The Road to Glory

Chapter 65

Rainwater streamed down the helmet, tracing across...

By late April, the reeds along both banks of the Shao River had grown lush and green, with egrets nesting among them.

On a stormy night of thunder and rain, the Pingzhou army crossed the Shao River under cover of darkness to launch a surprise attack on Tao County.

Raindrops fell like steel pellets, splashing into one shallow puddle after another on the muddy ground. Warhorses stamped their hooves restlessly in the rain.

Xiao Li gently stroked his horse's mane, calming the agitated animal. Rainwater trickled down his helmet, flowing over his eyelids, yet he didn't even blink. His gaze, sharp as a wolf's, remained fixed on the distant gates of Tao County, which loomed like a slumbering beast in the pitch-black curtain of rain.

A scout arrived once more through the downpour with a message, but brought no news from the eastern gate. Fan Yuan dismissed the scout, wiped the rain from his face, and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, this rain probably won't let up tonight. According to the plan, Lord Chen should have started the assault by now. Why is there no movement at all from the southern gate?"

Lightning flashed stark white through the dark rain, illuminating in its brief glare both the massive army stretching back into the dense forest behind them and the stern row of defenders standing guard on Tao County's distant battlements.

Xiao Li glanced at the storm and said, "The heavy rain and thunder tonight probably make beacon fires and signal flares unreliable. Messages are likely delayed."

Fan Yuan turned to him with a laugh. "Young Xiao, you haven't been in the army long, but you're already analyzing things quite competently."

The warhorse beneath Xiao Li was thoroughly drenched. Shaking water droplets from the reins, he replied, "I've just picked up some bits of wisdom from Lord Li Xun. I'm showing off amateur skills before a master like General Fan."

Fan Yuan waved him off dismissively. "Go on, you rascal! Flaunting that you've got a good mentor in front of me, are you?"

Xiao Li had previously wanted to find a strategist to advise him. Fan Yuan had recommended several, but none suited Xiao Li's preferences.

Those strategists either rigidly applied book knowledge without flexibility or had only a superficial understanding of military systems. Many of Xiao Li's questions left them flustered and unable to respond.

Since Li Xun had been handling various military liaison matters with Fan Yuan—including the plan for the night attack on Tao County while simultaneously deploying troops disguised as Xinzhou forces to pose as Yizhou army raiders—he learned of Xiao Li's numerous questions and personally clarified several issues for him. Perhaps recognizing Xiao Li's considerable potential, Li Xun told him to feel free to ask about anything he didn't understand going forward.

Xiao Li began consulting Li Xun every few days. With the foundation of knowledge from the mad old man who had taught him recitations in his youth, combined with his own study and simulation of numerous battles from storytelling traditions, his progress was astonishingly rapid. Fan Yuan and others jokingly began calling him "Pingzhou's Lü Meng."

Fan Yuan glanced eastward and said, "Let's just hope everything goes smoothly for Lord Chen."

A deputy commander chimed in, "I only learned today that the Governor actually knows how to fight battles too."

Fan Yuan looked at him. "What kind of talk is that? If Lord Chen weren't accomplished in both civil and military arts, would the Prince have assigned him to a place like Pingzhou?"

The deputy commander scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "Well, that's true."

Through the darkness, the sound of hoofbeats approached through the rain again. Everyone turned to look.The scout galloping at full speed dismounted and knelt on one knee, reporting: "General Fan, Lord Chen says there are no signs of reinforcements inside the eastern city gate. The prefect of Tao County must have noticed your absence and deduced it's a feint. Lord Chen orders you to lead another thousand troops to the western gate for a diversionary attack to draw away their forces. The assault on the southern gate will be left to Deputy General Tan and Commandant Xiao."

Fan Yuan cursed upon hearing this: "That old fox, the prefect of Tao County, has more tricks up his sleeve than a hornet's nest has holes!"

