Entrepreneurship in the Late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 221 East Wind
After the bloody battle on the riverbank that day, the Caozhou army lost half of its elite cavalry. Two hundred cavalrymen went out, but only three returned, and from then on, they closed their gates and refused to fight again.

On the eve of his departure, Huang Qin, the commander of the city, gave his elder brother Huang Cun instructions, telling him that he only needed to stay inside the city and not leave.

If the Tang army attacks, we will meet them head-on, and wait until they capture Yunzhou City before sending reinforcements back.

Therefore, Huang Qin did not choose to harass the Baoyi Army when they set up camp on the opposite side. In fact, he did not choose to launch a surprise attack when the Baoyi Army only set up camp at the west gate and left the north and east gates unattended.

Huang Qin completely abandoned the strongholds outside the city and concentrated all his troops inside the city, intending to remain unchanged in the face of all changes.

At first, things were peaceful inside and out, but the atmosphere suddenly became tense after Yang Fuguang led 20,000 troops from Xuanwu and Zhongwu to gather here and surrounded the area from the north and east.

Especially in Xuanwu Army, I don't know which genius drove the soldiers to hurl insults in the north of the city every day. And because Bianzhou and Caozhou are close by and have similar accents, those insults sounded particularly irritating.

The core of the bandit army consisted of outlaws who made a living in the shadows, and these people valued their reputation more than their lives.

Because face is the core of their power. If you have people praising you in the underworld and you have face, then people will be willing to risk their lives for you, and that will make you more powerful.

Therefore, these heroes could not tolerate the insults hurled at them by the Xuanwu Army, especially since the Xuanwu Army had repeatedly named and insulted them by name, which was even more humiliating.

If it weren't for the pressure from above, these outlaw heroes would have already broken out.

If we can't beat the Baoyi Army, can't we beat your Xuanwu Army?

The generals on the city wall requested permission from Huang Qin to fight several times, but were refused each time. Hearing the foul language from outside every day, their morale plummeted, which made some of the generals increasingly dissatisfied.

……

On this day, Yang Neng had just finished his shift at the north city wall. He was burning with anger and was about to go back to find his captured concubine to vent his frustration when he saw Zhao Jue, a good friend from the army, waiting for him at his house.

Yang Neng laughed heartily, then ordered his servants to prepare food, and he and Zhao Jue began to drink wine in the hall below.

Yang Neng was a retainer of Huang Chao and is now the magistrate of the northern city of Caozhou. Zhao Jue is the younger brother of Zhao Zhang, a bandit leader from Dayeze. The two are similar in temperament and are both fierce generals left to guard Caozhou, so they became familiar with each other after a while.

After drinking three or five cups, Yang Neng got a little tipsy, and since he was in front of his friend, he started cursing:
“Old Zhao, our Eighth Prince really doesn’t know anything about military affairs. How can you fight a war like this? He just blindly defends the city and leaves everything outside to the Tang army. Without supplies from the outside, how long can we hold out? Even if we have food, where is the firewood? They’ve already demolished the gates of those neighborhoods. Won’t they have to demolish our own houses to cook for us?”

After Huang Chao and his followers captured Caozhou, these former followers were each given large mansions and beautiful concubines, showing no intention of equalizing wealth as they claimed.

In fact, wasn't the reason why people like Yang Neng joined Huang Chao's rebellion for this very reason?

You say you serve the imperial court, but what do you get in the end? Isn't it all the same? They're rebelling with Huang Chao now, and they can still enjoy these things. Even if they get beheaded by the government troops in the end, haven't they already enjoyed what they were meant to enjoy? Then their lives will be worthwhile!
This is the simplest wisdom of these grassroots leaders: what difference does it make who you follow? As long as you're happy.

After Yang finished complaining, Zhao Jue explained with a smile:
“Old Yang, you can’t be too demanding of Balang. You know that when Dalang left, he took most of the old brothers in the army with him. What chance do we have in open field battles? Besides, Balang is also leading an army for the first time and doesn’t have much experience. It’s understandable that he’s being cautious.”

