Chapter 335: Encirclement

On Yandun Ridge the rain had lessened slightly. After the downpour, the thick smoke from the northern Mountain Pass was now only a faint trace. The rain clouds were gradually shifting south, sunlight appeared in the west, and the setting sun daubed the land a dusky yellow.

The ruined beacon tower in the sunset cast a long shadow across the ground, its top right at Chen Rulie's feet. He lifted a foot — the ground was slick and greasy. Yandun Ridge was covered in thin mud everywhere, severely limiting movement for both sides. The probing Team of Roving Bandits did not even attack; they circled halfway below the ridge, and as the rain grew heavier, quickly pulled back.

Chen Rulie had no way to pursue either. The two sides faced off in the rain until the follow-up Garrison Battalion cavalry arrived. After a full day of forced march, the Centurions of each Company reported their numbers: due to horse exhaustion, illness, and other causes, of the four-hundred-man cavalry Division, only two hundred forty-seven had reached Moyanpu — a loss rate of a full forty percent.

After the storm, the area around Moyanpu was a flooded marshland. The only route passable for marching was the post road paved with stone slabs. The Roving Bandits had set up Heavy Troops at the entrance to Moyanpu; cavalry alone could not break through. The two sides continued their standoff in the wind and rain. Chen Rulie needed to tie down the bandits and prevent them from intercepting the infantry on the road, while the bandits sought to block the Garrison Battalion from driving straight in.

The bandits at least had ruins for shelter from the rain. Only some of the Garrison Battalion cavalry had brought straw rain capes; the rest had to endure the downpour exposed. Chen Rulie estimated there would be many more losses to illness by tomorrow.

Thinking of this, he said with some displeasure, "It's only two li. Why hasn't Battalion Commander Yao sent the infantry yet? Send someone to hurry him again!"

The Deputy Battalion Commander beside him replied, "Battalion Commander Yao sent the Land Combat Division to the Mountain Pass. The First Division has to hold Erlang Town."

"What do we need that many men holding Erlang Town for? It's just one bridge — a single Company would be enough!" Chen Rulie looked north. "We shouldn't have listened to him from the start. Our cavalry should have raided the Mountain Pass; then the bandits wouldn't have had time to set this fire."

"With rain this heavy, the fire's probably long out by now. The Land Combat Division still couldn't fight their way through."

Chen Rulie raised the Telescope in his hand and spoke as he looked. "What did the scout riders say earlier? At the Mountain Pass it's Old Huihui's several hundred Horse Soldiers. That terrain favors cavalry, so naturally the Land Combat Division can't break through. Adjutant General Pang's original plan was correct — the Mountain Pass may be chaotic, but the ground is flat, far better suited for cavalry than this Moyanpu. That Yao Dongshan has used everything in reverse."

"Sir, the infantry has arrived."

Chen Rulie turned to look and saw a long column of infantry advancing along the post road. The banners showed it was the Second Division, but they had brought no cannon. Chen Rulie had not expected them to anyway; though the rain had now lightened, the Artillery likely still could not operate.

The Second Division was moving quickly. Chen Rulie called over his adjutants and sent them to coordinate with the infantry, pointing out the nearby fields that were still traversable. He himself dispatched Relay Horses to notify every Centurion to clear the main road and prepare to pursue once the infantry seized Moyanpu.

The infantry halted a hundred paces from Moyanpu. Inside Moyanpu, the Roving Bandits stirred with some agitation; the Horse Soldiers at the entrance drew closer.

After reorganizing on the post road for a moment, some soldiers dispersed into the surrounding fields to survey the terrain. Chen Rulie saw them moving with considerable difficulty, their feet entirely caked in mud.

Soon after, the adjutants returned and reported that movement through the fields was extremely difficult, but Wang Zenglu still planned to send one Company to outflank from the south, with two Companies making a supporting attack along the post road, and requested the cavalry prepare to assist.

The infantry and cavalry had conducted joint drills many times. Chen Rulie said nothing more; Wang Zenglu's tactics were sound. Though the muddy paths through the fields were hard going, infantry could still move through them, whereas cavalry had no chance at all. This way, the Garrison Battalion infantry could threaten the bandits from the flank and rear, creating the appearance of encircling Moyanpu and forcing the bandits to withdraw.

Soon the infantry began to move. Over a hundred Light Armor soldiers left the post road and circled through the southern fields. Men slipped and fell from time to time, needing help from those nearby to stand. Because they had to stay out of bowshot range from Moyanpu, the infantry had to make a wide loop and moved very slowly. At that speed, they could never cut off the cavalry — but the objective was aimed at the cavalry's line of retreat, and more so at the psychology of the bandits' Horse Soldiers. Moyanpu was surrounded by flooded fields, and now after the rain, if the post road were cut, cavalry would find it nearly impossible to escape through the deep mud. So although the infantry had only just set out, it immediately provoked a reaction from the Roving Bandits.

Through the Telescope, Chen Rulie saw the bandits inside the settlement scrambling to redeploy. Horse Soldiers were turning their mounts in the narrow streets; some foot soldiers were piling up debris, likely to block any pursuit. It looked as if they were going to retreat.

