#135: Storm Clouds (1)

On the twelfth day of the fourth month, in the seventeenth year of Qinghua, the Liang Dynasty issued a proclamation denouncing Wei and declaring war.

Three days later, on the fifteenth day of the same month, the Liang army set out from Anfeng. This marked the beginning of the largest-scale battle between Wei and Liang since the southern migration—a monumental conflict that would shake the foundations of both nations.

For Wei, this was a very difficult battle to fight.

First, the war had come unexpectedly. The military strength of Xiao Liang had always been weak, especially after the southward migration, which severely depleted their resources. They had consistently avoided conflict, and since Qi Jingchen took over the Privy Council, they had adopted an even more defensive stance. Thus, the Wei court never imagined that the south would suddenly take the initiative to provoke a war.

Second, there was a severe shortage of funds and grain. The northern territories were not as prosperous as Jiangzuo, and last year’s drought had caused widespread famine, forcing the court to spend most of its resources on relief efforts. Now, with the sudden outbreak of war, logistical issues became a major problem.

Third, domestic turmoil plagued Wei. The elderly Yan Guogong, though still ambitious, found it increasingly difficult to lead troops into battle. Command of the army had largely fallen to the young General Gu Juhan. However, he was preoccupied with suppressing rebellions within Wei, leaving him unable to focus on the frontlines. Even after half a month of fighting, he had yet to arrive at the battlefield.

Faced with such dire circumstances, even the Zou family, who had long harbored resentment toward the Gu family and secretly colluded with Liang, was forced to temporarily set aside their grievances. Civil and military leaders joined hands to resist the southern offensive.

But even so, it was difficult to reverse Wei’s declining fortunes in this battle.

The Liang Privy Council was like a dormant beast. Though it appeared to have been asleep for years, it had quietly extended its influence into every corner. Now, it was fully unleashing its power to shape the course of the war. Not only did they support rebel factions within Wei, but they also manipulated the pens of scholars, proclaiming that Liang was the rightful ruler of the land, while Wei was nothing but a crude force that must emulate the cultural and political systems of Jiangzuo. They declared that the time was ripe for Xiao Liang to reclaim its rightful place in the Central Plains and encouraged the descendants of those left behind in the north to rise up in rebellion.

This stirred unrest among the people, and rebellions erupted with increasing frequency across Wei territory.

A series of crises overwhelmed the Wei court, and on the battlefield, they suffered defeat after defeat. Within two months, they had lost the three commanderies of Jiangzuo that they had captured three years ago, forcing them to retreat north of the Yangtze River. Yet the southern army showed no signs of stopping. They crossed the Yangtze and advanced northward, capturing Ruyang and Pengcheng commanderies, their momentum unbroken.

In the scorching heat of June, the hearts of the Wei people grew as cold as snow in December.

The situation was so dire that even Gu Juhan had to temporarily abandon his efforts to suppress the internal rebellions and rush to Xuchang to plan and prepare.

Currently stationed in Xuchang was General Guo Man, a trusted subordinate of the elderly Yan Guogong and a renowned warrior known as the “Mighty Tiger General.”

General Guo had served in the military for over twenty years, earning a reputation for bravery and invincibility. However, in recent battles, he had been repeatedly pushed back by the Liang forces, retreating all the way to Xuchang. This left him feeling both indignant and humiliated. On this deep night, he finally welcomed the arrival of General Gu Juhan with great joy, believing that the day of counterattack had come. Full of confidence, he prepared to discuss strategy with the young general.

At twenty-six years old, Gu Juhan appeared even more heroic and imposing than he had three years prior. Once hailed as the “War God descended,” he now carried the bearing of a true commander.

He arrived in Xuchang under cover of night, already well-versed in the current situation. In the war council, he furrowed his brows and said to Guo Man, “Tomorrow, I will join you in battle against the Liang forces. After achieving a minor victory, we will withdraw. Afterward, I must leave. You must hold the city and under no circumstances engage in open-field combat.”

