Chapter 145: Interest Decides the Battle Array

Dozens of Northern Liao scouts were surrounded. After a fierce battle, more than ten fled while the rest were killed in action.
"My lord, not a single prisoner was taken."
The old veteran looked solemn. "The Northern Liao morale is extremely high, and they are all willing to die for their cause."
"Damn it, these are not soft opponents!"
This was the Taiping Army, and it was the first time Yang Xuan was fighting the people of Northern Liao in a formal, head-on clash.
The scouts were brought forward.
"Thank you for saving our lives."
The squad leader looked pale, yet his heroic spirit remained undiminished.
"Does the Magistrate find it strange that there are no prisoners?"
Yang Xuan nodded.
The squad leader smiled and said, "Scouts are never captured, nor can they be captured."
"Why is that?" the old veteran asked.
The squad leader's wounds twitched with pain, causing him to bare his teeth in a grimace.
"When either side captures the other's scouts, they use the most cruel torture before finishing them off, leaving no survivors. Therefore, rather than being tortured to death, it is better to die in battle."
Yang Xuan patted his shoulder. "A fine man!"
The squad leader cupped his fists, his eyes beaming with excitement. "Your subordinate beheaded an enemy officer today."
"Well and truly done!"
Yang Xuan turned around and called out, "What should we do when we encounter such fine men of the Great Tang?"
"Bravo!"
Amidst the loud cheers, the squad leader cupped his fists. "Many thanks for saving my life, Magistrate Yang. I shall find a chance to repay this kindness next time."
Yang Xuan led his men back.
At this moment, Tao County had been turned into a massive military camp. Troops drawn from all over the Northern Frontier gathered here. Coupled with the main army garrison, they could truly be described as strong and well-equipped.
Yang Xuan took a few men and went outside the Prefecture Military Governor's Manor.
"Magistrate Yang."
The guards at the gate glanced at him. "The others wait outside."
Yang Xuan entered alone.
Inside, there was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps.
The atmosphere of an impending major battle was dense.
A group of low-ranking officials and generals stood outside the main hall.
Yang Xuan spotted Zhang Du, walked up to him, and asked, "Where is Old Jiang?"
Zhang Du said with envy, "Inside! Who knows when I'll be able to go in and participate in the council."
The people inside were all heavyweights, and Yang Xuan was not qualified to enter.
"Have you all heard clearly?"
"Understood."
"In that case, go back and reorganize. We march out tomorrow."
"Understood!"
The meeting inside had adjourned.
When Jiang Cunzhong came out and saw Yang Xuan, he punched him on the shoulder. "How was your scouting trip today?"
"Not much to speak of," Yang Xuan replied with a disappointed expression.
"I can already smell the stench of blood," Jiang Cunzhong said with a laughing curse. "By the way, the Vice-Commissioner is not in a very good mood today, so watch yourself."
"Got it."
Brothers truly could be relied upon.
Prince Wei walked out, glanced at Yang Xuan, and then headed towards his quarters.
Liu Qing came out, and upon seeing him, said, "Come to my room later."
"The old man wants to pamper you," Zhuque's sharp tongue activated.
"I've shut down."
Yang Xuan muttered threats as he walked over.
"Vice-Commissioner, Taiping's Yang Xuan requests an audience."
Huang Chunhui, having just finished giving orders, was drinking tea tiredly and nodded upon hearing the announcement.
Deputy Commissioner Liao Jing pointed at Yang Xuan outside the door. "Look at him, Vice-Commissioner. This young man looks as if he's bouncing even while standing. Damn it, it reminds me of my youth."
"I heard that in your youth you committed every evil deed imaginable, even going so far as to spy on women bathing."
"That is sheer slander!"
"Hehe!"
The two heavyweights joked to ease their fatigue.
Yang Xuan entered and bowed.
"Your subordinate went scouting earlier and encountered over fifty Liao cavalry pursuing our scouts. I killed more than thirty of the enemy."
"How are the Liao troops?"
"The Liao troops dare to fight and are fiercely unafraid of death."
Huang Chunhui looked at Liao Jing. "Still the same Northern Liao, still just as ferocious. If not for the Martial Emperor's counterattack back then, the northern borders of the Great Tang would be ablaze everywhere. Thinking about it now, those people in Chang'an urging me to go to war are also worried that such a Northern Liao might once again become a scourge to the Great Tang."
"It's just that the timing is wrong."
