Chapter 22: A Meeting Between Master and Disciple

In the camp of Huang Chao's grass army, within the grand commander’s felt tent, behind the curtains, Zhu Wen’s expression was solemn as he looked across at his master.

“Liang Yu, sit down,” Huang Chao gestured for Zhu Wen to take a seat. “You mean to say you have completely seen through Marshal Xue Qi Kerang’s plan and have devised a countermeasure?”

If Qi Kerang’s scheme could be unraveled by a young man, he would not deserve the fearsome title of “Marshal Xue” that struck terror across the world.

Many who were once confident and experienced thought they had figured out how to foil Qi Kerang’s stratagems. The result? They either died or had their military careers ended. Those who suffered such crushing defeats never had a second chance to lead troops again.

Yet Huang Chao always believed in the boundless potential of youth. If the Four Great Marshals of the Tang Dynasty maintained their legendary reputations until their deaths, the world would become far too dull.

So, naturally, he listened intently to Zhu Wen’s opinions.

Zhu Wen lifted his robe and slowly sat down on the crescent-shaped stool. “Master, you should remember that I once mentioned I am from Songzhou. Based on my years of experience, even if the Northern Bian River were fully excavated, the water volume might still be insufficient.”

Huang Chao replied, “As long as the floodwaters can submerge our camp in Yanwang City to half the height of a man, we would be forced to relocate. We cannot afford to stay in such wet and muddy conditions...”

Zhu Wen countered, “But what if even fully digging open the Northern Bian River can’t achieve even the initial flooding of our camp?”

Huang Chao was startled. “How did you come to that conclusion?”

“Just personal experience and intuition,” Zhu Wen sighed. “A young man like me does not possess Qi Kerang’s meticulous calculating ability.”

“Then we can’t afford to gamble,” Huang Chao said. “I have also thought that Qi Kerang’s threat of breaching the dam is merely a ruse to lure us into interference, thereby draining our troops’ strength and morale...”

“There is one more point,” Zhu Wen added. “A flood that devastates farmland, homes, and drowns civilians and livestock would hardly befit Marshal Xue’s reputation as a benevolent general.”

Huang Chao chuckled dryly. “Compassion does not command armies, righteousness does not manage wealth, sentiment does not accomplish affairs, and kindness does not govern. This is a life-or-death battlefield. Qi Kerang, who rose to command a regional army, would hardly be so naive. Early on, he fought fiercely alongside Zhang Yichao against the Tibetans and once slaughtered an entire fortress. He is no stranger to bloodshed.”

“But if civilian casualties can be avoided, Marshal Xue would surely try his best to avoid them,” Zhu Wen said confidently. “Moreover, the people of Songzhou are all Han civilians, not some barbarian tribes.”

Huang Chao pondered quietly, as if struck by a thought. “Qi Kerang has indeed never been known to massacre Han civilians indiscriminately. After suppressing rebellions, he only executed the leaders and pacified the rest before dispersing them. But when enemies are as fierce as fire and water, how can we rely on the enemy general’s mercy?”

“Of course, in warfare, we cannot hope for the enemy’s kindness,” Zhu Wen said firmly. “But the enemy’s past conduct can at least serve as one factor in our judgment.”

“Qi Kerang is a renowned commander, and his actions must be closely connected, like iron chains, with no detail overlooked.”

“I tried to immerse myself in the mindset of the Four Great Marshals of the Tang and consider what purpose Qi Kerang’s setup might serve.”

At that moment, Zhu Wen’s eyes shone with an indomitable confidence, surprising even Huang Chao with the boldness of his student.

“Liang Yu, if you have any thoughts, speak freely.”

“Thank you, Master.” Zhu Wen clasped his hands respectfully. “Presently, Qi Kerang’s plan consists of three parts: first, digging the dike; second, tunnels; and third, earth mounds.”

“We previously judged that the tunnel attack was meant to distract our troops as cover for digging the dike. But if Qi Kerang’s goal is to have us discover the dike digging early and rush to obstruct it, thereby exhausting our morale in the forest where our war chariots are at a disadvantage, then why bother with the unlikely tunnel warfare?”

“The earth mounds seem designed to suppress our troops from above, making it difficult for us to sally forth for open battle. Yet our soldiers have been fighting far away in the northern forest on the south bank of the Northern Bian River, while the mounds in front of our camp continue to be built and grow in number. Could it be that Qi Kerang’s logistics camp has too many idle men?”

