Chapter 147 Achieving New Merits Once Again

Just as Zhang Lichun rallied his men, the siege came to an end.

"Well fought," Liu Qing praised. "Wave after wave of attacks, the feint and raid on the north gate, and then the final general assault. The whelp actually pulled it off!"

He turned back and gave his orders. "Send word of victory to the central army."

"Have scouts cross Hongcheng to gather intelligence."

"Understood!"

"Zhang Lichun."

"Here!"

"Cleanse the city."

There were bound to be some riches within the city. If one were to claim that all loot must be surrendered, apologies, but the soldiers always found a way to hide valuables for themselves.

Therefore, this was a lucrative assignment.

Zhang Lichun had not expected such a lucrative task to fall to him. Gratefully, he said, "Yes."

Once his men entered the city to scavenge, their morale would inevitably soar.

Watching him lead his men away, Liu Qing shook his head with a bitter smile. "The boy has performed a meritorious service; I must keep him in check."

Ordering Zhang Lichun to enter the city to mop up the enemy forces was a matter of balancing power, lest a rift grow between the Taiping Army and Zhang Lichun.

If someone were to ask why anyone's meritorious service shouldn't be recognized—that was not how things worked. Soldiers followed a commander in the hope of winning glory and rewards. But if all the credit for the vanguard was snatched away by others, what were they here for?

To just watch from the sidelines?

Even if Zhang Lichun was magnanimous, he could not withstand the instigation of his subordinates.

This was the necessity of checks and balances for those in power.

At that moment, the city had turned into a sea of joy.

The Taiping Army had rushed into the official yamen first, while the rest scattered through the city to find targets.

Division of labor.

Very clear!

When Zhang Lichun led his men into the city, the Taiping Army had already finished scavenging.

"Not bad," Zhang Lichun nodded to Yang Xuan, feeling that this man had left the lion's share for him.

"Clear the city!"

Zhang Lichun led his men to charge everywhere.

"Break down the door!"

"Get on your knees!"

When two nations went to war, post-siege clearing was inevitable.

And looting was an enduring tradition.

This was also a necessary means for the commanding general to maintain the morale of his subordinates.

Zhang Lichun's men charged into commoners' homes, into official yamens, and into the estates of wealthy families...

"Where is the money?"

Aside from documents, the yamen was completely empty.

The commanding officer looked at the empty office rooms and cursed, "It's so empty even mice could run through it."

Someone remarked, "The wealthy families should have hidden reserves."

The methods wealthy families used to conceal wealth were varied, and under normal circumstances, they were impossible to find.

The master of the house wailed, "The previous group of people took everything."

The officer looked at him gloomily. "Do you think I'm a fool? Those people were only in here for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense; how could they possibly find the secret hiding places?"

The master of the house wept bitterly, beating his hands against the ground. "As soon as they came in, they went straight to the places where the money was hidden, and found every single spot. It was as if... as if they had seen me stash the money with their own eyes."

The officer stamped his foot. "Interrogate them!"

He went to find Zhang Lichun and report.

"Deputy Commander, the wealth of the wealthy families is all gone. They claim that as soon as the Taiping Army entered, they located the hidden stashes. Your subordinate suspects they are lying and has already tortured two to death."

Yang Xuan was currently sitting atop the city wall, with Zhao Youcai whispering a report beside him.

"The brothers only took the wealth from the wealthy families; everything else was untouched."

"Good."

Earlier, it had been Old Thief who led the team. He stepped forward to report, "The wealthy families' methods of hiding money were utterly mediocre. This subordinate hadn't even made a move before those brothers found them."

Yang Xuan's cheek twitched slightly.

Damn it.

Most of the men in the Taiping Army were criminals, and among these criminals were all kinds of talents. Especially those former thieves, whose rich experience left one speechless.

If they weren't master thieves, they wouldn't have been qualified for exile to Taiping.

"Yang Xuan."

Zhang Lichun came to find him in annoyance.

"Your men have gone and looted all the money. The Taiping Army is well-fed, while the other brothers in Chenzhou go hungry?"

Yang Xuan looked left and right, saying calmly, "Look for yourself."

The Taiping Army men were all on the city wall. Aside from weapons, there were only two chests of copper coins—where would all that wealth be?

