The Blood Crown - Chapter 17

Zhuoletai didn’t rush to attack the city; instead, he had his fierce general Mang Hua’er bring a group of Sheng soldiers’ captives to the walls of Guangning every day to burn them alive. Every defender on the walls witnessed and heard the struggles and screams of their fellow soldiers before they died. Then, they used wooden stakes to hang the charred bodies one by one in the snow. Finally, they led the soldiers in a collective shout of “Surrender or not be killed.”

If they ignored it and kept the gates shut, it would take two to three hours of constant shouting. If they went out to chase, Mang Hua’er would quickly retreat, making it impossible to catch him.

After repeating this for three days, the defenders who witnessed such atrocities began to lose their morale. They were filled with fear of the Jin soldiers, and rumors even started to circulate within the city that Han Zhaoxing intended to surrender to Zhuoletai.

Yuan Ma knew that even the sturdiest city walls could not withstand an internal collapse. Although he worked tirelessly to stabilize the morale, he could clearly sense the restlessness among the people around him. Zhuoletai, the renowned general of the Jin Dynasty, lived up to his reputation by attacking the defenders’ spirits before the actual siege had even begun. His tactics were ruthless.

Han Zhaoxing discussed various plans with his commanders to ambush Mang Hua’er, but all of them seemed too risky. Mang Hua’er was sure to be prepared, and if they ventured out recklessly, they could easily fall into a trap.

Late one night, Yuan Sikong hurriedly found Yuan Ma. “Father.”

Yuan Ma didn’t have time to deal with him and said, “You shouldn’t have come here again. Tell your mother not to worry.”

“No, Father.” Yuan Sikong ran up to him and blocked his way. “Tonight, it’s likely to snow in Guangning.”

“What?”

“Guangning has been clear for three days, and the snow has melted. But tonight, there’s a chance of snowfall. It’s a perfect opportunity to set up an ambush.”

“How do you know it will snow tonight?”

Yuan Sikong pointed to the clouds in the sky. “It’s written in books that when the clouds are low and densely layered, resembling scales, it’s likely to rain in summer and snow in winter. I’ve observed this for many years, and seven or eight times out of ten, it holds true.”

Yuan Ma looked up at the cloudy sky, still somewhat skeptical. “Is that so?”

Yuan Sikong nodded. “If we scatter caltrops on Mang Hua’er’s route now and then let it snow overnight, there will be no traces left. Then, when our soldiers ambush him during his retreat, it will be twice as effective.”

After some consideration, Yuan Ma agreed. “Very well! We’ll give it a try. If it works, it will strike fear into the Jin invaders.”

Yuan Sikong was pleased. “Father, the wounded soldiers have all been properly taken care of. Is there anything else I can do?”

Yuan Ma patted his shoulder. “You take care of your mother, your elder sister, and your younger brother. You’ve already lightened my burden.”

“But…” Yuan Sikong glanced at the towering city walls behind Yuan Ma. “Father, I can do more.”

“Enough, go back now.”

Yuan Sikong persisted, his youthful eyes shining with determination. “Father, if it truly snows tonight, and Mang Hua’er falls into the ambush tomorrow, it will prove that I can be useful. Can you let me accompany you?”

Yuan Ma was taken aback by the intensity in Yuan Sikong’s eyes. “Son, I know you’re capable, but war is too brutal, and you’re still young. I don’t want you to get involved. Do you understand my concern?”

“I understand, but every citizen of Guangning has already been drawn into this. As long as the city stands, the people remain. If the city falls, so do the people.” Yuan Sikong knelt down. “Father, please let me accompany you. I can assist you!”

Yuan Ma let out a sigh, his face filled with helplessness. No matter how much he wanted to shield Yuan Sikong from danger and cruelty, the boy kept coming back. He knew this child had limitless potential. If he was a dragon, he was destined to soar through thunderstorms and stir up the tempest. How long could he really keep him away?

So be it.

Yuan Ma pulled Yuan Sikong up from the ground. “Alright, I’ll agree to it.”

Yuan Sikong’s face lit up. “Thank you, Father!”

“Thank me for what? Do you think it’s a good thing?” Yuan Ma said sternly. “I have three conditions for our agreement.”

“Please go on, Father.”

“First, absolute obedience to my orders. No acting on your own. Second, no talking. You are not allowed to speak. Third, take care of your family before coming to find me.”

“Yes! I promise, Father!” Yuan Sikong’s heart raced with excitement. Even at home, he was constantly worried about military matters, unable to sleep or eat in peace. No matter how dangerous it was, he wanted to stay by Yuan Ma’s side and defend Guangning together.

“Let’s go. I’ll have them set the ambush.”

The caltrops, also known as “ji li,” were made of several iron nails cast together, scattered on the ground with some nails pointing upwards to pierce the hooves of horses. It was said to have been invented by Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist. When he passed away, the Shu army retreated, and Sima Yi pursued. Yang Yi, his chief clerk, “scattered many caltrops to block the road,” effectively countering the cavalry.

During the night, the soldiers scattered the caltrops on the ground, and Yuan Ma ordered Hu Baicheng to lead 500 men to lie in ambush on Mang Hua’er’s retreat path.

Mang Hua’er usually came to provoke them just before dawn. The snow fell lightly at the right time, not too thin to expose the caltrops and not too thick to raise suspicion.

Everything was ready, and they were only waiting for the snow to fall.

Everyone stood on the city wall, waiting for the snow. Deep into the night, the weather showed no sign of changing.

A soldier, shivering from the cold, rubbed his hands together. “Lord Yuan, when will this snow come?”

