Chapter 806: Wang Zhaoyuan: This Is an Opportunity for Battle

"Taking the front camp doesn't mean the Lesser Mantian Camp has fallen!" Standing on high ground where he could clearly survey the situation inside the front camp, Xiang Xun spoke as he watched the Shu army's movements.

Gazing into the distance, one could see that after the camp pass had been taken, although the Shu army had fallen into a brief chaos, under the command of their officers they quickly retreated toward the higher and more perilous middle camp.

Having once again experienced and proven the Han army's formidable will and striking power, Shu general Wang Shenchao personally led men to cover the retreat, desperately resisting the advancing Han troops to buy a measure of time, then decisively pulled back and successfully withdrew into the middle camp, closing the gates to continue holding their defense.

The Han army entering the front camp needed a brief adjustment—finishing off the remnants, rotating their vanguard, and reforming their battle lines. They moved quickly, and although the time left to Wang Shenchao was not much, he still managed to organize a defense line on the middle camp's walls that could be called airtight despite having lost the front camp.

The middle camp stood tall, made all the more ferocious and fearsome by the blades and weapons arrayed upon it—the cold glint reflected from spears and swords was far more chilling than the cool autumn air. Lest the soldiers' morale and blood run cold, with Li Yan's support, Han Jixun led his men in a second assault on the Lesser Mantian Camp.

"It seems that Wang Shenchao was well prepared for defending this camp long ago!" Seeing the shift in the assault's momentum, Wang Quanbin's expression turned somewhat grave: "He used the front camp to delay us, inflicting casualties and draining our army's morale. When he could no longer hold, he decisively withdrew to the middle camp. The higher we go, the more constricted the terrain becomes—our army is severely limited, we can commit fewer troops, and climbing costs our soldiers even more stamina.

Once our edge is completely spent, we'll inevitably return empty-handed. If the Shu army has sufficient courage, they could even seize the moment to sally forth and strike down from above. One moment of carelessness could bring our assaulting troops a complete rout. They might even retake the front camp in one stroke, then repeat the process.

In this way, as long as the Lesser Mantian Camp has sufficient troops, grain, and weapons, and as long as their morale holds, we won't take this camp without losing five thousand men. What's more, even if we fight to the death, it may all be in vain!"

Wang Quanbin's words laid out the Shu army's calculations in full. Of course, what he described was the ideal state the Shu army hoped for. The Han commanders were no blockheads—when the battle situation, circumstances, and casualties reached a certain point, they would naturally change their tactics.

But for now, the direct assault on the camp fortifications was still raging fiercely. For the Han soldiers, it was harder, bloodier, and costlier in casualties than the front camp had been.

After only a moment's deliberation, Xiang Xun immediately gave the order: "Transfer three thousand crossbowmen from the other armies—one thousand into the front camp to suppress the enemy in the middle camp with arrow fire, the remaining two thousand in the rear for rotation support. Send word to Zhang Mei to arrange transport of one hundred thousand arrows to the front camp. Tell the soldiers not to be stingy with bows and bolts—as long as their hands still have strength, as long as they can still draw a bow or wind a crossbow, keep shooting at that camp!"

"Yes!"

After giving the order, Xiang Xun's calm gaze involuntarily turned toward the southeast. The more fiercely the frontal assault progressed, the better the hidden true killing stroke would take effect, and the greater the destruction it would wreak.

To the southeast of the Shu camp, almost right beside it, Gao Huaide had led his troops into concealed position, coiled and ready to strike. Since yesterday evening, they had secretly crept to within five li of the Shu camp, sending several soldiers skilled in mountain travel down as death-defying messengers, lowered by ropes over the cliffs to make contact with Xiang Xun and coordinate the attack on the Lesser Mantian Camp.

No specific time had been set, but the sounds of battle and slaughter would be the agreed signal. And with Gao Huaide's force in position, Xiang Xun had little hesitation in choosing to launch the attack the very next day. For Gao Huaide's surprise force, the longer they delayed, the greater the risk of exposure.

The dense forest shade was the best cover for a concealed army. Leaning against a tree trunk, Gao Huaide rested with his eyes closed—the sounds of killing from the ridge seemed to become a lulling accompaniment to his rest, except that his fingers kept tapping against his knee at no small frequency.

