Chapter 255: A Path to Survival

In the early morning of the eighth day of the first month of the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign, Pang Yu was jolted awake by the sound of carriage frames being hacked apart around him.

A faint wind stirred nearby; his face had almost lost all sensation, his hands and feet were ice-cold, and when he opened his eyes everything was a blur of white. He reached up and touched around his eyes — ice crystals had formed on his eyelashes and eyebrows.

The campfire beside him was burning low but still alight. With no walls to store and reflect heat, much of its warmth was lost to the frigid air.

Pang Yu tried to move. The cotton quilt over him gave off a series of crisp crackling sounds. He twisted and sat up, and the ice crusted on the quilt shattered and slid off with a rustle.

Guo Fengyou, beside him, heard the noise and hurriedly rolled up to sit as well. Pang Yu saw that his quilt was also coated in a thin layer of ice, and ice crystals hung from his eyebrows and beard, making him look exactly like an old man.

"Send someone to summon all the Company Commander for a military council, along with Mr. Hou and the guide."

Guo Fengyou immediately roused several personal soldiers and sent them off to notify each unit.

Pang Yu tried to clear the ice from his eyebrows but failed. He could only brush the dirt and ice chips from his body and crouch by the fire, waiting for the ice to melt. He looked at the firewood inside — over the course of the night, a great deal of wood had been burned, leaving several layers of ash piled up.

The camp was very small. A moment later, the chief officials of each unit had all arrived. Guo Fengyou had the surrounding personal soldiers pull back a short distance.

Everyone stood at the edge of the firelight, trying to absorb a little more warmth. The officers all looked much the same — bodies huddled into a ball, hands tucked into opposite sleeves. Jiang Guoyong had lost his cloth cap somewhere and had simply wrapped a piece of cloth around his head, minimizing exposed skin to reduce heat loss.

Pang Yu used a wooden board to poke at the firewood pile, coaxing the flames higher, then tossed the board into the fire. He stood and addressed the group: "Yesterday, Wang Zenglu said the grain, fodder, and horses were enough for twenty days. This official agreed at the time, but we failed to account for firewood — another essential element for winter survival. Not only is it needed for cooking and boiling water, but also for warmth at night. These carriage frames will be completely burned within two days at most. When that happens, we'll be eating raw meat and drinking cold water, freezing in the open field at night. In this weather, injuries and illness will skyrocket. The entire army's strength and morale absolutely cannot hold for three days."

The men looked at one another. After the torment of this long night, they all believed Pang Yu's assessment was correct. This was the first time they had ever camped entirely in the open during winter, and this year's winter was especially bitter. Since leaving Jiangpu, they had always stayed in the ruins of villages and towns, where walls blocked the wind and retained heat — nothing like the misery of today. Their victories at Puzikou and Shucheng had made them somewhat contemptuous of the Roving Bandits, and one moment of carelessness had landed them in their current predicament.

Wang Zenglu said quietly, "This humble one indeed failed to think it through. But when it truly comes to that, the entire camp could break out toward Wuyi Town. Even if the bandits hold the bridge, the river outside Wuyi Town is not deep — we can ford it. Holding out there would be far better."

A few drops of ice water trickled down from Pang Yu's eyebrows. He wiped them away and said, "Reaching Wuyi Town would not get us out of danger. Under attacks from Luo Rucai's horse soldiers, we won't be able to bring much grain with us. There's no firewood at Wuyi Town either. The bandit cavalry can continue to intercept us along the way. Judging from yesterday, we can at most travel ten li a day. Until we enter the mountain region, we cannot escape danger. Given the army's current strength and morale on the march, the more likely outcome is that Luo Rucai's cavalry will annihilate us before we even reach the mountains north of Jiangpu."

Wang Zenglu lowered his head in thought and said nothing more.

"Therefore, we have no choice. We must abandon any wishful thinking of holding a fixed position and focus single-mindedly on defeating the Roving Thieves. The only thing we need to consider is when to attack White Armor Bridge — what is the most opportune moment."

The men nodded silently. Pang Yu felt slightly relieved. Last night, he had sensed that the officers had no desire to attack, which was extremely detrimental to today's offensive operation. He had to make these officers understand the situation they were in and unify everyone's thinking, so that the entire army could fight with the courage born of desperation.

At that moment, Yao Dongshan raised his hand and said, "This subordinate has an idea. If the main force of the Roving Thieves is engaged with the Government Troops at Physics Bridge, why the hell are we attacking White Armor Bridge? We should just ford the river straight to Physics Bridge and hit them hard. Join up with that government force and wipe out the old bandits among the horse soldiers. The rest of the Roving Bandits will be like chopping melons and slicing vegetables."

