Chapter Twenty: The Pre-War Council

On this day, Liu Yao was in his study, attending to various matters.

“My lord, there is news,” Tian Feng suddenly burst in.

“Yuanhao, is it news from the Wuwan?” Liu Yao asked, furrowing his brow. Ever since the approach of autumn, Liu Yao had stationed scouts in the direction of the Wuwan, so that any movement could be reported in time.

“Yes, precisely.”

“Shi A, go and summon Gong Yu, Han Sheng, Yi De, Gong Xiao, Zi Yi, and Zi Tai. I wish to convene a council of war,” Liu Yao called out to Shi A, who stood outside.

“As you command.”

Before long, Liu Yao’s eight most trusted lieutenants had all gathered.

“Yuanhao, share the news with everyone,” Liu Yao said, looking around at those present.

“Very well. Over the past two years, the great king of the Wuwan, Qiu Li Ju, has essentially unified the Wuwan. This time, he has dispatched seventy thousand cavalry, advancing upon Youzhou in three columns. The first column, ten thousand strong, heads toward Right Beiping. The second, thirty thousand, moves toward Yuyang. The third, also thirty thousand, is marching straight for our Jixian,” Tian Feng reported, one detail at a time. For a moment, a heavy silence settled over the room.

“Gentlemen, does anyone have a good plan?” Liu Yao looked to his advisors.

“My lord, if you give me ten thousand troops, I’ll leave not a single Wuwan alive!” Zhang Fei declared without hesitation.

“Silence!” Liu Yao reproved him. Zhang Fei was capable, but always too reckless. “Even if you could defeat the Wuwan cavalry, do you know how many of our brothers would die? If you act rashly again, I’ll see to it you go a month without wine.”

Having touched Zhang Fei’s sore spot, Liu Yao made him fall silent at once. Yet, after Zhang Fei’s outburst, the tension in the room eased somewhat.

“My lord, I believe we need not worry about Right Beiping,” Ju Shou spoke up.

“Oh? Why is that?” Liu Yao asked, curious.

“Right Beiping is guarded by Gongsun Zan. Over the years, he has fought the Wuwan and the Xianbei many times, never losing, always defending the borders of our Han. With him guarding Right Beiping, the Wuwan cavalry will not get through,” Ju Shou explained.

“Gongsun Zan.” A flicker of murderous intent passed through Liu Yao’s mind before fading away. Gongsun Zan was an ambitious man, who in history killed Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou. His elite White Horse Volunteers struck such terror into the Wuwan that their name alone was enough to send them fleeing. But in the end, he fell to Yuan Shao at Jieqiao and perished in a sea of flames. “Now is not the time to kill him; his strength is still needed,” Liu Yao thought.

“What about Yuyang and our Jixian?” Liu Yao asked.

“Yuyang has two thousand garrison troops already. We need only send a general with ten thousand infantry to help defend the city. We need not seek glory, only to avoid fault. Simply holding off the thirty thousand Wuwan cavalry will suffice. Once we deal with the thirty thousand here at Jixian, we can launch a pincer attack and annihilate them,” Ju Shou said.

“Good, let’s proceed with that. As for the thirty thousand coming to Jixian, I have a plan,” Liu Yao said confidently.

“Oh!” Tian Feng and Ju Shou exchanged glances and asked together, “My lord, would you enlighten us?”

“Yuanhao, Gong Yu, does Youzhou have Croton?” Liu Yao inquired.

“Croton? What is that?” The two were baffled.

“It’s a bean-like thing — eat it and you’ll have diarrhea,” Liu Yao explained hurriedly.

“Oh, you mean croton bean! It's recorded in the Divine Farmer’s Herbal Classic. There’s plenty in Youzhou. What do you need it for, my lord?” Tian Feng asked, suddenly understanding. Liu Yao broke out in a cold sweat; he had thought the Han dynasty lacked croton, but it was merely called by another name.

“We can send a supply convoy, mixing croton powder into the provisions, feigning being robbed. The Wuwan, coming to plunder, won’t have much food with them. If they eat these provisions, do you think they’ll have any strength to fight?” Liu Yao wore a sly smile.

Everyone broke out in cold sweat. Such Wuwan cavalry would be as helpless as limp shrimp — easy to slaughter.

“My lord, isn’t this a bit improper?” Tian Feng hesitated. “In battle, using such methods... your reputation...”

“Heh, Yuanhao, are you saying I’m a petty villain?” Liu Yao smiled.

“I would never dare; I meant nothing of the sort,” Tian Feng said, flustered.

“No matter. I am petty, so what? Only thus can we minimize our losses. If we fought head-on, even in victory, our casualties would be severe. If being called base saves the lives of my brothers, what does reputation matter?” Liu Yao declared with righteous conviction. He had never cared for his own name; he had no desire to be a hero. Heroes are generals and ministers, but never emperors.

His words moved everyone; such care for his subordinates was rare in a lord. As they looked at Liu Yao, his figure seemed to grow taller in their eyes.

Seeing no further objections, Liu Yao announced, “Now, all generals await orders.”

“We are here.”

“Gao Shun. Tian Chou.”

“We are here.”

“You are to lead three battalions, nine thousand infantry, and Gao Shun’s thousand Forlorn Hope troops to Yuyang, join in the defense, and must hold off the thirty thousand Wuwan cavalry, not allowing them a single step forward.”

“As you command.”

“Huang Zhong, Zhang Fei, you two will remain at Jixian; I will have tasks for you shortly.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ju Shou.”

“I am here.”

“You are to fully oversee and manage all matters of supply and logistics.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“My lord, what about me?” Taishi Ci, seeing everyone else assigned, protested at being overlooked.

“Don’t fret, Zi Yi. I have a dangerous mission for you. Will you accept it?” Liu Yao smiled.

“Why would I not?” Taishi Ci replied, brimming with spirit.

“Very well, Taishi Ci.”

“I am here.”

“I assign you five thousand light cavalry, to circle behind the enemy and strike toward the Wuwan. Along the way, destroy every small tribe you encounter; kill all, men, women, and children alike, leave none alive. Plunder their cattle, sheep, and horses and bring them back to Youzhou. Take care not to venture too deep. You have half a month; return within that time, no matter what. This will earn you great merit,” Liu Yao said coldly. “Hmph. The Wuwan love to plunder our Han people? This time, let them taste what it is to be plundered.” His murderous intent was palpable.

Everyone shuddered at Liu Yao’s words. “I never expected our lord to be so ruthless toward the Wuwan.”

“Yes, Taishi Ci accepts the order!” Taishi Ci said, his face alight with excitement — this was a chance for great achievement.

“My lord, isn’t this too cruel?” Tian Feng could not help but advise.

“Cruel? Hmph.” Liu Yao snorted coldly. “Yuanhao, in my eyes, these Wuwan are not people, but beasts. Is it not cruel when they come to our Han lands to burn, kill, and loot? There is no mercy for such animals.”

“I am enlightened.” Tian Feng, though still uneasy, knew that mercy has no place in command, nor righteousness in finance. Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself, so he said no more.

“Very well. All of you, go and prepare your troops. This time, I will make sure the Wuwan come but do not leave,” Liu Yao declared, his words brimming with murderous intent.

“Yes, my lord.” Each departed to make preparations, leaving Liu Yao standing alone, gazing out the window at the sky.