Chapter 404: Huddling in Defiance, the Great Tide of Heaven!

That year, you personally led troops northward.

Before any battle, the Northern Wind abandoned two provinces: Xuzhou and Bozhou.

Xuzhou was a vast, boundless plain, shaped over millennia by the unceasing scouring of the Yellow River and Zhi River, yielding immeasurably fertile land—one of the Northern Wind's granaries.

Bozhou was also a vital region, famed throughout the land for its aquatic products and salt fields, known as the "Province of a Thousand Lakes."

Both provinces had flat terrain with no natural defenses to hold.

The North chose to station heavy forces at Yuanchong City in Yuezhou, huddling within its walls and refusing to engage.

To reach Huanglong Mansion from Hulao Pass, one must pass through Yuanchong City.

This scene echoed the earlier northern advance of Yan State before the White Horse Pact.

The difference was that, after the war of that year, "avoiding battle" became the Northern Wind's state policy against Yan.

A large number of veteran generals skilled in defense were recalled to service.

Only defend—never attack!

For ten years, they had continuously built massive cities and fortresses; the trenches had expanded several times over, farmland cultivated within the walls, irrigation canals constructed, and troops made self-sufficient.

Leveraging the terrain's advantage, it was as if a long sword had been plunged into the earth by heaven itself!

Now!

The Northern Wind had deployed heavy forces here: forty thousand elite troops split into two wings, watching with bated breath.

Forty thousand elite soldiers held the city firmly, while additional fortresses were hidden on the slopes to either side, forming a vast "pouch formation."

The Yellow River and Zhi River encircled the city, leaving only direct assault as an option.

Easy to defend, hard to attack.

Tuoba Shu, this northern emperor, had come personally to the front to oversee the battle.

The Northern Wind had also prepared a hidden maneuver.

Should the battle turn dire, once the beacon fires rose, they would immediately breach the city's great dam, unleashing the Zhi River in a roaring torrent for a thousand li.

Kill ten thousand, lose eight thousand.

Eighty thousand iron cavalry from Qianyuan had arrived, stationed below the Zhi River at Yancheng.

Yancheng was itself a formidable, easily defensible city, as solid as a mountain.

This enemy move forced the Yanbei Army to split its forces to respond to potential threats.

Should the situation shift, these thirty thousand Qianyuan troops would strike like a sharp blade—either piercing straight into Yuanchong City or continuing southward to seize Yunzhou.

Its strategic importance was plain to see.

In spring, the river surface still held thick ice; General Xie Ling of the Yanbei Army repeatedly challenged the enemy from the front lines.

General Xie Ling of the Yanbei Army even sent the enemy commander Zhou Tiancheng a special "gift"—a woman's dress and a scathing letter.

Zhou Tiancheng, this famed general of the Northern Wind, though over sixty, still ate five sheng of rice daily.

The letter's words were blunt: "Brother Tiancheng, as Governor commanding the Northern Wind's army, you refuse to don armor or wield spear and sword to decide victory on the battlefield, instead hiding within these walls, fleeing the clash of blades—is this not the behavior of a feeble woman?"

Unexpectedly!

The next day, Zhou Tiancheng appeared atop the city wall dressed as a woman.

For months, the enemy had held fast within the city, even singing and dancing on the walls, showing no intention to sally forth.

Now it was summer; the ice had melted, the water warmed, and fish swam downstream—plump and tempting.

The Yanbei Army had set up camp on the western bank of the Zhi River.

Lu Yu, in the river, manipulated several live fish, then built a grill on the shore and began roasting them.

The aroma of grilled fish spread far and wide, drawing soldiers from all around, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Today, a quiet wine feast had gathered in a tent by the river.

You had brought Xie Ling, Feng Haiping, Jia Fu, and Qi Ran, along with Xu, totaling twenty thousand troops.

Huo Hai, meanwhile, commanded his own twenty thousand troops, stationed within Yancheng, facing the enemy.

Today, you ordered your troops to catch fish, to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Laughter and merriment echoed from many tents.

Soldiers drank and feasted, openly washing horses by the river, holding banquets.

In the Lu family army, rations had once been hard-won.

During the first northern campaign, supply lines were insufficient; soldiers often boiled millet into gruel in clay pots, adding wild greens for flavor—a rare delicacy.

