The Road to Glory

Chapter 81: The Vicious Wolf

Xiao Li pointed his baton at the sand table: "Our Great Liang's elite troops descending from both sides of the Great Wall via ropes, going to the battlefield to retrieve arrows was merely a diversion. While Southern Chen was encircling our troops on the battlefield, preventing our soldiers from bringing arrows back to the city, our true elite forces had already climbed up the mountain through the dense forests on both flanks. They retrieved the oil previously hidden on the mountain, circled around the Southern Chen encampment, poured it down, and set the mountain ablaze."

Jiang Yu's pupils constricted sharply - this was exactly where he had miscalculated!

They had hidden their grain and fodder camps in the mountains, using the dense forests as cover without clearing large firebreaks. They had assumed this would prevent Great Liang's scouts from pinpointing the grain storage locations and setting them on fire.

But Great Liang had burned the entire mountain. Now, not to mention the grain and fodder, even their military tents and other supplies on the mountain were likely all lost.

Fang Mingda was momentarily stunned. What he thought was a certain victory had suddenly taken a drastic turn for the worse.

Then he felt only terror - Great Liang's tactics were too methodical.

If Great Liang had been more aggressive, sending troops out before their siege or after just one or two assaults, they would definitely have been alert and sent scouts to monitor those exiting the city.

But the enemy chose to create the illusion that the city had exhausted its arrows after several rounds of desperate defense, then sent troops to collect arrows. This completely deceived their vision. After all, descending from the city walls via ropes made one easy targets, so coming down from both sides of the Great Wall seemed reasonable.

When their troops killed those arrow-collecting soldiers on the battlefield, and some Great Liang soldiers fled in panic back into the dense forests, even if their scouts saw Liang troops running amok in the woods, they would likely assume they were deserters.

The more Fang Mingda thought about it, the more chilled he felt. He wiped the cold sweat from his temples with his sleeve, staring at Xiao Li with lingering fear. This young Great Liang general appeared youthful, but his mind was terrifyingly meticulous, his methods ruthless enough, and utterly unexpected.

Liu Zhixian collapsed on the ground, also dumbfounded. In over ten years of military service, he had never seen such tactics.

Fan Yuan looked at the grim expressions of the three Southern Chen representatives and felt immensely satisfied. He shouted: "Well? Convinced?"

Liu Zhixian's face was ashen, Fang Mingda was speechless, while Jiang Yu's gaze remained fixed on the sand table, as if still searching for a way to salvage the situation.

Wen Yu looked at Fang Mingda: "This General Liu of your country, I shall execute."

Fang Mingda didn't dare utter half a word of objection. He had lost his previous confidence for the upcoming negotiations and flattered: "This man repeatedly offended the Princess. His death is insufficient punishment. The Princess could have him drawn and quartered!"

But Jiang Yu, who had been staring at the sand table, suddenly spoke: "This man can be killed, but our Southern Chen has not yet lost in this sandbox deduction!"

Fang Mingda's heart jumped, worried Jiang Yu would reveal his identity. He hurriedly signaled with his eyes, but saw Jiang Yu looking firmly at Wen Yu.

After breaking out in cold sweat repeatedly, Fang Mingda understood Jiang Yu's purpose.

If they lost this deduction, Southern Chen would inevitably be at a disadvantage in the subsequent negotiations.

Compared to exposed identities, the negotiations with Great Liang were naturally more important.

Wen Yu glanced at Jiang Yu, not questioning how a mere attendant dared to speak out so suddenly, and only said to Xiao Li: "General Xiao, continue the deduction with him."Upon receiving Wen Yu's instruction, Xiao Li continued: "The oil was poured around the Chen army's encampment. The flames engulfed forests and mountains, making it difficult for the troops stationed on the mountains to escape. For those at the foot trying to return and extinguish the fire, their efforts were as futile as attempting to put out a burning cartload of firewood with a cup of water. With provisions and military supplies completely destroyed, how does your nation plan to proceed with the siege?"