Everyone turned to stare at him. Yao Dongshan froze for a moment, then said angrily, "What are you all looking at me for? What kind of fighting was that yesterday? The bandit horse soldiers darted east and west, and our infantry didn't dare chase and couldn't engage. Since the Roving Thieves are massed at Physics Bridge, they've lost room to maneuver. We fight like we did at Fierce Tiger Bridge — charge in and fight to the death. That's the proper way."

The blacksmith Centurion had not yet departed for the opposite bank. Hearing this, he said, "If it truly is Chief Minister Lu leading those troops, those hardened bandits and old thieves will certainly mass at Physics Bridge for a decisive battle. Smash them there, and the Roving Thieves will collapse entirely. Last night, as you instructed, sir, I was to send men back and forth with messages today. During the evening, we already scouted a fordable point by the river — the water only reaches above the knee. Infantry can easily ford it."

Pang Yu frowned for a moment, then looked at Wang Zenglu. "Banner Captain Wang, what do you think of Banner Captain Yao's idea?"

Wang Zenglu hesitated briefly, then said, "This subordinate believes it is not without merit. We are surrounded on three sides by Cao Cao. Advancing on the west bank to attack White Armor Bridge, we would be harassed by his horse soldiers the entire way, and our march would be extremely slow. We also don't know whether bandit infantry are holding the opposite side of the bridge. If we suddenly cross the river and take the east bank, Cao Cao would have to hastily bring his horse soldiers across. His men and horses would inevitably be scattered, and their harassment would lose effectiveness. We could use the chaos to force-march straight to Physics Bridge and join the main battle directly. Attacking the Roving Thieves' right wing would have an even greater effect."

Pang Yu frowned. Their position was three li below White Armor Bridge, eleven li from Chuzhou, and six li from Physics Bridge. The Pure Stream River was in its dry season during winter, with varying depths along different stretches. According to last night's reconnaissance, the area around Physics Bridge was nearly dry, but water from Langya Mountain flowed in at Baili Bridge, so the water level at the Garrison Commander's camp's current location was relatively deeper. The river-crossing process held many unpredictable factors.

With water reaching the knee, even with trouser legs rolled up, pants would easily get soaked. A river-crossing assault would require abandoning all baggage and carrying only personal dry rations, with no logistical support whatsoever. The army would lack the capacity for sustained combat and could rely on nothing but a single surge of momentum. If victory was not achieved by the time that momentum was spent, it would mean the army's total destruction. In essence, it was an all-or-nothing gamble.

Guo Fengyou hesitated, then said, "Crossing the Pure Stream River means not just wading through water, but also climbing up and down the riverbanks. I fear we might fall into disorder without even being attacked. Attacking Baili Bridge could also smash the Roving Thieves' right wing."

Pang Yu looked at Chen Rulie. "What do you say?"

Chen Rulie kept his head lowered and said, "There is a lot of muddy ground on the banks of the Pure Stream River. Horses' hooves sink deeper than men's feet. Cao Cao's horse soldiers may not find pursuit so easy. Right now, we are surrounded on three sides by the Roving Thieves. Once we cross the river, we break the encirclement. This subordinate approves of crossing the Pure Stream River to Physics Bridge."

Pang Yu stroked his chin. The other officers remained silent. For a moment, all was quiet, broken only by the occasional crackle and pop of firewood bursting in the flames. Mr. Hou's breathing was slightly heavy. Pang Yu's decision at this moment would determine not only victory or defeat in this battle, but the lives of over a thousand men. None of those present were veteran generals; they had led troops in battle only a handful of times. Faced with such a difficult decision, everyone was deeply uneasy.

After a long while, Pang Yu raised his head. "This official has decided to cross the Pure Stream River and attack Physics Bridge directly. If the attack truly fails, we will fight our way through to Chuzhou. That is eighty li closer than retreating to Jiangpu. As long as we force our way to the walls of Chuzhou and receive provisions from the city battlements, that is a path to survival."

Everyone nodded in agreement. None of them had considered that Chuzhou was also a path to survival. Once Pang Yu pointed this out, their attack tomorrow would carry the dual purpose of seeking victory and preserving their lives.

Pang Yu paused for a moment, then said, "After our camp crosses the river, Cao Cao's horse soldiers may follow and harass us. This official needs one Company Commander to remain and guard that ford point, leading a single Company's strength to block the bandit horse soldiers from crossing."

