Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 63 Flame Marshal
The soldiers of the Cao Army marched in columns through the Dabie Mountains, treading deep and shallow in the snow. The mountains were deserted in the depths of winter, with only the occasional fox foraging for food appearing and disappearing in the snow.

There was no water in the surrounding areas, so the soldiers boiled snow water to drink and slept on the snow at night.

This happened in December of the winter of the fourth year of the Qianfu reign of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty. Overnight, the three renowned Yiyang passes were captured by the Cao army.

Pingjing Pass, Lishan Pass and Huangdan Pass are located at the junction of Dabie Mountains and Tongbai Mountains. They are the dangerous and impenetrable roads that King Helu of Wu and the military sage Sun Wu took when they attacked Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period.

After replenishing a large amount of supplies at the Three Gates, we went through a section of mountain road and found that the road ahead was smooth east of the Han River. We could go directly to the Dajiang River to the south.

In the light snow, Shang Rang, wearing a felt coat, stood at the front of the formation. Looking back at the way he had come, he saw mountains standing in the white clouds, like hundreds of cattails, but they had long been left behind by the righteous army.

"Madam Liu, what do you think of Mr. Shang's plan?"

Shang Rang was not very tall and his voice was not loud, but there was a sense of excellence in his words and deeds.

"First, please ask Deputy Alliance Leader Liu to lead a light and sharp force to sneak across the Dabie Mountains and create the illusion of a frontal attack on the three passes of Yiyang, thereby drawing the government troops' attention to this area."

"Then the main force was sent to drive straight to Tangdeng (Note: Tangzhou and Dengzhou in the Tang Dynasty, located in present-day Nanyang, Henan). Tangdeng was where the imperial court stored its grain and treasury. The government army saw that the general was making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, so they urgently ordered the troops from Huaixi to return to rescue and protect Nanyang."

"Our army suddenly turned around and marched quickly through the heavy snow, splitting into three routes to capture three passes. Deputy Alliance Leader Liu's troops had already penetrated deep into the Handong Plain, laying the groundwork for our army."

"Your Excellency's strategies are so interconnected, you possess the demeanor of a renowned general. No wonder even the renowned Inspector of Yingzhou was driven to such extremes by you that he ran about like a foxhound."

Wearing a black cape, she stood gracefully in the snow. The powdery snow fluttered around her, making her figure even more graceful and slender.

She has not yet officially joined the Cao Army, but has come here secretly, so Shang Rang only calls her by her secular surname to avoid revealing her identity.

Shang Rang was so proud that he couldn't help but reach out and hold Chuoying's jade palm. Chuoying was stunned for a moment, but did not struggle.

"Madam Liu, there's no need to be so modest. If you hadn't revised and supplemented the plan for me, Shang wouldn't have been able to come up with this plan."

Shang Rang continued, "In the past, Yang Zhong, the father of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, led 8,000 elite soldiers across Handong, capturing the renowned Liang generals Liu Zhongli and Xiao Lun, and commanding a mighty force throughout the land. This time, our army is also advancing through Handong. I wonder how our strategy compares to Yang Zhong's."

"Yang Zhong not only provides strategic planning, but also commands the entire army, making it invincible." Chaoying chuckled, pouring cold water on Shang Rang's words. "And the four generals also do the same thing. You and I have limited achievements in leading troops in battle. We have only done the work of counselors."

Shang Rang heard this without any dissatisfaction, but nodded approvingly.

"But Zhu Wen has proven that the Four Marshals are by no means invincible. Now that Song Wei is gravely injured, the renowned Pinglu Cavalry, along with their Jiedushi, have become a pack of entrenched warriors. Yan General Zhen Ranyu relies solely on the troops in Luoyang and Huaixi, while our successive victories have boosted morale. A decisive battle is inevitable."

As he was speaking, a hazy light appeared in the east, and in an instant the sky was filled with rays of light, and the wind and snow seemed to subside in an instant.

Shang Rang looked out from a high place, with thousands of mountains and rivers before his eyes, and the heroic spirit in his heart became more and more excited.

Cao Mengde was less than seven feet tall, yet he swept across the world. Li Bai was less than seven feet tall, yet his heart was as mighty as ten thousand men.

Although Shang Rang's figure was not outstanding and he was more slender than his brother Shang Junchang who was ten feet tall, so he was often teased, but at least he was seven feet tall and his appearance could be considered handsome.

With a beautiful woman by his side, her subtle fragrance, like the faint scent of plum blossoms in the snow, made the world in his eyes even more brilliant.

With such lofty ambitions in mind, it was difficult for him to have worldly desires. For Shang Rang, whether he could actually possess the body of the beautiful woman beside him was not very important.

At least, holding her delicate hand, he felt that his lifelong ambition had been built on a solid foundation. Grand ambitions, achievements made with ease, would live up to a man's courage and youth.

……

"So, the Pinglu Army can't provide me with a single soldier, and only a small magistrate like you is here?"

Through the gauze curtain, Liu Xun could only vaguely see the delicate and charming figure lying on the beauty couch.

But just the hazy curves and the faint fragrance floating in the tent were enough to make his soul tremble.

"Marshal Song ordered me to bring him a letter and asked me to serve in Marshal Zhen's tent." Liu Xun said respectfully, not daring to be abrupt in his words or expression.

Although Liu Xun was less than twenty years old, he came from a family of generals and had been known as a child prodigy since childhood in Pinglu.

After Song Wei was defeated and returned to Pinglu, he once sighed and said, "If I had brought Liu Xun with me to assist in military affairs, I would not have suffered such a disastrous defeat."

But of course Liu Xun didn't dare to say such words to Yan Shuai Zhen Ranyu.

