Chapter 152: Pursuing the North (Part I)

In times of chaos, when one occupies a city and exerts influence over the surrounding region thanks to the allegiance of local powerful clans, what should one do?

Regarding this matter, Xu Le had received a thorough education from his grandfather, Xu Gan.

If one were at a disadvantage and still required mobile warfare, the correct approach would be to coerce as many able-bodied men as possible, devastate the local economic vitality, requisition regional grain and supplies, plunder all mules and pack animals to maintain sufficient mobility—striking and running—and then lay waste to the next settlement.

If one were capturing territory in the righteous manner of a restoring imperial army, one ought to retain local officials, comfort the displaced, absorb the offspring of local gentry into the ranks, conscript laborers, gather grain and stores, establish a firm forward base, and only then advance toward the next objective.

Yet right now, he fit neither category.

Xu Le stood atop the city wall, wearing a contemplative expression.

His sudden whim had led him to seize the undefended Shenwu. Wang Rengong's heavy forces were either stationed at Shanyang or deployed to the front lines of Yunzhong, leaving his hinterland virtually devoid of troops.

This move was deliberately designed to enrage Wang Rengong, which necessitated flying the banner of Liu Wuzhou. Since this was ostensibly a local force reclaiming territory fallen to an external commandery governor, it naturally could not involve pillaging the locality. Instead, he had to win the hearts of the elders and consolidate this newly acquired territory.

Yet, in reality, he was merely putting up a front. Including the newly sworn-in men, his entire force numbered fewer than two hundred. Though armed to the teeth—with each man possessing a riding horse, a mount, and a pack mule—and having acquired enough weaponry to turn every individual into a mobile armory, with grain supplies sufficient to feed this tiny band for well over two years...

How could these two hundred men possibly defend Shenwu County against Wang Rengong's formidable forces? No matter how much Xu Le boasted of his own abilities, he was not insane enough to believe that.

However, if he fled now without lingering in Shenwu for a designated period, what would happen if Wang Rengong saw through the ruse of the fake Liu Wuzhou banner and subsequently fell back to make peace with Liu Wuzhou?

As for dragging Liu Wuzhou into a conflict with Wang Rengong, Xu Le felt not a shred of psychological burden.

Liu Wuzhou raised his banner under the pretext of protecting the local common folk of Mayi Commandery, attracting bold chivalric men to his cause and compelling the people of Yunzhong to bitterly hold the front lines facing the Tujue, toiling to grain taxes in peacetime and handling transport during wartime, or even taking to the city walls to fight. Having raised that banner, he was obliged to truly perform the duty of defending his homeland!

Wang Rengong treated the people of Mayi like dirt; his fierce wolves of subordinates had pillaged Xu Family Village and the villages along the Sanggan River, and even caused a military riot within Shenwu City. He had already become the chief culprit responsible for ravaging Mayi! If Liu Wuzhou failed to step forward at such a moment, then there was no need for him to fly his banner at all!

This was precisely the moment when a righteous cause would find abundant support, and Liu Wuzhou ought to step forward bravely to eradicate Wang Rengong's faction!

He was acting in accordance with the righteous path, with a clear and untroubled conscience.

A clear conscience, however, did nothing to resolve the immediate crisis.

His grandfather had never taught him about this...

At this moment, Xu Le truly felt that his grandfather had journeyed far away, and that the path ahead must be walked entirely by his own steps. There was no longer anything to lean upon.

Despite the nervous apprehension fluttering in his heart regarding the future, Xu Le stood erect as a javelin upon the city wall, guarded by a few retainers. At this juncture, he could not afford to display the slightest hint of weakness. To the brothers who had broken their households to follow him, he had to remain their steadfast pillar and absolute reliance at all times!

To be honest, this responsibility felt somewhat heavy for a mere nineteen-year-old. Yet since he had shouldered it, he would carry it through to the very end!

Atop the city wall, armored soldiers were on duty, pacing back and forth. Inside Shenwu County, all was quiet and secure; the common people were clearing away the post-rain mud and ruins, looking much like people engaged in rebuilding their homes.

After several consecutive days of torrential downpours, having undergone such dramatic upheaval and facing an utterly uncertain future, Shenwu County at this moment seemed caught in the eye of a storm, possessing a peculiar, detached tranquility.

