"Great Commander, I have a question."
Hu Yan Sheng, the commander-in-chief of the Great Yan Kingdom's border, ordered Zhou Fugui to review the urgent reports from the three passes. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhou Fugui spoke.
"Mmm, speak," Hu Yan Sheng nodded after taking a drink.
Whenever Hu Yan Sheng was thirsty, he drank wine; Zhou Fugui had never seen him quench his thirst with water.
"Are you, Great Commander, a Xiongnu?" Zhou Fugui asked.
"So what if I am a Xiongnu?" Zhou Fugui's question was so perplexing that it left Hu Yan Sheng bewildered and slightly surprised. kuAiδugg
"Which clan of the Xiongnu are you from?" Zhou Fugui inquired further.
"I am... what exactly are you trying to say?" Hu Yan Sheng's face darkened as he asked.
Hu Yan Sheng thought to himself, this brat actually dared to probe him.
"Oh, Great Commander, please do not be angry..." Zhou Fugui quickly said, "Han learning is so profound and difficult to comprehend. You, Great Commander, are a Xiongnu, yet you read Han characters and understand the Han language. That is why I am a little surprised."
It was true that Hu Yan Sheng was a Xiongnu, a fact Zhou Fugui had now confirmed. But which clan of the Xiongnu he belonged to, and why he was so loyal to the Great Yan Kingdom in guarding the border, Zhou Fugui knew nothing about and was extremely curious, intending to probe him step by step.
Xiongnu was a general term, usually referring to the nomadic peoples mentioned in historical records such as Gui Rong, Yi Qu, Yan Jing, Yu Wu, Lou Fan, and Da Li, collectively called Xiongnu. By the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu had become somewhat powerful, encroaching upon the feudal lords. Thus, they defeated and drove away the Yuezhi, and with their military might, they integrated smaller kingdoms and nomadic peoples under one banner. Therefore, people of the northern grasslands were often called "Xiongnu" by the Han people, and the Xianbei people could also be called Xiongnu.
"Slap!" Zhou Fugui's words instantly enraged Hu Yan Sheng. His face contorted as he slammed his hand heavily on the table and roared, "I asked you to look at the military reports, and you are babbling nonsense. Guard Zhou, if you dare to speak such nonsense again, you will not be forgiven lightly."
Hu Yan Sheng's sudden fury and explosive rage not only startled Zhou Fugui but also shocked the guards waiting outside. They could only peek in, not daring to enter the room without Hu Yan Sheng's command.
"This young one was rash and offended the Great Commander!" Zhou Fugui hurriedly stood up and clasped his hands.
Hu Yan Sheng ignored Zhou Fugui and walked to the window, looking out. His eyes were already moist, but since his back was to Zhou Fugui, he did not notice.
"Green grass on the riverbank, ceaselessly I long for the distant road. The distant road is unreachable, in dreams I see you by my side. I dream you are beside me, then suddenly realize you are in another land. Each land is a different county, turning and turning, we do not meet. The withered mulberry knows the wind, the sea knows the cold. Entering the gate, each one shows affection, who is willing to speak for me? A guest comes from afar, presenting me with a pair of carp. My child, cook the carp, inside there is a letter. Kneeling long, I read the letter, what does it say? Above, it says to eat more, below, it says I miss you always."
At this moment, a graceful figure appeared before Hu Yan Sheng, dancing gracefully. Her dark hair flowed, and she was singing a beautiful song, her voice like a lament, like a celestial melody that soothed the soul, tinged with a faint sorrow.
Zhou Fugui's words had stirred up memories buried deep in Hu Yan Sheng's heart for many years, causing him great distress.
However, Hu Yan Sheng quickly regained his composure and turned to Zhou Fugui, asking, "How is the military report coming along? If you can't figure anything out, then withdraw."
"Great Commander, I still have a question," Zhou Fugui said.
"What is it? Speak. I hope it is related to this battle," Hu Yan Sheng nodded.
Zhou Fugui grinned and said, "Great Commander, you said that Ghost Valley Pass, Qilin Pass, and Snow Chill City are as strong as a rock, and the barbarian army outside has been repelled repeatedly. But why have they returned this time? And their force is even greater than before? Great Commander, the barbarian army outside is mostly cavalry. In the snowy plains and open fields, cavalry is like a mountain roar or a sea tide, capable of surprise attacks, flanking, intercepting, and cutting off their routes. They are like fish in water, eagles in the sky. But to use cavalry to attack a city is like fitting a donkey's lip to a horse's mouth, attacking the strong with the weak. How can they not be defeated? Do they not understand this principle?"
"Sit down and tell me slowly." Hu Yan Sheng first sat cross-legged on the carpet, then invited Zhou Fugui to sit, handing him a pot of wine.
Zhou Fugui knelt on the carpet, holding the steaming wine pot, and took only a small sip.
Seeing this, Hu Yan Sheng secretly found it amusing. He saw no trace of the hearty spirit of the people of the grasslands in this young man.
"To say they don't know would be unbelievable, yet they persist. Do they still intend to force their way through the three passes? Are they truly not afraid of losing soldiers and generals, of losing their elite cavalry?" Zhou Fugui continued.
"You mean...?" Hu Yan Sheng frowned and pondered.
"The drunkard's intention is not in the wine..." Zhou Fugui looked at the hot wine in his cup and replied, "I believe they must have another agenda, perhaps a diversionary tactic."
"Another agenda? A diversionary tactic?" Hu Yan Sheng seemed to ask himself, or perhaps murmured, "The paths into the pass diverge. The east has the three passes, the west has Sha Ge Pass and others..."
