lovenovelstory Chapter 64 A Desperate Enemy's End
Chapter 64 A Desperate Enemy's End
On the 20th of September, fifty li west of Xiapi, on the banks of the Si River.
Autumn rains fell incessantly, and on the muddy roads, a defeated army struggled to march on.
The banners were askew, the armor was incomplete, and the soldiers looked pale and sickly. Many had even abandoned their weapons, and were simply following the enemy forward numbly. This force of about twenty to thirty thousand men was the remnant of the troops that Liu Bi had gathered along the way after his defeat at Wanqu.
The once formidable Wu-Chu army, boasting 500,000 men, is now reduced to less than one-tenth of its former strength, with morale plummeting and the number of deserters increasing daily.
Liu Bi sat in a temporarily requisitioned supply wagon, its canopy tattered and leaking rainwater.
He seemed to have aged twenty years overnight; his gray hair was disheveled, his face was covered in mud and scabs, and his magnificent royal robes were nowhere to be seen, leaving him only wrapped in a dirty fur coat.
His eyes were vacant as he stared blankly at the endless rain and the dejected soldiers outside the chariot, muttering to himself, "How could I... how could I have lost... Zhou Yafu... Dou Ying..."
The strategist Ying Gao, equally disheveled, rode a thin horse close behind the supply wagon and whispered, "Your Majesty, we cannot linger here. Zhou Yafu's cavalry are elusive; scouts report that their vanguard has already passed Pengcheng and is only two days' journey from here. We must cross the Si River as soon as possible, return to Guangling, and rely on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River to devise a plan for the future."
"A backup plan?" Liu Bi laughed bitterly. "What backup plan could there be? My army is gone, my provisions are gone, my son is gone... Liu Heng, Liu Qi, and that Zhou Yafu... they won't let me go..."
He suddenly grabbed Ying Gao's arm, his nails almost digging into his flesh. "Mr. Ying, tell me, if I were to go to Chang'an to plead guilty and offer up Guangling and Wu Commandery, asking only to become a wealthy man, would Liu Heng agree?"
Ying Gao felt a chill in his heart, knowing that Liu Bi's last bit of spirit had collapsed. He forced himself to remain calm and advised, "Your Majesty must not think of such a thing! To murder the imperial envoy and to rebel is an unforgivable crime. The court, now riding high on its great victory, will surely want to exterminate him as a warning to others. The only way now is to return to Jiangdong and defend it by the river. Jiangdong is the foundation Your Majesty has built over decades; its cities are fortified, and the people are loyal to it. Furthermore, you should quickly send envoys by sea to Dong'ou and Minyue, promising them great benefits and requesting them to send troops to assist in harassing the Han army's flanks and rear. If we can hold out until the cold winter, the Han army, unaccustomed to naval warfare and facing difficulties in transporting supplies, might... might still have a chance to turn the tide."
"Dong'ou? Minyue?" A faint flame of hope flickered in Liu Bi's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again. "Those barbarians, they're blinded by greed. When I was prosperous, they were obsequious, but now... would they offend the Han Dynasty for my sake?"
"Where there's a will, there's a way!" Ying Gao gritted his teeth and said, "It's better than sitting and waiting to die! Your Majesty, cheer up! As long as we return to Guangling, with the reserves in the treasury and conscript more able-bodied men, we might be able to regroup! Back then, Xiang Yu was able to break through the siege at Gaixia and reach the Wujiang River. How can Your Majesty give up so easily?"
Perhaps it was the story of Xiang Yu that spurred Liu Bi on, for a fierce glint returned to his eyes.
Yes, back then, Xiang Yu was defeated so badly by Gaozu, but he almost crossed the Wujiang River. Liu Bi is not at his wit's end yet!
"Good! Speed up the march, cross the Si River, and return to Guangling!" Liu Bi roared. "Tell the soldiers that upon returning to Jiangdong, each man will be rewarded with 100,000 coins and 100 mu of land! Anyone who retreats in fear will be executed! Send men... immediately send men to Dong'ou and Minyue!"
September 25th, Xingyang.
Inside the Crown Prince's residence, the atmosphere was both enthusiastic and orderly. Detailed battle reports on the great victory at Wanqu and a joint memorial from Dou Ying and Zhou Yafu had arrived, along with a large list of prisoners and spoils.
Liu Qi summoned Zhang Keran, Han Tuidang, and several generals who had just returned from the front lines for a meeting. He had a long-lost sense of relaxation on his face.
"General Dou and General Zhou have joined forces and are currently stationed in Xiaxiang to clear the battlefield, gather the surrendered soldiers, and dispatch multiple light cavalry units to pursue the remnants of Liu Bi's forces."
Liu Qi pointed to the map and said, "Liu Bi is fleeing towards Guangling, but his army is demoralized and many have deserted. It is estimated that only about 10,000 remnants of his defeated army have escaped back to Jiangdong."
