Chapter 116: Turning the Tables with a Counterplot

In ancient times, the military system was far from as well-organized as it is today. The people on the city walls were well aware that tens of thousands of enemy troops opposite them were no mere bystanders. If the general fell, who else would be willing to continue resisting? Moreover, since both sides belonged to the Jin dynasty, why destroy one another? The opposing army was under the banner of the King of Chengdu, tasked with subduing the barbarians. How many soldiers and civilians in Shu did not despise these barbarians? Thus, shortly after Zhang Chi executed the defending general, some within the city opened the gates, allowing Zhang Chi’s army to pass through smoothly.

Beyond this city gate lay the mountains. Earlier, Ding Yizhi had analyzed that the barbarians might employ a siege-and-relief tactic, so Zhang Chi paid special attention. “What territory lies ahead?” he asked.

Qin Bo, well versed in geography, replied, “Ahead is Yulei Pass, also part of Liangzhou. But this time, we don’t need to enter the pass; we can follow the riverbank straight to Pingwu. There’s no need to worry about the Inspector of Liangzhou setting up roadblocks again.”

Avoiding the pass was certainly preferable, so as not to face further obstacles. Zhang Chi nodded and inquired, “Following the river leads directly to Pingwu? Which river is this?”

“Not far past Yulei Pass is the Jian River. It flows out from Yulei Mountain and curves according to the terrain nearby—this bend is called Jian River Bay by the locals.”

“Jian River Bay?” Zhang Chi suddenly recalled a poem once recited by Monk Dian:

“Wars break out with no knowledge of the year,
Living and drinking with the old monk, carefree.
Waves surge beneath the boat’s hull,
Water and mountains converge at the river’s heart.
Armies fly past Lingfeng Pass,
Thousands of horses halt at Jian River Bay.
Back then, thousands of miles across Bashan,
The scholar-soldier was defeated at Liangzhou Pass.”

Monk Dian had urged Zhang Chi to remember the last four lines, promising they would prove useful someday. Now, hearing Qin Bo mention that place, Zhang Chi’s memory was stirred. The third couplet spoke of armies flying past Lingfeng Pass and thousands of horses stopping at Jian River Bay — could it be referring to this very spot?

Zhang Chi immediately ordered, “The army will halt and rest here.”

Du Ximing, hearing the command, didn’t question it and hurried to relay the order for the troops to pause. Qin Bo, puzzled, asked, “Young lord, have you sensed something amiss?”

Before Zhang Chi could answer, Ding Yizhi smiled and asked Qin Bo, “Is the terrain around the river’s bend relatively flat?”

Qin Bo considered the geography of Jian River Bay and nodded affirmatively, though he did not see how a flat river bend related to marching.

“This place marks the northwest edge of the Shu plains,” Ding Yizhi explained. “It is surrounded by rugged mountains, which are not favorable for barbarian cavalry to set ambushes or maneuver.”

Ding Yizhi’s reasoning made sense, and Zhang Chi agreed. “If the barbarians truly use siege-and-relief tactics, they would ambush in open terrain where their cavalry formations can excel. Concealing themselves in high mountains would greatly diminish that advantage.”

Hearing this, Qin Bo suddenly realized, “Could it be that the barbarians have already set an ambush at Jian River Bay?”

“That’s not certain,” Ding Yizhi mused, “Our rapid advance left them little time to prepare. But if they were to set an ambush, there’s a ninety percent chance it would be here.”

“In that case,” Santong, nearby, interjected, smiling, “we should send scouts ahead. If the barbarians haven’t arrived, why not set an ambush ourselves?” He chuckled proudly. “The barbarians wanted to trap us, but we’ll trap them instead. Brother Zhang, what do you think of this brilliant plan?”

Santong was quite pleased with his own cleverness.

Unexpectedly, Ding Yizhi shot down the idea. “That plan isn’t so great.”

Santong was taken aback. “Why not? Explain it to me.”

“How many troops do we have?” Ding Yizhi asked with a smile.

“Eighty thousand. Why?” Santong wondered. “Though the barbarians outnumber us, we can choose favorable terrain, set formations and ambushes in advance, and launch a surprise attack. Even if they have more men, victory would be ours.”

“Eighty thousand troops is not the problem,” Ding Yizhi patiently explained. “The problem is who these eighty thousand are. They’re assembled from various Shu commanderies and prefectures, and lack unity. Some commanders even scheme against one another. Such an army can only fight well when conditions favor them; it cannot withstand adversity.”

“What exactly do you mean by favorable and adverse conditions?” Santong asked.

“If we take eighty thousand men to fight ten thousand, that’s a favorable condition—certain victory. Commanders will be eager to distinguish themselves. But if we have two hundred thousand facing an equal or greater force without the advantage, commanders will be reluctant, each trying to save their own skin.”

Santong hadn’t considered these nuances before. Now, hearing Du Ximing’s explanation, he thought carefully and realized it was indeed true. How could they fight such a battle? He was at a loss.

Qin Bo also didn’t know what to do. “Given this situation, do we have any countermeasures?”

Ding Yizhi smiled but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked Zhang Chi, “Brother, do you have any insight?”

“In that case,” Zhang Chi said, “we must not confront the barbarians head-on. Instead, we should divide their forces and defeat them one by one.” Ding Yizhi nodded enthusiastically, clearly approving.

“But how to defeat them piecemeal?” Zhang Chi pondered, then asked Qin Bo, “Is Jian River Bay the only route to Pingwu? Are there alternative paths?”

Qin Bo thought for a long moment. “The map shows only this route, but there is a mountain path crossing the range to Pingwu. The river valley is flat and easier to traverse, but the mountain path is much more difficult. It’s a narrow trail not marked on the map.”

“Do you know this path?” Zhang Chi asked eagerly.

Qin Bo pointed toward a distant peak. “That’s Lingyun Peak, towering into the clouds. Through a gorge in the middle of that peak, called Lingfeng Pass, there is a small trail leading directly to Pingwu.”

“The armies flew past Lingfeng Pass!” Zhang Chi’s eyes brightened. “That’s it!”

“Brother, do you have a plan?” Ding Yizhi smiled.

Zhang Chi grinned. “Since that trail isn’t on the map, the barbarians won’t know it. Nor will they expect our speed. We can send a small force to engage the barbarians at Jian River Bay, drawing their main strength there, while our main army marches through Lingfeng Pass to relieve Pingwu. Since the barbarians rely on siege-and-relief tactics, Pingwu’s defenders there must be few. We can defeat them first and lift the siege.”

“Truly a brilliant plan!” everyone exclaimed in unison.

But who would hold the line at Jian River Bay and distract the barbarians’ main force? Commanders from the various commanderies were unreliable. Zhang Chi’s trusted troops numbered only eight thousand elite soldiers under Qin Bo, five thousand under Du Ximing, and a recently formed militia of ten thousand refugees, plus fifteen thousand from Hanxiang’s old Doumi Dao faction. Who could be entrusted with such a critical task?