Sweep Yuan

Chapter 90 On the Prospects of the March Agreement

In Hongxian County, the Xue and Shi tribes had already lined up in their respective ranks, ready to leave the city. Xue Xian rode up on horseback to see Shi Shan off.

"Brother Shi, drink this bowl of wine, and we brothers will meet again under the walls of Sizhou City!"

Shishan picked up his wine bowl, but thinking about the upcoming battle, he didn't rush to drink.

"I urge you, Commander, not to be hasty. Let our troops conquer Wuhe and reach Sizhou before we attack the city together."

"Oh dear! I'm tired of hearing this, bro. I know, I know, I know what I'm doing. Cheers!"

After Xue Xian finished speaking, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, and Shi Shan also downed the wine in his bowl in one go.

The two smashed their bowls at the same time, looked at each other, and laughed.

"Hahaha! Let's go!"

The distance from Hongxian to Sizhou is about twice that from Hongxian to Wuhe, but Hongxian and Sizhou are connected by the Bian River, which allows supplies to be loaded onto boats, enabling the army to travel light and move faster.

When discussing the troop deployment plan, Shi Shan suggested that the "Red Heart Battalion" advance first, and then Xue Xian's troops set off three days later. This time difference would be used to make the Sizhou government troops travel back and forth, thus wearing down their morale.

Xue Xian, however, believed that this tactic was too conservative and would not be conducive to establishing his reputation in one battle. He insisted on sending troops at the same time, changing the strategy to have him hold back the government troops in Sizhou, allowing Shishan to take Wuhe with all his might, and then they would join forces to attack Sizhou.

Shishan was under Xue Xian's control, and despite repeated advice, he could not listen. He could only hope to take over Wuhe as soon as possible.

For this expedition, the entire "Red Heart Battalion" was mobilized, and the marching order was as follows:

The vanguard consisted of a cavalry unit (commanded by Li Wu) and four battalions (commanded by Sun Xun).

The central army was divided into three battalions: left, right, and center. The left battalion consisted of the first battalion (commander Zeng Xing) and the seventh battalion (commander Hu Dahai), the right battalion consisted of the sixth battalion (commander Wu Liujin) and the third battalion (commander Han Cheng), and the center battalion was the teaching and guard battalion (commander Gong Wu).

This camp provided cover for the supply battalion (commanded by Tan Youyu), the veterans' guild (commander Wen Sijiu), and a large number of civilian laborers accompanying the army on their march.

The rear army consisted of five battalions (commanded by Zhou Twelve).

According to "custom," most of the food and labor needed for military operations were provided by villages and communities along the way, and only a small number of laborers were needed to help carry the supplies when leaving the city.

However, after Xue Xian took over the military and political power of Hong County, he stopped all affairs except the construction of city defenses, citing the urgent need for funds and supplies due to the impending war. He also cut the funds and supplies for city construction by half.

Fang Zhongwen then sought out Xue Xian, saying, "Insufficient funds and provisions may affect the progress of the project."

Xue Xian replied, "With ample funds and provisions, what need do I have for you?" He then whipped the old fox on the spot and threatened, "Anyone who dares to slack off and delay the progress will be chopped off."

Within two days, more than a dozen laborers were whipped, and behind their backs, they called Xue Xian "King Yama Xue".

Upon learning that the two armies were going to battle at the same time, some well-informed villagers, fearing they would be chosen by Xue Yanwang, begged their respective village heads to intercede on their behalf, offering to transport supplies for the "Red Heart Battalion".

Both were military laborers, but at least Shi Zhenfu's side had enough to eat, and after capturing Wuhe City, they could receive severance pay and rations; if they were taken away by Xue Yanwang, they wouldn't even get enough to eat, and they might be used to fill a trench one day.

Unbeknownst to many, Shishan has already earned a reputation for "benevolence and righteousness" among the people of Hong County.

Unable to defy the will of the people, Shishan had no choice but to accept these people.

As the news spread, even more young and middle-aged men flocked to join the cause.

If Xue Xian hadn't acted decisively and designated the neighborhoods where the two armies would each recruit laborers, most of the able-bodied men in the city might have had to follow Shi Shan south.

