Chapter 477: Changing Commanders on the Eve of Battle

In Hedong Circuit, Taiyuan City, in the main hall of the Hedong Military Commissioner's yamen (which could also be called the Tang Emperor's temporary palace), numerous military generals had gathered, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

With nothing going smoothly, the Tang Emperor Li Longji, seated in the principal seat of the main hall, found that he seemed unable to keep the army's senior generals in check!

The military order to attack Hebei that had been issued earlier simply could not be carried out for some reason.

He said to attack Zhending in Hebei, but Wang Zhongsi took over Xinzhou in Hedong instead.

This feeling was rather like a diner going to a restaurant and ordering a plate of dumplings, only for the establishment to bring out a dish of steamed buns instead—enough to make him question his life!

"Why don't you all speak up. What should we do now?"

Brother Ji stared fixedly at Wang Zhongsi, wishing he could tear the man's bones apart to vent the hatred in his heart!

Brother Ji's question went unanswered; all the generals looked toward Wang Zhongsi.

Wang Zhongsi, for his part, felt that he had already said everything there was to say previously.

Now there was nothing left to say, because no matter what, you cannot wake someone who is pretending to sleep!

"Wang Zhongsi! When the rebel forces in Hebei were depleted earlier, you did not obey the imperial edict and refused to send troops to Zhending in Hebei!

Now Hebei's troops have finished falling back and set up defenses in the Zhending and Xindu area!

You let all that time go to waste—what crime should you be charged with?

Leading the army to no avail and bungling the opportunity for battle—what crime should you be charged with?"

Brother Ji pointed at Wang Zhongsi and cursed loudly!

Heaving heavy breaths, he looked around at the generals in the hall, only to discover in alarm: among all the officers present at this moment, not a single one echoed him!

Not even one person to chime in!

The atmosphere sank into extreme awkwardness.

However, Wang Zhongsi had no intention of rebelling after all, and he had no choice but to step forward, cross his hands in salute to Brother Ji, and say:

"Sire, Hebei is flat and open. Even if the enemy forces were previously massed at Ye City, if they wished to reinforce Zhending, Xindu, and other places, their cavalry would move like lightning—only a day or two's march away! These troops could furthermore divide and converge, harassing our supply lines, cutting off our route of retreat, and blocking our scouts.

Previously, Huangfu Weiming intended to lure our army deep, deliberately creating the false impression that the heartland of Hebei was undefended.

If our army were to greedily advance for glory while our supply lines were cut by the rebel forces, there would be a risk of the dynasty's overthrow.

I beg Your Majesty to think thrice!"

Wang Zhongsi could not even be bothered to say these words again—it was obviously a trap, so why walk into it?

Over the past month or two, the Hebei rebel army under Huangfu Weiming's command had been like a coquettish prostitute, moving troops back and forth between Zhending and Ye City, deliberately giving the government scouts the false impression that "Hebei's forces are being redeployed frequently"!

It looked like resupply, it looked like troop movements, it looked like falling back to defense—no one could figure out what those wretches were up to!

At the time, Wang Zhongsi could not see through what scheme Huangfu Weiming was playing either, but he did not want to clash head-on with Huangfu Weiming, and instead chose to march north and strike Shi Siming first, clearing Hedong before anything else.

Now, two months' time had already proven that Huangfu Weiming had previously employed the tactic of moving by day and camping by night, swapping out his main forces like nested dolls, and had already deployed his main strength in the heartland of Hebei, with the old and weak rotated to Ye City.

They were just waiting for the government forces to come to Zhending and fight an all-in battle in which they held none of the advantages of timing, terrain, or popular support, and then wipe out the government's main force in one fell swoop.

Many of the skilled fighters among the government forces could see this clearly: until the critical moment, whoever struck first would die first!

Only Brother Ji could not see it!

Or one could also say that Brother Ji was rather partial to the military principle of "overcoming skill with brute force," using heavy casualties among his soldiers in exchange for swift and rapid territorial conquest.

The choice of strategy was entirely based on projections of the future course of the war; there was no saying who was right or who was wrong—history would prove everything, and there was no medicine for regret in this world.