Liao Jing looked somewhat dissatisfied. "The imperial court has given too much support to the Southern Frontier, but what is there in the Southern Frontier? The Southern Zhou does not dare to openly invade the Great Tang, and those tribes just need to be beaten into submission piece by piece. The Northern Liao is the true threat to the Great Tang."
Huang Chunhui rubbed the space between his eyebrows and muttered,
"Many people confuse the country with their family."
The current plight of the Northern Frontier was not part of the Great Tang's grand strategy, but rather driven by certain individuals.
Liao Jing said, "Once our grain and forage move out this time, the Northern Liao opposite us will definitely notice. However, gathering troops from Ningxing takes time, and we must strike as early as possible."
Huang Chunhui nodded. "Helian Feng has frequently sent forces to harass the Northern Frontier over the past few years for various considerations. Yet, no matter the schemes, strength is ultimately what speaks."
Yang Xuan could not help but nod.
Liao Jing looked at him. "Do you have something to say?"
Yang Xuan was merely a small fry; since the heavyweights hadn't spoken, he had no qualification to voice his opinions.
"Your subordinate thought of a phrase... Swords and spears are justice."
Huang Chunhui glanced at him. "Rather interesting."
Yang Xuan took his leave.
He went to find Liu Qing.
Liu Qing was drinking tea.
"This is probably the last day of peace."
Liu Qing pointed to the teacup opposite him. Yang Xuan expressed his thanks, raised the cup to his lips, and thought about the words Huang Chunhui and Liao Jing had just spoken.
Huang Chunhui seemed to have been forced into this offensive, while Liao Jing supported using a surprise raid to quickly resolve the issue and shut the mouths of those in Chang'an.
Seeing him deep in thought, Liu Qing didn't disturb him. After finishing his tea, he asked, "What do you think?"
"A bit excited, and a little nervous."
"I am a bit nervous myself, too."
"You are a veteran of many battlefields, Commissioner, you jest."
"I am not jesting." Liu Qing gave a dry cough. "The most important thing in this battle is planning. The Vice-Commissioner's eye bags are larger again, which shows how much he has fretted over this. How the Northern Liao will respond, whether Helian Feng will raise a large army for a decisive battle, when that army can arrive... Once the army moves out, any single decision could lead to a great victory or a crushing defeat. As a commander, one must be cautious."
"Yes."
Yang Xuan felt that Old Liu was truly kind to him.
"This time, I will command five thousand men of the Left Youhou Army, positioned on the left flank of the main army. I want to tell you that the ferocity of the Northern Liao is not something the three major tribes can compare to. Be cautious."
"Yes."
Yang Xuan felt that Old Liu was becoming increasingly benevolent.
"Get lost."
All benevolence eventually transforms into a fierce visage.
Yang Xuan returned to his quarters and summoned his men for a council.
"This battle is fought under duress, and it is hard to guess how the Northern Liao will respond." The old veteran held a military manual in his hand, feeling recently that he was at a bottleneck and needed an opportunity to break through.
"My lord, the Northern Liao has always craved a battle and been denied one; this time they will likely pour forth with all their might," Nan He said, sounding more professional.
"The Vice-Commissioner said that the people in Chang'an are probably afraid of the Northern Liao regaining its former strength, and thus forced the Northern Frontier to deploy troops," Yang Xuan said, feeling the statement offered some comfort. "Last time, the four major families plotted to have Zhang Chumao succeed as the Northern Frontier Military Governor and failed, ending up thoroughly disgraced. Not only that, but Zhang Chumao has had to lay low for years since. The price was not small."
"Could they really force Vice-Commissioner Huang to dispatch troops just for their private interests?" The old veteran looked at Yang Xuan and Nan He.
"The Emperor and the four major families frequently engage in secret struggles behind the scenes; I wouldn't find it strange at all if that group pulled something like this," Nan He said.
"The crucial point is which side Vice-Commissioner Huang stands on." The old veteran hit the core of the issue.
Huang Chunhui... Yang Xuan recalled carefully. "When Zhang Chumao staged his palace coup, it was Deputy Commissioner Liao who stepped forward to testify."
"Then they belong to their own faction." Nan He also reflected. "Vice-Commissioner Huang climbed step by step, and his background is simple. A man like that reaching the position of Northern Frontier Military Governor can serve as a role model for our generation."
Yang Xuan did not know if anyone backed Huang Chunhui, but he knew one thing: having Huang Chunhui around was immensely beneficial to him.
