Moma Liangshan

Chapter 210 Tian Ji's Horse Racing Strategy: A New Form of Human Wave Tactics

Yelü Xinilie's decisiveness impressed Wang Hao, who couldn't help but think, "The Khitan perished due to internal strife, and the Northern Song Dynasty fell to foreign invaders, but both only had one enemy: the Jurchens. But were the Jurchens truly wicked? The answer is probably not! Survival of the fittest—when in this world hasn't a drama of extinction unfolded? Humans are merely one among countless beings. Dynasties rise and fall, nations prosper—history has witnessed this countless times. Whether Han or non-Han, no dynasty lasts forever, no country is ever truly secure. All we can do is protect our borders and people, and strengthen our nation and military!" Leaving the Zhao Prince's residence, Wang Hao returned to the military camp east of the city by carriage. The Shu princess seemed to have been waiting for Wang Hao's return and immediately asked, "How did things go?" Wang Hao looked around and said, "Let's talk inside the tent!" The two walked side by side, quickly arriving at the central military tent.

The Shu princess ordered the soldiers to stand guard outside the tent, then said, "Now you can speak!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Things are proceeding as planned, but your brother, the Prince of Zhao, isn't as treacherous and cunning as you described!" The Shu princess became wary and said, "Have you been misled by him?" Wang Hao smiled helplessly and said, "He has a very clear understanding of the current situation and knows what can and cannot be done!" The Shu princess pondered for a moment and said, "What did he say to you?" Wang Hao replied, "I told him that eight thousand weapons would be delivered within a month, half of which would be given to your father, and the other half would be distributed by the Great Compassion Bureau. But your brother, the Prince of Zhao, told me to give all eight thousand weapons to your father." The Shu princess frowned slightly and said, "Just because he didn't embezzle the four thousand weapons you promised, you conclude that he isn't treacherous and cunning?" Wang Hao didn't know how to answer and could only smile awkwardly. The princess of Shu continued, "Do you know that the King of Zhao, who is in charge of the Great Compassionate Division, would never leave the capital? Unless he is a fool, he will understand that only by blocking the Jurchen's all-out attack can he save his life and his family!"

Princess Shu was the younger sister of Prince Jin. For this reason, she naturally viewed all those who coveted the throne as enemies, making it difficult for her to offer a fair assessment of Prince Zhao. Wang Hao said, "Xiao Fengxian has agreed to let Xiao Sixian resign from his position as the garrison commander of Zhongjing, and I have promised Prince Zhao that he will become my agent in Liao!" The first part of his statement made Princess Shu breathe a sigh of relief, but the second part shocked her. She exclaimed, "Do you know what you're saying?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Cooperating with Prince Zhao will allow me to achieve twice the results with half the effort, and it won't harm your interests, Prince Jin's interests, or those of Liao!" Princess Shu looked somewhat dejected and asked, "Why don't you cooperate with my brother?" Wang Hao replied, "As you said, Prince Jin and Prince Qin are the most likely candidates to become heirs." "There are two of you, but I absolutely cannot interfere in the succession struggle of the Liao Dynasty, otherwise your father will be furious!" The Shu princess asked, puzzled, "Why? Your titles and official positions were all personally bestowed by your father?" Wang Hao smiled helplessly and said, "What your father gave me, he can take away at any time, and his successor can take away in the future. But if I support the Prince of Jin to inherit the throne, then after he ascends the throne, not only will he not be able to take away the rights I already possess, but he will also have to fulfill more promises. Then I will become too powerful to control, and may even be able to manipulate events and disrupt the Liao Dynasty!"

The princess of Shu asked, "If that day truly comes, will you really seize power and disrupt the court?" Wang Hao immediately shook his head and said, "Of course not, but your father won't believe me!" The princess of Shu asked again, "Will you resent my father because of this?" Wang Hao replied, "Of course not!" The princess of Shu was puzzled and asked, "Why?" Wang Hao said, "Because governing a country allows no room for luck. If I were your father, I would certainly make the same choice!" The princess of Shu understood the sincerity in Wang Hao's words, but many times she really didn't want Wang Hao to treat her so rationally.

Just as the two remained silent, a soldier outside the tent reported: "Li Cangbai requests an audience!" After the princess of Shu, Yelü Dashi, and Xiao Yuhe's army, all scouts were under the unified command of Li Cangbai. Now that Li Cangbai has come to see them in such a hurry, there must be something important. The princess of Shu replied, "Let him in!" A moment later, Li Cangbai entered the tent and looked at Wang Hao standing to one side with an expression of nonchalance. He said, "The Jurchen camp is showing signs of a full-scale attack!" The princess of Shu asked, "How do you know?" Li Cangbai replied, "The Jurchen army of over 200,000 has been divided into four groups. The eastern route of 60,000 is approaching our army, the central route of 60,000 is approaching the north of Shangjing, the western route of 60,000 is approaching the west of Shangjing, and another 30,000 are heading towards the twenty tribes of Khitan." Wang Hao couldn't help but say, "To fight 200,000 against 30,000, the Jin emperor has quite the audacity!" The princess of Shu then asked, "Who is leading the 30,000 enemy troops facing the tribal armies?" Li Cangbai thought for a moment and said, "The Jin royal flag is flying high in that column; it must be the Jurchen emperor himself leading the troops!"

Wang Hao admired Wanyan Aguda somewhat, saying, "Even the Emperor takes the lead, let alone those fierce warriors!" The Shu princess was somewhat displeased, saying, "Which battle hasn't Father personally led?" Realizing his lapse in composure, Wang Hao changed the subject, saying, "Whether the Prince of Qin can successfully subdue the 200,000 tribal troops will be the key to victory in this battle!" The Shu princess didn't think so, saying, "Although the Jurchens have divided their forces into four routes, they are closely interdependent. Or, to be more precise, this can't really be called a division of forces; it's just that they have planned four directions of attack!" Looking at the sand table in front of him, Wang Hao didn't want to argue with the Shu princess, saying, "Please invite Generals Yelü Dashi and Xiao Yu!" Although the Shu princess was very dissatisfied with Wang Hao's inconsistent attitude, with a major battle imminent, there was no room for error, so she immediately signaled Li Cangbai to act accordingly.

After Li Cangbai left, the Shu princess asked, "Are you really going to assist the King of Qin in controlling 200,000 tribal troops?" Wang Hao nodded silently and said, "Sixty thousand outside the city and fifty thousand inside, a total of 110,000 troops, yet they must contend with 180,000 elite Jurchen soldiers. This battle will undoubtedly be extremely difficult. Relying on the city walls and fortified camps, our army might be able to hold the line, but if we go out into the open, we have no chance of winning. Therefore, setting aside the 200,000 tribal troops, the greatest outcome our 110,000 troops can achieve is a stalemate. If, during a stalemate, the 200,000 tribal troops suddenly attack the 30,000 Jurchen troops they are facing, it will instantly disrupt the Jurchen's deployment. If those 30,000 Jurchen troops are personally led by the Jin emperor, it will bring even more surprises!"