CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 347: MOVED?

Fu Tinghan was very curious, "Who is Beigong Chun, is he very powerful?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "In this era, if you talk about military talent, Gou Xi could rank first. In terms of bravery, Shi Hu is still unknown, so for now, let’s say Shi Le, and Beigong Chun is no less brave than Shi Le, and his military talent is not necessarily inferior to Gou Xi."

"I haven’t heard of this person."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "It’s such a pity he fell so early. Last night I killed Huyan Lang, and almost the entire Huyan Family died at his hands."

"Last year, when the court returned to the capital and was besieged, Wang Yan ordered various regions to support the king. The Inspector of Xiliang sent Beigong Chun to support," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Do you think that last year’s defensive battle went smoothly for Wang Yan? It was his initial success that set the stage."

"He broke Wang Mi’s army with only a hundred warriors from Xiliang, forcing Wang Mi to flee, and only then did Wang Yan command the army to completely defeat Wang Mi’s forces," Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Then he returned to Xiliang. No one expected Liu Yuan to declare himself emperor so early. Having fought over Luoyang last year, this year it’s happening again. Surely it was the Inspector Zhang Gui from Xiliang who sent him to aid the king."

History actually jumped forward quite a bit. In history, Beigong Chun rescued Luoyang again eleven years after Liu Yuan declared himself emperor.

Now with Liu Yuan declaring himself emperor early, Beigong Chun was trapped in the Central Plains early too.

Zhao Hanzhang said to Fu Tinghan, "He is a fierce general. Even if we can’t recruit him, rescuing him would still benefit the situation, and... I admire him!"

In history, he eventually surrendered to Liu Cong, and many scholars criticized him, but in Zhao Hanzhang’s view, he was really wronged.

He saved Luoyang twice, but the emperor was blind to his abilities, allowing those who didn’t get along with Zhang Gui to prevent his return to Xiliang;

Even if the emperor couldn’t bear to let him leave Xiliang due to his talent, he was left without being properly used, sent everywhere to put out fires while withholding military supplies.

Even someone like Xun Xiu, who is relatively unknown, ignored Beigong Chun being surrounded, demonstrating how blind they were.

Fu Tinghan took out a roll of maps and showed it to her, "These were sent by He Ci Shi, the defense maps of Yu State. If you want to engage in guerrilla warfare, you’ll have to memorize the Yu State map and both armies’ defenses."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

The two stayed in the room for most of the day. The next day, Zhao Hanzhang summoned the generals and arranged the battle tasks.

"Liu Cong’s army suffered serious losses of grain and supplies, and they definitely need reinforcements. Yesterday was enough for them to realize they couldn’t gather grain and supplies from around. At the latest, reinforcements will arrive tomorrow. If they send reinforcements, it will certainly be by moving troops from Anling and Yanggu, Xun Xiu!"

Xun Xiu was startled for a moment before getting up and bowing, "I am here!"

"You will lead five thousand troops to ambush the Hu Soldiers reinforcing in the area of Changfu Mountain in Anling," and then called Mi Ce’s name, pointing at the map, "You will lead five thousand troops to support here..."

Zhao Hanzhang gave orders one by one, finally addressing Zhao Kuan, "Zhao Kuan, you will lead two thousand troops to ambush their grain supplies here."

Zhao Kuan was stunned. He had never fought a battle, but he didn’t hesitate, only momentarily stunned before agreeing.

After everyone left, Zhao Hanzhang called Zhao Ju over, "Go prepare two thousand cavalrymen and three thousand horses, I need them."

Zhao Ju said, "Two thousand cavalrymen are all our elite troops."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Deploy them, I will use them all."

Zhao Ju agreed and withdrew respectfully.

Zhao Kuan was wandering outside. As she came out, he immediately approached her, "Prefectural Governor, how do I fight this battle? I have never led troops."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Don’t worry, I will fight this battle for you."

Zhao Kuan was dumbfounded, "Ah?"

