Chapter 501: Zhang Liwei's Scheme
Xing Honglang's forces deployed a vast number of scouts, spreading them far and wide.
Cao Wenzhao's forces, stationed ahead, also dispatched scouts. Further still, on Xicheng Mountain, Wang Jiayin's forces similarly sent out a multitude of their own.
The small Yangcheng County was swarming with scout teams.
These scouts frequently encountered one another, galloping forward to exchange arrows and engage in skirmishes, each employing unique tactics to shrink the enemy's reconnaissance perimeter.
Such intense activity quickly revealed the comparative strengths of each scouting force.
Evidently, Cao Wenzhao's scouts were the most adept. They blocked and held their ground, pushing back both Wang Jiayin's and Xing Honglang's scouts to a considerable distance.
Xing Honglang's scouts had to undertake a massive detour to bypass Cao Wenzhao's perimeter and approach the base of Xicheng Mountain.
Lao Nanfeng himself acted as a scout, venturing to the foot of Xicheng Mountain. After observing the terrain for a while, he found himself utterly bewildered.
The slopes of Xicheng Mountain were steep and difficult to attack, yet easy to defend. Formidable rebel generals guarded every strategic point, and the total strength was indeed, as the official had reported, 160,000 strong. The hillsides teemed with countless figures.
Three thousand against 160,000 entrenched in a strong defensive position!
By any reckoning, Cao Wenzhao seemed incapable of winning this battle, unless the Ming court dispatched more troops to encircle Xicheng Mountain as they had Hequ County. Only then might they stand a chance.
Yet, the Heavenly Lord had declared that Wang Jiayin was on the verge of death.
The Heavenly Lord's words were beyond doubt, which made the situation rather peculiar.
Ah, well, time to watch the show! All would be revealed soon enough.
The main peak of Xicheng Mountain, Shengwang Flatland, soared to an elevation of 1,889.5 meters. It was high, densely forested, and incredibly treacherous to ascend. Wang Jiayin's main camp was perched atop Shengwang Flatland, overlooking the lower ground, making it an easily defensible stronghold.
His other rebel factions were dispersed along the mountainside, forming a defensive ring. Their total strength reached 160,000, and they were already preparing to assault Jincheng.
The prefects of Zezhou Prefecture and Jincheng County, along with the magistrate of Yangcheng County, had all made battle preparations, organizing local militias to fight the rebels to the bitter end.
High on the mountaintop, before a sheltered rock face, stood Wang Jiayin's magnificent command tent.
Wang Jiayin, draped in a coat made from a white tiger skin, presenting himself as dashing and imposing, sat at the head of the gathering. His left arm was casually slung around his captive wife, Zhang Shi. "Gentlemen," he announced, "the scouts just reported that Cao Wenzhao is pursuing us again. He leads three thousand Guanning Iron Cavalry, now camped in the wilderness about twenty li from the foot of the mountain."
Zijing Liang, the Left Prime Minister, remained silent, a worried frown etched on his face.
Bai Yuzhu, the Right Prime Minister, however, chuckled and declared, "He has only three thousand men. Without other Ming forces to assist him, he's utterly helpless against us."
Wang Jiayin nodded. "Indeed. While Cao Wenzhao is brave, his numbers are too few for us to worry about. Our plans to attack Yangcheng County, Jincheng County, and Zezhou Prefecture remain unchanged. Our food supplies are dwindling; if we don't capture a few more cities, we won't be able to feed our soldiers."
Sitting nearby, his brother-in-law Zhang Liwei cast a complex glance at his sister, Zhang Shi, before looking up at Wang Jiayin. "Brother-in-law, Xing Honglang has also arrived. Her forces are camped forty li behind Cao Wenzhao, at Chihong Fortress, a great distance from us."
The moment Xing Honglang's name was mentioned, Bu Zhan Ni, seated below, grimaced. He snorted coldly. "Her arrival is pointless. With Cao Wenzhao blocking the way, she can't get through."