Faced with Wang Zhongsi's explanation, Brother Ji wore a dark expression and said nothing.

"The Tang dynasty can no longer afford to keep this up. Before the autumn harvest, we must dispatch troops."

Brother Ji could not help but let out a long sigh in front of all the generals.

"Sire, just endure a few more months and it will be fine.

The rebel forces have made no progress for a long time, and they lack great cities like Chang'an and Luoyang.

Over time, their morale will surely waver, and their military momentum cannot be sustained.

I beg Your Majesty to remain calm and not act rashly."

Li Guangbi cupped his fists in salute to Brother Ji, secretly groaning inwardly.

He was well aware that what Wang Zhongsi was employing now was called a "strategy of deterrence."

It appeared uneventful on the surface, but was in fact exceedingly brilliant.

As long as this absolutely elite force garrisoned in Hedong remained, the Hebei rebels would not dare run amok everywhere. Huangfu Weiming would be compelled to deploy the bulk of his army on Hebei's eastern front!

Though no fierce battles had been fought, in reality it pinned down the greater part of the rebel forces.

If the Hebei rebel forces disregarded everything and marched south into Henan, then the government forces could advance from Hedong through Zhending to harass the Hebei heartland.

Keeping the rebel forces stretched back and forth between Henan and the Hebei heartland.

But right now, Huangfu Weiming was plainly trying to lure the government forces into sending troops into Hebei, and since the timing was not ripe, there was no need to seek a decisive battle with the rebel forces.

As for the reasons Brother Ji gave—things like the Tang dynasty could not afford to drag this out, or could not afford the provisions and supplies—those were not matters for a military man to consider; they were the Tang Emperor's and the chancellor's problem!

"Shut up! What kind of intentions do you harbor in saying these things?

I hear you are Wang Zhongsi's adopted son—are the two of you colluding to sideline Us?"

Brother Ji was completely unhinged by Li Guangbi! He directly slapped a massive label of treason on him!

"Your subject deserves death!"

Wang Zhongsi and Li Guangbi were so frightened they hastily knelt before Brother Ji. They did not understand either why Brother Ji had flown into such a rage today.

"An Chongzhang, We ask you: the army first garrisons at Luzhou, then takes the Bing-Ye Road out through Fukou Pass to directly capture Ye City—how about that?"

Brother Ji looked at An Chongzhang and asked; he was now thinking of directly capturing Ye City and achieving the objective in one step.

"Sire, it is true that Shangdang is easy to defend and hard to attack, but the Bing-Ye Road is far too rugged. If the rebel forces set an ambush there, I fear..."

An Chongzhang said with some hesitation, truly not knowing how to continue.

"Just tell Us directly whether we can dispatch troops from here. We never said we absolutely had to go through the Bing-Ye Road."

Brother Ji suppressed the fire in his heart and squeezed out a faint smile as he asked.

"Sage, if you truly wish to send troops into Hebei, the Bing-Ye route can serve as a flanking force for a surprise attack.

If you merely wish to draw Hebei's troops near Ye City, then this route needs at most ten thousand men."

An Chongzhang said with a troubled expression.

What calculations Wang Zhongsi was making was actually as clear as a mirror in his mind.

"Good, then you shall lead ten thousand troops, take the Bing-Ye route, and attack Ye City through Fukou Pass."

Brother Ji completely ignored An Chongzhang's objections and issued the order directly.

Hearing this absurd military command, all the generals present were dumbfounded.

Brother Ji had issued this order suddenly, without any prior discussion with any of them!

In the military deployment of Hedong Circuit, because Huguan was there, the Luzhou area was not a priority.

If the army were to march from the Bing-Ye route to Fukou Pass, the main force would first need to advance to Luzhou and set up camp as a logistical base, and a new supply route would have to be established.

As for that narrow mountain road between Huguan and Fukou Pass, let alone even mention it—once trapped in there, it would mean certain death with no chance of survival!

"We know this road is perilous, but it can catch them off guard."

Brother Ji consoled An Chongzhang.

