Chapter 408: The Calculations Within the City: Watch and Wait!

In the city of Yuanchong.

Two months ago, the city's soldiers were like birds startled by bows, filled with dread.

After all, he had come again—the people of Beifeng began sighing.

Lu Chen crossed the Yellow River and began his advance toward Beishan.

Every piece of news gnawed at the already fragile morale of Beifeng's officers and soldiers.

Over twenty years, Beifeng's rise had been witnessed by all.

But!

Yet its neighbor Yan had grown steadily stronger, now appearing to be on the verge of "securing the realm," inspiring fear.

Every Beifeng merchant or commoner who had ever set foot in Yan was struck by shock and despair.

Shock at Yan's present prosperity, despair at Beifeng's folly in opposing Yan.

After two northern campaigns, Beifeng had already been filled with dread!

This time, abandoning the rich provinces of Bozhou and Xuzhou, court and people alike fell into silent agreement—no one objected.

The entire nation wished only to "defend Yuanchong to the death."

A month ago, even the emperor of the northern lands, Tuoba Shuyi, came personally to the city to oversee the defense.

The city's walls were high and thick, thirty thousand troops stationed, with the world-renowned general Zhou Tiancheng holding the line.

Among the troops were many young recruits who had never experienced past wars.

Under Beifeng's "Shi Family System," these soldiers' fathers had fought in those wars.

Their descendants became soldiers by birth!

But the veterans who had walked out of those battlefields had passed down that history by word of mouth.

Last month, from the city walls, soldiers gazing upon the banners of the Yanbei Army had already felt their courage waver.

Fortunately!

Zhou Tiancheng had held multiple rallies and military assemblies.

"If the Yanbei Army crosses Yuanchong City, we face annihilation of our clans."

He reformed the military merit system and made grand promises:

Whoever kills one enemy may shed the status of "military household" and regain freedom; if one slays an enemy deputy commander, he shall be ennobled as a marquis and bring glory to his hometown.

"Men, the chance to build glory has come."

Only then did morale surge through the ranks.

The Yanbei Army attacked the city three times.

Beifeng, with its strong walls and fierce defense, drove them back each time.

Thus!

The soldiers within the city grew more fervent, raising their swords high on the ramparts.

The Yanbei Army retreated.

This news spread through Beifeng like a drumbeat—within moments, the people and court alike were stirred with excitement.

Clearly, the Yanbei Army was not invincible, and Lu Chen was no god.

Two months passed swiftly; the Yanbei Army faced constant resistance outside Yuanchong and could not advance a single step.

Today, they had even withdrawn sixty li, as if utterly powerless against this fortress.

Seeing this, the city's atmosphere grew feverish, as if victory were already theirs.

At noon!

A junior supervisor hurried through the camp tents, breathless, delivering the message:

"General Zhou urgently summons all commanders!"

Instantly, the city's senior officers gathered within the command hall.

They lined up in two rows and took their seats; most were young deputy commanders, with few veterans present.

In the hall, the two men seated farthest right were Zhou Tiancheng's trusted aides.

The first was Zhou Tiancheng's nephew, Zhou Yong.

He was of average build, wearing a pale moon-white Confucian robe; his left hand seemed injured, always curled against his chest, trembling slightly.

His face was gaunt, cheeks sunken, his brow radiating coldness.

Though Zhou Yong wore no official uniform, the surrounding generals clearly held him in deep reverence.

It was said that he once oversaw the "meat stalls" in the city, where "white meat" was prepared.

Zhou Yong was deeply favored by Zhou Tiancheng; though a nephew, he functioned as chief strategist.

Behind Zhou Yong sat a middle-aged general clad in green robes.

He was tall, with a mustache, his face flushed like a jujube, his eyes brimming with arrogance.

He was Zhou Tiancheng's hometown friend, raised alongside him, one of the few survivors from that era.

His name was He Sheng.

He and Zhou Tiancheng were as brothers, having followed him through countless northern and southern campaigns, earning great merit.

That famed Beifeng defense battle had been planned by Zhou Tiancheng and these two together.

Since then!

Zhou Tiancheng rose through the ranks, step by step, to his current position.

Now, though silent, their faces betrayed unmistakable joy.

After all!

They had successfully held back the Yanbei Army for two months, and today had driven them back sixty li—a tremendous boost to morale.

The young commanders were especially fired up.

On the left side of the two rows sat a middle-aged man, eyes closed in thought, calm and composed, as if the world's clamor could not touch him.

His crimson python robe stood out sharply.

He was the Prince of Beifeng, Tuoba Shuchao.

Tuoba Shuchao was the younger brother of Tuoba Shuyi, the eighteenth son in his family, raised from childhood by his elder brother, later entrusted with great responsibility.

He had fought in Beifeng's war against the Lu Army, commanding high prestige both in military and court circles.

