Volume III: The Hero Falls Silent, Heaven and Earth Grow Old – 7: Undercurrent I

On the dais sat three high-ranking ministers, while below them, over a hundred people listened respectfully.

Guan Duo spoke: “The first matter is…” He glanced around the hall, his smile fading as he adopted a solemn tone. After a brief pause, he continued, “At the end of last month, the city of Bianliang fell.”

A sudden commotion erupted in the hall. Some were stunned, some shocked; some reacted slowly with confusion, others quickly with panic. Most were at a loss, with only a few managing to keep calm. At such a moment, those who remained composed fell into two categories: like Deng She, who had advance knowledge; or those who had mastered self-cultivation and composure, unshaken even when Mount Tai collapses, showing no sign of their inner turmoil.

Among the civil officials, someone asked, “Since Bianliang has fallen, what of the lord’s safety?”

“By Heaven’s grace, the lord is unharmed. On the night the city fell, Liu Taibao’s escort successfully broke through and fled. He likely headed north of the river.” Liu Taibao was Liu Futong, who held the rank of Chancellor and was honored as Taibao.

A warrior stepped forward boldly, voice full of passion: “Chaghan has broken our Bianliang and forced our lord to flee. This is a national humiliation. If the lord is disgraced, a minister must die. I swear I will never live alongside these barbarians. Since the ministers know the lord’s whereabouts, we beg for permission to immediately reinforce Liaoxi and launch a rescue.”

Guan Duo nodded. “We in Liaoyang have a deep, irreconcilable hatred for Chaghan. We must tear them apart piece by piece. Gentlemen, Pan Pingzhang, Liu Pingzhang, and I have already agreed: even if we march out, that is the second matter I must discuss with you.”

Deng She was momentarily taken aback by “even if we march out,” thinking, “No attack on Liaonan then?” He found it hard to believe Guan Duo would send troops west unless he had lost his mind. He guessed it was a stratagem of retreat to advance—under the guise of rescuing the lord, hiding a private agenda to strike Liaonan. The goal was twofold: to persuade the factions of Sha and Liu, and to maintain moral justification.

The warrior rejoiced, glanced at Sha and Liu, then knelt to plead, “I am unworthy but willing to be the vanguard.” Deng She understood he was from Sha and Liu’s faction. Seeing his command position, he guessed the man was unaware of the full situation. Guan Duo opening the military council meant he had likely convinced Sha and Liu.

Sure enough, Sha and Liu slammed the table angrily: “In this hall full of civil and military officials, you have no right to speak! Get lost!” His temper remained fierce. Being a respected and battle-hardened man, no one dared to argue further, and the warrior withdrew with a bow.

Mao Jujing stepped forward and asked, “My lord, we are as the heavens to you. Saving you is like saving the heavens. May I ask how you intend to deploy the forces?”

Guan Duo looked at Pan Cheng. “My leg is injured and I cannot move well. Pan Pingzhang has long been stationed in Guangning and knows the front lines clearly. I’ll let Pan Pingzhang explain the deployment.” With that, he clapped his hands, and two attendants spread a map before the hall. The generals stepped back slightly and formed a semicircle.

Pan Cheng strode forward without humility. Towering among the crowd, he stood out like a crane among chickens. Taking a gilded whip from the attendants, he pointed at the map: “Chaosijian’s scouts are stationed two hundred li west of Guangning; another Tartar army presses near Shangdu. If we are to rescue the lord, going this way is impossible.”

The crowd nodded in agreement. Pan Cheng didn’t look back and moved the whip southward to Liaoxi. “Zhang Jujing and Shijia Bao of Liaoxi have battled us for months. Though we have the upper hand, Liaoxi connects through Yongping to the hinterlands, receiving steady supplies and reinforcements, including fresh troops stationed in Daning and other cities. Even if we break through Liaoxi, to reach north of the river to rescue the lord, we’d have to pass through Hebei, heavily garrisoned by Tartars. It would be extremely difficult.”

“So, the western land route is impassable. Our only option is the sea route, through Shandong or even directly crossing the sea to the north bank of the river. Both are viable. To take the sea route, we must go either through Liaoxi or Liaonan. If we go through Liaoxi, we must still guard heavily against Tartars from the hinterland…”

“Through Liaonan, through Liaonan,” the generals whispered among themselves. Deng She noticed the group outside the mansion earlier secretly giving thumbs-up to Old Li, who modestly waved it off as a trivial matter.

