Chapter 490: A Fierce Tiger Stalks in the Shadows

Cicadas! Cicadas! Cicadas!

On summer days, the sunlight was fiercely toxic, unbearable to endure.

Those who had no choice but to go out and labor did so amid sweat and swelter, their misery beyond words.

In the woods north of Lihu County, at the northernmost point of Caozhou, a Tang army detachment lay hidden, having shed their armor and resting in the shade beneath the trees.

Yet even under the trees, the oppressive heat was unbearable.

People could endure a bit of heat, but the horses were already drenched in sweat from the swelter, their spirits flagging. The soldiers cooling off in the woods still had to detail men to tend the horses, leading these "heatstruck horses" to the river to cool down.

Having to wait on the horses hand and foot in this heat was enough to make anyone's head spin.

"Jiedushi, the lads are baking here under the blazing sun—seems rather pointless, doesn't it?"

He Changqi, who had long since stripped off his armor, complained to Fang Chongyong, who wore a futou cap and was fanning himself with a cattail-leaf fan.

This Jiedushi's face was likewise covered in beads of sweat; he was hardly living in comfort and luxury.

In He Changqi's view, this was indeed making everyone miserable, and served no purpose whatsoever.

"Before we fight a bloody battle against Huangfu Weiming, I'm letting the brothers stretch their muscles a bit first.

They had it too comfortable staying in Bianzhou before. I was afraid they'd forget how we iron-hearted men once marched under blazing sun and yellow sand, going three days without finding a water source, still pressing on at forced pace.

A unit that can't endure hardship can't fight tough battles. What do you have to complain about? What do they have to complain about?"

Fang Chongyong glared at He Changqi and fired back.

He Laohu immediately dared not talk back, retreating sullenly, ready to go discipline the grunts who had been complaining to him earlier.

However, He Changqi did not have to wait long. Soon, a rider came galloping from afar—it was none other than Che Guangqian.

At this moment he was dressed as a fisherman, a short gray robe exposing his lower legs, a sun-shading bamboo hat on his head, and a small fish basket on his back. He did not even carry a horizontal saber.

Dressed like this, Che Guangqian being mistaken for a fisherman on the road would be no surprise at all. Had delivering the message not required a horse, he would have preferred to go without one entirely.

"What is the situation with the rebel army along the canal?"

Seeing Che Guangqian dismount and walk straight over, Fang Chongyong asked briskly, dispensing with unnecessary pleasantries.

"Jiedushi, things do not look good. On the Yongji Canal, boats flow endlessly back and forth, transporting grain ceaselessly to Liyang and other places.

This subordinate believes that Huangfu Weiming's attack on Henan is a certainty—he will strike as soon as the Yellow River freezes over!"

Che Guangqian said with a solemn expression, his tone carrying even a trace of barely detectable panic.

"You're saying the rebel army has made a massive undertaking, with more provisions than we anticipated—is that it?"

Fang Chongyong narrowed his eyes and habitually rubbed his right hand with his left, seemingly calculating something in his mind.

"Yes, exactly so.

There is something this subordinate must say: Huangfu Weiming has capable men under him. Their organization of the grain transport is remarkably orderly.

The Yongji Canal is not wide, but I saw the boat fleets coming and going in an orderly fashion. At the ferry docks where several large granaries are located, civilian laborers were hauling and unloading grain, none getting in one another's way.

Once unloaded, the boats depart immediately, never blocking the waterway. Orchestrating all this is no easy feat.

This subordinate reckons that once winter sets in, the Hebei rebel army will launch a massive invasion!"

Che Guangqian said with deep concern.

This reconnaissance confirmed one thing: Huangfu Weiming's earlier gesture of sending men to show goodwill was most likely a feint to lull the Xuanwu Army into complacency.

The "other shoe" that had been hanging in the air had finally dropped.

Why say this?

Because if Huangfu Weiming's target were merely Luoyang, they would have no need to set up granaries all along the canal, nor to stockpile provisions in so many locations.

Whether attacking Luoyang from the direction of Hulao Pass or advancing through Zhiguan from Hedong, the granaries in places like Weizhou and Bozhou along the canal would be of no use.

Conversely, to support a Hebei army of over a hundred thousand advancing south into Henan Circuit along multiple routes, their logistical supply was distributed across many points, using the canal as a line for back-and-forth coordination. Not only did this make it difficult for the enemy to disrupt, but a smaller force could protect the supply route.

Moreover, the supply system was highly flexible, allowing fine-tuning of grain delivery routes in response to shifts in the front line.

So the situation was now perfectly clear: Huangfu Weiming was after Bianzhou!

Many of the officers under Fang Chongyong's command had still harbored one last sliver of hope; now that hope was shattered along with Che Guangqian's intelligence.

"That old scoundrel Huangfu is truly vicious in his scheming."

Fang Chongyong gave a cold snort. This, at least, could be called good news within the bad.

At the very least, they now knew the opponent's strategic objective.