Yuanchong City, as Beifeng's critical stronghold, held the fate of the entire nation in its balance.

Tuoba Shuyi could not afford negligence—he established the post of "Du Cha" to monitor Zhou Tiancheng and other generals, appointing Prince Tuoba Shuchao to the role.

Tuoba Shuchao wielded immense power in the city; all dismissals and military merits of officers, save Zhou Tiancheng's, were reported by him.

All present, regardless of rank or position, treated him with utmost respect.

On one side, Zhou Tiancheng's trusted generals; on the other, court officials.

The atmosphere remained quiet.

Not long after!

Zhou Tiancheng slowly entered the meeting hall; even before he appeared, his aged yet powerful voice rang out:

"Apologies, this old man is late!"

Led by Zhou Yong, the generals rose instantly, awaiting the army's commander-in-chief.

Tuoba Shuchao rose a moment later, his gaze sweeping the opposite row before standing to greet him; his four attendants followed suit, rising in respect.

Tuoba Shuchao smiled warmly and said, "General Zhou, no need to rush!"

An elderly, stooped general, nearing sixty, shuffled in slowly from the back chamber.

He wore Beifeng's blue court robe, crowned with an official hat.

Though his skin sagged with wrinkles, his eyes gleamed with startling intensity, radiating an aura of quiet authority.

"Your Highness, Prince Qi!"

Zhou Tiancheng bowed to Tuoba Shuchao.

After formal pleasantries, the others gradually paid their respects; the hall grew solemn and grave.

Zhou Tiancheng sat in the main seat, scanning the assembly.

Zhou Yong stood and reported respectfully:

"General, scouts report that Lu Chen has withdrawn his hundred-thousand-strong army to the banks of Zhi River."

"Moreover, the camp is filled with frequent gatherings, music and revelry; according to several relay station commanders, the guards are lax, many soldiers are drunk and stumbling, and several have already fallen into the river."

The young officers in the hall could not suppress smiles at this news.

Even the famed Lu Chen was no different.

Yet older men like Tuoba Shuchao and Zhou Tiancheng remained grim-faced.

An elderly general who had fought in the northern campaign asked uncertainly:

"Lieutenant General, is this intelligence reliable? The Lu Army has always been disciplined—this should not happen."

Zhou Yong's military post was Lieutenant General, granting him command authority to lead troops independently, unlike mere staff officers like Ji Jiu.

Tuoba Shuchao nodded in agreement:

"Given Lu Chen's strict personal discipline, such a situation is impossible."

"Something is amiss!"

Zhou Yong smiled. "Your Highness speaks wisely. We have dispatched a second wave of scouts to verify."

"We will receive new reports shortly."

Zhou Tiancheng nodded approvingly at Zhou Yong's report; the hall fell silent once more.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for news from the front—this matter was of utmost importance, allowing not the slightest negligence.

Not even half a stick of incense had burned!

A soldier rushed in to report:

"By the Zhi River, a gathering is indeed taking place; wine bottles are scattered everywhere in the camp, soldiers are washing horses along the riverbank, and the main encampment is filled with the sounds of drinking and dice games."

At these words!

Zhou Yong seemed to have anticipated it—he had personally selected the first wave of scouts, men he trusted, and no major error could have occurred.

He Sheng, his face as red as jujubes and one of Zhou Tiancheng's favorite generals, burst into laughter.

"The army is drunk on liquor—Lu Chen truly has grandeur."

The young officers in the hall also laughed.

Zhou Tiancheng stroked his beard, paused thoughtfully, then spoke in a low tone:

"Bring me the map!"

Immediately!

A topographical map of Yuezhou was slowly unfurled before them.

Zhou Tiancheng's gaze swept across the map, finally settling on both banks of the Zhi River. He pointed with his rough, calloused finger along the route from Yuan Chong City to the Zhi River, examining it closely.

He studied it again several times, yet still asked with uncertainty:

"Zhou Yong, take a look—do you think Lu's army of two hundred thousand has deployed entirely along the western bank of the Zhi River?"

Zhou Tiancheng still habitually referred to that army as Lu's Army, though they had long since changed their banners.

Zhou Yong stepped forward quickly, studied the map several times, then confirmed: "Your Excellency, they are indeed on the western bank of the Zhi River."

Tuoba Shuchao, a veteran of military affairs, understood the implication at once and mused:

"Sixty li along the western bank cannot possibly accommodate two hundred thousand troops—unless…"

Zhou Tiancheng finished his sentence in a low tone: "Unless they split into two forces and cross the river on both sides."

Tuoba Shuchao leaned forward to examine the terrain of the Zhi River, his eyes brightening as if he had glimpsed a possibility.

The scout below also reported: "The Yanbei Army has indeed deployed troops on both banks."

At this moment!

