Chapter 589: The Jinghu Strategy

Liu Chengyou stepped into the Bureau of Military Affairs, where Zhe Congruan was deep in discussion with Guo Rong. He raised a hand to stop them both, lifted his robe, and sat on the short chair Zhang Dejun presented, asking: "What are the two of you discussing?"

Zhe Congruan replied: "The Military Intelligence Bureau reports that four days ago, Zhou Xingfeng of Hunan breached Wuling city. By now, he has fully taken Chen, Lang, Tan, Heng and other prefectures. Within Hunan, I fear there is no longer any rival to the Zhou clan!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou clicked his tongue, not appearing surprised: "Between Tan and Lang, after half a year of bitter fighting, a victor has finally emerged! Sun Lang and Cao Jin were indeed no match for Zhou Xingfeng, but I never expected the two of them to hold out until now!"

"Since the Tan army besieged the city, though months have passed, the outcome was predictable!" Guo Rong's tone carried a hint of regret as he said: "It's just that I never expected the other powers within Hunan to sit by and watch the outcome, allowing the two sides to fight it out. Zhang Wenbiao, who holds troops in the south, was even more absorbed in pleasure, causing Zhou Xingfeng not a bit of trouble, letting him besiege the city at leisure and break it!"

This summer, in Wuling of Lang Prefecture, turmoil had erupted repeatedly. Beginning with Wang Kui, then through Liu Yan and Pan Shusi, internal strife and infighting continued without end, with bloody clashes unceasing, until finally Sun Lang and Cao Jin—two obscure northern generals of no repute—rose to fame overnight.

Zhou Xingfeng seized his opportunity, raised high the "banner of righteousness," and sent land and naval forces northward. Sun Lang and Cao Jin were not the type to sit and wait for death; they combined the five thousand troops of Lang and Chen prefectures and marched south to meet the enemy, the two sides clashing at Yiyang.

Yiyang County, ever since Ma Xi'e raised his army in those years, had always been the key battleground between Lang and Tan, repeatedly ravaged by the flames of war, having witnessed nearly all the wars since the end of the Ma Chu. This time was no different—the two sides fought bitterly at Yiyang for over ten days.

However, Cao Jin and Sun Lang were originally no more than deputy generals, and outsiders at that—having betrayed their lord and slain their commander to seize troops and cities. Their motley assembled forces, though mostly fierce Lang Prefecture veterans, were unstable at heart. The only ones they could truly rely on were the Central Plains soldiers who had followed them for years, yet these numbered no more than seven hundred.

The troops Zhou Xingfeng mobilized numbered less than ten thousand, and in the direct confrontation, there was no overwhelming disparity in numbers. But Zhou Xingfeng commanded his troops well, with officers and men of one mind, and from the moment battle was joined, he held the upper hand.

As for Sun Lang and Cao Jin, though lacking in strategic talent, they were hardened warriors who had long walked the edge of a blade. Though they could not yet discern the signs of defeat, they sensed something amiss and decisively withdrew, moving quickly. Zhou Xingfeng seized the opportunity to pursue and slaughter, cutting down over two thousand soldiers, yet still the two men managed to lead their remnant forces back to Wuling city.

Zhou Xingfeng took the opportunity to reorganize his troops and, with land and naval forces, proceeded to besiege the city. Originally, barring accidents, with Wuling's morale scattered and beset by internal troubles and external pressure, the city could have fallen within ten days.

But a cornered rabbit will bite, and a desperate dog will jump the wall—Sun Lang and Cao Jin conscripted all able-bodied men in the city to resist the Tan troops. Though Wuling city had been the cradle of Hunan's years of turmoil, it had in fact suffered little substantial damage. Moreover, several successive military governors had spared no effort in repairing and fortifying the walls, and previously the grain of two prefectures had been gathered within the city.

Facing this situation, Sun and Cao fought desperately to hold the city. Zhou Xingfeng's army attacked in two waves, and for a time was indeed held off. On Zhou Xingfeng's side, with insufficient troops, he had more than enough to besiege but not enough to break through.

The two sides faced off and fought bitterly inside and outside Wuling, from summer into autumn, for over three months. Before winter arrived, seeing his troops weary and veterans exhausted, with the stout city still unyielding, some subordinate officers urged Zhou Xingfeng to temporarily withdraw and plan again later—a suggestion he decisively rejected.

