大唐双龙传 [Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan] by Huang Yi

[徐中銳]

Capuchin Crypt :
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Geriatrix

[hungryhero]

Thanks foxs. Keep going..

[LuDongBin]

Thks foxs. Looks like you have great longevity!

[chualot]

Thanks foxs zongguan

[paonakata]

I believe the founder of Song dynasty is Zhao clan, as its first emperor is Zhao Kuangyin.

Hmmm what do you think of this guy? << https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kou_Zhun >>

[foxs]

Xiaohu, really! After all I’ve done … Sky, Jaya, Ysabel, you are welcome. Paona, I think what you did is fine, just make sure that you note that it is based on real historical fact. Xu Xiong … Hungry, the Lord’s willing, I am planning to. DongBin, are you also saying that I am too old? Chua, oh, now I am just a manager?

---

“What’s so difficult to guess?” Xu Ziling replied, “If you want to advance toward Luoyang and Guanzhong, on the east there are Jiangdu, Liangdu, on the west there are Jingling, Xiangyang. Of the latter two, Xiangyang has the more strategic importance; otherwise Li Mi would not have to personally take the trouble to go see Qian Duguan.”

Kou Zhong nodded and said, “Well said. There is a chapter in Lu Miaozi’s ‘Terrain Study’ dealing specifically with the places that will have to be conquered by the School of Military of the world; Xiangyang is high on the list.”

“What did Mr. Lu say?” Xu Ziling asked.

As if he was very familiar with the subject [orig. as if enumerating his family valuables], Kou Zhong recited, “Xiangyang connects to Bashu [old name for Sichuan] to the west, controls Xiangchu [old name for Hunan and Hubei] to the south, cherishes River Luo to the north; hence every war would inevitably raised their fire beacon, banner and rampart toward this city. During the Three Kingdoms period [220-280 AD], Wei, Shu and Wu, all three sides were working hard for this city, even Guan Yu was injured and died in this place. After that, the Western Jin [265-316 AD] cut down Wu, the Eastern Jin’s [317-420 AD] Huan Wen [312-373 AD] went on northern military campaign; all of these used Xiangyang as their base of operations. Therefore, Mr. Lu’s conclusion was ‘the reason Six Dynasties [220-589 AD] were able to defend the left of the River was that they really depended on strong soldiers, powerful garrisons between Huainan and Jingxiang.’”

Xu Ziling could not help thinking Zhu Yuyan’s praise on Lu Miaozi, ‘his talent able to move unhindered’. His treatise on Xiangyang was definitely outstanding and insightful.

Xiangyang, although not a big city like Luoyang or any capital cities, but because it was located in the middle stretches of the Han River, which was the road hub connecting Hubei, Henan, Sichuan and Shaanxi, four provinces. If one is thinking of going down south from the Central Plains, or perhaps from Guanzhong entering the Jianghan plains, one cannot but take Xiangyang first.

Kou Zhong’s ambition to get Xiangyang was actually his deepest intention to pursue the deer [fig. to vie for supremacy] in the decisive battle against Li Shimin in the future. Even if Li Shimin wanted to attack Luoyang, he still had to pass through this crucial point, Xiangyang.

Both Xiangyang and Liangdu were not a political or economic center, but it concerned the success or failure of the overall strategy.

Xu Ziling said, “If you want to obtain Xiangyang, you must snatch Jingling first, and it may not be easy.”

Kou Zhong cheerfully said, “The most interesting aspect of this game is its high degree of difficulty.”

Displeased, Xu Ziling said, “Unexpectedly you regard killing people, filling the plains with dead bodies, miserable and ruthless battle in attacking and defending cities as a game?”

Smiling bitterly, Kou Zhong said, “Don’t talk to me with stiff face and righteous words like that. Just consider me begging you! As far as I’m concerned, life is nothing more than a game. My responsibility is to attempt to make this game more meaningful and fun. This is purely from a detached point of view. Just like Shi Feixuan thinks that everything in the world is illusory and without any eternal significance.”

After a short pause, he continued excitedly, “Ling Shao, just think: on our Central Plains’ vast territory, there are countless cities, large and small. With different geographical situation, they all have different importance and meaning, not unlike the checked pattern on the chessboard, with each person, each army as a chess piece. If you look at it like this, don’t you think battlefield is just like a game? All military campaigns therefore center on, and start in, breaking a city and defending a city.”

Xu Ziling pondered quietly for half a day; finally he nodded and said, “Your view of vying over the world is really much deeper than before.”