Zhang Lichun looked and could not help feeling a pang of guilt. He cupped his fists, "It was I who was impatient. I shall invite Prefect Yang for a drink later."

"Easily done."

Zhang Lichun descended the city wall.

Leaning against the wall, Yang Xuan asked, "Where did you hide it?"

One by one, the soldiers began to untie their clothes.

Small bundles were bound to their waists.

Gold and silver were strapped inside their trouser legs.

All over their bodies...

Damn it, someone even dug it out from his rear end.

Others undid their hair to pull out fine pieces of gold and silver.

"Such talents!"

With the city cleared, Liu Qing entered.

Yang Xuan reported the detailed course of the battle.

"Good!"

Liu Qing nodded and looked at Zhang Lichun.

"Is this really all?"

A dozen chests were piled nearby, mostly containing copper coins along with some copper and iron ware.

"So poor?" Liu Qing was somewhat puzzled.

"Indeed!"

Later, Liu Qing inquired about the situation and seized an opportunity to summon Yang Xuan privately.

"Speak."

"Commissioner... speak of what?"

"Zhang Lichun's men are upright folks, but your men are mostly scoundrels."

"Commissioner's words insult my Taiping Army far too much," Yang Xuan protested angrily.

"Hmph!"

"Commissioner..."

Seeing the old man's expression remain calm while his right hand rested on the hilt of his saber, Yang Xuan knew he had to get past this hurdle.

"We just took a bit of gold and silver."

He figured he would have to surrender at least sixty percent.

"Dishonest!"

Yang Xuan lowered his head.

"Be more careful next time!"

When Yang Xuan looked up, the old man had already walked past with his hands behind his back.

"Commissioner, let me hand over some of it."

Without turning back, the old man waved a hand. "Taiping is hard, and you have it hard too."

Yang Xuan squinted up at the sky and blinked.

...

The central army.

"The Right Youhou Army continues to advance. The enemy's roving scouts occasionally harass us, but they are retreating in disarray."

The scout's report made Huang Chunhui raise an eyebrow. "The Liao roving scouts are merely holding and monitoring the Right Youhou Army; how can you call that a rout?"

The scout lowered his head.

"Tell the Right Youhou Army to be more cautious."

"Yes!"

After the scout left, Liao Jing remarked, "They are simply too eager for glory."

"Eagerness for glory doesn't matter. If we were dealing with the three major tribes, such exaggeration wouldn't bother me; I'd only use it as a tool to boost morale. But this is Northern Liao."

Huang Chunhui rarely opened his eyes. "Old Liao, we cannot underestimate the enemy."

"Understood." A chill ran through Liao Jing's heart.

"The more we press forward like a broken bamboo, the less we can afford to underestimate the enemy," Huang Chunhui said softly. "You must know that all eighty thousand main forces of the Northern Frontier are right here. If we are defeated in a single battle, Northern Liao can throw its entire might into the fray, trampling the north of the Great Tang with their iron hooves. Then Chang'an will tremble, and the realm... will tremble."

"The fate of the nation rests right here." Huang Chunhui nodded.

The fate of the nation rests right here.

One cannot be anything but cautious.

Liao Jing gained a sudden insight: the Emperor's reluctance to replace Huang Chunhui with Zhang Chumao was likely not only due to Zhang Chumao's background making the Emperor wary, but more importantly, Huang Chunhui's caution and steadfastness.

Yet who could say when the Emperor might suddenly compose a bold song or dance in the Pear Garden and, on a whim, order the Northern Frontier to launch an offensive?

Damn it!

Liao Jing cursed under his breath.

And then he felt exceptionally exhilarated.

Several horsemen galloped over.

"News of victory!"

Huang Chunhui smiled. "Victory from where?"

The messenger galloped along the corridor, reined in his horse close by, and shouted with an exultant posture:

"A victory report from the Left Youhou Army! Just moments ago, the Taiping Army under the Left Youhou Army took Hongcheng in a single battle. Commissioner Liu reports to the Vice-Director, our Northern Frontier army is... mighty!"

"Our first battle is a victory, clean and crisp. Good!"

Huang Chunhui raised a hand.

"Our Northern Frontier army is... mighty!"

