SWDnovel Chapter 61 Zhou Yafu
Chapter 61 Zhou Yafu
August 10th, Baqiao.
Crown Prince Liu Qi, dressed in crimson leather armor and covered by a black battle robe, rode on a jet-black steed.
Behind him stood 50,000 elite troops from Guanzhong, their spears and halberds forming a forest, their banners obscuring the sun. This was the first time he, as the crown prince and the de facto commander, had left Chang'an and stepped onto the real battlefield.
Emperor Wen personally escorted his son to the bridgehead. Without saying much, he simply handed his son a precious sword adorned with gold and jade, which represented the emperor's power to wage war.
"On your journey, observe, listen, and think deeply. Your uncle Dou Ying is a seasoned general, and Zhang Keran is a capable man. Consult with them on matters frequently." Emperor Wen's voice was not loud. "Remember, you are the crown prince, and more importantly, the commander of the three armies. A commander does not act rashly or act impulsively. Every decision you make concerns the lives of thousands of soldiers and the safety of the nation."
Liu Qi accepted the sword with both hands and knelt solemnly: "Your subject will remember your teachings, Father. I will be prudent and cautious, and live up to the country's favor and the expectations of my soldiers."
"Go." Emperor Wen turned away, no longer looking at him, but gazing southeast. "Let Liu Bi see what a true descendant of the Liu family is."
The army set off. Wheels rolled and horses thundered, heading towards Hangu Pass along the road on the east bank of the Wei River.
Zhang Keran led 3,000 elite cavalry as the vanguard. His mission was not only to clear the way and scout, but also to stop in key counties along the way to inspect the defenses and convey the Crown Prince's edicts.
On August 17, the army marched to Huai County, the seat of Hanoi Prefecture.
Zhou Yafu, the prefect of Hanoi, waited for them at Shili Pavilion outside the city. There was no grand procession, only a dozen or so civil and military officials from the prefecture, and a troop of about five hundred soldiers. These soldiers were gleaming in their armor, their ranks were impeccably orderly, and they stood silently in the autumn sun, exuding an aura of solemnity.
Zhang Keran arrived first, dismounted, and greeted Zhou Yafu. He carefully observed the second son of the Marquis of Jiang: he was about forty years old, with a resolute face, dark complexion, calm eyes like a deep pool, and a composed and measured demeanor.
"Prefect Zhou is adept at managing his troops," Zhang Keran said sincerely, looking at the five hundred soldiers.
"Your Highness flatters me. Henei is situated in a strategic location, bordering the Yellow River to the south and Luoyang to the east. We dare not fail to take precautions," Zhou Yafu said succinctly, bowing. "Since the news of Wu's rebellion arrived, I have ordered martial law throughout the prefecture, reinforced all ferry crossings and passes, and patrolled granaries and armories day and night. Currently, the morale of the people in the twenty-one counties of the prefecture remains stable. However, refugees from the eastern prefecture have begun to migrate westward, claiming to have witnessed unusual activity."
As they spoke, the Crown Prince's entourage arrived. Liu Qi dismounted, and Zhou Yafu led the officials in a grand salute.
"Your subject, Zhou Yafu, Governor of Hanoi, respectfully welcomes Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Please rise, Zhou Qing." Liu Qi personally helped him up, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers, and he nodded to himself. "I have heard that during your three years in Hanoi, the powerful and influential were subdued, and no one picked up lost items on the road. Your reputation for governance is outstanding. Now that the country is in crisis, Hanoi bears a heavy responsibility in protecting Luoyang and Guanzhong. Is there anything you need the court's support for? Please speak freely."
Zhou Yafu pondered for a moment, then said, "Your Highness, the army and provisions in Hanoi are still sufficient, and we can be assured of safety. However, what I am concerned about is not just Hanoi, but the overall situation." He stepped aside to lead the way, "Please, Your Highness and the Crown Prince, ascend the city wall for a look."
The city wall of Huai County is three zhang high and has been repaired over the years, making it exceptionally sturdy. Climbing the city tower, one can see the Yellow River flowing eastward like a ribbon, with undulating mountains on the south bank and the Taihang Mountains to the north.
