Chapter 448: Armchair Strategizing

In the Eastern Capital, within the Han palace, Chongzheng Hall was a hive of activity.

The hall's attendants and close ministers were solemnly sorting through official documents and memorials forwarded from the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Secretariat-Chancellery, especially reports on the battle situation at the front lines in Huainan.

The lands north of the Yangtze in Huainan had been rendered into a single map, hung beside the Great Han's general atlas. Zhao Yanjin, Zhang Yongde, and An Shouzhong—these second-generation generals—were gathered beneath it, discussing in low voices, marking the Huainan battle situation and the shape of the war on the map according to the military dispatches.

And before the map, cross-referenced against the conditions of the prefectures and counties around Shouzhou, a sand table two zhang long and one zhang wide had already been constructed. Though not particularly fine in detail, the mountains, rivers, cities, and troop dispositions within two hundred li of the area were laid out upon it with perfect clarity.

Guo Wei of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Minister of War Wei Renpu were waiting at the side, reporting to the Son of Heaven, Liu Chengyou, on the latest developments at the front. The Shouzhou front was not far from the Eastern Capital—a straight-line distance of barely five hundred li—so urgent military dispatches arrived almost daily. Though Liu Chengyou did not casually interfere with operations at the front from the Eastern Capital, he insisted on staying promptly informed of the situation there. That was his bottom line.

Holding a command rod of yellow wood carved with dragon patterns, Guo Wei gestured around the city of Shouchun as he briefed the latest intelligence: "According to the new military report from Huainan, the Tang sovereign has appointed the Shenwu Army Commander Liu Yanzhen as Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Front, leading thirty thousand imperial troops north across the Yangtze to reinforce Shouzhou. Intelligence says Liu Yanzhen is presently encamped at Qingliu Pass in Chuzhou, less than two hundred fifty li by land from Shouchun. Your ministers estimate that Liu's army may march north to Dingyuan in Haozhou, then turn west to relieve Shouchun."

"However, there are rumors that Liu Yanzhen is exceedingly arrogant, boasting that by marching north he can shatter our army in a single battle!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou took some interest and asked, "This Liu Yanzhen—who is he?"

Wei Renpu said, "We have only learned that Liu Yanzhen's father, Liu Xin, was originally a bandit in the Central Plains, a man of courage and strength. He later fled south to serve King Yang Xingmi of Wu, rising through merit to become Military Governor of the Zhennan Army. When the Xu clan replaced Wu and established the false Tang, they also treated him generously. Liu Yanzhen, sheltered by his father's influence, entered service in the false Tang, serving successively as Prefect of Hai and Chu prefectures, and eventually rising to command of the imperial army..."

Liu Chengyou listened, then gave a faint smile: "So he's the descendant of a famed general after all! Commendable courage, praiseworthy ambition! I do look forward to seeing how he plans to break my southern expeditionary army!"

Guo Wei and Wei Renpu exchanged a smile, then continued to Liu Chengyou: "The southern army hasn't seen the sharpness of our northern forces in a long while. After a couple more battles, they'll learn what pain feels like! Besides, the strength of the Tang troops in the Huainan prefectures is what gives Liu Yanzhen his confidence!"

Returning to the main topic, Guo Wei continued his briefing: "Apart from Liu Yanzhen's army, in Luzhou due south of Shouchun, the Tang Baoxin Army Commander Zhang Quanyue has also raised troops, claiming ten thousand men, advancing north along the Fei River. However, this man is cautious and has not dared to press forward recklessly, merely assuming a posture of approach."

"Additionally, according to Wang Jun's report, the greatest threat to our army remains the Tang navy. The Shouzhou naval force, after the battle at the river crossing, lost over half its men. The remnants are now operating in the Huoqiu area on the upper reaches of the Huai River, periodically sailing north to attack our floating bridge at Zhengyang. Militia Commissioner Si Chao of Yingzhou has repelled them twice."

"In Haozhou and Sizhou, the Tang army also maintains garrisons of over twenty thousand men, mostly naval forces. Especially the Haozhou navy—according to reports, Tang Haozhou Militia Commissioner Guo Tingwei and Army Supervisor He Yanxi have stationed five thousand sailors north of the city with over two hundred warships, and another three thousand naval troops east of the Huan River. And these are only the Tang naval forces on the Huainan front line. In Jinling, Yangzhou, Chizhou, and elsewhere, the Tang still possesses formidable naval strength!"

"Wang Jun has reported, requesting that the court expedite the transfer of grain and equipment, and replenish the navy and ships. The Jingjiang Army has already lost over forty warships and more than a thousand soldiers. With its current strength, it is still insufficient to fully guard the army's water supply routes!"

Hearing Guo Wei's account, Liu Chengyou nodded, but sighed: "Our machinations in Hunan have already tied down no fewer than thirty to forty thousand Tang troops, and even so, they still have strength like this!"

"Your Majesty!" Wei Renpu also spoke up: "I observe that Commander-in-Chief Wang's use of troops, holding Zhengyang and Wokou in the north and south to guard our grain routes, supplemented by the floating bridge at Xiaca—however, I have been thinking that the greatest threat to our army remains the Tang naval forces at Hao and Si. If they advance west, they can threaten Wokou; the Huan River force can sail north to cut off our Linhuan passage; and if they turn into the Bian River, they could even launch a surprise attack on Fuli—which is where our southern expeditionary army stores its grain. That cannot be allowed to fall!"