The clanking of armor sounded, and Xu Le turned his head to see Han Yue striding toward him.

Ever since entering Shenwu County, Han Yue had never once removed his suit of armor. This robust, tall man with thick eyebrows and a square mouth—Xu Le's most trusted subordinate—seemed to treat the heavy weight of the armor as if it were nothing at all.

Xu Le knew that this brother, to whom he could entrust his life, had made up his mind ever since his grandfather's death to protect him at all costs under any circumstance. Remaining armored even in hazardous territory was solely so that, should the worst happen, he could use his own body as a shield to block blows meant for Xu Le!

Han Yue walked up to Xu Le, and Xu Le asked, "How is Xiao Liu holding up?"

Han Yue said in a deep voice, "The family members have already been gathered. Xiao Liu is leading the escort team, waiting for nightfall to quietly leave the city and head north. We've also sent men to contact the Lianghaite tribe and Song Bao's group. If we can rendezvous with them, safety will be guaranteed."

Xu Le smiled, "The old chieftain will certainly bring the Lianghaite tribe out. Entrusting our families to the old chieftain gives me peace of mind."

Han Yue nodded silently.

Xu Le asked again, "How is Xiao Liu taking it? Is he reluctant to leave?"

Han Yue snorted, "I am the elder brother; how could he have a choice?"

The families of those who had newly pledged their allegiance—including Aunt Han and others, along with the gradually gathered women and children who had fled from Xu Family Village—had all been ordered by Xu Le to be escorted north by Han Xiao Liu to rendezvous with the Lianghaite tribe. Han Xiao Liu had put up a fierce protest, only to be forcefully suppressed by Han Yue.

Presently, Xu Le trusted the Han brothers above all others. Since Han Yue had to stay and fight by his side, to whom else could he entrust the families? Furthermore, with these families safely escorted away, the loyalty of those newly surrendered men would surely be all the more steadfast.

This was a matter of utmost importance, so no matter how Han Xiao Liu protested, it was entirely in vain. He was likely pulling a long, bitter face right now, just waiting for nightfall to set out.

Xu Le smiled faintly, though his expression soon darkened again. He looked toward the direction of Shanyang, fell silent for a brief moment, and asked softly, "Have the scouting cavalry been sent out?"

Han Yue also replied in a low voice, "They've been dispatched—half are our own retainers, and the other half are local Yingyang soldiers. They've been scattered up to thirty miles out, solely to keep watch on Shanyang's movements."

Xu Le nodded. After a brief silence, Han Yue asked, "Master Le, are we really going to fight a battle here in Shenwu?"

Xu Le smiled faintly, "A battle must be fought eventually. Wang Rengong hasn't suffered enough pain yet."

Han Yue seemed about to say something, but Xu Le raised a hand to stop him, "My mind is made up, Ah Yue, you needn't say anymore."

Han Yue drew a breath and nodded heavily, "Then when will Wang Rengong arrive?"

Xu Le gazed into the distance, watching the setting sun dye the surrounding mountains and earth in the color of blood, "It will be within a day or two. When he comes, we'll make Wang Rengong hurt even more!"

Night fell, and the gates of Shanyang swung open.

Countless torches were erected along the battlements, illuminating the area near the city gates as bright as day. The night wind whipped the flames atop the city walls, stretching and shortening their glows.

Hoofbeats thundered like rolling drums.

Large formations of Mayi elite cavalry marched out continuously from the city gates as the vanguard.

These elite cavalrymen, raised inside and outside the city of Shanyang, treated as Wang Rengong's precious lifeblood and accustomed to lording over Mayi Commandery, surged forth with a murderous aura that pierced the heavens.

The Mayi elite cavalry numbered barely a thousand, yet over two hundred riders had been cleanly and efficiently lost right in Shenwu. They had to wash away this humiliation beneath the walls of Shenwu County and sever the head of this Young Master Le!

A cavalry commander's warhorse suddenly neighed loudly, and the officer abruptly raised his voice in a furious roar. Hundreds of Mayi elite cavalry echoed in unison, their shouts thundering like rolling thunder and carrying straight into the commandery governor's mansion.

Inside the grand hall of the governor's mansion, Wang Rengong wore a full suit of armor, his expression as stern and unyielding as iron.