Chapter 451: Wang Jun Deploys His Forces

Huainan, Shouchun.

At the northern city wall, around the sturdy ramparts, the corpses had already been cleared away, but traces of fierce fighting were densely scattered everywhere. Along the crenellated parapet of rammed earth and blue stone, there were many scorched black patches, clearly caused by the Han army's fire-oil bombs.

In the past few days, the Han army had launched two assaults on the city. The thunderclap catapults, crossbows, and scaling attacks had inflicted no small casualties on the defending Tang army, and their morale had been shaved down another notch.

However, even though the Han army's armor and weapons were sharp and their soldiers brave, without committing to a full-force attack, it was difficult to easily breach the city. Add to that the cold weather and the capable command and deployment of the Tang commander He Jingzhu, the defenses of Shouchun were not so fragile. After all, he was a veteran general—perhaps his vigor and martial valor were no longer what they had been, but decades of experience were still extremely precious.

Especially against the Tang army's thunderclap catapults and fire-oil bombs—had they not been prepared in advance, they might have been shattered in a single blow. However, the improved trebuchets fired too frequently, and the casualties they inflicted exceeded what the Shouchun defenders had expected. More than five hundred men had been engulfed by the raging flames, burned to death or injured. The Tang troops were terrified and called it "demon flames."

As for the use of fierce-fire oil in warfare, the armies of both north and south had seen it before, but employing it in such a manner through thunderclap catapults was still rarely seen.

Since the onset of winter, the weather in Huainan had been fairly decent. Though the environment was damp and cold, heaven had been kind—no overcast rain, always looking down upon the world with clear skies.

Beneath the azure sky, no dark clouds could be seen. Below the walls of Shouchun, three thousand Husheng Army troops were arrayed before the city—not to attack, but to protect the remaining thunderclap catapults. Watching the auxiliary soldiers and conscripted laborers operating the deadly machines, the commander Wang Yansheng rode his horse back and forth behind them, brandishing his horsewhip, still shouting viciously: "Smash them for me! Smash those cowardly Huai bastards out for me!"

Acting on Wang Jun's orders, these past days several dozen thunderclap catapults had taken turns hurling projectiles at the city walls to strike the defenders, without sending troops to scale the walls. For Wang Yansheng, who had been ordered to command, this style of warfare was extremely frustrating. He was a brave general, skilled at close combat, but no matter how stifled he felt, bound by military orders, he could only endure. Yet over these past few days, his temper had grown increasingly explosive.

The "bang bang bang" of impacts, mingled with the screams and groans of unfortunate Tang soldiers who had been struck, filled the air above the walls of Shouchun. Everywhere one looked, flying stones tore through the sky with awe-inspiring momentum. After Wang Jun had tested the power of the fire-oil bombs, he planned to use them sparingly until the next batch of supplies arrived.

But stone projectiles could be quarried and made on site. Over these past few days, the Han army had hurled more than two thousand stone shots into the city. Of course, the price was that the thunderclap catapults could hardly withstand the wear and tear—more than ten had been damaged and lost, and the rest were not far from being scrapped.

After about half an hour, another three trebuchets broke down and were hauled back to the main camp for repairs.

Gazing at the city walls, Wang Yansheng grew increasingly listless, muttering under his breath: "What use is this kind of attack? Are we going to smash Shouchun flat or what?"

Then he shouted angrily toward the city: "These Huai bastards too—just letting us bully them like this. If it were me, I'd have charged out long ago and destroyed these trebuchets. That old fool surnamed He is truly as timid as a mouse..."

Beside Wang Yansheng stood Han Lingkun, who had been transferred out of the Fengchen Camp along with him and now served as Commander of the First Command of the Right Wing of the Husheng Army. Hearing Wang Yansheng's complaints and knowing his temper, he couldn't help but urge: "General, you should say a few less words! If this reaches Commander Wang's ears, you'll surely be punished!"

"Hmph!" A light snort, then he stopped. Although Wang Yansheng was somewhat unruly, he wasn't stupid—it was best to avoid provoking Wang Jun's displeasure as much as possible.

"Having connections at court really makes a difference. This kind of dirty, tiring work can only fall to the likes of us!" Not daring to target Wang Jun directly, Wang Yansheng instead took aim at Li Chongjin.

In Wang Yansheng's view, Li Chongjin had only become Chief Commander of the Husheng Army by relying on the power and influence of his uncle Guo Wei. In terms of martial valor, he was definitely no match for him. Yet the reality was that having Li Chongjin above him had rankled him for a long time.

Han Lingkun offered no opinion on his words. He was clever—some things Wang Yansheng could say, given his reputation, but as for himself, Han Lingkun, he had no wish to casually offend people.

"Commander Wang, the Commander-in-Chief has ordered the troops to withdraw and assemble at the command tent to discuss military affairs!" Just as Wang Yansheng was growing bored, the words of the central army's messenger were like heavenly music to his ears.

He immediately handed over the matter of withdrawing the troops to Han Lingkun, then spurred his horse and galloped back to camp, full of renewed energy.

In the Han army's main camp, within the imposing and grand command tent, Wang Jun sat in the seat of honor. All senior officers of Commander rank and above from the forward camp in Huainan had arrived, including the naval commander Xiang Xun and Yingzhou Militia Commissioner Si Chao. Seating was strictly ordered, hierarchy strictly observed.

Sweeping his gaze across the assembled generals, though he already knew the answer, Wang Jun still put on airs and asked Shen Shihou: "Is everyone here?"

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, everyone is present!"

"Then let us begin!" Wang Jun waved his hand and said to Murong Yanzhao: "Tell the assembled generals about the Huai bastards' movements!"