Liu Chengyou crossed his arms and thought seriously for a long while: "Though I don't believe the Tang army has the nerve to counterattack into Han territory, we must still guard against it!"

"Where has Guo Rong's army reached?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Guo Wei replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Guo Rong has joined with Cheng Deqin, Deputy Military Governor of Xuzhou, and combined with over ten thousand troops from Yizhou, they have marched south and reached Mopan Pass, eyeing Huaiyin!"

"Guo Rong moves quickly enough!" Liu Chengyou said, turning his head to look at Guo Wei: "Tell Guo Rong to have his forces shift west and keep an eye on the Tang troops at Hao and Si for me, guarding the rear of the main army!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou then looked at Wei Renpu: "Issue an edict to Wang Pu—for the grain, equipment, and baggage of the Huainan expeditionary army, open another supply route from Bo and Ying, passing through Xiaca, to deliver supplies to the front!"

Following Liu Chengyou's gaze, Wei Renpu immediately understood his intent and nodded.

"Your Majesty, Wang Jun has one more matter to report!" Guo Wei glanced at Liu Chengyou, a hint of hesitation showing on his face.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly as he stared at him: "What is it?"

"Wang Jun requests that the armies of Xu and Yi be placed under his command, to be deployed as he sees fit, for the sake of the overall situation!" Guo Wei answered as neutrally as he could, since the matter concerned his own son, Guo Rong.

"Heh heh..." Liu Chengyou simply laughed, his expression unreadable, and did not respond for a moment.

After several breaths of silence, Liu Chengyou abruptly asked, "Has Wang Jun reported how he plans to break the Tang reinforcements?"

"Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief Wang has not reported on that!" Wei Renpu answered.

Raising a finger, Liu Chengyou said directly, "Send an envoy to tell Wang Jun to focus on commanding the army and defeating the enemy. How he fights at the front—I don't care. I only want results, and that is to break the Tang army at the smallest possible cost!"

Though he had not directly answered the request Guo Wei had relayed from Wang Jun, Liu Chengyou's attitude made things quite clear.

Wei Renpu and Guo Wei withdrew one after another, returning to their offices to handle military affairs. Liu Chengyou, for his part, remained before the sand table for a while longer, then summoned Zhao Yanjin, Zhang Yongde, and An Shouzhong—these three second-generation generals—informed them of the latest developments at the front, and then asked, "If you were commanding troops in Huainan, how would you deal with the Tang army?"

Facing the Son of Heaven's examination, the ever-confident Zhao Yanjin answered directly, "Your Majesty, I would concentrate our strength to take Shouchun first, securing a firm foothold in Huainan, and only then deal with the Tang reinforcements!"

"What if you can't take it in a short time? Stalling before a strong city saps morale—that's not what a soldier does!"

"With siege-breaking weapons like thunderclap cannons and fierce-fire oil, how could we fail to take mere Shouchun?" Zhao Yanjin asked.

Liu Chengyou said, "Wang Jun reports that the Fengguo Army has already conducted a probing assault on the city. Thunderclap cannons and fire-oil bombs were both employed—they inflicted casualties and weakened the enemy's morale, but there's still a gap before the city falls. The defending commander, He Jingzhu, has taken precautions against our fire-oil bombs, stockpiling sand, earth, and bamboo mats on the walls!"

Zhao Yanjin gave an awkward smile, while the youngest, An Shouzhong, said, "I would leave one army to pin down the Shouchun defenders, and lead the infantry and cavalry to meet Liu Yanzhen in battle. In open field combat, the Tang army is definitely no match for ours!"

Liu Chengyou asked, "Shouchun city still has over ten thousand defenders. If they sally forth, they'd be a threat. How many troops should be left to watch them? Leave too many, and you won't have enough strength to meet Liu's army—how can you guarantee victory?"

"This..." An Shouzhong fell into deep thought.

Zhang Yongde then offered his counsel last: "My suggestion is similar to Shouzhong's, except we should fully exploit our cavalry advantage—ride south to harass them, wear them out, drain their energy, and disrupt their morale. Then, waiting at ease for the exhausted enemy, we find our moment to break them. With the elite troops of our southern expedition, and with famed commanders and fierce generals, a mere thirty thousand Tang troops are nothing to worry about. Our chances of victory are very good!"

"Somewhat interesting!" Liu Chengyou said softly. "But what if this startles the Tang army, makes them afraid to advance north, and they instead take to the waterways, advancing by both land and river to harass our rear?"

"May we hear Your Majesty's view?" Zhao Yanjin couldn't help but ask.

At the question, Liu Chengyou spread his hands: "In battle, one must adapt to circumstances and make decisions on the spot. The situation at the front changes in an instant. I am far away in the Eastern Capital—how could I possibly say?"

Liu Chengyou's words seemed very reasonable, and the three being examined suddenly realized—so this was the correct answer...

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Liu Chengyou let out two relaxed chuckles and said, "Still, this armchair strategizing isn't without its benefits. Go fetch the war game—let's run some more simulations!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou, for his part, said he only wanted results and didn't care how Wang Jun fought at the front, but truly letting go and not asking at all—that was impossible.