It was late autumn, and the wind began to pick up. The cold air whistled down from the extreme north, sweeping past the wastelands of the North Sea and the endless North Sea Lake to the north of Cangzhou. Cangzhou was at the northern end of the Qing Kingdom. It was the closest city to Northern Qi. Purely based on geography, it should be southeast of Shangjing. However, because the cold wind followed the North Sea every year and traveled south, this place was even colder than Shangjing.
The autumn trees around them had already lost all their leaves, and the fields below the city were busy harvesting their only harvest at the end of summer. Now, the fields had turned into stubble after stubble, and were covered with a layer of frost, looking very pitiful.
It had already snowed a few times. Passing the Qing Kingdom fields, the hills in the distance were still covered in snow. It looked very quiet. On the snowy plains, one could faintly see many black dots and Northern Qi flags fluttering in the snowy wind.
A general on the walls of Cangzhou narrowed his eyes and looked in that direction. The scouts had long reported back that the Northern Qi army heading south covered the sky and covered the earth. It was impossible to tell how many there were. It was probably the entire strength of the Northern Qi army in the South.
The Northern Qi people had come. The Cangzhou guards were not very afraid. Although the enemy was powerful, they still did not feel a glimmer of fear. During these 20 years, the two sides had fought countless battles, and the Northern Qi people had never gained any advantage. Even though the Northern Qi general, Shang Shanhu, had been moved out of the Northern gate by the Northern Qi Emperor and had come to the South, he had not been able to advance a single step through the Qing army's tight defenses.
The only thing that worried the Cangzhou general was the man called Shang Shanhu. Since 20 years ago, after the Qing Emperor no longer personally led troops, the only person in the world who could truly be called a god of war was probably this General Shang Shanhu. This was the glory he had obtained through his years of bloody battles with the Barbarians in the North.
These few years, the Northern Qi army's morale and equipment were clearly far inferior to the Qing Kingdom's, but they were still able to maintain a balanced situation in the Cangzhou area. It was all because of this person called Shang Shanhu. He used soldiers like a god and was skilled in the art of splitting and thrusting. He did not truly exhaust all of his strength, but he managed to exhaust the Qing Kingdom's two border armies here.
After years of small conflicts and friction, both sides strictly guarded their borders and did not carry out any truly large military movements. In the eyes of the Qing Kingdom, they were only making preparations and stockpiling rations and military equipment, waiting for the Emperor's final order to send out troops. The Emperor was still tidying up the court. The Qing Kingdom's vanguard army was also waiting. They had not expected that before they could attack, Northern Qi would come first.
Based on previous years' practice, once autumn came, the two sides would stop harassing and probing each other. General Shang Shanhu would be summoned back to Shangjing for his annual vacation. Why had he suddenly returned from Shangjing this year?
The ground slowly began to shake. The sound of the shaking was not loud, and the sound was not very shocking. The black lines on the distant snowy hills gradually drew closer in the direction of Cangzhou. As the distance grew closer and closer, in the eyes of the soldiers on Cangzhou, the countless black lines and the dark cloud-like military formation were gradually broken down into sections of military camps and into specific people. Wearing armor and holding knives and spears, the Northern Qi soldiers with faces full of solemnity. The soldiers on Cangzhou even felt that they could clearly see the frost on the Northern Qi people's eyebrows and their pale hands holding long spears.
A tense and oppressive atmosphere quickly spread through Cangzhou. Immediately after, it was accompanied by the low shouts of the officers. Messengers holding banners hurried back and forth between the dozen corner towers on the city walls.
The Cangzhou defending general put down the telescope the palace treasury had made in his eyes. His brows were furrowed deeply. He said to himself, "What exactly do these Northern Qi people want to do?"
The temperature on the top of the city walls was very low. The words he spoke immediately turned into mist and shrouded his face. Just like the densely packed Northern Qi army and horses in the distance outside Cangzhou, it hid the truth and made countless people feel confused.
