Chapter 116: Cao Cao and Luo Rucai

On the day Liu Chengzong received the news, he immediately ordered the Fifth Watch to seize the warhorses and provisions from Wang Zhuang in Xingzi River and withdraw.

His decisiveness left Lin Wei, who was eagerly waiting nearby to be taken along, utterly stunned.

Only when the troops sounded the gong and set off did Lin Wei realize that Liu Chengzong had never intended to bring him. Dropping his scholar’s composure, he sprinted to catch up and angrily demanded, "Not taking me?"

Did they come all this way just to seize me and have a talk?

Liu Chengzong was taken aback by this bold intrusion: "I’m going to fight Li Bei. What’s a steward of Wang Zhuang doing causing trouble here?"

He thought to himself, this is a life-or-death battle deciding fate. Why bring along an inexperienced newcomer? Was it to have him spy on Li Bei?

"Then, are you taking me or not?"

Lin Wei couldn’t quite grasp the leader’s intentions. The elite troops had taken the Wang estate, and now, with news arriving from the south, the gong was sounded again to gather forces and depart. Aside from taking some grain, wasn’t this all for nothing?

The column was already leading mules forward when Liu Chengzong halted, reined his horse, and climbed a small earthen mound beside the official road.

"I'm taking you," he said with a smile, leaning on his saddle and thinking for a moment. Then he nodded: "You stay here for now. In a few days, have someone harvest the millet in the fields. Plant whatever needs planting. Repair the fortress when there's nothing else to do. Hide the remaining grain in the mountains so no one can steal it. That should be enough to last you until next spring."

He always remembered what Yang Yao said when he and the Han brothers joined him: those who indulge in riches when it's time to run or panic and flee rashly during battle will cause their followers to pay with their lives.

If there had been no news, he would have stayed at this fortress for a few days to better understand the terrain.

But now that the news had arrived, it was time to prepare wholeheartedly for battle. If they won, everything would be theirs.

"You said I’m staying here, so if you’re taking me, why not assign someone else to manage the estate and take me along?" Lin Wei anxiously asked, rubbing his palms. "What if the prince’s mansion sends people to arrest me?"

"Arrest? They’ll be lucky to get a scratch. If they come with few men, you fight them. If they come with many, they won’t get through. Just stay here and manage the estate well. I trust you."

Liu Chengzong said he trusted him, but he didn’t really. Lin Wei babbled on: "But you also said this place is a death trap. If we lose, there’s nowhere to run. So we can’t fight here."

After seizing the Qin prince’s estate, his father locked him in the ancestral hall to study the “Zizhi Tongjian.” When asked what he had learned, he remembered two things: listen carefully, and be wary of everyone.

But Lin Wei truly regarded Liu Chengzong as a lifeline. Raising his arm and pointing to the valley, he ordered: "Pick whoever you want, strong and sturdy men. Dig trenches, build camps, whatever’s needed—even if it’s just to carry mules!"

The middle-aged attendant of the Prince’s Mansion clenched his fists: "You’ve already seized the rent silver. If you lose, the prince’s mansion will send me to Liaodong. We must not lose."

Liu Chengzong laughed and nodded firmly, urging his horse eastward.

Under the banner of the Marshal of the Four Directions, men clad in border-armored military gear spread out, selecting the strongest men to stay as auxiliaries.

As the large group headed east, nearing the edge of the valley fields, Liu Chengzong reined his horse and looked back. Lin Wei was still standing on the mound, waving and shouting, “You must win!”

His will to survive was strong.

In the early dawn of August 19th, the Fifth Watch returned to Dawang Mountain. Liu Chengzong slept half the night, then early in the morning set off with Cao Yao and Cheng Yun toward Zuantian Miao.

Many people had gathered atop the mound—tall warhorses ran across the mountain, with men carrying broadswords and bows everywhere.

Master Liu had set up a guild hall at Zuantian Miao, converted from a former wealthy family’s residence on the mound. The main hall’s furnishings resembled those of the old residence on Black Dragon Mountain.

Facing the front courtyard were the main guest seats, one on the left and one on the right, each side flanked by two sets of low-backed unified-stele chairs, each set with two chairs and a small table.

Behind them were over twenty round stools, filling the entire front hall.

When Liu Chengzong arrived, the hall was nearly full. Master Liu sat in the right main seat; the left side remained vacant.

Four chairs lined up on the left. The foremost seat was taken by Liu Chengzu, followed by Past Heaven Star Zhang Tianlin, Shooting Heaven Li Wanqing, and Breaking Heaven Liu Guoneng in order.

On another four chairs to the left, the front seat was empty, followed by Middle Dou Star Gao Ying’en and Monk Wang Ziyong.

On the last chair sat a short, stocky man with a golden saber, his head wrapped in clean cloth indicating an injury. He eyed Liu Chengzong curiously as he crossed the threshold.

All the notable leaders near the city had arrived.

Except for the last man, they were all old acquaintances. Liu Chengzong greeted each with a fist salute. Cao Yao had already squeezed over to Past Heaven Star's side, proudly patting his own armor.