Zhou Yafu pointed southeast: "Your Highness, please look. If the rebels come from the southeast, there are only two routes for them to enter the Central Plains: one is to cross the Huai River, go through Chen and Ru, and directly attack Yingchuan and Luoyang; the other is to go north along the Si River, pass through Pengcheng, and enter Liang (note: geographical Liang, not the state of Liang), threatening Qi and Zhao. However, no matter which route they take, if they want to threaten Guanzhong, they will eventually have to attack the strategic passes of Xingyang and Chenggao."
Liu Qi nodded.
"However, the rebel army is powerful, claiming to number 500,000. Although this is mostly a boast, they should have 200,000 to 300,000 soldiers capable of fighting," Zhou Yafu continued. "If our army were to confront them head-on, even if we were to win, we would suffer heavy casualties, and the war would drag on for a long time. I have a plan that may quickly quell the chaos."
"Oh? Tell me more." Liu Qi became interested.
"The rebels rely solely on the wealth of Wu and Chu. However, their territory is far from the Central Plains, and their army is on a long expedition with a long supply route, which is a fatal weakness. The court can send a top general, not to fight for the gain or loss of a single city or place, but to lead tens of thousands of elite cavalry out of Wuguan, down to Nanyang, east out of Tongbai Mountain, and straight into the Huai and Si River region to cut off their supply lines and burn their stockpiles. The rebel army, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, consumes mountains of millet every day. Once their supply lines are cut off, they will surely collapse without a fight within a month. At that time, the main force can then pursue them out of Xingyang and achieve a complete victory."
These remarks coincided with, and were even more specific and bold than, Zhang Keran's previous analysis of Liu Qi's core strategy. Listening from the side, Zhang Keran secretly admired him, thinking that this man was not only adept at defense but also skilled in strategic surprise attacks.
Liu Qi's eyes lit up: "However, this mission is extremely dangerous, requiring us to penetrate deep behind enemy lines, leading a lone army far from home. Only someone of great wisdom and courage can undertake this task. Among the generals of the court, who is suitable for it?"
Zhou Yafu remained silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "This is not something a subject would dare to presume to discuss. However, a general should have the courage to 'put himself in a life-or-death situation and then live,' and even more so, the composure to 'remain calm even when Mount Tai collapses before him.' Only by enduring what ordinary people cannot endure can one do what ordinary people cannot do."
The meaning is clear: the qualities required to carry out this kind of mission are extraordinary perseverance and composure, rather than mere bravery.
That night, the Crown Prince's temporary residence was set up in the prefectural governor's office. Liu Qi summoned Zhang Keran for a secret meeting.
"Keran, what do you think of Zhou Yafu?"
"Your Highness," Zhang Keran said solemnly, "from my observation of his military discipline and speech, this man possesses three main characteristics. First, he is extremely strict in his military discipline, with laws as solid as mountains—this is the mark of a commander capable of leading a large army. Second, he is far-sighted, not confined to immediate concerns—this demonstrates his strategic brilliance as a general. Third, and most importantly, he is calm and decisive. When discussing the perilous strategies of cutting off the enemy's supply lines and penetrating deep into enemy territory, his eyes remained completely unwavering, as if he were discussing routine administrative matters. Such character truly befits the son of the Marquis of Jiang!"
Liu Qi paced back and forth under the lamplight, then suddenly stopped: "Tell me, what do you think about entrusting him with the crucial task of cutting off the enemy's supply lines?"
Zhang Keran was suddenly shocked. This was bolder than he had expected, letting a prefect directly take charge of such a crucial strategic task. However, he quickly weighed the options in his mind and concluded that Zhou Yafu's insight and temperament displayed today made him one of the most suitable candidates.
"Your Highness," he said slowly, "we can first send him to Xingyang as a 'military advisor.' Firstly, the situation at the front requires someone as knowledgeable about geography as him to advise us. Secondly, we can observe his ability to adapt and command in actual combat. If he proves to be of great use, it won't be too late to entrust him with a regional command. In this way, we can utilize his strengths without being promoted too quickly, and the other generals will have no objections."
This is a prudent approach. Liu Qi nodded: "As you say. Tomorrow, summon him to join the army, appoint him as a military advisor, and let him participate in military strategy."
August 20th, Xingyang.
