Chapter 79 – Unrivaled Hero (4)

Chapter 79 – Unrivaled Hero (4)

Only a few hundred Hui soldiers managed to escape Hanzhong alive. Their army of one hundred thousand had been utterly destroyed.

On the other hand, the Hanzhong defenders suffered fewer than a thousand casualties. Though there were many wounded, a great number of them were recovering rapidly under the care of the medical unit.

Having escaped the crisis, Hanzhong was restored at a rapid pace. Within ten days, all traces of the devastation had vanished.

Inside the war room of the Hanzhong military camp.

At Jang Yang's summons, all the high-ranking officers had assembled. The meeting had already been underway for over two hours.

“Officer Kwak Cheol, how did the matter I ordered proceed?”

“Except for the essential supplies, we have sold all the captured spoils on the market, securing two hundred and eighty taels of gold, General.”

“Distribute sufficient compensation to the families of the fallen and the wounded. If it is not enough, let me know. Do not spare any support from our army. Those who fought for their country must never be left to suffer for the rest of their lives.”

“Yes, General. This will also be a great boost to the morale of the remaining soldiers.”

Jang Yang nodded and opened the battle report.

“Everyone worked hard, but the greatest contributor to this victory is undoubtedly Captain So-mu of the Wolf Fang Squad. His achievements are too numerous to list.”

The officers nodded in unanimous agreement. So-mu replied with an expressionless face.

“I merely executed the General's strategy.”

“There is no need to be modest about such a joyous occasion. I have written a detailed report of your deeds and submitted an appeal to the imperial court. Good news will arrive before long.”

Defeating an army nearly ten times their size with only fifteen thousand men, including the field battle, was a legendary victory worthy of the history books. It was only natural that the imperial court would reward the officers with promotions and prizes.

“Thank you, General.”

“And I will promote all the squad members of the Wolf Fang Squad to Decurions. Considering their performance, this is a promotion that should have been granted long ago. Furthermore, prepare appropriate rewards for all others who distinguished themselves in the battle.”

Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong nodded. “Understood, General.”

Just as Jang Yang was about to speak again, an administrator entered the room in a hurry.

“General, a messenger from Great General Yu Guangse has arrived.”

The officers' expressions darkened. The name was not a welcome one.

“Since everyone is already gathered, show him in.”

A moment later, a general in a miserable state entered the room. His armor was tattered and broken in several places, and he looked pale and exhausted, as if he had not eaten properly in days.

The moment they saw him, an ominous feeling washed over the officers. The situation must be incredibly dire for an officer of the Great General's personal staff to serve as a messenger.

The messenger clasped his hands in salute to General Jang Yang.

“I am Namcheon, a deputy officer serving under the Great General.”

“You look exhausted. What brings you here?”

“The capital is in danger. The Great General has ordered us to urgently gather reinforcements in Wuhan. He demands that Hanzhong dispatch half of its forces.”

To show up out of nowhere and demand half of their troops—the officers looked dumbfounded. So-mu, who had previously served in Yu Guangse's coalition, felt a surge of anger. He could easily guess what had happened.

Unlike his officers, Jang Yang's expression remained calm.

“Tell me honestly what has transpired first. That would be the proper order of things.”

After a brief hesitation, Namcheon explained the situation. The coalition of one hundred and fifty thousand men led by Yu Guangse had suffered a crushing defeat in Huainan at the hands of the Hui grand commander, Wanyan Hui.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Anhui Province had been breached, and the Hui forces were currently preparing to cross the Yangtze River to strike at the capital.

“Therefore, the Great General is currently reassembling forces in Wuhan. Messengers have been dispatched to Hanzhong and all other regional strongholds.”

Jang Yang fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a firm expression.

“I am sorry, but I cannot spare any troops.”

Namcheon gasped in shock at the unexpected refusal. “General…?!”

“First, if the Great General gathers troops from all over only to be defeated again, the Song Dynasty will collapse without even a chance to mount a counteroffensive. Can you guarantee a decisive victory?”

“Though we were defeated in the previous clash, we have gained valuable experience. We will surely be able to counter them and win this time.”

“Then explain your plan. If you have a strategy that can convince me, I will gladly hand over my troops.”

“T-That is…”

There was no way they had a plan. Under Yu Guangse's command, over three hundred thousand soldiers had already perished in vain. Jang Yang had been suppressing his anger over this very fact.

“How can I send my men to a battle they cannot win? I will not allow a single soldier under my command to throw away his life in vain.”

“If you refuse to send reinforcements, the Great General will be furious.”

Since the head of the Privy Council had already been removed, Jang Yang had no reason to fear the Great General.

“Second, Lin'an holds lesser strategic value compared to other cities. We cannot leave vital strategic points, including Hanzhong, vulnerable just to protect the capital.”

Even if Lin'an fell, as long as Yangyang held out, the enemy would find it difficult to press their offensive. Furthermore, if Hanzhong fell, the cities south of the Han River would be subjected to a massacre.