But Yang Neng disagreed, frowning as he asked:
"Lack of experience is an excuse? Our brothers risk their lives for wealth and honor, not for him, Balang, to gain experience. In the army, if you're incompetent, you're incompetent. Don't ruin yourself and your brothers! He should step down and let someone more capable guard Caozhou!"

Zhao Jue fell silent, because the "virtuous" that Yang Neng mentioned was none other than himself.

However, Yang Neng also has the ability to be arrogant.

This man was a soldier in the Taiping Army when he became a retainer of Huang Chao. Huang Chao had been eager to befriend him and had offered him a large sum of money to recruit him.

Among a group of roughnecks, Yang Neng was already considered an outstanding military talent.

In fact, Huang Chao's rebellion was not the result of a momentary impulse. On the contrary, he had been planning for a long time, and he did a much better job than Wang Xianzhi in terms of public opinion preparation and the recruitment of key talents.

Therefore, in Huang Chao's army, his talent and core qualities were superior to Wang Xianzhi's.

This is also why he and his brother abandoned Wang Xianzhi, the leader of the uprising, and instead joined Huang Chao. He was a man of great ambition.

Although he remained silent, he did not agree with Yang Neng's view.

Although Huang Balang was not good at military strategy and had little experience in battle, defending the city was undoubtedly more suitable for Huang Chao's army.

Yes, after years of preparation, Huang Chao did indeed assemble a relatively skilled core force, which included remnants of Pang Xun's faction, outlaws, rogue soldiers, and restless wealthy wanderers.

However, from last year to this year, the number of soldiers in the army has increased almost twentyfold, from less than two hundred in the core to forty or fifty thousand now, and most of them are young and strong disaster victims.

These people were ordinary civilians who knew almost nothing about war. The veterans who had been trained before were taken away by Huang Dalang, leaving the rest even worse off.

And on the other side? Not only did they have the skilled Baoyi Army, but also the renowned Zhongwu Army. Only the Xuanwu Army in the north was somewhat weak. The others were all seasoned veterans with formidable military prestige.

In this situation, the best strategy is to proceed with caution and avoid making mistakes. It is said that this was Huang Dalang's advice to Balang before he left, which can be considered a wise one.

So it's no wonder that everyone in the army says Huang Dalang is the best military strategist; it seems that this is indeed true.

Moreover, the consequences of engaging in open field battles with the opposing side have already been proven by the previous rebel leader Cao Shixiong, whose head is now rumored to have been sent to Chang'an.

But he certainly couldn't say these things directly to Yang Neng, because he had heard rumors that Yang Neng often expressed resentment in the army, and out of camaraderie, he came to persuade him.

Seeing that Yang Neng had vented his anger, Zhao Jue poured him a full cup and said:
“Old Yang, all our wealth and glory depend on this. Now, Commanders Wang and Huang are leading a large army to open up the southward passage, and Da Lang is leading people to attack the rear of Pinglu. If we succeed, the situation will be completely different. At that time, we will no longer be trapped in the Central Plains. We will truly be like dragons entering the sea, and you and I may even have the destiny of dukes and marquises in the future. But what is the key here? Isn’t it our Caozhou City?”

"The area between Cao and Yun is now desolate. If the Tang army in the west wants to support the east, they can only go through the Baigou River next to us. But as long as we don't take Caozhou, they won't dare to cross us into Dayeze. So our role is not to fight this battle well, but to delay as long as possible. The longer we hold out, the more favorable the situation will be for us!"

"So, Lao Yang, it's precisely at times like these that we need to stick together and get through this together!"

Hearing this, Yang Neng finally softened a bit. He downed his wine in one gulp and then said to Zhao Jue:
“Old Zhao, I’m not unaware of what you’re saying, but it’s really getting on my nerves. What makes Huang Balang our commander? Just because his brother is Huang Chao? We respect Erlang because he’s a hero, but who is that brat Huang Qin? Does he even deserve to be our commander?”

