Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 5 The Four Great Masters of the Tang Dynasty
At this time, Zhu Wen stood up and said, "The four generals' military prowess is unmatched in the world, but they are no match for the anger of the common people. This is momentum. The world's momentum is unstoppable. If you follow it, you will prosper; if you go against it, you will perish."

Zhu Wen said with emotion, "Since Snow Marshal Qi Kerang emerged from the mountains, he has been undefeated. But we, the heroes of this age, must finally bring him down!"

Zhu Wen was not a person who liked to give passionate speeches.

But he felt that now was his time to speak out.

His blood, which is not easily stirred, would only burn fiercely at such times.

Zhu Wen, though clad in a plain, moon-white, fine hemp cloth, formed a perfect contrast with his skin, sculpted by wind and snow, yet still as white as snow. His slender figure resembled a graceful tree in the wind, and his high nose bridge resembled a majestic peak. He possessed the graceful beauty of a young man from the Jianghuai region, yet possessed the heroic spirit of a northerner. His slightly raised eyes held a cold, fierce air, yet also radiated a sinister aura.

For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the young man who was talking so eloquently.

"Besides, I, Zhu, pride myself on my strategic abilities and am willing to do my utmost to assist the two leaders. I might be able to make this so-called "mastermind" Xue Marshal suffer."

"Hahahahahaha..." Wang Xianzhi burst into laughter upon hearing this, and patted Zhu Wen on the shoulder. "A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. The ancients were right! It's wonderful that a young man has such courage."

Qin Yan, the young leader of the Bamboo Flower Gang, and others, all of whom had risen to fame at a young age and were full of youthful vigor, were shocked to see Zhu Wen, a little-known young man in the martial arts world, utter such arrogant words that disparaged the Four Great Commanders of the Tang Dynasty. They cast mocking glances at Zhu Wen.

However, what they didn't expect was that Wang Xianzhi actually approved of this outrageous statement!

A man from Yanzhou, wielding a judge's pen, spoke up, "Ambition is certainly necessary, but arrogance and underestimation of the enemy are a recipe for death. This young hero Zhu hasn't offered a single sound strategy, yet he boasts of teaching the decades-old Snow Marshal Qi Kerang a lesson. I'm afraid this will only disrupt our army's morale."

"To implement strategies, we must be flexible and adaptable. We haven't met Qi Kerang yet, and we don't know the situation clearly. How can Brother Zhu come up with a strategy? As the saying goes, one person's plan is short, but many people's plan is long. Since we have made up our minds to fight a decisive battle, we should work together to deal with Marshal Xue, and you can all offer suggestions at that time." Liu Yanzhang tried to smooth things over.

Zhu Wen gave Liu Yanzhang a grateful look.

"General Yan had anticipated that Alliance Leader Wang's troops had suffered many casualties in their direct confrontation with a powerful enemy in the Central Plains. On the way north, he had already been recruiting medical specialists, many of whom were renowned physicians. He had also gathered a large quantity of medicinal herbs that could quickly restore the minor wounded soldiers of Alliance Leader's army to combat effectiveness."

"Song Wei is closer to our army. We should calculate the distance and dig deep trenches, build high ramparts, and establish a defensive stronghold before Song Wei's troops arrive. Our two armies will be pincer attacking each other, and when Qi Kerang approaches from the east, it will be difficult for him to be attacked from both sides."

Qin Yan and others were surprised. They didn't expect that Zhu Wen really had some strategy.

But the man with the judge's pen hanging from his waist was a lawyer by training and had also served as a minor official. He was a man of steel and steel, no match for a mere commoner like Qin Yan. He then asked, "While our army may appear numerous, it's primarily comprised of refugees, with only a limited number of combatants. This excels at mobile warfare, but not at positional engagements. Laying down deep trenches and high fortifications to await the enemy would be a significant drain on our physical strength. If the imperial court mobilizes a massive force and encircles us from all sides, we'll be instantly annihilated or trapped in Songzhou."

This is clearly an attempt to shift the blame to Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen laughed heartily: "This leader is so timid, just like a bride in a carriage!"

"Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles." Zhu Wen interrupted him, "First, make yourself invincible, so that you can wait for the enemy to be defeated. That's why I proposed deep trenches and high fortifications. As for the imperial court sending more troops to encircle the enemy, that's absolutely impossible."

"You've all been frightened by Snow Marshal Qi Kerang. But to be fair, who is the commander-in-chief of the imperial army in this battle, the old villain Song Wei, or Qi Kerang of the Taining Army? This leader has already said that the Taining Army has been financially tight lately and probably can't send many troops."

"Qi Kerang is a temporary participant in the war, so he must nominally be under Song Wei's command. Song Wei is brave but lacks strategy, tough but indecisive, and not a great commander." Zhu Wen resorted to the tactic of belittling the enemy to elevate himself: "Who here dares to say that Song Wei's abilities are superior to those of Alliance Leader Wang?"

Although Wang Xianzhi had been defeated by Song Wei three times, how could they dare to say to his face that Wang Xianzhi was not as talented as Song Wei?
At this time, Huang Chaozhong's powerful voice suddenly sounded, directed at Wang Xianzhi.

"Zhu Wen is generally correct. At the very least, Song Wei isn't a first-rate strategist. He's more known for his bravery and strength."

"So, in terms of courage, how could Song Wei possibly compare to you, the world's number one master? You were defeated by Song Wei several times before because you still had doubts in your heart. These forty years of comfort and luxury have confused you. But now, you have found your upright self again, the one who climbed Mount Tai and slew the Demon Lord for the sake of your country and the world. Song Wei is no match for a Wang Xianzhi like you!"

Huang Chao's words were full of conviction, and every word he spoke was powerful and had an unquestionable magic.

"As for why General Zhu Wen believes the imperial court won't send more troops to encircle us, I already know what he wants to say, but I hope he can finish it himself."

Huang Chao personally came forward to support Zhu Wen, which shocked Qin Yan and others.

Wang Xianzhi also said gently, "Brother Zhu, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it."

Zhu Wen, inspired by Huang Chao's support, felt a surge of emotion. "The court now adheres to the Jiedu system, dividing up the military power across the country. The advantage is that the troops have a permanent commander, which increases their combat effectiveness. However, it also leads to excessive local autonomy, which fosters arrogant and reckless generals. Once the various military units coordinate their operations, they often buck-pass and argue, conserving their strength and wasting food and money. This, in turn, affects combat effectiveness."

Although Song Wei is known as a famous general, he has a problem of being afraid of the consequences. He likes to steal the military achievements of his allies and even more likes to exaggerate the results of the war.

After the Battle of Yizhou, Song Wei reported that he had killed Wang Xianzhi. Later, Wang Xianzhi appeared alive and kicking. Therefore, many people in the court wrote to request the removal of Song Wei. However, Song Wei had enough seniority and many people in the court supported him, so he remained in power.

However, the imperial court could not be unaware of Song Wei's power and the number of troops he commanded. In addition, the national treasury was limited, so they would certainly not add more troops and try to use force to suppress the enemy.

And no matter how you look at it, Song Wei was able to defeat Wang Xianzhi several times, and with the addition of Xue Shuai Qi Kerang, it was enough in any case.

So the rebel army finally made the decision to fight to the death with the government troops in Songzhou.

After the discussion, Zhu Wen followed Huang Chao back to his own military camp.

"Master, please accept my student's greetings!"

Zhu Wen put on a serious look and said, "These past twenty years have been like a dream. Fortunately, you, my teacher, have awakened me and pointed out my future. It's like I've been reborn."

Between a master and his apprentice, not only does the master choose his apprentice, but the apprentice also chooses his master.

Given Huang Chao's status, even though he had been impressed by Zhu Wen's talent and courage from the beginning, and even gave him the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sword he had obtained from Wang Xianzhi, it was impossible for him to take the initiative to express his intention to accept him as his disciple.

Besides, he needed more time to get to know this ambitious young man better.

So he chose to let Zhu Wen see with his own eyes and feel with his heart.

It was not until today's gathering of heroes, when Huang Chao angrily slapped Wang Xianzhi, that Zhu Wen realized that Huang Chao's ability and decisiveness were even better than those of Wang Xianzhi, the leader of the Zhenyi Alliance who had dominated the martial arts world for forty years.

