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The destruction of at least seventy percent of Goguryeo's forces was not just a suggestion, it was a directive, one that would leave King Sansang with no choice but to accept Lie Fan's terms.
As Li Wei finished the final strokes of the letter, he carefully rolled the parchment and sealed it with wax, pressing Sima Yi's personal seal into the soft material.
The seal was a symbol of authority, a mark that would ensure the letter's authenticity and urgency. He handed the sealed letter to a servant who had been waiting patiently nearby. The servant, who was actually an Oriole agent, nodded in understanding and quickly left the room.
The agent moved swiftly through the palace corridors, his steps silent and purposeful. He knew the importance of the letter and the need for secrecy.
The Oriole messenger birds were kept in a secluded area of the palace, their training and care entrusted to a select few agents. These birds were not ordinary pigeons, they were specially bred for speed, endurance, and intelligence, capable of navigating long distances with unerring accuracy.
Under the cover of the evening sky, the agent released one of the messenger birds. The bird, its feathers glinting faintly in the moonlight, took to the air with a powerful flap of its wings.
It soared high above the palace, its keen eyes scanning the landscape as it flew toward Xiangping. The journey would take two days, but the bird's training ensured that it would reach its destination without fail.
Two days later, the messenger bird arrived in Xiangping. It descended gracefully, landing on the outstretched arm of an Oriole agent stationed at the Serenity Inn, a bustling establishment that served as a front for the Oriole network in the city.
The agent, a man named Liang Hui, carefully untied the small scroll attached to the bird's leg. His eyes widened as he recognized the seal on the parchment, it was from Sima Yi himself.
Liang Hui wasted no time. He knew that any message bearing Sima Yi's seal was of the utmost importance. He quickly made his way to the Xiangping Governor's Castle, where Gongsun Gong, Zhuge Liang, and Pang Tong were currently resolving a dispute between local merchants.
The castle's main hall was a grand space, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and its walls lined with banners bearing the insignia of the governor. The atmosphere was tense, the voices of the merchants echoing through the hall as they argued over trade routes and tariffs.
Gongsun Gong, as the governor of Xiangping, sat at the head of the hall, his expression one of weary patience. Beside him were Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, their presence a testament to their importance in the region's governance and defense.
Zhuge Liang, as the calm and methodical strategist he was, listened intently to the merchants' grievances, his fan resting lightly in his hand. Pang Tong, known for his sharp wit and keen intellect, interjected occasionally, his comments cutting through the noise with precision.
Liang Hui approached the hall with a sense of urgency, but he was careful not to draw undue attention. He bowed deeply as he entered, his presence immediately catching the attention of the three men. "Governor Gongsun Gong," he said, his voice respectful but firm, "I bring an urgent message from Master Sima Yi."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Liang Hui. Gongsun Gong gestured for the merchants to step aside and leave, his expression shifting from weariness to alertness. "Bring it here," he said, his tone commanding.
Liang Hui stepped forward and handed the sealed letter to Gongsun Gong. The governor broke the seal and unrolled the parchment, his eyes scanning the contents.
As he read, his expression grew increasingly serious. He handed the letter to Zhuge Liang, who read it with his usual calm demeanor, though a flicker of interest crossed his eyes. Pang Tong leaned over to read as well, his sharp mind already analyzing the implications of the message.
"It seems," Zhuge Liang said, his voice calm but laced with gravity, "that we have little time to prepare. Yeon Gaesomun is mobilizing the Goguryeo army, and they will attack Xiangping within days."
Pang Tong nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The intelligence provided here is invaluable. We can use it to anticipate their movements and set traps along their likely routes. If we play our cards right, we can turn this attack into a decisive victory."
Gongsun Gong, though not a strategist of the same caliber as Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, understood the gravity of the situation. "We must act quickly," he said, his voice firm. "I will mobilize our forces and ensure that the city's defenses are prepared. But I will rely on your expertise to devise a strategy that will minimize our losses and maximize theirs."
Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong exchanged a glance, their minds already working in unison. "We will need to coordinate our efforts carefully," Zhuge Liang said. "The Goguryeo army is formidable filled with formidable warriors, but they are also predictable. If we can exploit their weaknesses and disrupt their supply lines, we can cripple their ability to fight."
Pang Tong added, "We should also consider using the terrain to our advantage. Xiangping's surrounding landscape offers numerous opportunities for ambushes and defensive positions. If we can lure them into a trap, we can inflict significant casualties before they even reach the city walls."
The three men spent the next several hours poring over maps and discussing strategies. They considered every possible scenario, from the initial approach of the Goguryeo army to the final stages of the battle.