"Exactly, Great Commander. The barbarian army must be employing a diversionary tactic. They are feigning an attack on the plank roads while secretly crossing the river. They are openly attacking the three passes, perhaps sending a cavalry force to raid Sha Ge Pass and other passes," Zhou Fugui said excitedly.
"Feigning an attack on the plank roads while secretly crossing the river? Do you even know where Sha Ge Pass is, to make such a judgment?" Hu Yan Sheng glared at Zhou Fugui and said, "Sha Ge Pass and its like are not comparable to the three passes. They are smaller passes with small garrisons. But even if the barbarian army can break through, they will face an endless desert and Gobi, as well as dense forests. All of this is disadvantageous for marching. Their diversion would be to abandon the easy for the difficult, which is utterly impossible."
"Utterly impossible? Isn't that too absolute?" Zhou Fugui said indignantly, "In warfare, one engages directly and wins through unexpected means. Therefore, those who are skilled in surprise are as boundless as heaven and earth, and as inexhaustible as rivers and seas. Great Commander, even if no one else could think of it, if I were to deploy troops, I might just achieve the unexpected."
"Do you have military strategies memorized?" Hu Yan Sheng smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps I am not as proficient as you in reciting military texts, but I know that surprise tactics cannot be used frequently, otherwise, they would cease to be surprise tactics. Moreover, employing surprise tactics is extremely perilous. A slight misstep could lead to the annihilation of the entire army. Therefore, you must remember, unless it is absolutely necessary and there is no other way, never employ surprise tactics. The barbarian army's assault this time is definitely not a diversionary tactic, so stop dwelling on it."
Hu Yan Sheng might not have been as adept as Zhou Fugui at reciting ancient military strategies, but the military strategies in Hu Yan Sheng's mind were forged through countless battles, through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Furthermore, Hu Yan Sheng had already gathered much information about the Many Braves clan of the Xiongnu, so dwelling on this matter further held little significance.
"The Many Braves clan has mobilized over two hundred thousand troops to attack the passes. Their aim is nothing more than to break through and march into the Central Plains to water their horses..." Hu Yan Sheng continued.
"Over two hundred thousand? Are they bluffing? Have they included men, women, children, and even livestock...?" Zhou Fugui interrupted.
Hu Yan Sheng, far from being offended, nodded with satisfaction and said, "Yes, as you guessed, the two hundred thousand is indeed a bluff by the Many Braves. However... Guard Zhou, it is not entirely as you think. The Many Braves clan are all cavalry. Among them, there is a force of unknown size called the 'Tian Su Army,' which specializes in attacking and capturing cities."
"Tian Su Army?" Zhou Fugui asked.
"Incredibly brave," Hu Yan Sheng nodded.
"Oh, even with a Tian Su Army, it would not be easy to break through the passes, right?" Zhou Fugui asked again.
"Of course!" Hu Yan Sheng replied indifferently, "With this mere Tian Su Army alone, do they dare to challenge the defenses of my three passes? Guard Zhou, what you said is not entirely without reason. Cavalry attacking a city is like a moth to a flame. The barbarian army must have another plan."
"Must have another plan?" Zhou Fugui smiled and said, "Great Commander, it's nothing more than a lure, to entice our army to sally forth and fight a decisive battle. If it were me, I might even take hostages, soldiers and civilians alike, to force the army within the passes to fight outside."
"Mmm..." Hu Yan Sheng nodded with satisfaction, "Only today do I realize that Guard Zhou is a capable commander."
Only realized today? Zhou Fugui felt a pang of frustration.
However, after being reprimanded a few times by Hu Yan Sheng, Zhou Fugui knew he was far from the understanding of warfare that this man possessed, so he merely felt dejected and did not want to say more.
"However, Guard Zhou..." Hu Yan Sheng continued, "Warfare is deceitful, and situations are constantly changing. What you know, the enemy may also know. On the battlefield, it is a contest of both strength and wit."
"A contest of both strength and wit?" Zhou Fugui murmured, savoring Hu Yan Sheng's words.
"A single talk with you is worth ten years of study!" Zhou Fugui then stood up straight, clasped his hands, and said to Hu Yan Sheng, "Today, I have been enlightened. Thank you, Great Commander!"
"Why thank me?" Hu Yan Sheng looked at Zhou Fugui slyly and said, "Saying it ten thousand times is not as good as doing it once. General Zhou Fugui, do you dare to lead your troops out to battle?"
Zhou Fugui was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "What is there to fear? I am not a greenhorn just starting on the battlefield..."
"Do not speak too definitively..." Hu Yan Sheng shook his head.
"Why has the Great Commander dispatched me?" Zhou Fugui asked.
"To lead troops out of the pass to receive retreating soldiers and civilians into the pass," Hu Yan Sheng replied. "However, I will only give you two hundred cavalry, spread across five teams, totaling a thousand cavalry to go out and receive civilians. General Zhou, do you have the courage?"
"Alas, Great Commander, did I not just say? What is there to fear?" Zhou Fugui sighed.
He felt like he was going crazy, confined all day to serving tea, standing around, and then eating and sleeping. Going out of the pass for a wild ride like this was rather appealing, Zhou Fugui thought to himself.
"Mmm, besides receiving them, what else needs to be done?" Hu Yan Sheng asked.
"To scout the enemy's strength and weaknesses?" Zhou Fugui replied.
"Anything else?" Hu Yan Sheng nodded with satisfaction and asked again.
"What else is there?" Zhou Fugui asked in surprise.
"You must also return," Hu Yan Sheng replied.