"Army Supervisor! It's been over two shichen already—are we still not launching the attack?" Compared to Gao Huaide's composure, the veteran general He Chongjian seemed unable to contain his impatience, walking over to him once more to ask.

"Old General, do not be hasty! We only have one chance to strike—we must ensure complete success. Otherwise, if one strike fails, the Shu army will be prepared, and our offensive will be thwarted!" Gao Huaide said in a low voice.

Circling three hundred li to strike the enemy's rear was a plan of extraordinary risk, but when it came down to the moment, what was needed was Gao Huaide's calm and cautious judgment! As for coordination between the two armies, that would depend on the tacit understanding between the two commanders.

Finally opening his eyes, Gao Huaide rose and climbed in two or three steps onto a massive boulder, peering out beyond the ridge. He saw the autumn sun hanging high, nearly at its zenith. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he reached out and pointed toward the Shu camp, barking: "Pass the order—advance at full speed and take the camp in one stroke!"

"Yes!"

They had rested enough and endured enough of the mountain's bitter waiting. Nearly four thousand elite soldiers still fit for combat, led by Gao Huaide and He Chongjian, surged toward the Shu Lesser Mantian Camp, delivering their lethal blow.

As for the rest of his army, having learned that Mian'gu was undefended, they followed Guo Jin's suggestion and split off to the southwest, taking another detour to seize Mian'gu City.

At the Lesser Mantian middle camp, the sounds of killing continued unabated. A fresh wave of assault troops, covered by crossbow fire, trampled over blood and bones to attack the Shu camp. That tall, sturdy palisade stood like a gate to the underworld, devouring lives. Dense volleys of arrows flew round after round at the camp walls—between the palisades, they clustered so thickly they formed a veritable forest of arrows.

Below the middle camp, a thick layer of corpses had already piled up, and atop the camp it was the same. Facing the Han army's frenzied assault, Wang Shenchao struggled to maintain his composure, but terror could not help creeping into his heart. Were it not for this perilous fortress, how could his men possibly match the Han army? The Huaide Army had already fought itself weary, suffering nearly a thousand casualties, and had been replaced by the Southwest Army—yet the ferocity of the attack remained undiminished.

On the walls, under the Han army's seemingly inexhaustible rain of crossbow fire, the Shu army's casualties were equally heavy. Even Wang Shenchao himself had taken an arrow, yet he dared not retreat or take cover. The moment he showed any weakness, Han soldiers would seize the chance to climb over.

As time wore on, the middle camp's defense began to strain, and the Shu soldiers on the walls started showing signs of panic. While struggling to direct the defense, Wang Shenchao couldn't help but feel puzzled at the Han army's reckless assault—who attacked like this, skipping all probing and going straight to full commitment with nothing held back?

Amid the thick stench of blood and the blazing cries of battle, watching those northern toughs hurling themselves heedlessly against the arrows and stones from the walls, Wang Shenchao knew that the Han army could not sustain such an assault for long—if he could just hold out, the camp would be preserved.

But knowing was one thing; the shock in his heart could not be fully suppressed. The Shu army at Lesser Mantian numbered only four thousand. Just as Wang Shenchao ordered his last two reserve battalions up to the defense and sent word requesting reinforcements from the Greater Mantian Camp, he received terrible news.

A Han force had crossed the southeastern ridge, launched a surprise attack on the rear camp, and the palisade had already been breached. In truth, no report was even needed—the sounds of killing from behind and to the flank were already enough to shake the Shu soldiers fighting on the front line.

Under the sudden shock, Wang Shenchao's face showed a complex emotion, his mouth full of bitterness. Though he didn't know where the Han army had found a way around Mantian Ridge, he understood one thing: why the Han army had come in with full-force, all-out assault from the very start. And the Lesser Mantian Camp was about to fall—if the northern ridge fell, how could the southern ridge possibly hold?

At high noon, while the Han army was furiously assaulting the Lesser Mantian Camp, Wang Zhaoyuan had just arrived at the Greater Mantian Camp. Paying no heed to formalities, he immediately began inquiring about the battle situation.

Wang Zhaoyuan didn't put on airs, but his self-assured familiarity made the atmosphere somewhat awkward. Pointing north with his chin, he spoke in an earnest tone: "Hearing that the Han army was attacking the camp, I was deeply worried and immediately hastened north. How stands the battle now?"