He gathered his accompanying officers and told them: "We have besieged the city for months without taking it. It is not that the rebel army is strong—it is that I pity my soldiers and am unwilling to expend more lives to break the city. As it stands, the Wuling rebels are already in decline, merely sitting and waiting for death. The city has many people but little grain, while I am well-fed and warmly clothed outside—how long can they hold out? Matters have reached this point; we absolutely cannot abandon our efforts halfway and throw away all our previous achievements. If we retreat today and come again another day, the effort required will surely be doubled! Anyone who speaks of retreat again will be executed!"

In this way, Zhou Xingfeng unified his army's resolve and also cut off Sun Lang and Cao Jin's hope of "strictly defending the city walls, exhausting the enemy's morale, and waiting for the enemy to retreat on their own."

Of course, Zhou Xingfeng's stubbornness was also a decision made after assessing the situation.

First, the Northern Han dynasty in the Central Plains was busy with internal affairs and had no interest in external matters, issuing only some toothless edicts regarding Hunan, allowing Zhou Xingfeng to focus wholly on his campaigns without distraction. As for surrounding powers—the Gao clan of Jingnan had always been content with self-defense, the Southern Tang was reforming after its heavy blow at Huainan, and the Later Shu was busy defending its northern border. It could be said that Zhou Xingfeng enjoyed an almost perfectly stable external environment.

Second, Wuling was but a lone city; the surrounding counties and towns had all submitted to him, providing conscripts and grain. He camped his troops outside with no shortage of provisions, weapons, or clothing, possessing ample confidence. Moreover, Changsha, under his governance, was gradually recovering.

Speaking of this, one must mention that Zhou Xingfeng had a virtuous wife. He was bloodthirsty by nature and harsh in his application of the law, often resorting to excessive punishments, but he was frequently admonished by his wife and would temper his sentences to accumulate virtue. During the farming season, his wife also personally worked in the fields, soothing the people's livelihood, leaving him with fewer worries in the rear.

Third, the only thing worth worrying about were the old brothers like Zhang Wenbiao in the south—they were the true threat at his elbow. Toward these men, Zhou Xingfeng used lavish gifts to stabilize them. Especially Zhang Wenbiao—Zhou Xingfeng even selected five beauties to present to him, one of whom was the most beautiful and beloved concubine in his own household.

Thus, while Zhou Xingfeng was fighting bitterly beneath the walls of Wuling, Zhang Wenbiao was busy enjoying fine wine and beautiful women. Especially Zhou Xingfeng's beloved concubine—he had long coveted her back in Lang Prefecture, and now that Zhou Xingfeng had presented her to his bed, he was even more self-satisfied, often telling people how Zhou Xingfeng feared him so.

By this winter, Wuling city's grain was exhausted, and there was no strength left to resist. When chaos erupted among the troops, Zhou Xingfeng easily broke through the gates and took the entire city. Though much money and grain had been expended, with Wuling fallen, the gains were ultimately greater than the costs.

On Liu Chengyou's side, though busy sorting out internal affairs, he still kept an eye on the war in Hunan, inquiring about it from time to time.

Quickly digesting the news of Zhou Xingfeng's breach of Wuling and occupation of Lang Prefecture, Liu Chengyou asked: "What about Sun Lang and Cao Jin? If they escaped, they might be worth keeping—useful for some schemes later!"

Guo Rong shook his head: "Both were captured alive. When Zhou Xingfeng entered the city, he had them beheaded, their heads hung from the city gate. Additionally, after entering the city, Zhou Xingfeng absorbed the Lang troops but had all the Central Plains officers who had followed Sun and Cao executed—over five hundred soldiers, not one spared!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but draw a cold breath, and said with a focused gaze: "This Zhou Xingfeng—decisive in killing, and indeed ruthless in his methods!"

"According to reports, Zhou Xingfeng killed the northern soldiers nominally to avenge Liu Yan and Pan Shusi. But I suspect that he viewed the northern soldiers as the source of chaos, killing them to eliminate future trouble—and perhaps not without the intent of intimidating the surrendered Lang Prefecture troops!" Guo Rong analyzed.

