Chapter 455: Different States of Mind

In the spring of the twelfth year of the Tianbao era, along the banks of the Yellow River, fierce battles were in full swing.

Huangfu Weiming personally led a hundred thousand elite troops, encamping on the opposite bank of He Yin County at places such as Xiuwu, Wuzhi and Wen County, and then ordered the great general Li Guiren to lead twenty thousand soldiers to force a crossing of the Yellow River and seize Bian Port in one stroke!

Li Guiren originally intended, in accordance with Huangfu Weiming's orders, to burn all the transport ships moored at Bian Port, thereby cutting off supplies to Guanzhong.

But when the main force arrived, they discovered that the transport ships that had been moored at the crossing the previous night had vanished, apparently having been moved elsewhere.

He could only report the truth to Huangfu Weiming.

Meanwhile, Li Huaixian's detachment, after capturing the former Wu County east of He Yin County, found that not a single grain of rice remained in the treasury. The local populace had virtually all fled, leaving only the immobile elderly, weak, women and children.

These bad news gave Huangfu Weiming a foreboding feeling.

Sure enough, three days later, while stationed in Beizhou, the grain overseer Hou Xiyi sent a messenger to Huangfu Weiming reporting: a government force forcefully crossed the Yellow River from Lu County in Jizhou, and after capturing the poorly defended prefectural capital Liaocheng in Bo Prefecture, surged straight into Beizhou, attempting to set fire to the "Northern Treasury" located in Qinghe County of Beizhou.

Hou Xiyi was Huangfu Weiming's confidant, a well‑known iron‑clad "pro‑imperial faction" within Hebei forces; otherwise he would not have been entrusted by Huangfu Weiming with the crucial task of overseeing the main granary.

The raid caused Hou Xiyi to break out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly ordered his subordinate officers to launch separate counterattacks, yet several outlying storehouses were still burned, resulting in a substantial loss of grain.

In his haste, Hou Xiyi could not save face and promptly wrote a letter to Huangfu Weiming, earnestly outlining the stakes.

He advised in the letter:

Now it seems that a famous general is stationed in Henan, fully aware of our intentions. Though we advance with great momentum, the enemy has already discerned that we aim to attack Luoyang and then enter Guanzhong via Tongguan or Hedong. The initial advantage we once enjoyed has largely been lost.

Therefore, in troop deployment, if we do not concentrate forces, we may cover the entire front but will find it hard to achieve absolute superiority in the Henan sector, making us vulnerable to being defeated piece by piece.

If we concentrate forces, although the clash near Luoyang becomes a direct showdown, the supply lines are stretched, leaving gaps everywhere.

The government troops can calmly redeploy, advancing into Hebei by a circuitous route from Jizhou, Qizhou, Zizhou, Qingzhou and other locations! By then our rear will be empty, and we certainly will be unable to stop them.

Hou Xiyi suggested postponing the attack on Luoyang, first allowing Prince Rong Li Wan to ascend the throne in Ye City, thereby stabilizing public sentiment and rewarding meritorious officers. Then dispatch troops along the Yellow River to sequentially sweep the southern banks of the river, carving out a strategic buffer zone, controlling the locals and administrations there, and amassing strength.

Finally, concentrate forces for a decisive battle against the government troops at Luoyang, and the great undertaking can succeed. Otherwise, incidents like this granary raid will continue to occur.

When a swift horse covering five hundred li a day delivered the letter to the rebel main camp on the north bank of the Yellow River, Huangfu Weiming was pacing angrily back and forth inside his command tent, his face flushed with shame and fury. Beside him, Li Guiren, Li Huaixian, Wang Xuanzi and others dared not even breathe, standing quietly as if they were wronged little wives.

"Did Fang Youde set fire to all the crossings and granaries of He Yin County, then withdraw overnight, leaving me with an empty city?"

Huangfu Weiming asked in disbelief.

"Commander, indeed so."

Li Guiren answered awkwardly, saying that it was not only Huangfu Weiming who found it hard to believe; he himself could hardly believe that the government troops would abandon the most crucial point of the Yellow River defense so cleanly.

"Commander, General Hou's letter has arrived!"

At that moment, a courier hurried into the command tent and handed a letter to Huangfu Weiming.

"This is outrageous!"

After reading the letter, Huangfu Weiming stamped his foot in anger, flopped onto a wooden stool, his mind unsettled, and for a long time could not regain his composure.

"Commander, what does the letter say?"

Li Guiren asked, puzzled.

Huangfu Weiming lifted the letter aloft, letting Li Guiren take it himself.

Soon, the urgent missive from Beizhou circulated among the generals inside the command tent.

"Speak up, what do you think?"

Huangfu Weiming rubbed his throbbing temples, closed his eyes, and asked in a deep voice.

"Commander, General Hou is absolutely right. As the saying goes, if the name is not proper, the words will not flow; Youzhou is too far from the Central Plains, establishing the capital at Ye City and letting Prince Rong ascend the throne is indeed a move to stabilize public sentiment."

