Chapter 1078

Hu Xiaotian said without yielding: "The Da Yong merchant caravan passed through my territory; an incident occurred, I naturally should bear some responsibility, but before the truth is clarified, you have come with troops to accuse me, using power to pressure—this is utterly insincere. Go back and tell your Tang General: I know what he has in mind. If he truly wants to resolve the problem, we can naturally negotiate; but if he seeks a pretext to forcibly seize Dakang's land, then let him come and try."

Liu Yincai said: "Since Sir Hu does not know the times, don't blame us for forgetting old feelings." He cupped his hands toward Hu Xiaotian and said: "Farewell!"

Hu Xiaotian gave a cold snort, flicked his sleeve, and said: "Sorry to not see you off."

After Liu Yincai left, Xiong Tianba eagerly said: "Third Uncle, are we going to war? Great! Let me be the vanguard; I'll slaughter those Da Yong lackeys and bring Tang Boxi's head to see you."

Hu Xiaotian glared at him and said: "All you know is fighting and killing; they have fifty thousand elite troops and over two hundred warships—what do we have? Just relying on three thousand newly recruited soldiers to go head-to-head with them?"

Xiong Tianba said: "Then we can't just sit and wait to die, can we?"

Hu Xiaotian summoned Liang Yinghao, ordering him to immediately go to Wuxing Jun to find Zhao Wusheng and seek support, for Wuxing Jun also has thirty thousand marines and over three hundred warships big and small; although it cannot compare with Nanyang Water Fortress, if they are willing to lend a hand, at least it can make Tang Boxi wary. He also had Xiong Tianba strengthen defenses at Xia Sha Port, lest any Da Yong traitors sneak into the city.

After all arrangements were made, night had fallen; Hu Xiaotian went to the rear courtyard to visit Hong Lingxue, who was temporarily staying here to recuperate; her condition had visibly improved, and she could now sit up in bed, chatting with Weisa, while Zhu Guanqi was not in the room.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Weisa hurriedly invited him in.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I have nothing else; I just came to check on my sister-in-law's condition."

Hong Lingxue said: "Many thanks, Sir Hu, for your rescue; being ill, I cannot perform full rites, but once I recover I will surely thank Sir Hu for his life-saving grace."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Sister-in-law, there's no need to stand on ceremony with me; I get along well with Brother Zhu, so please don't treat me as an outsider."

At that moment a faint fragrance wafted; it was Zhu Guanqi bringing in a bowl of freshly cooked plain congee; Weisa walked over to take the congee, and Zhu Guanqi greeted: "Sir Hu has arrived."

Hong Lingxue said: "Husband, Sir Hu has something to discuss with you; please keep him company and talk properly."

Hu Xiaotian secretly admired, Hong Lingxue truly is an ice‑snow‑clever woman; although I said nothing upon entering, she had already guessed my purpose for coming.

Zhu Guanqi smiled, made a gesture of invitation, and together with Hu Xiaotian they came to the courtyard. Zhu Guanqi guessed that Hu Xiaotian had come to see him surely because of the predicament facing Dongliang Jun; he was about to speak when he heard Hu Xiaotian ask: "Brother Guanqi, are you hungry?"

Zhu Guanqi said: "Shall I go get Sir Hu a bowl of congee?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "I have had some food and drink prepared in the pavilion; let's drink and chat, how about that?"

Zhu Guanqi nodded.

Hu Xiaotian had prepared in advance, having earlier instructed Liang Da Zhuang to get the food and drink ready; the wine was warmed, and there was only one dish—a plate full of cooked beef. The two sat at the table, and Hu Xiaotian picked up the wine pot and poured Zhu Guanqi a cup himself.

Zhu Guanqi smiled and said: "It ought to be me pouring wine for Sir Hu."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Here there are no formalities; treat me as a friend, and we can just chat casually."

Zhu Guanqi raised his cup and said: "Guanqi toasts Sir Hu!" From his words it is clear he regards Hu Xiaotian as a superior and benefactor, but not as a friend.

