Chapter 245: Exploiting the Weakness
Yang Zhengshan and Wang Bin exchanged only a few words before going to freshen up.
The next morning, the two met again.
"The Marquis is asking about our next move. He said that if we don’t advance westward, we should head directly to Fushan City to rendezvous with him. What do you think?"
Inside the military tent, Wang Bin spoke as he referred to the letter sent by Liang Chu.
Yang Zhengshan fell into deep thought.
Judging by the current battle situation, Chongshan Town seemed to have the upper hand. However, the key to this war lay in Fushan City.
As long as Fushan City remained standing, the Daling Nation could still survive.
Moreover, the Daling Nation was not without a chance to turn the tide. Four of the Seven Great Tribes were stationed around Fushan City, commanding a total of one hundred thousand Hu cavalry.
If it came to a direct confrontation, even if all five military divisions gathered beneath Fushan City, it would still be a brutal battle. Victory or defeat remained uncertain.
Of course, even if Darong ultimately lost this war, the Eastern Sea Hu Tribe would also suffer irreversible damage.
Darong had deep foundations—losing a hundred thousand troops would not shake its core. However, the Eastern Sea Hu Tribe had already lost two large tribes and nearly a hundred small and medium-sized tribes. They had suffered a severe blow to their strength.
It would take them at least ten to twenty years to recover.
"We won’t advance westward, but we also won’t rush to meet the Marquis!" After a brief pause, Yang Zhengshan spoke.
"Then what do we do next?" Wang Bin asked in confusion.
Yang Zhengshan raised his head and looked at the map beside him, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.
"We exploit the situation!"
Wang Bin also looked at the map but still did not fully understand.
He knew the strategy of 'exploiting the fire to loot'—it was one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems. He had studied them extensively.
However, studying them did not mean understanding them, understanding them did not mean knowing how to use them, and knowing how to use them did not guarantee victory.
Yang Zhengshan continued, "When the enemy suffers, we seize the advantage."
"Now that the Marquis has besieged Fushan City, this is precisely when the enemy is at their most vulnerable. The one hundred thousand Hu cavalry stationed around Fushan City cannot be easily mobilized—this is our opportunity."
"If we join the Marquis now, we will only end up hiding in the main camp for the time being, unable to engage in battle."
"But what if we head north instead?"
As he spoke, Yang Zhengshan pointed to the northern region of Fushan City on the map.
There were four large tribes around Fushan City, but they did not all reside within or immediately near the city.
The Eastern Sea Hu Tribe did not have vast territories nor excel in agriculture. They could not support a massive city. Fushan City itself housed only tens of thousands of residents, making it smaller than a provincial city in Darong.
So where were the people of these four large tribes?
That’s right—they were in the northern region of Fushan City.
That area was the most densely populated region of the Eastern Sea Hu Tribe.
Currently, the royal court of Fushan City had likely deployed the majority of its military force to defend the city, leaving the northern region sparsely defended.
"We exploit the opening, sweep through everything, and cut off Fushan City's supply lines. That way, Fushan City will collapse without a fight!" Yang Zhengshan declared.
The northern region of Fushan City contained numerous settlements that provided essential supplies to the city. If those settlements were razed, it wouldn’t be long before Fushan City ran out of food.
Without logistical support, how long could one hundred thousand soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians survive inside and outside of Fushan City?
Once Fushan City was isolated, it would fall without a single attack.
One hundred thousand troops were not so easily sustained!
Upon hearing Yang Zhengshan’s explanation, Wang Bin’s eyes immediately lit up.
"Brilliant, Brother Yang! This is an absolutely brilliant plan!"
If Yang Zhengshan's prediction was correct, they could crush the Eastern Sea Hu Tribe entirely.
Yang Zhengshan added, "However, to sweep through the northern region of Fushan City, we alone are not enough!"
That region housed four to five hundred thousand Hu people, nearly one-third of the entire Eastern Sea Hu Tribe.
