Chapter 555: The Game of Wits

Before dawn, a contingent of Shu troops quietly slipped out of their camp. More than two thousand men, all cavalry, with plenty of pack horses and carrying large quantities of incendiary materials.

They made no particular effort to conceal their tracks, moving at great speed, already thoroughly familiar with the roads and terrain around them, their objective clear—straight for the floating bridge over the Wei River. The night wind carried the dampness of the river, taking some of the edge off the summer heat. The Shu general leading the force kept urging his men to quicken their pace.

The morning light was dim, the Wei River almost hidden in the gloom. Gazing out, all was pitch black, only the occasional glint of light on the water proving the river's flow. The floating bridge spanning both banks looked none too sturdy, swaying somewhat under the river's current.

Before the floating bridge, lanterns were set out, like guiding lights in the darkness. On the south bank stood a temporary camp palisade, with chevaux-de-frise and caltrops for defense. When the Shu army had withdrawn south of the Wei earlier, they had not destroyed the bridge—they had harbored the intention of taking Sanguan Pass and then crossing north again. Both Han and Shu had been playing mind games, which was why this floating bridge had survived to this day.

But now that the Shu army had made up its mind to withdraw, they had to consider destroying it, to prevent the Han army at Baoji from crossing the river in pursuit. In fact, the sudden appearance of Han troops on a bridge that had previously been unguarded had put Li Tinggui on alert.

The situation between the two armies was this: one side knew the other was going to withdraw, and the other side knew the first knew. It all came down to how they played it.

"General, the Han defense of the floating bridge seems to have been strengthened!" As they galloped closer and looked at the crossing, an officer called out to the Shu general leading the force. According to earlier reconnaissance, the Han had not attached much importance to the bridge, sending only a single battalion of troops. But now, just from the layout of the camp, at least a thousand Han soldiers were guarding their target of attack.

The Shu general observed for a moment, his face set with resolve, and said in a low voice: "The Expeditionary Commissioner gave a death order—we must burn and sever the Wei River floating bridge. Think of nothing else. No matter how many men they have, before the Han can react, follow me and kill!"

With that, he led the charge, rushing toward the Han camp before the bridge, which was slowly coming to alert as sentries raised the alarm.

He was old, and his sleep was light. Roused from slumber, Zhao Hui quickly regained full clarity and asked what was happening.

"What's the situation at the floating bridge?" Zhao Hui asked Xiang Xun, who had come to report in person.

"A Shu cavalry force launched a surprise attack on the bridge, intending to burn it down. They were repelled by the garrison troops. I've already sent reinforcements with orders to hold it at all costs!" Xiang Xun reported briefly.

For some time now, Zhao Hui had deliberately been delegating authority to Xiang Xun. Decisions of this kind—responding to contingencies, moving troops—Xiang Xun could make on his own.

"Choosing this hour to strike at the floating bridge—it seems the Shu army's withdrawal is set for today!" Zhao Hui made his judgment, his tone certain.

He looked outside at the sky. Dawn was breaking, the world turning bright white. Zhao Hui slammed his fist into his palm and said: "We can send out the troops!"

At that moment, Yao Yuanfu strode into the hall, his steps nimble, nothing like a man approaching seventy. Heavy armor clad his body, and his weathered face showed not a trace of burden.

Sword at his side, he stood and said to Zhao Hui: "The Commander-in-Chief has made his decision—surely you can let me lead the troops out now!"

Seeing the old general's demeanor, what more could Zhao Hui say? He nodded in assent, but did not forget to caution: "Brother Yao, remember this—in a pursuit battle, you must weigh the situation carefully. The Shu army's retreat will not be unguarded. Do not fight them to the death!"

"Yes!" Receiving the order, Yao Yuanfu hurried off, as if he could not wait.

Seeing this, Xiang Xun could not help but sigh: "His Majesty once said, ambition knows no age! Lord Yao is nearly seventy, yet still so bold and spirited, charging ahead with such vigor. I truly admire him!"

"Your generosity of spirit, Xingmin, is something few can match!" Zhao Hui, rarely, praised Xiang Xun to his face.

As for Yao Yuanfu, he personally led seven thousand infantry and cavalry out of Baoji—the elite drawn from all the armies defending against Shu, the very best of the best, formidable in combat power. He made straight for the floating bridge. The attacking Shu cavalry, unable to take it after prolonged fighting, withdrew in frustration at daybreak. Though the bridge was not badly damaged, it had inevitably suffered some harm. When Yao Yuanfu's army arrived, the Han garrison was cleaning up the battlefield and hurriedly repairing the bridge.