Hu Xiaotian clinked cups with him and drained it in one gulp, then picked up a piece of cooked beef and stuffed it into his mouth; he had not eaten a grain all day, and only now did he sit down to eat properly—drinking on an empty stomach made his belly feel like a blazing fire.

Zhu Guanqi said: "Sir Hu has been busy all day; perhaps you haven't had a chance to eat—better to have some food first, then drink."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Guanqi, you must have long suspected that there is more to the Da Yong merchant convoy's affair?"

Zhu Guanqi said: "Actually, this matter has far too many loopholes; if one pays even a little attention, the problems become apparent."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The same matter handled by different people can yield different methods; if it weren't for Brother Guanqi's reminder, I might already have taken soldiers to the refugee camp to search for evidence, possibly angering those refugees."

Zhu Guanqi said: "Even if the refugees did it, what of it? To Da Yong they just need an excuse. I heard that Da Yong's Crown Prince Xue Daohong has already ascended the throne; the new ruler must make his mark, and this is also a time for ministers to show loyalty, so Tang Boxi of the Nanyang Water Fortress likely intends to present Dongliang Jun as a gift to Crown Prince Xue Daohong."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You mean this affair was not devised by the Da Yong emperor?"

Zhu Guanqi said: "Probably not; if it were Xue Daohong, he would simply make a demand of Dakang—this city was originally returned by them, and the Dakang emperor originally held an indifferent attitude, so nine times out of ten he would comply as a courtesy and return Dongliang Jun."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Not bad! It should be Tang Boxi acting on his own; just as the incident occurred, he dispatched envoys threatening me to surrender Dongliang Jun and submit to Da Yong as a vassal—reckoning those merchants couldn't move that fast; even if Tang Boxi got the news and sent envoys again, they couldn't possibly reach Dongliang Jun today."

Zhu Guanqi laughed: "Indeed this affair is full of loopholes, but Tang Boxi probably isn't afraid of being exposed; in chaotic times the strong reign supreme, and the weak have no chance to argue."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Guanqi, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

Zhu Guanqi said: "I once swore before my ancestors that I would never serve Dakang in my lifetime."

Hu Xiaotian heard this and sighed inwardly; Zhu Guanqi saying that amounts to a clear refusal of me. He whispered: "I have already refused Tang Boxi's demand; it seems he will send troops within days, and this war over Dongliang Jun may be unavoidable."

Zhu Guanqi said: "Some things are fated by heaven; they cannot be avoided."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Not to disappoint Brother Guanqi, I know nothing about troop deployment; if I were to duel Tang Boxi one‑on‑one I might still have a chance, but facing his fifty thousand marines I have not the slightest confidence."

Zhu Guanqi smiled: "In Tang Boxi's eyes Dongliang Jun is hardly an opponent; he thinks highly of himself, and if he were to mobilize the Nanyang Water Fortress's fifty thousand marines to attack Dongliang Jun, it would likely become a laughingstock under heaven."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have only three thousand troops under me, and these three thousand are just recruited from the refugees, with less than a month of training; even if Tang Boxi sent only ten thousand, we could not withstand it."

Zhu Guanqi said: "Behind Sir Hu there is still Wuxing Jun, which claims a hundred thousand marines and over a thousand warships; even if some of that is inflated, it still possesses some strength."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have an old grudge with Zhao Dengyun; I fear he would rather see me dead. Although I have sent someone to Wuxing Jun for help, he may not dispatch troops." Although he had Liang Yinghao go to seek aid, he himself was not optimistic about the outcome.

Zhu Guanqi set down his wine cup and said: "What Sir Hu lacks beside him is not soldiers and generals, but a strategist skilled in planning and adept at using troops!"

Hu Xiaotian again made his request: "Brother Guanqi, would you be willing to help me? If the city falls, the over hundred thousand residents of Dongliang Jun will surely be plunged into fire and water."

Zhu Guanqi said: "Sir Hu has forgotten; many in Dongliang Jun still do not consider themselves Dakang people, and if their hearts lie with Da Yong, this war will be difficult to fight."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he had already thought of this. With his current mind he is at a loss; although he firmly rejected Tang Boxi's unreasonable demand, he nevertheless has no way to counter the enemy's large army.

