Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 223 The troops are approaching the city
"Yang Gong was known as a capable general among officials, and he never showed mercy in killing his political enemies. Unexpectedly, he showed a woman's compassion towards a group of bandits."

Gao Yan sighed and said to Qian Liu.

Before hearing the rumors that Han Ping's surrender might be a ruse by Zhu Wen, Gao Yan had already decided to kill Han Ping.

The defection of a thousand enemy soldiers has weakened the enemy forces, giving Gao Yan a better chance to make a decision.

In Gao Yan's view, regardless of whether Han Ping had truly surrendered, his thousand men were a destabilizing factor. Before the great battle, he didn't want to alter the battle plan too much because of this surrendered army; it would be better to devise a plan to bury them alive and take their gold and jewels to reward his troops!
However, this was opposed by Yang Fuguang.

"Yanwei, you are mistaken! Killing those who surrender is inauspicious. If all those who voluntarily surrender are killed, who will dare to abandon darkness and embrace the light in the future?"

It's not surprising that Yang Fuguang said that.

As far as the public was concerned, although Yang Fuguang was decisive in his actions, he was always a proponent of appeasement in suppressing popular uprisings. He once believed that if Wang Xianzhi and his followers had been persuaded to surrender in time before they joined forces, Huang Chao would not have been able to cause any more trouble.

On a personal level, Yang Fuguang accepted a substantial bribe from Han Ping.

Some might think, "If we kill all these surrendered soldiers, why would we need to give Jinbao any money?"
But that's the logic of a robber, not the logic of officialdom.

If these thousand people are executed under the pretext of feigned surrender, the first thing to do is to report the victory to the court and the spoils. In addition, the soldiers who participated in the massacre will also have to share the money. How much will be left for Eunuch Yang?
Han Ping's willingness to voluntarily bleed was a relief for Yang Fuguang.

Seeing that Qian Liu did not answer, Gao Yan continued, "Generous gifts and sweet words are what the ancients feared. Han Ping was arrogant to the petty thief Zhu Wen, but later became obsequious to Lord Yang. He is not trustworthy. Even if his surrender was not a ruse, he will surely be a future threat."

Qian Liu hesitated for a moment before finally replying, "Han Ping and some of the surrendered soldiers brought their families with them. They have already offered their families as hostages, and Han Ping has even put his own elderly mother as collateral. General Yang is also a veteran general; otherwise, he would not have trusted them so much."

"Throughout a thousand years of history, how many people have disregarded the lives of their parents, wives, and children, chasing after fame and fortune?" Gao Yan shook his head: "Ju Mei, you are extremely filial to your mother, but how can these vicious bandits compare to you?"

Gao Yan's implication was that he felt Qian Liu might use his own father as a hostage and then disregard his father's life.

Qian Liu was nearly drowned in a well by his father because of his ugliness at birth. In Gao Yan's view, no amount of love or care afterward could ever forgive such an act; the only question was whether an opportunity for revenge would arise. Without such an opportunity, the relationship would remain one of filial piety and parental love; but if such an opportunity did arise, well… hehehe.

According to Gao Yan's philosophy of life, it is only natural to repay evil with justice, and it is not wrong to repay kindness with enmity when it is beneficial to me.

When he judges others, he tries to assume the worst; this is his approach of "strict defense against enemies."

Qian Liu seemed completely oblivious to Gao Yan's implied meaning: "Does the general feel that the morale of the troops in the western part of Lingnan is still somewhat lacking?"

The reinforcements brought by Gao Yan and Yang Fuguang were all carefully selected elites. However, given the long distance, their numbers were limited.

The main force in this battle was the local militia of Lingnan West Circuit, also known as the Unity Army.

In the late Tang Dynasty, the garrison troops of the southern military governorships were corrupt and understaffed. In times of war, elite troops were often selected from local militias, generously rewarded, and promised favors in order to motivate them to fight to the death.

Since the regular army is full of seasoned veterans, these hastily assembled militia are often more reliable than the rotten officers and soldiers of the local government.

Gao Yan nodded: "Among these united soldiers, there are quite a few personal guards offered by the chieftains of the western Lingnan tribes, who are bloodthirsty. I was thinking of having the soldiers slaughter Han Ping's troops before the battle, seize their gold and jewels, and rape their wives and daughters, to unleash their bloodlust and boost morale. Unfortunately, Lord Yang won't allow it, so there's nothing I can do."

Although Gao Yan's method was widely despised, it was a common way to boost morale. The barbarian leaders of the Five Barbarian Tribes era were particularly fond of this approach.