Pan Cheng continued, “Indeed, the best, fastest, and safest path lies in Liaonan!”

The hall fell silent for a moment as everyone pondered Pan Cheng’s reasoning. Many eyes flickered, avoiding the map, instead furtively glancing at the three ministers’ faces. The wise saw the contradiction between taking the sea route and attacking Liaonan.

The wise kept silent; the less perceptive couldn’t see through it. Someone caught in the middle, like the warrior under Sha and Liu, furrowed his brow and asked, “If we take the sea route, why not go through Goryeo?” He didn’t know Deng She but saw him present, scanning the crowd before adding, “I’ve heard that Commander Deng from Shuangcheng recently captured Pyongyang. Sailing from there would be faster and more convenient, avoiding wasting time and lives attacking Liaonan.”

Guan Duo remained silent; Sha and Liu opened their mouths but, casting a sideways glance at Guan Duo, swallowed their dissent. Pan Cheng laughed heartily, eyes sharp as knives, coldly staring at the warrior as he demanded, “Commander Deng of Shuangcheng, where are you?”

Deng She had not expected to be called and quickly stepped forward, bowing: “At your command.”

“When did you capture Pyongyang?”

“Over ten days ago.”

“Have you cleared all cities north of Pyongyang?”

“Three or four remain unconquered.”

“How far south have you advanced from Pyongyang?”

“Only as far as the banks of the Datong River. Beyond that remains in Goryeo hands.”

Pan Cheng nodded to him and said, “You may step back.” Then he fixed everyone with a piercing gaze and asked, “Pyongyang is still unsettled. We might cross the sea from there, but is crossing the sea alone enough? What about supplies? Transport? Provisions? Can Shandong support our two hundred thousand troops? It cannot! What then? We are here to rescue the lord and fight, not to compete with allies for food!”

The crowd agreed.

Pan Cheng added, “Suppose we fail, or if Pyongyang falls unexpectedly, our two hundred thousand troops will be trapped—nowhere to advance, nowhere to retreat. What then? Do you want to bury our army?”

Guan Duo cleared his throat, drawing all eyes. “Loyalty must come first. When the lord is in peril, a minister’s duty is to die. Even if we spill our last drop of blood, the lord must be saved. But how to save him must be carefully considered. As Pan Pingzhang said, if all men perish and the lord is not rescued, what then of his safety? Shall we abandon him? If so, I shall die with no peace.”

His emotions stirred deeply, he closed his eyes for a long moment, flushed with passion before calming. Opening his eyes, he looked at everyone and spoke more slowly, “I believe none here fear death. Everyone must die—some lightly as a feather, some heavily as Mount Tai. The choice is clear.”

Mao Jujing was first to respond: “Sir, your words are true. We are willing to die as heavily as Mount Tai.” Guan Duo kindly asked the warrior under Sha and Liu, “General, do you agree?”

Expressing the same meaning in different words gives it a completely different weight. Deng She admired this greatly, thinking, “Truly a learned scholar.”

The warrior, embarrassed and uneasy, said, “What you said is something I had not considered. I am ashamed.” Sha and Liu snorted. Guan Duo chuckled, “Your loyalty and courage are exemplary for our army. Gentlemen, this is how ministers should be. Pan Pingzhang, please continue.”

Pan Cheng resumed, “To attack Liaonan, three matters must be addressed: Chaosijian, Liaoxi, and Shenyang. Without solving these, Liaonan cannot be taken or even attacked. Therefore, our army will divide into four routes—three defensive, one offensive. I will explain the defensive three first: one blocks Chaosijian’s westward reinforcements, one blocks Liaoxi’s northward advance, one blocks Shenyang’s southward push.”

No one objected. As Pan Cheng said, in war, you cannot only think about advancing; securing your rear is primary. Without a stable rear, you cannot march.

Pan Cheng, tall and imposing, surveyed the generals. Seeing no opposition, he dropped his whip and said, “For the specific arrangements, I ask Minister Guan to explain.”

Gathering the generals to detail the plans was the real main event; Pan Cheng’s was merely an introduction. War cannot be decided by just two or three commanders. They must explain the strategy to their subordinates, or suspicion will arise, and no battle can be fought.

The generals present were of high rank, acting as the crucial link between the upper command and the troops, like joints and wrists. While not revealing the deeper reasons, at least they must unify their thoughts. Knowing the battle’s purpose and potential consequences would inspire everyone to fight fiercely and secure victory.

