Chapter 224: Did You Have to Do That (1)
The Grand Military Conference Room of Chang’an Fortress.
The officers of the Allied Forces gathered around a long table.
On the left sat the generals of the state of So and the elders of the Martial Alliance, while on the right sat the commanders of the state of Po and the volunteer army.
Although General Yue Fei was unable to attend, his deputy, Zhang Xian, was present.
Every single person here was an extraordinary figure. The stifling aura they exuded was enough to freeze the very air in the room.
The meeting was led by So-mu, who sat in the seat of honor as the supreme commander of the Allied Forces.
“Explain the troop situation,” So-mu ordered.
“Yes, General.”
Commander Xue Feng, who was standing to So-mu’s left, proceeded with the explanation.
“Currently, our Allied Forces consist of 35,000 troops from the state of So, 30,000 from the state of Po, and 25,000 from the volunteer army. Combined with 3,000 from the Martial Alliance, our total strength is 93,000.”
Although the state of So, the main force of the offensive, had mobilized relatively fewer troops, no one complained. Despite their smaller numbers, the quality of So’s soldiers far surpassed those of Po and the volunteer army.
Of course, in terms of individual combat strength, the warriors of the Martial Alliance were peerless.
“What is the enemy’s situation?”
“We have confirmed that approximately 80,000 troops are stationed in Luoyang, our target. Around seventy percent of them are cavalry.”
In the vast plains surrounding Luoyang, a single cavalryman was worth ten infantrymen.
Although the Allies had a slight numerical advantage, they were at a severe disadvantage because their forces consisted almost entirely of infantry.
A heavy silence descended upon the room.
So-mu clasped his hands on the table and fell into deep thought.
After a brief silence, someone on the right spoke up.
“As the Commander is well aware, we have no chance of victory in a frontal clash.”
It was Deputy Commander Zhang Xian, who was attending on behalf of Yue Fei.
So-mu had met him once before. He was a resilient warrior who had endured brutal torture alongside Yue Fei in the dungeons of Lin’an, the former capital of the Song Dynasty.
He was a commander of unyielding integrity who would never submit to injustice under any circumstances.
“Of course, a conventional approach will not work. That is why we will execute a diversionary strategy.”
Everyone in the room looked at him with curiosity, waiting for his next words.
So-mu moved his baton to point at the strategic map.
“The main body of the Allied Forces, excluding the Martial Alliance, will pitch camp here on the Nanshao Plains.”
The Nanshao Plains was the very place where the army led by Liu Guangshi had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Hui cavalry.
So-mu had been there back when he was a centurion leading the Wolf Fang Squad.
“Do you have a countermeasure? The moment we march onto the plains, we could be swept away by their cavalry,” said General Jin Guang of the state of Po.
His tone was highly cautious. He had been present when So-mu crashed the state of Po’s imperial banquet and overturned it by sheer force.
“Then we simply won’t march.”
“If we do not march, how do we defeat the enemy…?”
So-mu gave Xue Feng a nod.
Xue Feng unrolled a map he had prepared and hung it on the wall for everyone to see.
It was a detailed troop deployment chart.
“Although the Chief Administrator is not present, he has spent a great deal of time pondering how to counter the Hui cavalry. This deployment chart is the result of his efforts.”
It was densely packed with troop placements and various traps.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the chart for a long time.
After a moment, Zhang Xian spoke in admiration, “This is indeed the optimal layout for countering cavalry. But will this alone be sufficient?”
So-mu shook his head and looked at Admiral Ze Yun.
“Once the standoff begins on the Nanshao Plains, the defenses of Luoyang Fortress will inevitably grow lax. In the meantime, Admiral Ze Yun will take the warriors of the Martial Alliance down the Yellow River to capture the fortress first.”
The core strength of the righteous Murim was currently waiting on Mount Hua.
Although they numbered only three thousand, each of them was an elite who had trained in martial arts for a long time, making their collective strength surpass that of an entire military division.
Furthermore, there were five thousand sailors under Admiral Ze Yun’s command. Many of them were veteran former pirates who were highly aggressive and brave.
If these forces joined hands, it was a battle worth fighting.
“A diversionary tactic. If we can capture the fortress first, the enemy will lose their foothold and crumble easily. However, there is one issue that concerns me.”
In So-mu’s estimation, Ze Yun was a tactically brilliant and meticulous commander. He knew exactly what Ze Yun was worried about.
Wanyan Hui, the Grand General of the Hui Dynasty and a master in the Realm of Revelation. If he were to join the defending forces, there would be no way to breach the fortress.
“Do not worry about Wanyan Hui. Wherever he may be, I will keep him pinned down.”
“If the Commander will handle him, then I shall not worry about that man. I will capture Luoyang at all costs, so leave it to me.”
Satisfied by his dependable reply, So-mu nodded. He then looked at Zheng Ming, the Leader of the Martial Alliance.
“I feel a heavy burden for making such a difficult request of you.”
Zheng Ming smiled benevolently and clasped his hands in prayer.
“Amitabha. The imperial army fighting on the Nanshao Plains faces a far more difficult situation. May the Buddha’s grace and mercy be with you.”
The plan was falling into place. However, one variable remained that everyone worried about.
“Luoyang and Kaifeng, the capital of the Hui Dynasty, are close to each other. If the battle turns unfavorable, won’t reinforcements arrive from Kaifeng?”
The question came from Sima Zhe of the volunteer army. He was a master of Transcendence who had once led the elite Dragon Force under Liu Guangshi.
“Do not worry. The reinforcements from Kaifeng will never arrive.”
“What method do you have?”
