Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 254: Chapter 245: Seize the Opportunity to Strike

Yang Zhenshan and Wang Bin had only a brief conversation before they went to freshen up.

The next morning, they met again.

“The Marquis asked about our next move. He said that if we are not advancing westward, we should go directly to Fushan City to rendezvous with him! What do you think?”

In the tent, Wang Bin spoke of the letter sent by Liang Chu.

Yang Zhenshan fell into deep thought.

Although from the current situation, Chongshan Town seemed to hold quite an advantage, the key to this battle lay in Fushan City.

As long as Fushan City remained unbroken, the Da Rong Dynasty could still continue to exist.

Moreover, the Da Rong Dynasty still had a chance for a comeback. Seven major clans were around Fushan City, four of which possessed a hundred thousand Northern barbarian cavalry.

If they were to face them head-on, even with assistant generals from five directions gathered under Fushan City, it would still be a fierce battle, and the outcome was uncertain.

Of course, even if Da Rong was defeated in the final battle, the East Sea Hu Clan would no longer be as they were before.

Da Rong had a strong foundation; losing a hundred thousand troops would not harm its Primordial Qi, but the East Sea Hu Clan had already lost two major clans and nearly a hundred smaller ones, and this had already caused them significant damage.

It would be impossible to recover without ten or twenty years.

“We won’t advance westward, but we won’t be in a rush to rendezvous with the Marquis either!” Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment before saying.

“So, what should we do next?” Wang Bin asked in confusion.

Yang Zhenshan looked up at the map beside him and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, “Loot a burning house!”

Wang Bin also looked at the map, but still did not understand.

He knew about looting a burning house; it was one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, and he had studied them in depth.

However, studying them in depth did not imply understanding, understanding did not guarantee the ability to use them, and being able to use them did not mean they could assure victory.

Yang Zhenshan continued to speak: “When the enemy is in great trouble, seize the opportunity to benefit.”

“Right now, the Marquis’ troops are at the gates of Fushan City, which is an immense trouble for the enemy, and the hundred thousand Northern barbarian cavalry around Fushan City cannot be mobilized at will. This is our opportunity to seize the advantage.”

“If we join the Marquis, we can only stay holed up in the large camp for a short time, unable to engage in battle.”

“But what if we head north!”

Saying so, Yang Zhenshan pointed to the area north of Fushan City.

There were four major clans around Fushan City, and naturally, they could not all reside in or close to Fushan City.

The East Sea Hu Clan did not have vast territories and were not skilled in farming, so they could not support a large city. Hence, there were actually only tens of thousands of residents in Fushan City, which was less than in one of Da Rong’s prefecture cities.

So, the question arises, where are the people from these four major clans?

Indeed, they were north of Fushan City.

That area was the most densely populated area of the East Sea Hu Clan.

At this moment, the Royal Court of Fushan City must have pressed most of its troops onto Fushan City, making the northern region sparsely defended.

“Strike when they are unguarded, wipe out everything, cut off Fushan City’s logistical support, and then Fushan City will fall without an attack!” said Yang Zhenshan.

North of Fushan City were many settlements supplying various resources to the city. If these settlements were swept away, it would not take long for Fushan City to fall into a situation of food shortage.

Without logistical support, how long could the hundred thousand troops and tens of thousands of clan members inside and outside of Fushan City hold out?

Once Fushan City becomes isolated, it will collapse without a fight.

Maintaining a hundred thousand troops is no small feat!

After listening to Yang Zhenshan’s explanation, Wang Bin’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Wonderful! Brother Yang, your idea is truly brilliant!”

If things went as Yang Zhenshan said, they could truly bring about the complete downfall of the East Sea Hu Clan.

Yang Zhenshan added, “However, to level the north of Fushan City, we alone are not enough!”

That region was the most densely populated area for the East Sea Hu Clan, home to about four to five hundred thousand people, roughly a third of the entire East Sea Hu Clan population.