"Sage, the Bing-Ye route cannot serve as the main direction of attack. A moment of carelessness could easily alert the enemy instead, and it also requires the cooperation of troops from other directions to be effective.

This humble subject believes that at most three thousand old and weak soldiers should be stationed here as a decoy force to keep Huangfu Weiming in check. Elite troops must still be concentrated for use.

Since ancient times, whenever Bingzhou and Hebei clashed, they always went through Jingxing.

If we just wait two more months, when the rebel forces run short of supplies and their morale is low, we will surely be able to defeat the enemy..."

Wang Zhongsi, kneeling on the ground, was about to say more, but saw Brother Ji grab the paperweight from the desk and hurl it viciously at his face!

But Brother Ji was old and his strength had faded. The paperweight landed beside Wang Zhongsi and rolled clatter-clatter to one side.

"Wait, wait, wait! Always waiting!

We have already waited two months!

Do you all want to wait until We pass away?"

Brother Ji pointed at the generals and cursed loudly, having completely lost his composure!

"Sage, curb your anger, Sage, curb your anger."

Gao Lishi hurried forward and gently rubbed Brother Ji's back. The panting Brother Ji only then gradually calmed down.

"Wang Zhongsi will lead ninety thousand troops out through Jingxing, and An Chongzhang will lead ten thousand troops out through Fukou Pass. One hundred thousand troops, one route as the main attack, one route as a feint. It is decided. The army sets out in three days!"

Leaving behind this harsh ultimatum, Brother Ji flicked his sleeves and left, not wanting to spare even a glance at Wang Zhongsi and Li Guangbi kneeling on the ground.

After Brother Ji left, An Chongzhang and several people from the Lun clan of Liangzhou also departed separately.

After Wang Zhongsi stood up, Gao Xianzhi and other key generals of the Western Army quickly gathered around, every face filled with worry.

"Commander, now that the Sage insists on a decisive battle in Hebei, what should we do?

Wouldn't it be better to wait until after the autumn harvest and before winter to make our move?"

Gao Xianzhi asked in a low voice.

Wang Zhongsi had already risen to his feet by now. He sighed and said:

"Hebei is vast, not as easy as the Sage imagines.

Taking Zhending is not difficult, but Hebei is flat and open. After we capture Zhending, we must at least divide our forces into three routes.

One route north to attack Fanyang and Youzhou City, one route east to take Pingji and Xindu, one route south to Xingzhou and Mingzhou, to coordinate with An Chongzhang.

The heartland of Hebei is full of rebel territory everywhere, and these rebel forces are not only massively recruiting troops but also resting and building up their strength.

With so many disadvantages, how can we possibly win?"

That Wang Zhongsi had managed to drag out the war to this point was truly exhausting every trick he had.

Just as he was about to discuss the specific strategy with the generals, he saw Gao Lishi hurrying over. Gao Lishi, in front of everyone, took Wang Zhongsi by the hand, pressed a yellow silk scroll into his hands, and said:

"Commander Wang has also worked hard these days. The Sage sympathizes with you and orders you to train troops and gather provisions in Taiyuan, defending the rear. For this campaign, Generals Li Guangbi, Guo Ziyi, Gao Xianzhi, and An Chongzhang will each lead their own forces. When the time comes, the Sage will personally lead the expedition and take overall command."

Uh... how should one put it?

Hearing this command, all the generals present were speechless and choked up.

An emperor, or a crown prince, leading troops in battle and still fighting with fierce vigor—has there ever been such a person since the founding of the Great Tang?

The answer is not only that there was, but that he was famously renowned—it was none other than Li Erfeng, the de facto founding monarch of the Li-Tang.

It is not to say that an emperor cannot lead troops into battle, but one must also consider which emperor it is!

Having Brother Ji lead them out to fight the Hebei rebel forces—wasn't that just nonsense?

"Eunuch Gao, this imperial edict is rather improper. If it is truly issued, I fear..."

Li Guangbi argued incoherently, but saw Wang Zhongsi glare at him fiercely with his eyes, signaling him not to act recklessly.

Gao Lishi also looked at Li Guangbi and warned with a fake smile: "General Li, you can eat carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly!"