Irritably yanking his reins, he ordered his personal guard: "Quickly assemble a thousand men to follow me!"

The guard immediately galloped off to carry out the order.

He then turned to Xiao Li and Deputy General Tan Yi: "I leave the southern gate to you two. Remember the saying: 'First time, zeal; second time, decline; third time, exhaustion.' We must capture Tao County tonight to jolt them awake. If we delay, conquering it later will require tremendous effort!"

Deputy General Tan promptly clasped his fists: "This general will not fail the heavy trust placed by you and Lord Chen!"

Xiao Li followed suit with a fist salute.

With the battle urgency pressing, Fan Yuan had no time for lengthy instructions. He patted Deputy General Tan's shoulder and nodded at Xiao Li before silently leading a thousand troops through the curtain of rain toward the western gate.

The torrential rain masked the movement of the troops. On the watchtower of Tao County's southern gate, the night guards stood as immovable as mountains.

Another half-hour passed without any activity from the city tower. Deputy General Tan turned to Xiao Li and suggested: "Perhaps the defenses at Tao County's four main gates are fixed and won't be redeployed for support. Should we launch the assault now?"

As his military seniority surpassed Xiao Li's, he normally wouldn't need to consult him. However, the entire army knew Xiao Li was Wen Yu's trusted subordinate. Even Chen Wei had specifically mentioned Xiao Li when issuing commands, so Deputy General Tan dared not act unilaterally.

Their hiding spot was a shrub-covered low slope, perfectly positioned to observe movements at Tao County's southern gate while avoiding detection by enemy scouts.

Xiao Li crouched on a rock concealed by bushes on higher ground, silently watching the deathly still southern gate tower before saying: "Let's wait a while longer."

The relentless rain intensified the restlessness in their hearts.

Deputy General Tan argued: "Lord Chen and General Fan each only brought a thousand troops. We're launching a surprise attack during the rain without siege ladders or battering rams. If they struggle too long and Tao County realizes it's a bluff with more noise than substance, we'll lose our advantage when we assault. We cannot afford to miss this battle opportunity!"

Xiao Li responded: "I know."

His eyes remained fixed on the opposite tower: "But if the enemy's messenger hasn't arrived yet, or if the reinforcements diverted to the western gate haven't gone far, attacking now would essentially reveal that the western gate is also a feint."

Deputy General Tan tightened his reins, suppressing his agitation as he turned his warhorse in the heavy rain: "Then when do you suggest we attack?"

He couldn't afford to offend Xiao Li, yet Xiao Li's reasoning was sound. He didn't dare gamble by rashly ordering an assault. If they won this battle, all would be well. But if they lost, not only would he have offended the princess's confidant, he'd also bear the blame for defeat due to willful disregard of advice - the entire responsibility for the failed campaign resting on his shoulders. This was precisely why he had consulted Xiao Li before ordering the attack.If the decision had been made jointly by the two of them, and this battle resulted in a great victory with merit, half the credit would go to the Princess's confidants. Although he did not feel entirely pleased about it, he understood that Hanyang Princess had placed such a person in the army precisely to seize a portion of authority. The higher-ranking generals were likely even more uncomfortable than he was.

The more reassuring aspect was that even if they failed to breach the southern gate of Tao County, out of respect for Hanyang Princess's standing, Lord Chen would not hold him and Xiao Li too accountable.

Now that Xiao Li had rejected his proposal, Deputy General Tan knew that even if they failed, he could shift all responsibility onto Xiao Li. Yet the thought of potentially missing the critical moment and disrupting their entire plan left him deeply anxious. So much so that when he questioned Xiao Li, his tone was far from pleasant.