Countless sabers and spears were raised high.

"Our Northern Frontier army is... mighty!"

The shouts soared straight into the clouds.

Even the bright spring light seemed veiled by a flurry of swords and shadows.

Jiang Cunzhong clenched his fist hard.

Zhang Du said excitedly, "Zitai has achieved merit."

Jiang Cunzhong said, "Although Hongcheng is small, it is the first city we face directly in this campaign. Commissioner Liu letting Zitai lead the troops to attack is also an intent to groom him."

"Chenzhou has been under a gloomy cloud for years; Commissioner Liu probably couldn't endure it any longer."

"Indeed! Northern Liao is eyeing us like a tiger watching its prey, driving the three major tribes to endlessly harass Chenzhou. In the past, Chenzhou could only hunker down in defense, swallowing a bellyful of humiliation. Breaking a city in one stroke today can be called thoroughly gratifying—refreshing!"

"When will it be our turn?"

Jiang Cunzhong shook his head. "We have to wait for the main enemy army to arrive."

Old generals matched against old generals!

...

Ningxing.

In the Northern Liao imperial palace.

Emperor Helian Feng sat upon the throne, his expression cold.

"The Right Chancellor led an army of one hundred thousand on the offensive; where have they reached?"

An official reported, "Your Majesty, the vanguard is fast; they are likely approaching the Northern Frontier."

Helian Feng looked at his officials. "Huang Chunhui is old and cunning. In the past, he holed up in his lair and refused to move, leaving our countless Northern Liao iron cavalry helpless."

The Great King of the Northern Courtyard, Chen Fangli, who controlled the most powerful tribes in Northern Liao, said, "Your Majesty, this time Huang Chunhui has gone against his usual behavior and taken the initiative to attack. This subject believes we should decisively advance, crush the main force of the Northern Frontier army in one blow, and then sweep across the north of the Great Tang."

"I would like that too," Helian Feng said, a dark shade deepening in his eyes.

Left Chancellor Yelu Chong glanced at Chen Fangli and said, "Since the Great King of the Northern Courtyard controls those tribes, why not lead an army to reinforce the Right Chancellor?"

Chen Fangli said indifferently, "I obey Your Majesty's command."

Helian Feng looked toward Military Affairs Commissioner Xiao Hua.

"You shall lead the troops..."

...

The great army marched continuously.

Right Chancellor Lin Ya, surrounded by a crowd of dignitaries and generals, urged his horse up a small slope on the left.

Ahead, a city was visible.

"The army need not stop; bypass the city."

"Understood!"

Lin Ya lightly stroked his dark, short beard. "It's rare for that black-spotted viper Huang Chunhui to leave his nest. Now that we've grabbed his tail, we cannot let go. We will crush his main force in a single battle."

The people around him all smiled.

"But remember, Helian Feng letting us deploy troops this time is not out of goodwill; he wants to wear down our forces."

Someone asked, "My Lord, if we defeat the Northern Frontier army..."

Lin Ya said indifferently, "Then Helian Feng will regret it bitterly. Once the Northern Frontier army is defeated, our army's morale will soar. Does he think I would still wait for his orders before advancing? Once we take the Northern Frontier, we will plunder immediately. Even if we have to scrape the earth three feet deep, we must expand our forces."

"Yes!"

The crowd roared in assent.

Lin Ya looked back once.

The boundless army was marching rapidly.

The sound of hooves filled his ears, instantly invigorating the spirit.

"Huang Chunhui should be waiting for us. Faster!"

...

Eighty thousand troops were on the march.

The Left Youhou Army was withdrawn to rest, replaced by the roving scouts led by Zhang Du.

The Prince of Wei was in the central army, watching the Left Youhou Army wait ahead, and remarked, "The Taiping Army is not entirely useless."

Huang Ping nodded. "Indeed. My Lord, perhaps we should have gone to Lin'an or Tao County in the first place."

The Prince of Wei shook his head. "Since we have come, we cannot change course."

Originally, setting up their garrison in Taiping had been done with the thought that Chenzhou and the Northern Frontier would turn their gaze there and subsequently dispatch troops.

Troops dispatched that way would be allied forces, the easiest to win over, so he would finally have a power base of his own.

