Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 390 The Strategy to Conquer Hebei: The Difficulty of Selecting a Good General

At dusk, in the main tent of the army.

Zhang Yu was inviting Guo Jia to drink, with scholars such as Guo Tu and Xun You accompanying them.

Zhang Yu took a sip of wine, fiddled with the wine cup in his hand, and asked, "Fengxiao has traveled throughout the Central Plains and is known for his talents, comparable to Liang and Ping, and is highly praised by Yuan Chang and Gongze. At present, our army has successively killed Yan Liang and Wen Chou, and the battle is progressing smoothly. However, the situation in Youzhou has suddenly become turbulent. I wonder if you have any insights?"

"Your Excellency's praise is truly high!"

Guo Jia pondered for a moment and asked, "The two provinces of You and Bing have been allies for many years, and the Liu family is your close ally. Now that the situation in You province is critical, I wonder if you wish to relieve the siege?"

Zhang Yu took a sip of wine and said, "Although Youzhou is not under my control, it is dependent on me. If we do not rescue Youzhou now, it will not only hurt the morale of the people of Youzhou, but also put our army in a dangerous situation."

Guo Jia smiled and said, "Since you, my lord, have already devised a strategy to save Youzhou, why do you need to ask me about this matter?"

As he spoke, Guo Jia took the wine pot from the servant and poured wine for Zhang Yu himself, saying, "In my opinion, Your Excellency wishes to inquire about the strategy for conquering Youzhou and the method for defeating Yuan Shao's army."

Zhang Yu remained calm, only glancing at Guo Jia a few more times.

"Now that you, Fengxiao, know the current situation, do you have any strategies to present?" Guo Tu, who was related to Guo Jia, asked bluntly.

"A rather clumsy plan!"

Guo Jia cupped his hands to Zhang Yu and said with a smile, "I am just a newcomer, so please forgive me if I have said anything inappropriate!"

“I am overjoyed that Fengxiao has traveled thousands of miles to serve at the front lines, and I would never blame you!”

Zhang Yu's interest was piqued, and a smile appeared on his face. He said, "I hope Fengxiao can enlighten me and help me gain some clarity!"

"Don't dare!"

Guo Jia rose from his seat, bowed slightly to Zhang Yu, and said, "Your Excellency's purpose in sending troops this time is to defeat Yuan Shao and annex Hebei. Therefore, do not ask for strategies; simply act according to the circumstances."

The opening lines, just twenty or thirty characters long, caught the attention of those inside the tent.

"The current turmoil in Youzhou is not caused by the Yuan family's troops, but by the Wuhuan troops who have marched south. The barbarians have brought disaster to the northern frontier, and the people of Zhao and Yan have turned their backs on them. Therefore, if you, my lord, can win the hearts of the people, and if you can drive out the barbarians and lift the siege of Youzhou, then the people of Yan and Zhao will surely serve you."

"Once the siege of Ji County is lifted, the mighty army of Youzhou will march south, and Yuan Shao will be filled with anxiety. With your might, my lord, you will surely be able to defeat his army. Yuan Shao's territory spans four provinces. He may seem to have a large army and many generals, and his territory is vast, but he is constantly at war, and his people have no rest. Therefore, if his military might is thwarted, my lord, you will sweep across Hebei with the speed of a whirlwind."

"The coast is far away, which allows the Yuan family to live on. Once Hebei submits, Henan can be conquered; once Henan submits, the whole country will be within reach. Therefore, your problem lies in Hebei. Once you conquer Jizhou and subdue Youzhou, Hebei will be at peace, and your hegemony will gradually take shape. Then you will have the power to lay a solid foundation for your cause."

Guo Jia delivered a lengthy discourse of several hundred words, highlighting the necessity of sending troops to relieve the siege of Youzhou.

Although Youzhou was not officially under Zhang Yu's control, Yuan Shao's actions had effectively brought it under Zhang Yu's control. Therefore, if Zhang Yu could relieve the siege of Youzhou, the Youzhou troops would assist Zhang in his campaign against Yuan. Once the Youzhou army marched south, it would completely alter the situation on the Jizhou battlefield.

Knowing that a large army is marching south, Yuan Shao, due to the emptiness of northern Ji Province, will be eager to engage in battle. At that time, the initiative on the battlefield will return to Zhang Yu, and Zhang Yu will have a very high chance of victory. Once Zhang Yu defeats Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao will find it almost impossible to maintain his foothold in Hebei.