A horn sounded below the ridge. The Second Division infantry began advancing. The front ranks were all Heavy Armor and long spears — in the narrow frontal engagement zone of the post road, they could completely suppress cavalry. They pushed forward steadily along the post road. Inside the settlement, the Red Banners and High Shine lanterns began to shift; gongs clanged incessantly. The bandits' retreat grew increasingly chaotic.

"The Roving Bandits can't hold. That's the way to fight." Chen Rulie pulled his horse's head around. "Prepare to pursue."

In the fading drizzle, the Garrison Battalion infantry rolled forward along the post road, surging into Moyanpu under the last rays of the setting sun.

……

Beneath the western clouds, only a sliver remained of the sunset's afterglow. Old County Bridge was packed with barricades; torches and lanterns had been lit at both ends. The water level in Old County River had risen, but the rain had stopped.

With a thunderous boom, a blinding flash erupted on the east side of Old County Bridge. An Iron Shot streaked through the twilight, arced across the sky above Old County River, and moments later a splashing sound came back from the far side — impossible to tell which flooded field it had struck.

"Sir, look — this sound can carry twenty li. One imagines it will strike terror into those bandit spawn." Xu Strengthening, clad in full battle dress, turned around and addressed Shi Kefa, who stood behind him likewise in full armor, his tone respectful.

Shi Kefa, already dark and lean, now looked even more haggard. His face full of anxiety, he said, "Our great army is trapped at Fengjiadian. The scattered soldiers who fled back today all say the Roving Thieves are attacking ferociously and nearly broke into the Camp Stockade. This cannon may boost morale, but I fear it will not be enough to drive off fierce bandits."

Xu Strengthening nodded repeatedly at these words. Over the past few days he had been constantly on the move, rushing from Taihu to Old County, only to find the main army besieged at Fengjiadian. He had heard the Roving Thieves numbered in the tens of thousands, among them the notoriously infamous Eight Great Kings, Cao Cao, and Chuang Tatian. Fengjiadian was one thing — at least he was not there himself — but the Giant Bandits were less than ten li from this Old County, and that worried Xu Strengthening greatly. For two days he had eaten and slept poorly, and had visibly lost weight.

"The Circuit Intendant speaks truly. That Garrison Commander Pang — why must he be so troublesome? The Circuit Intendant clearly ordered him to rush to Taihu and join forces with this humble officer; together our strength would be greatly bolstered, and rescuing Vice General Cheng would be no problem. Yet he insists on coming from Susong. As the saying goes, united we are strong, divided we are weak. Since ancient times, dividing one's forces has been a grave taboo. And now look at the predicament we are in. Young men are rash — too rash."

Xu Strengthening spoke with pained vehemence. Shi Kefa sighed and waved a hand. He had sent Xu Strengthening to mount a rescue, but before they were halfway there, the bandits' Horse Soldiers had beaten them back. Relying on this Regional Commander was futile.

Today, deserters from Fengjiadian had kept fleeing back to Old County. Cheng Long's situation was dire. The Roving Bandits had repeatedly charged up the slope at Fengjiadu, and each time had only been driven back by the desperate counterattacks of General Officers and their Household Retainers. Before the rain, Cheng Long had personally led a breakout attempt, but the bandits had blocked it. Morale in the camp was low, more and more soldiers were Scattering, and the various commanders had only their Household Retainers left to rely on. Shi Kefa had tried to send word of the Garrison Battalion's arrival, dispatching two groups, but neither had succeeded; they reported only that the bandits had sealed the roads tightly.

Judging by the current momentum, they likely could not hold past tomorrow. If Cheng Long's forces at Fengjiadian were surrounded and annihilated, the mobile troops Zhang Guowei had scraped together from the entire Jiangnan region would vanish in an instant. Only the Garrison Battalion would remain, at most enough to hold a few cities. Anqing would inevitably be ravaged, and there would be no strength left to rescue Pukou and Liuhe.

At the thought of this Outcome, Shi Kefa's scalp went numb. Before noon he had already sent an urgent appeal to Zhang Guowei, warning that preparations must be made for Cheng Long's destruction. In the original history, the Battle of Fengjiadian had been the turning point of the Jiangbei theater — the main strength of the Jiangnan government forces was lost, and until the Ming dynasty fell, no standing Government Troops capable of confronting the Roving Bandits was ever rebuilt. From then on, the Anqing region became a bandit stronghold.

Fortunately, a Relay Horse sent by Pang Yu from Susong County Town had arrived at Old County in the afternoon, bringing the Garrison Battalion's Dispatch Report. It reported that, due to pursuing the Roving Bandits, they had advanced from Susong toward Taihu, recaptured the county town along the way, discovered the main Roving Thief force at Erlang Town, and would proceed to attack there, then advance from west to east to relieve Fengjiadian and surround and annihilate the Eight Great Kings' forces.

This news brought Shi Kefa both joy and worry. The joy was that Pang Yu had finally come and there was even hope of a great Victory. The worry was that the bandits lay between them, and he did not know whether Fengjiadian would be surrounded and wiped out first — or whether even the Garrison Battalion, which he had previously counted on to survive, might now be trapped deep in the bandit encirclement. Now he had to hope both that Pang Yu's attack would go smoothly and that Cheng Long could hold on.