Li Guiren carefully phrased his remarks, offering a critique of Hou Xiyi's suggestion.

With him leading, many in the command tent echoed him. Establishing the capital at Ye City and enthroning the emperor would mean they would no longer be 'rebels' and could each be promoted.

What's not to like?

As for Huangfu Weiming's earlier claim that Luoyang must be taken, who can guarantee it can indeed be captured?

After all, a thousand birds in the forest are not as good as one bird in the hand!

"This matter is of great importance; allow me to consider it," he said.

Huangfu Weiming let out a long sigh, also feeling a bit shaken.

He waved his hand, and the generals filed out like fish in a stream, leaving only Huangfu Weiming alone in the command tent, deep in thought.

In fact, he had to admit that his strategic intent had been completely seen through by Fang Youde, as if a person were standing naked under the sun.

When a strategy is uncovered, it means the opponent can set targeted defenses and will not hesitate to send troops into Hebei to stir up trouble.

Because Fang Youde was convinced that, although Huangfu Weiming commanded many troops, he would not dare to disperse them, as these men were being prepared for the capture of Luoyang.

Huangfu Weiming's original plan was to first take Luoyang, allowing Prince Rong Li Wan to proclaim himself emperor there. He would then not rush into Guanzhong, but instead split his forces to seize territory. By then the rebels' "great cause" would have risen far beyond its current level, essentially becoming a pretext to take over cities!

Unfortunately, achieving all this required one prerequisite: capture Luoyang and hold it!

Failing that, everything would be empty talk.

Huangfu Weiming's current dilemma was that if he led his troops to attack Luoyang, the supply lines and granaries would be subject to relentless raids. At that point, during the siege of Luoyang, he might find himself unable to advance and unable to retreat safely back to Ye City.

So should he make a bold move now, or consolidate the gains and first "establish a state" before proceeding?

Huangfu Weiming fell into contemplation, also feeling that Hou Xiyi's suggestion was indeed heartfelt.

Among the Hebei rebels, factions sprouted like trees, with like attracting like. People of different types held completely different ideas.

Hou Xiyi was completely aligned with him, both seeking to support the prince's ascension and change the dynasty without replacing it. Therefore, Hou Xiyi's letter was spoken from the standpoint of shared interests, not purely personal gain.

But some among the Hebei rebels only aim to carve out territories in Hebei and enfeoff kings. They have little interest in marching on Chang'an.

Moreover, their numbers are not few.

Huangfu Weiming was momentarily caught in a dilemma: establishing the capital at Ye City would solidify Hebei's base, but would also grant the government troops ample time to redeploy. Once the north‑western towns reached Luoyang, the battle would no longer need to be fought!

"Attack or halt?"

Huangfu Weiming tapped his finger on the table, unable to decide for a moment.

……

Jingxing Pass, also called "Tumen Pass", is the mouth of the Jingxing section of the Taihang Mountains on the west side of Jingxing County, hence its name.

Ancient people said the land is high and flat on all four sides, with the middle low like a well, and therefore called it Well Pass. In short, Well Pass is one of the "Eight Passes of the Taihang". These "passes" are actually narrow fault zones formed by geological movement in the Taihang Mountains.

Through these fault zones, people at both ends of the Taihang Mountains can traverse the steep, towering, winding, endless Taihang range.

Thus a dangerous configuration "one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot open it" is formed.

To the east of Well Pass lies Hebei's strategic stronghold True Stability. This is the interior of Hebei; controlling True Stability, one can attack Youyan to the north and Zhao, Ji to the south, making it Hebei's softest rib.

The terrain of True Stability is not treacherous; it relies entirely on the Well Pass Gate to block the Taihang exit. Without this pass, Hebei's east would have an extremely narrow "wound", and the imperial army could advance eastward from there, eventually driving the rebels straight into the sea!

In a word, a battlefield that strategists must contest!

Early that day, Cai Xide, who garrisoned the old Well Pass Gate, waited for neither Shi Siming's reinforcements nor Huangfu Weiming's orders; instead an uninvited guest arrived.

Looking at the unremarkable, not tall officer Feng Changqing before him, Cai Xide said coldly, "Your Fang Jiedushi can indeed wage war well, but I have nothing to discuss with him. Send the messenger away."

Cai Xide had no intention of listening to Feng Changqing at all. Of course, in his current situation, he would not cut off his own retreat.

"General Cai, disaster is near; are you not concerned about my Jiedushi's golden advice?"

"What General Cai thinks in his heart is clear to me, but please consider these before speaking."

Feng Changqing clasped his fists to Cai Xide, then handed several letters in his hand to Cai Xide's personal soldiers.

He then waited quietly beside them.

As expected, Cai Xide's demeanor was not as hard as his words; he eventually took the letters, read them line by line before Feng Changqing, one after another.

When he finished all the letters, his forehead was already dotted with fine beads of sweat, and his hand holding the letters trembled uncontrollably.

