Chapter 806: Discussion and Deduction

Chapter 798: Strategic Deliberation

People are drawn to strength, and naturally, they will join the ranks of the victors.

“How do you plan to fight, Father?”

“My strategists, my staff, and all the generals and I have discussed this. The southern rebels have suffered defeats before, but as soon as they're at a disadvantage, they retreat into the waterways. That area is a labyrinth, with incredibly complex terrain, making pursuit and suppression extremely difficult.”

He Lingchuan summarized, “Defeating them is not difficult; eradicating them is the challenge.”

For rebels and bandits, Longchuan is a true haven. Over a hundred years ago, Yuheng City faced a similar predicament.

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

He Lingchuan propped his chin, studying the sand table. “Have the southern rebels been holed up in Longchuan all this time? If they’re that clever, it will be difficult to deal with them.”

“They are. They’re advancing north, seemingly trying to retrace Hong Xiangqian’s old path, heading for Woling Pass to descend along the river!” Woling Pass was once a military stronghold, but it ultimately fell to Hong Xiangqian’s rebel army. Although it was recaptured by Generals Ke Jihai and Wu Di at the last moment, it was not meticulously repaired afterward.

He Lingchuan had personally traveled through the area and remembered it well.

Could that place withstand another enemy threat? He, for one, was not optimistic.

If Woling Pass were to fall again, Shihuan City and the capital of Yuan would face immense threats once more. Whether they would have such good fortune this time was hard to say.

He Lingchuan stretched, saying casually, “Of course. As long as the civil war ends, the common people will suffer less. They will naturally support whoever gives them a good life.”

Many joined simply to have enough to eat. If the rebels dared to stay put, they would be in a dilemma.

He Lingchuan smiled, “You’ve thought it all through, what more could I add?”

Hong Xiangqian’s rebellion lasted over two years. At that time, the Grand Marshal had not yet rebelled, yet the Yuan Kingdom struggled and suffered many defeats in dealing with them.

But if they remained holed up in Longchuan, where would a several-tens-of-thousands-strong army get its food and supplies?

He Lingchuan shook his head. “This rebel army isn’t very smart. Otherwise, they should have held Longchuan defensively, focusing on a strategy of attrition. The Great Yuan Kingdom cannot afford a prolonged conflict right now. The southern rebels and the Grand Marshal in the northwest could cause it to bleed ceaselessly, eventually wearing it down. Abandoning their greatest advantage to advance north is unwise.”

“Oh?” He Chunhua liked the word “advantage.” “What is it?”

This type of rebel army primarily relies on fighting to sustain itself, expanding its forces by seizing territory and plundering the wealthy.

He Lingchuan wondered, “Does Longchuan not produce any grain now?”

Relying on Longchuan’s own resources, the river bandits could roam freely, plundering when they ventured out and defending their homes when they retreated. Their lives were comfortable, and their arrogance was rampant.

He Chunhua scoffed, “If they didn’t go north, how could they incite so many followers?”

“What does it matter if I talk about it?” He Lingchuan said carelessly. “Anyway, I’m not the one who will end this civil strife and restore peace to the Yuan Kingdom.”

He Chunhua smiled, pointing to the sand table. “Come, let’s continue discussing the strategy.”

In an era where the southern region of Xiji was generally impoverished, Longchuan seemed like a self-contained world.

“What kind of person is the leader of this force?”

That the rebels also had to sell dreams to expand their ranks was truly a great absurdity!

“Moreover, the rainy season has been very punctual for the past decade, with heavy downpours every year. The water level in Longchuan has risen, and the lake area has expanded. I heard that several large lakes have grown two or three times their original size, leaving not as much arable land.”

If not for the two years of war that crippled the national treasury, how could the Yuan Kingdom have fallen to its current state?

“If that’s the case, they won’t be a match for you once they leave Longchuan.” He Lingchuan pointed to the west of Longchuan. “Lure them away from Longchuan, then split your forces to cut off their retreat. That would make things easier, wouldn’t it? Father, you also have another advantage now.”

The topic suddenly shifted, and He Lingchuan was momentarily taken aback. “Father, isn’t that too big a question?”

He knew exactly what his father wanted to hear.

He Lingchuan was genuinely envious.

He Chunhua looked at him with a somewhat complex expression. “Chuan’er, what is your view on the current domestic situation?”

“Not significant,” He Chunhua shook his head, “but it’s pressing.”

“There is some, but not much.” He Chunhua had also studied the current state of Longchuan. “During Hong Xiangqian’s rebellion a few years ago, too many able-bodied young people were taken from here. What remained were women, children, and the elderly, and the weeds in the fields grew taller than people. Even if these rebels were to stay in Longchuan, freshly planted crops wouldn’t yield a harvest for at least half a year.”

He Chunhua’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Anyone can do it?”

The rebel leader was originally an official? Quite idealistic! He Lingchuan asked, “What about his knowledge and cultivation? How does he compare to Hong Xiangqian?”

“He was originally the county assistant magistrate of Yu County, receiving an official salary from the royal court!” He Chunhua pressed his forehead. “This rebel has truly rebelled completely!”

In the era of Panlong, Longchuan was a fertile land of fish and rice, with dozens of villages and hundreds of strongholds. The main base of Qianjin Fort, for instance, was the size of a small town.

He Chunhua nodded, “I thought so too.”

“How can they even compare?” He Chunhua scoffed. “If he had Hong Xiangqian’s caliber, the Great Yuan Kingdom would be in grave danger!”

If Yuheng City had faced Longchuan in this condition back then, would they have needed to rack their brains to suppress the bandits?

He Chunhua was silent for a long moment. “Your thinking is quite dangerous.”

“No particular view.” This time, He Lingchuan spoke truthfully. He wasn’t particularly concerned about the future of the Yuan Kingdom. He was, after all, just a lonely spirit who had taken over someone else’s body, neither born nor raised there. How could he have any true affection for Yuan? Having secured a loan of several million taels of silver from Rongshan, he felt he had done his utmost. “I just hope the war ends soon—yes, whoever brings it to an end is fine.”

“Didn’t the government troops suffer several consecutive defeats earlier? The rebels have been winning battle after battle, so they must be particularly arrogant now.” That’s how it is in war: the losers are crestfallen, the winners are elated. “They are arrogant and conceited, and might not regard you highly. Before they realize that General Changning and Marquis Wuwei are personally leading troops south, you can strike them with lightning speed, perhaps annihilating their main force.”

“What else is there to say?” He Lingchuan replied without hesitation. “If you want a swift victory, Father, you must lure the main rebel force out of their stronghold and finish them in one decisive battle. If they escape back, then you’ll have to resort to a steady, gradual advance into Longchuan, a tactic that would take at least a year or a year and a half to complete the suppression.”

“The Yuan Kingdom may appear weak, but it should be able to last another year or a year and a half without issue.” After all, hadn’t it endured the past few years like this? “It’s just that you, Father, are too passive.”

Everyone in the Yuan royal court held high hopes for He Chunhua. If he were to engage in a prolonged war of attrition with the southern rebels, his competence would surely be questioned, and his prestige would suffer a blow.

He Chunhua harbored ambitions and had plans for the future; he could not accept such a situation.