Seeing Che Guangqian hesitating to speak, Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, "Whatever it is, just say it directly."

"Jiedushi, there is another matter.

I observed the canal ferry docks in Xiangzhou, Weizhou, Bozhou, and other places—all have garrison troops patrolling and conducting inspections, very tightly guarded.

I fear that our army's movements are likewise under surveillance by the Hebei rebel scouts. They have not reacted only because we have not crossed the river.

If we cross the river northward directly from Puzhou at this point, I fear it will be very difficult to achieve the objective of a surprise attack."

Che Guangqian said with a troubled expression.

Such news would certainly displease Fang Chongyong. But on the battlefield, facts are facts. The enemy was not stupid, and they certainly could not be treated as stupid.

Since Huangfu Weiming had taken precautions, they could not assume the other side was unprepared.

Even if this would displease the commanding general!

"Hmph, entirely within expectations.

If they lacked even this level of precaution, the Hebei rebel army would not deserve to make waves in the Great Tang."

Fang Chongyong gave a calm cold snort. Though his heart burned with urgency, he could not let it show on the outside, lest his subordinate officers think he was anxious too.

A commanding general had to maintain composure—even if it was only an act!

"He Laohu, bring the map!"

Fang Chongyong called out loudly, and He Changqi quickly produced the campaign map they carried with them, spreading it open on a patch of dry ground.

This kind of map, while far less detailed than the one hanging on the wall of the Jiedushi's office hall, had the advantage of being easy to draw, easy to carry, and easy to mark.

It is a common consumable in the army.

Fang Chongyong examined the map carefully, his brow slightly furrowing.

From their current position, continuing north leads to the Puzhou territory, and across the Yellow River lies the Xiangzhou territory.

Marching due north attacks Neihuang, while heading northwest attacks Liyang; both grain‑stockpiling outposts are at the southwestern end of the Yongji Canal, its starting point.

The Hebei rebels have concentrated forces here, defending tightly, and are close to Ye City, right under Huangfu Weiming's watch.

If Fang Chongyong rashly leads troops across the river to raid these two grain depots, it will likely be hard to achieve the goal of maneuvering the enemy and destroying them in motion.

Instead, they might be spotted by Hebei rebels' scouts the moment they cross the Yellow River, then be surrounded and beaten by the rebels' abundant forces!

It seems the offensive cannot start from Caozhou; they must head east, toward Qingxu, toward the sea.

They should cut in indirectly through the Hebei rebels' weak defensive points.

"It appears that if we don't act against Li Lin, it will be hard to lull Huangfu Weiming."

Fang Chongyong rested his chin on his hand, murmuring to himself.

Only by penetrating the Yong Wang's controlled zone can the army cause Huangfu Weiming to lower his guard.

However, the Yongji Canal is not a river parallel to the Yellow River; the farther east it goes, the more it veers north, moving farther away from the Yellow River!

In other words, Fang Chongyong will need to cross the Yellow River, then swiftly cut northward for a stretch, finally reaching a key Yongji Canal stronghold for battle.

The enemy forces there are indeed thin, their vigilance will drop, but the attack route becomes longer.

There are pros and cons; choosing is truly hard to decide!

What should we choose?

Fang Chongyong fell into hesitation.

Making a choice means "weighing two evils and taking the lesser"; whichever way you pick, there will be drawbacks, otherwise it wouldn't be a choice.

"Jiedushi, should we set up a garrison in Puzhou? When I passed Puzhou, I found many civilians had fled into Danyeze, still living within Puzhou's borders, only the authorities have ceased to function."

Che Guangqian added.

"Danyeze?"

Che Guangqian's words reminded Fang Chongyong of something.

He hurriedly checked the map, finding that place unmarked, but it appeared on the detailed map hanging in the Xuanwu Army Jiedushi's office hall, fresh in Fang Chongyong's memory!

Fang Chongyong recalled that the Jishui and Wenshui rivers both pass a place called Liangshan, joining the northeastern entrance of Danyeze. The southwestern exit of Danyeze is Baigou, which continues westward through Bianzhou.

Thus, Bianzhou and the cities along the Jishui banks are linked by a main waterway. Before the Hebei rebellion, this was a branch of the Henan Canal, with bustling trade.

But now it is far less than it once was.

In other words, provisions can travel by water, departing from Bianzhou, passing Liangshan, following Jishui into the territory controlled by Yong Wang Li Lin.

There they could establish a logistics base near the Yellow Riverbank, using the waterway to transport grain.

This would greatly boost logistical supply, shortening the overland grain‑transport distance via the waterway.

Seems quite promising!

Scanning the map's key points, Fang Chongyong found the most suitable spot: Jizhou's Lu County!

His eyes stared at the map, as if ready to burst into flames!

Although Liangshan isn't marked here, Lu County is clearly labeled. From Lu County heading north, they could strike the Hebei rebels' logistics headquarters at Beizhou Qinghe!

