Xu Shu’s Stratagem (3)
Liao Hua did not wait until noon as he is an infantry. He naturally had to go earlier and prepare. Liao Hua also did not bring too many people as it would be difficult to hide. So, he only took two thousand out of his five thousand men. Besides that, Liu Pi would follow from behind with a large force. If the enemy were small in numbers, they would be easy to handle. If the enemy were large in numbers, Liao Hua will stall the enemy while waiting for the arrival of the large number of troops behind him. They had already prepared their meals after midnight and got ready to set out and prepare the ambush on the road. Originally, Liu Pi wanted to inform Liu Bei. However, he was stopped by Liao Hua. If he told Liu Bei, would the merit still belong to Liu Pi? The news would spread from Liu Pi to Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu would then quickly go and plunder. At that time, Liu Pi would not even have soup to drink. All he would obtain is the merit of one report. Even Liu Pi would be like that. What about Liao Hua who was smaller in rank? His existence would not even be registered. So, Liao Hua decisively stopped him.
On top of that, they are not sure if this information was true. What would they do if it was false information? In the end, nothing would be achieved and they would become jokes. So, Liao Hua told Liu Pi to wait until everything became a reality before reporting. Liu Pi thought for a while and then agreed. The army then set out with Liu Pi personally sending them off.
Liao Hua was actually a good general. In history, he was a registrar under Guan Yu. After Guan Yu’s defeat, he faked his death to return to Shu. He was then appointed as a governor for Yidu. After Liu Bei passed away, he joined the army, became military governor of Gudu and participated in the Northern Expedition of Shu. He is later also promoted to Right General of Chariots. He was also appointed inspector of the Bing Province. After the demise of the Han Dynasty, he moved to Luoyang and died from illness during the journey. Liao Hua was known for being straightforward and was an important general during the late Han Dynasty.
After saying so much, one may still not know who Liao Hua is. However, there are also those that knew of Liao Hua’s reputation. That was his reputation as a vanguard. On the surface, it as though one is mocking Liao Hua. However, it is actually admiration. When Jiang Wei led the Northern Expedition, it was during 253 AD. At that time, Jiang Wei was already about fifty years old. At this point in time, only Liu Mang knew who was Jiang Wei. This is not because Jiang Wei was not famous. Even if Jiang Wei was a nobody, his parents would still know his name. The reason Jiang Wei was not known by anybody was because he had not yet been born. Right now, Liao Hua was already around his twenties. When Jiang Wei lead the Northern Expedition, Liao Hua would be around over seventy. For an old man to act as a vanguard, it could only be talent. He was an old man that obtained the position of a vanguard, the position that meets a lot of enemies. Even Huang Zhong would not dare to say he could do the same.
Right now, Liao Hua was only a military officer under Liu Pi but he was skilled. He travelled thirty miles to the location obtained with his soldiers and the army hid quietly. These were all Liao Hao’s contributions. Now, he only needed to wait for the shipment of provisions.
Time flew and the sun slowly rose from the east and eventually reached the middle of the sky. Noon quickly arrived.
“Why are they not here yet?” Liao Hua was in a bit of a hurry. He licked his cracked lips and took a drink offered to him by his deputy. The waiting time is usually the longest to the people.
“General. Could the information be false?” The deputy asked. This is because it was almost noon and yet not a single shadow could be seen. If the information was wrong then everyone would be busy waiting the whole day.
“It won’t be wrong!” Liao Hua said that without a foundation. “If it was false information, why would the scout hold on until near death before saying it? There was no need to do that.” Liao Hua was skilled in obtaining a confession using torture. On top of that, the darkness under the lamp strategy was not something an ordinary person could come up with. At the very least, if it was not because of the scout, Liao Hua would not be able to think of such a strategy. It was possible that Liu Bei’s Army did not notice the transportation of provisions here. This was because Liao Hua himself saw that Liu Bei did not send any troops to monitor the road. Everyone believed it was impossible for it to be used. They would also think that the generals would have dispatched someone there and would not dispatch anymore soldiers.