Zhe Congruan sighed and said: "After Wuling city fell, only less than twenty thousand soldiers and civilians remained within, many frozen and starving. Zhou Xingfeng transferred grain from Changsha for relief, buying the people's hearts. Now, having absorbed the surrendered Lang Prefecture troops and holding the cream of the Xiang-Hu region, he commands over twenty thousand soldiers. Once he finishes digesting and resting his forces, there will be no rival for him in the Jinghu region!"

"Zhou Xingfeng's power is established!" Liu Chengyou raised a finger and said in a deep voice.

"We cannot let him grow any stronger—otherwise, he will surely become a threat to the court!" After a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhe and Guo: "What do the two of you think—how should we contain him?"

"Your Majesty, Minister Zhe and I were just discussing this very matter!" Guo Rong said: "We believe that after the Battle of Wuling, Zhou Xingfeng's next target will certainly be the southern officers like Zhang Wenbiao, in hopes of unifying Hunan.

However, Hunan has suffered successive wars, with the past three years being the most brutal. The soldiers and people have endured great suffering—troops weary, people impoverished, treasuries empty. In the short term, Zhou Xingfeng likely won't take up arms again. But after resting for a year or so and recovering somewhat, it will depend on what choice he makes!"

"If that's truly the case, then after a year or so, the court will also have the strength to stir things up in Hunan!" Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, his words carrying confidence: "But now that Zhou Xingfeng has taken Lang Prefecture, the court should make some show of response. What do you two think?"

At this point, Zhe Congruan turned to Li Chuyun, who was standing in attendance, and said: "Zhengyuan, didn't you have some insights just now? You may share them with His Majesty!"

It was clear that Zhe Congruan genuinely appreciated Li Chuyun, often finding opportunities to let him shine. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou also looked at him. Li Chuyun raised his hands in salute and spoke calmly: "Your Majesty, Sun Lang and Cao Jin murdered a military governor and seized power for themselves. Zhou Xingfeng raised the 'banner of righteousness' to suppress the rebellion, and the court tacitly approved. Now that Sun and Cao have been executed, we may send an envoy to commend Zhou Xingfeng's merits while sternly reprimanding him for his crime of indiscriminate slaughter!

Chen and Lang are already firmly in his hands. The court may go along with the tide and have him concurrently serve as Military Governor of both Wuping and Wu'an garrisons, to set his mind at ease. But the Zhou clan cannot go unchecked. Within Hunan, the one capable of serving this purpose is none other than Zhang Wenbiao.

Previously, the court issued an edict for Zhang Wenbiao to lead troops north, intending for him to take over once Wuling was pacified. Zhang did not move, and now it seems that was actually a good thing. We may promote Zhang Wenbiao to Military Governor of the Jingjiang Army, placing Quan, Yong, Dao, Gui, and Chen prefectures under his command. Giving him this title, letting him and Zhou Xingfeng each hold the north and south, they will naturally contend with each other!"

Hearing this suggestion, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile faintly: "Zhou Xingfeng schemed painstakingly, planned for a long time, step by step, enduring great hardship, only to gain half of Hunan. Zhang Wenbiao merely eats, drinks, and dallies with courtesans, yet with one edict from me, I grant him the other half. Heh heh—your scheme is quite treacherous indeed!"

Li Chuyun then said: "This is an open scheme!"

"Even with an imperial edict, the southern prefectures will likely each go their own way. Even if the court vigorously promotes Zhang Wenbiao, I fear he won't be a match for Zhou Xingfeng and will inevitably be absorbed by him!" Guo Rong said.

Li Chuyun saluted again and responded calmly: "Once Zhou and Zhang come to conflict and Hunan erupts in war once more, the court can issue an edict ordering a ceasefire. If they refuse, then we use the Gao clan of Jingnan to send troops south, promising them the land of Lang Prefecture. The court's main army can follow behind and march south, taking the entire Jinghu region in one stroke!"

In just a few words, Li Chuyun had laid out for Liu Chengyou a blueprint for taking Jinghu—and one with considerable feasibility.

Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow, sized up Li Chuyun for a few moments, and said: "Taking Jinghu—that is the true purpose of your scheme, Minister Li!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Chuyun said with certainty: "Jinghu is the heart of the realm. If the court can take it, then the day the realm is reunified is not far off!"