usatvline Chapter 17: Defeating Zheng
Chapter 17: Defeating Zheng
The feudal lords held a meeting in their respective cities, swore an oath by drinking blood, and pledged to jointly obey the king's command. They elected Zhang Quzhuo, the Earl of Liang, as the leader of the alliance to attack the State of Zheng.
The allied forces were commanded by Liang Bo Zhang Quzhuo, with the feudal lords of Qi, Lu, Wei, and Song each leading their own armies and awaiting orders.
Banners blotted out the sun, a thousand chariots and tens of thousands of armored soldiers marched straight toward Xinzheng.
When the news reached Xinzheng, Zheng Bo Wusheng was surprised but remained calm.
He knew that this battle was unavoidable. Liang Bozhang Quzhuo, with the emperor's power and the combined forces of the feudal lords, had already secured his victory.
However, Zheng had just won a victory and its morale was high. Moreover, it was located in the Central Plains and had high walls and deep moats, so it was not without the ability to fight.
"Grand Master Ji," Duke Zhuang of Zheng said calmly in the court, "the Duke of Liang convened a meeting of the feudal lords under the pretext of 'honoring the king and punishing the rebels,' and our state of Zheng has become the target of everyone's criticism. What do you think we should do in this war?"
Ji Zu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Liang Bo's ambition to eliminate corruption is no small matter! Observing his military tactics, he is brave and skilled in battle, and he is also deeply popular. However, although the allied forces are numerous, their hearts may not be united."
"Qi and Lu harbor ulterior motives, while Wei and Song have a long-standing grudge against us and are merely taking advantage of the situation to show off their power. Our state of Zheng should hold firm to its strong cities, wait for them to tire themselves out, and blunt their momentum. Once their troops are exhausted and internal strife arises, we can then seek an opportunity to defeat them. Perhaps we can send envoys to sow discord and slow down their advance."
Duke Zhuang of Zheng nodded: "Excellent. However, Duke Liang is no ordinary man; I fear he will not give us a chance to regroup. Order the three armies to hold the city firmly and reinforce the fortifications. Also, send out more scouts to closely monitor the movements of the allied forces, especially the Liang army headquarters!"
Meanwhile, the allied forces camp was stationed in Zhiyi, where they conducted drills for days on end, displaying great strength.
Inside the central command tent, Zhang Quzhuo was discussing the strategy for advancing with the various lords and their commanders.
On the map, the mountains and terrain surrounding Xinzheng are clearly visible.
"The defenses of Zheng are strong; a direct assault will inevitably result in heavy losses," Duke Huan of Lu, Ji Yun, spoke first, his tone cautious. "It would be better to besiege them without attacking, cut off their supply lines, and wait for them to collapse on their own."
Duke Xiang of Qi, Jiang Zhu'er, was somewhat impatient: "The Marquis of Lu is being far too cautious. Our allied forces are in high spirits; we should press on and crush Xinzheng in one fell swoop! Why must we act with such womanly compassion and resort to delaying tactics?"
Duke Xuan of Wei and Duke Jin of Wei, along with Zhuangzi Feng of Song, preferred a steady and cautious approach, but also expressed their willingness to follow the instructions of Duke Liang.
Zhang Quzhuo listened quietly to everyone's discussion, his fingers lightly tapping the table.
Once the tent had quieted down a bit, he stood up, walked to the map, and his gaze was sharp as a knife.
"What you all say makes sense. However, Lord Zheng is not one to sit idly by and wait for death. A siege, if it drags on for a long time, plays right into his hands and could lead to unforeseen circumstances. Even if we can take the city by force, it will certainly weaken our allied forces, which is not the best strategy."
He paused, then pointed to a strategic pass southwest of Xinzheng: "Our army has captured Zhiyi, which controls our eastern gateway. However, to trap Xinzheng, we still need another place—Bi (north of present-day Zhengzhou, Henan, the ancient city of Bi)."
"Biedi?" Everyone looked puzzled.
Bidi was not a major city and did not seem to be a strategic core.