When Liu Qi's army arrived, this mighty city in the Central Plains was already in a state of war. The garrison commander of Xingyang, Marquis of Gonggao, Han Tuidang (son of King Xin of Han, who surrendered during the reign of Emperor Wen and was a famous general in the early Han Dynasty), welcomed the crown prince into the commander's mansion and reported the military situation.
"Your Highness, according to the latest intelligence, Liu Bi has sworn an oath to his troops. The Wu-Chu allied forces number about 200,000, claiming to be 500,000, and are advancing northwest along the Si River. Their vanguard has already passed Xiapi. The states of Jiaoxi, Zichuan, Jinan, Zhao, and Chu have all sent troops to join the rebellion, and their total strength is probably no less than 300,000. Their proclamation has already spread throughout the Guandong region."
Looking at the alarming red flags on the sand table, Liu Qi asked, "What are your strategies, Lord Han?"
Han Tui, a veteran of many battles, pointed to the sand table and said, "The rebel army is powerful, but their hearts are not united. In my opinion, we should rely on the natural defenses of Xingyang and Chenggao, digging deep trenches and building high walls to blunt their momentum. At the same time, I will order General Dou Ying to march out of Luoyang and garrison Changyi to protect the Qi territory, forming a pincer movement with Xingyang. I will also order Marquis Quzhou, Li Ji, to launch a rapid attack on Zhao, while Luan Bu defends the Qi territory, preventing the rebel army from advancing westward with full force. Once their army is exhausted, we can then seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack."
This is a prudent and sound strategy. Liu Qi looked at Zhang Keran and Zhou Yafu: "What do you two think?"
Zhang Keran said, "Han Hou's plan is sound. However, I would like to add one point: we can send an army out of Wuguan and down to Nanyang, making the appearance of advancing eastward to threaten the rebels' flank and rear. We don't need to actually engage the enemy's main force, but we can spread out a large number of feints and display many flags to make Liu Bi suspicious and hesitant to advance westward with full force. This is the strategy of feinting."
Zhou Yafu walked to the sand table, silently observing it for a long time, before suddenly saying, "Your Highness, generals. The rebel army numbers 300,000, and their daily grain consumption is staggering. Their supply route must pass through the Sishui and Suishui rivers, via Xiayi and Qixian. This place," he pointed to an area southeast of Qixian, "is called Juye Marsh, a place with a dense network of waterways and low-lying terrain, a natural location for storing and transporting grain. If we can send an elite force, disregarding everything, straight here and burn their grain supplies, their army will surely fall into chaos."
Han Tuidang frowned: "This plan is too risky. Juye Marsh is deep in the rebel-controlled territory, hundreds of miles away. Our isolated army is far from home, and once discovered, the entire army will be wiped out."
"Therefore, we need speed, concealment, and, most importantly, opportune timing." Zhou Yafu's gaze was calm. "Right now, the autumn air is crisp and clear, which is not conducive to concealment. However, according to my observation of the celestial phenomena, there will be continuous heavy rain within ten days. During the heavy rain, the sounds of men and horses will be completely masked, providing an excellent opportunity for a surprise attack. We only need three thousand elite cavalry, men gagged and horses hoofed, to gallop two hundred li in one night, arriving suddenly at dawn, burning our provisions and leaving immediately, without engaging the defending army. After the attack, we will not divide our forces, nor will we linger in battle, but will retreat swiftly along the original route. Even if the rebel army has pursuers, the heavy rain and mud will make it difficult for them to catch up."
The generals in the tent looked at each other in disbelief. This plan was so audacious as to be almost insane.
Liu Qi looked at Zhou Yafu: "Military Advisor Zhou, if this task is entrusted to you, do you dare to sign a pledge?"
Zhou Yafu knelt on one knee, his voice calm and even: "If I am granted three thousand elite cavalry from Longxi, familiar with the terrain of Liang, and given full command without interference, I am willing to sign a military pledge: if I fail to burn the grain at Juye, I am willing to offer my head at the gate!"
"Your Highness!" Han Tuidang said urgently, "This plan is too risky. What if it fails..."
"Lord Han," Liu Qi raised his hand to stop him, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Yafu, "how many men do you need? When can we set off?"
"Three thousand is enough. We need three days to prepare dry rations, check the horses, and select guides. If it rains heavily after three days, that's the time to attack."
