Chapter 691: Subduing the Enemy Without Fighting

Facing the gazes of the assembled generals, Murong Yanzhao pondered briefly, then spoke solemnly: "In recent days, I have gathered various opinions to determine our strategy for the Hu and Xiang region, and I have now reached a decision."

"The Hunan region has long suffered from warfare, left devastated and depleted, with a sparse population. Yet Zhou Xingfeng, in order to resist the imperial court, has expanded his army and prepared for war—this is the very definition of militarism. His forces now exceed fifty thousand. For Hunan's resources to sustain such a force is truly an unbearable burden."

"Furthermore, last year's great famine in Hunan has nearly exhausted all stored grain. Now that the rebel Zhou's new harvest has not yet come in, his military supplies are critically short—he is almost forced to exhaust all his resources, both public and private, just to purchase campaign rations from the Southern Tang and the false Liu."

"Therefore, my decision regarding Hunan is not to seek a swift victory, but only to slowly wear them down. In a prolonged stalemate, it is the rebel Zhou who will be anxious. According to the investigations of the Military Virtue and Military Intelligence offices, given Hunan's current situation, Zhou Xingfeng cannot possibly hold out for even a month. When that time comes, the rebel army will collapse without a fight."

"And within that month, we need only guard against the rebel Zhou's desperate last stand. Then we can drive straight in, take Lang and Tan directly, seize all of Hu and Xiang, and completely pacify Jinghu!"

Originally, Murong Yanzhao's plan had been to fight a battle at Sanjiangkou, seeking a single decisive victory to take Hunan. But after learning the true state of Hunan's strength from the intelligence system, he changed his thinking.

The reason was simply that Zhou Xingfeng's war preparations in Hunan could only be described as mad. With Hunan's current population of less than ninety thousand households, he had mustered fifty thousand troops—even excluding several thousand barbarian soldiers and the local forces maintaining order in the rear plus the manpower for supply transport, this was complete militarism, nearly total mobilization.

And the fifty thousand troops Zhou Xingfeng had stationed at the front for combat were also poorly equipped—armor scarce, many conscripted laborers armed only with crude wooden and bamboo weapons. The only troops with real combat capability were the yabing guards who had risen with him through the civil wars, and after expansion, their fighting quality had inevitably declined. Moreover, the internal conflicts in Hunan had previously been of very low intensity; even with those fewer than ten thousand yabing guards as the core, how they would perform against the elite troops of the Central Plains remained doubtful.

Setting aside the comparison of military strength—even if the two routes together were fifty thousand pigs, it would take some effort to annihilate and capture them all. What made Murong Yanzhao most optimistic about the campaign was the dire situation of the prefectures and counties within Hunan itself.

Against the backdrop of massive war preparations, it was always the common people at the grassroots who suffered forced labor. During last year's famine, Zhou Xingfeng had been their benefactor; now he had become a death-dealing enemy. To raise military funds, his military government levied exorbitant taxes, and resentment was widespread among the Hunan populace. Incidents of resistance to conscription occurred repeatedly, met with bloody slaughter in response.

Under Zhou Xingfeng's oppressive policies, Hunan's few landlords and wealthy merchants had also been bled dry. Given that Zhou Xingfeng had never won the hearts of the gentry or the people, his rule over Hunan was in truth already teetering on the brink.

Therefore, as long as Zhou Xingfeng failed to make progress against the imperial army—even a single piece of unfavorable news—could trigger the collapse of the Chu army. As for the internal situation, a month was a conservative estimate; at any moment, a major upheaval could occur, with the gentry and people of every prefecture joyfully welcoming the king's army into Hunan.

As a renowned general of the age who knew military strategy thoroughly and understood the art of war deeply, Murong Yanzhao had his own methods of employing troops. To subdue the enemy without fighting was also his aspiration. And the smooth early capture of Jingnan had given him even more time, space, and resources to execute this strategy.

Observing the situation in Hunan, he could already sense that this southern campaign would ultimately be resolved as a political problem, with military struggle being secondary.

Of course, the primary issue before the imperial court remained the army Zhou Xingfeng had armed. However, Murong Yanzhao's plan to exhaust Zhou Xingfeng was not so pleasant for the Han army officers who had come on campaign.

A single general's success is built on ten thousand bones. Without the sacrifice of soldiers, without fierce combat, their merits would also be discounted.

"Commander-in-Chief, if it's as you say, then our march south will just be marching without fighting!" Shi Yanchao was somewhat displeased.

Among the senior generals of the Great Han's imperial army, Shi Yanchao was one of those who loved war—rough-tempered, tough in style, brave and eager to fight. On this southern campaign, he had only accomplished a hundred-li rapid march to Jiangling, but under Cao Bin's persuasion, he hadn't even gotten to fight, which left him quite frustrated.

