A special thank you to my patrons:
—Jacob Mooe, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Pasang Sherpa, Acedia, kurtis newman, Nhoxious, sediaz, Targaryen, King Scales.
You can read 50 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
————————————————————
Within the sprawling residence of Wang Yun, inside the magnificently opulent great hall, the silence was so profound that only the faint crackling and popping of the burning candles and lamps could be heard.
Wang Yun pondered in stillness, yet he did not rush to a decision. He felt he needed to grasp more details before formulating his course of action.
Hmm, Yu Fuluo... the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu...
Wang Yun rapped his knuckles against the table and asked, "Ziyuan, are you well acquainted with the situation in the northern lands?" There was no helping it. Wang Yun, after all, was a civil official. Although he had previously overseen the Imperial Secretariat under Dong Zhuo, his attention had largely been focused on matters concerning officials, the gentry clans, and the conflicts between the Shandong and Shaanxi factions. When it came to the frontier, Wang Yun likely knew even less than an ordinary officer from Xiliang.
Fei Qian nodded, then, after gathering his thoughts for a moment, began to speak: "In the fourth year of the Guanghe era, the Xianbei Chanyu Tanshihuai died. His son, Helian, succeeded him, but he was incompetent and without talent, and thus lost his position. At present, the Xianbei of the northern lands are divided into three main factions. Their chiefs are, first, Budugen; second, Kebineng; and third, the various tribes of Suli, Mijia, and Queji. The smaller Xianbei tribes number in the thousands or a myriad, while the larger ones range from thirty or forty thousand to fifty or sixty thousand. They mostly reside north of the great desert, following the water and grass, herding cattle and sheep..." Fei Qian spoke rather slowly, also using hand gestures to help Wang Yun build a more detailed mental picture of the Xianbei.
Wang Yun nodded, evidently showing a degree of appreciation for Fei Qian's thorough knowledge of Xianbei affairs. Then, his brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "So, by this account, a southern incursion of a hundred thousand Xianbei is a real possibility?"
A hundred thousand. Not a hundred thousand ants, but a hundred thousand ravenous wolves!
This was precisely Wang Yun's greatest concern. If it were merely ten or twenty thousand Xianbei, they would certainly not penetrate deeply; they would harass the borders and then retreat. But a hundred thousand...
With numbers like that, the Xianbei appetite would not be so easily sated. If the situation were to spill over and affect the Jingzhao region around the capital, it would be no less than a devastating blow for Wang Yun.
Fei Qian pondered for a moment before replying, "A hundred thousand... it is possible, or it could be an exaggeration..."
"What do you mean by that?" Wang Yun pressed.
"The various Xianbei tribes are accustomed to living scattered and apart. Moreover, their chiefs, Budugen and Kebineng, have been at odds for a long time. If they were to mass their forces in one place, conflict would be hard to avoid. Furthermore, sending a large army on a distant expedition merely wastes provisions, which runs counter to the principles of warfare..." As Fei Qian spoke, he seemed to be cautiously observing Wang Yun's expression.
Wang Yun's eyelids appeared to droop low, but in truth, he took in every one of Fei Qian's subtle gestures. Inwardly, he gave a snort of contempt. Principles of warfare, indeed. After leading troops for a few days, he truly considers himself a master of military strategy? If he genuinely had confidence in his own assertions, he would be speaking with fervent assurance, not sneaking glances at my expression!
Wang Yun interjected in a deep voice, "Therefore, it is far more likely they will advance in separate columns, rather than massing their forces in one place. Kebineng will likely move towards Ji and Yu provinces, Budugen will plunder Sili and Bingzhou, while the remaining smaller Xianbei tribes will raid You and Liao provinces."
"Ah... just so, Your Excellency's wisdom is far-seeing, perceiving clearly from a thousand miles away. This humble official was precisely of that meaning." Fei Qian first seemed slightly taken aback, then immediately concurred.
"Advancing in three separate directions: Ji, Yu, You, and Liao..." Wang Yun ignored Fei Qian's flattery and merely repeated the assessment to himself. His thoughts were rather complex. On one hand, he felt slightly relieved—at least they were not all coming directly for his territory. On the other hand, if the Xianbei raiding Ji Province were to somehow... well, that could be...
Hmm...
Time passed unnoticed, and it was now well into the second half of the night. Wang Yun, being advanced in years, began to show signs of fatigue. He looked at Fei Qian and asked, "Ziyuan, regarding the Sili and Bingzhou front... Budugen's single force—how many troops do you estimate he commands?"