"Excellent!" Liu Qi slammed his hand on the table. "I will allocate three thousand elite cavalrymen from the Northern Army, and also transfer five hundred skilled archers from the Qiang and Hu tribesmen of Longxi as the vanguard. All necessary guidance and supplies will be provided. Three days later, proceed according to plan!"
"promise!"
Zhou Yafu accepted the order and left, his expression remaining calm. Zhang Keran followed him out of the tent and whispered, "Military Advisor Zhou, this journey is extremely dangerous."
Zhou Yafu paused slightly, then shook his head: "The affairs of the state are of utmost importance. If I do not return, I will die on the battlefield, which is the duty of a soldier." With that, he bowed and went to select soldiers.
Zhang Keran gazed at his straight back, a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret) in his heart. This man was either a renowned general whose name would be etched in history, or he would become a withered skeleton on the banks of the Juye Marsh tomorrow.
On the night of August 23, a torrential downpour began.
Three thousand five hundred riders quietly left the east gate of Xingyang and disappeared into the dark, rainy night.
The torrential rain poured down like a celestial river, and the military granaries stretching along the riverbank were reduced to blurry outlines in the rain.
This was the most important logistical hub for the Wu-Chu allied forces. Half of the grain and fodder transported from Wu via the Hangou Canal, Sishui River, and Suishui River was stored here, supplying more than 200,000 troops.
The garrison commander was named Tian Lu, the nephew of King Liu Bi of Wu. At this moment, he was in the largest granary, calculating the income and expenditure accounts of the past few days by the dim light of an oil lamp.
Outside, a fierce storm raged, but he felt a sense of smug satisfaction. (Enemy troops)
Although the job was far from the front lines, it was stable and lucrative. He had just replaced the old rice in two warehouses that should have been sent to the front lines with the new rice listed in the ledger, and the price difference naturally went into his own pocket.
"General, the rain is too heavy. Should we let the brothers on the sentry post..." a personal guard asked tentatively.
"It's just raining, what's the panic?" Tian Lu said without looking up. "In this awful weather, even birds aren't flying. Do you think the enemy can grow wings and come over? Tell everyone outside to be alert. After this, everyone will get an extra peck of rice."
"promise."
The guards withdrew. Tian Lu yawned, listening to the wind and rain outside. He was thinking that after this battle, with his uncle's influence, he might be able to get a position as a prefect in a remote area…
"boom--!"
A deafening roar, like a muffled thunderclap—not thunder, but the sound of the warehouse door being flung open! Immediately afterward, flames erupted, accompanied by short screams and the dull thuds of weapons piercing flesh.
Tian Lu suddenly stood up, knocking over the oil lamp. "What happened?!"
His response was arrows bursting through the window, and a wave of thick smoke and heat sweeping in.
Outside the warehouse, shadowy figures moved about, and shouts of battle, the neighing of horses, the crackling of torches, and the popping of burning grain and fodder instantly filled the air.
"Enemy troops! Enemy troops are attacking the camp!"
"The grain warehouse is on fire!"
The warehouse door was smashed open, and in the firelight, several knights in black armor swept in like a whirlwind.
The leader was Zhou Yafu. He was soaked to the bone, his armor covered in mud, but his gaze was as calm as ice, and his ring-pommel sword was still dripping blood. He spotted Tian Lu, dressed in a general's uniform, standing there dumbfounded.
"Leave him alive!" Zhou Yafu shouted, and two of his personal guards pounced on him like wolves, pinning the limp Tian Lu to the ground.
Zhou Yafu didn't even glance at him, striding into the granary and forcefully hurling the torch in his hand at the mountain of rice sacks. The dry grain sacks ignited instantly upon contact with the fire, flames leaping up in a flash.
"Fire! Fire!" Wu soldiers shouted in panic outside, but in the torrential rain and chaos, they were unable to organize an effective firefighting effort.
Zhou Yafu rushed out of the warehouse and surveyed the battlefield.
Three thousand five hundred cavalrymen were divided into ten teams. Led by their guides, they accurately attacked the main granaries and hay storage areas, pouring flammable materials such as kerosene and sulfur onto them, and then launching rockets in unison.