Then he confessed to Zhao Jue:
“Old Zhao, if you ask me, Huang Qin should step down. We brothers should push you to take over. You are both scholarly and martial, your ancestors were officials, and you are smart. We all admire you. With you guarding Caozhou City, this city will be as solid as a rock!”

Hearing this, Zhao Jue was truly dumbfounded. He never expected that the "virtuous" Yang Neng was referring to was actually himself.

To be honest, Zhao Jue was a little tempted, but only a little.

With a formidable enemy at home, if they start fighting amongst themselves, wouldn't that just benefit the Tang army?

Moreover, Huang Qin is not without his own strength. His brother Huo Cun is a warrior who can defeat ten thousand men. Although he suffered a great defeat a few days ago, those watching from the city walls knew that it was not Huo Cun's fault.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jue was about to say a few polite words when, at that moment, a servant boy entered and immediately said to Yang Neng, who was seated at the head of the table:

"My lord, someone from Balang's side has come to summon you for a meeting."

After saying that, he turned to Zhao Jue and said:
"Second Master, that person also asked you to come along, saying that he was going to go to your house to fetch him anyway, so this way you won't have to make the trip."

Zhao Jue remained expressionless and asked:

"Oh? How did that person know I was here?"

The little servant laughed:
"I only found out about this because you were drinking with the second young master."

Zhao Jue didn't speak, but just glanced at Yang Neng.

Yang Neng was a little reluctant, but in the end he slammed his hand on the table and cursed: "I thought you were clever and sensible, but I didn't expect you to be such a gossip. Today I'll cut your tongue out!"

Upon hearing this, the little slave was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, begging for mercy.

He finally realized he had a brain and knew the key was Zhao Jue, so he kept kowtowing to Zhao Jue, saying he knew he was wrong.

Zhao Jue was refined and gentle, with a handsome face, while his elder brother Zhao Zhang was a rough and unruly man, who would use the word "mother" in two out of three sentences. The two were really not from the same family.

The reason for this was that Zhao Zhang had sent Zhao Jue to study outside the marshland a long time ago, and had even arranged for a guarantor to help Zhao Jue go to the capital to take the exam.

But after learning that heroes like Huang Chao had failed the exam several times, he gave up the idea.

But Zhao Jue, a gentleman at heart, upon seeing the young slave begging for mercy, said the following to Yang Neng beside him:
“Old Yang, we’re going to do something big. We’re already living in fear outside. If we have to be on guard against this person and watch out for that person when we get home, how can we live? If you can’t bear to part with this person, I’ll find you someone with a better tongue. Just kill this one.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Nu completely collapsed to the ground, pleading with her husband.

But Zhao Jue had already said such things, what could Yang Neng say? He was a man of pride, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten so angry after being scolded by the Xuanwu Army for several days. Now, seeing this little servant acting like a coward, he directly shouted to the outside world:

“Someone, pull out this man’s tongue and bury him in the back garden.”

Two armored soldiers rushed in and dragged away the servants who had been lying on the ground.

Sigh, I finally let it out and couldn't hold it in anymore.

Overwhelmed by the smell, Yang Neng lost his appetite for drinking and said to Zhao Jue beside him:

"Then let's go together! Let's see what that kid wants to talk to us about."

This time, Zhao Jue did not correct Yang Neng for using the word "child," but nodded and rode with him to the governor's mansion in the middle.

That is now where Huang Qin's main tent is located.

……

Inside the governor's mansion, Huang Qin was chatting and laughing with a group of his confidants and an unfamiliar guest, looking very relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

The guests over there were also very pleasant to talk to, constantly flattering Huang Qin and his entourage, which made the atmosphere between the two sides even more lively.

At this moment, the attendant who had gone out to summon the military commanders returned. Huang Qin saw that he looked hesitant to speak and said to him:
“What’s there to be ashamed of? This Yang is one of our own. He sneaked in here all by himself. He’s a loyal and courageous brother. Speak!”

The attendant then stammered:
"Balang, when I went to Yang Neng's place, Zhao Jue was there too, and the two of them were drinking inside."