Chuǎng Wang (Gao Yingxiang) shook his head. "Bu Zhan Ni, are you still dwelling on the Old Zhang Fei affair? Let it go. It's better to resolve grudges than to deepen them. We are all rebels against the court; we are all allies."
Bu Zhan Ni retorted, "When she killed my subordinate Old Zhang Fei, did she consider us all rebels against the court?"
Chuǎng Wang reasoned, "Yongji is Xing Honglang's hometown. Old Zhang Fei raided her home territory, and that's why the fight broke out; it was likely a misunderstanding. For instance, if Xing Honglang were to march her troops into your hometown of Luochuan County without warning, you would be just as angry."
Bu Zhan Ni merely grunted.
They temporarily set aside the matter of Xing Honglang. Wang Jiayin then stated, "Let everyone thoroughly discuss how to attack Yangcheng County and Jincheng County. I am weary and will retire to rest."
With that, he wrapped his arm around Zhang Shi's waist and chuckled softly. "My dear wife, come share a few drinks with me. Heheheh..."
Zhang Shi offered an awkward smile, a hint of reluctance on her face, as she followed him into the inner tent.
Zhang Liwei watched his sister's expression, a surge of deep dissatisfaction churning within him. But there was nothing he could do. He glumly walked out of the main tent and sat at the edge of the cliff, letting the wind, sweeping across the 1,889.5-meter peak, whip through his hair.
Just then, a low-ranking soldier on patrol approached him.
Zhang Liwei initially paid no mind to a mere patrolling soldier, but as the man drew beside him, he abruptly stopped, lowered his voice, and swiftly murmured, "General Zhang, it seems you're displeased with Chief Wang's actions, and feel injustice for your Zhang clan?"
Zhang Liwei was startled. He spun around, glaring at the patrolling soldier.
The soldier's face held a peculiar smile. "The Yaomao Zhang clan was originally a prominent local family. Due to Wang Jiayin's coercion, they were forced to offer Ms. Zhang to him as wife. General Zhang, you too were swept into the army, against your will..." (For those who've forgotten, please refer to Chapter 439)
Zhang Liwei's face darkened. "Who exactly are you?"
The young soldier whispered, "I serve General Cao Wenzhao."
Zhang Liwei gasped.
In that instant, a thought flashed through Zhang Liwei's mind: draw his saber and cut the man down, earning merit. Wang Jiayin would surely reward him handsomely. But what good would a reward do? He would merely transform from a minor bandit chief into a major bandit chief, still a bandit.
However, if he negotiated with this man and helped Cao Wenzhao gain merit, he could transition from a bandit leader to an official, restoring the Yaomao Zhang clan to its former prominence.
Zhang Liwei's hand slid from his saber hilt.
The patrolling soldier visibly relaxed, thinking to himself: Success!
Zhang Liwei took a deep breath. "Speak. What does General Cao want from me?"
The patrolling soldier whispered, "Connect with ambitious individuals in the army who wish for more than to be mere rebel leaders, and incite an uprising. Then, using your sister's relationship, infiltrate Wang Jiayin's tent, kill him, and set a fire, causing chaos. When General Cao sees the flames erupting from the mountaintop, he will lead his army up to sweep away the rebels. At that time, you will have performed a great service, and the court will surely bestow honors upon you. The restoration of the Yaomao Zhang clan's reputation will be within reach."
After hearing this, Zhang Liwei's expression flickered between hesitation and resolve. This task was perilous; one wrong move and he would lose his head. Yet, his current rebellion with Wang Jiayin was also a head-losing endeavor. Since death was a possibility either way, it was a question of which death was more worthwhile.
As the saying goes, "Fortune favors the bold." This opportunity, he realized, might truly elevate the Zhang clan.
After much contemplation, Zhang Liwei looked up. "Very well. Please find a way to inform General Cao below the mountain. This task, I, Zhang Liwei, will undertake."
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