The marshland was low-lying, and the night wind, whipping up the rain, actually fueled the spread of the fire. Thick smoke mixed with water vapor enveloped the entire camp.
"General, the southeast and southwest granaries are on fire!" A captain, covered in soot, rushed in to report.
"A fleet of boats is attempting to reach the shore for rescue at the northern water fortress!"
"No need to linger!" Zhou Yafu mounted his horse, his voice piercing the rain. "Order all teams to assemble at the designated location to the northeast, at the sound of the whistle! Withdraw completely in half a quarter of an hour! No fighting, no looting; disobeying will result in execution!"
"promise!"
The piercing sound of bone whistles rang out one after another amidst the firelight and torrential rain. Upon hearing the sound, the Han cavalry, who were setting fires and slaughtering stragglers everywhere, abandoned their immediate targets without hesitation, turned their horses around, and converged in the direction of the whistles.
The whole process was swift and efficient, from the initial assault to the arson and the subsequent assembly, taking no more than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn.
When some of the awakened Wu generals managed to gather their hundreds of soldiers and attempt a counterattack, Zhou Yafu's 3,500 cavalry had already regrouped into a wedge formation.
"Walk!"
Zhou Yafu led the way, and the Han cavalry, like a black torrent, smashed through the scattered obstacles and disappeared into the rainy night to the northeast.
They came suddenly and left swiftly, leaving behind only a raging inferno and countless Wu soldiers crying and fleeing in the flames.
Tian Lu was bound horizontally to his horse, his face ashen as he stared at the receding fire. He was finished, and so was the Wu army…
August 24th, dawn, the city walls of Xingyang.
Liu Qi barely slept all night, staying on the city wall with Zhang Keran, Han Tuidang, and others.
As the sky in the southeast finally began to lighten, a swift horse broke through the morning mist and arrived at the city walls.
"Report!!! Great victory at Juye! Military Advisor Zhou's surprise attack was a success, burning dozens of enemy granaries. The fires stretched for ten miles, and the rebels suffered incalculable losses of food and supplies! Military Advisor Zhou has led his troops back safely and is now thirty miles from the city!"
"Good!" Liu Qi slammed his fist on the battlement, all the pent-up stress and anxiety of the past few days vanishing. "Lord Han, quickly send elite cavalry out of the city to provide support! General Zhang, come with me to meet them!"
"Your Highness, a son of a noble family should not sit under a dangerous roof. It would be better to wait in the city," Han Tuidang advised.
"No," Liu Qi said firmly, "Military Advisor Zhou and three thousand soldiers risked their lives for the country and achieved this extraordinary feat. I shall personally welcome them!"
At the beginning of the Si hour, the east gate of Xingyang was opened wide.
Liu Qi led his troops five miles outside the city. In the distance, as dust rose, a cavalry column slowly approached.
Although the troops were somewhat tired, and both men and horses were covered in dust and mud, their military bearing was impeccable, and their ranks remained orderly. Leading the charge was none other than Zhou Yafu.
His armor bore numerous slash marks, yet his posture remained upright. A rope was tied behind his horse, dragging a disheveled Wu general—Tian Lu.
"Your subject Zhou Yafu has successfully completed his mission!" Zhou Yafu dismounted a few feet in front of Liu Qi's horse, knelt on one knee, and said, "We attacked Juye Marsh, burned its provisions, and captured its garrison commander Tian Lu. Our army suffered 237 casualties, but the rest returned safely!"
Liu Qi strode forward and personally helped him up: "General Zhou is truly a pillar of the nation! His achievements in this battle are extraordinary! Quickly, enter the city! Marquis Han, quickly prepare a banquet to celebrate the victory of the soldiers and to compensate the wounded and the injured!"
That night, Xingyang City was filled with jubilation, and the Crown Prince personally toasted the returning cavalry. However, the atmosphere inside the commander's mansion was much more somber.
Tian Lu had already been briefly interrogated and was now lying on the ground, his face ashen.
"Tell me, where is Liu Bi's army now? Their supplies have been burned, what are his plans?" Han Tuidang demanded sternly.
"We are assembling in the Xiaxiang area (southwest of present-day Suqian, Jiangsu)... The original plan was to split into two groups in three days, one to attack Qi and the other to continue westward..." Tian Lu stammered. "The provisions... the provisions are only enough for one month, and now... now I'm afraid they can only last for ten days at most... The army... the army is probably going to be in chaos..."
