Chapter 635: Rapid Changes in the Situation

At the Prince Zhao’s mansion in Chang’an, soldiers kept coming in and out, delivering urgent messages from the front lines and sending orders to the communication station next to the mansion. In the military strategy room of the Prince Zhao’s mansion, Li Qing’an, Wei Qingping, and several other advisors were studying the war situation in front of a sand table. Additionally, high-ranking officials such as Yan Zhenqing, the Minister of War, Chang Sun Quanxu, the Deputy Minister of War, and Nan Jiyun, the General of the Qianniu Guard, were also present, each offering advice on military matters.

Li Qing’an had just received an urgent message from Li Siyeh. Pointing at the area of Luzhou with a wooden stick, he said, “Wei Boyu’s troops have currently cut off Li Guiren’s retreat route, while Xi Yuanqing has blocked Baixing. If Li Guiren’s troops try to break through now, it’s possible—they could head north along the Wuxiang River through the local counties. But according to Li Siyeh’s intelligence, Li Guiren’s troops have no intention of moving north. For now, they are stationed here…”

Li Qing’an pointed north of Shangdang City, where there was a small town made of wooden blocks, with a river painted white to the west. “This is the Zhuo Zhang River. About fifty li north of Shangdang City lies Zhuo Zhang Town, where Li Guichen’s 50,000-strong army is stationed. It’s clear that Li Guiren intends to engage in a decisive battle with Li Siyeh’s main forces from Anxi.”

“What’s the strength comparison between the two sides?” Yan Zhenqing asked gravely.

“Currently, Li Siyeh has around 80,000 troops in the Hedong region. But considering the need to block the Yan army’s retreat routes and various other stationed troops, he can only deploy up to 40,000 men. At present, Zhao Chongjie and He Lou Yurun have already led 10,000 elite cavalry troops to provide support. So, Li Siyeh has a total of 50,000 troops at his disposal. This reflects his character—he doesn’t rely on numerical superiority to win. In terms of military composition, the Yan army has 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry, while Anxi has 40,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. In terms of cavalry numbers, we have the advantage. Moreover, we have thunder weapons and gunpowder. Both in terms of military composition and strength, we are at an advantage. The Yan army’s advantage lies in its cavalry—10,000 Yeluo River cavalry are An Lushan’s most elite troops. There are also 10,000 Khitan cavalry, made up of elite warriors from the Khitan Yelü clan, well-equipped and said to be more combat-effective than the Youzhou cavalry. There’s also an elite cavalry unit from the Xi people. It is because of these 30,000 cavalry that Li Guiren doesn’t want to retreat north and confront the Anxi army. If he can defeat them, his name will be renowned throughout the world.”

Chang Sun Quanxu nodded thoughtfully and said, “This is a battle of equal strength!”

He glanced at Nan Jiyun and saw a hint of sadness in his eyes, so he smiled and asked, “What do you think, General Nan?”

