Chapter 116: Zhuge's Ingenious Strategy

"Raising the enemy's morale while dampening our own," Han Dang muttered, sipping fine wine, his face flushed with intoxication.

After the banquet, the various generals returned to their respective residences.

In the military camps outside Xiacai, soldiers were boiling meat soup. The oily foam floating on the surface gave off a rich, savory aroma.

"I heard the military inspector sent by the Chancellor this time is here to keep an eye on General Han."

"Isn't that the duty of an inspector, to supervise?"

"No, the nature of this is different. This inspector, Kuai Yue, is watching General Han's every move. They say it's for some new policy."

Han Dang rode his horse, his expression slightly grim. Beside him, Wu Jing also looked troubled. Han Dang said, "Bring that soldier to see me alone. I want to ask him where he got this information."

At Han Dang's residence:

"Your humble servant pays respects to the General!"

Han Dang's expression was calm, yet carried an inherent air of authority. "Where did you hear these rumors? Speak!"

"I... I don't know, General. Others were talking about it, and it just reached my ears!" the soldier said, his face pale with terror.

"What else did you hear?"

"I also heard..."

"Speak, or I shall have you beheaded to sacrifice the flag!"

"I will speak, I will speak!" the soldier stammered. "They also said that the General's expedition to Xuzhou greatly pleased the Chancellor. Without the generals' obstruction, it would be much easier to promote the new policy among the gentry."

*Bang!* Han Dang slammed his massive palm against the table, the sharp crack making the soldier jump. "Don't kill me, General! Don't kill me!"

"Issue a strict order: from this day forward, no more rumors are to be spread in the army. Anyone caught doing so will be beheaded and displayed to the public!"

"Yes!"

"It seems there is no time to lose. We must achieve a quick victory over Liu Bei. If we delay too long and allow those gentry to unite, it will be greatly disadvantageous to us!"

"Summon the generals! We hold a council immediately!"

"Have the siege engines arrived?"

"Reporting to the General, they have all arrived."

Sun Fu stepped forward: "General, I have a letter to present."

"Bring it here." Han Dang took the letter after Sun Fu presented it and retired. Han Dang discarded the bamboo cylinder, opened the letter, and read it carefully, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The other generals looked on in confusion. "General, is there some good news?"

"It is from one of Liu Bei's officials, Mi Zhu, who was formerly an official under Tao Qian. Tao Qian had long harbored a grudge against Cao Cao, and upon his death, he entrusted Xuzhou to Liu Bei, charging him to defend against Cao Cao." Han Dang happily stowed the letter away. "Now, this Mi Zhu, deeply respectful of his former master Tao Qian, is stifled by Liu Bei's intention to surrender to Cao Cao. Thus, he wishes to defect to our side. Moreover, he knows a side path that can bypass the heavy defenses of Lingbi and reach their rear directly."

Kuai Yue stepped forward and bowed to Han Dang: "Does the General know what kind of terrain is mentioned in the letter?"

"The area around Gaixia is full of rivers. Mi Zhu will meet our main force there and guide us into the rear of Lingbi!" Han Dang said excitedly. "Once we are behind Lingbi, we can advance to Pengcheng or encircle Lingbi. Tell me, how will Liu Bei defend against that?!"

"I never expected this journey to be so easy."

"To have such a military achievement just by coming here—this trip was truly the right decision!"

"I hear Liu Bei is inside Lingbi. When we encircle the city, we might even capture him alive!"

Ignoring the generals' excitement, Kuai Yue bowed and said: "General, relying on a single letter is somewhat imprudent. The area around Gaixia is full of lakes. In the past, Xiang Yu was trapped there with nowhere to retreat and nowhere to advance. To march there so rashly could lead to great disaster!"

These words fell like a bucket of cold water, yet they did not wake the generals; they only chilled the atmosphere. Han Dang stared coldly at Kuai Yue: "Military Advisor, you are only here to watch my words and actions. My current course of action serves the Chancellor and the people. Tell me, what right does an inspector have to interfere?"

"Have you ever fought a battle, Military Advisor? To judge today's military situation based on past events is to delay the war effort. Didn't Cao Cao defeat Yuan Shao's army of two hundred thousand only after listening to Xu You? I am the commander in this tent. When it is not your time to speak, keep your mouth shut! If you dare to speak again, you will be beheaded!"

Ling Tong stepped forward and bowed: "General, what Military Advisor Kuai says is not without merit. If the entire army enters Gaixia and falls into a trap, it will be a catastrophe. The Advisor's concerns are for your sake. I hope the General will reconsider!"

Han Dang looked at Ling Tong, recognizing him as the son of Ling Cao. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Very well. I will lead forty thousand men to Gaixia, and the rest will remain behind."

