Chapter 228
Book 20 Chapter 11 – Devising Strategies
A month after Lord Changping and Li Si’s visit to the farm, Xiang Shaolong’s feeling of misfortune was proven correct.
Li Mu’s elite troops suddenly arrived and greatly defeated the Qin army outside Tunliu. w.a.n.g Ling and Huan Qi retreated in haste about a hundred miles northwest of Tunliu, to Changzi City situated at the end of Lushui, having lost close to 30,000 men.
w.a.n.g Ling was filled with worry and anger and on top of that was overly exhausted. Two days after they arrived at Changzi City, he died of illness.
Of the four Great Generals who were around when the Black Dragon was born, only w.a.n.g Jian is left. Meng Ao, w.a.n.g Chi and w.a.n.g Ling all pa.s.sed away within two years and this is an extremely heavy blow to the Qins.
Now, the only famous generals left in Qin are Xiang Shaolong and w.a.n.g Jian.
The rest like Huan Qi, Meng Wu, Meng Tian, Yang Rui, Guan Zhongxie etc, have not reached the stage where they can hold the fort on their own.
For now, Qin’s grand plan of invading towards the east has temporarily come to a standstill.
If not for Xiang Shaolong who had defeated the coalition army and suppressed the uprising led by Cheng Qiao and Du Bi, maybe the Qin royalty would have to learn from the Chus and move away to avoid further trouble.
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi were summoned back to Xianyang. As they do not want their wives and children to take the arduous journey back, they advised them to stay behind at the farm.
Ji Yanran and the rest are already used to them leaving their homes to go on military expeditions but as their opponent this time is the trickiest and most famous general of this era, Li Mu, the ladies had to keep nagging and warning them before they allowed them to leave for Xianyang.
As usual, Xiang Shaolong went straight to the palace to see Xiao Pan while Teng Yi went to see their fifth brother Jing Jun, whom they have not met for a long time.
Xiao Pan met him alone in the pace and his expression was somber. When he saw him, he said, "This time, w.a.n.g Ling’s death is caused by Lu Buwei."
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback, "Really?"
Xiao Pan placed his hands on the table, the frosty glance that flashed past his eyes was enough to make even Xiang Shaolong’s heart run cold. This future Emperor Qin gave a cold snort, "I’ve already considered the possibility of the Zhaos helping in the besiege of Tunliu long ago and have given orders to Guan Zhongxie to attack the Zhaos and keep Li Mu engaged. However Lu Buwei made unreasonable objections and with the support of Lao Ai, there were numerous delays which eventually resulted in the defeat of Tunliu. I will certainly settle this score clearly with them in future."
Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brows, "Are they in a position to interfere in these matters?"
Xiao Pan answered angrily, "Of course not. I can only hate myself for once promising the Dowager that if for any redeployment of troops amounting to more than 100,000 men, I will need her seal of approval. According to Mai Jiao, Lao Ai deliberately ordered his men to delay the doc.u.ments that I sent to the Dowager, so that it only reached her hands 10 days later. These doc.u.ments were delayed for another 2 weeks on the way back. By that time, things have already happened what whatever military advantage we may have is already affected. After that, I tried to pursue this matter but the Dowager kept protecting Lao Ai. Great General w.a.n.g has died a meaningless death."
Xiang Shaolong said with a wry smile, "So the Dowager listened to my advice and moved to Yongdu, but ended up with such side effects."
Xiao Pan shook his head, "This is not your fault. The problem lies with Lu Buwei and Lao Ai. As long as these two are still around, we can forget about unifying the world. Ever since time memorial, one will have to govern internal affairs well before expanding outwards. Now that our internal strife are abound, how can we take over the 6 states and accomplish the grandest achievement of all times." He paused and added, "Now our opponent is Lu Mu and it seems that we are defeated at every battle. As long as this person is not removed, we can forget about attacking Handan."
Xiang Shaolong asked, "Is the power in Zhao now still in the hands of the Dowager Han Jing?"
Xiao Pan replied, "The current King of Zhao is even worse that King Xiaocheng. He’s constantly engaged in wine and women and he’s overly suspicious and p.r.o.ne to jealousy as well. Humph, no one knows him better than me. One day he will die in the hands of a woman and this day is not far away. No matter how smart and formidable Han Jing is, she is still a woman and only knows how to pine over Guo Kai and let this sc.u.mbag take over the court proceedings and interfere in military matters. If not for that, Li Mu may very well have fought his way here long ago."
