xymnovel Chapter 49 Wu Yong's Three Strategies
Chapter 49 Wu Yong's Three Strategies
Inside the tent, only the old steward's sobs and the faint sound of burning candlelight could be heard.
Yang Zhi frowned and asked, "Are you so sure? There are five hundred of us. Is he really just sending us to our deaths?"
The old steward wiped away his tears, shook his head, and sighed.
"Commander, think about it. You've reported the matter of Zengtou City colluding with the Jurchens. What will Lord Liang do when he finds out?"
He held up one finger.
"Report to the imperial court? That's due to his oversight. Zengtou City has been right under his nose for so many years, and he didn't even notice. If the imperial court investigates, he'll be dismissed from his post at best, and exiled at worst. Even Grand Tutor Cai can't protect him."
Then he extended a second finger.
"Not reporting it means we don't know anything? What if Zengtou City really rebels one day and the Jurchens attack? He'll still be sentenced to death."
The old steward withdrew his finger and looked at Yang Zhi.
"So he had to find a way to 'resolve' this matter. But it couldn't be resolved by him; it had to be resolved by someone else 'on his own initiative.' If he won, he could say, 'This subordinate disobeyed orders and sent troops without authorization; though victorious, he is still punished.' If he lost, he could say, 'This subordinate was greedy for credit and recklessly launched a war; it has nothing to do with this official.'"
Zhang Cheng felt a chill run down his spine: "So...we're that 'other person'?"
The old steward smiled bitterly: "If it wasn't us, who else could it be? You, the supervisor, are a convict. If we win, the credit goes to the prime minister. If we lose, the blame falls on you. Either way, he doesn't lose out. The only ones who lose are our lives."
The tent was quiet for a moment.
Yang Zhi sat in the chair, head down, staring at the ground.
"Then...can we not fight?" Zhang Cheng's voice was a little hoarse.
The old steward shook his head: "Not fight? We know too much; going back is just asking for death."
"Then shall we run away?"
Yang Zhi glanced at him and then lowered his head.
"Where are your family members?"
Zhang Cheng opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Your families are all in Daming Prefecture," Yang Zhi said in a low voice. "Most of the five hundred soldiers are from Daming Prefecture. If we escape, what will happen to them? If Liang Zhongshu can't capture you and me, what about their parents and wives?"
Zhang Cheng's face was as white as paper.
The old steward started wiping away tears again.
The tent fell silent again.
After a long while, Yang Zhi raised his head and looked at the old steward.
"Chief Steward, you've served Liang Zhongshu the longest and have the most experience. Give me some advice."
The old steward paused for a moment, wiped his face, and thought for a long time.
The candlelight flickered a few times, casting his shadow on the tent wall, sometimes large, sometimes small.
Suddenly, the old steward raised his head.
"Commander, I have an idea, but I don't know if it's feasible."
Yang Zhi leaned forward and said, "Speak."
The old steward lowered his voice: "If only a few of us know about this, then Master Liang can do whatever he wants with us. But what if... the whole world knows?"
Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up.
Yang Zhi also narrowed his eyes.
"Go on."
The old chief said, "You see, Commander. Zengtou City's collusion with the Jurchens is a matter of utter magnitude. If we spread the word, letting the gentry of Jizhou Prefecture know, letting passing merchants know, and even letting the江湖人 (jianghu people) of Shandong and Hebei know, then even if Lord Liang wants to cover it up, he won't be able to. He'll have to give the court an explanation."
Zhang Cheng slapped his thigh: "That's right! At that point, it won't be us wanting to fight, it will be the imperial court having to fight! Even if Liang Zhongshu wants to make us scapegoats, he'll have to think twice!"
Yang Zhi stood up and took a few steps inside the tent.
"Yes! Make it known to the whole world, and he'll have no choice but to fight."
The old steward thought for a moment and said, "Supervisor, you might as well write another urgent letter, without going through Minister Liang, and send it directly to Tokyo. Just say that Zengtou City is colluding with the Jurchens, stockpiling troops, and plotting a rebellion, and request the court to send troops to suppress them. Once this letter reaches the Privy Council, the matter will be impossible to cover up."
Zhang Cheng hesitated and said, "But it would be extremely disrespectful for us to bypass Minister Liang and submit the memorial directly..."
Yang Zhi glanced at him.
"Great disrespect is better than losing your head."
Zhang Cheng fell silent.
Yang Zhi walked back to the table, picked up a pen, and began to write.
This is not an emergency request document.
It was a secret report, written to the Privy Council.
The letter detailed Zengtou City's troop strength, provisions, earthen walls, and watchtowers, as well as Zeng Nong's Jurchen origins and his interactions with the northern regions. It concluded with the statement: "This humble general has few troops and dares not act rashly. I earnestly request the court to dispatch a large army immediately to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."
After he finished writing, he folded the envelope and stuffed it into another envelope.
"Zhang Cheng."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Go yourself and deliver this letter to Tokyo. Take the back roads and avoid the main roads. Do not pass through Daimyo Prefecture."
Zhang Cheng took the letter, put it in his pocket, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble general understands."
He turned to leave, but Yang Zhi called him back.
"etc."
Zhang Cheng turned around.
Yang Zhi took out a few pieces of silver from his pocket and handed them over: "Use this on the road. Buy some dry food, don't stay at inns, and don't flaunt your wealth."
Zhang Cheng took the silver, nodded, lifted the curtain, and went out.
……
The news that Zengtou City was privately raising troops and colluding with the Jurchens spread like wildfire from Jizhou Prefecture to Yuncheng County.
No one knew where the news first came from. Some said it was from passing merchants, others from tenants who had escaped from Zengtou City, and still others from Yang Zhi's soldiers who were drunk and making a scene in a tavern. Within a few days, teahouses, taverns, and brothels were all talking about it.
