Chapter 480: Chapter 464: Deploying Troops
Ningzhou, Xie Jue received a secret message from the capital. Yuwen Jing issued orders for Zhongzhou to send troops to Jiaozhou, with Fang Chuning as the commander. Xie Jue was not surprised by Yuwen Jing’s command. No troops had been withdrawn from Jiaozhou or Salt City; Salt City had sixty thousand soldiers, and Jiaozhou had thirty thousand. If war truly erupts, Jinzhou could also provide reinforcements.
Xie Xun said, "This battle against Beiman must be swift and decisive."
Xie Jue summoned Ningzhou’s secretary of state, instructing him to draft a proclamation denouncing Yuwen Jing for colluding with Beiman and inciting rebellion.
"This move is brilliant, Second Young Master." The secretary of state’s face lit up with delight. Placing the blame for Beiman’s city raid on Yuwen Jing’s shoulders—three years ago, they hadn’t managed to prove his conspiracy with Beiman to the world, but now, even if it isn’t true, Yuwen Jing can hardly escape the allegations.
No bloodshed required! Originally, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry held widespread popular support. If word spread across the land that Yuwen Jing was colluding with foreign forces to attack the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, the outcry against him would be endless, and state mansions across the country would defy his orders more and more frequently.
If Fang Chuning did actually mobilize troops to Jiaozhou, that would be even more perfect—cementing Yuwen Jing’s guilt once and for all.
"Draft the proclamation quickly and circulate it widely."
"Understood!"
"Will Fang Chuning actually send troops?" Xie Xun asked.
Xie Jue rubbed his forehead with his fingers to relieve the ache. "I don’t know."
The proclamation was freshly published and had not yet spread nationwide when Fang Chuning’s army, already assembled, set off. Skirting around Salt City to follow imperial orders, they marched on Jiaozhou, and six days later, an army of one hundred thousand men arrived at the gates. Jiaozhou’s city gates were locked tight; the inhabitants were gripped with terror. Xue Yu sent requests for reinforcements to Jinzhou and Salt City—the latter stayed put, while Jinzhou dispatched twenty thousand troops to station in Jiaozhou.
Fang Chuning moved at an extremely slow pace. After encamping outside Jiaozhou, he showed no urgency in action. His army remained stationed outside the city, silent for three days, while he sent Zhou Buyan to negotiate with Jiaozhou’s governor Xue Yu.
Xue Yu refused to leave the city for negotiations, firmly guarding the gates in preparation for a last-ditch defense against Fang Chuning.
Zhou Buyan lamented, "What should we do now?"
Sitting astride his snow-white Wuzhui steed, Fang Chuning gazed at the banners fluttering within Jiaozhou city—they were the banners of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. His expression, as cold as his heavy armor, betrayed no emotion. The banners in the city belonged to the cavalry he had served for nearly a decade—and now, incredibly, here he stood as their enemy, laying siege to their gates. The irony was bitter. The wind and snow were lessening; in the past few days, the heavy snowfall had shown signs of thawing, but the weather grew colder still amidst the melt. His army, formed into tight formations outside the city, continued its tense standstill—neither side moved.
While on his way back to Ningzhou, Xie Jue had sent Xue Yu strict orders: If Zhongzhou’s army besieges the city gates, hold your ground against the fear; do not act first. If they attack, then retaliate. Before the enemy strikes, avoid taking the initiative.
On the city walls, archers and crossbowmen had long since prepared; if Fang Chuning ordered an attack, Jiaozhou would defend the gates to the last, awaiting reinforcements. He couldn’t predict how long Jiaozhou could endure once the fighting truly began.
"Fang Chuning, why haven’t you ordered the attack yet?" Chen Gui approached through the wind and snow, his impatience obvious.
"Why are you in such a rush?" Fang Chuning said icily. "If you’re eager to lead the charge as general, shall I let you take my place as commander?"
"We’ve been here three days already, just stationed outside the city. Everyone’s confused; can’t you give us a clear answer?"
"Jiaozhou isn’t a critical military zone. The urban areas are close to the conflict zones; forcibly storming the city would only cause countless casualties and implicate innocent civilians. If negotiations are possible, we will negotiate; for now, we delay battle."
Zhou Buyan frowned at Chen Gui and said sternly, "General Xiao Chen, my lord is the commander of the entire army. Whether we fight or negotiate is his decision. Return to camp and mind your manners!"