Gu Juhan’s plan was carefully considered.

Several rebel factions near the capital were gathering, threatening the emperor. To protect the imperial seat, Gu Juhan had to return quickly to suppress the rebellions and could not remain in Xuchang for long. The Liang forces were advancing with great ferocity, showing no intention of withdrawing easily. If they were to capture Xuchang, the gateway to the Central Plains would be wide open, making it far more difficult to subdue them in the future.

By personally leading the charge tomorrow alongside Guo Man, Gu Juhan intended to mislead the Liang forces into believing he was personally stationed in Xuchang, creating a deterrent effect. Fearing his presence, the Liang forces would likely pause their advance. Afterward, Guo Man could hold the city long enough for Gu Juhan to deal with the rebellions near the capital, allowing him to return and relieve Xuchang.

This strategy mirrored the one employed by Qi Jingchen in Shicheng three years ago. However, the current situation of Wei was vastly different from that of Liang back then. Unlike Liang, which had ample resources and could afford to endure a prolonged siege, Wei’s army was critically short on supplies. Once Gu Juhan returned, he would need to achieve a swift victory; otherwise, defeat would be inevitable.

Qi Jingchen… calculated precisely and planned ruthlessly.

This was the only way to lift the siege of Xuchang and save Great Wei. But Guo Man and the other generals were deeply dissatisfied.

They had spent decades in service during the height of Wei’s power, rarely tasting defeat. This made them resent such a seemingly cowardly strategy, stirring their emotions to anger.

Gu Juhan had to pacify them one by one, much like how Qi Ying had once reassured his generals during the defense of Shicheng. Truly, fate was cyclical, and the winds of fortune shifted constantly.

After hours of persuasion, Gu Juhan promised that upon his return, he would ensure that the generals could exact their revenge on the Liang forces, wiping them out completely. Only then did the generals’ anger begin to subside.

The next day, Gu Juhan led his troops into battle.

The sudden appearance of General Gu Juhan in Xuchang, who should have been far away in the capital, threw the Liang forces into disarray. Especially General Han, who personally commanded the troops and recalled the unpredictable tactics of the Gu family three years ago. He immediately assumed he had fallen into another of Gu Juhan’s traps, feeling a chill run down his spine. Midway through the battle, he hastily sounded the retreat, pulling his entire army back twenty li to set up camp.

Gu Wenruo—truly a man who could hold a pass alone against ten thousand foes.

After retreating to the main camp in disarray, General Han anxiously reported to Qi Ying, who was overseeing the campaign, about Gu Juhan’s sudden appearance in Xuchang. He claimed that Gu Juhan had returned to the battlefield and likely laid a trap for them. The best course of action, he argued, was to retreat back to Jiangzuo.

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying frowned and turned his attention to the sand table to assess the situation.

As the mastermind behind the strategy, his perspective had to remain broad, unclouded by the deceptions of the battlefield.

Xu Zhengning was still in the capital, and the rebellions were far from quelled. Unless the Wei emperor intended to relocate the capital to avoid disaster, Gu Juhan could not possibly abandon the capital, which was far more important than Xuchang.

Thus, Gu Juhan’s sudden appearance here today was merely a ruse. He would prioritize securing the capital, using this move to buy time for the defending generals here.

Therefore, not only could they not retreat, but they must immediately challenge the enemy again. They could not afford to give Gu Juhan any breathing room.

With his decision made, Qi Ying immediately declared, “Uncle Han, we cannot retreat. We must fight again after today.”

Young Master Qi had held high office for many years, and his words carried an invisible weight of authority. Though he respectfully addressed Han Shouye as “Uncle,” his commands brooked no argument, and everyone knew his decisions were final.

However, General Han had been thoroughly intimidated by Gu Juhan and stubbornly refused to comply. As his rank was higher than Qi Ying’s, he attempted to forcefully order a retreat.