Receiving the order, Murong Yanzhao rose, gave a humble bow, and then spoke steadily: "According to reports from several routes, the false Tang's northern Commander-in-Chief Liu Yanzhen has already led thirty thousand rebel troops north from Qingliu Pass, passing through Hao Prefecture and Anyuan. They are now less than one hundred fifty li from Shouchun. At their pace, they can reach Shouchun within two days."

"Additionally, the false Tang's Hao Prefecture Militia Commissioner Guo Tingwei and Army Supervisor He Yanxi have already set out from Zhongli, leading more than ten thousand troops by land and water, advancing west along the Huai River, approaching Guokou. The Tang army at Si Prefecture has also shown signs of movement—fearing they may march north to invade our Su Prefecture, the court has ordered the Xu and Yi forces to advance west to support our rear!"

"At present, the Tang force closest to our army is the enemy's letter army from Luzhou, led by Commander Zhang Quanyue with more than six thousand troops, advancing north along the Fei River. They have already entered Anfeng territory and halted seventy li from Shouchun. I and the Commander-in-Chief have deliberated on their intentions—given their small numbers and their fear of our army's strength, they intend to wait for Liu Yanzhen's main force to encircle us!"

Pointing at the map, Murong Yanzhao explained the Tang army's movements to all the commanders, then said in a deep voice: "Clearly, Liu Yanzhen plans to use these three routes to encircle our army at Shouchun, then coordinate with the defenders in the city to annihilate us!"

"Who does this Liu Yanzhen think he is? Quite the appetite!" Wang Quanbin, Chief Commander of the Fengguo Army, immediately said with disdain.

Among the Han army's generals and commanders, there truly were few who thought highly of the Tang army. It wasn't deliberate contempt or carelessness—just confidence.

"This commander doesn't care who Liu Yanzhen is. The man has declared he will break our army, take my head, and present it to the Tang sovereign!" Wang Jun's expression was cold and stern, looking like a man who had been provoked: "This commander would like to see just how capable this man really is!"

As he spoke, Wang Jun stood up. The moment he stood, the generals who knew his temperament and style all rose with him. Those who were a bit slow, like Wang Yansheng, hurriedly got to their feet under Wang Jun's gaze...

To be fair, Wang Jun's display of authority sometimes was even grander than that of Emperor Liu Chengyou himself.

Once everyone was standing, Wang Jun paced about the tent as he issued orders: "In response to the Huai bastards' movements, this commander has already reached a decision."

"Hear my orders!" Those words made every general's back stiffen.

"Li Chongjin will lead the Left Wing of the Husheng Army east to meet Liu Yanzhen in battle! Wang Quanbin will lead the Left Wing of the Fengguo Army south along the eastern bank of the Fei River to intercept Luzhou's Zhang Quanyue's force! Si Chao will return to Zhengyang and strictly guard the floating bridge, to prevent a surprise attack by the Shouzhou naval forces. If there is any failure, military law will be applied! The remaining generals of the main camp will lead their troops and the Huainan conscripted laborers to pack up their gear and supplies, preparing to withdraw to Xia Cai!"

Pausing briefly, Wang Jun then looked at Xiang Xun and said: "Commander Xiang will lead the Jingjiang naval forces, prepare the boats, and cover and assist the army's retreat!"

On Wang Jun's side, the navy was forever relegated to supporting roles, or at best serving as logistics transport for the main force. Such disdain was barely concealed.

Xiang Xun raised his eyes and glanced at Wang Jun. Though anger simmered in his heart, he kept a stern face and replied: "As ordered!"

However, someone did raise objections to Wang Jun's arrangements—Li Chongjin, for instance: "Commander-in-Chief, my Left Wing of the Husheng Army currently has fewer than five thousand men. How can we fight against the Huai bastards' thirty thousand? And with such a division of forces, how can we face the enemy's heavy army? If we weaken the central army's strength and the Shouchun defenders launch a surprise attack from the city, what then?"

"Are you trying to teach this commander how to wage war? Hm?" Li Chongjin's voice was not quiet, but Wang Jun's rebuke was even louder.

Meeting Wang Jun's somewhat cold gaze, Li Chongjin's momentum immediately deflated. After all, he was of a younger generation, and in his impression, even Guo Wei showed great respect to Wang Jun. Lowering his head slightly, Li Chongjin said in a small voice: "This officer would not dare!"

"Furthermore, did this commander order you to defeat Liu Yanzhen's army?" Wang Jun asked again.

Seeing the atmosphere growing tense, Murong Yanzhao stepped forward to speak: "Gentlemen, that Liu Yanzhen is arrogant and reckless. Commander Wang's strategy is to exploit his arrogance—to show him weakness with a detached force, further inflate his pride, and lure him into attacking. Even the withdrawal to Xia Cai is part of the bait. The Tang army's thirty thousand are all imperial troops from Jinling. If we can annihilate them in one stroke, it will surely deal a heavy blow to the false Tang!"

After Murong Yanzhao's explanation, everyone understood.

"Is everything clear now? Any further objections?" Wang Jun's face still carried a trace of anger, clearly still displeased with the generals' questioning of his orders. Though only Li Chongjin had spoken, some people's emotions were practically written on their faces.

All the generals fell silent.

Seeing that they had been cowed, Wang Jun finally waved his hand: "All of you, follow my orders and go prepare!"

"Yes!"

Murong Yanzhao received orders to oversee the operations. The tent was left with only Wang Jun, sitting leisurely, savoring his tea.

As Li Chongjin exited the tent, Murong Yanzhao called him over and gave him some instructions—in essence, telling him not to fight with full effort, not to get entangled with the Tang army, and that a small defeat would suffice.

Returning to the Husheng Army's encampment, mustering his troops, preparing weapons and dried rations, Li Chongjin's expression was very grim. Being assigned to lose a battle—how could his mood possibly be good?