The defending general slowly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the Northern Qi people with astonishing power below the snowy hills in the distance. It was as if he wanted to see through their true intentions. Did they really want to move South en masse? The defending general did not believe this because he believed that Shang Shanhu, a famous general of a generation, would not be so foolish. No matter how skillful the Northern Qi generals were at using troops, they would not mobilize so many people to directly attack the Qing Kingdom in the bitter cold of the end of autumn. This was a suicidal method.
Attack the city? The Qing Kingdom soldiers also did not believe it. Although the Northern Qi army that had appeared outside Cangzhou had an astonishing power and was estimated to be 40,000 people, they did not have enough siege weapons. What did they have to take down Cangzhou?
There were 20,000 elite soldiers inside Cangzhou waiting with their spears at the ready.
…
…
"General, the Northern Qi people have already penetrated deep into the country," an officer beside the Cangzhou defending general reminded him. His brows twitched a little. It was clear he was angry at Cangzhou's inaction. They watched as the Northern Qi army invaded the country, yet the Northern Camp did not react at all. The Qing Kingdom had not endured such humiliation in many years.
The Cangzhou defending general did not have any reaction. He knew that his conservative response these two days had already made many proud Qing Kingdom generals angry. However, he knew he was facing Shang Shanhu. Particularly, the Northern Qi military's sudden movement that came without warning like snowflakes made him very wary. He could not guess what the other party wanted to do.
The Northern Qi and Southern soldiers split into three groups. Using great speed, they broke through the border between the two countries and invaded the area controlled by the Qing Kingdom's Northern Camp. This was a large movement the Northern Qi people had not made in 20 years. Yet, before this, neither the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council nor the military's own intelligence network had caught a whiff of it.
Northern Qi's 100,000 strong army had forcefully entered the country. It appeared to be a powerful force, but it was impossible for them to directly break through to the South. However, every military operation always had a purpose. So, what was the purpose of Shang Shanhu's shocking action?
There were 20,000 soldiers inside Cangzhou while the Northern Camp's powerful strength was scattered among the four camps with Cangzhou as the center. In front of the city, the 40,000 Northern Qi and Southern soldiers were aggressive. But, they had split up and entered deep into the Qing Kingdom's territory. Was the other party not worried that the Northern Camp would move troops from all over to surround them?
It was late autumn, cold, and heavy with dew. Northern Qi's lone army was advancing far away. There would certainly be major problems with logistics. As long as Cangzhou was sealed and Shang Shanhu was drawn in to attack, the four camps of the Northern Camp would quietly surround them. Other than rushing to retreat, what other choice did these 40,000 Northern Qi and Southern soldiers have?
They couldn't get any benefits at all, yet they had to move so many soldiers and use up so much rations and energy. What exactly did Shang Shanhu want to do?
The Cangzhou defending general's brows were furrowed tightly. Looking at the Northern Qi people who had already begun to set up camp in the distance, he sank into deep thought. He completely ignored the angry expressions of his subordinates.
…
…
It was already the fifth day. Northern Qi's largest military operation in 20 years was unexpectedly met with the Qing Kingdom's most patient response. The Cangzhou defending general sealed the city and did not come out. The various camps of the Northern Camp only waited solemnly as they watched the Northern Qi people step onto their land. However, they did not make any strong reactions.
This was not in line with the Qing Kingdom's pride and blood. Even the Northern Qi soldiers, who were silently crossing the Qing Kingdom's border and waiting at all times for a bloody battle with the Qing Kingdom's army on the battlefield, felt a glimmer of surprise and strangeness.
In a small city about 60 li from the border between the two countries, the headquarters of Northern Qi's military operation was set up there. In a private house that had been requisitioned in the city, charcoal was burning in a brazier. The red on the inside seeped through the layer of silver ash on the outside, filling the entire room with the warmth of spring.