Yet who would have thought Chenzhou would remain silent?

Tao County would remain silent.

Both places seemed to have forgotten this Prince of Wei, utterly unconcerned that the three major tribes might mobilize and kill this imperial prince.

At this moment, the Prince of Wei understood that it wasn't that Chenzhou and Tao County didn't care, but rather that Liu Qing and Huang Chunhui were certain the Taiping Army could ensure his safety.

Liu Qing led several men along the corridor to the great banner.

"Well done."

Huang Chunhui nodded. He only needed to give a summary; the rest was Liao Jing's affair.

"The central army was most worried that you lot would drag your feet during the attack. Once the defenders catch their breath, it becomes hard to fight," Liao Jing praised. "Attacking like thunder—very good."

Liu Qing exchanged a few modest words and then returned to his formation.

Yang Xuan was stopped by Jiang Cunzhong.

"What is the enemy's resolve like?"

"Steadfast!"

Jiang Cunzhong patted his shoulder. "Next time, leave it to us."

Liao Jing glanced at Yang Xuan and said in a low voice, "This lad did well in this battle."

The enemy's resolve was steadfast, but the Tang army's was no less.

Dozens of horsemen chased up from behind.

"A messenger from Chang'an has arrived."

The central army halted.

The massive array stretched beyond the horizon, with only the sounds of coughing and horses neighing audible.

The newcomer was a eunuch. Huang Chunhui smiled, a rare sight. "It is an imperial decree."

The wording of the edict was ornate, praising the bravery and loyalty of the Northern Frontier soldiers, and lauding Huang Chunhui's keen judgment of the situation...

At the very end was the Emperor's encouragement—the goal of this campaign.

——Achieve new merits once more!

Smiling, Huang Chunhui received the edict and gave Liao Jing a look.

Liao Jing clasped the eunuch's hand and smiled. "This court official looks familiar!"

"This..."

The eunuch was about to speak when his sleeve suddenly dipped heavily. Smiling, he gripped Liao Jing's hand back. "This one sees the Northern Frontier army rolling forward mightily, which shows how well Vice-Director Huang commands."

Liao Jing's smile remained unchanged as the eunuch's sleeve dipped a second time. His smile grew even more amiable. "This one also sees the Northern Frontier army's utter loyalty to His Majesty."

"Many thanks."

Liao Jing released his hand. The eunuch cupped his fists and said in a shrill voice, "Vice-Director Huang, this one takes his leave."

Escorted by his men, the eunuch rode out of the army's formation and headed toward Chang'an.

Two miles out, the eunuch looked back at the army, fished out two ingots of silver from his sleeve, and sneered, "This is treating a beggar! Huang Chunhui is growing increasingly arrogant. If this battle is lost, I'll step on him a couple of times—just consider it acting on behalf of Heaven."

The army marched onward, Huang Chunhui's expression unchanged.

Liao Jing was somewhat annoyed. "Achieve new merits once more... Does he expect us to break into Ningxing City and capture Helian Feng alive? Does His Majesty in the palace not know how powerful Northern Liao has become in recent years?"

Huang Chunhui fell silent.

Liao Jing lowered his voice. "Vice-Director, His Majesty's intent is clearly to make us fight a desperate war, but where are the reinforcements?"

"There are no reinforcements," Huang Chunhui shook his head. "Achieve new merits once more—this means they want to see greater battle results. If Helian Chun launches a massive offensive, our army can naturally retreat."

The Northern Frontier could not withstand the might of the entire nation of Northern Liao. If the court ministers in Chang'an could not understand this point, then no one could save the Northern Frontier.

"Urgent report!"

A squad of scouts returned, most of them bathed in blood.

"Vice-Director, we've discovered the enemy's main army approaching."

"How many?"

"Around one hundred thousand."

"Who is leading them?"

"Right Chancellor Lin Ya."

"Good!"

The scouts withdrew.

Liao Jing looked at Huang Chunhui. "Vice-Director!"

Everyone looked at him.

The moment for a decision had arrived.

Should they retreat?

Or should they press forward and fight a decisive battle against the enemy?

Huang Chunhui opened his perpetually drooping eyelids and looked ahead.

He spoke.

"Fight!"