Chapter 694: Schemes Futile, Danger Looms

In truth, Yang Shifan's scheming was exactly as Pan Mei had perceived—lulling the enemy's arrogance, dulling their vigilance, while secretly drilling elite troops and building siege engines, lying in wait for the opportune moment to strike a fatal blow. Now, after several days of planning, Yang Shifan felt his chance had come.

Of course, the turn of events left him little time. The Han army was reinforcing at Sanjiangkou, and here at Liyang, the court's tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry marching south weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

However, Yang Shifan's plans did not seem to meet with universal approval, nor could they settle the hearts of his subordinate generals. One of them, a commander seated at the side, spoke in none-too-fluent Han speech, saying bluntly: "The General's plan is certainly ingenious, but judging from the defenders' performance, they are supremely elite with excellent equipment. The defending commander Pan Mei is no easy opponent—he may well see through the General's designs!"

This commander was named Qin Zaixiong, chieftain of the Yao people of Chenzhou. Not tall of stature, dark of face, but radiating a shrewd and hardy air, he had served under Zhou Xingfeng for some time, fierce in battle and rich in stratagem besides.

Hearing his own plan questioned, Yang Shifan was immediately displeased, knitting his brows and staring at him: "What does General Qin mean? Could it be he fears battle?"

At this, Qin Zaixiong answered without courtesy, a hint of anger in his voice: "We Yao warriors have always dared to fight. In several assaults on the city, we charged forward at the risk of death, losing several hundred men in the process. I came to assist under Prefect Zhou's orders—for the General to speak thus is truly chilling to the heart!"

Seeing Qin Zaixiong's agitation, Yang Shifan's expression softened. After a moment's deliberation, he changed his tone and said to him: "This general misspoke! In General Qin's view, what should we do?"

Qin Zaixiong was equally blunt, saying directly: "General, we have been attacking Liyang for over ten days. The city walls are strong, the defenders tenacious, and we cannot break through—our casualties already exceed three thousand. Now the court's main army is at Jiangling, and there are enemy troops at Gong'an as well. Once they finish resting and march south, if we suffer another setback beneath these walls, we will surely fall into danger. My meaning is this: since Liyang cannot be taken quickly, we should preserve our strength while we still can, withdraw to Langzhou, and join with Prefect Zhou to pinch the Dongting Lake from both sides, guarding against the Han army!"

Qin Zaixiong's words drew nods of agreement from a number of Chu generals. Seeing this, Yang Shifan's displeasure only grew. Sensing the shift in his subordinates' sentiments, his expression turned grave. Looking at Qin Zaixiong, he said solemnly: "What the General says has merit, but I came north to attack the city on the Prefect's orders. Having achieved nothing, without orders, how can I withdraw troops on my own authority?

Moreover, given the current situation, a hasty withdrawal would surely stir unrest in the army's morale. The Han army at Jiangling is indeed a concern—which is precisely why we must seize the time. I have decided: tomorrow at dawn we launch a general assault on Liyang and break it in one stroke. If we succeed, we can hold the city and defend it; then even if the Han army marches south, we can stop them at Liyang!"

"General Qin, your troops and my central elite have rested for many days, awaiting the moment to distinguish ourselves. Tomorrow, we must hold nothing back and attack with combined strength!" Yang Shifan looked at Qin Zaixiong.

Meeting his gaze, Qin Zaixiong's brow furrowed slightly, as if in doubt. After thinking a moment, he said: "My camp is short on grain and equipment—I need resupply!"

"Rest assured, General. The newly arrived batch of military supplies will all be allocated to your unit, and I will also transfer a share of weapons from the right camp to you. The men under your command are all warriors—they should fight with fine arms!" Yang Shifan said at once, putting on a generous air.

"Thank you, General!" Qin Zaixiong's face relaxed, and he nodded, taking it as settled.

Having smoothed things over with Qin Zaixiong, Yang Shifan rose and declared in a stern, loud voice: "All other generals, return to your camps, drill your soldiers, repair your arms. Tonight, bring out all the wine and meat in camp and let the men eat their fill. Tomorrow at dawn, we attack the city with full force. Success or failure rests on this one stroke!"

"Yes!"

He had done his best to rouse morale—though how effective it was, even Yang Shifan himself could not say. When the generals had left the tent, he could not help but heave a heavy sigh, his face full of grim gravity. This, too, was his all-or-nothing gamble.

"General, that Qin Zaixiong has the look of one who would disturb the army's morale. Why be so courteous to him, even allocating grain and equipment?" A trusted officer at his side, recalling the council just past, could not help but speak up.

Yang Shifan gave a cold laugh: "Regardless, these Yao troops' fighting power is considerable, and Qin Zaixiong has both courage and cunning. Tomorrow's assault will depend on their strength!"