Han Tuidang laughed and said, "Your Highness, this is the perfect time to press the enemy to their death! We should order Generals Dou and Zhou to immediately lead the army eastward without rest, heading straight for Guangling, and while they are still in shock, wipe out the Wu rebels' lair in one fell swoop!"
"What Lord Han says is absolutely right." Liu Qi nodded, but then looked at Zhang Keran, "Keran, what do you think? Is there anything you need to worry about?"
Zhang Keran pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, in military terms, pursuing the victory is the right thing to do. However, there are a few things that need to be planned in advance. First, Jiangdong is covered by a dense network of waterways, and many of the cities are located on the Yangtze River. Our army consists of northerners who are not accustomed to naval warfare, and a direct assault may result in heavy casualties. We need to mobilize warships, train the navy, or find local people who are familiar with the waterways and loyal to the court to serve as guides."
"Secondly," he continued, "Liu Bi has been in power in Wu for over forty years, and his influence is deep-rooted. Although he has been defeated, his remaining followers are not completely wiped out, and many local powerful figures are still deeply entrenched with him. After the army passes, the task of eliminating the remaining forces, pacifying the local area, and reforming the bureaucracy requires capable civil officials, not just military generals. It is advisable that Your Majesty should send capable ministers and officials south with the army as soon as possible to prepare for the takeover of the prefectures and counties."
"Thirdly, and this is what I am most worried about, are Dong'ou and Minyue." Zhang Keran pointed to the southeastern coast of the map. "These two places have always been sometimes rebellious and sometimes allied. When Liu Bi was powerful, he often colluded with them. Now that Liu Bi is in dire straits, it is hard to guarantee that he will not offer them large sums of money to lure them into sending troops to harass our flanks and rear, or provide them with a place of refuge. We need to send an eloquent envoy familiar with Yue affairs, carrying a large sum of money and an imperial edict, to go ahead and demonstrate the power and prestige of the court, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and prevent them from acting rashly. If they remain obstinate... then we need to reserve a force of elite troops to guard against any unusual movements."
This consideration goes beyond the purely military sphere, involving politics, diplomacy, and local governance, revealing a holistic perspective.
Liu Qi and Han Tuidang both nodded secretly.
"Your considerations are thorough," Liu Qi said. "Regarding the navy, I will immediately submit a memorial to my father, requesting that the ships and soldiers from Bashu and Jiangling be transferred south. As for the officials, I also request that my father select capable individuals from among the officials of the imperial court and the commanderies. As for Dong'ou and Minyue…" He looked at Zhang Keran, "Keran, your father, the King of Liang, is in the southwest and has considerable dealings with Nanyue. Do you have anyone familiar with the situation in Yue?"
Zhang Keran cupped his hands and said, "My father's staff does indeed have retainers who are fluent in Yue language and understand the inner workings of the matter. I can write to my father and ask him to select one or two reliable people to come to the army as soon as possible, or to carry the imperial edict directly to Dong'ou."
"Very well! I entrust this matter to you." Liu Qi made the decision. "Lord Han, immediately draft an order in my name, commanding Dou Ying and Zhou Yafu to lead the main force eastward, except for leaving necessary troops to pacify the newly pacified lands and wipe out the remaining enemy forces, to reach the Yangtze River and intimidate Guangling! But there is no need to rush to cross the river and attack the city. First, clear out the counties north of the river, build warships, and at the same time, widely distribute proclamations announcing that only Liu Bi and a few ringleaders will be executed, and all other accomplices, officials, soldiers, and civilians will be pardoned as long as they abandon the darkness and turn to the light, and those who have rendered meritorious service will be rewarded! I want Liu Bi to become a lonely figure in Jiangdong!"
"promise!"
On the third day of the tenth month, in Chang'an, at the Xuan Shi Hall of Weiyang Palace.
The atmosphere of the morning assembly was completely different from that of a month ago. The gloom and fear brought by Xu Han's head had long been dispelled by the successive reports of victories from the front.
Emperor Wen's complexion seemed to have improved considerably due to his cheerful mood. He sat upright on his imperial couch, listening to Chancellor Shen Tu Jia read aloud the latest battle reports sent by Dou Ying and Zhou Yafu, as well as the Crown Prince's memorial.
"In the Battle of Wanqu, thirty-seven rebel generals were killed in battle, over forty thousand were captured, and countless supplies and weapons were seized. Wu's traitor Liu Bi fled back to Jiangdong with only ten thousand remaining troops, his strength like a candle flickering in the wind. His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered Generals Dou and Zhou to lead their troops eastward, and they will soon be able to deploy their troops north of the Yangtze River. Furthermore, Zhang Keran, the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, has petitioned to mobilize the naval forces of Bashu and Jiangling, select capable officials to accompany the army, and send envoys to pacify Dong'ou and Minyue to eliminate future troubles..."