Nan Jiyun regretted not having the chance to participate in such a remarkable battle. He nodded silently and said, “General Li Siyeh insists on facing fifty thousand troops with fifty thousand of his own—this is already a sign of underestimating the enemy. I’m only worried that the Anxi Army, burdened by its reputation, might become overconfident and dismiss the Yan Army as unimportant, which would be extremely dangerous.”
“General Nan is right; I share that concern.”
Li Qing’an said to everyone, “I’ve written to Li Siyeh, ordering him not to underestimate the enemy. Additionally, I’ve ordered Wang Sili to lead thirty thousand troops from Guanzhong out of Shanzhou to reinforce them in Hedong. This battle is of great importance. With favorable timing, location, and morale on his side, Li Siyeh must not lose!”
At that moment, a clerk entered with a report and bowed, saying, “Your Highness, the latest news from Taiyuan!”
Everyone was immediately drawn in and turned to look at Li Qing’an. After taking the report and reading it, he frowned deeply and said, “No wonder Li Guiren refused to advance northward. It turns out An Qingxu has changed his strategy. As soon as he arrived in Taiyuan, he withdrew to Shiai County again, while Li Huaixian led eighty thousand troops southward.”
This news shocked everyone. Among Li Huaixian’s eighty thousand troops, at least thirty thousand were elite Youzhou cavalry, known for their speed. If they arrived in Luzhou before the battle in Shangdang began, Li Siyeh’s situation would be in grave danger.
Li Qing’an paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Now he understood An Lushan’s true strategy. Attacking Taiyuan was a feint; his real aim was to deal with Li Siyeh’s Anxi Army. If Guo Ziyi sent troops to support Li Siyeh, Taiyuan’s defenses would be weakened, allowing An Qingxu’s army to strike at an opportune moment, putting Taiyuan in danger again.
It wasn’t Li Siyeh who had underestimated the enemy—it was Li Qing’an who had done so, underestimating An Lushan’s plans. Walking slowly back and forth in the room, he suddenly went to the sand table and studied the terrain carefully. Then he said firmly, “Immediately pass my orders: Li Siyeh must abandon Luzhou and retreat west of Wuling Mountain in Jinzhou, securing the city gates tightly. Wei Bo’s army and Xi Yuanqing should also withdraw at the same time. Tian Qianzhen’s troops must abandon Shangdang County, and all forces should gather in Jinzhou.”
After pondering for a moment, he issued a second order: “Lei Wanchun and Xin Yunjing must lead their troops via Feihu Road to Dingzhou to cut off An Qingxu’s supply lines.”

He let out a slight sigh and said to everyone, “This time it was we who underestimated An Lushan. An Lushan launched attacks on Hedong in a mix of real and feigned moves. If Taiyuan proved difficult to take, they would turn their attention to the Anxi army; if Guo Ziyi sent troops, they would attack Taiyuan instead, putting us at a disadvantage. Ultimately, it’s because we have insufficient troops in Hedong. If we could send another hundred thousand troops there, we could reverse the situation. That’s why I’ve decided to rush in another hundred thousand troops to Hedong right away.”

Yan Zhenqing pondered for a moment before saying, “There are 150,000 troops in Guanzhong who can cross the river at Pujin Ferry to support Hedong. In the past, when Emperor Xuanzong went to the northern capital, he crossed the Yellow River via Pujin Ferry. A floating bridge could be built there overnight, allowing tens of thousands of imperial guards to cross the river quickly. We might as well order Wang Sili to build a floating bridge first, so that when the main force arrives, they can cross immediately.”

Li Qing’an said, “Building a floating bridge is a good idea, but it’s best not to move those 150,000 troops in Guanzhong. Many soldiers surrendered during the battle in the south, and we’ve recruited another 60,000 troops there. We can send those troops from the south northward to help defend Henan, while Li Guangbi leads 70,000 troops across the river to support Hedong. I’ll then lead 30,000 elite cavalry through Pujin Ferry to Hedong. As long as Li Siyue can retreat to Jinzhou in time, we should have enough time.”

Yan Zhenqing and Changsun Quanxu exchanged a glance and said in unison, “How can Your Highness go to Hedong in person?”

Yan Zhenqing quickly advised, “Your Highness has just returned from the south and going to Hedong again would be too exhausting. I think Li Siyue is also a capable general—he should be able to handle the situation alone and win the battle in Hedong. Your Highness only needs to direct operations from afar.”

Li Qing’an shook his head with a wry smile and said, “To be honest with you, Minister Yan, every family has its own difficulties, and the Anxi army is no exception. Their biggest problem is too many rival factions, with each general not respecting the others. Li Siyue can’t command Li Guangbi’s troops, and Li Guangbi can’t control Li Siyue’s troops. They will surely fight independently. It’s too far for me to coordinate operations from Chang’an. Only by going to Hedong myself can I coordinate all the troops. Besides, there’s also Guo Ziyi—he might only show me respect. Stop advising me. This battle in Hedong is extremely important; it directly affects its fate. I must go there in person.”

