Chapter 629: Long Awaiting the Perfect Moment

After being lost in thought for a moment, Meng Chang finally spoke with a wistful expression: "If we can repel the Han army, I will be fully content!"

It seemed that the emperor of the Great Shu truly no longer harbored any grand ambitions. Wang Zhaoyuan felt rather awkward—after all, he had expended so much rhetoric, painting such a rosy picture, only to receive such a tepid response.

Perhaps it was because over these years, having shouted the slogan of "marching north to reclaim the Central Plains" so often while styling himself as the modern-day Zhuge Liang, it had become a habit. Wang Zhaoyuan genuinely took "advancing into the Central Plains and contending for the realm" as his life's ambition and political aspiration.

"Leave this matter to you, Minister Wang, to arrange! The Bureau of Military Affairs shall issue orders to Fengzhou, letting Li Tinggui and the others act at their discretion. Well, do not press too hard—so long as they can keep the Han army outside the pass, that will suffice!" Meng Chang waved his hand and instructed.

"Yes!" Wang Zhaoyuan acknowledged.

Though his expression had relaxed somewhat, Meng Chang's misgivings had clearly not dissipated entirely. After pondering for a moment, he said to Wang Zhaoyuan: "I think that between Fengzhou and Chengdu, mountains and rivers block the way, and the winding plank roads stretch for no less than a thousand li. Reading the battle situation from military reports always leaves me uneasy. I intend to send an envoy northward to comfort and reward the officers and men, and also to see the battle conditions and situation with his own eyes on my behalf!"

"Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted in your deliberations!" Wang Zhaoyuan flattered, appearing quite approving: "May I ask Your Majesty, whom do you intend to send north?"

"Zhao Chongtao, Commissioner of the Reception Bureau!" Meng Chang said.

His gaze shifting slightly, Wang Zhaoyuan nodded: "Zhao Chongtao is brave and skilled in battle, and he is also a descendant of a founding minister—he is fit for this task!"

Heaving a sigh, Meng Chang said: "When the state faces crisis, one longs for capable generals!"

"By the way, I see that all the military reports come from Fengzhou—why is there no battle report from Qinzhou?" Meng Chang suddenly changed the subject and asked.

Upon hearing the question, Wang Zhaoyuan answered with a measure of caution, explaining: "Ever since the Han army broke Longcheng and took Tianshui, they have split their forces to sever communications between Qin and Feng. According to reports from spies who slipped through the Han army's blockade, Zhao Jizha is currently holding Chengji to the death, tying down Wang Jing's column of the Han army for the court, so that Li Tinggui can focus solely on dealing with the Han army at Fengzhou!"

The Han army was attacking on two fronts. The Fengzhou line had dragged on for some time, but the Qinzhou direction had achieved no small breakthrough. That Zhao Jizha was indeed rotten within—cowardly before battle, confused in command. In early July, Longcheng was taken by Wang Jing, who killed and captured over three thousand Shu troops.

Zhao Jizha gathered his defeated troops and fell back to defend Chengji. The Han army, under Wang Jing's leadership, took advantage of the opportunity to advance, pressing their forces against Chengji, while also dispatching troops to take Tianshui County to the south, sealing off the passes and roads.

And Zhao Jizha, still commanding over ten thousand troops, could only hole up in a city of sorrow, accomplishing nothing. On the surface, for the Later Shu, the battle situation in Qinzhou could be said to be dire.

"Zhao Jizha has failed the trust I placed in him!" Meng Chang's tone carried a hint of displeasure: "The main force of the Han army is in the south; his troops have not diminished, nor have his grain and equipment been cut short. How could the battle have come to such a state? Back then, I should never have replaced Han Baozhen and put Zhao Jizha in his stead!"

"Minister Wang, what do you think of restoring Han Baozhen to his post and sending him back to Qinzhou to take charge of the overall situation?" Meng Chang sought Wang Zhaoyuan's opinion.

Wang Zhaoyuan shook his head decisively and replied: "Your Majesty, replacing Han Baozhen back then was already changing commanders on the eve of battle, which is taboo for the art of war. Now that we are already in contact with the enemy, if we replace Zhao Jizha again, it would be an even greater taboo—not advisable!"

"What you say also makes sense!" Meng Chang's face showed regret.

"Zhao Jizha is unequal to a great responsibility. If Qinzhou falls, what then?" Meng Chang said.

"If Your Majesty harbors concerns, you may have Han Baozhen stationed at Chengzhou to strengthen defenses, guarding against the Han army at Qinzhou circling around for a surprise attack!" Wang Zhaoyuan suggested.

"Handle it accordingly!" Meng Chang waved his hand grandly.

It was only after Meng Chang left the Bureau of Military Affairs that Wang Zhaoyuan suddenly let out a breath of relief. Today, the emperor had come in person and taken such close interest in the war—it made him somewhat unaccustomed.

Meng Chang returned to the palace, feeling somewhat weary. Almost without thinking, he ordered someone to lead the way to the Peony Garden, preparing to enjoy the delicate charm of Consort Xu Hui.

"Greetings, Chancellor Wang of the Bureau!" Inside the Bureau of Military Affairs, a tall, square-faced middle-aged general saluted Wang Zhaoyuan, who sat behind the hall's desk.

This man was the Shu general Zhao Chongtao, who had been transferred to the Fengzhou front line to serve as Army Supervisor of the camp. Before leaving the capital to head north, he had been summoned by Wang Zhaoyuan.

