Mo Sang – CH 247

Chapter 247. Two Commanders

The Dong soldiers stationed in Jiuxi Shidong in Xiangxiang suddenly withdrew entirely in the middle of the night.

Xiangxiang was only a hundred li from Changsha. At dawn, General Wu received the report: the Dong soldiers of Xiangxiang had withdrawn without a word.

General Wu’s face turned pale.

He knew why the Northern Qi had suddenly halted their attack; the key was here!

General Wu stood there stunned for a moment, then abruptly stood up, rushed to the huge map, and studied it intently for a quarter of an hour. He took a step back, squinted at the map, and after a while, slammed his hand on it, shouting sharply, “Guards!”

The guards rushed in.

“Summon Zhuang An! Quickly! Immediately!” General Wu commanded sharply.

The guards were startled, responded hastily, and turned to run out.

“Guards!” General Wu called again.

Another guard entered, but General Wu remained silent, his face pale. After a moment of stunned silence, he turned to look at the map, gritted his teeth, and ordered, “Pass on my order! All troops, prepare to depart immediately! Prepare for a forced march to Hangzhou! We must set off before the appointed time!”

The guard stared blankly at General Wu, completely dumbfounded. He thought he must have misheard.

“Go now!” General Wu slammed his hand on the long table.

“Yes, sir!” The guard trembled in fear, hastily replying, then turned and ran, dashing out of the second gate and down the steps before finally realizing what had happened.

All troops immediately set off for Hangzhou! But what about Changsha? Would it be abandoned?

Has Hangzhou fallen?

Zhuang An, who commanded the scouts, followed the guard, running quickly.

General Wu stared directly at Zhuang An, enunciating each word clearly: “Listen! The Northern Qi Army is already advancing on Hangzhou, and there might be more than one force, definitely more than one! They will surely split into several groups and attack Hangzhou.

Hangzhou is in grave danger! It might already be surrounded!

Immediately select fifty of your best scouts, and send one out every fifteen minutes to rush back to Hangzhou and report! Tell them to tell the Emperor that if they do not fight with all their might, the Great Liang will perish!

Hurry, hurry!” General Wu clenched his fists and slammed them forcefully on the long table as he said the last word, “Hurry.”

“Yes!” Zhuang An’s face turned pale as he replied, about to turn around, when General Wu stopped him again. “Wait, I have not finished yet. What are you panicking about?

Select more men and send warnings everywhere! Everywhere! All places! Go now! Go now!” As he finished speaking, a sudden, overwhelming weariness washed over General Wu.

Over the years, these past decades, internally, he had to contend with the life-or-death struggle between two martial families; externally, the princes vied for the throne, and he walked a tightrope, carefully weighing every move, narrowly escaping collapse several times.

In these decades, the need for balancing and caution, for being adept at handling all situations, had become instinctive, causing him to forget the bravery a general should possess and the courage and risk-taking a commander should have.

This decades-long cultivation of balance and caution, this need for careful consideration from all sides, caused him to miss countless opportunities, ultimately leading him and the Great Liang Dynasty into dire straits.

……………………

Li Sangrou was half fleeing for her life, half anxious to return. Her journey from Longbiao City to Shimen was even more hurried and faster than her journey from Shimen to Longbiao City. Each day, aside from three hours of sleep and one meal a day, she spent the rest of her time traveling. When hungry, she would eat small amounts of dry rations as she went.

After passing through the stone gate and standing atop the last small hill, gazing at the boundless Tanzhou Plain and its water towns stretching before her, Li Sangrou finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt truly at ease.

They had gone safely and returned safely.

For the first time in over ten days, the group rested before nightfall, settling into the Shunfeng Post Station.

They enjoyed a hearty and lively meal, then washed thoroughly, slept soundly, and the next morning, the group sat scattered about, chatting and laughing as they ate breakfast.

Li Sangrou looked at Ye Anping and smiled. “Alright, farewell.”

“What exactly happened? You have not told me, and now…” Ye Anping was utterly confused. Ever since he was knocked unconscious in the middle of the night, his confusion had only increased on the journey back.

“I have not said anything because I was not entirely sure myself. It seems there was some unexpected turn of events, a twist of fate, but it should be similar to what you expected. The Dong soldiers from Jiuxi Shidong should have withdrawn by now.”

Although Li Sangrou’s words were vague, her attitude was very serious. “You should go back first. You will find out what happened eventually.”

“Nothing happened in Longbiao City, right?” Ye Anping asked, carefully observing Li Sangrou’s expression. “And that horn? I’ve never heard it before. What am I supposed to say if Ningjiang’s wife asks?”

Ye Anping felt that Li Sangrou’s words were better left unsaid; the more she spoke, the more confused he became.

“I am not entirely sure, but I think even if something’s happened, it will not be anything too serious. At most, it will just be the natural cycle of sunrise and sunset, autumn turning to spring—whatever happens, happens.”