Now only one problem remains: to achieve this, either capture Lu County or strike a PY deal with Li Lin, letting his troops secure the logistics corridor.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.

He has already pressured Yong Wang Li Lin to lull Huangfu Weiming, even planning to move troops into Li Lin's jurisdiction to stage a show for Huangfu Weiming.

With such tactics, how can one negotiate with Yong Wang Li Lin?

If I really did that, I'd think I'm a scumbag.

Fang Chongyong fell into contemplation; after much effort he devised a 'brilliant plan', yet various reasons prevent its execution, truly regrettable.

"Jiedushi, have you thought of a solution?"

Beside him, Che Guangqian, noticing Fang Chongyong's shifting expression, lowered his voice and asked.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said:

"If we secure Lu County in Jizhou, the grain route can go by water, and we'll have free movement.

But Lu County is under Yong Wang Li Lin's control; we have recently insulted the Yong Wang, so he won't cooperate. If he refuses, we must dispatch troops to attack Lu County, then cross the river to fight Huangfu Weiming, while fearing a back‑stab from Li Lin."

The hardships involved are… hard to put into words."

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh, feeling there was no good solution.

Che Guangqian glanced at the map, gestured, and couldn't help but applaud:

"This plan is superb; departing from Lu County to cross the river puts us far from Hebei's Yongji Canal and from the rebels' tightly patrolled zones, eliminating worries about supply lines or retreat. It enables a covert strike with the ferocity of a tiger tearing at the heart!"

If it can be carried out, the battle is almost half won!

Soon, the excitement on Che Guangqian's face dimmed.

No matter how ingenious, the plan fails if the relationship with Yong Wang Li Lin isn't handled.

To some extent, it even requires Li Lin to provide cover.

This is a political tie between two forces, not a personal friendship, making it especially hard to manage.

As for 'quietly' departing from Lu County, that exists only in imagination. The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army has mobilized three thousand troops; crossing the river silently at Lu County without Yong Wang Li Lin noticing is impossible.

One can only say that dreams have everything; just think about it.

"Jiedushi, if we cannot coordinate with the Yong Wang, we'll have to consider other options."

Che Guangqian gave a wry smile.

Often life is this helpless. But a living person can't die of a full bladder; if the optimal solution fails, one must choose the second‑best, you can't hang yourself on a single tree.

Yet Fang Chongyong remains unwilling to accept it.

He also called over Wang Nande, Duan Xiushi, and others to discuss the march route; nearly everyone's idea was the same as Che Guangqian's.

The plan was indeed very good, but it was just one step short of the Ling Gate.

But as long as they could talk Prince Yong Li Lin around, this move could be easily realized.

"Jiedushi, why don't we swiftly capture Lu County, then send troops to garrison it."

He Changqi could not help but suggest.

Fang Chongyong shook his head, however, and said:

"As long as we seize cities and occupy territory, it will quickly draw Huangfu Weiming's attention. Once he knows we've taken Lu County, he will inevitably be able to follow the thread and guess that we intend to cross the river.

If he's already guessed our next move, then doesn't that make it all for nothing?"

"Jiedushi, this won't work and that won't work either — are we supposed to pledge allegiance to Prince Yong Li Lin?"

He Changqi could not help but complain.

Hearing this, all the generals were stunned.

It seemed... it wasn't entirely impossible!

Since they could already pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince, what would be wrong with pledging allegiance to Prince Yong?

The generals under Fang Chongyong had also heard that Brother Ji was stationed with troops in Jinzhou, and could march into Chang'an at any time. When that time came, whether Li Chang would still be the Son of Heaven would be an open question — he might not even be able to save his own life.

"Hmm, your proposal is very... hmm, very imaginative."

Fang Chongyong gave a thumbs-up in approval, but had no intention of carrying it out.

The main problem was that he had talked too big before, and had even publicly issued a document demanding that Li Lin send a congratulatory message to Li Chang.

If he now sent someone to seek out Prince Yong Li Lin, it would be sheer arrogance followed by obsequiousness — his persona would completely collapse.

Fang Chongyong could not afford to lose that much face.

Just then, a personal guard stepped forward to report: "Jiedushi, a man named Li Taibai requests an audience, saying he is an old acquaintance of yours."

Fang Chongyong was still racking his brains over how to deal with Lu County, his mind a muddled mess!

Hearing this, he waved his hand lightly and casually snapped: "What Li Taibai? This Jiedushi only knows that the night is too dark — send him away. Even his name is so pretentious..."

Wait — Li Taibai?

Li Bai!

Fang Chongyong suddenly realized and hastily called back the personal guard who had already turned to leave: "Quick, quick, quick, let him come see this Jiedushi at once. Never mind, never mind — take me to him, right now! Lead the way, quickly!"

He straightened his clothes slightly and followed the personal guard out.

Che Guangqian and the others all looked at one another in bewilderment, not knowing what kind of act Fang Chongyong was putting on.