Liu Qi exchanged a glance with Zhang Keran and Han Tuidang, just as they had expected.
"Your Highness," Zhou Yafu began, "the rebels have suddenly lost their supplies, and their morale will surely be thrown into chaos. They now have two paths: either they will make a desperate gamble and launch a fierce attack on Xingyang or Qi to seek food from the enemy; or they will retreat, or even turn against each other."
"General Zhou, which option do you think they will choose?" Liu Qi asked.
"The rebel leader Liu Bi is fierce and vindictive, and he has no way to retreat after launching his rebellion. I believe he is most likely to choose the former, and will concentrate his forces to launch a fierce attack on one point in order to achieve a quick victory." Zhou Yafu walked to the sand table and pointed to Changyi. "General Luan Bu is holding firm in Qi, and General Dou Ying has already led his army out of Luoyang and will arrive at Changyi soon. Liu Bi's attack on Qi is unlikely to succeed. Therefore, his most likely target is still Xingyang, or rather, to besiege Xingyang and strike at our reinforcements."
"Encircle and attack reinforcements?" Zhang Keran pondered.
"Exactly." Zhou Yafu nodded. "If I were the rebel leader, I would use a portion of my forces to continue the siege of Xingyang, making a show of force to draw in reinforcements from the imperial court. Then I would personally lead the main force to ambush Dou Ying or any subsequent reinforcements at key points between Xingyang and Changyi, or between Xingyang and Luoyang. As long as we defeat one reinforcement, we can not only obtain supplies but also intimidate the entire country and reverse the tide of the war."
This analysis sent chills down the spines of everyone in the commander's mansion. If this were true, the rebels, like cornered beasts, would fight back fiercely, and their counterattack would be exceptionally ferocious.
"Then how should we deal with this?" Liu Qi asked in a deep voice.
"Let's turn the tables and take the initiative." A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yafu's eyes. "First, continue to hold Xingyang, feigning weakness to make the rebels think our army is cowardly, thus inducing them to divide their forces or underestimate us. Second, quickly inform General Dou Ying, instructing him not to rush to Xingyang to join forces, but instead to make a great show of preparing for a large-scale military operation in the Changyi area, attracting the rebels' attention. Third..."
He paused, then looked at Liu Qi and Zhang Keran: "Your Highness, I request permission to grant me another army. The number need not be large, but it must consist entirely of elite cavalry. I wish to detour north, passing through Hanoi, crossing the great river, and infiltrating to the rebels' flank and rear. I will engage their scouts, constantly harassing their supply lines and scouting their movements. Once the main rebel force leaves their camp, intending to ambush our reinforcements, I can seize the opportunity to strike, either attacking where they are forced to defend, or joining forces with General Dou to launch a pincer attack!"
It was another risky move! But combined with the victory at Juye, no one dared to underestimate Zhou Yafu's courage and resourcefulness.
"How many people do you need?" Liu Qi asked.
"Five thousand elite cavalry will suffice. But we need the best horses, the most resilient soldiers, and absolute authority."
Liu Qi pondered for a moment, then resolutely said, "Granted! You may choose any cavalrymen from Xingyang! Marquis Han, cooperate fully with General Zhou!"
"promise!"
"Zhang Keran," Liu Qi continued, "you shall immediately draft a battle report and memorial in your capacity as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and send them to Chang'an by express courier, covering in detail the great victory at Juye and General Zhou's strategy, requesting the Emperor's decision. Also, urge the rear to ensure a continuous supply of provisions and military equipment!"
"Your subject obeys!"
That night, another secret report was sent from Xingyang.
After a brief rest, Zhou Yafu once again disappeared from everyone's sight, leading his newly selected 5,000 cavalrymen northward across the river like ghosts, penetrating the edge of the rebel forces' territory.
On the city wall of Xingyang, Liu Qi gazed at the starry sky and said to Zhang Keran beside him, "Keran, what kind of surprise do you think Zhou Yafu will bring to Liu Bi this time?"
Zhang Keran smiled slightly: "Your Highness, I only know that after the burning of Juye, the rebel army lost its courage and its morale is in chaos."