In fact, when Liao Hua found out not a single scout was dispatched to the roads, he noticed that there was a huge hole. When Liao Hua returned, he planned to tell Liu Pi to dispatch scouts. This is because it was not only possible for provisions to be delivered but it was also possible for the enemy to attack. If the enemy was in front of you and you did not notice, you would be finished. All this intuitively told Liao Hua that the information was correct. This stratagem was not something ordinary people could think of. A scout would not have such a level. However, he felt anxious as there was no movement in a long time.
When Liao Hua was hesitating, his deputy suddenly touched him. Liao Hua was about to become angry from having his thoughts interrupted but then he heard the deputy shout with a pleasant surprise. “General. Look over there.” The deputy shouted as he pointed towards a distance.
Looking at the place the deputy had pointed at, Liao Hua forgot his anger. Carts appeared one by one and the soldiers were moving slowly. From Liao Hua’s location, they could tell that the scale was quite big. There were a thousand soldiers. The carts carrying the provisions were also very slow to illustrate that there were many kinds of food on the carriage.
“Hahaha.” Liao Hua laughed happily. He would really benefit when he took the provisions. Not only would he obtain ten thousand soldiers. He would even be recommended to Liu Bei by Liu Pi. Liao Hua had worshiped the Peach Brothers for many days and believed that he could be one of the more outstanding ones under Liu Bei, and even replace Liu Pi.
On top of that, the scale of the transport was great. There were not many soldiers defending it while he had five thousand under his command. Once they spring the ambush, the merits would be obtained.
“Get ready!” Liao Hua raised his arm. The commanders of one thousand and one hundred were on edge. They passed down the orders one by one.
“One thousand paces.” Liao Hua estiamated in his heart. “Eight hundred. Six hundred. One hundred. They are here!”
“General. Let us go!” Liao Hua’s deputy couldn’t help but want to rush out. However, Liao Hua did not order the charge.
“Let’s wait!” Liao Hua said to his deputy. It was not yet time to rush out. If they rush out too early, some of the enemies would be able to escape. However, if they ambush from the center, it would become different.
“Five, four, three, two, one!” Liao Hua watch a group rush past. When the ones in the middle arrived, Liao Hua suddenly lowered his hand and stood up. He pulled out the sword on his waist. “Brothers. This is the time for us to get promoted and become rich. Rush towards them. Kill them and take their provisions. We can then get promoted and earn a fortune!” Liao Hua loudly shouted.
“Kill. Kill. Get promoted. Loot them all!” The deputy echoed and all the ambushers rushed out to kill.
“Not good! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” The one that obviously looked like a general shouted when he saw enemies rushing out from the forests. He also pulled out his weapon and prepared for battle. However, if one were to look closely, they would find that the one being plundered did not look panicked. Instead, he had a smile in his eyes. The general then yelled and ran towards the forest.
“Kill. Kill them! Steal their provisions!” Everyone was excited. Their morale was high as they were the one ambushing and taking the enemy by surprise.
One by one, Liao Hua’s soldiers killed quickly. This is because they found out that their opponent was very weak. There was no resistance at all. Not even from the ones that had died. Only a few of their own suffered minor injuries, mostly because they ran into their own companions.
Liao Hua was very suroprised and skeptical about the situation. He questioned the reason the soldiers immediately withdrew their troops the moment they saw him. It was as though they had achieved their objective. However, his doubts were soon vanquished because the carriage was loaded with provisions.
“General. It is all provisions!” The deputy opened up several bags in excitement. All of them were loaded with provisions. It was good as long as it was provisions. Liao Hua dismissed his concerns. As long as it was provisions, they would be a difference. He believed that it was a possibility that Lujiang could no longer dispatch troops and could only dispatch conscripted laborers.
The reason Liao Hua could convince himself this was because the reasoning was reliable. Sun Ce was looking at the Yangtze River, making Lu Bu afraid of dispatching troops, even if it was to save Shou Chun. He was afraid the Jiangdong Army would become tigers. At that time, having provisions would be useless. Liao Hua convinced himself that those were conscripted laborers wearing armor.
“Come. Let us bring these provisions back to the camp and have the leader reward us!” Liao Hua spoke boldly. Originally, they were Yellow Turbans. They Yellow Turbans murder and plunder. Now, they become part of an army. However, their nature would not change.
“Let’s go. Take it away!”
“Haha. This time, I think the leader would give us ten coins each!” One soldier shouted in excitement.