Hearing this, Murong Yanzhao instead broke into a smile, raising a finger to emphasize: "The General's words are accurate. You may all temporarily set aside your killing intent, or treat this campaign as a long-distance marching exercise! Since ancient times, the truly skilled warrior has no spectacular achievements. If we can subdue the enemy without fighting, why needlessly expend our soldiers' lives? To use our brothers' blood and flesh to accumulate our own merits—how could you generals bear that in your hearts?"

"When did the Commander-in-Chief become so merciful!" Shi Yanchao grew even more frustrated upon hearing this, unable to hold back: "My several thousand Tieqi cavalry rode south, meant to range freely across Jinghu, yet up to now we haven't fought a single battle or loosed a single arrow. As the Commander-in-Chief says, if we set aside our fighting spirit and the troops grow lax, and something unexpected happens, how will we respond?"

"General Shi has reminded me again!" Murong Yanzhao's expression turned serious. He looked around the room and said in a warning tone: "Slowing the fight and avoiding battle is not a ceasefire. Under the field headquarters' overall strategy, maintaining each army's morale and fighting spirit still requires strengthening. Anyone who grows negligent will face military discipline!"

After Commander Murong's words fell, the Han army generals present felt even more uncomfortable, but facing his stern gaze, they still had to loudly acknowledge. In any case, the severity of Han army military law was never a joke, especially during wartime.

"Commander-in-Chief, since Sanjiangkou needs support and Zhou Xingfeng is there, why not transfer the Tieqi Army there? I am willing to go and assist!" Shi Yanchao said, his eyes rolling.

"Sanjiangkou is dense with lakes and marshes, crisscrossed by waterways—it's a place for naval and infantry combat. Can the Tieqi Army board ships to fight, or leap across rivers and lakes?" Murong Yanzhao countered.

Shi Yanchao fell silent. Sun Li then seized the opportunity: "My Xiaodi Army is all infantry!"

Seeing that these two seemed intent on pressing the matter, Murong Yanzhao waved his hand forcefully and said: "I have my own plans for troop deployments and arrangements. You generals need not say more—just command your troops well and prepare for battle!"

Perhaps feeling that he couldn't simply suppress these generals' fighting spirit entirely, after a moment's consideration, Murong Yanzhao added: "The fighting at Sanjiangkou is unlikely to reach a conclusion within three to five days. In comparison, the enemy at Lizhou can be schemed against!"

These words rekindled the battle lust of Shi Yanchao and the others. Whatever the quality and combat capability of the Chu army at Liyang, they still numbered twenty thousand. However, before Shi Yanchao could speak, Sun Li said: "I am willing to lead troops there, to break the rebel army, lift the siege of Liyang, and capture or kill that Yang Shifan!"

Sun Li's considerations were simple—one was to earn merit in battle, and another was to avoid Murong Yanzhao. Unfortunately, Murong Yanzhao clearly seemed reluctant to part with Chief General Sun, wanting to keep him at his side. He looked directly at Shi Yanchao and instructed: "The General may lead three thousand cavalry across the river, rendezvous with Li Yun's army at Gong'an, and march south to lift the siege of Liyang!"

"Yes!" Shi Yanchao shot Sun Li a somewhat smug glance, his spirits high.

Stung by that glance, Sun Li felt even worse, his face dark, dissatisfaction practically written all over it.

A military conference concluded smoothly under Murong Yanzhao's forceful leadership. Following it, Jiangling's inner and outer areas grew tense once more. The Han army, which had rested for several days, bustled with movement and departure. A great number of ships loaded with soldiers, grain, and military equipment set out from Jiangling under the escort of the naval forces, sailing downstream toward Dongting Lake.

Although Murong Yanzhao had set the overall operational strategy, that didn't mean being conservative and passive. The development of war should always adapt to the times and be adjusted promptly. At Sanjiangkou, he adopted a delaying approach, but toward Liyang, he harbored offensive intentions. If he could break one of the enemy's routes, it would better facilitate his strategy. Hunan's collapse also required the Han army to apply active pressure.

Whatever Commander Murong's considerations, for the fierce general Shi Yanchao, there was no need to think too much. After all that talk, it still came down to letting him attack—and since he'd been given the chance to attack, he had to seize it well.

From the moment he received the military order, selecting combat troops and preparing grain and equipment were all done under strict orders for speed. He crossed the Yangtze southward that very day. In the scramble for ships to transport his troops, Shi Yanchao even bullied Gao Baoxu, adding a stain to his southern campaign record...

Meanwhile, at Gong'an, Li Yun, who had long since led his troops into position there, could barely contain himself. Two generals eager for battle coming together—they hit it off immediately.

Li Yun was utterly delighted at Shi Yanchao's arrival. With these three thousand Tieqi cavalry to assist, he could cast aside his reservations and boldly advance south to take on the Chu army at Liyang.