Xiang Shaolong was surprised, "Weren’t there rumors that Pang Nuan is Han Jing’s gigolo?
Xiao Pan is especially hateful of the Zhaos and said with disdain, "Han Jing is a **** who breaks all the rules of the palace so it’s nothing strange if she has found a few more men."
He sighed and added, "I’m really unwilling to let Teacher lead an army to Tunliu but there’s really no one else more suitable. And this is what Lu Buwei and Lao Ai really hope for."
Xiang Shaolong was puzzled, "Your Highness, why do you say that?"
It seems that Xiao Pan dared not face him. He walked towards the window and looked at the snowy imperial garden outside and said slowly with his back to him, "Because I understand the relations.h.i.+p between Teacher and Li Mu. So unless Teacher promise me that you will not harbor any personal feelings, otherwise I will not allow Teacher to lead the army no matter what happens. Because Li Mu is not the likes of Pang Nuan or Han Chuang, if Teacher feels even a tiny inkling of sympathy, you will certainly be defeated."
Xiang Shaolong was so taken aback that he was at a loss for words.
Just like how well he understands Xiao Pan, Xiao Pan is totally familiar with his thoughts as well.
The person that he really does not want to meet on the battlefield is Li Mu and this mind-set of his is enough to make it difficult for him to extend his full prowess.
But the fact is laid out right in front of him, he will have to commit to a battle of life and death with Li Mu.
Otherwise not only will Huan Qi perish, even w.a.n.g Bi and Yang Duanhe may end up in Li Mu’s hands together with the eastern commandery.
Will he be able to defeat Li Mu? This is something that even w.a.n.g Jian has no confidence in.
Xiao Pan’s breathing became heavier.
Xiang Shaolong gritted his teeth and answered firmly, "Fine. I, Xiang Shaolong, will meet Li Mu and see who’s best on the battlefield. No matter who survives or dies, just take it as an outcome befitting a warrior."
Xiao Pan spun around and exclaimed happily, "These words that Teacher has uttered are enough to set my mind at ease."
Xiang Shaolong asked, "How many troops can your Highness offer me?"
Xiao Pan’s mood improved as he thought over it, "No matter what, Teacher will have to wait until spring before you can leave. Lu Buwei has recently been deliberately mobilizing large numbers of soldiers to build the Zhengguo Ca.n.a.l so there’s not a lot of men left available. Luckily Teacher only needs elite warriors, hmm…"
Xiang Shaolong’s brows furrowed on hearing this.
Li Mu’s Zhao soldiers are the most famous in the east and he has 20,000 cavalry under him. Even the Xiong Nus, who are adept in archery and horse riding, have to admit defeat. His own Wu family elite warriors are now down to only 2,000 men and in such a situation, it’s not an easy task to win Li Mu.
Xiao Pan made some calculations and said with certainty, "I can give Teacher 20,000 foot soldiers. They are all able-bodied soldiers and Teacher can take your pick on who to appoint as the Deputy General. On top of Huan Qi’s troops at Changzi City, the total force will amount to 120,000 and it should be enough to face off Li Mu’s estimated force of 100,000 men."
The both of them discussed a little further before Xiao Pan summoned Lord Changping and after arrangements were made, Xiang Shaolong left together with lord Changping.
Xiang Shaolong can’t help but ask, "Is the building of the Zhengguo Ca.n.a.l really hindering us that much?"
Lord Changping sighed, "The Zhengguo Ca.n.a.l is indeed using up a lot of our men and resources but the main problem is that Lu Buwei is trying to resist the central government using the local forces, using another method to gain control of our great Qin’s military affairs. Especially now that he and Lao Ai are making use of each other, such that on many instances the Dowager had to stand on their side. There’s really nothing his Highness can do, like the death of w.a.n.g Ling is really uncalled for."
Xiang Shaolong thought of w.a.n.g He and w.a.n.g Ling and all the old hatred and new enmity welled up in him.
In another two years, he will be able to exact revenge with his own hands.
Lord Changping walked out with him and said quietly, "Mao Jiao sent news that under Lu