Silence fell over the gathering. The Company Commander left behind would hold the position with only one Company, cut off from the main force. Moreover, no one knew the river conditions along the Pure Stream River; the Marine Corps' reconnaissance had been very hasty. The bandit horse soldiers might cross from elsewhere, and this Company would then be completely surrounded.

In truth, this Company would be a pawn that had crossed the river, buying time for the main force so that the Garrison Battalion could reach Physics Bridge smoothly and attack the Roving Thieves' right wing. Even its total loss would be acceptable.

If the battle turned unfavorable or became a stalemate, the main force of the Garrison Battalion still had one path to survival: breaking through to the walls of Chuzhou. But this Company left behind could not possibly reach it while heavily surrounded. Its only hope of survival lay in the Garrison Battalion and that government force routing the Roving Bandits — a prospect that was, by comparison, far more remote.

No one spoke. Pang Yu did not press them; he decided to wait a moment. The person he had in mind was Yao Dongshan, because the unit Yao Dongshan led had the fiercest fighting style. But Yao Dongshan did not open his mouth.

Just as he was about to call Yao Dongshan's name, he heard Zhuang Chaozheng's voice from across the campfire: "This subordinate is willing to stay."

Everyone was taken aback — including Pang Yu. He and Zhuang Chaozheng happened to be on opposite sides of the fire. Zhuang Chaozheng's face flickered between light and shadow in the firelight. Although he was a Company Commander, he rarely spoke and had no particularly distinctive personality. Earlier, Pang Yu had not even thought to ask his opinion. But now, these words — just six characters — seemed to leave a deeper impression on Pang Yu than an entire year of prior interaction.

"Very well. Banner Captain Zhuang, make your preparations first. You decide which Company to select. After daybreak, this official will speak to them personally."

Zhuang Chaozheng replied simply, "Understood, sir."

Pang Yu looked at him, then turned to Mr. Hou beside him. "Give the agreed silver to those hired grooms. Before dawn, have them take some dry rations and flee across the river to save themselves. Do not permit them to follow the army. Later, you will accompany this official to Garrison Commander Chen's position. I will explain today's plan to him and request that he come along to assist."

Mr. Hou was too nervous to speak and could only bow to show he understood.

Pang Yu turned again to the blacksmith Centurion. "That ford point you scouted — while it is still dark, this official will go inspect it personally. Have all your Marine Corps soldiers continue scouting along the river to determine if there is a better ford point within two li."

Once the blacksmith acknowledged, Pang Yu addressed everyone: "Chop up the carriage frames for cooking fires. Prepare enough food for three full meals. Have every soldier carry two meals on his person and fill his water canteen. Scatter the remaining grain across the ground — don't leave it in piles, so the Roving Bandits can't easily seize or burn it."

The officers' faces were pale, yet they carried an emotion that was hard to describe — whether excitement or tension. Pang Yu's resolve was set. After daybreak, it would certainly be very dangerous, but at least there was a plan, and everyone now had a clear objective.

"The Roving Thieves are maneuvering at Physics Bridge during the night. It is very likely that the government force is advancing on its own initiative, which means the Government Troops hold the initiative. If the Government Troops were merely assisting in city defense, they would not have left their camp outside the eastern city wall. Today, as long as the Government Troops actively attack the Roving Thieves, it means they believe they can rout the Roving Bandits — or at least that the two sides are evenly matched. Our Garrison Battalion will first secure our defensive line and prepare cooked rations to carry. If the two sides are indeed evenly matched and locked in stalemate, the entire camp will cross the river and attack."

Pang Yu swept his gaze over the officers before him. "Tell every soldier: Chuzhou is the only path to survival. Once we cross the river, we must attack toward Chuzhou. Advance only — no retreat permitted."

……

By the time the sky was fully bright, among the remaining reeds on the east bank of the Pure Stream River, Tang Ershuan was once again concealed there with the blacksmith Centurion, observing the battle situation to the north through a telescope.

Thousands upon thousands of Roving Bandits were emerging from camp. The infantry formations were chaotic, their weapons a motley assortment, but their numbers were immense. Following their respective Red Banners, they nearly blanketed the entire Physics Bridge area. Conch horns sounded from time to time within the formations — it was impossible to tell which unit was maneuvering. The buzzing clamor of the crowd was clearly audible from two or three li away.

"Roving Bandits will always be Roving Bandits — they don't even have more than a few banners," the blacksmith Centurion said as he watched. "Look, they can't even tell themselves apart anymore, scurrying around everywhere in chaos, clumps here and clumps there. Numbers don't mean much."