Zhu Guanqi said: "Yu Tianxing is actually a fine talent; Sir Hu, why not invite him to consult his opinion?"

Upon hearing Zhu Guanqi say that, Hu Xiaotian already knew Zhu Guanqi would temporarily refuse to assist him; since others are unwilling, one cannot force them.

Zhu Guanqi bade farewell to Hu Xiaotian and returned to his wife's side. Seeing his wife Hong Lingxue's complexion somewhat recovered, he felt greatly reassured and smiled: "It looks like we'll be able to go home tomorrow."

Hong Lingxue said: "How did your talk with Sir Hu go?"

"Very well!" Zhu Guanqi smiled.

As the saying goes, "No one knows a wife like her husband"; from her husband's expression Hong Lingxue sensed something and softly asked: "Are you facing a particularly difficult situation?"

Zhu Guanqi came to the bedside, took her soft hand, and said: "Go to sleep early; there's nothing wrong."

Hong Lingxue said: "You can't fool me; there must be something."

Zhu Guanqi said: "Da Yong wants to take back Dongliang Jun; Sir Hu is worried sick about this, and he wants me to help."

Hong Lingxue said: "You want to repay the favor, yet you don't wish to break your own oath, right?"

Zhu Guanqi turned around, clasped his hands behind his back, walked to the window, stood before his own silhouette for a moment, then said: "In this life I will absolutely not do anything for Dakang."

Hong Lingxue said: "You refuse to serve Dakang, and you won't work for Da Yong either—does that mean all your learning has gone to waste?"

Zhu Guanqi slowly turned around: "I have no grand ambitions; being able to grow old with you, staying together, this life is enough,, I have no further desires."

Hong Lingxue shook her head and said: "Whether you agree or not, I do not; if because of me you abandon your ambitions, I would rather die than let you live a mediocre life."

Zhu Guanqi returned to his wife's side, once again taking her hand and said, "What nonsense are you talking? Didn't you promise me you would spend your life with me, never to part?"

Hong Lingxue sighed and said, "Husband, I know you love and cherish me, but I also know that a man of honor cannot spend his life for only one woman. Over these years, you have hidden your talents and settled for a plain life, but if you let your abilities go to waste, what kind of sin would that be? Although you don't say it, I can see that you are unwilling in your heart."

Zhu Guanqi sighed softly and said, "My ancestors built achievements for Dakang, laboring loyally, but later they were still suspected by the Long clan; if not for heaven's favor, my Zhuge line would have been cut off. The family instruction says that Zhuge descendants must not seek revenge; I dare not defy the ancestral teaching, yet I cannot continue to serve Dakang." Originally, Zhu Guanqi was actually a descendant of Zhuge Yun Chun, who once held the title of Military Saint of Dakang, but his true name is Zhuge Guanqi.

Hong Lingxue said, "Dongliang Jun is in trouble; we cannot just stand by and watch the common people here fall into fire and water."

Zhu Guanqi said, "Hu Xiaotian is no ordinary person; even if I do not intervene, he might possibly have a way to resolve the crisis. Today, when I accompanied him to the refugee camp, I met a very interesting young man. If I am not mistaken, he is indeed a rare talent."

Yu Tianxing was summoned in the night to Hu Xiaotian's office; Hu Xiaotian had not slept, having prepared food and drink and waited for him. After Yu Tianxing paid his respects to Hu Xiaotian, seeing the steaming beef, his eyes lit up. Without waiting for Hu Xiaotian's greeting, he rudely sat down and ate heartily until he was full and burping, then he stopped, picked up a nearby towel, wiped the oil from his mouth and hands, and chuckled, saying, "Sir Hu, please don't take offense. I haven't seen meat in over half a year."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Are you full? If not, I'll have someone bring more."

Yu Tianxing said, "Full, full. Can I bring some back later for my father to eat?"

"Of course!"