Xun You rose, cupped his hands, and said, “Mr. Guo’s words are excellent. In the past, Emperor Gaozu fought Xiang Yu at Xingyang and Chenggao. In order to gain the world, he ordered Han Xin to go out of Hebei. At that time, Han Xin swept through Zhao and Wei, subdued Dai and defeated Qi. Finally, he joined forces with Emperor Gaozu at Gaixia and destroyed the Xiang clan in one battle. Now, you, my lord, are locked in a stalemate with Yuan Shao here. Youzhou is now the Hebei of Han. You, my lord, must choose a ‘Han Xin’ to lead the army!”

Zhang Yu looked knowing and pressed on, "Does Fengxiao have a plan to relieve Youzhou?"

Guo Jia downed his wine cup in one gulp, displaying remarkable boldness, and said in a deep voice, "The barbarian bandits are rampant. Although they intimidate Youzhou, their intention is to plunder, and they have no heart to fight to the death. Gongsun is an accomplice, seemingly serving the Yuan family, with the aim of strengthening his henchmen. Therefore, although the enemy army is numerous, they are not of one mind."

“Yuan Shao is slow-witted and suspicious. If you, my lord, do not lead your army and remain inactive, he will surely not accomplish anything significant. Now, Youzhou has undergone a new upheaval, and the enemy's morale is not unified. Therefore, a swift attack will surely lead to victory, while a slow attack will be difficult to win. This is a time of rising and falling fortunes. A sudden attack can resolve the crisis in Youzhou.”

As he spoke, Guo Jia looked down and saw that his wine cup was empty. He took the cup and bowed, saying with a humorous smile, "I wonder if you, my lord, would grant me a cup of wine for what I have just said?"

Zhang Yu was engrossed in devising a strategy to defeat the enemy when he suddenly heard Guo Jia's words. He was startled and burst into laughter, even offering to pour wine for Guo Jia.

"What do you gentlemen think of Fengxiao's words?"

Zhang Yu looked at the strategists and said, "Wenhe advised me to send troops to quickly defeat the enemy, which is quite similar to Fengxiao's strategy."

Upon hearing Zhang Yu call his name, Jia Xu stood up and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Wuhuan have penetrated deep into Youzhou and suffered a setback at Jicheng. Now, having plundered wealth, they intend to return. If we send elite troops to attack them, the Hu will surely be defeated and flee. Therefore, to relieve the siege of Youzhou, we should follow Zhao She's old saying: 'When two rats fight in their hole, the braver one will win.'"

During the dialogue between the emperor and his ministers, Guo Jia observed Jia Xu and Xun You, thinking to himself, "These two are exceptionally skilled in military strategy, insightful in understanding the intricacies of human nature, and capable of knowing things that ordinary people cannot. Their talents are no less than those of Liang and Ping. They played a significant role in Zhang Yu's sweeping conquest of Shanxi!"

Where are the four generals now?

Thinking of the matter of selecting generals to relieve the siege, Zhang Yu looked at Zhao Zi and asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the four generals are already waiting outside the tent," Zhao Zi said.

"Let Li Song enter the tent first!"

"promise!"

Seeing this, Guo Jia deliberately stepped aside, cupping his hands and saying, "My lord, I am exhausted, please step down and rest."

"No need!"

Zhang Yu laughed and said, "Since Fengxiao has come from afar to serve us, how could I not know his sincerity? In the future, we will be working together and will see each other sooner or later. Why not discuss military matters now?"

"You may sit with me, and I will temporarily listen to your military plans!" "Thank you, my lord!"

After a short while, led by his attendants, Li Song walked into the tent and bowed to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu, with a kind expression, asked, "Does Bosong know the situation in Youzhou?"

"Have heard a little bit!"

Li Song said, "Your Excellency has summoned me here this time, surely to order me to lead troops to relieve the siege?"

"Of course!"

Seeing that Li Song spoke frankly, Zhang Yu did not hide anything and said, "I have summoned you, along with Generals Wen Yuan, Bo Ning, and Gong Ming, because I wish to select a capable general to lead the troops to relieve the siege. I wonder if Bo Song has any ideas?"

Li Song cupped his hands in greeting and hesitated before saying, "The situation in Youzhou is critical, and the roads are difficult and treacherous. I have no strategy to relieve this siege. I fear you will need to choose someone else to serve as the commander-in-chief."

Zhang Yu frowned slightly and asked in return, "In the past, Bosong used a strategy of bluffing to scare away Yuan Shao's troops and relieve the siege of Shangdang. Why can't you be ordered to relieve the siege of Jixian now? Is it because you are hesitant due to the defeat at Qingshan Pass?"

"No!"