Chen Gui reminded him, "Commander, don’t forget—we have imperial orders to attack and reclaim the Twelve States at full speed!"
Fang Chuning smirked faintly. "Didn’t I march on Jiaozhou already?"
Chen Gui’s expression darkened. He snorted coldly and turned back to camp. Zhou Buyan asked, "How long are we going to delay?"
"No rush, we’re waiting for news from Ningzhou." Fang Chuning, eyes fixed on the familiar banner pulsating in the wind and snow, said softly, "It should be coming soon."
Zhou Buyan had followed Fang Chuning for over a decade, having been his study companion and sparring partner since childhood; he knew Fang Chuning’s temperament all too well. The night he had learned about the Beiman attack on Ningzhou and seen Jiaozhou’s fires from a distance, a certain general had proposed flanking Ningzhou forcefully. Fang Chuning handled the suggestion harshly, enforcing military law by beating the man with eighty lashes in front of the entire army at the training grounds—a cautionary example for anyone else contemplating foolish schemes.
But then, suddenly, the imperial command came.
The Jinyi Guard delivered Yuwen Jing’s orders to Zhongzhou, instructing Fang Chuning to march on Jiaozhou. With Ningzhou already embroiled in battle and Xie Xun stretched thin defending multiple fronts, reinforcement was challenging.
When Fang Chuning received the command, he initially treated the Jinyi Guard and the envoy courteously at the inn. But soon his anger exploded—he cursed Yuwen Jing unabashedly for a full incense stick’s time. Zhou Buyan, who hadn’t seen him lose composure like this in ages, watched in astonishment. Yet after venting his fury, Fang Chuning practiced spear drills relentlessly through the night without rest. By dawn, he had made his decision to mobilize for Jiaozhou—a stark deviation from his usual behavior. Only after his troops departed did the Jinyi Guard and the envoy return to the capital to report.
Zhou Buyan had expected Fang Chuning’s mobilization to be mere posturing. He thought that once the imperial envoys were gone, Fang Chuning might turn back—but contrary to expectations, he led a force of one hundred thousand straight to Jiaozhou’s gates.
Surely, he couldn’t actually intend to fight!
From the moment he received the command to the day he marched, Fang Chuning hadn’t uttered a single unnecessary word about the situation. This sent Zhou Buyan’s heart racing. The prospect of his master leading troops against the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry—a ludicrous notion dreamt up by Yuwen Jing—was beyond belief.
Yet, after camping for three days, no progress had been made. Apart from sending out rote calls to battle, Fang Chuning had done little. Xue Yu refused negotiations and hadn’t invited Fang Chuning into the city, leaving their stalemate unbroken.
Zhou Buyan reassured himself—surely, his master wouldn’t fight!
"If we continue delaying, the Supreme Commander will surely hear of it..." Zhou Buyan trailed off mid-sentence. Many generals from Jiangnan were stationed within the army; news would definitely reach the capital.
"An army in the field does not obey every command. If my father wants something done, he can come to Jiaozhou himself. If not, he’ll just have to hold his tongue—who cares?" Fang Chuning sneered. "I’ve already got enough on my plate, dealing with that fool Yuwen Jing."
West State.
West State was where Xie Jue and Xie Xun found the most reassurance. Its geography was secure, and its residents—largely scoundrels—could autonomously resist if needed. While Beiman’s incursions raged on and the situation remained uncertain, most military forces across the states were being recalled to Ningzhou, leaving only Jiaozhou and Salt City heavily fortified. Thus, West State City housed merely five thousand troops—all part of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry that had accompanied Fengyu, under Nuanyang’s command.
Fengyu, Nuanyang, and Nangong Heng, along with their staff, were busy debating strategies to strengthen the city’s defenses. Inspired by Ningzhou’s setup, Nuanyang had ordered tunnels dug outside the moat, prepared oil reserves, and laid traps.
West State was in full battle readiness. Even the local populace could sense the looming danger.
"Miss, a message from Jiaozhou! Fang Chuning’s army of one hundred thousand men is at the gates. Mr. Xue advises you to prepare immediately!" West State swiftly received news of Jiaozhou’s predicament.
Fengyu’s heart raced. Fang Chuning actually marched!?
Impossible!
She stared at the sand table. If Fang Chuning took Jiaozhou, the next target would either be Jinzhou or West State.
"Miss, will General Xiao Fang truly attack the Twelve States?" Nuanyang hesitated, her voice tinged with frustration. "I... I can’t beat him!"