Chapter 152: Convergence of the Constellations (Part One)

On Liangshan Hill, Chao Gai sat in the foremost seat, while Song Jiang took the second. Despite repeated refusals, Lin Chong still occupied the third seat. After all, his strength was currently the greatest among all on Liangshan! Meanwhile, Yang Zhi’s position was taken by Yang Zhi’s widow. Since Yang Zhi’s death, her skills had improved to become the foremost among the women leaders on Liangshan, with overall moderate strength.

“Right now, the imperial court has blocked the plains with the Linked Horses formation. If they continue this siege, not even the Marsh can stop them. Brothers, do you have any good ideas?” Chao Gai asked.

The Linked Horses were not ordinary elite troops; their formation had unique tactical effects. Even Lin Chong could not break through by force. At best, he could ensure a safe retreat.

The soldiers and horses of the Linked Horses wore iron armor, and with their formation combined with cloud-like mists, Lin Chong could not slaughter them at will. To truly defeat the Linked Horses head-on, one must counter formation with formation or rely on terrain to reduce their advantage.

“Common horse traps or pits won’t work. The unique effect of the Linked Horses’ formation nullifies such basic traps,” Wu Yong said.

“I can try the Golden Light Formation, but it requires the right time and place,” Gongsun Sheng said. The so-called Golden Light Formation uses his Taoist magic combined with light to disrupt or even attack the enemy’s vision. But as Gongsun Sheng said, this requires favorable conditions and is a one-time setup. If it fails to inflict heavy casualties at once, the enemy will be wary the next time.

The commander of the Linked Horses was cautious, well aware of the formation’s strengths and weaknesses. They had previously tried to lure the enemy into difficult terrain, but the opponent never fell for it.

“Huyan Zhuo himself is a descendant of a founding general, skilled in military tactics. It’s truly hard to confront him directly,” Lin Chong said. Previously, with the help of Wu Yong and others, they captured Huyan Zhuo’s two deputies and three artillery officers, but attempts to use them for sabotage or deception all failed.

Huyan Zhuo was like the Linked Horses formation itself: obvious weaknesses but even stronger defenses. Yet they could not find an effective way to exploit his flaws and defeat him.

“If Ling Zhen were willing to surrender, perhaps his Thunderclap Bombs could help us defeat the Linked Horses. But now…” Song Jiang shook his head. Ling Zhen and Huyan Zhuo’s two deputies were all bound by loyalty to Huyan Zhuo. Mere tricks wouldn’t make them surrender. First, Huyan Zhuo himself had to surrender before they would.

“Is there really no way to break the Linked Horses?” a voice asked.

Everyone looked toward the speaker, who appeared to be sitting on a chair but in fact was hovering slightly, toes touching the ground, fingers tapping alternately on the chair, as if seated in midair.

“Brother Shi Qian, any ideas?” Song Jiang inquired.

Shi Qian, a nimble thief skilled in lightness arts and stealth, was the leader of Liangshan’s scouting unit. His skills in lightness and thievery were unmatched, making others admire him greatly.

Shi Qian smiled, “What ideas could I have? I’m just asking! The Linked Horses are really that formidable? I heard the Liao’s Iron Pagoda formation is even stronger. I can’t believe the imperial court hasn’t studied how to counter this!”

A gleam flashed in Wu Yong’s eyes. “Brother Shi Qian’s words remind me. The court once developed a hooked sickle spear formation to counter the Iron Pagoda. But since battles between the two nations mostly took place on plains, setting ambushes was difficult, so little effort was put into it. However, the hooked sickle spear technique was passed down.”

At that moment, a leader with a face full of pockmarks spoke up, “I know someone skilled in the hooked sickle spear technique, but it’s hard to get him to join us.”

“Brother Tang Long, name him. As for how to bring him here, we can figure that out,” Chao Gai said.

Tang Long, nicknamed the Money Leopard due to his pockmarked face, was a blacksmith who forged weapons and was highly valued on Liangshan for his strength and skill.

“That man is my cousin, known as the Golden Spear Xu Ning. Though the court doesn’t value the hooked sickle spear technique, he himself is quite capable. He settled down in one place and became an instructor, not seeking fame. He maintains good relations with local officials, so common tricks won’t work,” Tang Long explained. After hearing many complaints on Liangshan, he felt his cousin’s talents were wasted as a minor official oppressed by others. He wanted to bring him up here to enjoy a freer life.

Given the current situation, if his cousin came to help break the Linked Horses, he would surely gain a high position and live better.

Chao Gai glanced at Wu Yong, knowing that capable men with no great ambitions who enjoyed stability could be alienated if forced. If they joined Liangshan unwillingly, it would only cause friction.

“Is Xu Ning really free of any reservations?” Wu Yong squinted, tapping his folding fan thoughtfully.

Tang Long felt a chill down his spine from Wu Yong’s gaze. Lowering his head, he pondered his interactions with Xu Ning.

“I remember now!”

Song Jiang asked, “Brother Tang Long, do you have an idea?” Amid the siege, he had no solution, but sensed his own fortune was still growing, so he was not worried about Liangshan’s fate.

Tang Long said, “He once mentioned a family heirloom armor. My sister-in-law complained that he’d rather eat cold food than neglect cleaning it. He never told outsiders about it; once, drunk, he mentioned it by chance. If not for my sister-in-law’s remark, I wouldn’t have known.”

“In that case, let’s work with this armor!” Wu Yong opened his folding fan, a faint smile appearing.

Tang Long shuddered inwardly, thinking, “Cousin, don’t blame me. With the strategist’s cunning, your armor will remain in your hands in the end.”

Meanwhile, Liangshan’s forces clashed lightly with Huyan Zhuo’s troops several times, each side suffering some casualties. Whenever the Linked Horses appeared, Liangshan would immediately retreat to their camp.

After a month, Huyan Zhuo grew anxious. Setting aside his captured deputies, he had no major victories, and the imperial supervising officials were uneasy. If blamed, he would be hard-pressed to explain.

Other generals might have been forced to withdraw by now. But Huyan Zhuo was different, born of a military family and having met the emperor before his campaign, receiving rewards. The officials supervising him dared not offend him in front of the emperor’s prized steed.

His victories were modest but steady. If they criticized him, it was only because they had yet to capture a famous bandit. Meanwhile, two of his trusted deputies and a key officer had been lost. If officials tried to pressure him openly, did they think he wouldn’t fight back?

Thus, the stalemate dragged on for over a month, with countless notes taken in secret. The officials felt the time was ripe.

“General, the provisions have arrived, but…” a messenger entered the tent, meeting Huyan Zhuo’s stern gaze.

“What now?” Huyan Zhuo set down his military texts.

“Provisions are twenty percent short, and half of it is old grain,” the messenger lowered his head.

“What!” Huyan Zhuo rose. “Take me to see it!” He strode out to the supply wagons. Looking into the opened sacks of rice, his face darkened.

Just then, the supervising official and the supply officer appeared. Huyan Zhuo turned to the supply officer. “What do you mean by this?”

The officer smiled slightly, “General, this has continued for a month. Our county’s reserves are low.”

“The soldiers don’t get enough to eat, the horses lack forage—how do you expect me to fight?” Huyan Zhuo shouted, eyes wide.

“General, with the Linked Horses and your guards, victory is assured even if the enemy is not well fed. The other soldiers can manage with less; it won’t hinder your achievements. I must report this promptly. Please forgive me!” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the camp.

Huyan Zhuo watched his back in fury.

“Scoundrels!”