Huang Qin frowned:

"I didn't forbid the generals in the army from drinking alcohol. We need to be prepared at any time. What if they get drunk and need to fight? I think Yang Neng is really going to get a beating!"

Upon hearing this, the guest's eyes lit up, and he chuckled:

"Balang, I know Yang Neng. He's a fierce general under Commander Huang. A little bit won't hurt him. Never mind."

Huang Qin naturally wouldn't really teach Yang Neng a lesson, after all, Yang Neng was an old comrade of his second brother and had prestige in the army, so he wasn't someone to be messed with casually.

However, he still poured out his grievances to others, cursing:

"Brother Yang, you have no idea what kind of mouth Yang Neng has. He's cursed me countless times behind my back lately, calling me an old turtle! Damn it, if it weren't for the fact that we're guarding Caozhou City, I would have taken some men and beaten him up. He calls me an old turtle, I curse his ancestors!"

After finishing his tirade, Huang Qin smiled and said:

"But thankfully you came. To be honest, I now realize that the saying is absolutely true. It really is true that 'a loyal minister is revealed in times of turmoil.' I was just worried about what to do, but you've come with a plan to defeat the enemy."

In fact, Huang Qin was unwilling to be passively guarding the city. At his age of over 20, he couldn't stand being treated like a coward, but he couldn't win a fight, so he could only endure it and stay in the city.

At this moment, Yang Zhao arrived outside with a plan to defeat the enemy, which naturally delighted him.

Thinking of this, Huang Qin hesitated once more and confirmed it again:
"Brother Yang, will the east wind really blow in two days?"

Just then, some military officers entered from outside. They were all either minor officials in the army or core members of Huang Chao's faction. These people were the true core of this bandit army.

Then Yang Neng and Zhao Jue came in as well.

As soon as he entered, Zhao Jue frowned and angrily rebuked the guest:
"Yang Zhao! How dare you enter Caozhou City? Get out of here!"

It turns out this person is Yang Zhao, now known as Yang Shouzhao.

The Zhao brothers and Yang Shouchao were mortal enemies, so when Zhao Jue saw this man, he disregarded Huang Qin above him and immediately berated him.

Yang Shouchao chuckled, ignoring Zhao Jue's barking, his expression relaxed.

Sure enough, Huang Qin stood up and reprimanded Zhao Jue:
"What are you talking about? Isn't Brother Yang one of us? We're family, so let's put aside past grievances. If anyone causes trouble for me, don't blame me, Huang Balang, for being impolite!"

Despite his anger, Zhao Jue looked around and saw that most of the people present were Huang Qin's confidants. He swallowed his anger and sat down.

Yang Neng comforted him.

Once everyone had arrived, Huang Qin, without even consulting them, addressed the generals:

"Two days from now, we'll march out of the city and attack the bandits!"

These words caused an uproar. Huang Qin pressed his hand down and explained:

"Today, Brother Yang swam into the city and brought us a message, saying that he has already prepared fire ships downstream. Two days later, when the southeast wind rises, he will set fire to the fleet on the Baigou River! At that time, our army will take advantage of the situation to launch an attack and wipe away our previous humiliation!"

The generals were suspicious, glanced at Yang Zhao over there, and no one spoke.

At this moment, Zhao Jue nudged Yang Neng, who then stood up to object:

"Hachiro, isn't this a bit too hasty? Does Yang Zhao think that just because he says there's a southeast wind, there will be one?"

Huang Qin responded to the past:
"If you don't have anything to do, then don't attack. What's the loss? Don't you, Yang Neng, always call me an old turtle? Why are you acting like a turtle today? Or are you just all talk and no action?"

Enraged, Yang Neng waved his sleeves and cursed:

"Alright, alright, let's kill the traitors! Then Balang can see for himself whether Old Yang is a coward or not."

After saying that, he sat down.

Surprisingly, Zhao Jue did not object, but looked at Yang Zhao thoughtfully.

With the strategy set, the generals went back to select their best soldiers, waiting for the east wind to blow in two days so they could give the Tang army outside a good beating!
We, the heroes of Caozhou, are not cowards!
(End of this chapter)