During the Daytime, the sound of cannon fire had still come sporadically from the direction of Fengjiadian. The bandits had no cannon, so Cheng Long's forces must still be holding out. But around Nightfall the cannon fire had ceased, and he did not know whether they had already been overrun. This made Shi Kefa even more restless. He could only have Xu Strengthening fire the cannon as a show of support, and also to use the cannon sound to make contact with Cheng Long, hoping for a reply.

At that moment, the cannon fired again. The flooded fields on the far side took another hit. The muzzle flash lit up the night sky, outlining the dark clouds above. Shi Kefa tilted his head back and gazed for a moment, then suddenly turned and said, "Regional Commander Xu, we have received profound grace from the state. We cannot sit and watch Deputy Regional Commander Cheng be defeated and killed. Muster your troops and make a desperate bid with me. Let us stake our lives to preserve these elite Jiangnan forces for the court!"

"This…" Xu Strengthening opened his mouth, then hastily bowed and said, "The Circuit Intendant has given his order; how would this humble officer begrudge his life? However, this humble officer dares to say one thing: in his Dispatch Report, Garrison Commander Pang repeatedly implored the Circuit Intendant to hold Old County. This insignificant man believes there is some reason in that. The Circuit Intendant must not lose the greater for the lesser."

Shi Kefa looked at Xu Strengthening sternly. "Did you not just say Garrison Commander Pang was rash?"

"Garrison Commander Pang has indeed been rash, but young men also have a sharp edge. As long as the Circuit Intendant holds this Old County, then Adjutant General Pang, heroic and extraordinary as he is, should he truly manage to surround and annihilate these several Ying of great bandits, the Circuit Intendant's name will surely shake the realm. It goes without saying that you would find favor in the Emperor's heart. But if the Circuit Intendant goes to rescue Cheng Long now — those bandit spawn are the most cunning and treacherous. Should we by chance fall into an Ambush or the like, this insignificant man's death would be of no consequence, but I fear we would miss this golden chance to surround and annihilate them, and fail the Emperor's great cause."

Shi Kefa furrowed his brow again. "This 'favor in the Emperor's heart' and such — I care nothing for that. What you say has some merit, but to simply abandon Deputy Regional Commander Cheng like this is still not right…"

Xu Strengthening's eyes darted about as he continued, "This humble officer believes that Deputy Regional Commander Cheng is a seasoned veteran of many battles. All his General Officers are martial son of a good family skilled in war. Their hearts' devotion to the nation is no less than this humble officer's, and they are all men adept at fighting. They will surely not let those bandit spawn break Fengjiadian. Let the Circuit Intendant do as Garrison Commander Pang said and hold Old County. By this time tomorrow, you will have rendered great service to the court, and Governor Zhang will certainly be most heartened as well."

Shi Kefa paced in place, looking utterly hesitant. Xu Strengthening waited with bated breath. He had exhausted every argument he could think of and did not know whether he could dissuade this superior.

Just then, shouting and the sound of hoofbeats came from the far bank in the distance. The soldiers on the bridge fell into chaos; some immediately turned and ran. Xu Strengthening hurriedly dispatched his Household Retainers, who beat and Scolded the soldiers guarding the bridge, barely managing to restore a Calm Demeanor.

The hoofbeats drew closer. In the darkness, they could not make out who was coming. Xu Strengthening's Mouth went dry. Finally, a cry of "Sir!" came from the far side, and Xu Strengthening let out a huge breath. It was the Path-lurking Soldiers he had sent out.

"You dog-spawn, what are you running for? Trying to scare people to death?"

As Xu Strengthening finished cursing, the Path-lurking Soldier had already reached the Bridge Head. The soldiers quickly opened the barricade to let him through.

"The Roving Thieves have pulled back. Vice Regional Commander Cheng couldn't keep control — the soldiers and officers are all fleeing this way. This insignificant man stopped a few, but the ones following behind are too many to count. When I tried to stop them, they swung swords and hacked at people. This insignificant man couldn't hold them and came ahead to report."

"Excellent." Xu Strengthening quickly turned to Shi Kefa. "Vice General Cheng has broken out. Let us withdraw at once."

Shi Kefa stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Very good, very good. Regional Commander Xu, dispatch troops at once to receive them. Join forces with Vice Regional Commander Cheng and hold this Old County. Together we will surely surround and annihilate the Giant Bandits with Garrison Commander Pang."

"This… this humble officer believes it would be better for Vice Regional Commander Cheng to take command. Circuit Intendant, look…"

Before he could finish, a flash of fire lit up from the direction of Fengjiadian. A moment later came the muffled boom of a cannon, followed immediately by another cannon blast.

Xu Strengthening stared for a moment and cried out in alarm, "Those bandit spawn are indeed cunning! They must have feigned retreat, waited for Vice Regional Commander Cheng's formation to fall into disorder, and now they are surely attacking again."

Shi Kefa grabbed Xu Strengthening by the sleeve. "Then what is to be done?"