In the imperial court, a chorus of praise resounded.
"Your Majesty is wise, the Crown Prince is valiant, and the soldiers are fighting bravely; the rebels will be quelled soon!"
"Zhou Yafu is truly a talented general, inheriting much of his father's style!"
"Zhang Keran, the heir apparent of the Prince of Liang, served as a military advisor. His profound thinking and contributions were invaluable."
After the court officials quieted down, Emperor Wen spoke slowly and calmly: "The Crown Prince and the generals fought bravely, and the soldiers on the front lines shed blood to achieve this victory. However, the rebel leader has not yet been captured, and the southeast is not yet pacified; we cannot be complacent. All of the Crown Prince's requests are hereby granted. The Minister of Agriculture is hereby ordered to coordinate the supply of provisions and military equipment, ensuring that the needs of the front lines are met without fail. The Minister of the Imperial Treasury is hereby ordered to transfer warships and soldiers trained in naval warfare from Bashu and Jiangling, and to proceed south immediately. The Chancellor and the Grand Censor are hereby ordered to select one hundred officials from the Gentlemen-at-Arms and various prefectures in Guanzhong who are knowledgeable in politics, honest, and capable, and to be led by Attendants-in-Ordinary to the front lines immediately, to be at the Crown Prince's command, and to prepare for the takeover of Wu, Chu, and other prefectures."
"As for Dong'ou and Minyue..." Emperor Wen's gaze swept over his ministers, "Who is willing to serve as an envoy and convey my benevolent intentions?"
Several ministers stepped forward to request permission, and Emperor Wen selected an attendant who had previously served as an envoy to Nanyue and was familiar with the customs of the Yue region.
Finally, Emperor Wen's gaze fell upon Chao Cuo, who had been standing silently among the ranks of civil officials.
Since being protected in the Eastern Palace, Chao Cuo, though still holding the title of Imperial Censor, has not spoken in court for many days.
"Dr. Chao."
Chao Cuo stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject is here."
"There was a discussion in court before that executing you would put an end to the war. Now that the rebels have been defeated and their leader is in dire straits, what do you think of this proposal?" Emperor Wen's tone was inscrutable, but this question instantly silenced the entire Xuan Shi Hall, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes were on Chao Cuo. This was an extremely sensitive issue, both a final confirmation of the emperor's loyalty to Chao Cuo and a warning to the appeasement faction in the court.
Chao Cuo took a deep breath, knelt down, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, you are wise! In the past, Liu Bi assassinated the envoy and rebelled, using the pretext of killing me in his proclamation. This was a treacherous scheme by a traitor to frame the court and incite the people, and it was by no means the real reason for the military action! The real reason lies with the princes of Wu and Chu, who relied on their strength and grew powerful, disregarded the court, and harbored rebellious intentions for a long time! Even without my proposal to reduce their power, their rebellious intentions were already set, and they were bound to rebel sooner or later! Now, thanks to Your Majesty's divine martial prowess, the Crown Prince's wisdom, and the soldiers' valiant efforts, the rebel army has been weakened. This is precisely in accordance with the principles of Heaven and the hearts of the people. How could it be achieved by simply executing Chao Cuo?"
He raised his head, his gaze resolute: "My policy of weakening the vassal states is truly to strengthen the central government and weaken the regional powers, thus preserving the foundation of the Han Dynasty for ten thousand generations. Now that the rebellion is about to be quelled, we should seize this opportunity to thoroughly implement it! I beseech Your Majesty to issue an edict that, apart from the states that followed the rebellion and have already been abolished, the remaining vassal states should have their power reduced according to the law, their authority to govern the people and command the army taken away, so that all government orders are unified under the court, thus preventing future troubles like the Rebellion of the Seven States!"
These words were powerful and resounding, serving not only as a self-defense but also as a reaffirmation of his political views, seizing the opportune moment when the rebellion was about to be quelled and the court's prestige was at its peak.
Emperor Wen looked at Chao Cuo quietly for a moment, then slowly said, "Chao Cuo is loyal to the country and determined to reform. Although he may have been impulsive, his heart is with the nation. He was previously slandered by a traitor and almost fell into danger. Now that the truth has been revealed, he is hereby ordered to return to the office of the Grand Censor, effective immediately. The proposal to reduce the power of the regional military governors will be discussed in detail after the southeast has been completely pacified."
"Your subject, Chao Cuo, thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness! I will do my utmost to repay my sovereign and father!" Chao Cuo kowtowed heavily, his voice choked with emotion. He knew that not only was he safe, but he also saw the dawn of realizing his lifelong political ideals.
"The court is adjourned." Emperor Wen rose and, supported by eunuchs, walked towards the inner palace.
The moment he turned around, a genuine smile of relief appeared on his lips.