Chapter 7

Chapter 641: Guanxi Army, Fire on the Soles (火?眉毛) (1)

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"What? A crushing defeat?"

Huang Boshong could not accept Zhen Li's words. He turned to the advisor and said,

"What is this fool babbling about?"

"The army led by Zhang Heng and Yang Xing to rescue Bianyang was defeated by Lü Bu."

"Is this even believable?"

Huang Boshong, in great anger, grabbed Zhen Li by the hair and locked eyes with him.

"That's enough, that's enough! How many troops did Lü Bu lead to defeat ten thousand of our soldiers?"

"Several thousand cavalry... no more than three thousand, I believe."

Zhen Li's answer made Huang Boshong rub his ears nervously, thinking he might have misheard.

"Less than three thousand...? Did I hear that wrong?"

"Your subordinate speaks the truth. Lü Bu led several thousand cavalry in a surprise attack, and Generals Zhang Heng and Yang Xing responded with a defensive formation."

"Right! Zhang Heng is a renowned general skilled in defensive formations. Yang Xing's elite troops are also formidable. Why did they lose? Our cavalry outnumbered Lü Bu's, didn't they?"

"Lü Bu's cavalry tactics were ingenious, breaking through the defensive formation in one swift move, striking from all directions!"

Zhen Li's praise for Lü Bu's tactics earned him a slap.

"Have you ever seen such a madman! Is this what you call speaking?"

Even after saying this, Huang Boshong's anger did not subside, and he continued to slap Zhen Li's face. Blood gushed from Zhen Li's nose and mouth.

Yet, Zhen Li did not avoid Huang Boshong's hands.

"Lord, please calm down. We need to hear the detailed battle report to formulate a response."

"Who can we send to stop them now that the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops have crossed the river?"

From Huang Boshong's words, Zhen Li learned the whereabouts of the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops.

'Now that I know the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops are not in Zhongtian, it's settled. The Guanxi Army's banner no longer needs to be raised.'

Zhen Li, under the secret orders of his brother, Zhen Jiang, had disguised himself as a messenger to investigate the Guanxi Army's camp in Zhongtian. Zhen Jiang, following Yang Xing's instructions, had no intention of returning unless the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops were absent.

Zhen Li, sent by his brother, learned their whereabouts from Huang Boshong's angry outburst. The beating he received was well worth it.

* * *

"Lord, let me hear the story. Please sit and calm down. It's not good for your health."

The advisor's words made Huang Boshong sigh deeply and sink into his chair.

The advisor then asked Zhen Li,

"Tell me the details of the battle."

Zhen Li recounted everything he had seen, leaving nothing out. The advisor's expression hardened, as he found it hard to believe Zhen Li's account.

"Did Lü Bu's three thousand cavalry and two thousand infantry defeat nearly ten thousand of our troops?"

"There is not a single lie in your subordinate's words. As I said, they scattered and regrouped, using the outskirts of the battlefield to outflank our rear, displaying remarkable skill."

"Was it just the rain making it look that way?"

"The conditions were the same for both sides, leaving no room for excuses. Moreover, Lü Bu's concentrated attack was truly formidable, and no one could stand in their way."

Zhen Li, spitting out his words, described the bravery of Lü Bu's troops and blamed the defeat on Zhang Heng.

"General Yang led his guards to maintain the formation, but General Zhang Heng's retreat left us with no choice..."

"General Yang... what happened to General Yang?"

"He ordered the troops to preserve their strength and return to you, fighting to the end. Your subordinate, wishing to die with his lord, could not disobey the strict military orders and had to retreat first."

The advisor sighed, hearing that Yang Xing's fate was unknown.

"General Yang's bravery and loyalty will never be forgotten by you, Lord."

"Please send reinforcements now. Although our army was defeated by Lü Bu, your army can surely crush him. I believe this."

Zhen Li put on a passionate performance, showing infinite trust in Huang Boshong to avoid the punishment he would face as a defeated general.

"Don't worry about that. But how many troops remain? How many did you lose to Lü Bu?"

"More than half of the seven thousand troops retreated safely. However..."

Zhen Li hesitated, and the advisor reassured him.

"Is there anything you can't tell me? We need to know the full situation to plan our strategy against Lü Bu. Speak freely."

"Your subordinate's brother..."

"General Zhen Jiang? Did he also die in battle?"

"No, that coward is afraid to face you. He failed to support his lord properly and led the Guanxi Army to defeat. A defeated general returning can only expect to lose his head."

Zhen Li's words seemed plausible, and even the advisor had no reason to doubt them. Yang Xing was likely dead, and Huang Boshong needed someone to blame for the defeat.

If Zhang Heng returned alive, holding him responsible would be risky, as his troops might rebel or defect.

Blaming Zhen Jiang, who, though a second-in-command, was not as renowned as the other generals, seemed a better option.

Moreover, if Zhen Jiang were lured and executed, the remaining troops would fall under Huang Boshong's control.

Blaming Zhen Jiang for the defeat was the best strategy.

"Tell Zhen Jiang that, despite the defeat, he preserved his troops well, and he should be rewarded, not punished. Lord will give him a great reward, so he should come without worry."

Zhen Li, hearing this, feigned a troubled expression but inwardly marveled at the advisor's cunning.

'Using my mouth to lure my brother? Not a chance!'