Tang Ershuan could not see clearly. All he could make out was a writhing carpet.

The Government Troops to the north appeared in view. Their formations were alive with fluttering banners and pennants. The dominant color of the entire array was red, interspersed with patches of black — likely cavalry wearing armor.

"The Roving Bandits can't win, definitely can't win," the Centurion said, then turned to a subordinate on his right. "Run back and tell the sir that the Government Troops' formation is orderly, and the cavalry numbers roughly... roughly how many?"

The Centurion blinked hard, hesitated for a moment, then handed the telescope to Tang Ershuan on his left. "You've got good eyes. Count them, and also see if there's a character 'Lu' anywhere."

Tang Ershuan hurriedly took it with both hands and, imitating the Centurion, carefully raised it to his eyes.

"It's backwards!"

Embarrassed, Tang Ershuan flipped the telescope around. When he put it to his eye, everything was suddenly magnified many times over.

He was too astonished to speak. A long moment later, a fist thumped his shoulder, and Tang Ershuan hurriedly looked in earnest.

Through the lens, the Government Troops' cavalry were numerous. Many skirmishing riders were spread out in front of the formations, constantly galloping back and forth with whoops and shouts, driving off the forward bandit horse soldiers. Behind them, some larger groups of cavalry roamed, occasionally launching small-scale charges at the bandit horse soldiers. The bandit horse soldiers at the front kept falling back. The government cavalry's zone of control grew larger and larger, gradually dominating the ground before the bandit formations. From time to time, white smoke puffed from the riders' hands, and faint popping sounds carried on the wind.

Behind them were great numbers of infantry, formed into one array after another, but they had not yet reached engagement range.

Tang Ershuan had never imagined a great army's battle would look like this — the lens was filled with layer upon layer of men and horses, impossible to count in the moment.

He turned his head toward the blacksmith and grinned foolishly. "I don't know the character 'Lu.'"

The blacksmith snatched it back and cursed, "Can't read, can't count straight — what use are you! Go report to Lord Pang first. Say the Government Troops' cavalry can fight; reckon they're not afraid of the Roving Thieves."

……

By the time Tang Ershuan crossed the river back, Cao Cao's roving riders were already active on the west bank. Chen Yuwang carried out a reception, and only then did Tang Ershuan return to camp safely.

Those roving riders saw Tang Ershuan and suspected nothing — someone running over from the far bank could just be a refugee. They would never imagine the Garrison Commander's camp would attempt a ford in this weather.

Pang Yu paced anxiously in the camp ground. All around, fires burned fiercely; every unit had practically chopped up their carriages, leaving nothing for the Roving Bandits. The meals were all cooked. Besides eating their fill, many had already found ways to wrap up food and carry it on them. Everything was ready. Across the way, Cao Cao's horse soldiers had yet to appear in any number. The situation was relatively calm.

Before daybreak he had personally walked the fording point once. The icy water carried considerable force. Pang Yu came back and warmed himself by the fire, yet his feet still felt freezing cold.

The Pure Stream River was not wide. In winter, most of the riverbed lay exposed. The stretch that required wading was only twenty or thirty paces, and at its deepest it truly only reached just above the knee. There were small patches of mud along the banks, but fording posed no problem for the army.

What Pang Yu most urgently needed was to confirm whether that Government Troops force truly had strength. Though the decision had already been made, when the moment of execution truly began, one always wavered between hope and fear — especially when so many lives hung in the balance. The waiting at this moment was excruciating.

The message Tang Ershuan brought back was a little too simple. Pang Yu questioned him closely a few more times and confirmed that the Government Troops were attacking on their own initiative, and both sides had already entered the battlefield — which meant the Roving Thieves could not withdraw even if they wanted to.

The same held true for the Garrison Commander's camp. This place was different from Jiangpu — there was no Pang Ding bringing boats to receive them. If they lost the battle, there would truly be no escape.

Pang Yu closed his eyes and steadied his mind. The timing of a strike was just like closing a trade deal. Given his current ability to gather intelligence, he could never pick the most opportune moment. Since he had already determined that Chuzhou was the only path to survival, any moment to strike was the right one. All he needed to do was throw every chip onto the table.

After drawing a deep breath, Pang Yu spoke loudly to the officers: "The entire ying will assemble in five-column formation and prepare to ford the river. The order of movement is: First Division, Second Division, Personal Guard Division, Marine Corps, cavalry, Third Division. The Third Division Seventh Company will hold the ferry crossing."

……

Author's note: Pre-1949 records show that the Pure Stream River ran dry for four months every year during drought years.