So-mu’s baton pointed toward Xiangyang Fortress.
The tip of the baton traced a path from there to the road between Luoyang and Kaifeng.
“To maintain secrecy, I did not mention this beforehand. The reinforcements from Kaifeng will be blocked by General Han Shi-zhong of the Song Dynasty.”
A stir ran through the room.
Han Shi-zhong was one of the most powerful military commanders in the Song Dynasty. He was known to command a force of fifty thousand troops.
Moreover, he was praised as the greatest martial artist in the history of the military. If he moved, blocking the reinforcements from Kaifeng would be trivial.
“That is reassuring indeed. If even he is moving, we have nothing to worry about.”
So-mu nodded and looked around the room.
“The Hui Dynasty will soon notice our movements. We should hurry our departure.”
There was no reason to delay any further.
After discussing and adjusting a few details, the commanders quickly concluded the meeting.
***
The following morning. The army of the state of So departed from Chang’an Fortress and began its march toward the assembly point.
By the evening of the next day, they merged with the forces of the state of Po, which had been waiting near Hangu Pass. A massive army totaling sixty thousand troops crossed the border and headed toward their destination.
So-mu rode at the very front of the column, conversing with General Jin Guang of Po.
“I regret what happened previously. However, I had no choice at the time, so I will not ask for your understanding.”
He was referring to the incident where he had forced his way into the imperial palace of Po.
Before the battle, they needed to clear up any lingering awkwardness.
“We each had our own positions, so do not pay it any mind. Besides, I was one of those who argued that we should march.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
Jin Guang looked around cautiously and wore a knowing smile.
“Actually, it was quite satisfying when your daughter crippled the prince. He was a tyrant whom even His Majesty could not control.”
So-mu also remembered him clearly. He was a madman who took pleasure in tormenting and killing others.
“There is always someone who doesn’t know their place. Has he corrected his behavior now?”
“Perhaps due to the shock of that day, he has locked himself in his room and refused to come out ever since. It’s a relief not to see his face.”
“Haha. Still, His Majesty must be deeply grieved to have his only son ruined.”
So-mu was testing him, indirectly probing for his reaction.
To say he was grieved was an understatement; the Emperor must harbor a deep grudge, enough to stab So in the back at the first opportunity.
However, Jin Guang’s reaction was unexpected.
He looked around warily and whispered in a very low voice, “You need not worry. His Majesty can no longer do much.”
The implications of those words were massive. It was something that could only be said if the officials had seized imperial power.
If so, this General Jin Guang was likely one of the key figures in the rising faction.
“Why are you sharing such sensitive internal matters with me?”
“I will be direct. As you know, even if the sun changes, it means nothing without the support of the state of So. If you lend us your strength, we will cooperate with you to the utmost in all matters. Just like this time.”
He was implying that the rising faction would soon assassinate the Emperor.
They were likely worried that the state of So would use that as a pretext to attack them.
‘The Emperor of Po is greedy and lacks virtue. He brought this upon himself… Whoever replaces him will be better. For now, I must focus only on the battle.’
Formulating his thoughts, So-mu looked into the distance and spoke indirectly.
“We make it a rule not to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.”
The tension vanished from Jin Guang’s face, replaced by a bright smile.
“That is more than enough. If there is anything you require, please let me know.”
“I require nothing. I only hope that the people of your country will be able to smile more. However, if the new sun is consumed by darkness and corrupts the world, we will not sit idly by.”
“What you worry about will not happen. The world we desire mirrors the state of So. So, we look forward to your guidance.”
“Guidance? I would not dare.”
It was their country, so they had to decide and act for themselves.
Having shared their true thoughts, the atmosphere between them grew much lighter. As intended, they had succeeded in aligning their minds before entering battle.
The march proceeded smoothly, and they reached their destination five days later.
Exiting a bamboo forest, a vast, endless plain spread out before them.
So-mu raised his left hand, and the army halted.
“Xuan Jing!”
Xuan Jing, a centurion of the Wolf Fang Squad, quickly rode up and saluted.
“Yes, Commander!”
“Get ready.”
When Xuan Jing turned and gave a signal, a hundred soldiers clad in pitch-black armor dashed forward like arrows.
It was the Wolf Fang Squad, So-mu’s direct subordinate unit.
Each member held a flag. Watching them scatter in an instant with perfectly coordinated movements, the watching soldiers could only stare in awe.
Since this was an allied army that had not trained together, their coordination was bound to be poor. Thus, the Wolf Fang Squad was assisting with the formation deployment.
The Wolf Fang Squad members, positioned at key locations, waved their flags to signal that they were ready.
“So those are the legendary Wolf Fang Squad warriors I’ve heard so much about.”
So-mu nodded as he looked at Jin Guang.
“Yes. From here on, we must march while maintaining our formation. If we are ambushed by their cavalry, we will be in trouble.”
“You are correct. As agreed, our state of Po’s army will take the left wing.”
When Jin Guang gave a signal, the commanders of Po led their soldiers to the left.
The center was, of course, occupied by the state of So. Led by Il-gwang, the commanders began to gather their soldiers and deploy the formation.
Watching their orderly movements, So-mu wore a satisfied smile.
“The training for the Allied formation will proceed during the march. The Wolf Fang Squad will assist, so it won’t be difficult.”
“You have prepared thoroughly indeed. By the way, when will the right wing join us?”
The army assigned to the right wing was the volunteer army led by General Yue Fei.
So-mu remained silent for a moment before turning back and murmuring, “It seems they have just arrived.”
Beyond the horizon, a thick cloud of dust was rising.