He Sheng stepped forward and loudly requested battle: "Your Excellency, I beg to lead troops out of the city to launch a surprise attack on the Yanbei Army and seize the initiative for us!"

Zhou Tiancheng did not immediately agree. Instead, he walked deliberately back to his main seat, his gaze deep, as if pondering deeply.

Tuoba Shuchao continued studying the map, lost in quiet thought.

Zhou Tiancheng looked up at Zhou Yong and asked in a low tone: "Zhou Yong, what is your view on this?"

Zhou Yong spoke calmly:

"If we launch a surprise attack now, sixty li is but a moment's ride for fast horses. The Yanbei Army is currently gathered in revelry—their defenses will be lax."

"The western bank of the Zhi River is low-lying; our forces hold the high ground and possess the advantage of terrain. If we pursue them relentlessly, their two hundred thousand troops will collapse before they can form ranks, fleeing across the river in panic."

Zhou Tiancheng nodded silently.

At this moment, another young officer in the hall stepped forward, requesting to lead the charge.

These two months of defending the city had greatly lessened their fear of the Yanbei Army.

In their eyes, the Yanbei Army was not as invincible as rumors claimed.

Zhou Tiancheng did not issue orders immediately. Instead, he waited, deliberately, for Tuoba Shuchao's opinion.

He well understood that in this setting, asking the Prince's opinion was nothing less than bolstering his "authority."

To appear weak on one's own side was to diminish one's own prestige—words could not be spoken lightly.

Especially now, with such a decision at stake.

He sat in his main seat, silent.

Tuoba Shuchao, as the court's "Imperial Inspector," was also the Emperor's representative in the military.

When departing from the Northern Wind capital, the Emperor himself had seen him off for thirty li, repeatedly gripping his sleeve and speaking earnestly:

"Younger brother, this battle concerns the six-hundred-year foundation of Northern Wind—it rests entirely on your shoulders."

"As long as you hold Yuan Chong City, Lu Chen is doomed."

The Emperor had chosen Zhou Tiancheng as commander precisely because of his experience in defense—not because he was bold or skilled in offense.

Zhou Tiancheng would never rashly sortie to meet the enemy—that was the Emperor's trust, and his expectation.

Now, Tuoba Shuchao must step forward and reaffirm Northern Wind's unwavering policy toward Yan.

He turned, his voice firm:

"Now is not the time to attack."

"With Lu Chen's cunning, how could he make such a mistake? If we sortie, we will fall right into the enemy's trap."

"His Majesty foresaw this five years ago—he ordered the construction of strong fortifications here precisely to prepare for today's battle."

"We need only hold Yuan Chong City. As long as we do not lose it, the Yanbei Army will collapse on its own from supply shortages and low morale."

He Sheng frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Zhou Yong, after listening, smiled faintly and agreed:

"Your Highness speaks wisely. Lu Chen is cunning and deceitful—we must remain vigilant."

Only then did Zhou Tiancheng speak slowly: "Holding the city and refusing to sortie is the superior strategy."

"His Majesty's explicit order to me was to hold Yuan Chong City. Any officer who leaves the city without authorization will be punished under military law—without mercy."

Upon hearing this, all bowed in unison, the atmosphere turning solemn.

Zhou Tiancheng smiled again: "Today, the Yanbei Army has withdrawn. His Majesty has ordered a special reward for the entire army as recognition. But the city's defenses must not slacken—we must maintain rotating watches to ensure absolute security."

At these words, every face lit up with joy, morale soaring.

Tuoba Shuchao said: "With Old Master Zhou here, Yuan Chong City is as solid as a fortress."

Zhou Yong, seeing this, smiled slightly—the Prince, famed in the army for his iron-bloodedness, had granted him great face today.

In the back hall, maidservants brought out fine wine and dishes.

The banquet began!

By afternoon,

suddenly, a scout rushed in hurriedly.

"Your Excellencies, the Yanbei Army has crossed the Zhi River and is retreating."

"Further reports say Lu Chen plans to establish farmland in Bozhou and Xuzhou and organize agricultural activities."

At these words, the hall erupted in uproar.

"What?!"

Zhou Tiancheng's tone changed abruptly—he was clearly taken aback by this news.

Tuoba Shuchao had also not anticipated Lu Chen would make such a decision.

The Yanbei Army establishing farmland in Bozhou and Xuzhou had been discussed before—but everyone had deemed it impossible.

Yet no one had expected Lu Chen to actually do it.

Zhou Yong fell into quiet thought, his brow furrowed, as if deciphering Lu Chen's intent.

He Sheng's voice rang out now, laced with disdain:

"Lu Chen is a fool!"

The hall stirred; officers exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

It seemed like a "heaven-sent opportunity!"

Yet!

Zhou Tiancheng remained remarkably calm. He spoke slowly:

"Let us first observe how events unfold!"

(End of Chapter)