At that time, with food scarce, troops endured hunger yet held their ground and fought bravely.

During the second northern campaign, dried breads like guokui and shaobing became the main rations—easy to carry and satisfying.

But times had changed; over these years, Yan had no shortage of grain or silver, and troop rations had improved repeatedly.

Notably, innovative food methods emerged, such as soaking coarse cloth in vinegar and saltwater, drying it, then eating it—enhancing texture and extending shelf life.

Today, military rations had reached new heights of refinement.

Rice was carefully selected, steamed, dried, then subjected to dozens of sun-dryings and boilings, yielding two sheng of dried rice.

This rice was not only rich in flavor but also easy to store and carry.

To eat, one simply soaked the dried rice in hot water to make porridge. The army also provided dried beef jerky as staple and side dish, replenishing strength and diversifying diet, alongside soy paste and pickled vegetables.

The Yanbei Army had marched north for three months; only Huo Hai's forces had clashed with the enemy.

Your own twenty thousand troops had advanced like a breaking wave, meeting no resistance.

Everywhere you passed, the two provinces lay in ruins—homes destroyed, fields abandoned for over a year, all desolate. Along the way lay countless traps and ruined roads.

Clearly, this had been planned long in advance!

You knew Yuanchong City's terrain was formidable; direct assault would only put you at a disadvantage.

Moreover, the city's food stores could sustain it for years—proving the Northern Wind had prepared for this "war of attrition" years ago.

Those seated in the tent were all senior officers, each holding rank of Assistant General or higher, capable of commanding five thousand troops.

Among these generals, most Assistant Generals were young, graduates of the army's "Jiangwu Hall," well-versed in military strategy and hardened through years of frontline service.

Jiangwu Hall was a general term—it referred to a network of academies, each year selecting recruits through examinations in horsemanship, archery, long-distance running, and strategy, assigning them to specialized departments.

The headmasters of Jiangwu Hall's academies were personally appointed by the Prince of Yan; instructors were either retired generals or scholars of profound military knowledge, all granted prestigious court titles and monthly stipends.

The people of Yan took pride in entering Jiangwu Hall, competing fiercely for admission.

To join the army was to bring honor to one's village.

Outstanding students began as squad leaders commanding five men, rising gradually through the ranks.

The Cavalry and Chariot General in the tent—also called Supreme General—held high rank and authority, commanding ten thousand troops; most were veteran officers familiar to the Lu family army, with only one or two appearing young.

Additionally, five or six men in the tent wore no armor—they were the army's strategists, dedicated to offering counsel and planning military operations.

Together, these fifty-odd men were the finest of their time.

Yet because you were present, the atmosphere grew solemn; all sat upright, not daring to slacken.

After the feast, Xie Ling, deputy commander of this campaign and Military Governor of Yunzhou, rose and spoke:

"Our army has camped outside the city for over two months, yet the Northern Wind scoundrels refuse to come out—it is a stubborn problem."

He turned to Feng Haiping: "General Feng, do you have any strategy?"

Since the Yanbei Army's northern advance, you had delegated command to your subordinates.

Xie Ling was the primary commander of this campaign.

After months of no progress, today's gathering followed your order to retreat thirty li and camp along the Zhi River.

Xie Ling, as the main commander of this campaign, had failed to achieve any notable results; he felt anxious and ashamed, determined to capture the city without requiring your direct intervention.

Yet here, before this city, he had stalled for two months.

He had launched multiple assaults, yet none succeeded in breaching the walls.

Xie Ling had tried every method—he was at a loss.

He could not ask His Majesty for help!

He was familiar with Feng Haiping, so he passed the question to him.

Feng Haiping, upon hearing this, scanned the room, solemnly stroked his beard, cleared his throat, and said slowly: "This is indeed difficult. What does General Qi think? General Qi is known for his wisdom—perhaps he can guide us."

Qi Ran was one of the Twenty-Six Pavilion Generals and a Military Governor of a province.

He was a man in his forties, clad in gleaming silver armor, his features square and stern, eyes cold; once known as the "White Robe Young General," he was now a pillar of the army.

After hearing this, Qi Ran gazed downward, then slowly looked around and spoke: "These Northern Wind scoundrels' huddling is indeed troublesome. What does Lord Longting think?"

Xu Xu, hearing the question directed at him, scanned the room and replied: "This is indeed difficult. What does General Cheng think?"

