Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 3: Galloping Through Bingzhou, Troops Depart Hedong Chapter 83: The Snipe and the Clam Fight

Book:


Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 83: The Snipe…

Kill the Hu to control them!

The more Qiao Yan thought about it, the more she felt there was indeed a feasible plan.

Whether she used this method to suppress the Qiang and Hu or not, one thing remained unchanged.

Since she was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Leping and stationed north of Taihang, her fate had been inextricably linked with Bingzhou.

Even without Guo Jia’s suggestion to set a threshold for prisoners, she would inevitably face the threat of the Hu tribes outside Bingzhou.

Compared to the constant wars in the Central Plains, Shangdang, which controlled the strategic throat, and Taiyuan, situated in a dangerous pass, already had geographical protection.

This protection needed to guard against invasions from the north, making it a fair exchange.

So, if this sole disadvantage could gradually form a cycle, creating a stable whetstone for prisoners and a training ground for soldiers, wouldn’t that be perfect?

This would be an excellent supplement to her rule of using prisoners as substitutes for executions.

Even if she could suppress the Northern and Southern Xiongnu, especially the newly risen Xutu Gehu, and ensure her soldiers had more confidence when attacking the Hu tribes, gradually establishing a stable win rate, it would indeed require continuous improvement, much like the rule itself.

But it’s undeniable that any framework starts rough.

Qiao Yan’s historical knowledge wasn’t enough to make her consider every aspect of every problem.

Fortunately, there was still over a year until the sixth year of Zhongping, and the White Wave Bandits in the mountains were the perfect opportunity to test this method’s feasibility.

From Guo Jia’s perspective, the doubt in Qiao Yan’s eyes had gradually faded, replaced by a sharp, knife-like determination.

“Fengxiao.”

Hearing her call his name, Guo Jia was momentarily stunned but quickly realized she had made a decision and was responding.

“May I ask you a question?” Qiao Yan didn’t stand up, but her focused gaze, filled with determination and sincerity, was enough for Guo Jia to understand her seriousness.

Guo Jia had already guessed what she would say.

He hadn’t come just to say a few words.

Although he hadn’t seen the confidential areas in Leping, he could infer a thing or two from the details.

This Marquis Qiao had a long-term vision, acted decisively, had principles but never hesitated to show kindness, and had won the support of everyone in Leping. She was indeed qualified to be the core of a power.

Although he didn’t know how the future would unfold, he could afford to be young and reckless, joining Marquis Qiao to see how far she could go in the current situation.

He replied, “Marquis Qiao, please speak.”

Qiao Yan asked, “If I entrust you with the authority to strategize against Xutu Gehu, intimidate the Southern Xiongnu, and divide the Xianbei tribe, would you be willing to take on this task?”

Guessing was one thing, but hearing her say it without hesitation moved Guo Jia.

Her words weren’t just a simple delegation.

Combat, intimidation, division!

These were the basic strategies she had determined in her considerations.

It also meant that the person taking on this task needed the ability to adapt on the battlefield and the skill to deceive and balance.

Although Qiao Yan had set the direction, being deemed worthy of such responsibility was itself a high compliment and expectation.

Could he live up to this responsibility?

Yes! Why not!

Guo Jia had a bit of arrogance in him, and under the pressure of this authority, he felt even more motivated to succeed.

He stood up and bowed to Qiao Yan, replying, “If entrusted with this, I will not disappoint Marquis Qiao’s expectations.”

This was his promise.

Although it was a serious recruitment occasion, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but laugh when she went to help Guo Jia up. “Fengxiao, don’t you think this entrustment is a bit early?”

Currently, Qiao Yan didn’t even have the status to grant such authority, and the battle against Xutu Gehu was still a distant possibility. Even the White Wave Bandits they were discussing hadn’t been captured yet, so it was indeed too early to talk about this.

But when Guo Jia stood up and met her gaze, their mutual smiles held no hint of jest.

“First, take the White Wave Bandits, and Marquis Qiao will surely achieve her wishes.”

After saying this, Guo Jia suddenly smiled lazily, “But that being said, shouldn’t Marquis Qiao write a letter of appointment in advance, lest others come to join later, and I become useless.”

Qiao Yan flexed her wrists, “Oh, really?”

His suggestion to find fault was indeed to check for omissions, and Qiao Yan naturally took it seriously. But now…

She looked at Guo Jia, who, though not yet twenty, already reeked of alcohol, and thought it necessary to send him off to drink health soup with Xi Zhicai.

“…” Guo Jia decided to shut up.

Rather than spouting nonsense, it was better to help Qiao Yan think about how to further incite internal strife among the White Wave Bandits.