"Military Advisor, you stay here in the tent."

That night, Kuai Yue frowned at the map, his meal long since gone cold. "Subordinate Ling Tong, here to see the Military Advisor."

"Come in."

Ling Tong bowed to Kuai Yue. "Greetings, Military Advisor."

"Did your father send you?" Kuai Yue looked up briefly before returning to the map.

"No, it was the Chancellor's instructions that I must consult the Military Advisor while in the camp." Ling Tong asked, "Why are you so opposed to the General's plan? What if this really is a golden opportunity?"

Kuai Yue, his face full of worry, said: "It is not. I know Mi Zhu. He is a man of grace, generosity, and integrity. Once he chooses a master, he is absolutely loyal and does not change easily. You must remember that after Liu Bei arrived in Xuzhou, it was Mi Zhu who followed Tao Qian's final order to make Liu Bei the Governor of Xuzhou, even refusing Cao Cao's recruitment. You know that the Chancellor recently slaughtered many officials—even Lady Dong was not spared. It is even more impossible for Mi Zhu to surrender to our army."

"Furthermore, Liu Bei has a strategist named Xu Shu. He is a man of meticulous thought; he would never stand by and watch Mi Zhu lead troops into the rear of Lingbi."

"Then, Military Advisor, I will go tell the General!"

"No. If you speak too much, you will bring death upon yourself. Go back and rest. Remember, when you follow the army into Gaixia, if there is an ambush, you must break out—do not fight to the death. I have one more person to see."

Kuai Yue put away the map, saw Ling Tong out, and headed toward another tent.

Outside Han Dang's tent, Kuai Yue clutched at a final chance. "Subordinate Kuai Yue, seeking an audience with the General!"

"The General has retired. If you have anything to discuss, come back tomorrow. The General has ordered that anyone who lingers will be executed on the spot!"

Kuai Yue clenched his fists tightly and left the tent, but he did not return to his own. He had one more person to visit.

At Sun Ben's camp:

"Kuai Yue seeks to see General Sun Ben!"

Sun Ben, having just washed his feet, looked out of the tent. "Talk about it tomorrow!"

"This matter is of the utmost importance. I know I offend the General, but I must see you!"

Sun Ben looked at his attendants, then dressed himself. "Come in!"

Kuai Yue bowed to Sun Ben. "Greetings, General."

"Say what you have to say. I must reorganize the troops tomorrow."

Kuai Yue said: "Tomorrow, please do not guard Xiacai. Instead, lead your troops to camp five miles outside of Gaixia."

"Nonsense! If I don't guard Xiacai and Liu Bei launches a sneak attack, Shouchun will be wide open. I cannot bear the responsibility of losing my head for that!" Sun Ben shouted, preparing to chase Kuai Yue away.

Kuai Yue immediately shouted: "My words are for the sake of the Chancellor!"

Sun Ben's arm stiffened. He looked at Kuai Yue. "What do you mean by that?"

"I am fiercely loyal to the Chancellor..."

"No, I mean why you want me to lead the army to camp five miles outside Gaixia."

Kuai Yue let out a sigh of relief. "Do you remember what was said in the tent today, General?"

"Do you truly believe Liu Bei is setting a trap?"

Kuai Yue said respectfully: "Mi Zhu is not Xu You. Their characters are completely different. Furthermore, Mi Zhu is highly valued by Liu Bei and would not be treated as Yuan Shao treated Xu You. This is undoubtedly a trap. If those forty thousand men enter Gaixia, they are in extreme danger!"

Sun Ben lowered his head slightly and said: "Then I will go persuade Han Dang now."

"It is no use. Before I came to see you, I already visited him, but General Han has already retired." Kuai Yue sighed. "When the army sets out tomorrow, even if we speak then, we will not be able to stop them. You must listen to me, General. With powerful enemies surrounding us, our army cannot afford such a loss!"

Kuai Yue was solemn and earnest, his eyes almost pleading. Sun Ben sighed. "Sun Ce has a good official in you. But if Liu Bei leads his army to sneak attack and we lose Xiacai, the Chancellor will blame me. I will not shield you; instead, I will place all the blame on you. How about that?"

"If that is truly the case, then I, Kuai Yue, have miscalculated. A move made is a move made; I am willing to bear any punishment!"

"Good!" Sun Ben nodded. "That is enough for today. Go back and rest."

"I take my leave."

The next day, the army set out. Han Dang and the other generals led forty thousand men, leaving only Sun Ben, Wu Jing, and Kuai Yue at Xiacai.

Wu Jing, yawning and eating a jujube, saw the troops in the camp moving about. "Is there a mutiny?"

