Chapter 797: The Grand Plan to Resist the Han

Wang Zhaoyuan's grasp of this was truly rare, and Meng Chang expressed agreement with his assessment, though his expression did not relax. Instead, he followed up with a question: "How do we resist? Can Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozhen hold back the Han army's attack?"

Upon hearing the question, Wang Zhaoyuan immediately replied: "According to reports from Lizhou, the Han army forces arriving this time are Wang Renshan's troops from Xingyuan Prefecture. Though only a few thousand, it goes without saying that the Northern Han's main force must be right behind them.

Over these years, we have stationed over fifty thousand troops along the Lizhou and Jianmen line. The Sichuan roads are treacherous and extremely unfavorable for advancing troops. We only need to make good use of the terrain to hold our positions, which will be enough to resist the Han army. Once their provisions run out, the enemy will surely retreat, and our army may seize the opportunity to counterattack and claim victories..."

Wang Zhaoyuan had barely finished speaking when, before Meng Chang could say anything, Chancellor Li Hao couldn't help but speak up: "Back then, our main army was stationed at Fengzhou, with equally formidable walls and perilous passes, yet it was still shattered by the Han army in a single strike. How can the Commissioner of Military Affairs guarantee that this time will be foolproof?"

Seeing Li Hao question him, Wang Zhaoyuan immediately shot back in anger: "Back then, our army also held the Northern Han's main force outside Weiwu City for months. Had they not used fire attacks and possessed superior weaponry, we could have dragged things out until the Northern Han withdrew. Now that we are prepared, how could we possibly give the Han army another opening?

From Sanquan to Jianmen stretches over two hundred li. Every stockade, pass, defile, and city has solid, complete defensive works and ample weaponry, with at least three months of grain stored. Add to that our defensive posture—we only need to fight steadily and hold our walls firmly. Why should we fear the Han army?"

Hearing Wang Zhaoyuan's words, Meng Chang perked up somewhat, a glimmer of hope flashing through his eyes as he asked: "Can we truly hold against the Han army?"

"Your Majesty, so long as the court gives the northern soldiers support and trust, to defend the nation and protect our homeland, the troops will surely give their all!" Wang Zhaoyuan declared solemnly, his heart brimming with fervor.

"Excellent!" Meng Chang, moved by his words, couldn't help but clap his hands and say: "Zhaoyuan, I have indeed not misjudged you! At a time like this, only you can share my burdens!"

Having said this, Meng Chang couldn't help but show a hesitant expression, and asked with doubt: "Can fifty thousand troops hold back the Han army? Should we perhaps send more reinforcements?"

After nearly three years of expansion, the Shu army's strength had recovered greatly. Adding up all the prefectures, they had a full one hundred sixty to one hundred seventy thousand troops. Of course, their military quality was utterly incomparable to before—most of the elite and veteran soldiers had been consumed in the several great battles against the Northern Han.

Of the newly raised troops, the slightly better-trained ones were concentrated in the north and at Chengdu for intensive drilling. The rest could only maintain public order, suppress rebellions, and bully the restless common folk. Moreover, many of them had enlisted only because they couldn't make ends meet, joining the army just to get a meal.

"Mianzhou, Zizhou, and Chengdu still have forty thousand troops. Half of them can be sent north to garrison at Zitong to transport supplies and provide support. The rest should not be lightly moved—the realm is not yet tranquil, and we need to keep a certain force to protect Chengdu and its surroundings, suppress unrest, and deter wrongdoers. Additionally, since our army is primarily on the defensive this time, to reduce the burden and losses of supply transport, we don't need to station too many troops!" Wang Zhaoyuan said.

Continuing, Wang Zhaoyuan went on to discuss his grand plan to resist the Han: "Sanquan is the northern gateway to Shu. The terrain is perilous—mountains to the south, water to the north—and the city walls and passes have been extensively repaired, making them extremely solid. Defense Commissioner Li Jin holds it with three thousand elite troops. The Han army's vanguard has come precisely to break open the route into Sichuan. Zhao Chongtao has already sent troops north as reinforcements to strengthen the garrison. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we can hold out there for at least two months.

After two months, even if it falls, the Han army's edge and morale will be greatly weakened. To the south lie more perilous passes and key fortresses—Mantian, Miangu, Jiange, Jiameng, and others. If the Han army fights through them one by one, no amount of troops, horses, money, or grain can sustain the attrition. We could even dismantle the plank roads and bridges to cut off their advance..."

Wang Zhaoyuan spoke with great animation, and after his full analysis, it seemed their advantages really were considerable.

But at this moment, Chancellor Wu Zhaoyi spoke up again: "Your Majesty, according to Commissioner Wang's strategy and tactics, this will surely be a protracted war of attrition. The Sichuan roads are difficult for the Han, but equally so for Shu. To supply several tens of thousands of troops in the north, we would need to conscript double that number of laborers to transport military supplies.

At present, autumn has already arrived and the farming season is approaching. Too much corvée labor risks delaying the autumn harvest. In recent years, there have been many popular uprisings across the region, and forcibly conscripting labor may provoke even greater unrest. Moreover, the court's finances are strained, all granaries are insufficiently stocked, and in the short term we cannot divert much to support the war effort.

Additionally, we must guard against the Liao bandits in Ling and Rong rebelling again at the first opportunity—especially those around Renshou, who are too close to Chengdu. They cannot be left unguarded..."