"The matter is of great importance; General Cai may take his time to think. My Jiedushi is not in a hurry."

"But we can wait; the situation will not. The promises in the letters are only valid now; when circumstances change, conditions will differ. This is the principle of 'this time, that time'. I hope General Cai will consider it carefully."

Feng Changqing spoke slowly, looking completely unhurried.

Cai Xide fell silent, seeming inclined to act, yet said nothing.

Seeing his silence, Feng Changqing lowered his voice and said, "Now the court needs a role model to boost morale. If General Cai can open Well Pass Gate and let the Hedong army attack True Stability, my Jiedushi will recommend you as Military Governor. The court is establishing many Military Governors to quell the rebellion; you could even choose one!"

"Really?"

Cai Xide's face showed surprise, and he blurted out the question.

As soon as the words left his mouth he realized his slip; he cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment and asked, "Why aren't these written in the letters?"

"General Cai, my Jiedushi intends to plead to the court that you are a righteous man who has been infiltrating the rebels, waiting for the crucial moment to strike them hard. How can such matters be written in a letter and become fodder for gossip?"

Feng Changqing retorted with righteous indignation.

Cai Xide thought for a moment and found it true. Such private matters could not be put in black and white.

If a stranger like us handed the letters to Huangfu Weiming, and he then spread rumors that Fang Chongyong plotted treason, what then?

After pondering, Cai Xide said to Feng Changqing, "How about this: north of Shouyang County, dozens of miles away, there is a mountain called Fang Mountain, with the North River at its foot. If the Fang Jiedushi is sincere, meet me five days later at the foot of Fang Mountain, by the North River. If not, forget it; I will consider you absent today."

Cai Xide's expression was solemn, not joking.

Feng Changqing cursed the rebel commander in his heart for being overly pretentious, but outwardly remained composed and said, "I cannot decide this; I must return to consult my Jiedushi."

"No need; just inform him, and you need not return to Well Pass Gate."

Cai Xide turned away, raised his hand to signal the guest's departure.

Feng Changqing, helpless, walked out of the city gate alone. Looking back, the mountain path behind the city tower was rugged and winding, rising and falling, clearly hard to tackle.

"One cannot know the Jiedushi's ambition without asking."

Feng Changqing sighed lightly, muttering to himself.

The dragon is about to break out to sea; just one breath away! Once the Well Pass Gate is breached, the great army will surge straight into Hebei's interior. This rebellion could be quelled within a year!

It might even be possible to march straight to Youzhou, perform a Black Tiger heart‑removal, and end the war outright!

The more critical the moment, the more Feng Changqing wanted to decide for Cai Xide, hoping the other side would not misread the great situation.

He was so anxious he could have jumped up and down.

After Feng Changqing left, Cai Xide did not idle; he sent his personal soldiers to the nearby Tumen Pass, and ordered his subordinate Zhang Xiaozhong to come to the old Well Pass Gate to discuss important matters.

Zhang Xiaozhong, confident, arrived alone at the old Well Pass Gate. Cai Xide walked with him on the surrounding mountains, chatting casually while handing Zhang Xiaozhong the several letters Feng Changqing had delivered for his review.

"General, if Sun Xiaozhe returns to lodge a complaint, the situation will be extremely unfavorable to you."

Zhang Xiaozhong said without hesitation, very resolutely.

"I know exactly what you mean. Shi Siming will surely report to Grand Marshal Huangfu, accusing me of deliberately losing battles and colluding with the imperial forces."

"Even if I can prove my innocence, the previous crushing defeat cannot be fully washed away. An incompetent commander does not deserve to guard Well Pass Gate. If Shi Siming works behind the scenes, my being sidelined is inevitable."

Cai Xide let out a long sigh.

What is called a hero's short temper—this is exactly that!

"You are my trusted aide; if I am transferred, you will also find it hard to thrive. Three days later I plan to go to Fang Mountain to discuss terms with Fang Guozhong."

"If I fall into a trap and cannot return to Well Pass, you will take charge of the overall situation."

Cai Xide patted Zhang Xiaozhong's shoulder, gazed at the distant Taihang Mountain range, feeling the rivers and mountains like a painting, waves grand and magnificent!

"My junior… sigh!"

Zhang Xiaozhong did not know what to say.

As locals from Hebei, they have little interest in attacking Chang'an or supporting a prince's ascension. Their greatest ambition is merely to carve out a fief in Hebei.

"General Cai, actually Fang Guozhong's suggestion is not unworthy of a try."

Zhang Xiaozhong lowered his voice.

"Oh? How so?"

Cai Xide suddenly became interested.

"If the Hebei rebellion is eventually pacified, those familiar with local customs will certainly be appointed. Your early surrender will make you the first choice when the court suppresses Hebei."

"Isn't that better than following Huangfu Weiming?"

Zhang Xiaozhong, a sincere man, voiced in one sentence the fantasy in Cai Xide's mind.

(End of chapter)