“Look at your interests. Only ten coins! Do you know what this is? It is provisions! It is not just meritorious service. With these provisions, the generals would give us eleven coins!” The soldier looking down on his friend only added one coin.
“With so much money here, I only need to wait until the end of the war. Once I have another twenty coins, I can go and marry Xiao Cui!” Another soldier thought as he drooled.
“Future prospects! This one will take responsibility. You do not need to wait until the end of the war. I will give you twenty coins once we go back so that you can marry Xiao Cui!” Everyone became happy as Liao Hua said these words. Now that he had provisions, he could obtain Liu Pi’s recommendation and his career would soar. Naturally, he would be happy. So, he also joined in with his soldiers.
Just as Liao Hua’s soldiers was about to pull the carriage away, there was a tragic cry from the front. “General. Not good! Cavalries appeared in front!”
The ground shook before Liao Hua could ask. “Cavalry? Where are they from?”
Cavalry troops then appeared in front of Liao Hua. They were small in size and were only two hundred in number. However, Liao Hua saw that they were heavily armored. They carried a red banner with the character Zhao. This was a heavy cavalry. Liao Hua did not dare to underestimate these cavalry soldiers. It was not a problem if it was only one or two. However, two hundred heavy cavalry was enough to run over lightly armored soldiers ten times their number.
“What happened?” Liao Hua saw the banner of the cavalry and believed that they were the Xiliang Cavalry. After all, only Zhang Xiu had cavalries. Liu Bei had only brought infantries. His warhorses were only given to generals or scouts.
The people in front of him were friendly units. This was Liao Hua’s first impression. So, Liao Hua walked forward.
The two hundred heavily armored cavalries also stopped. Liao Hua looked at them. He cupped his fist at the handsome man holding a spear at the front. “This general, Liao Hua, acts under the command of the Left General, greets you. This one is in the Yuzhou military under the direct command of General Liu Pi. Why did the general come here?”
“Liu Pi’s troops?” The handsome man gave a smile. It was great as long as it was not Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, or Chen Dao’s subordinates. Zhao Yun was not sure if he could fight if it was their subordinates, especially if it was the White Eared heavy infantries. He knew many of them. They had fought side by side when fighting against Yuan Tan, the Yellow Turbans, and Cao Cao’s Army.
“I am a commander of one thousand, Zhao Long, serving under General Yang Wu, Zhang Xiu. What is with these provisions?” The man who called himself Zhao Long pointed at the provisions and asked. General Yang Wu was a title given by Cao Cao to appease Zhang Xiu during his battle at Guandu as he was afraid Zhang Xiu would attack from the back. Although them man was nameless, it was still more pleasant to hear.
“Oh. General Zhao Long is talking about the provisions?” Liao Hua was not too clear about Zhang Xiu’s military structure. However, being a commander of one thousand was quite a high post. At the very least, it was a higher position than his own. Besides that, Zhang Xiu’s subordinates were all heavy cavalries. A thousand armored cavalries could be compared to ten thousand infantries. That was why Liao Hua did not dare to be rude even if Zhao Long was only a commander of one thousand.
“We were informed that Lu Bu’s Army was delivering these provisions to Shouchun. We ambushed them on the road and now, it is the income of our army!” Liao Hua proudly said. He was relying on these provisions to become a commander of one thousand, which is about the same rank as Zhao Long. Liao Hua envied this Zhao Long.
“Good. Your task is completed. We of the Xiliang Cavalry will take over.” Zhao Long rudely said in front of Liao Hua.
“You will take over?” Liao Hua did not understand hat Zhao Long was saying.
“What? You don’t understand?” Zhao Long pointed at the provisions again and arrogantly said, “Our General Yang Wu wants these provisions. You all can leave now!”
“Hm? Is General Zhang Xiu lacking provisions already?” Liao Hua asked carefully. “If that is the case, please ask General Zhang Xiu to go and find Milord. Milord had already promise Zhang Xiu provisions. I hope you all would not come and rob us of our provisions. This is our income!” Liao Hua carefully said to Zhao Long. He did not want to offend Zhang Xiu’s Army. However, Liu Bei had given the order to maintain a good relationship with Zhang Xiu’s Army.