Zhang Quzhuo explained, "Although Bi is small, it borders the Wei River and is a vital passage for Zheng to connect with the southwestern cities, obtain supplies, and even escape south to Chu. If our army can advance swiftly with a detachment, seize Bi, and build fortifications, it will be like a sharp blade blocking the flank of Xinzheng. At that time, Xinzheng will be surrounded by our main army on the east, south, and north sides, and Bi will be blocked to the west, forming a complete encirclement. If the Zheng army goes out to fight in the open, we can use the strategic advantage of Bi to block them; if they hold their ground, external reinforcements will be difficult to get in, and their food supplies will run out. Our main force can be deployed outside Xinzheng to show our strength, but we will not rush to attack the city. Instead, we can send elite cavalry to patrol and sweep through the surrounding cities of Zheng, cutting off its wings. In this way, Xinzheng will be nothing more than an isolated city."
Upon hearing this plan, all the generals in the tent showed expressions of admiration.
Zhang Quzhuo not only saw the main battlefield, but also took into account the strategic depth and logistical supply lines, intending to completely isolate the core area of Zheng.
"We admire Duke Liang's profound wisdom and foresight!" Duke Xiang of Qi was the first to express his opinion. The feudal lords of Lu, Wei, and Song also agreed.
"In that case," Zhang Quzhuo said decisively, surveying the crowd, "let's proceed with this plan. The Marquis of Qi and the Marquis of Lu will lead their troops to attack the east and north gates of Xinzheng as a feint, thus tying down the main force of the Zheng army. The Marquis of Wei and the Duke of Song will accompany my central army to advance on the south gate of Xinzheng! I will also dispatch my Liang State Sima Zhao Fengchun with 5,000 elite troops and 100 chariots to rush to Bi, arriving within three days to seize key positions, fortify the terrain, and build deep trenches and high walls. Without my orders, no one is allowed to retreat even a step!"
"Yes, sir!" Zhao Fengchun readily accepted the order.
With the military decision made, the allied forces began to operate like a well-oiled machine. Zhao Fengchun led his troops on a whirlwind march, heading straight for Bi. Zhang Quzhuo personally led the main force of the allied forces, a vast and imposing army, and besieged the city of Xinzheng.
When the banners of the feudal lords Liang, Qi, Lu, Wei, and Song appeared outside Xinzheng, Duke Zhuang of Zheng, standing atop the city wall, wore a solemn expression.
The allied forces were well-organized and exuded a murderous aura. In particular, the large banner with the character "Liang" in the center of the army, and the figure in black armor and black clothes under it, put enormous pressure on the soldiers and civilians of Zheng.
"Liang Bo's military tactics are indeed swift as the wind," Duke Zhuang of Zheng murmured. He had originally thought that the allied forces would need at least ten days to regroup, but he did not expect that they would be at the city gates in just a few days.
"Truly worthy of being a descendant of Duke Wenzhao, and a grandson of Prince Buyi."
Zhang Buyi's "Military Strategies of Buyi" is still widely circulated today and serves as a model for training troops and waging war among the major vassal states.
What made his heart sink even more was that a scout reported that a detachment of Liang's army had bypassed Xinzheng and headed straight for the southwest, with the suspected target being Bi.
"What a brilliant move to cut off our supply lines!" Duke Zhuang of Zheng immediately understood Zhang Quzhuo's intention. "Grand Master Ji, it seems that Duke Liang intends to completely trap and destroy Xinzheng. If we lose Bi, our army will be in grave danger!"
Ji Zu's expression was also grim: "Your Majesty, we must quickly dispatch elite troops to recapture the Bi Pass before the Liang army can establish a firm foothold!"
Duke Zhuang of Zheng immediately dispatched his general Xia Shuying with 10,000 elite infantrymen to leave the city and head to Bi, determined to defeat Zhao Fengchun's forces and secure their lifeline.
Before the battle for Xinzheng had even officially begun, the fierce struggle for the key strategic point of Bi had already commenced. Whether Zhao Fengchun could withstand the Zheng army's counterattack and hold this strategic lifeline would be crucial in determining the outcome of this major battle.
Zhang Quzhuo stood on the chariot, gazing at the majestic city walls of Xinzheng with a profound look in his eyes.
Bi, on the banks of the Wei River, was a place where great events and changes occurred in a short period of time.
Perhaps Zhang Quzhuo was too dazzling, causing people to overlook that Liang Kingdom also had a famous general who was extremely skilled in warfare—Zhao Fengchun.
Zhao Fengchun was skilled in both literature and martial arts. When serving Zhang Quzhuo, he was a strategist. When leading troops alone, he was a commander.