At this, Yao Yuanfu was so angry he stamped his feet, cursing loudly from the north bank, at one point nearly leading his cavalry to wade across the river. Nearly half an hour was lost before Yao Yuanfu finally led his infantry and cavalry onto the soil south of the Wei.

"Governor, the Shu army at Sanguan Pass and Chencang Mountain has already struck camp and withdrawn to the southwest, retreating more than ten li!"

Receiving the scout report, Yao Yuanfu considered briefly, then summoned his deputy general Li Yan and instructed: "I'll lead the cavalry forward in pursuit to pin down the Shu army. You take the infantry and follow behind!"

"Better let me lead the light cavalry in the vanguard assault!" Li Yan urged.

"The military situation is urgent—there's no time for your prattle! The Shu army is retreating; if we delay and miss the opportunity, and let them get away, how would we answer for it?" Yao Yuanfu said. "I'll go strike the enemy myself!"

"Commander—"

"Do you dare defy my orders?" Yao Yuanfu turned his head and glared at him.

"I wouldn't dare!" When the old general grew stubborn, his subordinates scarcely dared meet his eyes.

"Also, report the situation to the command headquarters and recommend sending the rear army to support us!"

"Yes!"

Without further delay, Yao Yuanfu spurred his sturdy horse, leading more than three thousand cavalry, kicking up dust as they gave chase toward the Shu army to the southwest. Deputy general Li Yan, helpless but not daring to slack, sent word of the situation to headquarters on one hand while leading the infantry to follow behind.

In Baoji city, Zhao Hui sat calmly at his desk, unmoving, though his old brows were slightly furrowed. Since Yao Yuanfu had led the troops out, he had shown little sign of relaxation.

Before long, Xiang Xun came up, clasped his hands and reported: "Commander-in-Chief, the army is fully assembled!"

"Xingmin, you know why I had you assemble the troops, don't you!" Zhao Hui seemed to snap back to attention, looking at him as he asked.

Xiang Xun's expression was steady as he said: "Observing the Shu general Li Tinggui, his ability to command troops in battle is hardly extraordinary, but he does have some talent. The situation between the two armies is an open secret. Since he's withdrawing, he will not be unprepared for our pursuit! If Lord Yao can achieve merit, so much the better. But if anything unexpected happens, we must not fail to consider it!"

Zhao Hui looked Xiang Xun up and down once more, and could not help sighing: "No wonder the Son of Heaven sent you to Fengxiang!"

"Then you shall lead the army in the rear, to support Lord Yao!"

"Yes!"

Xiang Xun led his troops out, and before they had even fully cleared the city, he learned of the Shu army's movements and Yao Yuanfu's decision. A sense of unease rose in his heart, and he could not help feeling some anxiety, urgently pressing the march. Yao Yuanfu seemed intent on reckless advance.

More than sixty li southwest of Baoji, beside the Gudao River, there was a village called Donghe. In the distance, mountain ridges rose and fell, forests lush and dense, but the immediate surroundings were fairly flat, like a hollow. An ambush aimed at the pursuing Han army was already unfolding.

The Shu commander-in-chief Li Tinggui had not only prepared for this—he intended to win a victory before withdrawing, to have something to show for his return to Sichuan. Yao Yuanfu led his light cavalry in hot pursuit for dozens of li, breaking through three lines of Shu rearguard troops, and finally caught up with the Shu main force near Donghe village. Then he found himself surrounded, and immediately it was bloody combat, blade against blade.

With decades of combat experience and countless brushes with danger, Yao Yuanfu did not panic when surrounded. His judgment was keen—he decisively seized a slope northeast of the village, taking the high ground with his back to the water. And Yao Yuanfu, true to his word before the battle, personally took up his blade, directing the killing, inspiring his men's morale, holding firm against an enemy several times their number while awaiting reinforcements.

Li Tinggui's central command was stationed in the village. Climbing to a high vantage point, the sounds of battle filled his ears; even from a distance, one could feel the ferocity of the fighting.

"Expeditionary Commissioner, General He has led his troops to surround the Han infantry six li away and is attacking them!" A mounted messenger reported.

"Good!" Li Tinggui could not help clapping his hands, showing rare emotion. Since the northern expedition began, he had fought too stifling a campaign. He laughed: "These Han troops are far too arrogant—with this little force, they dare to charge recklessly after us! Today we'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

"Expeditionary Commissioner, this place is too close to Baoji. When they hear of the change, reinforcements will surely come south!" A subordinate general reminded him.

Hearing this, Li Tinggui immediately gave the order: "Pass it down—attack the Han troops with everything we have, end this battle as quickly as possible. We must annihilate them completely before Han reinforcements arrive."

"The Han army has nothing to rely on. I strike them with several times their numbers—let's see how they hold!" Li Tinggui's tone carried something called confidence.