Chapter 682: Xiangyang

"Once we make a move on Guiyang, the court will surely launch a formal campaign southward!" After a moment of deliberation, Zhou Xingfeng looked at Li Guanxiang, a hint of ruthlessness rising in his eyes: "Since Cao Yin of Lizhou is dead, before the Han court can react, tell me—should we take Lizhou first and drive the Northern Han's forces out of Hunan?"

Hearing this, Li Guanxiang was inwardly startled—why was he bringing up the old subject again? Back in Changsha, Zhou Xingfeng had already entertained this notion. He did not voice his opinion directly, only reminding him: "You are now the master of Hunan, Governor. When we strike Zhang Wenbiao, we can claim it as delivering the people from tyranny and punishing his cruelty and oppression. But if we take the initiative to attack the court's prefectures and counties, that would be tearing all pretense apart, branding us as rebels, and giving the court justification for military action—it would seal the mouths of the realm!"

"Heh heh!" Hearing this, Zhou Xingfeng let out two sneers and said: "As long as our troops are strong and our horses vigorous, who fears what people say? If the Han court wants to destroy our Hunan, will it ever lack for excuses? Rather than sit and wait, better to strike first and seize the initiative!"

As he spoke, Zhou Xingfeng's resolve only hardened: "This thorn of Lizhou, stuck in the soil of our Hu-Xiang, I have long wished to pull it out. Concentrate our forces and march north, take Liyang while they are in chaos, then observe the situation in Jingnan from the north. If the Gao clan proves unworthy, we advance into Dongting Lake and block the Han army at the Yangtze."

"Thinking on it now, the Han emperor is truly treacherous—he was plotting to seize Hu-Xiang as early as five or six years ago!" Zhou Xingfeng cursed inwardly.

Seeing his mind was made up, Li Guanxiang sighed inwardly—this man was not leaving himself any way out! But he also had no intention of continuing to dissuade him. In recent years, apart from Zhou's wife, Lady Yan, no one had truly been able to talk Zhou Xingfeng out of anything.

"Governor, regardless of anything else, we should first take Zhang Wenbiao, seize his troops and supplies, eliminate the hidden threat in our rear, and only then plan the northern defense!" Li Guanxiang said.

"You're right!" Zhou Xingfeng clenched his fist slightly, his expression growing ever more resolute: "Tomorrow, I will accompany the army south and personally oversee the campaign!"

Looking at Zhou Xingfeng, Li Guanxiang lowered his head slightly, his eyelids drooping heavily, while inwardly he mused—Zhou Xingfeng had decided to gamble everything on one throw, but he himself had to make some plans for his own future.

In early summer, the city of Xiangyang was already feeling some heat. As various troops were dispatched by the court, armored soldiers gathered like clouds. By the second day of the fourth month, Xiangyang had assembled a full twenty-six thousand troops. Additionally, five thousand troops of the Fengguo Army, led by Chief General Du Hanhui, had already marched south to Yingzhou, their spearhead pointed straight at Changlin in Jingnan.

At the docks, bundle after bundle of arrows, sabers, and spears were carried off the boats by bare-chested laborers, unloaded into storage, transported to the military camps, and distributed to the soldiers. Amidst the bustling scene, Guo Wei and several officers and officials made their rounds, inspecting all matters.

Guo Wei was now merely the Prefect of Xiangyang, but to be fair, even after all these years, his prestige in the military remained considerable. It could not be said that he commanded instant obedience from a hundred voices, but when the generals and commanders of the imperial army saw him, they still showed respect and greeted him ceremoniously as Duke Xing.

"Before the troops move, supplies must be prepared first—this matter allows no negligence! Issue the prefectural order: all officials involved in the administration must diligently fulfill their duties to supply the great army. Should anyone be remiss, they will have violated military law and be dealt with accordingly. I hope all of you will be vigilant!" Guo Wei instructed.

The court had already issued an edict appointing Guo Wei as Water and Land Fiscal Commissioner, responsible for supplying the needs of the various armies advancing south. Hearing Guo Wei speak thus, the several Xiangyang officials following him were all shaken and hurriedly acknowledged.

Xiangyang truly seemed to be a place that nourished a man—abundant in goods, prosperous in people, blessed with talent and natural splendor. In his three years in office, Guo Wei's spirit and vigor remained excellent. Compared to the official histories, where he had suffered a great upheaval, Guo Wei had already gained two extra years of life, and his body remained healthy.

"After nearly three years of waiting, I've finally gotten my chance!" Commander Han Tong, who was also following along, said with a certain swagger in his bearing.

He had been demoted to Xiangyang for two and a half years now, always waiting for the opportunity to rise again. These two years, though comfortable, had left a pent-up frustration in his heart that was hard to dispel. Last year, when the court campaigned against Shu, he had even written a letter demanding of his son Han Hui: "Didn't you say the court would use its forces against Jinghu? How did they end up fighting in Hanzhong instead?" and so on.

But now the facts had proven that his son, the "Camel Boy," was indeed a man of foresight. A smile crept onto his lips—though it had not yet been officially announced, for this campaign against Jinghu, Murong Yanzhao was the commander-in-chief and he was the deputy. The Son of Heaven still valued him, Han Tong.

