chuckled.

Li Li Li Jingxuan had previously revealed Wang Yang's unorthodox strategy. Aside from the Prince of Badong being somewhat intrigued, all others opposed it. Their opposition came from both public and private motives. Publicly, the risk was too great—they already held the upper hand; normal advance sufficed, no need to gamble on such a dangerous gamble. Privately, they feared Wang Yang might succeed with one strategy, earn great merit, and return to favor—leaving no room for anyone else.

Wang Yang's plan to strike Yingwu Island had appealed to the Prince of Badong; he muttered reluctantly:

"Can't this strategy be used? If it succeeds, we could decide the war in one battle!"

Seeing the Prince wavering, everyone rushed to speak, citing military doctrines and historical examples until they finally quashed the idea—and inwardly rejoiced: thank heaven Wang Yang didn't show up! If he had, with his words alone, he might have stirred the Prince into leading the vanguard himself—and then disaster would truly strike!

As the saying goes, "Three men make a tiger." The Prince of Badong had always distrusted Wang Yang; old grievances remained unhealed. Now, with everyone's firm words, he began to suspect Wang Yang's motives in proposing this risky strategy. Could it be that Wang Yang, still resentful, sought to trap Li Li Li Jingxuan—even at the cost of the Prince's own army?

The Prince of Badong grew weary, set Wang Yang aside, and turned to Li Li Li Jingxuan:

"Li Li Gongyu, continue—what is the enemy's purpose in holding three points?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan's gaze remained fixed on the map, lost in thought; after a moment, he looked up:

"I don't know. But Wu You's words reminded me: perhaps the enemy intends to lure us into focusing on Xiaokou, while Lushan and Yan Yue conceal some hidden maneuver? Or perhaps they've hidden troops to the east, waiting for a chance to strike from within and without? Hmm... I cannot guess. But I need not guess. The enemy is weak, we are strong; they are cornered in three places. As long as we arrange our forces thoroughly and block all their possibilities, we need fear nothing.

A master carpenter never abandons his measuring lines; a great ship crossing the sea never leaves a single oar unused.

I beg Your Highness to commit all our strength to this battle—prefer weight over lightness, caution over haste. Do not relax your guard because the enemy is weak; do not forget danger because you have a clever plan. Only then can Yingzhou be secured!"

With Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu absent and Wang Yang defiant, the Prince of Badong relied even more on Li Li Li Jingxuan:

"Well said! Li Li Gongyu, tell me—how do we commit all our strength? Prefer weight over lightness—I'll follow your lead!"

"First, as Lord Tao and Lord Xue suggested: launch three-pronged assaults simultaneously against Xiaokou, Lushan, and Yan Yue Lei—no tricks, no probes, no feints, no detours—simply overwhelm them with our superior force, forcing the enemy to defend until they have no strength left, no opening for change.

Second, advance in sequence, seize Yingwu Island, clear the twenty-li waterway, and blockade the river so the enemy cannot communicate between positions.

Third, send two detachments past Xiaokou: one to occupy Yuhu City, the other to hold Baiyang Lei, to guard against outside reinforcements.

Fourth, do not divide forces to raid territory. The fate of Yingzhou rests entirely on these three cities. Once they fall, the rest will surrender by proclamation; if they do not fall, no matter how much land we seize, what use is it? Moreover, distant prefectures and remote towns are easy to capture but hard to hold—dividing forces to garrison them scatters our strength; if we don't hold them, we lose them; if we hold them, we risk losing them again—only draining morale."

The Prince of Badong turned to the other counselors:

"What do you think?"

No one spoke in opposition.

The Prince of Badong decided:

"Good! Do it this way! This entire campaign is under Li Li Li Jingxuan's command! Li Li Gongyu, when Xiaokou falls, I'll host your victory feast myself!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan felt a surge of Rexue rush to his chest!

After waiting so long,

finally,

finally, he was about to unleash his grand plan!!!

Wang Yang slept until he woke naturally.

Since he rose too late, his standing posture and fist drills had to be moved to the afternoon.

He ordered four small dishes, leisurely ate a late breakfast, then, as usual, went out on deck to stroll and digest.

When Wang Yang was first dismissed, every time he appeared, officers and soldiers would scramble to approach him, offering tea and fruit, running errands, flattering and fawning. But gradually, rumors spread; though everyone still treated him with respect, none dared to be disrespectful, most no longer approached him willingly.

Wang Yang didn't care. He leaned against the railing, letting the gentle river breeze blow, watching egrets on the river islets. Six expressionless guards stood nearby.

"Young Master!"

A general spotted Wang Yang from afar and immediately ran over to pay respects.

Wang Yang turned and saw He Ji.

"Old He? Again?"

He Ji hurried forward, bowed with clasped fists, grinning warmly:

"Yes! I've brought wine! This time, Badeling clear wine. I thought it still suited your taste—I've already ordered two jars, plus a basket of loquats, sent to your cabin!"

He Ji had once been a squad commander in Jingzhou, assigned to serve Wang Yang. Later, when the army marched out, he returned to Feng Feng Quanzu's unit, part of the land-based vanguard. Whenever there were spoils, he'd judge what Wang Yang might need and arrange to have them sent his way.

After capturing Badeling, Wang Yang reorganized his troops; He Ji's company (in Southern Dynasties military structure, a company ranked above a squad) was reassigned under Li Li Zaifu's Left Guard Division. Li Li Zaifu heard He Ji had served Wang Yang and immediately promoted him to company commander, assigning him specifically to manage cargo shipments to the house-boat.

Wang Yang smiled:

"I still have the last batch you sent. I don't drink much..."

"Keep it to reward others—it saves the kitchen from sending more," He Ji said, then pulled a small porcelain jar from his robe and offered it to Wang Yang. "When we took Zhouling, I found this tucked behind the county magistrate's signboard. It's called 'Great Tonifying Pills,' made by the famed physician Xu Daodu from Bianque's formulas—six pills total. I feared they might be useless, so I tried one myself—extremely potent! The remaining five, I offer to you, Young Master."

Wang Yang took the jar:

"Great Tonifying Pills? How potent?"

He Ji chuckled, hesitating.

Wang Yang instantly understood—and was utterly speechless.

"You... you first sent me goji berries, then some 'miracle remedy' a few days ago, now this? What's your meaning?!"

He Ji thought Wang Yang was dismissing the pills and hastily swore:

"Young Master, I've tested this one myself! It's truly amazing!!!"

"..."

"Do you know what 'dragon-slaying skill' means?" Wang Yang asked.

He Ji shook his head, bewildered.

"You use the knife; I use the knife to speak. A man may train his knife technique to perfection, but if he has no knife, and you send him knife manuals every day..."

He Ji suddenly understood:

"Your servant understands."

He lowered his voice:

"Young Master, it's not convenient today. I'll come back tomorrow."

Wang Yang frowned:

"Why are you coming tomorrow?"

"To bring you a woman."

"Get lost!"