With such a huge population, even if Fushan City had already drawn away a hundred thousand Northern barbarian cavalry, there would still be a hundred thousand able-bodied men left.

Moreover, the place was close to Fushan City, which could also send troops for reinforcements.

It wouldn’t require many cavalry, just twenty thousand Northern barbarian cavalry were enough to make them cautious.

Meanwhile, if Fushan City lost twenty thousand cavalrymen, even if Liang Chu took the initiative to attack later, the other side could still defend their city, essentially switching defense for offense.

For their mere force of four thousand to face tens of thousands of Northern barbarians and twenty thousand cavalry was not looting a burning house; it was walking into a trap.

So, they needed more troops.

“What do you mean?” Wang Bin asked.

Yang Zhenshan’s mouth curved into a smile, “Call in General Zhou!”

Wang Bin’s expression changed subtly, and he then fell into deep thought.

To ask for Zhou Lan’s help?

He had also received news about Zhou Lan’s crushing defeat of the Qi Jia Clan.

Would Zhou Lan come here and take control?

No, that’s wrong. Where would the division of host and guest be in this place? If one were to argue about it, they were all trespassers.

“This needs the Marquis’ approval!” Wang Bin said.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, “Of course!”

This had already involved a strategic adjustment, altering the initial strategy set by Liang Chu, and naturally required Liang Chu’s approval.

Moreover, they might also need Liang Chu’s cooperation. Without Liang Chu’s forces keeping Fushan City busy, their plan would be as illusory as flowers reflected in the mirror, only existing in fantasy.

Having gained Yang Zhenshan’s agreement, Wang Bin immediately had a letter written and sent it to the Camp at Chongshan Town.

When Liang Chu saw Yang Zhenshan’s strategy, he first pondered it for a long time, then gathered his staff for a lengthy discussion.

This strategy was risky, but it was still a good one.

On the battlefield, the situation changes in the blink of an eye, and every strategy contains elements of risk; they cannot simply dismiss a feasible plan because it is risky.

“Marquis, your subordinate believes this plan is workable. If Fushan City dispatches troops to aid, we can take the opportunity to seize Fushan City. If they do not send support, having lost their Northern logistical support, Fushan City will crumble without a fight!” Lu Chong said.

Liang Chu frowned and said, “But if Fushan City sends aid, our soldiers in the Northern will be in danger!”

“Do you not trust the two Generals and Master Yang?” Lu Chong persuaded.

Liang Chu pondered briefly and said, “Then, is it possible to have soldiers from other routes take action together?”

He considered whether to call all six Assistant Generals over, which would greatly reduce the danger facing Wang Bin and Zhou Lan.

Lu Chong shook his head and said, “If that’s the case, it’s not taking advantage of the enemy’s absence but a decisive battle!”

The troops from two routes could still launch a surprise attack on the Northern side of Fushan City, but if all six routes converge, Fushan City might get wind of it in advance.

At that point, it’s estimated Fushan City will send out all its external forces for a major battle.

“Moreover, without the Marquis present, I fear the six Assistant Generals would struggle to coordinate and advance together!” Lu Chong provided another reason.

The six Assistant Generals were one thing, but among them was also a Vice General.

When they come together, whose orders would they follow?

Follow Ji Feiyu’s?

But the plan was made by Wang Bin and Yang Zhenshan, and it’s uncertain if Ji Feiyu would act according to their ideas.

Follow Wang Bin and Yang Zhenshan’s?

That’s even less likely. With higher rank comes greater power, and Wang Bin’s rank is not as high as Ji Feiyu’s, and he lacks the authority to command the other Assistant Generals.

Liang Chu nodded in agreement, “You’re right; we should not involve others in this matter.”

He pondered again for a moment, “Then let’s proceed with their suggestion. Immediately send orders to Zhou Lan to lead the troops and join up with Wang Bin.”