"Although Budugen leads a large confederation, firstly, he must leave some manpower behind to guard against Kebineng. Secondly, the women and children of his tribe find it difficult to travel in winter. Therefore, his numbers should be, at minimum, thirty thousand, and at maximum, fifty thousand..." Fei Qian stretched out an open hand, gesturing across the table to illustrate.
Wang Yun glanced at the hand and nodded, but said nothing.
Fifty thousand. Although that was half of the initially mentioned hundred thousand, it was still an immense pressure. The crucial problem was that, at this very moment, Wang Yun simply could not spare any troops to mount a defensive counterstrike against the Xianbei...
Fifty thousand Xianbei, if they truly fought their way to the vicinity of the capital region, would be like a red-hot iron rod that could, in an instant, pierce through and utterly shatter the delicate political balance Wang Yun had established.
Use Lü Bu and his ilk to restrain the Xiliang officers, and then use those same Xiliang officers to block Shandong's advance into the Guanzhong region. As long as he could stall for a few months until he had complete control over the court and its officials, then he could confiscate the military authority of the Xiliang forces. With royal authority in one hand and military power in the other, the Shandong gentry would inevitably crumble into dust. At that time, the Great Han would, in his very hands... blossom forth in radiant glory.
But now...
Thinking up to this point, Wang Yun swept his gaze over Fei Qian, and a sense of dislike involuntarily welled up in his heart.
Fei Qian spoke somewhat hesitantly, "This humble official... does have a few rough ideas... I wonder if I might be permitted to..." Fei Qian understood deeply that whether in ancient times or the modern era, a person who only raises problems without offering a solution will never be welcomed. Therefore, no matter what, he had to present a plan.
As expected, upon hearing this, Wang Yun nodded, his eyes narrowing in a smile. "Ziyuan, speak freely!"
"...Well... the art of war states, 'avoid the solid and strike the hollow'..." Fei Qian behaved precisely like someone who had read half a military manual and was now pedantically quoting from it, extending both hands to gesture as he spoke. "...Budugen seeks to plunder wealth and silk, so naturally, he will select the wealthiest commanderies and counties. Thus, he will certainly traverse the Lüliang Mountains and raid Hedong..."
Wang Yun nodded. It appeared that despite his youth, Fei Qian's analysis was quite accurate...
The Taiyuan and Shangdang region is a flat basin enclosed by the Lüliang, Taihang, and Qinling mountain ranges. Although it, too, is quite prosperous, the mountain passes providing entry and exit are few and mostly treacherous, making access inconvenient. Therefore, it would not be his first choice. The Hedong region, on the other hand, once one crosses the Lüliang Mountains, opens up into a vast flat plain, exceptionally well-suited for the swift raids of barbarian cavalry.
"...Therefore, we could dispatch troops along the Qin Straight Road, driving straight toward the Yin Mountains. We could fall upon Budugen's rear by surprise, raiding his royal court. Budugen would then be compelled to retreat and come to its rescue, and the danger to Hedong would be lifted..."
Wang Yun said, "'Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao'?" Hmm, this was indeed an unconventional and inventive idea.
Fei Qian nodded with a smile. "Your Excellency's insight is profound. That is exactly the strategy."
"...Where would the troops come from?" Wang Yun's expression remained impassive as he pressed the question.
Fei Qian replied, "This humble official has three thousand cavalry encamped north of the city... Furthermore, if we use the pretext of formally investing the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu with his title, we could recruit another three thousand barbarian horsemen... We could set up extra banners and flags to exaggerate our strength and awe the enemy, and proclaim it an army of thirty thousand..."
Using Xiongnu soldiers, combined with a show of false strength and bluster? Wang Yun nodded slightly, then asked another question: "And who would command this force?"
"...This humble official is of low rank and shallow years of service... Well, if a seasoned elder and renowned general of the court were to oversee and command it, then there would be no cause for concern..." Fei Qian spoke with an air of slight embarrassment.
Hmm? Wang Yun cast a glance at Fei Qian, then lowered his eyelids.
A seasoned elder and renowned general?
Who else in the court at present could be called a seasoned elder and renowned general, if not Huangfu Song?
So, Fei Qian does not wish to shoulder this burden himself? This brat finds the task too difficult and wants to wash his hands of it?
Wang Yun deliberated in silence, offering no immediate verdict. The silence stretched on, and he did not speak. Fei Qian could only sit quietly to the side, though from time to time he stole glances at Wang Yun's expression.
After an unknown stretch of time, Wang Yun suddenly slammed his palm onto the table and barked in a deep, harsh voice: "General Fei! You have tremendous gall!"