"All of you, go make your preparations."
Yang Xuan dismissed them, sat by the window, and after a long while, began writing letters.
The letters were for Zhao Sanfu and Zhou Ning, and for the most part, they reported only good news and omitted the worries.
As for the war, it was absolutely not to be mentioned at this moment.
After finishing the letters, he went out and handed them to the old veteran.
"Oh? You wrote a letter too, old man?"
Yang Xuan was greatly surprised.
The old veteran looked a bit awkward. "It's for Old Cao."
The envelope was addressed to Cao Ying, but at the bottom was a line of small characters.
Only upon close inspection could it be seen:
—If this old man dies, pass this letter to Chang Sanniang.
That night, everyone went to sleep early.
The next day, just as the sky was turning pale, Yang Xuan got up for breakfast.
The street was packed with people, and outside the Prefecture Military Governor's Manor, there were many generals and officials.
"Eat quickly."
"If things go wrong, this might be our last meal."
"Damn it! Who said that?"
After breakfast, everyone sought out their respective commanders to re-form their ranks.
"Out of the city."
Liu Qing led the team out.
This time, he also brought along Deputy Commander Zhang Lichun, with whom Yang Xuan had never interacted before.
Zhang Lichun was cold, glanced at Yang Xuan, and slightly nodded.
Yang Xuan nodded in return.
Five thousand men arrayed themselves in formation outside the city.
Just as Yang Xuan wanted to observe the sight of the main army assembling, a horseman galloped over at high speed.
"The Left Youhou Army, move forward to cover the scouts."
"Understood!"
The Left Youhou Army moved out.
In the ranks, Zhen Siwen took a deep breath.
Wang Laoer asked, "Siwen, what are you sniffing?"
"I smell the stench of blood."
The Left Youhou Army patrolled the front left of the main army. Scouts went back and forth constantly; gradually, more scouts went out than returned. Even those who returned bore numerous wounds.
"The enemy vanguard cavalry is here."
Hundreds of enemy cavalry appeared, driving the Tang scouts before them.
Zhang Lichun offered advice: "Commissioner, it's time to provide cover."
Liu Qing nodded. "Yang Xuan, lead the troops to protect the scouts."
"Understood!"
Yang Xuan led his three hundred cavalrymen and charged out.
"The little rascal went himself, too."
Liu Qing said with a laughing curse.
Ahead, the enemy scouts noticed the force led by Yang Xuan and hesitated for a moment.
"Charge!"
The two sides closed in rapidly.
"Slay the enemy commander to establish our might!" shouted the opposing officer.
Yang Xuan was far too conspicuous, right at the very front.
Liu Qing squinted as he watched. "Little rascal, be cautious, be cautious..."
Zhang Lichun said, "Commissioner, the battlefield is merciless, and weapons have no eyes."
Liu Qing slowly turned his gaze toward him with a blank expression.
Zhang Lichun's eyelids twitched a few times. "Be cautious."
The two sides were about to make contact.
"Throw!"
The three hundred cavalrymen simultaneously hurled the objects in their hands.
Taking advantage of the high-speed charge, those objects accelerated and smashed directly into the enemy formation.
An enemy officer ducked, and an object flew right over his head.
"Ah!"
A scream came from behind him, and the enemy officer turned around.
An iron spike was embedded in a soldier's face—no, damn it, it was a piece of iron slag!
—Taiping's furnace had started operations; the first batch had completely failed, and Yang Xuan couldn't bear to waste them, so he ordered these hidden weapons to be made instead.
Shooting arrows on horseback was difficult, and the speed of a cavalry charge was too fast; if you tried to loose an arrow, you would clash with the enemy before you even had time to holster your bow.
But we could use hidden weapons!
With just that single throw, dozens of enemy soldiers fell.
Damn, it was so worth it!
Yang Xuan led the charge, flanked by Wang Laoer and Nan He, with the old veteran right behind him, smashing straight into the enemy lines.
Now there was no need to worry about being ambushed from behind; all they had to do was hack and slash forward.
The enemy officer gritted his teeth and swung his saber with all his might.
Seeing that Yang Xuan was young, he figured that based on his own experience, slaying this person should be no problem.
Then, a tremendous force traveled through the clashing sabers. Following that, a sharp pain shot through the web of his hand, causing him to involuntarily let go as his saber flew into the air.
A horizontal blade swept past his neck, and then, with a deft flick, it scooped his head right off.