From the Greater Mantian Ridge, the sounds of killing from the north could be faintly heard. Zhao Chongtao said to Wang Zhaoyuan: "Wang Shenchao reports that he has already abandoned the front camp and taken the initiative to fall back to the middle camp, inflicting heavy casualties on the Han army. From the sounds of battle coming through, the fighting is at its fiercest and has already lasted a shichen. If Wang Shenchao holds, the Han army must have suffered terrible losses!"

Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyuan's face immediately showed displeasure: "Are you judging the enemy's situation by guesswork? The fighting at the front is at its height—have you gone to look for yourself?"

Zhao Chongtao was not intimidated by Wang Zhaoyuan in the least. Unceremoniously, he shot right back: "The order Commissioner Wang gave this general was to defend the Greater Mantian Ridge!"

"If the Lesser Mantian Ridge is lost, how can the Greater Mantian Ridge be held?" Wang Zhaoyuan said harshly.

"If the Greater Mantian Ridge is lost, then who will Commissioner Wang hold responsible?" Zhao Chongtao said coldly.

"You dare!"

"You overstep!"

The commander and his general were about to come to blows when the surrounding officers hurried to mediate: "General Wang is currently fighting a bloody battle with the Han army at the lesser ridge—the commander and his general must not start quarreling now!"

Taking a deep breath to calm his agitation, Wang Zhaoyuan decided not to press the matter for the moment, and said stiffly: "Since General Zhao finds it so hard to move his august person, I shall go myself to encourage the troops!"

Having said this, he was just about to set off with his men when a junior officer, his face streaked with grime and sweat, ran up under escort. Catching his breath, he reported: "The Han army is attacking with reckless disregard for casualties—both sides have suffered heavy losses. The lesser ridge may not hold—General Wang requests reinforcements!"

Wang Zhaoyuan questioned him further about the battle situation and reached a conclusion: the Han army was attacking with everything it had. Instead of worrying, he was pleased, and said to the assembled officers: "The Han army is overly arrogant, trying to take our Lesser Mantian Camp in one stroke. Attacking with such disregard for casualties, they cannot sustain it long—our opportunity for battle has come!"

Beaming with delight, Wang Zhaoyuan said to the messenger officer: "Return at once to the Lesser Mantian Ridge and tell Wang Shenchao he must hold the camp at all costs. I will immediately send troops from the Shendu garrison to support him!"

"Yes!"

The Jialing River around Mantian Ridge had several bends. South of the Lesser Mantian Camp there was a ferry crossing called Shendu, where a pontoon bridge spanned the river connecting both banks. The Shu army had also established a camp there to link north and south.

After the officer departed, Wang Zhaoyuan was beside himself with joy. Laughing loudly several times, he said to Zhao Chongtao and the others: "Generals, prepare the troops at once! We must hasten north, and once the Han army's edge is worn away, we counterattack. Even if we cannot smash the Han army in one blow, we can still badly maul them. Perhaps we can even decide the battle in a single engagement—this fight need not drag on long!"

Seeing Wang Zhaoyuan's radiant expression, Zhao Chongtao's brow furrowed slightly: "Commissioner Wang must not underestimate the Han army! Our previous strategy was to hold the perilous Mantian fortresses—when the lesser ridge was in danger, sending reinforcements sufficed. Why change the strategy and take the initiative to sally forth?"

"Do I not know the Han army's strength? But General Zhao, as a commander, surely you know that war has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape—one must move with the situation and adapt to circumstances. When an opportunity for battle presents itself, one must seize it actively. Otherwise, sitting back and watching, binding one's own hands and feet, one ends up merely a mediocre general!" Wang Zhaoyuan said calmly. On such matters, he was very confident: "Moreover, after a bloody battle at the lesser ridge, casualties will be heavy. Once the Han army is driven back, we'll need to draw troops from the greater ridge to replenish them anyway!"

Zhao Chongtao and the others exchanged glances, then went down to muster the troops. You're the commander, your reasoning sounds sound—for now, we'll listen.

The Greater Mantian camps had over ten thousand troops. Under Wang Zhaoyuan's urging, they assembled three thousand armored soldiers at a less than rapid pace, preparing to march north to reinforce and seek an opportunity to break the Han army!