Kou Zhong turned his head to look at Liangdu at the distance; exhaling slowly, he said, “I have lost Jingling, I can’t afford to lose Liangdu as well! If our provision is adequate, we could fortify defenses and raze the fields, trying to hold up the enemy outside the city as long as possible, until their provision ran out and they had to withdraw the troops, and then wipe them out at a stroke. But now, of course, we cannot use this tactic; hence we can only employ a stratagem, use unusual tactic, by exploiting Yuwen Huagu’s weak point of not daring to prolong the battle, and ruthlessly frustrating him.”

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, “Right now everybody knew about food shortage in Liangdu. Yuwen Huagu deliberately marching slowly, his objective is to drive the citizens of the area along his route toward Liangdu, to drive us into a deeper frustration of lack of food supplies. He does not even have an eight-day, ten-day patience.”

Shaken, Kou Zhong said, “You are right! Therefore, the first tactic is to use deceive. Not only we want to deceive Yuwen Huagu, we also need to deceive the troops and citizens of the entire city.”

Emotionally moved, Xu Ziling said, “Since we are going to use deceive anyway, we might as well pretend that not only Li Zitong is willing to loan provisions, he is also willing to loan his troops, and both will arrive in several days. If the news reached Yuwen Huagu’s ears, I guarantee he will speed up his advancing troops, and will do everything he can to besiege the city with the fiercest way possible, and then we will be able take advantage of this scheme.”

Clamping his legs on his horse’s belly, he whipped the horse and said, “We must send someone to intercept Ren Meimei, who could be back from the north any moment; if we want to tell lies, she must be in it too!”

※ ※ ※

By dusk that day, Ren Meimei’s boat docked at Liangdu; with the boat she brought along more than a dozen carts of army provisions. Reportedly, it was the first batch of foodstuff Li Zitong ever loaned after he formed the alliance.

Along the way to the storehouse at the Zongguan Mansion, one of the carts ‘accidentally’ overturned, spilling out its cargo of rice and wheat.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, two boys, personally met them at the city gate, and then riding left and right, they escorted this ‘minister who has given outstanding service’ entering the city. The citizens of the city lined the street to cheer, so much so that some even knelt down and burned incense to worship, while calling out ‘long live!’ [orig. wanshui, ten thousand years].

Passing the high all of the Zongguan Mansion, Ren Meimei’s flowery smiling face immediately became wooden and cold; gnashing her teeth in anger she cursed, “That dog Li Zitong really deserves to be wiped out by Du Fuwei. Not only he refused to lend a helping hand, he also threw stones at people who fell down a well. He cut off the lower reaches of the waterway; his speech was even more unbearable. He is really infuriating!”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “Ren Dajie [big/elder sister], there is no need to bicker with this kind of lowly man. Just wait until we’re done taking care of Yuwen Huaji, we’ll take a good look at him.”

Turning to Xu Ziling, he asked, “Did the show with the transporting provisions just now look real enough?”

Fully satisfied, Xu Ziling said, “Were it not for I knew the inside story, I would have been deceived.”

The three sat down in the main hall.

Ren Meimei’s anger has not dissipated, she cursed, “That dog not only showed excessive arrogance, he forced me to wait for three days for nothing, and in the end he only sent a court eunuch to tell me that he did not have time to see me, unless I waited ten more days. Tell me, how irritating is that?”

Kou Zhong asked in surprise, “Didn’t Ren Dajie say that his speech was unbearable? If you didn’t even see him, how could you hear what he said?”

Puffing out her sweet cheeks, Ren Meimei said, “Although I did not see him, but the eunuch passed his message to me, telling me that if I wanted to rest a little bit, he might summon me within five days into the palace to accompany him.”

Murderous aura flashed through Kou Zhong’s eyes, but his expression was surprisingly calm; he nodded and spoke slowly, “Li Zitong is deliberately humiliating us. Very well! Since he wants to throw stones at ones who fell down a well, don’t blame me for not showing any mercy to him.”

Xu Ziling was silent.

And then Ren Meimei reported Jiangdu’s situation, “Currently Du Fuwei is stationing his troops east of Danyang, only about twenty li from Jiangdu, in accord with Shen Faxing’s son, Shen Lun’s main force, which is stationed north of the adjoining hill. They have launched three ferocious attacks in succession against Jiangdu city walls, both sides suffered heavy casualties, with Li Zitong’s side slightly losing. The adjoining hill originally belonged to Li Zitong, and was taken by Shen Lun only in the last month or so, so that Li Zitong lost control over all counties south of Jiangdu.”