However, the high-ranking Northern Qi generals in the room were not warming themselves by the fire. They stood by a table and looked worriedly at the flattened military map of the South on the table. Occasionally, they would glance at the person sitting in the grand armchair.
Shang Shanhu sat in the grand armchair with his eyes slightly closed. It was as if he was deep in thought or deep sleep. Suddenly, he slowly opened his eyes and asked, "It's been five days since the three Roads entered the country. Has there been any movement from Cangzhou?"
The voice of Northern Qi's foremost general was not loud, but it was deep and powerful.
"Commander, Cangzhou is still locked in," a general replied respectfully. "Following Commander's orders, the three Roads of troops have not gone deep, other than the one in Cangzhou."
"Who would have thought that our counterparts in the South would be more patient than in previous years." Shang Shanhu stood up expressionlessly and walked to the side of the long table. Pointing at a certain point on the map, he said, "However, the Qing people are all proud and arrogant. Furthermore, this is a proper battle and cannot use tricks. The Cangzhou defending general can at most hold out for another two days. It is impossible for him to wait for Jingdou's edict to arrive. He must go out to battle. Otherwise, he will not be able to explain himself to the Qing court."
"What if they remain locked in the city and refuse to come out?" Shang Shanhu's trusted general asked worriedly. "This time, we've used all of our strength. If the other party holds out for another two days, the four military camps of the Northern Camp will see through the truth of the other two Roads and directly surround them. If we don't receive them in time, we'll probably suffer heavy losses."
Not only did the generals of the Qing Kingdom's Northern Camp not see through the truth of the Northern Qi military's sudden movement, even the Northern Qi people themselves didn't know why they were suddenly sending out troops. Furthermore, they were braving the bitter cold and such a large risk to go deep into Qing territory. Although this was indeed very satisfying, as soldiers, they wanted actual results and not to pay thousands or even tens of thousands of lives just to walk in front of the other party's city and flaunt their might.
Perhaps only the Emperor in the Northern Qi Royal Palace in Shangjing and the silent General Shang Shanhu knew the inside story of sending out troops this time. But, who in this world dared to ask them?
"Although we've been on the defensive these years, don't think of the Qing army as too terrifying." Shang Shanhu's palm landed steadily on the map. "The Qing Kingdom's Northern Camp uses Cangzhou as the center. Five days have already passed, and the other four Roads of the Northern Camp have not come to reinforce them. It can be said that they have been stopped by our two Roads of troops. It also means that the Northern Camp currently lacks a backbone."
A disinterested smile rose to Shang Shanhu's face. "The Qing Kingdom's equipment and military power are far above ours. If Yan Xiaoyi was still alive, five days ago, he would have given the order to abandon the other two gaps, surround Cangzhou, and swallow up my 40,000 soldiers. However, in the Northern Camp, who would give such a risky military order?"
"Yan Xiaoyi died, and Shi Fei came. Although that General Shi is not as good as Governor Yan, he is still a powerful figure. The Qing Emperor was worried about him and moved him to the Jingdou Garrison." Shang Shanhu smiled coldly and said, "Back then, the Northern Camp participated in the rebellion. The Qing Emperor had many misgivings. How do the generals of the Northern Camp still have the ferocity and arrogance they once had under Yan Xiaoyi's hands?"
"These years, the Qing Kingdom appears to have been accumulating national power in preparation to invade the Qi Kingdom. In reality, they have been harming their own national power, particularly in the Northern Camp. The Qing Emperor is a remarkable figure. However, the remarkable figures under his command have died one after another." Shang Shanhu sighed as if he felt it was boring. "Since it is so, if my 100,000 soldiers go in and take a look, who can stop me?"
"Being conservative is their best choice, but also their worst choice. It's also the choice they have no choice but to make … However, that clever Cangzhou general probably won't be able to suppress the Northern Camp's desire to counterattack for long."
"That is why it will be in two days."