Hearing Wu Zhaoyi's words, Meng Chang's expression could not help but sour. Wang Zhaoyuan, however, would have none of it, and said with fierce rhetoric: "No matter how difficult, we cannot delay the northern defense! As for raising money and grain, is that not the court's duty? At a time of national crisis, can we afford to be stingy with Chengdu's granaries and armories?"

"If it comes to the worst, we can even borrow money and grain from the officials and wealthy merchants of Chengdu! The soldiers shed blood and fight for the nation, struggling against the mighty Han—all to protect them. Even if they won't bankrupt their families to relieve the nation's distress, surely they can contribute some funds and grain!" Staring at Wu Zhaoyi, Wang Zhaoyuan said coldly: "Take Chancellor Wu here—if your household simply held fewer banquets and ate a bit less at each meal, that alone would be enough to support several hundred soldiers!"

Hearing Wang Zhaoyuan's words, Wu Zhaoyi grew flustered, as if his old face had been torn off. He pointed at him and said: "You, you—how dare you spout such wild nonsense?"

"Did I say something wrong?" Wang Zhaoyuan's eyes carried a hint of contempt: "Grain prices in Chengdu have soared, and Chancellor Wu's household has profited handsomely of late, hasn't it! If you can ship grain into the capital to reap fat profits, can you not support some of the soldiers resisting the Han? You have been showered with His Majesty's great favor—at a time like this, can you still think only of your own wealth and interests? If the soldiers at the front learned of how the great ministers of Shu conduct themselves, what would they think? If the great enterprise of resisting the Han is delayed, what face would Chancellor Wu have to stand in the court?"

Wang Zhaoyuan's righteous tirade nearly made the old minister Wu Zhaoyi choke. He cautiously glanced at Meng Chang, noticed his expression growing darker and darker at Wang Zhaoyuan's words, and abandoned any thought of arguing. He immediately said with solemn gravity: "Your Majesty, we old ministers will surely exhaust every effort to mobilize labor and raise money and grain for the great army!"

Beside him, Li Hao, Ouyang Jiong, and the other courtiers echoed their agreement, all wearing grave expressions while inwardly fearing that Wang Zhaoyuan might turn his fire on them and expose their secrets.

Seeing his ministers' behavior, Meng Chang's expression relaxed somewhat, and he said: "Regardless, at this time of crisis, we must fully support the army resisting the Han!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, your servant believes that for a war of this scale, the court should widely issue official proclamations, announcing to the people of Shu that everyone must contribute to the nation. Every household should provide a man for combat or transport, women should tend the fields and weave to supply the front. All official salaries, from top to bottom, should be reduced to fund the military..."

Before Wang Zhaoyuan could finish, Chancellor Li Hao could no longer hold back and admonished: "Your Majesty, absolutely not! What Commissioner Wang proposes is a policy of exhausting the nation's strength for war. If implemented, Shu will surely descend into chaos—and if Shu falls into chaos, what talk can there be of resisting the Northern Han's great army!"

Once Li Hao spoke, Meng Chang, who had been somewhat swayed, cooled down again. Looking at Wang Zhaoyuan, he gently shook his head: "There's no need for that for now! The war has only just begun. The court should proceed methodically and support the front. As for later, we'll decide based on how the war develops!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Hao immediately cupped his hands in salute.

In truth, Wang Zhaoyuan did have quite a few ideas, but they could only remain ideas. Even if Meng Chang had agreed to his proposals, the Later Shu's organizational capacity and execution ability could hardly accomplish them. Moreover, if officials and the Shu people were truly pushed too hard, as Li Hao had said, the Later Shu itself would collapse into chaos first...

After taking a breath, Wang Zhaoyuan said solemnly again: "At this moment of survival or extinction, your servant suggests that Your Majesty personally lead a northern expedition, take overall command of the northern war, and inspire the soldiers. If Your Majesty appears in person, the troops will surely be moved and fight to the death!"

"Your Majesty must not!" This time, a host of civil officials spoke up in unison to dissuade him.

"A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall," "A man worth a thousand gold pieces does not sit beneath the eaves," the fate of the realm rests on Your Majesty's person alone, one must not venture into danger personally, the Son of Heaven must not leave the capital lightly—these were roughly the reasons used to dissuade Meng Chang.

As for Meng Chang, he truly didn't need his ministers to dissuade him. He said directly: "I understand nothing of military strategy, nor do I have the talent to command troops. Rushing north would only add trouble for the soldiers—that would be for the worse!"

Perhaps feeling that his attitude had been a bit cowardly, Meng Chang said to Wang Zhaoyuan: "The northern defense was built by you and Minister Han with your own hands. At a time like this, it would be best for you to go north, take command of all the armies, and defend against the Han army!"

Seeing this, Wang Zhaoyuan did not hesitate much. Cupping his hands, he said: "Your servant is willing to go!"

"Excellent! I hereby appoint you Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Defense, leading the army to resist the Han. The safety of the passes and cities, the security of the Great Shu—I entrust them all to your hands!" Meng Chang said gravely.

"Your servant will not shirk this duty!" Wang Zhaoyuan replied with equal solemnity.

Looking around the hall, Meng Chang sighed softly and said: "Ministers, the nation is in turmoil, troubled within and without. We must rely on all of you, united in heart and mind, to weather these hard times together and preserve the realm!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs Han Baozheng reminded: "There is one more matter for which we must prepare. When the Northern Han raises troops against us, they will surely split their forces into two routes. With heavy forces massed in the north, we cannot relax on the eastern route either. The garrison at Kuizhou is currently weak—we should transfer troops eastward to strengthen the defenses of eastern Sichuan!"