Even though Fushan City had already deployed one hundred thousand Hu cavalry, there were still at least one hundred thousand remaining able-bodied men.
Furthermore, the city was close by, meaning that Fushan City could send reinforcements at any moment.
Even if they only dispatched twenty thousand cavalry, it would force them into a disadvantageous position.
Meanwhile, if Fushan City lost twenty thousand troops, Liang Chu could seize the opportunity to attack, forcing the enemy into a defensive stance.
With only four thousand soldiers, trying to face tens of thousands of Hu warriors and twenty thousand cavalry would not be 'exploiting the fire' but rather walking into a trap.
So, they needed more troops.
"You mean...?" Wang Bin asked.
Yang Zhengshan smirked.
"We call in General Zhou!"
Wang Bin's expression shifted slightly before he too fell into contemplation.
Call in Zhou Lan?
He had already heard that Zhou Lan had defeated the Qijia Tribe.
But if Zhou Lan came, wouldn’t he seize the initiative?
No, there was no distinction between host and guest here. If anything, they were all intruders.
"This matter needs the Marquis' approval," Wang Bin said.
Yang Zhengshan nodded. "Of course!"
This was a major strategic shift that deviated from Liang Chu's original plan, so his approval was necessary.
Moreover, they needed Liang Chu's cooperation—without it, this plan would be nothing but an illusion.
After receiving Yang Zhengshan’s agreement, Wang Bin immediately penned a letter and sent it to the Zhenbiao Battalion’s main camp.
When Liang Chu received Yang Zhengshan’s strategy, he pondered over it for a long time before gathering his advisors for an extended discussion.
The plan was risky, but it was also a highly effective strategy.
Battlefields were ever-changing, and every plan carried a degree of risk. They couldn’t dismiss a feasible plan simply because of the dangers involved.
"Marquis, I believe this plan is viable. If Fushan City sends reinforcements, we can seize the city. If they don’t, then with the loss of their northern supply lines, Fushan City will fall without a fight!" said Lu Zhongdao.
Liang Chu furrowed his brows and said, “But if Fushan City dispatches reinforcements, the soldiers in the northern region will be in grave danger!”
“Does the Marquis not trust Generals Wang and Zhou, as well as Lord Yang?” Lu Zhongdao urged.
Liang Chu pondered for a moment before asking, “Then what if we mobilize soldiers from other divisions to act together?”
He was considering whether to bring in all six Deputy Generals, which would significantly reduce the risk for Wang Bin and Zhou Lan.
Lu Zhongdao shook his head. “If we do that, this will no longer be a strategic raid but an all-out battle.”
With two military divisions, they could still launch a swift assault on Fushan City’s northern region. However, if all six divisions were deployed, the enemy would likely receive early intelligence.
At that point, Fushan City would probably mobilize all its forces outside the city, turning it into a large-scale battle.
“Besides, without the Marquis present, the six Deputy Generals may struggle to coordinate effectively,” Lu Zhongdao pointed out another issue.
The six Deputy Generals were one matter, but among them was also a Vice Commander.
If they were to merge into a single force, who would take command?
Would they listen to Ji Feiyu?
But this strategy was devised by Wang Bin and Yang Zhengshan. Would Ji Feiyu follow their lead?
Would they follow Wang Bin and Yang Zhengshan?
That was even less likely. Rank is authority, and Wang Bin's position was lower than Ji Feiyu’s—his influence wouldn’t be enough to command the other generals.
Liang Chu nodded in agreement. “You’re right. We cannot involve too many others in this plan.”
After another brief moment of contemplation, he declared, “Then we’ll proceed as they suggested. Send orders to Zhou Lan immediately—she is to lead her forces and rendezvous with Wang Bin.”
Since the decision was made, Liang Chu wasted no time. That very day, he dispatched two separate messengers—one to Zhou Lan, the other to Wang Bin—to deliver the orders.