"You have followed me for so long. I thought you would be more casual when making this request." Huang Chao said leisurely.

"When I accepted Duan as my disciple, she pulled out several of my beards."

Zhu Wen was secretly shocked when he heard this. He had already learned from Wang Xianzhi that Huang Chao already had two disciples, a boy and a girl.

He never thought that his fellow disciple, who he didn't know whether she was his senior sister or junior sister, would dare to pull out Huang Chao's beard!

Huang Chao saw Zhu Wen's stunned expression and laughed out loud. "But she was only eleven years old back then. It's no big deal for a little girl to be naughty. If you were still so naughty at your age, I would have spanked you severely!"

Although he said this, his eyes were full of undisguised doting.

Huang Chao was a free and easy-going person. Although he was cunning, he was also quite open-minded.

"Then the boy will just leisurely follow the teacher and, together with the teacher, knock down the so-called 'Four Great Generals of the Tang Dynasty' one by one."

"Hahahahaha!" Huang Chao patted Zhu Wen's shoulder happily, "Such demeanor is what my disciple should be like!"

"The next battle will depend on your further performance."

Zhu Wen was full of confidence: "I will not let my teacher down!"

A city stands tall above the wasteland. Under the setting sun, it exudes a cold aura, like a giant beast surviving from ancient times.

The city is in great ruins, and there is not a single brick or stone in it. It is built purely of rammed earth, yet it has stood the test of time.

This city without brick covering is naturally not Songzhou City, but "Yanwang City", the ancient capital of Song State left over from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and the Warring States Period.

At this time, Huang Chao's rebel army was marching towards Yanwang City, cutting down trees to build fortifications and patching up the gaps in the ruined wall. With the remains of the city wall to rely on, the workload of setting up camp was greatly reduced, and the military camp gained amazing defensive power.

Upon learning that Song Wei's troops had arrived directly ahead, Huang Chao ordered his troops to accelerate, circumventing Song Wei's rear, creating the illusion that he and Wang Xianzhi were planning to attack Song Wei from both sides. Song Wei, alarmed, formed his infantry into battle formation and advanced towards the Songzhou city walls, preparing to engage them from behind. Unexpectedly, Huang Chao feinted his troops and then galloped eastward, seizing the strategic Yanwangcheng before Song Wei's light cavalry could pursue. This threatened Qi Kerang, approaching from the east, with his flank threatened by Huang Chao's forces.

When the news reached Song Wei's camp, the old general with silver helmet and silver armor, gray hair and beard, who was in charge of recruiting soldiers from various camps to suppress the bandits, was not angry. Instead, he stroked his beard and smiled.

"People say that the failed scholar Huang Chao is treacherous. He is indeed more cunning than Wang Xianzhi and has actually tricked me."

Next to him was a middle-aged man who was about fifty years old, with a broad face, a big mouth, eyes like torches, and a long sword tied at his waist. He was wearing red armor and a scarlet turban on his head, like a ball of fire.

This man was Song Wei's younger brother, Song Jue, nicknamed "Heavenly Blade." His martial arts skills surpassed Song Wei's, and he was known for his courage, surpassing even ten thousand men. Song Wei's victory over Nanzhao and the Cao army was largely due to the help of this brother.

"Even though Huang Chao is treacherous, what is there to fear? In the face of absolute power, any small amount of wisdom can only be ruthlessly destroyed like the sun and moon shining on frost and snow." Song Jue said resolutely: "I am not talented enough, but I am willing to cut off Huang Chao's head and offer it to you."

"No hurry." Song Wei shook his hand and said, "General Xue will be here soon. We can't take all the credit for the victory. We still have to give him some face. Come on, pass on my order. Set up camp on the spot, cook, and wait for General Qi to arrive. Then we will defeat the enemy together!"

The messenger received the order and left the camp.

In Yanwang City, Zhu Wen said to Huang Chao, "Teacher, seeing that our two armies have formed a pincer attack, the old thief Song is indeed afraid to attack rashly."