Having made the decision, Liang Chu no longer delayed and on the same day dispatched two parties to convey the orders separately to Zhou Lan and Wang Bin.

…

In the Northern Halahun Mountain region, Zhou Lan’s Rescue Camp had just annihilated a medium-sized clan settlement. The battlefield was covered in blood, scattered with severed limbs, as soldiers with faces smeared in blood gathered materials from the battlefield.

“Hu San, take out that dried meat and have Doctor Zhang check it for poison!”

“Lu Da, go tell Mr. Zhao Yuan that we have a lot of livestock here. Please have some civilians come over and herd the sheep away!”

“Li Laosi, what the heck are you doing? Don’t damage those felt tents; we can still use them!”

On the battlefield, Yang Mingzhi was directing the soldiers as they cleaned up.

Currently, he was still the garrison commander of Jianning Guard, but after joining the army, he had been acting as an assistant to Zhou Lan, and he was also one of her trusted aides.

Just then, a group of people approached from afar.

“Mingzhi, Mingzhi!”

Their voices arrived before they were in sight.

Yang Mingzhi looked over in the direction of the voices and saw Zhao Yuan leading a dozen soldiers, with Yang Chengxu right behind him.

“Mr. Zhao, your timing is perfect. I have lots of sheep here; hurry and have some civilians come and herd them away!” Yang Mingzhi said somewhat anxiously.

Yes, he was indeed anxious.

Zhou Lan was known for her swift and decisive actions; her speed in annihilating Hu Clan settlements was no slower than Yang Zhenshan’s.

But the issue was Yang Zhenshan had Wang Bin and Wang Sheng to clean up after him, while Zhou Lan could only rely on Zhao Yuan and Yang Mingzhi.

Zhao Yuan was fine; he managed the logistics and the spoils of war. But Yang Mingzhi not only had to help clean the battlefield but also participate in campaigns, which left him especially busy after each battle.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Yuan laughed and said, “Alright, leave this to me. The General has something for you; you better go quickly!”

Yang Mingzhi was stunned, “The General needs me? For what?”

“I’m not sure, seems like there’s an order from the military!” Zhao Yuan said.

“Oh, then I’ll go right away!” Yang Mingzhi didn’t dare delay and quickly headed towards the edge of the battlefield.

After he left, Zhao Yuan looked at the sheep pen not far away and said to Yang Chengxu beside him, “Go find some civilians, we need to herd these sheep away first!”

“Okay!” Yang Chengxu replied and ran off.

He didn’t go to find civilians but rather caught up with Yang Mingzhi.

“Uncle Mingzhi!”

“Uh-huh!” Yang Mingzhi slowed down.

Yang Chengxu ran up beside him and said softly, “I heard Grandpa Zhengshan has conquered several clan settlements in succession. They have now completely wiped out the clans on the east side of Black Cloud Mountain!”

In the military, receiving news was extremely inconvenient. It was only when someone returned to Jianning Guard that they could bring back some news.

Yang Mingzhi smiled, “I’ve told you before, there’s no need to worry about him!”

Despite saying so, the one here most concerned about Yang Zhenshan was indeed him.

Can’t help it, since it’s his own son.

“Heh heh, I’m not worried about Grandpa Zhengshan; I just think Grandpa Zhengshan is awesome!” Yang Chengxu grinned widely, revealing two deep dimples.

Concern was there, but even more so, there was pride.

Now Yang Zhenshan’s name as the God of Slaughter had spread throughout Chongshan Town, and even they had heard plenty about it.

This thrilled them, and they couldn’t wait to join Yang Zhenshan and ride freely by his side.

Compared to this, their moniker “Five Tigers of the Yang” was only known within Zhou Lan’s Rescue Camp and Jianning Guard, a stark difference indeed.

Yang Mingzhi laughed heartily, “Alright, get going and be busy!”

Yang Chengxu didn’t say anything further and quickly left, while Yang Mingzhi headed towards Zhou Lan’s location.