The attendants collected the map, and the generals resumed their positions. Guan Duo, leaning on the table, stood despite his injured leg. Though he couldn’t stand fully upright, his battlefield experience gave him an aura of calm authority.

He said, “Of the three Tartar forces, the strongest is Chaosijian, with nearly a hundred thousand troops, eyeing Guangning and Liaoyang. Their elite cavalry cannot be suppressed by anyone but a top general. This route will be assigned to Pan Pingzhang.”

Pan Cheng remained standing and saluted: “I accept the order.”

“Liaoxi’s Zhang Jujing and Shijia Bao are fierce generals and have the support of the hinterlands. They are formidable enemies. Liu Pingzhang has long clashed with them and knows their strengths and weaknesses. Defending this route should not be difficult. Liu Pingzhang will take charge.”

Sha and Liu reluctantly rose. “Understood.”

“As for Shenyang, the city houses the Eastern Mongol cavalry command and the Goryeo-Northern Han troops, though many are scattered in other cities and have suffered heavy losses at our hands. Yet, like a centipede, death does not mean paralysis. The Mongol tribes north of Shenyang remain a force to be reckoned with. This route requires a commander skilled in strategy and patient courage—mere bravery will not suffice.”

Guan Duo slowly scanned the generals. “Who is willing to take this post?”

Seven or eight generals stepped forward almost simultaneously, their armor clinking as they jostled to volunteer.

Deng She stood steady and silent. Guan Duo’s three-route deployment matched exactly what he and Hong Jixun had predicted. If the plan was to besiege Shenyang, then... Guan Duo’s gaze shifted to him with a smile: “I said the commander must be brave and patient. You who rushed forward have courage, but lack patience.”

His face grew serious. “Commander Deng, will you take this mission?”

The first two routes were Pan Cheng’s and Sha-Liu’s—figures of ministerial rank. Everyone expected a marshal to command the siege of Shenyang. Few were surprised at Guan Duo’s choice of Deng She.

Deng She understood well that Liaonan would involve more than one mission for him. Assigning him to Shenyang was more a symbolic honor than full trust. He stepped forward and declared loudly, “I swear to not disgrace your command.”

Guan Duo smiled, clearly pleased, and explained to the assembly: “Shenyang lies close to Goryeo. Commander Deng need only move the Shuangcheng forces to the Yalu River bank to coordinate with Liaoyang and exert great pressure on Shenyang. Though young, he has already brought our army renown in Goryeo within months. He is ‘skilled at deploying troops, patient and brave’…” He gestured to those who had stepped forward prematurely and laughed, “He far surpasses you.”

Deng She replied, “You flatter me, sir. I am ashamed to claim such praise. All the generals here are my seniors, battle-hardened and experienced. I am merely fortunate. However, with your command, I dare not refuse. I will depart today for Shuangcheng to lead the army across the Yalu River.”

Guan Duo chuckled, “You need not be so modest. You are entrusted with Shenyang, but there is no need to rush. A letter will suffice. Goryeo also needs a large force to garrison; ten thousand should be enough. I have other plans for you.” He paused thoughtfully before asking, “Where is General Zheng Sanbao?”

The bearded General Zheng Sanbao stepped forward proudly. “At your command.”

“General Zheng will assist you,” Guan Duo said.

Deng She accepted the order and retreated to his position.

“The three defensive routes are assigned. Liaonan is the main offensive direction. This battle is crucial; success must be swift and decisive. The Gao family’s slave troops in Gaizhou are strong and numerous. We will transfer ten thousand troops each from Pan Pingzhang’s and Liu Pingzhang’s commands to reinforce the main offensive, led by Mao Jujing.”

Mao Jujing, Guan Duo’s top general, accepted the command as expected. Transferring ten thousand troops each from Pan and Liu was reasonable. Deng She thought, “Liaonan is prosperous; whoever conquers it claims the land. Those who don’t want a piece are fools.”

The boast of the Gao family’s strong slave troops was exaggerated; their numbers barely reached one or two ten-thousands. Chen Zhe had told him that on his return from Jin and Fuzhou, he encountered Gao family soldiers robbing travelers like bandits. Their discipline was poor and combat effectiveness low—a disorganized rabble. Unlike Liaoxi, Liaonan backed onto the sea, facing Shandong across the waters with no reinforcements behind. It wouldn’t be difficult to fight there.