Before the generals in the tent could react, Young Master Qi sternly declared, “Who dares!”

His accumulated authority was immense. Not only did he hold the rank of second-rank official, but he also had the backing of the Qi family. His words struck fear into the hearts of the generals, leaving them momentarily paralyzed.

Enraged, General Han pointed at Qi Ying and shouted, “You insolent youth! A mere second-rank civil official—how dare you speak in my tent! I order a retreat! Retreat!”

Overcome by fear of Gu Juhan, he had lost all reason, lashing out in anger. Qi Ying remained calm, his voice quieter than Han’s but each word resounding with undeniable authority.

He said, “Retreating now would give Wei a chance to regroup. Failing to kill the tiger leaves a lingering threat. Once Gu Juhan quells the internal strife in the capital and returns with reinforcements, not only will our previous gains be undone, but we may also face an even greater counterattack. Does Uncle Han wish to invite the tiger into our Jiangzuo lands?”

Three years ago, when everyone clamored for war, he had forbidden it. Now, when everyone feared battle, he insisted on fighting. Like a drawn sword, he no longer concealed his sharpness, determined to make the decisive call.

Han Shouye was momentarily speechless. Before he could respond, Qi Ying added, “If we win this battle, I will claim no credit. If we lose, I will bear the blame alone. What does Uncle Han think?”

Calm and composed, his words were light yet carried the weight of a thousand burdens. Under the watchful eyes of all, Han Shouye could say nothing more. However, his fear of battle and unwillingness to risk his life against Gu Juhan led him to turn and leave in a huff, declaring that since the Privy Council now controlled the campaign, he would wash his hands of the matter entirely.

Pretending anger, he fled in defeat.

No one among the generals failed to see this, yet no one dared to speak.

Though they recognized the general’s cowardice and privately despised him, none wished to face Gu Juhan themselves. At that moment, they feared being chosen by Young Master Qi to lead the troops into battle.

However, their superior seemed to have no such intention. While turning to examine the sand table closely, he asked, “Where is General Pei?”

General Pei, Pei Jian.

The former commander of Shicheng three years ago.

As soon as the question was asked, a figure stepped forward from the corner of the tent. Tall and straight, with sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, he was no longer the youthful figure of the past. His demeanor reflected the refinement of countless battles. In a clear voice, he declared, “Your subordinate is here!”

Without looking up, the superior calmly instructed, “Lead the troops tomorrow. Capture Xuchang within five days.”

The generals were astonished, thinking it an impossible task. Yet the young General Pei showed no hesitation, immediately accepting the order.

The summer wind grew hotter.

True to his word, Gu Juhan departed immediately after the battle, instructing Guo Man to hold the city firmly until his return. Though Guo Man was dissatisfied, he dared not defy Gu Juhan’s authority and reluctantly complied.

However, those accursed Liang dogs were infuriating! The next day, they issued a challenge. When Guo Man refused to leave the city, they began hurling insults at the Wei forces!

It was said that the Liang forces were led by a young general who had once defended Shicheng. Three years ago, he had endured similar taunts from the Wei forces. Now, the tables had turned, and the insults came from the Liang side—cowards, turtles, and worse. All manner of crude and vulgar insults rained down on the Wei army, cutting deeper than the sharpest blade.

Guo Man was absolutely livid. Never in his life had he endured such humiliation. By the second day, he could no longer restrain himself and prepared to sally forth from the city. Fortunately, his deputy officers managed to dissuade him just in time. Still, the Liang forces grew increasingly brazen in their insults, causing the veins on Guo Man’s forehead to throb uncontrollably. His anger reached its peak.

Just then, a scout reported that General Han of Liang and Qi Jingchen of the Privy Council were at odds. In a fit of rage, General Han had refused to involve himself further in the Xuchang campaign. Now, the troops were led entirely by younger generals.

Upon hearing this, Guo Man felt a sudden surge of excitement.

Damn it! They’re all just a bunch of inexperienced brats! What’s there to fear?