"How stands the army's baggage situation?" Turning his head, Yang Shifan looked at the junior officer.

At this mention, the officer's face immediately turned grave. He answered: "I went to inspect—the grain in camp will last only five days. If we reward the troops tonight and let the men eat their fill, I fear we cannot hold out three days!"

"Send word to Wuling—have them transport more to Liyang!" Yang Shifan said at once.

The officer shook his head helplessly: "Wuling has little grain left either. The grain-levying parties below have met much resistance, and lately banditry has been springing up throughout the prefecture—we cannot suppress it fast enough!"

Hearing this, Yang Shifan's face took on a look of utter despair, his whole visage nearly twisted. He sighed deeply: "You see? With the situation like this, they still talk of retreat. Even if we fell back to Wuling, without grain and arms, when the Han army comes, how could we hold?"

The situation in the rear was dire, but the deterioration had far exceeded Yang Shifan's imagination. Even at the front lines, he could sense the rear's fury, chaos, and despair.

But perhaps influenced by Zhou Xingfeng, there was a streak of ruthlessness in his nature. Yang Shifan pounded the campaign table and gritted his teeth: "Tomorrow is our desperate gamble. Inside Liyang city there is plenty of grain and equipment—if we can take it, it will sustain us for a good while!"

Seeing the resolve in Yang Shifan's eyes, the officer hesitated briefly, then asked in a low voice: "General, what if we still cannot break the city?"

Yang Shifan whipped his head around, his gaze like a starving tiger radiating dangerous intent, startling the officer. With a stony face, he said coldly: "If so, then we will all be captured by the Han army..."

"What—do you want to surrender too?"

At this, the officer gave a start and hurriedly said: "This officer would not dare!"

"Wanting to surrender is no crime—it's understandable!" Yang Shifan said in a low, somber tone. "But I have followed the Prefect in arms for many years, and I will not speak lightly of surrender until the very last moment. Besides, our families are all in Changsha..."

This time, when marching north to resist the Han army, Zhou Xingfeng had placed the families of all officers above the rank of centurion within Changsha city, under centralized watch and protection. What the purpose was needed no explanation.

Looking at Yang Shifan's cold, dark expression, the officer's spirits sank even lower. In his heart he lamented: never mind that Liyang was still firmly in Han hands—even if they truly took it, how long could they hold against the Han army?

Their time north at Liyang had not been long, and they had only fought one siege, yet the fighting spirit of many Chu soldiers had already been worn down considerably. The mere thought of that northern behemoth was enough to breed despair.

As for Yang Shifan, after much deliberation, his inner unease inexplicably swelled. Unable to contain himself, he rose and paced anxiously about the tent for a while. Drawing a deep breath, he suddenly turned and ordered: "Gather the central troops and the Yao soldiers—I wish to address them!"

On the north bank of the Li River, more than five thousand men stood in formation, their expressions varied, but all eyes fixed intently on the river. The atmosphere was tense and heavy. That pontoon bridge, none too sturdy, was the Chu army's lifeline for retreat to the south bank.

But at this moment, heat waves roiled over the Li River as Yang Shifan directly ordered it burned—along with the transport vessels—destroying their own path of retreat. Yang Shifan was emulating the Hegemon-King of Chu, staking all on one desperate blow.

The effect was certainly there—at least, all the Chu soldiers' eyes now showed a hint of despair. As for how much fighting strength that despair could kindle, that was anyone's guess.

The thick smoke over the Li River drew Liyang's attention. Pan Mei, hearing the news, climbed the wall to observe. After a moment's thought, he burst into loud laughter: "Yang Shifan means to fight to the death. A pity—he has vision and decisiveness enough, but he's simply walking into his own grave!"

Yet events often unfold in unexpected ways. Yang Shifan had just cut off his retreat, building an atmosphere of "burning the boats" desperation, when the iron hooves from the north ruthlessly trampled his designs and schemes.

When he learned that several thousand Han cavalry had crossed the defenses he had laid at Cenhe Village and were driving south straight for Liyang, Yang Shifan was instantly stuck in a bind. At that moment, the pontoon bridge and boats on the Li River had not yet fully burned, Chu morale plummeted uncontrollably to rock bottom, and Yang Shifan spat out a mouthful of old blood on the spot.

Choosing a stretch of open ground to camp, he sat facing Liyang from afar, forming a pincer stance to clamp down on the Chu army, poised for a converging attack. Shi Yanchao made no superfluous moves—he simply ordered the men to rest and recover, for they had ridden hard over a hundred li.

At the same time, he sent men to continue scouting the Chu army's situation and to establish contact with Pan Mei. When the results came back, he was overjoyed. This march south truly was a feast of meat—he even had the feeling that he could break the enemy without waiting for Li Yun.