“General, Lin'an is the capital! His Majesty is there!”

Jang Yang spoke in a cold, stern voice. “For the safety of the empire, I believe His Majesty will lead the people of Lin'an and relocate the capital.”

“There is no other palace suitable to relocate to. After wandering for so long, we finally settled in Lin'an. Where else can His Majesty go now?”

Thump!

Jang Yang slammed his palm onto the table. A furious roar erupted from his chest.

“A palace built on the backs of the citizens' suffering is nothing but a shameful symbol of their pain!!!”

Namcheon hung his head, his voice shrinking. “B-But…”

Jang Yang was about to say more but held his tongue, repeating the third reason in his mind.

‘Third, our Hanzhong army must retake the Chang'an Fortress to save the citizens suffering under the invaders' yoke. We have no strength to spare for anything else…’

It was a plan he had not yet revealed to anyone.

With the Hui garrison in Chang'an depleted, this was the perfect opportunity to launch a counteroffensive. Of course, they would have to wait for winter to pass. Even among allies, it was best to keep such plans secret.

Jang Yang stared quietly at Namcheon. Seeing the messenger's slumped shoulders and ragged appearance, he felt a twinge of sympathy.

“What is it that you truly worry about? Is it His Majesty's safety? Or is it your failure to execute the Great General's command?”

Namcheon sighed. “I only thought that the Great General had to fight once more to defeat the enemy. But… now, I do not know what the right path is.”

Serving under Yu Guangse, they had met with nothing but defeat after defeat against the Hui army. Even to him, it seemed futile. As an officer, he felt deeply ashamed. He had simply been unable to voice his doubts.

“If you still possess loyalty to the empire, persuade the Great General.”

“Persuade him to do what, General?”

“General Han Shizhong is currently hard-pressed defending Xiangyang. If the Great General abandons Lin'an and strikes the rear of the Hui forces besieging Xiangyang, it would be a invaluable contribution to the war.”

Namcheon's eyes wavered. “But the Great General is on bad terms with General Han Shizhong. He will likely refuse to aid him.”

Their feud was legendary throughout the empire. Even the imperial court's attempts to mediate between them had failed.

“If he cares for the people and the empire, what is there that he cannot do? Do your best in your position.”

Namcheon clasped his hands in salute, his tone sincere. “Thank you for the advice, General.”

With the messenger's departure, the meeting concluded.

As Jang Yang walked back to his office, he let out a heavy sigh. So-mu caught up to him, walking by his side.

“You expected this, did you not, General?”

Jang Yang nodded. “You fought under him, so you know. Yu Guangse is no match for Wanyan Hui. The court executes our most talented men and promotes only the obedient. How can our current plight be deemed a coincidence?”

“Having rejected the Great General's command, we do not know what retaliation he might attempt.”

“What is there to fear?”

It was the response So-mu expected. He then brought up a serious matter.

“The Hui target is His Majesty. Even if he retreats from Lin'an, they will pursue him tenaciously.”

“Undoubtedly.”

“What will you do if His Majesty is captured and surrenders?”

Jang Yang looked toward the sunset. The fate of Hanzhong's citizens and its army hung in the balance.

“What do you think life is like for the citizens living under Hui rule?”

“Many have been enslaved or forced into hard labor. Most are starving.”

“But if we fight and lose, the people of Hanzhong will be slaughtered. Let me ask you a question in turn. Would you choose to live your entire life on your knees? Or would you stand free and proud, even if only for a single day?”

“The latter, of course,” So-mu replied without a moment's hesitation.

A warm smile spread across Jang Yang’s face. “Haha.”

“What amuses you, General?”

“The answer was already decided. Did we not promise to build a world where everyone can laugh and dance together?”

“So you will resist to the end?”

“Indeed.”

A faint smile appeared on So-mu's face as well, finding his own resolve mirrored in the General's.

“Then that is enough. My only regret is that Officer Baek Mun-hwi cannot share this path with us.”

“He will watch over us from the heavens.”

“Undoubtedly, General.”

Jang Yang’s expression grew solemn once more. Thinking of the loyal officer who had served him for so many years made his heart heavy.

“I do not wish to see any more of my officers fall. I want to increase their chances of survival, but I cannot think of a way.”

“To survive, they must become stronger.”

“True. Yet, except for Adjutant Yang Yeon-jeong, most of our officers are weaker than even the ordinary members of the Wolf Fang Squad. But it is not as if you can train them all yourself.”

Though they held the same rank, the other officers were senior veterans who had served the military for years. Having So-mu train them would cause friction.

“What if we have them practice martial arts that can be learned quickly?”

“I know the martial arts of the Jianghu are superior to military techniques. But how can we obtain such precious manuals?”

“I have a friend who is skilled in that field. I cannot guarantee success, but I will look into it.”

Having arrived at the General's office, So-mu said his farewells and departed. He had someone he needed to meet.