In the face of the Xutu Gehu’s invasion of Guyang, capturing the White Wave Bandits sooner rather than later was imperative.

But even Qiao Yan, Guo Jia, and Zhao Yun, who had killed Yang Da, didn’t expect that some people didn’t need them to play any divisive tactics—they had already started infighting and collapsing from within.

When those people returned to the mountains, the contrast was too stark.

Both groups had left their camps fully armed to attack the manor fortresses of the wealthy clans.

In theory, the enemies Xu Huang faced were even more formidable than those the other group faced.

And he had fewer men.

Yet the result was—

Xu Huang returned with a full load of grain, while Li Le and Han Xian returned in disarray, even losing Yang Da in the battle.

Yang Feng’s initial joy at seeing the grain carts was completely wiped out when he heard his brother had been killed.

He looked at the survivors with a grim expression and asked, “Can anyone explain this to me?”

Why did two thousand men raiding a manor fortress in Hedong end up like this?

As the leader of the four White Wave chiefs, he wasn’t a fool. He noticed that when he asked this question, many people subtly glanced at Xu Huang, some with accusatory looks.

He saw this but didn’t show it, merely pointing to a subordinate to recount what had happened.

The subordinate didn’t embellish, just stated the facts.

But perhaps influenced by Li Le and Han Xian’s misleading accounts and wanting to shift the blame for Yang Da’s death, he added a few words of surprise at the appearance of Marquis Leping’s troops.

But this surprise didn’t need to be said.

Yang Feng himself couldn’t help but twitch when he heard Qiao Yan had sent a thousand men to flank them.

Zhang Yang had been sent by Qiao Yan to train at the border, but Zhao Yun had actually fought them before.

Even if he didn’t know Zhao Yun’s full strength, he had a rough idea.

With the enemy holding the advantage and attacking from the rear, Yang Da’s death wasn’t surprising.

It couldn’t be blamed on the guards’ incompetence.

But knowing it rationally was one thing; emotionally, he couldn’t accept the death of his brother.

Because of this emotional turmoil, when Li Le hinted that someone among them might have leaked information, he didn’t defend them as he usually would, just waved his hand to dismiss everyone.

Then, he summoned Xu Huang alone.

Xu Huang was worried about Yang Feng’s state. When Li Le and Han Xian left, Yang Feng didn’t hide his despondency, just forced himself to say to Xu Huang, “Gongming, don’t mind those two. They were unlucky to encounter Marquis Leping’s troops. My brother’s death was just fate.”

Xu Huang was about to comfort him when Yang Feng asked, “In your opinion, will our losses prompt Marquis Leping to attack the mountain?”

Would they take the opportunity to attack?

This was a hard question to judge.

But one thing was certain: if Qiao Yan continued to chip away at them like this, they would eventually face a major problem.

Xu Huang thought so and told Yang Feng as much.

Yang Feng nodded and dismissed him.

He weighed this unexpected situation and made a decision.

Xu Huang was more capable than him, but Yang Feng had worked with him for so long that he didn’t think Xu Huang would betray them now.

On the other hand, Li Le and Han Xian, who were incompetent, kept making excuses to shift blame, which seemed more like covering up.

These two were nothing but deadweight in his camp, even causing Yang Da’s death.

Now that Xu Huang judged that letting them continue would only give Qiao Yan an opportunity, it was better to take advantage of their current lack of manpower and swallow them up.

As for Xu Huang…

Yang Feng closed his eyes and pondered.

With Marquis Leping stationed in Pingzhou, he couldn’t do anything to this capable general.

At least, not now.

Dealing with Li Le and Han Xian was more urgent.

But what they said wasn’t entirely useless; it gave him a chance to confront Xu Huang later.

But Yang Feng didn’t know that the “later” he wanted probably wouldn’t come.

He summoned Xu Huang, expressed his trust, and since Xu Huang was in charge of the camp’s defenses, he naturally conveyed this calmness to the other two.

“Do you think Yang Feng can really trust Xu Huang so completely and continue to entrust him with important tasks?” After the incident outside the Wei clan’s fortress, Li Le and Han Xian felt even more like kindred spirits and huddled together to discuss.

Han Xian thought for a moment and said, “There’s probably an order to this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Xu Huang respects Yang Feng greatly. Now, under suspicion for Yang Da’s death, he’s gained Yang Feng’s trust and will only be more loyal. Yang Feng clearly thinks it’s better to deal with us first rather than question his right-hand man.”

Their attempt to shift blame hadn’t worked, leaving them somewhat panicked. Even though they later heard that Marquis Leping’s forces in Pingzhou had withdrawn further, it didn’t comfort them.