Jiang Yu braced both hands against the sandbox, veins bulging on his knuckles as he spat through gritted teeth: "In ancient times, the Conqueror broke his cauldrons and sank his boats. Today, our Southern Chen suffers burned mountains and ravaged camps. Even if military supplies cannot be preserved, we still have over fifty thousand soldiers after this prolonged warfare. After the mountain fire, at least thirty thousand remain. Even if we must pile corpses, we can fill the gates of Hundred Blades Pass!"

Compared to Jiang Yu's restrained fury, Xiao Li remained eerily calm. He stated: "When the Conqueror broke his cauldrons and sank his boats, he still ordered his troops to carry three days' rations. Southern Chen has been burned clean of everything. If you fail to take Hundred Blades Pass in one day, your soldiers will grow weaker from hunger with each passing day. I doubt your combat effectiveness remains at its peak. Moreover, the Conqueror's act was deliberate—to inspire his troops to fight desperately. Your military supplies were burned by our Great Liang. Your morale will undoubtedly plummet, and desertion will likely spread."

He likewise leaned both arms on the sandbox, lifting his gaze to meet Jiang Yu's—like two vicious wolves locked in combat, except his fangs were already at the other's throat: "Due to Hundred Blades Pass' treacherous terrain, your remaining forces cannot attack simultaneously. Even if arrows inside the pass run low, rolling stones and defensive logs are inexhaustible. Every defender can man the walls and repel your ascent by hurling stones and logs. With prolonged failed assaults, Southern Chen's morale will only deteriorate further. Subsequent attacks will lack the initial momentum."

Jiang Yu stared fixedly at Xiao Li, the feeling of being utterly suppressed without recourse fueling both agitation and dread.

In that instant, his mind became crystal clear: if this man cannot be used by Southern Chen, he must be eliminated!

Recognizing the resentment in Jiang Yu's eyes, Xiao Li pressed on: "I must remind your nation—the troops the Princess granted me for defending the pass number only ten thousand. But Pingzhou's deployable forces and resources far exceed this, not to mention Tao County's support."

Upon hearing this, Fang Mingda's official robes became so drenched in cold sweat they could be wrung out.

Jiang Yu's resentful expression abruptly stiffened.

Yes—this was the most terrifying aspect of this sandbox deduction.

Southern Chen had maximized their reported troop numbers and essential supplies, yet Pingzhou blocked their massive army at the pass with meager resources.

In actual warfare, combining Pingzhou and Tao County's strength would make defending Hundred Blades Pass even more effortless.

As this realization sank in, Jiang Yu felt a chill spread through his palms and soles.

This wasn't a real war, but if battle came, it would be his most devastating defeat.

The council hall remained deathly silent until Xiao Li turned to Wen Yu, clasping his fists in report: "My deduction is complete."

Wen Yu called to her attendants: "Guards."

The guards stationed at the room's corners immediately stepped forward, dragging away the ashen-faced Liu Zhixian. Soon, the sound of blades being drawn and something heavy hitting the ground echoed from outside.

Hearing the noise, Fang Mingda shuddered violently. When he spoke again, the fat on his entire face trembled: "Pr... Princess..."Wen Yu did not even glance at him, her gaze fixed on Jiang Yu as she said, "A mere attendant would not possess such audacity. I wonder which general from Southern Chen you might be? Your envoys have repeatedly claimed a sincere desire to ally with our Great Liang, yet you skulk in disguise—hardly a display of good faith."

Jiang Yu felt her stare was like snow upon a sword's edge—cold, sharp, and breathtakingly beautiful.

He met her eyes for two breaths, but then the young Liang general who had bested him cast a casual glance his way, instantly making him feel as though his throat were being crushed between the teeth of a wild beast.

Jiang Yu hastily averted his gaze, though the corner of his mouth lifted imperceptibly.

Behind the princess's throne of Great Liang lurked a savage wolf.