Li Sangrou smiled slightly, paused, and continued, “I only know it is nothing serious. As for anything else, I really do not know. Just go back home and relax. Maybe by the time you get home, the news from Longbiao City will have already arrived.”

“Alright.” Although Ye Anping still could not glean anything from Li Sangrou’s long speech, he decided to listen to her and go back first.

Sigh, he could only go back first. She was right; if something really happened in Longbiao City, how could she possibly know?

She had not even been able to enter the city!

Watching Ye Anping pack his bags and depart with his servants and guards, Li Sangrou called Dong Chao into the house. She handed him a small, tightly sealed silk pouch, covered in lacquer stamps with the character “Sang” on it, and instructed, “Go to the Ye family in Wuwei Prefecture immediately and personally deliver this to Young Master Ye Ningjiang.

First, be quick; you must get there before Ye Anping. Second, keep it a secret—I know, you know, and Ye Ningjiang knows. Third, tell Ye Ningjiang that everything is as he wished, except this little thing is useless; return it to him.”

Dong Chao listened attentively, carefully tucked the silk pouch into his robes, picked up a horse, and headed straight for Wuwei Prefecture.

Li Sangrou watched Dong Chao ride off, one horse after another, at breakneck speed, and slowly exhaled.

This trip to Longbiao City, in the end, was not so bad after all.

……………………

General Chu Xing, stationed at Baling, had always known he was not particularly intelligent, but in the past month or two, his self-assessment had plummeted from “not very smart” to “utterly stupid.”

Alas, he simply could not understand it.

Everything was fine at first, and then suddenly, as if possessed, everything changed!

Since last autumn, he and his commander had been busy with the siege of Changsha, barely even enjoying the New Year.

After the New Year, the commander returned to Baling, ready to launch the siege of Changsha. He, as the vanguard, was fully armored, waiting for the commander’s order to charge.

But then, the commander gave the order: the warships turned west and sailed down the river. He was ordered to stay put, and then the commander, with forty or fifty thousand men, vanished without a trace!

That day, when he received the order to lead the troops to besiege Changsha, he was completely dumbfounded.

The troops he was given were the same ones he’d had when he was the vanguard. These troops were far too few, not even compared to the ruthless, bloodthirsty soldiers of Jiuxi Shidong, or even the Southern Liang Army in Changsha!

How could they possibly besiege it? They could not even hold it!

But after thinking it over all night and finally mustering the courage to discuss this with the Commander-in-Chief, he found the commander’s tent empty!

He could only stare at the empty tent, guarding the secret plan left by the commander, sending men out to scout Changsha once a day.

The Commander-in-Chief had told him to send scouts daily and that he would know when to attack Changsha at a glance.

Later, he really did know at a glance. He was not just sure he knew; he was completely stunned!

That day, two scouts, nearly breathless, staring blankly as if they’d seen a ghost, reported that Changsha was empty, all four gates wide open, the Southern Liang Army gone, not a single one left!

He was stunned.

At that moment, he thought it over and over again, meticulously recalling what the Commander-in-Chief had said: when the time comes to besiege Changsha, he would know.

The commander-in-chief definitely meant besiege, not garrison!

Having lived for nearly forty years, for the first time, he felt he was not just not very smart but exceptionally stupid!

……………………

When Li Sangrou and her group arrived at Baling City at top speed, the main camp outside the city was gone. The remaining half of the old Yunmeng Guards, who had stayed in Baling City to wait for them, took turns guarding the city gates. Upon seeing Li Sangrou and her group, they rushed forward to greet them.

Upon hearing that the army had already headed to Changsha, Li Sangrou gathered everyone together, had a meal at an inn outside the city, and immediately set off for Changsha.

Outside Changsha City, there was no siege, not even a military camp. The imperial flag and military flag of the Great Qi Dynasty flew high atop the city walls.

A li or two from the city gate, Li Sangrou reined in her horse, squinting at the Great Qi imperial banner fluttering atop Changsha’s city walls. A moment later, she shook the reins and spurred her horse straight towards Changsha.

Chu Xing, furrowing his brow as he wrote a memorial, heard that Boss Li had arrived. He threw down his pen and trotted out to greet her.

“Boss Li is here! You should have told me sooner! I should have greeted you outside the city! Were you not supposed to be building some kind of tower in Yuzhang City? Why did you just show up like that?

You know we’ve taken Changsha? This Changsha was not taken; it was practically handed to us! Sigh, this matter…

Never mind, Boss Li seems to have lost weight. Please come in, Boss Li. What kind of tea would you like, Boss Li? The finest Changsha tea, please try some.” Chu Xing, who had trotted to meet Li Sangrou outside the second gate, turned and spoke in rapid succession without a single pause.

“Where’s the Commander-in-Chief? How did they manage to take Changsha for free? Where’s General Wu’s army?” Li Sangrou seized an opportunity to interrupt.

“I do not know how we got it for free! Tell me, is this shameful? Have I performed a great service or committed a grave mistake?

These past few days, I’ve been waiting anxiously for news from the Commander-in-Chief. I feel this is not a great service; it is a grave mistake!