Wang Zhaoyuan sat upright behind the desk, elegant in bearing, somewhat putting on airs. Stroking his beard, he scrutinized Zhao Chongtao: "Army Supervisor Zhao, no need for ceremony!"

"Please, have a seat!" Wang Zhaoyuan gestured with his hand.

Zhao Chongtao gave a slight bow, expressionlessly lifting his robes to sit down, his gaze not shifting at all. In truth, Wang Zhaoyuan had risen to high position through flattery and currying favor, and many in the Shu state looked down on him, feeling that the man was flashy without substance, all talk and no action. Including Zhao Chongtao before him, who held him in deep contempt, yet was cowed by the power in his hands.

Wang Zhaoyuan seemed unaware of this, and rather enjoyed this feeling of overawing his colleagues. Looking at Zhao Chongtao, he asked lightly: "Army Supervisor, have you entered the palace to take your leave of His Majesty?"

"Indeed! Military matters are urgent, and I dare not delay!" Zhao Chongtao replied.

"Do you know why His Majesty is sending you north?" Wang Zhaoyuan continued to ask.

His brows slightly furrowed, a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes, Zhao Chongtao said: "To comfort the officers and men, reward the generals, inspect the military situation, and understand the battle conditions!"

Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyuan smiled.

Seeing him putting on airs, Zhao Chongtao could barely contain himself. Cupping his fists, he said in a low voice: "I am about to depart. May I ask the Chancellor what instructions you have for summoning me here?"

Only then did Wang Zhaoyuan resume his seriousness, and said to him solemnly: "By His Majesty's will, the Bureau of Military Affairs has issued orders for the generals at Fengzhou to act at the opportune moment, intercepting the Han army's grain routes and rear lines. You, Army Supervisor, are also a man who understands war—you should know how important this matter is. It concerns the grand strategy for defeating the Han army, and it concerns our dynasty's great plan to advance north!

His Majesty is sending you north under the guise of consolation and inspection, but in truth you are to serve as army supervisor. Once you arrive at Fengzhou, you must diligently oversee this matter. When the Han army is broken and our Shu army is commanded to advance into Guanzhong, it may well be you, Army Supervisor Zhao, who leads the way!"

Hearing Wang Zhaoyuan's instructions, Zhao Chongtao was somewhat enlightened. After a moment's thought, he cupped his fists and said: "This subordinate understands the Chancellor's meaning!"

"Then that is well!" Wang Zhaoyuan smiled slightly and nodded: "I will not keep you. I have prepared a modest cup of wine to see you off, Army Supervisor!"

"Many thanks!"

Wang Zhaoyuan was in a good mood on his end, but Zhao Chongtao, walking out of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was secretly disdainful, muttering to himself: "This Wang Zhaoyuan really thinks he's the Marquis of Wu? Arrogant and self-important, an armchair strategist—from over a thousand li away, he still tries to manipulate and direct the war at the front..."

"Alas..." Heaving a heavy sigh, Zhao Chongtao's eyes showed worry. He could only take up his whip, mount his horse, and with his attendants, set out on the journey north.

Before the mighty city of Weiwu in Fengzhou, stretching northeast in two directions among the mountain ridges, over twenty camps of the Han army still stood, not a single stockade damaged—indeed, they had only grown more formidable. Within the Han camp, which stretched over a dozen li, the sounds of drilling never ceased. Listening to the voices, they were loud and spirited, showing little sign of fatigue.

It was already late autumn. The trees among the mountain ridges remained lush and dense, a deep green expanse, but wherever the autumn wind swept through, yellow leaves inevitably drifted down, and across the mountains and fields, withered wood and dry grass were everywhere. Especially that large expanse of forest array before the city pass, which had been used for defense.

Connected to the outer city's wooden palisade, dry wood stood like a forest, with a thick layer of yellow leaves and dry grass piled on the ground. Two li away, Xiang Xun, Song Yanwo, Gao Huaide, Wang Quanbin, and other generals stood gazing into the distance.

The autumn wind brought chill, seeping through their armor, yet it could not cool the still-burning desire of the generals to render meritorious service. And Xiang Xun—though his face could hardly hide his fatigue—finally wore a slight smile.

"Commander, the weather is getting colder and colder, winter is coming. How long do you plan to drag this out?" Wang Quanbin stood with a saber at his side, pointing into the distance at the Weiwu city pass: "This pass may be sturdy and strategically perilous, but it shouldn't be that easy for it to block our army!"

"We've nearly endured the entire autumn—can't we bear this little more time?" Xiang Xun was not surprised, his eyes bright and piercing, fixed on the Shu pass bristling with banners: "The good opportunity we've been waiting for has already arrived!"

"Then the Commander had best seize the time!" Gao Huaide spoke up, with meaning in his words: "When autumn turns to winter, the endless drizzling rain will not be favorable for our army's operations!"

"Chief General Gao truly lives up to being a descendant of a famous general—have you discerned my intentions?" Xiang Xun said to Gao Huaide, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Raising his hand to point at Weiwu City, Gao Huaide said: "This pass city is built of wood, with dense forests around. Now that the vegetation is dry and withered, it is nothing but a natural pile of firewood. The Commander need only give the order to set it alight!"

"I have been worried that the Shu army might become alert, so I dared not act rashly and startle them!" Xiang Xun said with firm resolve: "We have been in stalemate for so long—it's time for a resolution. Otherwise, if we drag this out, even if His Majesty trusts us and can suppress dissent at court, how could we rest easy in our consciences!"