Huang Chao, a man of great intelligence, felt a sudden flash of clarity upon hearing Zhu Wen’s analysis, as if the clouds parted and the sun shone through. But he did not interrupt, only silently calculating with his fingers, signaling Zhu Wen to continue.

“Furthermore, if the dike is breached and water floods in, the tunnels would also be inundated, which would not help a water assault,” Zhu Wen reasoned. “But if Qi Kerang’s aim is precisely to channel floodwaters into the tunnels, why would he do that?”

“Our advantage lies in our chariots,” Huang Chao said resolutely. “We rely on the long march of our war chariots, supported by light cavalry. Previous battles proved that even the heavily armored cavalry of the Pinglu army could not break the sharp edge of our chariots.”

“Exactly,” Zhu Wen said. “If breaching the dike is insufficient to flood our camp, the flowing river water will turn the ground into mud, hindering our chariots’ maneuverability.”

“Also, I noticed that the tunnels dug by the Taining army are mostly quite shallow, which is why our trenches easily intercepted them. But such shallow tunnels, once their tops are uncovered, become a network of interconnected trenches. Once the Northern Bian River dike is breached, the river water will pour in, turning the battlefield into a swamp!”

Huang Chao said, “So the earth mounds being continually built are actually forward camps. When Zhuge Wuhou confronted Sima Zhongda at Wuzhangyuan, he too built successive forward camps. Within two months, he advanced camp by camp to the Wugong River, crossing floating bridges with tiger-step infantry and firing powerful crossbows, decisively defeating the Wei forces. Had Zhuge Wuhou not died from exhaustion early, Sima Zhongda would have been pressed to the Wei army’s camp edge, forced into a decisive battle.”

“The soldiers of Wu and Chu excelled in assaulting camps. Qi Kerang’s ‘Three Thousand Yue Armored Soldiers’ wield swords and knives, suited for close combat—aren’t they precisely the troops of Wu and Chu?”

Though the atmosphere in the tent remained calm on the surface, the world reflected in the eyes of master and student was a tempest of thunder and lightning.

When the surging lightning finally faded, the hidden truths cast off all disguises, becoming crystal clear.

There is only one truth. And if one can glimpse the true layout of the enemy’s plan, then the key to victory in the campaign lies entirely within grasp.

Zhu Wen was stirred within, his breath slightly ragged as he spoke. “During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, southern armies often employed the tactic of assaulting camps. In narrow encampments, cavalry could not charge freely, and the northern long spear formations were also ineffective, but the southern infantry’s sword-and-shield tactics swept all before them.”

“But the key to assaulting camps is surprise. Only by pushing the front line right up to the enemy camp can infantry launch a thunderous strike.”

“So digging the dike, tunneling, and building earth mounds all serve to pave the way for this camp assault strategy. Each part of the plan restricts our chariots’ strengths, linked like golden chains—ingenious and flawless.”

Huang Chao was silent for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Well said! The Four Great Marshals of the Tang Dynasty truly act with extraordinary skill. Liang Yu, your analysis is indeed the most plausible within the thought processes of a strategist like Qi Kerang.”

“However...” Huang Chao shrugged, “Qi Kerang’s plan is like a celestial net, watertight and flawless. Even if one or two links falter, it does not seem to affect the overall situation. For example, now that you and I see through his plan, it only means his conspiracy has become an overt strategy.”

“But you said earlier, Liang Yu, that you have a way to break the deadlock.”

Zhu Wen smiled faintly, but secretly clenched his left fist to lend more confidence to his words.

“Even in an overt strategy, before it is fully set in motion, there are still flaws. Like the finest chain, it is welded together—before it is completely joined, gaps remain.”

“Qi Kerang’s style is to strike last and hard. If we seize the gaps in his plan and strike first, then strong enemies can be broken, and the momentum will be ours. The fate of this battle, life or death, will fall into our hands!”

Huang Chao laughed heartily too.

He slapped Zhu Wen’s shoulder with force.

“The younger generation is truly formidable! You were right from the start—what is there to fear from Marshal Xue Qi Kerang?”

Huang Chao raised his voice solemnly. “After this battle, the position of chief strategist in our army belongs to you and no one else. Your name will spread throughout the land as a brilliant mind rivaling the Four Great Marshals of the Tang!”

Having heard Zhu Wen’s plan, he was remarkably confident about the great battle for Songzhou!