Since Liu Chengzong entered the hall, Liu Guoneng had stood up, though somewhat awkwardly, keeping his distance and just watching Liu Chengzong.

After all, they should have been true comrades, but because Liu Guoneng insisted on reporting to the officials, they had separated, and Liu Guoneng ended up a fugitive.

If not for Li Bei’s current offensive, all the leaders would be like headless flies, and Liu Guoneng might have continued to avoid Liu Chengzong.

But since things had come to this, Liu Chengzong did not hold a grudge, smiling and saying, “Brother Guoneng, long time no see.”

“Oh, I’m far from well,” Liu Guoneng replied.

Liu Chengzong’s greeting pleased him greatly. After returning the salute, he shook his head with a rueful smile: "I regret not listening to you, deeply regret it!"

They exchanged no more words because Li Wanqing also rose and, smiling, stepped forward to introduce the last man: “Leaders, this is Luo Rucai, known as Cao Cao, leader of Dongguan in the city.”

“Leader Luo, greetings. I’ve heard your name mentioned by Brother Zhang Tianlin,” Liu Chengzong smiled. Recently, he had indeed heard much talk about Cao Cao.

This man was a pure outlaw, addicted to raiding landlords’ enclosures. Every day he was either robbing a landlord’s estate or on the way to rob one.

Hearing the famous name Luo Rucai, Liu Chengzong recalled from another memory that this leader had apparently been killed by Huang Wage.

“General Liu has heard of me?” Luo Rucai was greatly surprised, even clasping his fists toward Zhang Tianlin before waving his hand: “What I did is nothing compared to General Yan Shuiguan’s killing of Lu Cheng.”

After the pleasantries, Liu Chengzong stepped forward to salute his father. His eldest brother Liu Chengzu stretched out his hand toward the right front seat, saying, “Lion, Commander Cao, please sit.”

Cheng Yun sat behind Liu and Cao along with the Han brothers and Zhong brothers.

The Zhong brothers, Zhong Hu and Zhong Bao, had outperformed Liu Chengzong on the day of the military review and were chosen as elite vanguards.

Once seated, the atmosphere turned serious.

Soon after, Yang Dingrui entered from the back hall, bringing two villagers and hanging a large map on the wall of the main hall before taking a guest seat.

Only then did Master Liu speak: “Leaders, you all know the enemy is at our door. I am no expert in military strategy. I called you here for one thing. Whether we fight, defend, or retreat, we must decide together. If our hearts are not united, we will have no place to be buried.”

After Liu Xiangyu finished speaking, Yang Dingrui stood and pointed at the map on the wall, indicating the location of Yanchuan: “At noon on August 15th, Yan’an Assistant General Li Bei defeated the mixed Heavenly King of Yanchuan. On the 16th, the routed soldiers fled to Gaokuangwang in Yanchang. Meanwhile, Kuangwang sent word to Yan’an Prefecture. On the 18th, Middle Dou Star reached the city.”

Yang Dingrui then turned to the leaders: “As of now, we only know that Li Bei’s troops have not pursued into Yanchang but are still stationed in Yanchuan. Beyond that, we know nothing.”

This “know nothing” was highly problematic.

Liu Chengzong asked, “Mr. Yang, you don’t know the strength of Li Bei’s troops despite the rout of the Heavenly King’s men?”

Yang Dingrui sighed deeply, showing helplessness.

Middle Dou Star Gao Ying’en cleared his throat and explained: “They scattered in the villages to eat. When attacked suddenly, the units fled chaotically. The Heavenly King reportedly abandoned his troops and fled. Even upon reaching Yanchang, he never encountered Li Bei.”

“Some who escaped did fight government troops, but they exaggerated numbers wildly—eight or ten thousand, three battalions sweeping all over, five-directional cannon fire nonsense—no reliable figures.”

Liu Chengzong nodded slowly, understanding that the so-called battles were likely just the bandits being chased and slaughtered by official troops.

No reliable intelligence could be expected from these defeated peasant bandits. He turned to his elder brother: “Divide the watches and strike together?”

Liu Chengzu nodded.

The “divide and strike” tactic in the Ming army was akin to the PLA’s “three-three system,” both a formation and a combat method, and a common basic tactic.

Specifically, one unit was divided into five parts, the five watches could coordinate, act as tactical units, and further subdivide into five for cooperative combat.

Against poorly trained bandits, confusion from attacks in all directions was likely.

Past Heaven Star said, “I talked with your brother last night. Li Bei probably has only one battalion, at most three watch commanders, but no fewer than three company commanders—about 1,500 to 3,000 men.”

Liu Chengzu added, “If there were more, say truly three battalions, they would have crushed Gaokuangwang by now and pushed westward. They wouldn’t be stationing troops in Yanchuan, as the supplies wouldn’t sustain so many waiting.”

Middle Dou Star Gao Ying’en gave a thumbs-up and nodded: “My brother agrees. That’s why he set up camp in the mountains, digging trenches but not intending to hold to the death. They just want to delay the government troops and buy time for you all to devise a plan because troops from Qingyang are approaching.”