Yang Xuan lifted the enemy officer's head with one hand, holding it high above his."
"Everlasting victory!"
More than three hundred cavalrymen cheered.
"Everlasting victory!"
The Chenzhou army in the main camp also raised their arms and shouted.
"Beheading the enemy commander—not bad." Liu Qing smiled with restrained pride.
He had defied all opinions to bring Yang Xuan out, and at this moment, Yang Xuan's martial prowess demonstrated his own exceptional judgment.
"Good!"
"Oh! That strike was as fast as lightning!"
"Hey! He broke through!"
Zhang Lichun watched the battle while Liu Qing occasionally offered comments from beside him, though Zhang Lichun noticed most of them were directed at Yang Xuan.
Yang Xuan had punched straight through the enemy formation, bathed in blood, looking like a crimson fiend.
He whirled his horse around, his eyes completely red.
"Kill!"
"Retreat!" The Northern Liao cavalry had merely been probing, and having drawn their conclusion, they decisively fell back.
"Throw again!"
Another wave of hidden weapons flew across, unseating over twenty men.
The Northern Liao cavalry had not suffered such a heavy loss in recent years, and they could truly be described as thoroughly humiliated.
An officer looked back while galloping and cursed, "Damn it all! I've never seen such a shameless Tang general!"
"Truly shameless!"
"Who was that?"
"It seemed to bear a banner with the character 'Yang'."
"Son of a bitch!"
"The scouts who were ambushed and surrounded last time mentioned this guy."
"So it was that Yang dog!"
Yang Xuan returned to report his success.
"Be cautious," Liu Qing said with a stern face.
"Yes."
The old man seemed to be in a pretty good mood!
Yang Xuan noticed that Liu Qing's complexion was somewhat ruddy.
He was even humming a tune.
Has the old man relived his youthful wildness?
"This is the first battle," Liu Qing emphasized solemnly. "Send someone to report the victory."
Only then did Yang Xuan realize that Old Liu wanted to claim the primary merit.
The main army marched slowly in the rear, and reports quickly came back.
"Keep up the good work."
Messengers galloped back and forth, bringing news of the latest battle conditions.
"The Right Youhou Army encountered three thousand enemy elite cavalry; both sides fought fiercely, with casualties on both sides."
"The Right Youhou Army has been reinforced."
That they needed reinforcements after a single battle showed how intensely brutal it had been.
Liu Qing remained expressionless. "This is a real battlefield. Remember, the true battle hasn't even started yet."
Yang Xuan nodded, taking the lesson to heart.
"Ahead lies Hong City!"
A small earthen city appeared in front of them.
"Halt, send word to the central army."
The Left Youhou Army came to a stop.
"Scouts, circle around Hong City to reconnoiter."
"Keep your eyes on the gates and the ramparts."
Zhang Lichun's commands were clear and precise.
Liu Qing beckoned Yang Xuan over.
The old man sighed with deep emotion. "How many years... how many years has it been since I last saw a Northern Liao city?"
"Hong City is very small," Yang Xuan had already observed. "However, attacking it will result in heavy losses."
"I know," Liu Qing said quietly, looking at the Northern Liao soldiers on the ramparts. "I originally didn't plan on attacking the city."
“Then... are we going to attack it after all?”
"Yes." Liu Qing turned his head to glance in the direction of the central army. "Last time at Tao County, we routed over five thousand enemy troops and took many heads, yet Chang'an claimed it wasn't an active offensive. Therefore, we must breach this city this time."
"In other words, while we are fighting here, the ones actually directing this are that bunch of scum in Chang'an?" Yang Xuan asked.
"The word 'scum' is used quite well." Liu Qing stroked his long hair, disheveled by the wind, and smiled. "Most of the time, what decides a battlefield is not the commanders, but interests."
Chang'an's sentiment toward the Northern Frontier was complex; on one hand, they wanted to kick out the unenterprising Huang Chunhui, yet the Emperor worried whether whoever replaced him could stabilize the Northern Frontier's situation.
"Zhang Chumao's failure wasn't just the result of Deputy Commissioner Liao's actions; His Majesty was merely going with the flow."
Old Liu served him a major dish, offering teachings to Yang Xuan akin to revealing deep secrets.
Old Liu is really good to me.
Yang Xuan pondered. "Let's attack the city once the central army arrives."
Liu Qing shook his head.
He looked at Yang Xuan.
"Go on, take Hong City!"