Wu Jing immediately grabbed a soldier. "Speak! Who ordered you? Was it Kuai Yue?!"

"My lord, it was General Sun Ben. He ordered us to assemble outside the tents."

Wu Jing spat out the pit. "Take me to him."

"Yes."

Sun Ben sat on his warhorse while Kuai Yue stood to the side. Sun Ben said: "Military Advisor, have you thought this through? There are only five hundred weak soldiers left in the camp. Do you really not want to leave ten thousand behind?"

"General, you must take them all. Only then will there be a chance," Kuai Yue said respectfully.

"Boyang, what are you doing?" Wu Jing rode over in a hurry, looking at the dense crowd outside the tents. "Are you trying to start a mutiny?!"

"No, I am simply leading the army to Gaixia."

"Why go to Gaixia? General Han ordered you to guard the camp, yet you are leading troops to Gaixia—this is a violation of military orders!" Wu Jing then looked at Kuai Yue. "This guy's words are absolute nonsense, Boyang. I see him as someone trying to make you break military law so he can report you to the Chancellor!"

Sun Ben looked at the assembled troops. "It is getting late. I will go first. We can talk about this when I return!"

"All troops, move out!"

*Thump, thump, thump!*

"Boyang!"

Han Dang led the main force, the other generals looking listless, while Ling Tong looked around with an earnest expression. The army moved slowly into the valley mouth. This terrain could be described as a heaven-sent danger; if there were an ambush, the enemy could use the high ground to look down upon them. Based on their military experience, the entire army watched their surroundings with great caution.

But until they were about to exit the valley, they saw no signs of an ambush.

"Did the Military Advisor miscalculate?"

"Hahaha, walking through the valley just now made me worry for a moment. It seems as Yigong said, there is no ambush!"

"I told you Kuai Yue's words were bullshit. He came to find me yesterday, probably about this same thing. Who would let such a good opportunity pass by?"

"Hahaha, for this great victory, Yigong should take first credit!"

Outside the valley mouth was a flat plain, and not far away was a large lake. Standing on the empty ground were a few people, the one in the middle dressed in noble attire. Everyone recognized him instantly as Mi Zhu.

The surrounding troops were vigilant, but the area was wide open—there was simply no place for an ambush.

Ling Tong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Kuai Yue had indeed misjudged the situation.

Because it was early morning, a light mist rose over the river, making things somewhat difficult to see.

"Subordinate Mi Zhu pays respects to the Commander!"

"No need for formalities," Han Dang said, dismounting. "With your help, once we break Liu Bei, you shall have a great merit!"

"There are ships!"

The abrupt shout made Han Dang instantly vigilant. Mi Zhu remained unmoved, smiling faintly. "General, those are only grain ships. They are already stocked with fine wine and food. I will go call them over."

The generals looked closely; indeed, there were no weapons on the ships, only a few soldiers.

Han Dang nodded. After Mi Zhu bowed calmly, he walked toward the riverside, while the few who had come with him remained where they were, looking indifferent.

Ling Tong dismounted and asked someone nearby: "Hey, how many troops does your lord have?"

The man stood silently, offering no reply. Ling Tong frowned slightly and walked closer, only to find the man's eyes were closed. Furthermore, their bodies were extremely thin; they did not look like attendants following an official.

Mi Zhu had reached the riverbank, and a few people jumped off the ships in the distance. Ling Tong's eyes widened, and he hurriedly shouted to his father: "They are warships!"

The roar instantly drew everyone's attention. They looked toward the river. Zhuge Liang stood at the bow, looking at the countless soldiers on the bank, waving his feather fan calmly. "Fire."

*Whoosh, whoosh!* The sound of arrows piercing the air echoed—a sky full of arrows!

"It's a trap!"

"Protect the General!"

"Retreat, retreat!"

The army was in complete chaos. The formation was scattered, yet they still managed to hold together as each general directed their men to withdraw in an orderly fashion. Despite this, the sky full of arrows continued to claim lives.

"Stop. Do not pursue."

After the arrows stopped, Zhuge Liang spoke: "Off the ships! Clear the bodies and take our spoils. Their big gift is yet to come."

Above the valley, Xu Shu looked down. With a sudden wave of his hand, a flaming arrow pierced the sky. The soldiers lying in ambush on both sides immediately rose, and trees, boulders, and fire oil poured down into the valley like a torrent!

It had been easy to retreat when they first entered, but now that they were fully inside, retreating was a difficult task!

Ling Tong saw a giant boulder falling straight toward him; there was no way to dodge!

"Tong'er!"

A massive force sent him flying off his horse. He rolled several times, while another burly figure was crushed by the giant rock.

"Father!!"