Zhuge Liang's meticulous planning and Pang Tong's creative thinking complemented each other perfectly, resulting in a strategy that was both bold and precise.
As the night wore on, the merchants' dispute was forgotten, replaced by the urgent need to prepare for the coming battle. Messengers were dispatched to rally the troops, and orders were given to fortify the city's defenses.
The people of Xiangping, though unaware of the specifics, could sense the tension in the air. The city, once a bustling hub of trade and commerce, now buzzed with the activity of an impending war.
The next morning, the city of Xiangping awoke to a sense of urgency that permeated every corner. The streets, usually bustling with merchants and townsfolk, were now filled with the rhythmic march of soldiers and the clatter of armor.
Gongsun Gong's army of 120,000 men had gathered in the city, their presence a formidable display of strength and readiness. The air was thick with anticipation, the calm before the storm that everyone knew was coming.
At the heart of the city, within the grand halls of the Xiangping Governor's Castle, a meeting of utmost importance was about to take place. Gongsun Gong had summoned all of his commanders, a gathering of seasoned warriors and tacticians who had proven their worth in countless battles.
The hall was a vast space, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and its walls lined with banners bearing the insignia of the governor. The atmosphere was one of quiet intensity, the commanders standing in disciplined rows, their expressions a mix of curiosity and resolve.
Gongsun Gong stood at the head of the hall, his presence commanding the attention of all present. Beside him were Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, the two strategists whose reputations preceded them and had gained fanmn throughout Xiangping.
Though young in age, their poise and confidence spoke volumes of their capabilities. Gongsun Gong cleared his throat, his voice resonating through the hall as he began to speak.
"Commanders," he said, his tone firm and authoritative, "today marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to defend Xiangping and secure our future. I have gathered you here to introduce two individuals whose expertise will be instrumental in the battles to come. These are Master Zhuge Liang and Master Pang Tong, strategists personally sent by Lord Lie Fan to aid us in this critical time."
The commanders exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. The names Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were not unfamiliar, whispers of their brilliance had spread far and wide. To have them here, in Xiangping, was a testament to the gravity of the situation.
Gongsun Gong continued, "From this moment forward, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong will oversee all military affairs, with the exception of direct command of the army, which remains my responsibility. Their strategies will guide our actions, and their wisdom will ensure our victory."
Zhuge Liang stepped forward, his fan resting lightly in his hand, his expression calm and composed. "It is an honor to stand before such distinguished commanders," he said, his voice steady and measured. "The task before us is daunting, but with unity and resolve, we will prevail."
Pang Tong, standing beside him, added with a slight smile, "Indeed. The Goguryeo army may be formidable, but they are not invincible. With careful planning and precise execution, we can turn their strengths into weaknesses and secure a decisive victory."
The commanders nodded, their initial skepticism giving way to a sense of cautious optimism. If these two young strategists had been chosen by Lord Lie Fan himself, they must possess extraordinary talent. Gongsun Gong gestured for Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong to proceed, and the two strategists began to brief the commanders on the situation.
Zhuge Liang unrolled a large map of the region, spreading it across the table for all to see. "According to the intelligence we have received," he began, "the Goguryeo army, led by Yeon Gaesomun, is mobilizing with the intent to attack Xiangping. Their forces are estimated to be around 150,000 strong, well trained, and well equipped. However, their supply lines are vulnerable, and their morale is fragile due to internal corruption and mismanagement."
Pang Tong interjected, his tone sharp and analytical. "Their likely route of attack will take them through the northern passes, where the terrain is rugged and difficult to navigate. This presents us with an opportunity to set traps and ambushes, disrupting their advance and inflicting significant casualties before they even reach Xiangping."
Zhuge Liang nodded in agreement. "Our strategy will be twofold. First, we will use the terrain to our advantage. The northern passes are narrow and winding, perfect for ambushes. We will station small, highly mobile units along these routes, tasked with harassing the enemy and cutting off their supply lines. This will slow their advance and weaken their resolve."
He paused, allowing the commanders to absorb the information before continuing. "Second, we will fortify Xiangping's defenses. The city's walls are strong, but we must ensure they are impenetrable. We will station archers and artillery like Hwacha along the walls, ready to repel any assault. Additionally, we will dig trenches and set up barricades around the city's perimeter, forcing the enemy to fight on our terms."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains
Age: 33 (200 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 1325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 951 (+20)
VIT: 613 (+20)
AGI: 598 (+10)
INT: 617
CHR: 96
WIS: 519
WILL: 407
ATR Points: 0