As soon as she said she would fight for him, scouts carefully maneuvered through the woods to Zhao Hanzhang’s side and whispered, "General, they indeed transported grain supplies along this route."

Zhao Hanzhang twitched her lips. The neighboring side should have started fighting already, and Liu Cong’s army now lacks supplies. There are only two routes for the grain supplies to be transported; if they don’t choose that one, they can only choose this one.

She didn’t act personally but slightly tilted her chin, calling Zhao Erlang over, "You go, seize all their grain supplies, and take your brother Zhao Kuan along."

Zhao Hanzhang said to Zhao Kuan, "Everyone has a first time. I let Erlang take you this first time. After seeing blood, you’ll know how to fight next time."

Zhao Kuan:...

Sun Linghui’s eyes sparkled, her fists tightened and relaxed, and she stepped forward, "Prefectural Governor, I want to go too."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow, "Have you practiced martial arts?"

Sun Linghui: "I learned swordsmanship with my elder brother at home."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Go ahead."

Sun Linghui immediately followed.

Zhao Kuan took two thousand people, and Zhao Hanzhang also brought two thousand cavalrymen there. With an ambush and waiting for labor, there naturally wasn’t a problem.

In less than half an hour, they had seized the grain supplies.

Zhao Kuan and Sun Linghui were both killing enemies for the first time, their faces still somewhat pale, but when they saw Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Kuan forced a smile with a face full of gratitude, "Third Lady, thank you for guiding me."

Feeling ungrateful is impossible. Zhao Hanzhang took time out of her busy schedule to personally guide him to accumulate battle merits.

Even Zhao Erlang didn’t receive such treatment, right?

Zhao Kuan felt Zhao Hanzhang’s regard for him, deeply moved, and then Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and ordered, "Take enough food for a day, feed the war horses, now it’s the hour of 1 PM, we’ll set off at 3 PM."

Zhao Kuan was stunned, asked, "Where are we heading?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "The weather’s getting colder. The Xiongnu can’t afford to wait, and neither can we, so I’ve decided to take the initiative to harass them. Brother Kuan, you and Sun Linghui return. After this ambush battle, whether win or lose, you’ll have to frequently harass beyond the city. Don’t be afraid, I’ll have someone send you a message."

Zhao Kuan:... No, he’s very afraid.

Zhao Kuan swallowed, asked, "Where are you going? There’s a whole army of Xiongnu outside, we’re surrounded in Yu State, you know?"

"No, no, that’s not true. We’re not surrounded, but we’ve almost lost a small half. You’re heading out with two thousand people to send them your heads, aren’t you?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’m going to Anling."

"What are you going to Anling for?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, thought he was too slow-witted, "Didn’t you hear the noise? People are already fighting on the official road over the mountain, indicating that they successfully ambushed reinforcements. Where did the reinforcements come from? Anling must have sent out reinforcements, and right now the defenses there are weak. Why do you think I’m going to Anling?"

Zhao Kuan: "Are you addicted to surprise attacks?"

"Brother Kuan," Zhao Hanzhang patted his shoulder, "Leave external matters to me, and internal affairs to you. He Ci Shi doesn’t have much time left; what you need to do is coordinate well with Zhao Ju, manage our remaining troops, guard the city gate of Chen County, and open the gate for me when I return."

She said, "If you’re undecided, and can’t contact me, go find Ji Yuan or Uncle Ming."

Zhao Kuan watched her cooking on-site and eating a full meal amid the sounds of battle on the neighboring road and lost all the feeling of gratitude that had risen in his heart.

He spun around in place twice, finally telling Sun Linghui, "She had a plan long ago, but she only told me now."

Sun Linghui shrugged, "You’re the County Magistrate, she’s the Prefectural Governor. When does a Prefectural Governor need to get a County Magistrate’s approval to do things?"

Zhao Kuan thought she made so much sense, he was speechless, so he didn’t dwell on the matter. He waved his hand and said to the remaining soldiers, "Clean up the battlefield, we’re heading back to the city!"