…
Harahun Mountains, Northern Region
In the Harahun Mountains, Zhou Lan’s reinforcement battalion had just finished annihilating a mid-sized Hu tribe.
The battlefield was covered in blood, with severed limbs scattered across the ground. Soldiers, their faces stained with gore, were busy collecting spoils from the battlefield.
"Hu San, take those dried meats outside and have Doctor Zhang check them for poison!"
"Lu Da, go inform Lord Zhao Yuan that we’ve captured a lot of sheep. Ask him to send a group of civilian laborers to drive them away!"
"Li Laosi, what are you doing? Be careful with those yurts! We can still use them!"
Among the soldiers directing the cleanup was Yang Mingzhi.
Though still serving as the Zhenfu (Commander) of Jianing Guard, since joining the campaign, he had been acting as Zhou Lan’s aide—essentially one of her trusted bodyguards.
At that moment, a group of riders approached from a distance.
"Mingzhi! Mingzhi!"
Even before the people arrived, the voice had already reached his ears.
Yang Mingzhi turned toward the sound and saw Zhao Yuan leading a dozen soldiers, with Yang Chengxu following close behind.
"Lord Zhao, you’re just in time! I have a whole flock of sheep here—hurry and send for laborers to herd them away!"
Seeing Zhao Yuan, Yang Mingzhi sounded somewhat impatient.
Yes, he was truly anxious.
Zhou Lan’s leadership style was decisive and swift—her speed in raiding Hu settlements was no slower than Yang Zhengshan’s.
But the problem was that Yang Zhengshan had Wang Bin and Wang Sheng handling cleanup operations after him. Zhou Lan, on the other hand, could only rely on Zhao Yuan and Yang Mingzhi.
Zhao Yuan’s responsibilities were mainly logistics and transporting war spoils, while Yang Mingzhi had to both fight on the battlefield and manage the aftermath.
Every time a battle ended, he would be overwhelmed with tasks.
Seeing his exasperated state, Zhao Yuan chuckled, "Alright, leave this to me. The General is looking for you—better go quickly!"
Yang Mingzhi hesitated for a moment. "The General? What does she need me for?"
"I’m not entirely sure, but it seems to be a military order," Zhao Yuan replied.
"Alright, I’ll head over now!" Without delay, Yang Mingzhi strode quickly toward the edge of the battlefield.
After he left, Zhao Yuan turned to look at the sheep pen nearby. He then instructed Yang Chengxu, "Go find some laborers to move these sheep out."
"Got it!" Yang Chengxu nodded and jogged away.
However, instead of searching for laborers, he caught up with Yang Mingzhi.
"Uncle Mingzhi!"
"Hmm?" Yang Mingzhi slowed his pace.
Yang Chengxu ran up beside him and lowered his voice, "I heard that Grandfather Zhengshan has already wiped out several more Hu tribes. He has completely eradicated all the tribes east of Black Cloud Mountain!"
Information spread slowly within the army—only when someone returned to Jianing Guard would they bring updates.
Hearing this, Yang Mingzhi smiled, "I told you—there’s no need to worry about him."
Despite his words, he himself was the one who worried the most.
After all, Yang Zhengshan was his own father.
"Heh, I’m not worried about Grandfather Zhengshan—I just think he’s incredible!" Yang Chengxu grinned, dimples appearing on his cheeks.
He did feel concern, but more than that, he felt immense pride.
Yang Zhengshan’s fearsome reputation as the 'God of Slaughter' had now spread across all of Chongshan Town, reaching even their ears.
It was an inspiring thought—they all longed to fight alongside him, riding freely across the battlefield.
By comparison, their own nickname, 'Yang Clan’s Five Tigers,' was only known within Zhou Lan’s reinforcement battalion and Jianing Guard. The difference in prestige was staggering.
Yang Mingzhi laughed heartily, "Alright, go back to your duties."
Yang Chengxu nodded and dashed away, while Yang Mingzhi headed straight for Zhou Lan’s command post.