Zhao Fengchun, as expected of a veteran general of Liang, led his troops day and night, arriving a day earlier than the Zheng garrison had anticipated.
Instead of rushing to attack the city, he first occupied a high hill on the north bank of the Wei River, felled trees to build a stockade, dug deep trenches, and laid out barricades, firmly embedding five thousand elite troops into the area like wedges.
When Zheng general Xia Shuying led over ten thousand infantrymen, panting heavily, they were met not with a hastily assembled enemy army, but with a well-established and fortified camp.
"The Liang bandits are so swift!" Xia Shuying was secretly shocked when she saw the neatly arranged banners of the Liang army camp.
But he came on the emperor's orders and was determined to succeed. After a short rest, he launched a fierce attack.
The battle for Bi quickly intensified, with Zheng's army relying on its numerical advantage to launch wave after wave of attacks on Liang's stockade.
Despite the danger, Zhao Fengchun remained calm and composed, standing atop the arrow tower at the camp gate. Although his feather fan had been replaced with a command flag, his commanding demeanor remained unchanged.
The Liang soldiers held their ground, firing arrows and crossbows in unison. Rolling logs and rocks rained down, shattering the Zheng army's offensive time and time again. On the banks of the Wei River, the sounds of battle shook the heavens, arrows blotted out the sun, and blood stained the river red.
However, Zheng's army was numerous and powerful, and Xia Shuying was also a veteran general. Seeing that the direct attack would result in heavy casualties, he changed his strategy, dividing his troops to take a detour, attempting to outflank the Liang army and cut off their water supply.
Zhao Fengchun faced mounting pressure as several parts of his camp were under attack. He ordered his troops to hold the line while simultaneously dispatching waves of scouts to break through the encirclement at great risk and report back to his lord in the direction of Xinzheng.
Meanwhile, outside Xinzheng City, the allied army's camp stretched for dozens of miles. Zhang Quzhuo personally led the central army to guard the south gate, with the Wei and Song armies positioned on the left and right respectively. Every day, they beat drums and shouted, making a show of attacking the city, but they did not actually launch an attack.
The armies of Qi and Lu feigned an attack outside the east and north gates, tying down a large number of Zheng's garrison troops.
Duke Zhuang of Zheng stood atop the city wall of Xinzheng, his face growing increasingly somber.
Although the allied forces outside the city did not launch a full-scale attack, the formidable fortifications and the frequent raids by cavalry had turned Xinzheng into an isolated island.
What worried him even more was that while there was constant fighting in the Bi region, no good news came for a long time.
"Your Majesty, the siege of Bi has dragged on for a long time without success, and General Xia Shuying is likely to be in a stalemate." Ji Zu said with great concern, "If the Liang army occupies Bi for a long time, our southwestern gateway will be wide open, and our connection with Chengfu, Liyi and other places will be cut off. Under a long siege, the grain stored in the city may not last long."
Duke Zhuang of Zheng was well aware of the implications. He took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes: "The Duke of Liang intends to trap and kill my state of Zheng. How can I sit idly by and wait for my doom! Minister Ji, the matter of sending envoys must be expedited."
"Your subject understands," Ji Zu said in a low voice. "The Marquis of Qi is greedy for profit, the Marquis of Lu values his reputation, and Wei and Song have grudges against us, but they are not a united front! However... the Duke of Liang's attitude is resolute, and I'm afraid words cannot sway him."
"Do your best and leave the rest to fate." Duke Zhuang of Zheng looked towards the prominent "Liang" banner in the south. "If we can persuade one or two of the feudal lords to back down, or make the Duke of Liang hesitate, then it will be an opportunity for our state of Zheng. Even if we fail, we must let the world know that Zhang Quzhuo is falsely claiming to be acting on the king's orders to conquer the feudal lords; his intentions are despicable!"
Just as undercurrents were brewing in Xinzheng City, Zhang Quzhuo received a letter from Zhao Fengchun requesting help.
He glanced at the letter, his brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed.
"My lord, the military situation in Bi is urgent. Should we send reinforcements?" a subordinate general asked.
Zhang Quzhuo pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Chun will definitely be able to hold out! Dividing our troops now would be falling right into Zheng Bo's trap."
"Order Zhao Fengchun to hold out for another ten days, no matter what! Within ten days, I will make Xinzheng tremble!"