"This humble subject accepts the edict.

We march out in three days. I ask you all to do your best."

Wang Zhongsi tucked the imperial edict into his robe, cupped his fist, and bowed to the generals beside him!

"Commander, take care!"

The generals also cupped their fists and bowed to him.

Seeing this scene, Gao Lishi felt his heart tighten.

He patted Wang Zhongsi on the shoulder and said: "Commander, train your troops well in Taiyuan."

Although Brother Ji sidelining Wang Zhongsi today seemed rather abrupt, the seeds of distrust had actually been planted long ago.

That day in Queshu Valley, when Wang Zhongsi let Fang Chongyong go, he should have known this day would come.

Moreover, Wang Zhongsi's trusted followers were spread throughout the armies of the northwest, and Brother Ji was genuinely afraid of trouble brewing close at hand, so he could tolerate him even less.

"Once the great army returns victorious, you admit your fault to the Sage, and this matter will be considered past."

Gao Lishi consoled Wang Zhongsong in gentle words.

……

The gate tower of Jingxing Old Pass.

Cai Xide held a letter in one hand, his other hand resting on the parapet, his mood unsettled.

What he held was a personal letter from Huangfu Weiming, its contents very simple—summarized in a phrase: "As long as you're willing to turn back, we're still good brothers."

"General Cai, what does the letter say?"

His trusted aide Zhang Xiaozhong asked with an expectant look.

Their treatment within the government army wasn't particularly good—not only did they lack a decent place to settle down, but of the two passes at Jingxing they had originally been guarding, after Fang Chongyong was branded a rebel, one of the passes was taken over by Bai Xiaode's unit of the government army.

Now they only had Jingxing Old Pass in their hands—it could be said they were worse off than before they had submitted!

Faced with Zhang Xiaozhong's question, Cai Xide did not answer. In this wretched state, he didn't know what to say either.

Toward the loyal Zhang Xiaozhong, Cai Xide felt ashamed in his heart.

"General, that Fang Guozhong was too treacherous last time! He had us surrender, and then he himself became a rebel!

Truly outrageous!"

Zhang Xiaozhong complained indignantly.

He was the most honest sort of person, unable to stand those treacherous people and treacherous deeds!

Fang Chongyong had clearly negotiated terms with Cai Xide, but before those terms were fully implemented, Fang Chongyong himself had fallen into the water from a boat.

Thoroughly screwing Cai Xide over!

Even if the other party hadn't done it on purpose, in Zhang Xiaozhong's view, that was still extremely detestable!

"This letter, you see, is Grand Commander Huangfu wanting us to submit. Tell me, should I surrender or not?"

Cai Xide unbuckled the sword at his waist and handed it to Zhang Xiaozhong, then dragged his weary steps along the wall of the pass.

He had asked a very realistic and very difficult question.

"General Cai, that Fang Chongyong fought through the entire campaign—distinguished by exhausting labor and great merit. And what was the result in the end?

Could it be that General Cai has more connections in the court than Fang Chongyong?

Greater merit than his?"

Zhang Xiaozhong drove the knife in further.

Cai Xide's expression darkened. Recalling the matter of his submission to the court back then, he felt exceptionally displeased in his heart.

At that time, Cai Xide had also reported to the court the terms Fang Chongyong had previously promised him, but the result was like a stone dropped in the sea.

"Anyway, I'm not acknowledging it now—have the guts to switch sides again if you dare!"

The court, emboldened and acting shamelessly, directly dispatched troops to take over Tumen Pass, pulling the rug out from under them.

The court already considered military men like Cai Xide who had submitted from Hebei to be roughly like tigers with their fangs pulled—long since posing no threat—and so didn't want to bother with them anymore.

The more he restrained himself the angrier he got; the more he backed down the more he felt cheated! Now, recalling these wretched affairs, Cai Xide felt great hatred in his heart!

"No rush. The government army and the Hebei army have not yet clashed; victory and defeat remain unknown.

Anyway, whoever wins, we'll help."

Cai Xide gave a cold, mocking laugh to Zhang Xiaozhong, both fists clenched tight, his fingertips white from the pressure.