In Gao Yan's opinion, Han Ping had a wife and two concubines, all of whom were beautiful, and his daughter, though only eleven years old, was also quite attractive. If he himself showed that he was not greedy for beauty and let the soldiers line up to enjoy her, and the soldiers played with their wives and daughters in front of Han Ping and the others, wouldn't that boost morale? Even if Zhu San'er came with a heart full of revenge, what would be there to fear?
According to Qian Liu, every advantage has its disadvantages. If Gao Yan did what he did, the rebel army would know that surrendering wouldn't save their lives and that their wives and daughters would be raped by the barbarians, which might make them fight even more fiercely. Yang Fuguang's decision cannot necessarily be said to be wrong.

But Gao Yan's life experiences shaped his way of doing things. Qian Liu would never say anything to Gao Yan that would not suit his taste.

……

"Our surprise attack was successful again, but the spoils were few," Zhu Zhen said. "It seems the enemy deliberately exposed a weakness."

Zhu Wen agreed: "They disguised themselves very well, but they still left some clues."

With the mountains south of Guilin, Gao Yan's abilities would allow him to completely hold off the rebel army.

He forced Zhu Wen to launch surprise attacks repeatedly, destroying one fortress after another, precisely to wear down the strength and morale of the rebel army.

The best time for a decisive battle, in Gao Yan's view, would be when the rebel army, having broken through numerous obstacles, reached the government forces and were exhausted. Gao Yan's goal was to seek war, not a prolonged stalemate. Concentrating forces was a means, not an end.

“We clearly saw through Gao Yan’s plan, but there’s no turning back now. We can only keep going.” Zhu Wen smiled coldly. “Gao Yan must think that everything is under control.”

Zhu Zhen and the others could not see a trace of hatred in Zhu Wen's smile.

The determination to take revenge is strong enough to conceal hatred until the moment of personal revenge, when it erupts like molten lava.

Gao Yan thought he was the hunter, but Zhu Wen saw him as the prey.

"Those who first occupy the battlefield and await the enemy are at ease, while those who arrive later and rush into battle are weary. Therefore, the skillful strategist brings the enemy to his own feet rather than being brought to his own. He can make the enemy come of his own accord by giving him an advantage; he can prevent the enemy from coming by causing him harm."

Zhu Wen suddenly raised his voice: "Gao Yan's actions are certainly in line with military strategy. But he always fights like this, while the Fourth Commander does not only know how to use troops."

"Even a tyrant should have a heroic spirit. But Gao Yan had none of that, so he was no different from the skeletons in the tomb."

Zhu Wen's contemptuous words instantly boosted the morale of the generals.

Zhu Wen's calm and aloof demeanor greatly encouraged them, who were already exhausted from their long march.

How many times in life can one fight? A man's passion lies in going against the wind and forging ahead.

Just as there are no fixed formations in warfare, water has no fixed shape. The most fascinating aspect of the battlefield lies not only in its various established patterns, but also in the many miraculous moves that can reverse these patterns and turn the impossible into the possible.

It is this unpredictability that is most exciting.

People like Gao Yan, who are unscrupulous and have no bottom line, are too calculating and too lacking in passion.

Han Ping's betrayal did not shake the generals' trust in Zhu Wen. They saw the wisdom and courage Zhu Wen displayed, as well as his determination to avenge his brother, and were moved by it.

They believed that Zhu Wen could lead them to victory.

"Once we catch Gao Yan, I'm going to piss in his mouth!" Huo Cun patted his chest and said smugly.

Everyone burst into laughter, feeling even more that the enemy was nothing to fear.

Just before entering the plains, Zhu Wen feasted the entire army with dried meat and fine wine, but he himself, along with a group of trusted troops, did not drink a drop of wine and led the army on guard to prevent a surprise attack by the enemy.

After a full day of rest, the army continued its northward march, swiftly and decisively reducing several fortified villages at the valley entrance to dust.

In the distance, the stirring sounds of drums and horns rang out, battle flags fluttered, and a dark mass of enemy troops appeared on the horizon.

Zhu Wen knew that no matter what he did, Gao Yan would do everything in his power to block his army on the hillside and prevent them from completely advancing into the plains.

Even so, our side still holds the superior position.

It's normal for both sides in a conflict to have their own advantages and disadvantages; it's impossible to have all the advantages before starting a war. And the victor is always the one who maximizes their own strengths.

The pre-battle planning had been meticulously executed; victory or defeat depended on the performance of both armies on the battlefield. This depended not only on the commander's strategy, but also on the courage and fighting spirit of every general and soldier.

The battle for life or death hinges on this!
"Kill that scoundrel Gao Yan, and let's celebrate our victory in Guilin!" Zhu Wen shouted, his eyes sharp and his arms raised.

Guilin city is not actually visible from here.

But after a long journey, the heroes of the righteous army had emerged from the mountains.

In Zhu Wen's view, it was no different from having an army at the gates of the city.

(End of this chapter)