He turned to the Central Army Commander and ordered, "Pass on my order: starting tomorrow, each army will take turns sending elite cavalry to expand the sweeping area! Have all towns, settlements, and supply routes within fifty li of Xinzheng that could potentially support Zheng completely cleared! Especially the direction leading to Bi, not even a single bird is allowed to fly over there!"
"promise!"
Once the order was given, the allied cavalrymen went out in all directions, clearing out the outskirts of Xinzheng like combs.
SOS messages from all over Zheng arrived in Xinzheng like snowflakes, but most of them were intercepted by the allied cavalry.
Xinzheng became an isolated city with no access to information, and panic began to spread among the military and civilians.
With the ten-day deadline approaching, Zhao Fengchun's troops in the Bi region had suffered nearly half casualties, but they were still holding on with their tenacious will and favorable terrain.
Meanwhile, in Xinzheng City, grain prices soared, causing widespread anxiety.
At dawn on the tenth day, Zhang Quzhuo raised his tent and mustered his troops.
His gaze swept over the generals and lords in the tent, and he said in a deep voice, "The soldiers of Bi have shed enough blood! Today, it's our turn!"
"Lord Qi, Lord Lu! I order your two armies to intensify their offensives on the east and north fronts, ensuring that the main force of the Zheng army is contained and unable to spare any attention!"
"Lord Wei, Duke Song! Follow my central army and move to the west gate! The main force of the Zheng army has been drawn to the east and north, leaving the west gate relatively undefended. Now is the time to breach the city!"
"Send another messenger to inform Commander Zhao that reinforcements are arriving soon, and order him to seize the opportunity to attack from within and without!"
The allied forces awoke like sleeping beasts, their war drums thundering and battle cries rising once more.
This time, it was no longer a feint attack. Zhang Quzhuo personally went to the front line at the west gate, his black armor gleaming coldly in the morning sun.
The Wei-Song allied forces, led by Liang's elite troops, launched an unprecedented and fierce attack on the West Gate.
Meanwhile, an elite force composed of Zhang Quzhuo's personal guards quietly maneuvered to the vicinity of Bi and made contact with Zhao Fengchun's troops, who were struggling to hold on.
Inside Xinzheng City, Duke Zhuang of Zheng heard that the west gate was under attack and the east and north gates were also under great pressure. He was unable to determine the main direction of the allied forces' attack.
Even worse news arrived: the Liang army, which had been besieged in Bi for many days, launched a counterattack with the support of reinforcements. Xia Shuying's troops, exhausted from long battles, were caught off guard and were already showing signs of collapse!
"Your Majesty! The arrow tower at the west gate has fallen! Commander Liang's banner has appeared outside the city!" The scout scrambled up into the main hall.
Duke Zhuang of Zheng staggered a step and was supported by Ji Zu.
He looked out of the hall and seemed to hear deafening shouts of battle and the deafening crash of the collapsing city walls.
He knew that no matter how strong the walls of Xinzheng were, they could not withstand the crisis of being besieged from both inside and outside, nor could they stop Uncle Liang's determination.
"Enough...enough..." Duke Zhuang of Zheng sighed, his voice filled with weariness and resentment. "Grand Master Ji, prepare...the silk scroll and the plain carriage...out of the city...to surrender."
When Duke Wusheng of Zheng, shirtless and leading a sheep, walked out of the west gate of Xinzheng with a letter of surrender in his hand, it marked the end of the allied war against Zheng, triggered by the Battle of Xuge, with Duke Zhang Quzhuo of Liang as the victor.
At this time, only three months had passed since Zhang Quzhuo declared his intention to avenge the humiliation of the Battle of Xuge.
When the news spread, all the feudal lords in the land took notice, and the name "Liang Bo Zhang Qu Zhuo" became renowned throughout the Central Plains.
[Ding~ Your descendants dominated and won a historical moment—the Zhiyi Alliance and the Battle of Bi.]
Your descendants' prestige has reached a new height, the Liang Kingdom's reputation has greatly increased, and the clan's reputation has increased by 1500.
The clan gains the special status "Wei Jia Hai Nei" (temporary): For three years, neighboring lords will initially show respect when negotiating with you, and your attractiveness in recruiting talent will be slightly increased.
You have unlocked a new family legacy option (to be selected).