Yan Zhenqing wanted to persuade him further, but Nan Jiyun said, “Minister Yan, please stop persuading. I also think it’s the best plan for the General to go to Hedong in person. Li Siyeh is proud by nature, and I’m afraid he won’t accept Li Guangbi’s support and instead fight against the Yan forces alone. That would put the Anxi army in a very dangerous situation. If Li Siyeh is defeated in Hedong, not only will the reputation of the Anxi army be damaged, but it could also turn the entire war situation around. If Southern Tang joins in, we’ll be in a very disadvantaged position. This battle is of great significance, affecting the overall situation. That’s why I oppose Li Siyeh being the commander.”

Nan Jiyun’s analysis was very thorough, and Yan Zhenqing agreed it made sense, so he stopped persuading further and asked, “Then when will the General set out?”

Li Qing’an made a prompt decision. “Time is urgent. I’ll set out right now. I hope Minister Yan can coordinate with Wang Sili to quickly build a floating bridge at Pujin Ferry.”

Yan Zhenqing nodded. “I’ll send a pigeon message to Wang Sili immediately. Wishing Your Highness smooth travel and early good news!”

…

At the beginning of April in the second year of Qingping, An Lushan suddenly changed his strategy. He ordered An Qingxu’s army to abandon the siege of Taiyuan and retreat to Jingxing Pass in Hedong. He also ordered Li Huaixian to lead 80,000 elite troops south to support Li Guiren’s forces. This put Li Siyeh’s Anxi army under attack from both sides, rapidly changing the course of the war. Before Li Qing’an’s orders could arrive, Li Siyeh also realized the severity of the situation. He ordered the troops in Luzhou to withdraw to Jinzhou. Wei Boyu’s 10,000 troops encountered Li Guiren’s army on their way back and engaged in a fierce battle. Outnumbered, Wei Boyu’s troops suffered nearly half their losses and retreated in defeat.

Gradually, the battle in Hedong intensified. Both sides realized the importance of this battle, as it affected the fate of entire Hedong. An Lushan ordered An Qingxu to send another 50,000 troops to Luzhou, with Cai Xide leading them south, bringing the total number of Yan forces in Luzhou to 180,000.

On the Northern Tang side, Li Guangbi led 70,000 troops across the Yellow River from Heyin County, entering Huaizhou territory, and then through Taihang Pass into Zezhou in Hedong. At the same time, Li Qing’an personally led 30,000 elite cavalry, each with two horses, advancing day and night toward Hedong.

A major battle that would determine the fate of Hedong and the overall situation was slowly brewing in the southeast of Hedong.

…

If we look at a map, we’ll find that the eastern part of Jinzhou is an important dividing line for Hedong. To the east of Jinzhou, from Jieshan, Huoshan, and Wuling Mountain to Wangwushan in the south, stretching thousands of miles from north to south, it divides Hedong into two, forming a natural military boundary.

On this military demarcation line, Fucheng Pass in the central part of Wuling Mountain, which is today’s Anze County, is a highly strategic location. East of Fucheng Pass lies Liangmazhai, the route leading to Luzhou. At this moment, Li Siyeh’s army is stationed at Fucheng Pass. Currently, Li Siyeh has a total of 80,000 troops in Hedong. Due to Wei Boyu losing 5,000 soldiers on the retreat, Li Siyeh actually has 75,000 troops at his disposal, with another 10,000 soldiers scattered in places such as Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, and Puzhou. That morning, Li Siyeh received reports from his soldiers that the vanguard sent by Li Qing’an, led by Zhao Chongjie and He Lou Yurun, totaling 10,000 cavalry, had arrived in Jinzhou. He also received another message: Li Qing’an himself, leading 30,000 elite cavalry, had arrived at Pujin Ferry. …