Kou Zhong asked, “So what bargaining chip is left for Li Zitong? How could he dare to look down on us like that?”

Ren Meimei replied, “Nothing more than a dozen or so county towns due north of Jiangdu. Among these, the most important are Donghai County overlooking the East China Sea on the northeast, and Zhongli County on the Huai River. The former is that dog’s native place and rear defense base, the latter is the pivot point of his route inland. Any one of these two fell, it would be a fatal blow to him.”

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “I thought he had no loophole we could exploit, impervious to sword and spear? Turns out there are so many flaws and weak points; a bit later, I will look for him to settle the account. This time I have troubled Ren Dajie! Please go inside and take a good rest.”

After Ren Meimei left, with a deep frown of his brows, Kou Zhong said, “Isn’t it a bit strange? I thought because of our relationship with Song Jingang, plus we are helping him to deal with Yuwen Huaji, that fellow Li Zitong would weep grateful tears, who would have thought that he could treat our envoy like that?”

Xu Ziling said, “What else would give him more benefit than Yuwen Huagu and us fight each other until both sides suffer? If that happens, he would only need to send several thousand officers and soldiers, and Liangdu will fall into his hands.”

Kou Zhong appeared to be deep in thought. It was quite a while later that he said, “In my opinion, the situation is not that simple. Right now his most pressing business is to break Jiangdu’s siege; therefore, any military operation will have that military objective. Just think, supposing after a hard battle Yuwen Huagu finally win over Liangdu, what would be the benefit for him?”

Xu Ziling was visibly moved; he said, “I get it. He wanted to move the troops that are originally stationed in various cities north of Jiangdu to Jiangdu, and use them to deal with Ol’ Die and Shen Lun’s coalition forces; but because of Dou Jiande and Yuwen Huagu’s threat, he is practically powerless to expand his territory. At that time, as long as he could beat back Ol’ Die and Shen Lun’s army, he then could go up north along the River, and snatch Liangdu from Yuwen Huagu’s hands.”

Revealing a smile, Kou Zhong nodded and said, “Must be so; hence he is hoping that Yuwen Huagu and us will fight until both sides suffer; the worse our condition the better it is for him! Isn’t this called ‘poor but with great ambitions’? Or perhaps ‘before the poor heart is exhausted, the greedy heart arises’?”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Are you not like that?”

Kou Zhong suddenly stood up; upright and unafraid, he said, “How could I be like that? Victory has come into my hands. Right now what I need is to sharpen the Moon in the Well, to chop Yuwen Huagu’s dog head, and offer it as a sacrifice in front of Niang’s grave. All these years, aren’t we waiting for precisely this day?”

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[wangxiaohu]

What an update! Cannot wait to read the next.

谢谢爷爷!.

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs

[Anh Nam]

Thanks foxs

[hungryhero]

Thanks foxs. come on, yuwen huagu, come to the boys faster... 😀

[foxs]

Ysabel, Jaya, HPC, Anh, you are welcome. Xiaohu, hhh ... Hungry, they are coming ...

---

Book 20 Chapter 2 – Chatting and Joking About Troop Deployment

Sure enough, just like the two boys’ expected, as soon as the fake news about alliance with Li Zitong and the borrowed provisions spread out, Yuwen Huaji’s twenty-thousand-man main force immediately advanced at full speed toward Liangdu’s northern city gate, so that its vanguard arrived within two days, and immediately built rampart, dug moat, setup camp, and constructed outposts at the front line.

From the peak of a tall tree, about three zhang high, on top of a hill some distance away, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked down at the plainly visible enemy situation.

Kou Zhong said, “Stopping is to build a camp, moving is to form troop disposition. This army camp has water source, which is also a risk to defend, to attain good grip over the enemy and self’s solid objective. It can clearly be seen that our opponent this time are big and small officers under Yuwen Huagu’s command with enough battle experience; absolutely must not be underestimated.”

Hearing that, Xu Ziling nodded his head in praise. On the surface, Kou Zhong seemed to be a careless person [orig. thick stems and broad leaves], giving out the impression as one who was easily pleased that he loses his sense of measure. However, he was actually cool-headed, prudent and cautious; he would not make the mistake of offending his superior or underestimating the enemy.

To pitch a camp, the most important thing is the location. Currently the enemy setup their fort on a high place, on the slope of a hill, facing a flat land neighboring a forest. In term of defense, this camp was strictly according to the rules, which was another proof that they were not a mob.

Kou Zhong did not dare to take this issue lightly, which was precisely the fundamental prerequisite to become an outstanding commander.

