Chapter 029: Ambush
Calculating human nature is a complex process, you anticipate your enemy’s anticipation.
If your judgment is accurate, it is divine calculation.
If it misses the mark, it becomes a laughingstock.
Through his in-depth discussions with Jia Xu, Long Tian came to realize that Jia Xu was indeed exceptionally intelligent, especially adept at intrigue and scheming.
While his military and political strategies might not be peerless, they were more than sufficient to navigate the treacherous waters of Xiliang.
Long Tian had never thought too far ahead. All he wanted was to solidify his footing.
Over a decade of life in this ancient world had taught him many lessons. This was a feudal society, a dog-eat-dog world.
The common people at the bottom had no voice whatsoever; this was the stage of the great clans.
These clans monopolized knowledge and talent, allowing them to remain steadfast as mountains while the banners atop the city walls changed hands.
In an era without telephones or computers, ruling a region meant relying on local clans to maintain balance.
These clans were the local landlords and nobles.
A clan like Long Tian’s, though small and modest in a county town, still lived comfortably.
An outsider magistrate attempting to govern the county without the support of local powerful families would be futile, destined to depart in disgrace, unable even to issue orders beyond the county office.
Breaking away from Dong Zhuo was unrealistic for now.
Long Tian hadn’t yet reached the point where he could stand alone. He lacked both strength and talent.
Only after Dong Zhuo entered the capital would Long Tian have time, and a stage.
Until then, all he needed to do was gather capable people and grow steadily.
The most urgent matter was to improve his personal troops.
None of his units were weak; once strengthened, each soldier could easily fight ten men.
If they advanced further, fighting a hundred enemies apiece would not be impossible. With the System, everything was possible.
<<<•>>>
The next day, at Tulong Slope.
A marching Han army was suddenly split in two by cavalry charging out of nowhere. Panic instantly spread.
They had been dispatched to encircle the rebels, yet somehow word had leaked.
Instead, the rebels turned the tables and encircled this force instead, trapping fifty thousand troops within less than twenty li(10 kilometers).
Cavalry constantly patrolled the edges, harassing the flanks while infantry advanced to engage the Han army, and the sky was filled with scattered arrows.
Every second, a living, breathing person was cut down. Screams, clashes of steel, and furious roars overlapped endlessly.
On the battlefield, there was only one truth: kill or be killed. There was no room for negotiations.
War in ancient times was brutal like this, blood splattered everywhere, men killed by blades and axes either paralyzed by fear…
Or, driven by adrenaline, their potential was unleashed, leading to a killing spree.
In short, to survive, the first step was to kill the enemy!
At this sudden turn of events, the man in charge, Grand Commander Zhang Wen, appeared utterly flustered.
He had already embezzled a portion of funds and sent them to Luoyang to bribe the Ten Eunuchs for the position of Grand Commander.
If this rebellion was not suppressed successfully, that money would be wasted, and he himself might be made a scapegoat!
Moreover, communication in the Eastern Han was painfully slow. Roads were uneven and broken. There was no cement, let alone cement roads.
This resulted in imperial authority not extending below the county level, leaving local clans to rule as they wished!
Since the Eastern Han, powerful clans had gradually risen to prominence.
By monopolizing education and resources, many of these clans secured generations of high-ranking officials.
Trying to challenge local clans at this time was undoubtedly extremely difficult.
This was why Zhang Wen had rejected Sun Jian’s advice to execute Dong Zhuo.
First, because he lacked the courage.
Second, because once Dong Zhuo was killed, Zhang Wen would lose control of the army, and any defeat would still fall squarely on his shoulders.
As for literary talent, Zhang Wen had some knowledge, but when it came to battlefield command, he was utterly lacking.
Now, he was so frightened he could barely speak.
This was not how the plan was supposed to unfold.
For a scholar-official like him to command the troops on the battlefield, it was nothing short of a joke!
Fortunately, this contingent was led by Sun Jian.
Relying on the fierce courage and valor of his men, they stubbornly halted the Han army’s collapse. They held the rebel onslaught at bay.
Otherwise, had the rebels broken through, morale would have shattered instantly.
The troops would have scattered like headless chickens, and even a deity could not have reversed the situation then.
Though Sun Jian was a formidable general and had made considerable contributions in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion…
Yet, even a tiger cannot defeat a pack of wolves.
Currently, the rebels had nearly thrown their full force against Zhang Wen’s army.
With news unable to get out, Dong Zhuo’s side couldn’t provide support.
Thus, even though his army held for now, they were at a clear disadvantage.
Continued casualties would eventually push morale past a critical point, after which collapse was inevitable.
The rebels had many fierce generals.
Though their martial strength was not exceptional, their towering builds, bulging eyes, and bearded faces alone were enough to intimidate ordinary soldiers.
Ferocity itself was a form of pressure. Victory was not determined solely by strength and endurance, but also morale.
“My lord, if this continues, the situation will become extremely dire!”
Declared a tall, powerfully built middle-aged man wielding two iron whips.
Each strike was executed with such force it whistled through the air. Any rebel soldier struck would spit blood and die on the spot.
Such brutal blows could rupture internal organs through skin alone!
To be able to fight at Sun Jian’s side, he was clearly one of his founding retainers.
Sun Jian himself wielded an ancient sword with terrifying momentum. Even the most brutal rebel warriors felt their legs tremble at the sight of him.
He truly lived up to his fearsome reputation!
Alas, the rebels outnumbered them vastly. Worse still, this was enemy territory.
Even Sun Jian’s prowess couldn’t overcome overwhelming odds.
If even the mighty Overlord Xiang Yu couldn’t single-handedly defeat ten thousand foes, how could he possibly turn the tide?
Deep within the distant forest, Long Tian and Jia Xu lay in wait.
Long Tian sharpened the tip of his spear, metal rasping softly, while Jia Xu studied the map in silence, stroking his beard as he pondered.
“Elder, why do you think Xiang Yu ended up stabbing himself in the Wu River?”
Long Tian sharpened the spearhead, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
He aspired to be a conqueror, but even more, a king.
“Arrogant, without any foundation, and short-sighted. He had the courage of a warrior, but lacked the heart of a king.”
Jia Xu replied, somewhat surprised but offering a concise assessment.
This wasn’t a particularly difficult question. How many years had passed since the Western Han?
The Western Han rose by stepping over the Chu kingdom.
The five-year Chu-Han conflict was a tale people loved to recount, whether discussing military strategy or historical records, there was much to explore.