But in the middle of the night, an unexpected visitor came to their temporary quarters.

When the visitor, without alerting anyone, entered their tent and revealed his identity, the two were shocked.

“Commander Guo?” This was indeed an unexpected guest.

“It’s me.” Guo Tai gestured for them to come in and talk.

Seeing their jumpy state, Guo Tai’s face showed a hint of joy, which he quickly hid.

He had long wanted to absorb Hu Cai’s men and ally with Li Le and Han Xian to seize power from Yang Feng, but his forces were the weakest, and he hadn’t been confident before.

Now, with Li Le and Han Xian losing some men in the raid, the three sides were almost on equal footing.

Discussing cooperation now was much more advantageous for him.

Moreover, with Yang Da dead, Yang Feng had an excuse to either suppress Xu Huang or deal with Li Le and Han Xian.

Seeing Xu Huang still carrying out his patrols as usual, Yang Feng’s target was likely the latter.

With this sense of crisis, cooperation became more possible.

Guo Tai, feigning concern, said, “I came tonight because you two are in danger and I wanted to warn you.”

“Commander Guo, what do you mean?” Han Xian frowned.

“I’ve lived near Commander Yang for two years and know him better than you. He’s already decided to kill you two. You should prepare early.”

Li Le and Han Xian exchanged glances, and Han Xian continued, “Why are you suddenly saying such divisive things?”

“Whether it’s divisive or the truth, you two should be able to tell. As for why I’m saying this,” Guo Tai smiled bitterly, “do I need to teach you the principle of ‘when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’?”

Guo Tai had long been bitter about Yang Feng, and his frustration in saying this was genuine.

Having just suffered losses, these two had much in common with him.

Though there was no wine or food, the more they talked, the more they found common ground.








Especially when faced with an empty front, it makes them think even more—this time, Yang Feng received a substantial amount of grain from Xu Huang but, citing quota distribution reasons, didn’t plan to distribute it directly, only promising daily allocations. This carried an unmistakable tone of charity. By the end of the negotiations, regardless of their true feelings, the three reached a surprisingly harmonious and unified conclusion—first, eliminate Yang Feng, then divide the power of the White Wave Valley. However, they faced a crucial problem: how to carry out the plan. Yang Feng’s trust in Xu Huang, whether genuine or not, ensured his protection remained at a high level. “Leave this to me,” Guo Tai declared. Using his knowledge of the terrain, he returned to his camp without alerting Xu Huang or his men. The next day, under the pretext of consoling Yang Feng over Yang Da’s death, Guo Tai suggested holding a symbolic memorial for Yang Da, who was second-in-command, to further emphasize their opposition to the Marquis of Leping and rally the troops. Yang Feng, confident in his ability to handle Li Le and Han Xian, agreed without suspicion. He set up a mourning tent, leaving defense to Xu Huang. The next day, when Guo Tai came looking for Yang Feng, they found him dead in the tent. No one knew when he died. The bandits, feeling unlucky, avoided the area, believing it cursed. “Xu Huang!” Guo Tai shouted angrily, accusing him of negligence. Li Le and Han Xian joined in, creating a scene of false accusation. Xu Huang, recalling their previous attempts to sow discord, realized their scheme. Furious but calm, he defended himself, questioning why he would harm Yang Feng after two years of loyalty. His righteous demeanor and recent success in raiding a fortress bolstered his credibility. Xu Huang then accused Guo Tai, Li Le, and Han Xian of plotting against Yang Feng. He rallied the troops, leading the charge against Han Xian, who was swiftly killed. Guo Tai and Li Le were also captured. Li Le, terrified, confessed Guo Tai’s role in Yang Feng’s assassination. Both were executed. With the three leaders dead, Xu Huang easily quelled the unrest. However, he felt lost, unsure of leading the bandits. After burying Yang Feng and distributing the grain, Xu Huang sat on a hill, deep in thought. Suddenly, he was informed of a visitor—Chu Yan, a leader of the Black Mountain Army. Chu Yan, sent by the Marquis of Leping, offered Xu Huang a way out, urging him to consider joining the Marquis. Xu Huang, shaken by recent events, listened as Chu Yan explained the benefits of serving the Marquis and the futility of remaining a bandit. Chu Yan gave Xu Huang two days to decide. Two days later, Xu Huang, impressed by what he saw in Leping, followed Chu Yan to meet the Marquis. There, he found the young Marquis playing with a peculiar tube, its ends fitted with crystal. She looked up and asked, “Xu Huang, you’ve kept me waiting. What do you think of Leping?”