Huang Chao laughed long and said, "Song Wei made great contributions in the attack on Nanzhao, but was framed by General Yan Qingfu of the Left Divine Martial Army and his army was seized. Since then, he has become cautious, but perhaps too cautious."

"Our army is inferior to yours. We killed Xue Chong of the Tianping Army in the past, but it was only through a trick. Even if we seize Yanwang City, while our army is still unstable and has been chopping wood and earth to repair the ruined city, we can march straight in with elite cavalry, followed by infantry, and achieve a decisive victory. Now that our army has set up camp, Song Wei can only wait for Qi Kerang to arrive before planning a decisive battle. Everything has happened as I expected."

Zhu Wen said, "Although Song Wei is known as a famous general, his strategy is indeed far inferior to that of our teacher. Now the only one we should worry about is the Snow Marshal Qi Kerang."

Huang Chao stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Jue Hai recently sent a message to my master via carrier pigeon, informing me that although Qi Kerang's troops number tens of thousands, only 5,000 are actually engaged in combat, and the rest are auxiliary troops and servants.

"However, even if there are only 5,000 elite soldiers, how can we underestimate them?"

Now that the two armies had divided into camps and formed battle lines, Huang Chao's comments from his own tent were entirely rational. The Four Great Generals of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for many years and feared throughout the land, were certainly not just empty names.

After the meeting, it was already evening. Zhu Wen returned to his single tent as the camp commander and fell asleep.

The more tense the situation, the more soundly he slept.

In early summer in May, in the Mengzhu Lake northeast of Songzhou, water vapor was rising and reeds were densely covered.

A man in a flowing purple robe, holding a plain bamboo paper umbrella, was Qi Kerang, the Great Tang Snow Commander. He silently watched as his soldiers constructed reed rafts, transporting men, horses, and supplies across the vast lake. These soldiers, rigorously trained, worked with ease, creating reed rafts that were both light and spacious enough to carry heavy loads.

"General, the vanguard has crossed Mengzhu Lake and deployed powerful crossbows. The enemy cavalry is helpless."

A young general with a slender physique, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a handsome face, exuding the murderous aura unique to soldiers, bowed and saluted to Qi Kerang. Every word he spoke was as hard as iron, like a chisel hitting a nail board.

This person is Yan Lingkong, a powerful general under Qi Kerang and one of the "Six Stars of the Southern Dipper".

"Lingkong, you did a great job." Qi Ke kept his voice as calm as water, without any ripples in his voice.

"Our army made a feint to the east and attacked in the west, and rushed to cross Mengzhu Lake, all of which were as the commander-in-chief expected. Although Huang Chao was treacherous, he could only deceive people like Song Wei, and was ultimately deceived by the commander-in-chief." Yan Lingkong praised the commander-in-chief.

After Qi Kerang learned that Huang Chao had seized Yanwang City and was preparing to intercept Xue Shuai's army coming from the east of Yanzhou, he went south to Xuzhou and extorted a large amount of food and equipment from the governor of Xuzhou's Ganhua Army. After the soldiers ate until their bellies were full and they were singing, they slowly moved their camp westward, as if they were going to reach Songzhou by land.

However, Qi Kerang just made a feint and suddenly rushed across the Mengzhuze Lake.

In early summer, the surface of Mengzhu Lake was wide and the reed rafts were light. Although Huang Chao received the news in time, he had no way of judging where Qi Kerang would land, and he had no navy to intercept Qi Kerang's troops. As a result, Qi Kerang was able to land calmly and establish a position on the other side of the lake.

"It's nothing more than a common tactic in military strategy," Qi Kerang said calmly. "How could Huang Chao not understand my plan? But he doesn't have enough troops to blockade the entire southern bank of Mengzhu Lake. Therefore, my extraordinary plan becomes an open conspiracy, and he has no way to break it."

At this moment, a carrier pigeon suddenly fluttered down and came quickly across the lake.

Qi Kerang waved his hand and took off the yellow paper note tied to the pigeon's foot.

"The beachhead ahead has been attacked by the bandits' powerful cavalry, and the soldiers have suffered heavy casualties. Please send reinforcements quickly, Commander Xue!"

(End of this chapter)