As a result, Shishan and Xuexian agreed to bring only two thousand soldiers, but with the addition of the supply battalion, veterans' association, and accompanying civilians, the total number actually approached five thousand.

Many people, young and old, stood by the roadside to see off their relatives and friends, but they did not wail. They simply waved from afar, and some of the bolder ones even shouted slogans such as "May you achieve victory!"

On the supply wagon, Liu Xingge, who had been under house arrest for many days, looked rather plump. He was quite excited at first, asserting that the bandits would release his family after they left the city. However, after witnessing the grand scene of soldiers and civilians helping each other, he remained silent for a long time.

Due to limited space at the city gates, the queues to leave the city were very long.

As soon as the supply wagon left the city, Shishan stopped by the roadside. "Old Liu, I've been feeding and lodging you for so long, and you've even handled some trivial matters for me. I'm magnanimous and won't hold a grudge. Take these travel expenses, and we'll part ways here today. Go and visit your relatives and friends."

"Humph!"

Liu Xingge snorted coldly, not getting out of the car, and said with his neck stiff:
"You think you can arrest me whenever you want, and release me whenever you want? Who do you take me for, you thief!"

"Hahaha, don't want to leave? Perfect, we have thousands of soldiers and civilians, every day—"

Shi Shan went forward to help Liu Xingge out of the carriage, but the old man pushed him away.

"How could I possibly stoop to serve a thief? No way!"

The two had spent quite some time together, and had often bickered, developing a tacit understanding. Shi Shan understood that Liu Xingge was mostly curious about his methods but also hesitant to lower himself, so he didn't force him and smiled, saying:

"Alright, alright! Old man, are you addicted to being locked up? If you don't want to leave, then stay in the car! Hahaha!"

"and many more!"

Seeing that the horse on the stone mountain was about to leave, Liu Xingge called out.

Shishan jumped off his horse, wondering when the old man had changed his ways.

"Have you figured it out so quickly?"

Liu Xingge didn't give Shishan a hard time again, and calmly said:
"Considering that the young man is kind-hearted and eager to learn, I cannot bear to see you repeatedly go astray, so I have something to tell you."

Shi Shan wasn't annoyed that Liu Xingge had gotten the better of him verbally. He straightened up and said:
"Please enlighten me, Master!"

Liu Xingge composed himself for a moment before analyzing the current situation for Shishan.

“Huai’an Road is at three disadvantages to you. First, it is flat and has no natural defenses. Second, it is a key location for salt and grain transport, and the imperial court will not give it up. Third, the salt workers are fierce and brave, and the officials and people of this road will fight with all their might to defend against the bandits for their own wealth and prosperity.”

Shi Shan found it somewhat amusing. "I've already sent troops out, and this old man is trying to persuade me to withdraw?"
What a joke!
"So, you still want to recruit me?"

Liu Xingge stared at the stone mountain for a long time, and seeing its resolute expression, he sighed.

"Not so. I'm just curious, even if you take over the Five Rivers, what then?"

Wuhe County is located right next to the Huai River, and both its upstream and downstream areas are heavily guarded prefectures, making it an unsuitable place to establish a foothold.

But Shishan's capture of Wuhe was merely a stepping stone.

Subsequently, whether it was attacking Sizhou to the east or taking Haozhou to the west, some preparations were made in advance, but these things could not be told to Liu Xingge yet.

"How about we make a bet?"

"What are you gambling?"

Shi Shan pointed his horsewhip south, full of vigor and ambition.

"This time, as I march south, I will surely seize the Five Rivers. Within three months, there will be dramatic changes in the world. At that time, I may have already led my troops eastward and directly captured cities such as Sizhou and Shanyang (the seat of Huai'an Road). Or I may lead my army south across the Huai River and wreak havoc on Anfeng Road."

If this succeeds, you will come out of seclusion and handle government affairs for me. If it fails, I will accept your offer of amnesty, what do you say?

Seeing Shi Shan's determined look, Liu Xingge felt a sense of anticipation and raised his right palm.

"It's a deal?"

Shi Shan also extended his palm and struck Liu Xingge's.

"A word is settled!"

(End of this chapter)