Thus, the question circled the room—everyone had been asked, until it reached the black-faced giant, Jia Fu.

Jia Fu pointed at himself, his rough voice sounding startled: "Me? Give advice?"

"I don't know!"

You smiled upon hearing this.

Laughter broke out among those in the tent.

Jia Fu blurted: "Let His Majesty decide!"

You fell into quiet thought—you knew the Northern Wind had planned this well; it was indeed a war of attrition.

"Xie Ling!" you suddenly spoke.

Xie Ling stepped forward immediately: "Your servant is here!"

"I issue the following orders!"

At these words, all in the tent grew solemn, especially the young generals—they had never witnessed the Prince of Yan's battlefield command and were filled with excitement.

The Prince of Yan's legendary feats—three crossings of the Yellow River and the daring capture of Suikang City—remained the army's most celebrated battles.

Those glorious victories bore witness to the Prince of Yan's military strategy.

Yet now, faced with Bei Feng Zhou Tiancheng's stubborn defense, all were at a loss.

The city had ample grain and was fortified by a massive wall, like an impregnable fortress, leaving them with no way to strike.

They simply could not think of any way to break this stalemate; they couldn't remain here indefinitely.

Though their military provisions were sufficient, the daily consumption of four hundred thousand troops was astronomical, and prolonged stalemate would drain morale and undermine troop spirit.

This deadlock must be broken!

Faced with this situation, you decide…

1. Continue camping outside the city and do not organize an assault. (Hint: May negatively affect the course of the realm, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

2. Unite both armies and jointly attack Yuan Chong City. (Hint: May result in heavy casualties and defeat.)

3. Unite both armies and jointly attack Yan City. (Hint: May negatively affect the course of the realm, cause heavy losses, create adverse conditions, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

4. Abandon the siege and lead the army back. (Hint: May negatively affect the course of the realm, create adverse conditions, escalate crisis, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

5. Both armies retreat to Xu Zhou and Bo Zhou, fortify defenses, reclaim wasteland, and organize agriculture. (Hint: May bring adverse conditions, heavy casualties, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

6. The army at Yuan Chong City holds position; the army at Yan City retreats to Xu Zhou and Bo Zhou, fortifies defenses, and organizes agriculture. (Hint: May bring adverse conditions, casualties and losses, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

7. The army at Yan City holds position; the army at Yuan Chong City retreats to Xu Zhou and Bo Zhou, fortifies defenses, reclaims wasteland, and organizes agriculture. (Hint: May affect the grand course of the realm.)

8. Participate personally. (3/3)

The great tripod trembled slightly, and faint blue text appeared upon it.

Yu Ke was momentarily stunned.

Eight options had appeared.

He muttered under his breath: the eighth option, "Participate personally," had already been used—why bother reminding him?

He examined closely; from the hints, this was about the northern battle of Yuan Chong City.

It seemed to have far-reaching consequences.

Whether they held back or attacked, both would impact the very foundation of Yan State.

Yet this was strange.

With Yan State's current strength, how could a single northern front possess such power to inflict such damage?

Even retreating to Yun Zhou and Yan Zhou within Yan territory should not produce such a scenario.

Option 1. Continue camping outside the city and do not organize an assault. (Hint: May negatively affect the course of the realm, create adverse conditions, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

Option 2. Unite both armies and jointly attack Yuan Chong City. Hint: Defeat and retreat.

Option 3. Unite both armies and jointly attack Yan City. No mention of defeat—only "heavy losses."

Taken together, these three options suggest that attacking the city is a wrong choice.

Then do not attack.

Option 4. Abandon the siege and lead the army back. (Hint: May negatively affect the course of the realm, create adverse conditions, escalate crisis, even endangering the foundation of Yan State.)

The hint mentions "crisis escalating."

Why was that?

Retreating to Bo Zhou and Xu Zhou—he understood that: it meant no more grain shipments from behind, self-sufficiency, reduced expenditure.

But Xu Zhou and Bo Zhou faced the same problem: no natural defenses.

Option 5, retreating both armies to Xu Zhou and Bo Zhou, explicitly warned of "heavy casualties."

Options 6 and 7: either the Yuan Chong City army or the Yan City army retreats to the two states.

Which should he choose?

(End of Chapter)