“Patience,” Yuan Ma said, standing with his hands behind his back, his face serious.

Yuan Sikong also felt a bit anxious in his heart. If it didn’t snow tonight, he would break his promise to Yuan Ma and would likely be sent back home.

After a while, Yuan Shaoxu began to doubt. “Father… Lord Yuan, how can you be so sure it will snow tonight?” He glanced at Yuan Sikong beside him and suddenly realized something. “It’s not because of what Sikong said, is it?”

Yuan Ma remained silent.

Yuan Shaoxu grew anxious. “Lord Yuan, do you really believe he can predict the weather? How can we rely on such playful remarks as the basis for our military strategy?”

Yuan Sikong pursed his lips, wanting to argue but remembering that Yuan Ma had forbidden him from speaking casually, so he stayed silent as well.

Yuan Shaoxu was about to say more when Yuan Sikong suddenly saw a faint, delicate whiteness drifting in front of him. He raised his head abruptly and saw the sky covered in a silvery hue. Excitement filled him. “It’s snowing! It’s snowing!”

Everyone looked up, and Yuan Ma finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Good!”

Only Yuan Shaoxu frowned, his expression changing.

Yuan Ma descended from the city tower and instructed, “Send scouts to re-examine the terrain of Mang Hua’er’s retreat.”

“Yes!”

“This matter must be kept confidential, and the soldiers on duty tomorrow must not reveal it.”

“Yes!”

At that moment, Han Zhaoxing walked towards them, still several yards away, and immediately questioned, “Yuan Mao, did you send Hu Baicheng out of the city?”

Yuan Mao respectfully replied, “Reporting to General, I ordered Hu Baicheng to lead troops out of the city to ambush Mang Hua’er.”

Han Zhaoxing’s voice grew stern. “We discussed not acting on our own just a few days ago. Why did you issue orders without my knowledge?”

Yuan Mao replied calmly, “Before Lord Li departed from Guangning Wei, he entrusted me with the authority over the garrison. As the commander of Guangning, I have the power to deploy our soldiers as needed.”

Han Zhaoxing raised his voice, clearly irritated. “I am the General of Liaodong, appointed by the Emperor to guard the border. The Liaodong troops are under my command. Do you dare to disregard my authority?”

Yuan Mao kneeled down, his face composed and voice steady. “I dare not. My actions without consulting you, General, were indeed wrong. However, given the urgency of the military situation, I issued orders because I am more familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the soldiers in Guangning. It allowed for a more efficient deployment.”

“You…” Han Zhaoxing’s face turned ashen, and he was too furious to speak.

In truth, since Han Zhaoxing returned to Guangning, there had been an undercurrent of rivalry between the two regarding control over the military in Guangning. Officially, Han Zhaoxing was the General of Liaodong, in command of everything in Liaodong, including its cities, troops, and every soldier. But in reality, he had lost Denglai and Huangshui, and his reputation was in tatters. Yuan Mao, on the other hand, was highly respected in Guangning, and Han Zhaoxing couldn’t effectively command Yuan Mao’s troops. Furthermore, the Liaodong soldiers who came with Chen Yulong were mostly wounded, rendering him a mere figurehead in Guangning. It was an unbearable situation for him.

Yuan Mao saw that Han Zhaoxing was furious but decided to take a more humble tone. “Opportunities in war are often fleeting, and if missed, they may never come again. I made a hasty decision due to the urgency of the situation. Please, General, if you find it necessary, punish me.”

The Liaodong soldiers who knelt behind Yuan Mao began to plead on his behalf.

Han Zhaoxing dared not punish Yuan Mao, as long as Yuan Mao held the military authority. He took this chance to regain some face. “Punishment would be too severe. Lord Yuan, please rise.”

Yuan Mao stood up.

Han Zhaoxing cleared his throat. “In the future, any actions by the Guangning garrison must be discussed with me first.”

“I understand.”

Yuan Sikong silently cheered for Yuan Mao in his heart. Yuan Mao was indeed admirable, standing up to Han Zhaoxing but still giving him face when necessary. Yuan Sikong also couldn’t help but hold some disdain for Han Zhaoxing.

–––

No one in the group managed to get any sleep that night, and as dawn broke, they received some urgent news from the front.

After a night of light snowfall, Mang Hua’er indeed fell into the ambush. His cavalry stepped on the caltrops, causing chaos, and when they attempted to retreat, they encountered Hu Baicheng’s ambushing troops. In the midst of the chaos, they were cut off, and in this battle, nearly a hundred enemies were killed. Moreover, they managed to rescue over a dozen Sheng soldiers. Mang Hua’er himself perished in the fight.

As the news of this victory spread, there was jubilation within Guangning Wei, boosting the morale of the troops.

The first battle was crucial for boosting the soldiers’ morale. They were already facing overwhelming odds, with a massive enemy force of seventy thousand pressing on them. This victory, even though it was just a minor ambush and the enemy forces were relatively small, provided a significant morale boost. It was clear that Zhuoletai would think twice before sending provocations again.

However, they were well aware that if Zhuoletai refrained from further provocations, the next step would likely be a full-scale assault on the city.

They both hoped for and feared his arrival.

In a siege, they were in a defensive position, and while they wanted to delay as much as possible, Zhuoletai’s army of seventy thousand would consume significant resources daily. They couldn’t afford a prolonged siege. Thus, if he came, it might be better to face him in battle.

As expected, Zhuoletai, having realized that his threats and persuasion were ineffective, advanced towards Guangning Wei with his artillery and siege engines, ready for a fierce confrontation.