Moreover, his son Han Hui was also in the southern expeditionary army, recommended by Chancellor Wei Renpu as the field headquarters provisions officer.

"His Majesty transferred General Han to the south precisely because he had great use for you in mind. Now, it can be said your wish has been fulfilled! This southern campaign will surely bring you merit and glory!" Guo Wei said with a smile. He rather admired Han Tong—his character might have flaws, but in governance and command, he had always been steady and reliable.

"I am grateful for Duke Xing's auspicious words—Han hereby offers his thanks in advance!" Han Tong laughed heartily.

His gaze turned southward, full of eager anticipation. Han Tong said: "With tens of thousands of court troops marching south, sweeping through Jingzhou and the lakes is no challenge at all. My only fear is that the Gao and Zhou armies will resist too feebly, leaving our soldiers too few opportunities to earn merit!"

"The general must not underestimate the enemy!" Guo Wei said: "Gao Baorong may indeed be weak and timid, but Zhou Xingfeng is ruthless and decisive. Entering Hunan, there will surely be a battle! If we wish to quickly pacify Jinghu, we must still watch the reaction from Jiangling."

"Speed is the essence of war! I only hope Commander-in-Chief Murong can arrive in Xiangyang soon!" Han Tong grew more serious, his expression solemn.

"Cao Bin, Commander-in-Chief Murong should be about due to arrive by now, shouldn't he?" Guo Wei turned his head and asked a young, honest-looking general following beside him.

As a rising star among the Guo clan's relatives, Cao Bin was highly valued by Guo Wei. Unlike Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde, and others who had developed within the imperial army, Cao Bin had risen through the provinces. Though young, he had already served military posts in various prefectures and commanderies, and with each posting, he had performed excellently. When he served as Army Supervisor of troops in Xuzhou, Prefect Wu Xingde had praised him for his honest nature and strict military discipline, calling him a man of commander's talent.

Though Guo Wei was in Xiangyang, he kept close watch on the movements at court. Learning that the emperor intended to use military force in the south, he recognized it as an opportunity for the use of arms, and so he maneuvered to have Cao Bin transferred from Xuzhou to Xiangyang, wishing to give him a chance to build merit.

At this moment, hearing the question, Cao Bin answered calmly: "Commander-in-Chief Murong went south two days ahead of us. Estimating his pace, he should arrive within this day!"

"Tell me—for this campaign to pacify Jinghu, how should we deploy our forces?" Guo Wei nodded slightly, a spark of interest rising, intending to test Cao Bin.

Cao Bin thought for a moment, then said: "The situation in Jinghu is urgent, yet judging from the news coming out of Jiangling, though the Gao clan is on alert, their response has been sluggish, and they still maintain their vacillating attitude. Now, with the court not yet issuing the order to advance, given Jiangling's indecision, when our army arrives, they will likely still be hesitating. We should dispatch an elite force to march south first, strike directly at Jiangling, and compel their surrender—perhaps we can take Jingnan without a battle. Once Jingnan falls, with Hunan's strength alone, they would only be putting up futile resistance—we could take it all within two or three months!"

Hearing his analysis, Guo Wei smiled. Han Tong could not help but cast a look of surprise at Cao Bin, then said to Guo Wei with a laugh: "Duke Xing, this nephew of yours truly has extraordinary talent and insight! When I inspect the prefectural troops, the ones under his command are the most elite and strictly disciplined—he is truly a man of great general's caliber!"

"He is still too young!" Guo Wei stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Han Tong: "If he is to accomplish anything, he will need a patron of influence to employ him!"

Hearing Guo Wei say this, Han Tong was briefly taken aback, then suddenly understood, and said: "Rest assured! With talent like this, how could there be any reason not to employ him? When Commander-in-Chief Murong arrives, I will certainly recommend him!"

Guo Wei gave Cao Bin a subtle glance. Cao Bin's calm face showed a slight ripple, and he bowed to Han Tong: "Thank you, General, for your promotion!"

Not long after, urgent military dispatches from the south arrived in Xiangyang.

Zhou Xingfeng of Hunan had marched out from Leiyang, advanced rapidly on Guiyang, launched a surprise attack, and fiercely assaulted the city walls. The Chu army, regardless of casualties, breached Guiyang in less than an hour. Zhang Wenbiao, the Military Governor of the Jingjiang Army, gathered his yabing guards and held out at the governor's residence, but was beheaded by his own subordinates, who presented his head to the Chu army. Zhou Xingfeng was thus able to seize all his wealth and troops, greatly boosting his military strength. He had now led his forces back north, his intentions unclear.

"You see? This Zhou Xingfeng is putting up quite a struggle! Taking Guizhou first to eliminate his rear concerns—he moves fast! Breaching the city in an hour—is the Chu army's fighting ability really that formidable?" Receiving Han Tong's report, Guo Wei remarked with some emotion.

Han Tong could not help but sneer dismissively: "In my view, it's that Zhang Wenbiao who was utterly useless! He had several thousand troops under his command, yet he was this pathetic!"

"However, since the fighting in Hunan has begun, the court no longer needs to have any scruples!"