Yu Tianxing then shook his head and said, "No, if I bring the beef back, although it would be filial piety, the result would inevitably be making countless enemies; an innocent man who carries a jade invites crime—what was originally good would turn bad."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh; indeed, in the refugee camp where meat is rarely seen, if Yu Tianxing brought beef back, it would surely provoke countless envy.

Yu Tianxing said, "Sir Hu, did you summon me here for the matter of war?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "The commander of Nanyang Water Fort, Tang Boxi, sent someone to reproach me, demanding that I open the city gates and hand over Dongliang Jun to them as compensation."

Yu Tianxing said, "Sir Hu will certainly not agree."

Hu Xiaotian said, "That is natural."

Yu Tianxing said, "It seems the whole affair is a conspiracy—some merchant convoy was supposedly robbed and killed. In fact, it is merely a pretext fabricated by Da Yong; now they finally have a reason to send troops against Dongliang Jun."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Nanyang Water Fort has fifty thousand marines and over two hundred warships, while we have fewer than three thousand. Even if they are well-trained and brave, they could not repel an enemy nearly twenty times their size, especially since their training has lasted less than a month." Hu Xiaotian had no confidence in these troops under his command.

Yu Tianxing said, "Nanyang Water Fort cannot possibly send out all its forces; in my view, Tang Boxi can at most deploy thirty thousand. With three thousand against thirty thousand, we may still have a chance."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him speak with such confidence, felt half-believing, half-doubting; in this world there are many talented people who are arrogant about their abilities, and likewise many who have grand ambitions but lack skill, mere armchair strategists. The most effective way to distinguish them is through practice, but the time left for him is limited, and he does not have much time left to judge Yu Tianxing's ability.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Then the envoy can return to Nanyang Water Fort tomorrow; once Tang Boxi learns that I have refused him, he will surely become angry and, before long, will mobilize a large army, sailing downstream straight to Lower Sand Harbor. I think the enemy's warships may arrive at Dongliang Jun within three days."

Yu Tianxing said, "He won't be that fast; although military action values speed, launching a war is not merely mobilizing troops and raising sails—he would need at least two days to prepare. Tang Boxi's appointment to an important post is no coincidence; his position today comes from countless military achievements, so he should consider the opposing Wuxing Jun, where Dakang's thirty thousand marines are stationed. If he attacks Dongliang Jun, would Wuxing Jun come to their aid?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "I have already sent someone to Wuxing Jun to seek aid, but the naval commander Zhao Dengyun, who has long been at odds with me, may very well refuse to send troops to help me."

Yu Tianxing said, "Whether he helps or not, Tang Boxi will have reservations, which will make his deployment this time extremely cautious; he will likely only dare to move after gathering full intelligence, meaning Sir Hu still has enough time to respond."

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "According to your view, how many days do I have?"

Yu Tianxing said, "At least seven days, at most ten."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If Wuxing Jun refuses to send troops, relying only on our people, what should we do then?"

Yu Tianxing said, "According to common sense, thirty thousand marines and fifty warships would be enough to take Dongliang Jun. Tang Boxi has long trained on the Yong River, so he should be very familiar with this area's environment and climate. Now is when the north wind is strongest; after this month's full moon, the west wind will be at its strongest. Nanyang Water Fort lies about 150 li of waterway west of Dongliang Jun; with no wind, the journey takes a day and night, but if they set out when the west wind is strongest after the full moon, they could reach it in a single night. Today is the sixth day of the month; I think if they launch an attack, they would likely choose the full moon."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this, could already judge that Yu Tianxing's talent was extraordinary and not that of an ordinary person; he couldn't help but feel secretly delighted, truly heaven is helping me—although Zhu Guanqi is unwilling to serve Dakang, yet he has brought me into contact with Yu Tianxing. Yu Tianxing may not be as deep and reserved as Zhu Guanqi, but he is also a rare talent.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Even if we had nine days to prepare, Tang Boxi's side possesses an overwhelming advantage; we don't even have a decent warship, making frontal combat impossible. Are we to just let them land and then hunker down in the city, defending desperately?"