He knew that among the Four Generals of the Tang Dynasty, probably none of them really took Old Song Wei seriously.

"I want to see what message Song Wei has for me, an old friend."

A corner of the pink curtain was slightly lifted, and a beautiful maid stepped out. She was wearing high hairpins, beautiful makeup, and exquisite clothes. Her appearance and temperament were not inferior to many ladies from wealthy families.

The pretty maid took the letter handed to her by Liu Xun, then walked back into the curtain, lowered her head, and seemed to whisper the contents of the letter into Zhen Ranyu's ear.

The moment the curtain was opened, Liu Xun felt the fragrance suddenly become strong and intoxicating. He couldn't help but flare his nostrils and took a light breath, but then he felt a chill running through his bones, as if death was at hand.

This experience made him dare not breathe for a moment.

The woman in the tent may be the most beautiful woman in the Tang Dynasty.

Liu Xun couldn't confirm this, as he couldn't see her face. But he realized that the rumor that Yan Shuai was the most terrifying woman in the Tang Dynasty was absolutely true.

There were heads of soldiers who violated discipline hanging on high poles in the military camp, dried by the strong wind, as evidence.

If Liu Xun said a wrong word, his head would probably become one of those heads.

"When Pang Xun was defeated, Kang Chengxun was immediately convicted. Even if we succeed, can we escape disaster?"

This quote refers to the campaign against the Mingjiao leader, Pang Xun, in the tenth year of the Xiantong reign. After Pang Xun launched his rebellion, he commanded a huge response, shaking the nation and becoming unstoppable. The imperial court dispatched 200,000 troops to defeat him. Shortly thereafter, the senior commander, Kang Chengxun, was exiled and died.

After repeating the most crucial sentence in Song Wei's letter, a chuckle like a wind chime came from inside the tent, with an utterly charming charm that pierced the soul and etched into the bones.

But Liu Xun could feel the faint murderous aura more clearly.

"What nonsense! Is Song Wei, that old man, getting senile?" A lazy, teasing voice emanated from the tent. "Is it because he didn't perform well in the battle against Pang Xun nine years ago that he mistakenly believed Kang Chengxun had somehow managed to become the commander-in-chief, leading to his death because his achievements outweighed his own?"

"I, the General, also participated in the battle and made contributions, so how come I am still alive and well? The main credit for defeating Pang Xun was clearly attributed to the Shatuo cavalry under General Feng's command. Didn't General Feng also take advantage of the opportunity to claim the throne?"

"General Song is indeed suspected of harboring the enemy for his own benefit! As General Song's staff member, I cannot hide this." Liu Xun kowtowed and said, "But while I am in General Zhen's camp, my only concern is to defeat the enemy. I only hope to serve General Zhen as faithfully as possible."

"A dog's labor?"

Liu Xun suddenly saw a file being thrown out casually.

He didn't dare let the file fall and hurriedly caught it.

When they unfolded it, they found that it was the confidential military file of the Pinglu Army.

To be precise, it was a plan to suppress pirates that he drafted for Song Wei when he was seventeen years old.

At that time, Song Wei implemented this plan and within three months, he eliminated a large group of bandits that were wreaking havoc on the Qingqi coast.

This is also Liu Xun's proudest work so far.

However, this plan was already covered with various red circles and annotations, and the bright red words written in cinnabar were shocking.

"This plan looks good, but I can't count the stupidity in it on my hands."

Zhen Ranyu's words no longer contained any hint of sarcasm, but became calm as water, showing that this was her most rational evaluation from the bottom of her heart.

"The plan was overly complicated, wasting a great deal of time and resources. It was only because the enemy was even more foolish than you and acted exactly as you predicted that it succeeded. Otherwise, you would have been beheaded by General Song to demonstrate your loyalty to the army."

"I appreciate talent, so I'll allow you to observe the detailed process of how I beheaded Wang Xianzhi. Also, regarding planning and strategy, you could really learn more from Wang Jian of the Zhongwu Army."

Liu Xun suddenly felt as if he was struck by lightning.

The state of mind he pursued, "a hundred plans for every step, with no omissions in the plan", was flatly denied by Commander Yan.

But the comments on the file seemed so detailed and reasonable that he couldn't refute a single word.

"I will listen carefully to Marshal Yan's instructions!" Liu Xun raised his voice.

Cold sweat had completely soaked his clothes on the back.

"You may withdraw now." Zhen Ranyu gave the order and turned to the pretty maidservant beside him. "Huang'er, fetch me a few fresh pomegranates, with both the skin and the flesh equally red as fire. This shouldn't be difficult, right?"

This requirement seems simple, but it is not easy to eat fresh pomegranates in winter.

However, Marshal Yan's demands must always be met as much as possible.

If her needs are not met promptly, she will want to kill someone, usually her enemies, but sometimes her own people.

Maybe it didn't seem like much of a difference to her.

Yan Shuai hasn't made any big moves in several years.

If she stayed in a warm and comfortable city, her requests would generally be met.

After all, Marshal Yan would not deliberately make requests that would really make things difficult for others.

But this also made many people in the world forget what it was like the last time Yan Shuai killed people like mowing grass.

Even with Yan Shuai's comments, it is impossible to be completely convinced.

When Liu Xun left the tent, he suddenly remembered that the maidservant called "Huang'er" by General Yan, who was cautious and prudent in her manners, was very similar to the portrait of Chen Liqing, a female general from the Yingchuan Chen family who was always arrogant and domineering.

He couldn't help but feel that—

The future of Wang Xianzhi, the leader of the Zhenyi Alliance who is the best martial artist in the world and currently at the peak of his popularity, is probably not going to be good.

(End of this chapter)