“What does Mr. Lu’s secret book say about this situation?” Xu Ziling casually asked.

Kou Zhong replied, “The important thing in setting up a stronghold is peaceful camp, restful men and beasts, cautious defense, strict camp gate, facility to treat ill soldiers, device to check the army, adequate fire alarm, preparation against disturbance and calamity, clear communication of duties, cherishing the water source and grass, dusk to dawn bugle calls, lighting arrangement, protection against rain and darkness, night security, checking the visitors, avoid water attack, and so on. Is that enough?”

Listening to him casually reciting so many important aspects in setting up the camp, Xu Ziling said in surprise, “You have quite an understanding of what you read.”

Proud of himself, Kou Zhong said, “This is called achievement of diligence, also called cramming too hard just before the battle. But if you look at it, don’t you feel that in term of location, although this camp is solid, but it is far. If they are going to transport besieging equipment from here to the city wall, before they even arrive, they would have tire the mules and the horses half dead; it is not practical at all.”

While making a careful observation around, Xu Ziling laughed and said, “You, this kid, are starting to acquire a little skill! Yuwen Clan deployed their men and generals, they setup their camp like this must be for his mother’s reason; is it possible that its principal usage is for storing provisions and treating injured soldiers? In addition, this is more their rear area, with the main purpose is to provide support to the frontline combat camp.”

Delighted, Kou Zhong said, “Great minds think alike. It could be said that this provision station is the foundation of Yuwen Huagu’s main forces going south this time. But since it is far behind the frontline, they won’t have to worry that we might get out of the city to attack it. Therefore, the defense will inevitably rather weak. If we coordinate with Xuan Yong’s ambushing troops to attack his mother that they are caught unprepared, we would already have half of the victory in our bag. Ha! This battle does not seem to be that difficult.”

Focusing his power to his eyes, Xu Ziling looked at the situation of the enemy’s camp, and spoke heavily, “You seem to think too easily. This camp has the mountain behind it as the natural defense, outside there are moats all around, inside there are barriers. If they also had some pits with sharp bamboo, caltrops, and the likes as defensive measures, plus the rampart has earthen wall, equipped with strong crossbow, and then they also arrange sentries all around, widespread alarm system, plus Yuwen Guan’s numerous martial art masters, do you think that as soon as you say you are going to attack you will be able to attack?”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “You seem to forget that what Mr. Lu, the Senior, was most formidable in was not the art of war, but in the design and manufacture of exquisite equipment. In his book he listed in details more than a dozen kinds of different method to break a stronghold, saying that breaking a fort is just like breaking a city. Breaking a city needs cloud ladders, battering rams, and crashing vehicles. Breaking a stronghold also needs vehicles. As long as we can open one or two gaps, and the enemy troops are not too strong, then breaking a fort should be as easy as a hand’s turn.”

Frowning, Xu Ziling asked, “And where can we get the vehicles from?”

Kou Zhong replied, “From refitting the existing vehicles. Xuan Yong is in charge of this. Xiaodi has mastered Lu Miaozi’s handed-down techniques; at least it’s like half of Sun Wu [Sun Tzu] came back to life. Yuwen Huagu is dropping by like this, if I didn’t lead away a goat in passing [to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain] by stealing his provisions, stealing his horses, angering him until he vomits blood, how could I live for Niang? Don’t worry! I understand your filial piety!”

Hearing that, Xu Ziling did not know whether he should laugh or cry, while at the same time he was secretly anxious for Kou Zhong’s enemies.

Kou Zhong was a genius in military tactics and strategies; during the various battles earlier, he had used unusual methods, and now he even understood battle machines, designed by Lu Miaozi, that can be used to deal with all kinds of situation, inside out [orig. ripe as a melon that rolls from its vine]. Once he managed to assemble a group of well-trained elite warriors, who in the world would be able to resist this military power? Perhaps even Li Shimin would have to suffer defeat.

Currently, what he lacked was precisely this group of elite force, and the ‘Duke Yang’s Treasure’.

“But the top priority right now,” Kou Zhong continued, “is not to break the stronghold, but to steal arrows. You ought to know that our supply of arrows in the city will last less than half a sichen. And when that happens, we could only rely on boiling oil, boiling water, and rocks; which would not last too long either.”

Xu Ziling was stunned, “How do we steal arrows?” he asked.

Kou Zhong giggled and said, “Not stealing, but re-enacting Kong Ming’s [Zhuge Liang] borrowing arrows skill. We send them fake arrows, they shoot us real arrows. Won’t it be so profitable?”