Xiao Li, however, seemed unbothered. His handsome face, washed by the rain, remained focused ahead with exceptional concentration. "From here to the western gate, General Fan's troops would take less than half an hour to march. If the western gate is attacked, sending word and mobilizing reinforcements would require at least another two quarters of an hour. It's said that the Magistrate of Tao County is cautious in handling affairs. If he mobilizes troops without showing any unusual activity on the city walls, it means he's guarding against potential ambushes outside the city. It also takes time for the mobilized troops inside the city to reach the western gate. Let's wait another quarter of an hour until the reinforcements have moved farther away before launching our attack."

This analysis left Deputy General Tan stunned for several moments.

If he had previously thought that Chen Wei and Fan Yuan treated Xiao Li with respect merely because he was recommended by Wen Yu, he now suddenly realized Xiao Li's exceptional qualities.

Considering himself a seasoned veteran in the army, he knew he couldn't remain calm in such a critical moment. Yet Xiao Li, new to the battlefield, could still coolly analyze the situation—such composure was truly remarkable.

When he spoke again, he unconsciously changed his form of address: "Then let's proceed as Brother Xiao suggests."

The night rain continued, and time trickled away amidst the clamor of the downpour.

Tao County.

The gates of the Magistrate's residence stood wide open. Under the eaves, lanterns cast a dim glow, illuminating the puddles trampled by the comings and goings of black boots. The soldiers hurrying in and out all wore grave expressions.

The study was brightly lit. Yao Zhengqing, the gaunt Magistrate of Tao County, sat at his desk. His already graying beard and hair, illuminated by candlelight, showed no trace of black, yet his eyes remained sharp and profound. He asked, "What is the current situation at the four city gates?"

An official below replied, "Chen Wei is personally leading the attack on the eastern gate. The night rain obscures visibility, so it's unclear how many troops he has brought, but they show no signs of fatigue even after all this time. As you instructed, we have secretly transferred some forces from the other three main gates to reinforce the eastern gate. Shortly after, the western gate also came under attack, led by Fan Yuan. The northern and southern gates should be secure. Should we transfer all remaining forces to the eastern and western gates?"

After pondering for a moment, Yao Zhengqing shook his head and said, "Transfer only half of the garrison troops from the northern and southern gates. The city walls of Tao County, Xinzhou, and Yizhou were originally built during the previous dynasty to defend against Southern Chen. It was only after Southern Chen was driven out of Hundred Blades Pass that the military defenses in these three areas weakened, though the walls retained their original structure. The Pingzhou army cannot easily break through. They are launching a surprise attack under the cover of night rain, relying solely on the element of surprise. All other advantages lie with us. Otherwise, Chen Wei wouldn't have devised this plan of feigning an attack himself while having Fan Yuan launch the real assault from the western gate."He gazed out at the night rain and murmured thoughtfully, "The situation is ever-changing. Being cautious is ultimately for the best."

No sooner had he spoken than a scout rushed in from outside, shouting, "Report—!"

Amidst the rolling thunder, the scout urgently announced, "The south gate is under enemy attack as well!"

The officials in the room immediately descended into chaos, whispering among themselves incessantly.

"Chen Wei has already gone to the east gate, and Fan Yuan is at the west gate. Does Pingzhou have any other renowned generals?"

"Could it be other generals who have gone to join Hanyang Princess?"

"What should we do? The south gate just dispatched troops to the west gate. Will the north gate face a surprise attack later?"

Yao Zhengqing listened to the discussions below, his aged face remaining calm. He quickly made a decision: "Order the reinforcements sent from the south gate to the west gate to return immediately. The north gate will hold its position for now."

An official below advised, "Sir, Pingzhou has betrayed our trust. Let us form an alliance with Xinzhou and seek their aid. How could a young girl like Wen Shi possibly be more formidable than Wei Qishan?"

After a long moment of contemplation, Yao Zhengqing said, "Very well. I will draft a letter and send it swiftly to Xinzhou."

Author's Note:

Yu Bao & Xiao Huan: You've fallen into the trap, folks!

This chapter also includes red packets for all dear readers~

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solutions between 2024-02-03 05:56:54 and 2024-02-05 18:28:49~

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