Before coming, Zhen Li had repeatedly warned Zhen Jiang to be cautious of the advisor's words. No matter how clever the advisor was, Zhen Li knew his intentions and would not fall for them.

"Why are you hesitating?"

The advisor urged for a response, but Zhen Li kept his eyes on Huang Boshong.

"Without Lord's assurance, my cowardly brother will fear for his life and not return."

"Do you not trust a military advisor's word?"

The advisor grew angry, but Huang Boshong calmed him with a gesture.

"Ah! That's enough."

Huang Boshong turned to Zhen Li and beckoned him closer. Zhen Li, with red marks on his cheeks, approached Huang Boshong.

"Do you need my answer?"

"Yes. Lord's word is law in Guanxi. If you assure my brother that he will not be punished, who would dare defy you and execute him?"

Zhen Li's flattery pleased Huang Boshong.

"Right. In Guanxi, I am the law. Go and tell him that he will not be held responsible for the defeat and should return without worry."

With Huang Boshong's assurance, Zhen Li bowed deeply.

Thud!

The sound of his forehead hitting the ground was loud, but the louder it was, the more likely his plan would succeed, making the pain worthwhile.

"Zhen Li! I will never forget Lord's kindness and will repay it."

"Kindness? Nonsense. You are all like my children. How can I casually execute you for one defeat? Go and tell 'Jiang' that I will prepare a warm meat soup and wait for him..."

* * *

After Zhen Li left, Huang Boshong asked the advisor,

"What should we do now? With the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops gone, how can we stop Lü Bu?"

"Zhen Li said Lü Bu's army has less than three thousand cavalry. With ten thousand troops under your command, why worry about a few thousand cavalry?"

The advisor dismissed Lü Bu's army as insignificant. Even if Lü Bu's troops were formidable, attacking Zhongtian with such a small force was unrealistic.

But Huang Boshong shook his head.

"Nonsense. Lü Bu's army can't be just a few thousand cavalry."

"Do you think there are more?"

"Of course."

"But Zhen Li clearly said there were less than three thousand cavalry. He doesn't seem to be lying."

The advisor believed Zhen Li's report, thinking it was accurate and based on what he saw and heard.

However, Huang Boshong did not believe it, not because Zhen Li was lying, but because he saw through Lü Bu's strategy.

"Lü Bu's numbers are much higher than expected. He's a high-level strategist. He didn't use cavalry in Bianyang but did this time. Don't you see what this means?"

"Are you saying he divided his troops to alternate and conserve strength?"

Huang Boshong nodded.

"This time, both infantry and cavalry will come. If three thousand can defeat ten thousand, even ten thousand might not be enough."

Initially, when planning the attack on Hedu, neither Huang Boshong nor the Guanxi Army took Lü Bu seriously, even considering him insignificant.

But after the failure of the advisor's elaborate plan and repeated defeats, they had to change their views.

The advisor now looked at Huang Boshong with a mix of reverence and sympathy.

'Lord has aged. Though he may have lost his youthful bravery, he has gained the wisdom of years.'

The advisor respected Huang Boshong's deeper insight into the situation, but he quickly returned to the practical matter of stopping Lü Bu.

"Lord, with the Red Armored Soldiers and Jiang Yi's troops gone, it's best to abandon Zhongtian."

Though suggesting a retreat from Zhongtian, Huang Boshong did not get angry. Their conversation seemed incomprehensible from a practical standpoint.

Even without the main forces, Zhongtian still had ten thousand troops. Moreover, Lü Bu, despite his reputation, was on a distant campaign and could not have many troops.

Lü Bu's forces were stretched thin, facing the Guandong Army in Jizhou and Henei, and the rebels in the north. A large force for a campaign to Guanxi was unlikely.

Yet, the Guanxi Army was considering abandoning Zhongtian.

"You're right. There's no need to waste our strength fighting Lü Bu in Zhongtian. We can go straight to Luoyang after crossing the Hangu Pass and Han Pass. Dong Zhuo is no match for me."

"Once we have Luoyang, we can control the emperor and establish the Huang family's rule as you wish."

Huang Boshong smiled, satisfied with the advisor's words.

If he could control the emperor, commanding the feudal lords would be as easy as turning a palm. If he wished, he could even ascend the throne himself.

Though ruling Guanxi was his domain, establishing a new dynasty there would be foolish. But if he could control the emperor, he could use the 'abdication' method to establish a new dynasty more stably.

"Good! Let's cross the Wei River first. But we need someone to hold off Lü Bu in our rear until we cross. Who should we send?"

"Ma Wan is not an option. That cunning man has already crossed the Wei River and joined the Ma family's forces."

"That rat. He fled from Pofan without a fight, didn't he?"

"Ma Wan will surrender to the enemy if he sees a disadvantage. He cannot be trusted. Send Yang Qiu."

Huang Boshong agreed that Ma Wan was not an option but was also wary of Yang Qiu.

"Ma Wan and Yang Qiu... both are..."

"Lord, Ma Wan is aligned with the Ma family. He is only concerned with preserving his troops and will flee if tasked with holding off Lü Bu."

"Will Yang Qiu fight?"

"Yang Qiu will not fight. He will weigh his options, siding with Lü Bu if it seems advantageous."

Huang Boshong sighed.

"Hmm... If he sides with Lü Bu, it could be a problem for us."