"Have you heard? Zengtou City has raised over a thousand soldiers, fully equipped with swords and spears, and even warhorses."
"Those were Jurchens who bought horses and stored grain for the Jurchens, waiting for the Jurchens to march south so they could coordinate an attack from within."
"Tsk tsk, the imperial court doesn't care?"
"Manage? How can we manage? We've already bribed everyone in Zengtou City. The Jeju Prefecture has taken the money and will turn a blind eye."
"That Supervisor Yang led five hundred soldiers to set up camp at the entrance of Zengtou City. He neither attacked nor retreated. We don't know what he was up to."
"Five hundred soldiers? Zengtou City has at least seven or eight hundred villagers. How can we possibly fight them?"
Those who were discussing it were talking excitedly, while those who were listening were alarmed. But no one could produce any real evidence, so it was all just talk.
.........
Yuncheng County, Guancang, west of the city.
The windows in the back hall were open, and the shouts and commands of the caravan guarding the merchants could be faintly heard coming from the courtyard.
Liu Bei sat in the main seat, a bowl of cold tea in front of him. Wu Yong sat opposite him, a feather fan resting on the table, his expression more serious than usual.
Song Jiang sat to the left, head down, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees.
None of the three spoke.
After a moment, Wu Yong spoke up: "Brother, the news has spread far and wide. Now, not only Jizhou Prefecture, but also Dongping Prefecture and Yuncheng County are talking about Zengtou City."
Liu Yong tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.
"Any movement from Yang Zhi's side?"
Wu Yong shook his head: "No. Five hundred soldiers are still camped at the entrance of Zengtou City. They haven't fought, nor have they withdrawn. Their provisions can last for a few more days, but not for long."
Song Jiang looked up and interjected, "Yang Zhi is in a precarious position. Liang Zhongshu isn't giving him soldiers or supplies, and he's being sent to attack Zengtou City. He can't fight, and he can't retreat."
Liu Bei picked up the teacup, took a sip, and put it down.
"Scholar, what do you think?"
Wu Yong did not answer immediately. He picked up his feather fan and slowly waved it twice, as if he were organizing his thoughts.
"Brother, after much thought, I believe there are three possible paths to take in this matter."
Liu Bei looked at him.
"explain."
Wu Yong extended one finger.
"The best course of action is to fan the flames. Yang Zhi's five hundred soldiers have been cut off from supplies and are no match for Zengtou City, leaving them in a dilemma. The imperial court is not helping them, and Liang Zhongshu is not taking care of them. They have no choice but to either scatter or become outlaws."
He paused.
"Five hundred defeated soldiers scattered into the countryside, causing havoc on the people, is not a good thing. But if they were to become outlaws, they would most likely choose Liangshan Marsh. It's an 800-li marshland, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it's also close by. If I were Yang Zhi, and I had nowhere else to go, I would also run to Liangshan."
Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Over at Liangshan Marsh, Brother Lin is training his troops. If Yang Zhi goes to Liangshan and runs into Lin Chong..."
He didn't continue.
Wu Yong understood his meaning. Yang Zhi and Lin Chong had fought on Huangni Ridge, and Lin Chong's spear had left a scar on Yang Zhi's shoulder. Yang Zhi lost the birthday gifts, and although he claimed it was a frame-up against Liangshan, Yang Zhi always believed that Liangshan had robbed them. He held Lin Chong responsible for this.
"Brother's concerns are valid," Wu Yong said solemnly, putting away his feather fan. "But I believe this matter is nothing to worry about."
"Oh?"
"If Yang Zhi were to be driven to the brink of exile and become an outlaw, he would no longer be a military officer of the imperial court. Past grievances are nothing compared to the struggle for survival. Even if he harbors resentment, he wouldn't bring it up again when he first arrived on the mountain. Besides—"
Wu Yong smiled.
"Yang Zhi is a smart man. He's new to Liangshan, and his soldiers need to be settled and his supplies need to be raised. Who can he rely on? Only us. If he dares to bring up old grievances, even without Lin Chong's intervention, it will be a question whether his five hundred men will be able to eat."
Liu Bei nodded, but did not speak.
Wu Yong continued, "As for Instructor Lin, you need not worry about him. Instructor Lin is a man of great loyalty and righteousness; he knows what important matters are on your mind. He won't dwell on mere personal grudges. As long as you agree, he will let it go."
Liu Bei stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the men protecting the merchants were packing up their weapons, preparing to finish their training. Wu Song stood to the side, holding a wooden stick, watching them. The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, which fell to the ground like a straight pine tree.
"Let me handle Brother Lin's matter," Liu Bei turned around. "Continue."
Wu Yong picked up the feather fan again.
"After the best strategy, there are also the middle and worst strategies."
He extended his second finger.
"The best strategy is to send messages to both sides. On one hand, send a message to Zengtou City saying that Yang Zhi has petitioned the court for a large-scale military operation to suppress him. On the other hand, send a message to Yang Zhi saying that Zengtou City is preparing to launch a night attack on his camp. Both sides will assume that the other is going to strike first, and the arrow is on the bowstring, ready to be released. When the fighting breaks out, no matter who dies or is injured, it will not be bad for us."
Upon hearing this, Song Jiang frowned slightly but remained silent.
Wu Yong extended his third finger.
"The worst option is to sit and wait. Do nothing and see how Yang Zhi's five hundred soldiers die. They'll either be wiped out by Zengtou City, run out of food and scatter, or be arrested by Liang Zhongshu for disobeying orders. Either way, they're going to die, so it has nothing to do with us."
After Wu Yong finished speaking, he withdrew his finger and looked at Liu Bei.
"Three paths, which one will you choose, brother?"