After Shang Shanhu said this, he walked out of the room, leaving behind the generals looking at each other. The wind and snow had risen outside the room. The snowflakes were not big, but they were fragmented and irritating. Shang Shanhu narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the busy soldiers and logistics officials in the city. A complicated emotion rose to his face. He thought of the Emperor in Shangjing and the last time the Emperor had urgently summoned him to the Palace and ordered him to send out troops at all costs to help Dongyi stabilize.
The vanguard of the Northern Camp was to attract the border army in Yanjing to come to their aid and help Dongyi temporarily relieve the pressure. A chill flashed through Shang Shanhu's eyes. He thought to himself, even if that noble in the South was truly going to turn against the Qing Emperor, was it really worth it for Northern Qi to pay such a large price?
…
…
Regardless of whether it was worth it or not, Northern Qi would still have to pay a price for this military operation. Just as Shang Shanhu had analyzed, on the sixth day of the battle, the Qing military finally made a valiant response. Two paths of elite soldiers in the Northern camp formed a crab pincer and leaped toward Cangzhou. The other two camps sent out all of their troops. Braving the light snow falling from the sky, they charged toward the other two paths of Northern Qi's army that had just entered the country.
In just one day, three fires were lit. The wastelands in the north of the land immediately became a battlefield of slaughter. Riders charged, bowstrings strummed, arrows flew through the sky, and spears pierced through the wilderness. Fresh blood flowed, flames could be seen everywhere, and corpses lay in the filthy blood. The sounds of killing shot into the dark clouds in the sky.
This piece of land, which had been silent for many years, finally became lively because of the Northern Qi army's brazen attack. The curtains were pulled back on the battlefield where hundreds of thousands of lives had been entangled. Everyone fought together with great vigor.
However, this curtain was quickly pulled back by Shang Shanhu.
…
…
Without a trace of blood on his body, the Cangzhou defending general walked out of the city under the protection of a large group of trusted soldiers. He watched coldly from the side as his subordinates cleaned up the battlefield. He looked at the arrows stuck deep into the withered trees and listened to the wretched cries of the wounded. His expression did not change at all. As a soldier, it was natural for him to fight for the Emperor. However, there was always a chill in his heart that he could not get rid of. Even the joy of a pyrrhic victory could not dilute it.
After a night of forceful marching, the two reinforcements of the Qing army's Northern Camp finally formed an encirclement with the main garrison outside Cangzhou. Before they had time to rest for a moment, they suddenly realized that the Northern Qi army seemed to show signs of leaving.
The Qing army was mighty. How could they allow the enemy to wander within their borders and then leave so casually? An attack that was not fully prepared began. Fortunately, the border soldiers of the Northern camp had fought for many years. The Qing Kingdom's military power was very powerful. Thus, such a hurried attack was able to maintain a powerful force of attack.
However, the Northern Qi elites that Shang Shanhu had personally trained were not easy to deal with. After a large battle, the Northern Qi army still maintained their formation perfectly after throwing down over a thousand bodies. Using an unimaginable speed, they left the front line of the battlefield and valiantly threw down a few camps to abandon, not giving the Qing border soldiers any chance to give chase.
This battle, no, it should be said that this strange battle had ended. The Qing Kingdom had the geographical advantage and the advantage they already had, so they obtained victory. However, this victory did not achieve the results they had predicted.
The Northern Qi people ran too quickly.
Looking at the captured supplies and rations, the Cangzhou garrison general narrowed his eyes and felt a glimmer of coldness. He finally understood why he had not seen the Northern Qi people's siege weapons at the beginning. Even if it was a trap, the other party should have at least brought a ladder.
It turned out that from the very beginning, the other party was only prepared to fight a battle and then run. They did not bring any heavy supplies that were difficult to carry, and the entire army went into battle with light equipment. No wonder they did not collapse after the last encounter, and ran like rabbits.
Why did they run? The highest-ranking general on the Cangzhou side once again sank into deep thought. He knew he was not a match for Shang Shanhu. If he could truly understand Shang Shanhu's thoughts and have a clear target, he would not be as scared as he was right now after winning a battle.