Li Song truthfully replied, “In the past, when we repelled Yuan Shao’s army, it was not that Yuan Shao feared me, but that he feared your army coming. Now, to reinforce Youzhou in the north, only a wise and brave general can handle the task, and I, with my limited wisdom, am not capable of such a great responsibility. For the sake of your important affairs, I dare not rashly lead the army.”

"good!"

Seeing that Li Song had self-awareness, Zhang Yu was overjoyed and asked, "In your opinion, who is capable of undertaking this important task?"

Li Song pondered for a moment and said, “Man Chong is decisive and resourceful, Zhang Liao is fierce and cunning, and Xu Huang is brave and disciplined; all are capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility. However, in matters of life and death, Xu Huang is not as good as Zhang Liao or Man Chong; in terms of commanding troops in battle, Man Chong is not as good as Zhang Liao or Xu Huang; and in terms of being tolerant and forgiving, Zhang Liao is not as good as Man Chong or Xu Huang. Therefore, Your Excellency should summon them and ask them for strategies to defeat the enemy. Only in this way can you know who is a suitable general.”

"it is good!"

"First, let Xu Huang into the tent, then summon Man Chong, and then Zhang Liao."

"promise!"

Soon, Xu Huang stepped inside and bowed to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu first exchanged pleasantries with Xu Huang, then asked, "Now that there is a commotion in Youzhou, does Gongming think you can resolve it?"

Xu Huang pondered for a long time before saying, "Jixian is over a thousand miles from here, and the roads are treacherous. Liu He is besieging Jixian, and the enemy forces are numerous. If reinforcements are few, not only will it be difficult to lift the siege, but it will also be easy to be defeated. Therefore, it will be difficult to lift the siege of Jixian!"

After a pause, Xu Huang said in a stern tone, "If no one dares to take on this important task, I am willing to accept the order and do my utmost to relieve Your Majesty of the predicament in Youzhou."

Zhang Yu remained expressionless, only slightly narrowing his eyes, indicating that he was both satisfied and dissatisfied with Xu Huang's answer.

"I already understand Gongming's intentions!"

Zhang Yu said, "You may sit with Bosong, and allow me to review the generals later!"

"promise!"

Then, Man Chong entered the tent with a solemn expression and bowed to Zhang Yu according to etiquette.

"Bo Ning first devised a plan to kill Yan Liang, relieving the siege of Puwu; then he offered a strategy to the emperor, killing Wen Chou to intimidate Yuan's army." Zhang Yu first praised him, then asked, "Liu He is trapped in Ji County, and I now intend to send reinforcements north. I wonder if you have any plans?"

Man Chong pondered for a long time, glanced at the civil and military officials on the side seat, and then said, "Your Majesty, the key to relieving the siege lies in taking the enemy by surprise. Ji County is a long way away. We need to keep the enemy unaware of our movements, and our troops should sneak out into the deep valleys before we can strike them when they are off guard. However, the road is long, dangerous and narrow, and it is easy for the enemy to detect us. We need to sneak through the deep valleys to reach the territory of Youzhou."

"As for strategies to defeat the enemy?"

Man Chong shook his head and said, "Since this trip is to take the enemy by surprise, we need to adapt to the situation. Plans that are anticipated in advance are often difficult to implement."

Seeing that Man Chong had a plan to defeat the enemy, Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, his expression softened slightly, and he asked, "Bo Ning, do you think you can save Youzhou? Are you willing to lead troops there now?"

"It's not that we can save Youzhou, but that we must save Youzhou."

Man Chong said in a deep voice, “The Wuhuan have penetrated deep into our territory, and our army is tied down by Yuan Shao. They cannot possibly predict our movements. Now is the time when we need capable men, and I am willing to lead troops to relieve them. However, the military situation in Youzhou is complicated, and the enemy is brave and skilled in cavalry. I am afraid that I alone am not enough to break the siege. Therefore, Your Excellency, do you have a suitable general? I am willing to lead troops to assist you.”

Although Man Chong initially found a way to extricate himself from the siege, he also had shortcomings. The Wuhuan and Gongsun tribes were skilled cavalrymen, while he was not adept at using them. When facing them, Man Chong was worried that he would be at a disadvantage.

Zhang Yu understood Man Chong's concerns and said, "Bo Ning, please have a seat!"

"As ordered!"

Man Chong, having received the order to lead the army, sat at a table with Li Song and Xu Huang. The three remained silent, wanting to see how Zhang Liao would perform.

"Let Wen Yuan enter the tent to devise a strategy!"

Perhaps hoping for something from Zhang Liao, Zhang Yu took a sip of water, composed himself, and then gave the order.

"promise!"

(End of this chapter)