Yu Tianxing shook his head and said, "Defending the city is the worst strategy and the most undesirable option; setting aside other concerns, the popular sentiment in Dongliang Jun leans toward Da Yong, so once the Da Yong troops arrive at the city walls, the interior will likely fall into chaos first, and many of Dongliang Jun's common people would hate to be unable to open the city gates and greet them with gongs and drums."

What troubled Hu Xiaotian most was this matter; the people's hearts are fundamentally not on his side, and defending the city is simply unrealistic.

Yu Tianxing smiled and said, "So if war does break out, we still need to rely on the people of Dakang; only by winning this battle with prestige and momentum can we make the common people of Dongliang Jun have confidence in Dakang. Only when they have confidence in Sir Hu will they remember that they were once subjects of Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Three thousand against thirty thousand—this battle will not be easy." After all, it is an age dominated by cold weapons; if we had a few rocket cannons, the battle would be much easier. We could place them directly at Lower Sand Harbor and give the attacking Da Yong navy a furious barrage, ensuring they leave no remains.

Yu Tianxing said, "Just because it's not easy doesn't mean it can't be fought; since defending the city is unrealistic, we can only engage them in battle within the Yong River."

Hu Xiaotian gave a wry smile and said, "How are we to fight? Are we supposed to use fishing boats to battle them?"

Yu Tianxing nodded and said, "Why not? Sir Hu, please lend me paper and brush."

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang fetch paper and brush; Yu Tianxing picked up the brush, soaked it in ink, and on the paper drew a great river with swift, flowing strokes, then quickly sketched row after row of warships. After finishing the warships, he drew a line of small fishing boats at the position of Lower Sand Harbor.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Fighting with fishing boats? As soon as their warships arrive, they will surely crush the fishing boats like rotting stalks." He inwardly sighed, wondering how Yu Tianxing could have missed such basic common sense.

Yu Tianxing said, "The fishing boats will form a pontoon bridge! They will be linked together with iron chains, with planks laid on top, making it easy for the townspeople to evacuate."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Abandon the city and flee?"

Yu Tianxing shook his head and said, "It creates the illusion of fleeing back to Da Yong; the pontoon bridge can block the Da Yong navy's advance."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but recall the fire-linked camps of the Battle of Red Cliffs, and he whispered, "You wouldn't be thinking of using fire attacks, would you?"

Yu Tianxing smiled and said, "Exactly so!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "That's not realistic; even if we set these fishing boats ablaze, they might not reach the enemy warships, and it would be impossible to inflict major losses on them."

Yu Tianxing said, "The pontoon bridge made from the fishing boats is merely for obstruction; on the narrow stretch of the Yong River, we will use the fishing boats and iron chains to build three pontoon bridges, which should be completed within nine days. After the first bridge is finished, we can direct the populace to evacuate, creating the illusion that we are abandoning the city. When the Da Yong navy arrives, they will be blocked by these three bridges, while we can send troops to outflank them upstream, letting the burning fishing boats and rafts drift downstream with the current; the fire, aided by the wind, will surely inflict heavy damage on the Da Yong warships. After the Da Yong navy suffers a surprise attack, they will forcefully break through the bridges; their large ships sit deep in the water, so we can place iron hooks beneath the bridges—if they ram forward, they will only suffer greater damage. Those soldiers who fall into the water will have many swimming ashore, and at that point, the populace we have dispersed to both banks can seize the opportunity to capture them all in one go."

Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up upon hearing this; Yu Tianxing was indeed formidable, and he nodded firmly, saying, "Good! If this time we can repel the Da Yong army, I will award you first merit."

Yu Tianxing shook his head and said, "I don't want any merit; I only ask Sir Hu to promise me one thing: let all the refugees enter the city and settle down, from now on treating us all equally!"

Hu Xiaotian stared into Yu Tianxing's eyes, nodded firmly, and said, "However, I also have a condition: from today onward, you will stay by my side and serve as my military advisor, all right?"

A six-thousand-word chapter is presented; please vote for the monthly ticket! (To be continued~^~)