“Why is there so much nonsense? We want these provisions. We also do not have time to talk to you! Are you giving it to us or not?” Zhao Long looked greedily at the banner on the carriage of the provisions then back at Liao Hua.
A greedy expression? Liao Hua also noticed the change in Zhao Long’s expression. Liu Bei’s Army was really not lacking in provisions. This was including the portion given to the Xiliang Cavalry. After all, they need to be fed to help fight. He also knew that the population in Shouchun is large. So, Liu Bei also brought provisions for the people.
Liu Bei would provide provisions to Zhang Xiu if he asked. However, now, there was a commander of one thousand looking at Liao Hua’s provisions instead the one given to him. On top of that, Zhao Long was not actually looking at the provision but the banner on the carriage.
Liao Hua immediately understood that the Xiliang Cavalry never cared about the provisions but the merits. In other words, they came for merits and ran into Liao Hua. Liao Hua was also counting on these merits to earn a fortune. How could he give up?
“Apologies, General Zhao. There is no reason for us to give the provisions to you. This is obtained by us who was dispatched by Liu Pi to set up an ambush here.” Liao Hua mentioned Liu Pi, hoping that the general would step back. If it was a normal occasion, Zhang Xiu’s soldiers would probably think about it. However, Zhao Long would not care.
“What’s with all the nonsensical words. It is either give or not to give!” Zhao Long replied and pointed the spear at Liao Hua.
“What are you trying to do?” One of Liao Hua’s loyal soldier took out his sword and stepped in front.
“Apologies. If General Zhao is so unreasonable, then there would be nothing to talk about. General Zhao cannot take these provisions!” Liao Hua’s tone turned stiff.
“Good. Good. You are a man!” At that moment, Zhao Long suddenly opened his mouth and laugh. “I will not take these provisions. I will give it to you! I, Zhao Long, admire you. If there is time, I, Zhao Long, will definitely invite you for a drink! You are called Liao Hua right? I like you! Hahaha!” Zhao Long laughed.
“General Zhao Long is giving me undeserved compliments!” Seeing that Zhao Long had started to laugh, Liao Hua also felt relieved. He really did not want to clash against Zhang Xiu’s Army. If that happened, Liu Bei would turn him into a scapegoat to avoid offending Zhang Xiu. “If General Zhao Long has the time after capturing Shou Chun, this one will be a host and apologize to General Zhao Long.” Liao Hua let his subordinate sheath his weapon and cupped his fist to Zhao Long.
“Good! Good! Then, I, Zhao Long, will wait for a drink from General Liao Hua!” Zhao Long laughed as he pointed to Liao Hua and spoke.
“Definitely!” Liao Hua started to smile after he saw Zhao Long. No one would have guessed that these two were just about to fight. Another friend meant another path. Even Liao Hua understood these words.
“Then I, Zhao Long, will take my leave here.” The self-proclaimed Zhao Long cupped his fist and left on his horse.
“This one will send General Zhao off.” Liao Hua also cupped his fist. Not only did he gain benefits but also a friend. This was good benefit. Liao Hua breath a sigh, not noticing the sneer on Zhao Long’s face and his killing intent.
“Time for us to go back as well. Everyone, sheath your weapons and take the provisions back to camp!” Just as Liao Hua was about to relax, his eyes grew wide again.
This is because the Xiliang Cavalry that had just left had now returned. Liao Hua was certain that they did not come back because they had forgotten something. This is because killing intent could be seen in the eyes of the cavalry. Their spears were out and their horses were galloping. This was a cavalry’s charge.
“All units. Prepare to meet the enemy!” Liao Hua shouted loudly. However, it was already too late. The heavily armored cavalry pierced through Liao Hua’s Army like a sharp knife. Liao Hua’s troops took out their weapons again. On top of that, they were on the flat road.
Liao Hua finally understood the might of the cavalry. The two hundred cavalries were like two hundred devils harvesting human lives to the two thousand people. It would be difficult for even a few to escape. A cavalry’s spear was enough to kill several soldiers.
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Before anyone reminds me that his name should be Zhao Zilong (Just like how I will never get Lingqi’s name right). I just want to say, its probably an alias.
This is the name used 赵龙
Also, it’s a terrible alias.