The next day, shocking battle reports came from the other two battlefields. The two groups of Northern Qi elites had not gone far into the territory. At the same time that the Qing army outside Cangzhou carried out a combined attack, the rest of the Northern Camp's military power also went out at the same time and killed their way toward the enemy camp on the border. However, the two groups of Northern Qi elites ran even faster.
All of the generals of the Northern Camp became cautious. They didn't know what the famous Northern Qi general was planning. Thus, they forcefully restrained their subordinates and didn't allow the Qing Iron Riders to use the momentum of the counterattack to kill their way into Northern Qi's territory.
On the third day, a piece of bad news came. The 40,000 Northern Qi elite troops that had escaped from the encirclement outside Cangzhou, on their way back into Northern Qi territory, strangely passed through to the east and entered Dongyi's Song Kingdom territory. They occupied a provincial city on the Song border.
It was said that the troops in the Song Kingdom's provincial city did not put up any resistance. Dongyi also did not have any reaction. Thus, they allowed the 40,000 elite troops to enter the provincial city.
This city appeared unremarkable and almost abandoned. In the past, no power had noticed this place. Now that Shang Shanhu had led his troops into the city, a large red dot appeared on the map. When the Qing military opened their eyes to take a look, they were shocked to find that this city happened to be right in the middle of the Northern camp and Yanjing. It was like a fishbone that pierced all of the Qing soldiers and made them feel very uncomfortable.
Was this Shang Shanhu's true intention?
In the battle of Cangzhou, Northern Qi had lost and the Qing Kingdom had won. It appeared so, but was this strange battle going to end just like that?
After another dozen days, the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council and the military's intelligence system simultaneously sent intelligence reports to the various generals in the Northern Camp. After the Northern Qi army of 100,000 pulled back into the country, they did not retreat and rest. Instead, they began to set up camp in the same place. Furthermore, from the depths of Northern Qi's vast country, they began to send all kinds of supplies toward the South in an endless stream.
A storm was brewing. This was clearly the sign of a decisive battle. Additionally, Shang Shanhu had taken the unremarkable provincial city. The Qing military immediately became cautious. Without waiting for Jingdou's edict to arrive, they had already begun to make preparations to welcome the true battle.
The battle might be next spring?
In Yanjing, Commander Wang Zhikun was also forced to pull his attention back from Niutou Mountain and turn it to the 40,000 Northern Qi soldiers above his head. He furrowed his brows tightly. He was furious in his heart. He had never thought that the variable Fan Xian had used would be collusion with the Northern Qi people.
…
…
Immediately after, Jingdou's edict arrived and passed into the hands of the high-ranking generals in Yanjing and the Northern Camp. No one knew what the Qing Emperor said in the edict. After the edict, the Qing Kingdom's military power in the North began to rest, lie dormant, and calm.
Immediately after, the Master of Dongyi, Yun Zhilan, sent a message to the world. He expressed the strongest protest and anger toward the Northern Qi people's brazen invasion. He said that Dongyi would stand by the side of the Qing Emperor and would deal the most violent and destructive blows to all invaders.
The most terrifying 13 disciples of the Sword Hut in Dongyi suddenly disappeared without a trace. No one knew where they had gone. Receiving the news, the defenses of Shang Shanhu's camp in the provincial city immediately tightened.
Just as the chaos in the north of the mainland was gradually rising, the Northern Qi Royal Palace was peaceful. Imperial Consort Li, who was greatly favored by the Emperor, looked at the Emperor lying lazily on the couch. Biting her lip, she quietly said, "Dongyi has been saved for Fan Xian. The Emperor has paid such a high price. I really don't know what he can give to thank you."
"Thank me?" The Northern Qi Emperor laughed coldly and gently rubbed his stomach. "That shameless person who is full of evil tricks but always considers himself a saint will probably curse me in my manor for rashly starting a war."
…
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
