Chapter 21: Surrounded on All Sides, The Situation Becomes Dire
Imperial Dragon Hall.
Tian Yueying sat in the center of the grand hall, a map of the western region centered on Hui City spread before her.
“Young Master Yang, the Kang army has returned. Their current advance is aimed at western Hui City. If I lead the troops to resist, how should we proceed?”
Yang Chuan had been summoned by her alone to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy.
After glancing at the map, he furrowed his brow and pointed to the west of Hui City, remaining silent for a long while.
Tian Yueying sensed his thoughts and whispered, “Exactly, west of Hui City is the territory of the Wei Kingdom. The Kang army was able to reach the western border smoothly this time because they passed through Wei’s lands.”
As the saying goes, one fears not a strong enemy, but foolish allies.
Wei, a kingdom closely tied to Qi, had allowed the Kang army passage for some trivial gain—something she had never expected.
“Your Majesty, has Great Qi ever been on friendly terms with Wei before?”
Tilting her head, Tian Yueying pondered and shook her head. “I truly don’t know. When I left Great Qi to follow you, three years had passed under Cao Ding’s regency, and you have witnessed his governance firsthand.”
Hearing this, Yang Chuan sighed deeply.
If Qi and Wei had been friendly and cooperative, then Wei’s allowance of the Kang army would be a betrayal.
But if, as he suspected, Qi had no dealings with Wei in these years and even wronged Wei during Cao Ding’s rule, then Wei’s actions were somewhat understandable.
“Enough. Since we cannot rely on outsiders, we shall repel the Kang army ourselves.”
After another look at the map, Yang Chuan took up a brush and marked a location on it.
“Your Majesty, you shall personally lead the army to attack Hui City head-on. Upon reaching a suitable encampment, dispatch a light cavalry unit carrying gold and valuables to An Ding City of Wei. Present these as gifts to the governor there.”
“This... Young Master Yang, please speak plainly.”
Tian Yueying frowned, unable to grasp the intention behind Yang Chuan’s plan.
Yang Chuan burst into hearty laughter, pointing at An Ding City on the map. “Your Majesty, this city is the Kang army’s inevitable path into Yan territory. Though their main force has arrived, their supplies are still en route.”
“Do you see my meaning now?”
Moments later, laughter rang out from the Imperial Dragon Hall.
...
Three days later, Tian Yueying led the imperial army on a campaign, arriving near Hui City.
After encampment was established, she secretly dispatched a light cavalry unit carrying gold and valuables straight to An Ding City in Wei.
At this moment, beneath the walls of Hui City, the Kang army of one hundred thousand soldiers had arrived, with siege weapons doubled in number from before.
Their commander was General Guo Mingyu, a student of Jiang Ziqi.
Having learned from the last defeat by Bao Wenyuan, he no longer ordered reckless assaults but stationed troops in batches under the city’s four gates, intending to cut off supplies inside.
On the city’s main gate, the defending general Wang Ze stood atop the battlements, gazing uneasily at the Kang army arrayed outside.
Ahead were dense shields forming an impenetrable line, behind which countless archers and crossbowmen lay in ambush.
Further back stood a row of advanced siege engines.
At the very rear was the famed Kang imperial guard formation, with General Guo Mingyu seated on a wooden chair in the center, conversing with his officers.
Facing such a disciplined army, Wang Ze lacked even the desire to send troops out to engage.
Just as he was troubled by the enemy’s deployment, a soldier hurriedly reported to him on the battlements.
“General Wang, according to other gate commanders, the Kang army surrounds the city on all sides. The situation is dire!”
“Ah?”
Surprised, Wang Ze grabbed the soldier’s collar and demanded, “What about the forces at the other gates?”
“The commanders estimate around thirty thousand troops at each of the other three gates. Their formations are well arranged, with hardly any flaws!”
Hearing this, Wang Ze collapsed to the ground.
After long contemplation, he spoke slowly, “The Kang army intends to cut off Hui City’s supplies! If this drags on, the city shall fall.”
“General Wang, although surrounded, the enemy forces must grow weary. We shall hold the gates with archers by day and send light cavalry under cover of night to strike their weak points!”
A subordinate’s suggestion struck a chord with Wang Ze.
He suddenly stood and surveyed the massive army below, murmuring, “May the Kang have weak defenses so we may break out and summon reinforcements from the capital.”
...
At this moment, Tian Yueying had stationed her troops atop a hill southeast of Hui City.
Only four kilometers from the city, she could even use a telescope to observe the Kang formations at the eastern gate.
“Such orderly ranks... seems the Kang have changed commanders this time.”
Lowering the telescope, Tian Yueying crouched to sit among the generals, instantly boosting their morale.
Just then, scouts returned with reports: Hui City was completely surrounded by the Kang army, and supplies were temporarily cut off.
“Your Majesty, the Kang intend to besiege the city until the defenders’ supplies run dry and their morale collapses before assaulting.”
“Your Majesty, our troops have just arrived and are full of fighting spirit. We should seize this chance to split forces and strike the northeast, east, and south gates of Hui City. If successful, the defenders can join us in a joint sortie, breaking the Kang siege!”
Other officers eagerly stepped forward, requesting orders.
“Your Majesty, please command us! We will fight to the death, one against a hundred, to rescue Hui City!”
“Do not act rashly!”
Upon hearing the city was surrounded on all sides, Tian Yueying finally understood Yang Chuan’s thoughtful plan.
Could it be that, though far away in the capital, he had already anticipated the Kang’s tactics?
Hui City was the western gateway of Great Qi. The Kang army surrounded it completely, waiting only for supplies within to be severed—then the city would fall easily.
To the west of Hui City lay a vast plain.
If the Kang captured the city and secured their supply lines, they could advance unimpeded straight toward the capital.
Indeed, it was a brilliant strategy.
Seeing Tian Yueying’s gaze waver, the surrounding generals urged, “Your Majesty, now is the perfect moment to attack. We must not delay!”
“Zhang Yi, take orders!”
Hearing the empress’s command, Zhang Yi eagerly stepped forward, bowing deeply at her feet.