At this, all the leaders turned their gaze. Yang Dingrui said: “Last night, Shang Tianhou from Fuzhou sent word. The Qingyang Han Chaozai united with Liu Wu and Liu Liu, and fought a battle with government troops at Huan County.”

Yang Dingrui looked at Liu Chengzong: “Shang Tianhou sent someone to find you. He says he acquired a lot of provisions and wants to retreat and join your forces.”

Gao Ying’en glanced sideways with a smile: “That dirty monkey—Huan County is two hundred li from Qingyang city and over five hundred from Fuzhou. That’s enough to scare him off.”

Master Liu, a serious man, saw the atmosphere ease somewhat and cleared his throat: “Fight, defend, or retreat?”

“Neither retreat nor defend,” Liu Chengzu replied first. “We can only run northwest. Once we start running, Li Bei will catch us. We can’t defend either. Though the city is strong, we don’t have enough grain to feed everyone through winter. Besides, if they encircle from two sides and send reinforcements elsewhere... there’s no way out.”

“Exactly!” Past Heaven Star Zhang Tianlin slammed the table twice, raising his arm toward the sky: “We’re just deciding how to fight.”

“Fight!”

Liu Chengzong sat upright at the lower seat and nodded: “Li Bei’s forces are small. Leaders, send elite troops to aid Gaokuangwang. Though our weapons are inferior, our numbers are slightly greater. If we throw ourselves into it, the outcome could be fifty-fifty.”

The three veterans agreed to fight. Li Wanqing and Liu Guoneng exchanged a glance, hearts pounding, but said nothing.

Monk Wang bit his lip, looked around, and said, “The strongest leaders think we can fight, so we can. But I feel if we take the long route from An’sai through Qingjian River back to Yanchuan, that might be a way out. Couldn’t that break the government’s encirclement?”

Indeed, that was a path. With strong organization, they could appear like divine troops behind Li Bei.

But for them, it meant giving up all initiative.

Liu Chengzu retorted, “Long marches exhaust soldiers. Civilians gathered together suddenly attacked—who can keep formation?”

Against another government general, they might try. But Li Bei’s relentless marching style was devastating for peasant armies.

Troop organization is weakest on the march. Once you decide to run, you become vulnerable to pursuit.

In a long chase, neither side has strength to spare. The pursuer relentlessly chases, preventing the pursued from reorganizing. With organized troops fighting disorganized ones, they break through and strike deep, scattering and crushing.

This tactic in regular armies is called a reckless advance.

Simply put, it’s bullying—bullying peasant armies who dare not fight hard or have the strength to.

Unless Monk Wang leads a unit away while they hold off Li Bei at the rear.

Liu Chengzong, Liu Chengzu, and Zhang Tianlin reached consensus; the situation was clear.

No schemes or tricks would work.

Retreat was impossible; defense was futile.

They were forced to spread their formations and fight head-on. A proper formation against a proper banner—win or die.

Suddenly, applause broke out in the hall.

It was Luo Rucai, the short, stocky man, clapping and laughing, pointing at everyone as if about to cry with laughter, slapping his thigh: “You all, I really love you! Each one of you lives like a human. I’m different—I’m an animal. The government calls you bandits, but they’re wrong. You’re neither wandering nor bandits. You’re a bunch of government troops.”

The leaders cast sidelong glances. Zhang Tianlin frowned, glaring angrily at Luo Rucai. But Liu Chengzong smiled and raised an eyebrow: “Leader Luo, can you handle Li Bei?”

“I can’t!” Luo Rucai said lightly. “If I could, I’d have gone to deal with Li Bei already, not come here to play. But I can help you. You might not use my plan, but Second Master Liu must promise me something.”

“Hmm?” Liu Chengzong turned and gestured for him to speak. “Leader Luo, please.”

“This hall respects Second Master Liu’s prestige most. If we use my plan and win against Li Bei, as long as I’m alive, I want two hundred suits of armor and two hundred mules from the spoils. And next time we discuss strategy…”

Luo Rucai stood and paced the hall, finally fixing his gaze on Monk Wang and Cao Yao: “My seat should be moved forward, next to you.”

Cao Yao laughed heartily, turning to Liu Chengzong: “I agree. If Cao Cao has a plan to break Li Bei, he can sit by me. I’ll stand at the back.”

Liu Chengzong nodded: “Agreed. Leader Luo, what’s your plan?”

“Second Master said just now all units will send elite troops to aid Gaokuangwang. If we win, the cost is too high. All units will lose their best soldiers and fight Li Bei to mutual ruin. Then who will deal with the Qingyang government troops? It’ll be death regardless.”

Luo Rucai came beside Liu Chengzong, lightly tapping the tea table twice: “We fear the government troops only because of their cannons. Recruit ten to twenty or thirty thousand refugees and hungry people. Divide into five formations encircling the enemy. Each leader supervises the battle. Anyone who retreats gets killed. Even if defeated, we endure the casualties. Don’t say I’m betraying them—I’ll go with them.”

The hall fell silent.

Luo Rucai turned to the crowd, paused, then said: “What damn court? Bah! When the government troops run out of gunpowder and lead, and their soldiers’ armor is worn out, Second Master Liu sends out elite troops again, and we break their formation in one blow!”