He bowed apologetically toward Wen Yu and said with a faint smile, "Nothing escapes Your Highness's notice. Jiang Yu pays his respects."

Since Wen Yu had exposed him, there was no point in stubbornly denying it.

Many Liang officials present had clearly heard of Jiang Yu's reputation and began murmuring among themselves.

Fan Yuan snorted derisively through his nostrils, "So it's the famed undefeated general of Southern Chen. Your country truly has a peculiar sense of humor—first the Grand Secretary disguises himself as a servant, and now the Imperial Guard Commander plays the attendant. Why not start an opera troupe and put on a grand performance?"

Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda flushed at Fan Yuan's sarcasm, but since they were at fault and currently at the mercy of others, they could only swallow their pride.

Jiang Yu clasped his hands and said, "This humble one admits his wrongdoing and awaits Your Highness's punishment."

Li Yao, who often dozed due to his advanced age and waning energy, suddenly opened his aged eyelids, his hawk-like gaze piercing Jiang Yu: "So those disrespectful remarks about Great Liang and Her Highness from your Southern Chen officers—were they also ordered by you?"

Having retired years earlier, Jiang Yu knew little of Li Yao, but seeing him seated to Wen Yu's left while all other Liang officials stood made it clear he was no ordinary figure.

Now faced with such a pointed question, Jiang Yu's expression shifted slightly. He bowed deeper and said, "Your Highness, I beg you to see the truth—this was absolutely not the case. That man was arrogant and conceited, frequently disobeying orders even within the army."

He deliberately avoided mentioning Liu Zhixian's previous provocation outside the city gates: "When he was brought before you today, it was from the Pingzhou prison. During the sandbox deduction, Your Highness and all the officials witnessed it yourselves. His sudden outburst was entirely unexpected. The failure to maintain discipline is my fault. Now that he has been executed, if Your Highness remains displeased, upon my return to Southern Chen I shall report in detail to our king and the Empress Dowager, and we will surely exterminate his entire clan!"

His reply was impeccably crafted, yet Li Yao showed no intention of letting the matter drop: "Though I have long been absent from court, I know that when two nations exchange envoys, they should treat each other with sincerity. Commander Jiang and Minister Fang came as emissaries to our Great Liang yet concealed their identities—why is that?"

Their earlier excuse about coming to spar with Liang generals was clearly insufficient. After brief consideration, Jiang Yu responded, "This was indeed Southern Chen's mistake. But the achievements Southern Chen has attained today did not come easily. Minister Fang is a revered elder statesman who has served three reigns and was entrusted with this important mission. We feared something might happen to him and distrusted our subordinates' competence, hence this unfortunate decision.Li Yao sneered: "So this is what you call sincerity?""Fang Mingda repeatedly wiped his sweat with his sleeve, awkwardly nodding apologetically toward Li Yao.

Jiang Yu said, "Aside from this concealment, our Southern Chen is indeed sincere in wishing to form an alliance with Great Liang. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager and our king would not have sent Minister Fang again to apologize to the Princess."

Fan Yuan was about to mock them further when Wen Yu spoke: "I believe Southern Chen has come with sincerity, just as I too hope to cooperate with Southern Chen."

She paused at this point, and amid the astonished expressions of all the Liang court officials as well as Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda, she continued: "After all, for both Southern Chen and Great Liang, cooperating with each other yields the greatest benefits, does it not?"

Seeing Wen Yu suddenly speak this way, Jiang Yu couldn't help but feel wary, though he still said: "That is natural. Since the Princess is still willing to choose Southern Chen..."

"The return of Xin and Yi provinces to me, plus an additional three million dan of provisions from Southern Chen—these are my current conditions for forming an alliance with Southern Chen. What does Commander Jiang think?"

Wen Yu interrupted him, her gentle voice filled with coldness.

Upon hearing her additional conditions, Fang Mingda nearly fainted on the spot—whether due to his excessive weight or having been in the hall for too long.