Still, in war, no one escapes death. The vanguard would likely be these miscellaneous, external troops.

Deng She lowered his head, standing amid the ranks, listening to Guan Duo while pondering the meaning of “I have other plans for you.”

Before arriving at Liaoyang, a conversation with Hong Jixun came to mind:

“General, Guan Duo will certainly attack Liaonan. To attack Liaonan, Shenyang must be held. To hold Shenyang, the general will be needed. To use the general, the Shuangcheng troops must be deployed. Once deployed, the general will not be allowed to return to Goryeo. Not allowed to return means the general must be highly capable, retained to assist in holding Liaoyang.

“If the general does not return, who will command the Shuangcheng troops? Guan Duo will send a confidant, nominally as the general’s deputy but in reality to seize command. This is a strategy to lure the tiger from its lair without bloodshed, and also a test of the general.”

Deng She agreed, having thought deeply about this. “I am loyal and serve my country. What is there to test? I will do whatever Minister Guan commands.”

“Exactly. First, with Shenyang squeezed between Liaoyang and Shuangcheng, the chance of a major battle is slim, so our safety is assured. Also, Guan Duo knows your subordinates—either your uncles, old comrades, or men you personally promoted.

“Luo Guoqi and Monk Li, though former Wang and Xu retainers, have little connection to Liaoyang. They began as mere hundred-households; without you, they wouldn’t have their rank or wealth and are deeply loyal to you.

“Most soldiers enlisted in Yongping, and new recruits came from Goryeo; they have no ties to Liaoyang. You may seem under Liaoyang’s command, but you are effectively your own army. Even if Guan Duo sends ten confidants, he cannot wrest your command. Yao Haogu and Qian Shide operate frequently in Shuangcheng but have achieved little—Guan Duo knows this.

“Thus, this plan is eighty percent a test, twenty percent an attempt at seizing power, unlikely to cause real harm. Moreover, it benefits our army.”

At this, Hong Jixun and Deng She exchanged a smile. Goryeo lacked not only clothes and medicine but also manpower. Sinicization was underway but would take years to complete. With the chance to besiege Shenyang, they could seize Han people or resettle Han north of the Yalu River. After conquering Pyongyang and other places, having killed many officials and nobles and seized land, they could grant it to the relocated Han, offering incentives and settling Goryeo. This would both strengthen the Han base and expand Sinicization—a perfect solution.

After their laughter, Hong Jixun continued, “Despite this, the general must stay vigilant. A thousand-mile dike can be ruined by ants. Water wears away stone; even tempered steel cannot withstand constant grinding. The longer the test, the more the false becomes true. Do not let the seizure attempt reach eighty percent while the test is only twenty.”

In other words, initially keep things loose but tight internally. Once firmly established in Liaoyang, with good relations or even alliances with Pan Cheng, Sha-Liu, and others, the general’s position could strengthen. Every matter has two sides; only hoping for the best is insufficient. If worst comes to worst, retreat to Shuangcheng, cede some territory to gain Guan Duo’s approval; if not accepted, better to break ties. Without troops, it’s a dead end anyway. Guan Duo is surrounded by enemies—how he handles this remains to be seen.

Deng She pondered deeply, fully aware of all angles, and smiled. The September sun shone brightly over Shuangcheng. Walking along the riverbank beneath a weeping willow, the breeze was gentle and the air moist. Hong Jixun said, “Besides besieging Shenyang and testing the general, I worry Guan Duo might resort to a ruthless move.”

Deng She asked, “Sir, what do you mean?”

“Yes,” Hong Jixun replied, “he plans to kill with a borrowed sword. How? By leading the general’s troops as vanguard in the Liaonan attack, perhaps even ordering the general to transfer Pyongyang’s troops to assist. But I believe, even if he transfers troops, it will be few. Too many, and the snake cannot swallow the elephant—too clever and it backfires; too few, and they make fine cannon fodder.”

Hong Jixun posed the question, leaving the answer unspoken, tapping his palm with a fan’s handle and looking at Deng She: “If this happens, what would you do?”

Deng She smiled, “If so, you and I might first worry, then rejoice.”

Hong Jixun laughed heartily, “The general is wise.”

The scene of Shuangcheng faded away as Deng She’s thoughts returned to the hall. Would Guan Duo send him as the vanguard?