This Changsha city was abandoned by the Southern Liang soldiers! They just left it there! The four gates were wide open, and not a single Southern Liang soldier was left! We just walked right in!

Do not even mention me; even the Southern Liang prefect did not know what happened. He even asked me where their General Wu was!

Look at that question! You are all Southern Liang people… Pah! Pah! I misspoke again! I’ve been reprimanded several times. Without you, Southern Liang, it would all be our Great Qi.

What I mean is, they are all Southern Liang officials, colleagues!

Even their own colleagues do not know; how could I, a general of the Great Qi, possibly know?

Damn it! Ugh, their Commander Wu has vanished somewhere! And those Dong soldiers are gone too! Just like that!

Damn it!

Boss, tell me, what kind of mess is this?” Chu Xing clapped his hands repeatedly.

The more he talked, the more he felt incredibly stupid!

“Where’s the Commander? Your Commander?” Li Sangrou looked speechless at Chu Xing, who was talking like a fountain.

“I do not know! About a month ago, the Commander suddenly told me to lead troops to besiege Changsha and gave me only a small force. I was puzzled all night, and the next day I wanted to go and complain to the Commander, but when I got to the tent, it was empty! The Commander was nowhere to be found!

I knew it! Why did they only leave me such a small force? Turns out, even such a small force is unnecessary!

The Commander-in-Chief is truly wise and valiant!

But this matter, tell me, what kind of matter is this? Their Southern Liang family’s Commander-in-Chief has vanished without a trace, and our commander-in-chief—we do not even know where he is!” Chu Xing sighed deeply.

“Where is Master Wen?” Li Sangrou frowned.

“They said he went to Jiangzhou City, or Yangzhou City, but I only half-listened; I did not quite catch it.” Chu Xing scratched his head.

To be honest, it was not his place to know where Master Wen was.

Although Master Wen had no official rank, he was far more important than he, a general, was.

“Does Master Wen know that Wu Huaiguo abandoned Changsha City?” Li Sangrou continued to ask.

“No, he did not. After I found out, I immediately wrote a memorial and rushed to Jianle City, also sending letters to Jiangzhou City and Ezhou City.

These are all instructions from the Commander-in-Chief. He said that on the day I raised my troops to besiege Changsha and on the day I captured Changsha, I should immediately send a memorial to Jianle City and write letters to Jiangzhou City and Ezhou City.

Sending a report of victory to Jianle City is standard procedure. I do not know why I should write to Jiangzhou City. The reason I should write to Ezhou City is that the officials chosen by the court are waiting there,” Chu Xing answered quickly and in detail.

“Where do you think your Commander-in-Chief is? What about General Wu?” Li Sangrou asked, frowning.

Chu Xing spread his hands, a dry laugh on his face.

“Then think about it: if you were the commander-in-chief, where would you go?” Li Sangrou asked again.

“What are you saying, Boss? I am just a warrior, good at charging into battle and conquering cities! But when it comes to strategic deployments, I am really not good at it.

It’s not that I do not want to; it is that I simply cannot think of anything.

If we were both forced into the role of commander-in-chief, I’d definitely be no match for you. You should think of it yourself; it will definitely be more effective than me,” Chu Xing said, his expression and words utterly sincere.

He had now re-evaluated himself. Thinking for the Commander-in-Chief—before, he might have dared to even consider it. Now, how could he possibly do it? He simply did not dare!

Li Sangrou was silent for a moment, then sighed.

Asking Chu Xing to put himself in Gu Xi’s shoes, to figure out how he would arrange things, how he would deploy resources, and where General Wu had gone—it was indeed too much to ask of him.

Li Sangrou could also not figure out where Gu Xi had gone, nor where General Wu had gone after withdrawing from Changsha. She could not think of anything either.

Strategic planning, using the entire world as a Weiqi board, was not something ordinary people could do; at least, she could not.

“I will go check out Jiangzhou City, have a meal, and then leave,” Li Sangrou sighed again.

“Alright! I will have someone cook right away. Is the Boss alone? Where are Da Chang and Hei Ma? Oh! I know, I know! Do not worry, do not worry! Someone, come here!” Chu Xing shouted.

After eating, bathing, and changing into clean clothes, Li Sangrou and her group boarded their boats and sailed downstream towards Baling, intending to first proceed to Ezhou.

Pan Dingjiang in Ezhou knew even less about Gu Xi’s plans than Chu Xing; he did not even know Gu Xi was not in Changsha.

Li Sangrou’s group of three or four boats headed straight for Jiangzhou without stopping.

Upon arriving in Jiangzhou, they learned that Master Wen had already gone to Yangzhou. The people of Jiangzhou were completely unaware of any plans; they only knew that Master Wen had arrived and transferred all of Jiangzhou’s warships westward down the river.

Li Sangrou’s ships replenished their supplies and baggage in Jiangzhou, along with some crossbows and bows, before heading straight for Jiangdu.