Pointing to the Tongji Canal flowing on his left, he said, “Our spies reported back that Yuwen Huagu’s main force will arrive tonight. I already sent men to hide more than a hundred fast boats full of dummies tied onto them in the forest on the opposite bank. By the time his troops arrive, we’ll launch the fast boats into the river, and sail downstream. Each boat will only have three men in it; one man to steer the boat, two men to release bamboo arrows, while at the same time we’ll dispatch troops to feign an attack. In his distress, Yuwen Huagu will have no choice but to send some arrows for us to use. Just consider it the appetizer before the main course is served.”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “Now even I am a bit confident that you might win this battle.”

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, two boys, on their horseback, stood side-by-side on top of a small slope, gazing into the distance, at the spectacular scene of millions of dots of torches snaking their way along the prairie right next to Tongji Canal.

Kou Zhong laughed quietly and said, “I was right in saying that in order to reduce the possibility of being attacked, Yuwen Huagu would travel along the river; who would have thought that he is doing exactly what I was thinking?”

Xu Ziling looked up at the moonless and starless night sky; he said, “Your fake alliance and fake provisions tactic has worked, otherwise Yuwen Huaji can’t possibly urge his troops to travel even at night, which is giving us the opportunity that we can exploit.”

Kou Zhong took a deep breath and said, “It’s time!”

Finished speaking, he raised his hand to the sky. A rocket immediately soared and exploded into blazing fireworks high in the sky, brightening the murky, cloud-covered night sky.

Instantly battle cry rose up from the direction of Liangdu, followed by dots of torches casting their light on the enemy. It appeared to be an awe-inspiring display of military prowess. But the fact was that each person was holding two torches, without holding any weapon or wearing any armor, plus a whole bunch of ordinary citizens holding short bows and fake arrows coming out to put up a show.

At first glance, it appeared that nearly ten thousand men came out of the nearby hill and forest north of Lingdu to launch a surprise attack toward the enemies invading their territory.

Riding behind Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were nearly two hundred riders, consisted of Peng Liang Hui men whose horsemanship and martial art skill were the best, exhausting all the horses within the city of Liangdu, forming the only cavalry they had.

Far away ahead, the enemy’s torches near the tail of the line were starting to turn chaotic, but the front and the middle of the line were still in order.

Kou Zhong turned to Xu Ziling and said with a laugh, “This move was not taught by Linglong Jiao; it is called ‘observing the torches’ method. Evidently this second batch of Yuwen Army’s 5,000 men consisted of new and old troops, good and bad intermingled; the tail must be new recruits. We’ll give them a sudden and violent attack to clip their tail first; I guarantee we’ll occupy the advantageous position.”

The long fiery dragon of the torches separated and stopped; apparently the enemy was putting up battle array to deal with the enemy.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling clamped their horses’ belly, and led the 237 riders along the predetermined route through the jungle, across the prairie, charging toward the enemy’s rear.

‘Bang!’

Another rocket burst open in the sky with a loud noise.

Battle cry sprang up everywhere from the direction of the river and canal, more than a hundred light boats and speedboats filled with dummies rushed downstream, several hundred fiery arrows, made of bamboo with cloth dipped in oil wrapped around its tip, streaked across the empty air of the river bank, toward the enemy marching in the direction of Liangdu.

All the real fighters on the boats were hiding behind wooden board to block the arrows, letting the dummies dressed in soldier uniform to take the arrows.

The long grass of the forest and prairie along the bank started to catch fire, so that the enemy believed they were caught between two fires; immediately they were thrown into confusion. Especially the rear of the line.

Kou Zhong shouted his order; pulling a shield with his left hand, he urged his horse to charge at full speed toward the enemy’s rear.

The two boys switched to using long spears, long-reaching weapons which were beneficial to be used in battle on horseback, fighting at the head of the troops, passing through the sparse forest, blocking a dozen or so arrows that were occasionally shot toward them, breaking into the enemy ranks.

The riverbank was full of individual torches running away for their lives, while the water was full of light boats, continuously increasing the intensity of the light; certainly it appeared as a terrifying momentum.

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[wangxiaohu]

Tried to understand what 'hhh' meant, but after half a day, still don't know if it means laughter, anger, disappointment, or regret.

By the way, thanks foxs.

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs

[hungryhero]

Thanks foxs. yes, fight.. fight. fight...

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[LuDongBin]

Wanshui, wanshui, wan, wan shui! Thks foxs.

[chualot]

hahah..thanks foxs. Don't worry, a few more books of translations you'll be promoted to "Jun Shi"