“As long as we attack one of the mountain peaks, the leader stationed at the other peak will lead his troops to support, forming a pincer attack.”
“Even if our strength is great and we can confront them head-on, the casualties would be too heavy, and we might not even be able to break through their stockade gate. Such an approach isn't worth it.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's brow furrowed deeply. Fighting these bandits in these deep mountains and old forests was indeed disadvantageous.
Moreover, he was the attacking party. He would have to attack every mountain peak he passed. With so many peaks in this mountain range, if he were to eradicate them all, it would take an eternity.
Even with someone leading the way into these mountains, there was still no advantage. Instead, they had to be wary of these mountain bandits surrounding them from behind.
Instantly, the entire camp fell into silence again, everyone pondering a strategy.
No wonder the mounted bandits of Shang Commandery had been able to maintain their foothold for so long. They could advance or retreat, already in an invincible position. Even if the imperial court sent a large army, it would be difficult to wipe them out.
Zhang Fei, sitting nearby, had a gloomy expression and grumbled,
“This won't work, that won't work.”
“Why don't we just set the entire Langxu Mountain on fire? I refuse to believe that the bandits hiding inside won't come out.”
Liu Jin's eyes lit up upon hearing this; he seemed to have an idea.
It was currently the hottest period. Setting the mountain on fire could indeed trap and kill all these people.
Even if they weren't trapped and killed, facing the encirclement of flames, they would probably abandon their strongholds and flee. Without the aid of cavalry, fleeing on foot would only lead to them being hunted down and killed.
But then he thought that Langxu Mountain was so vast. If they really set it all on fire, it would probably burn for a very long time.
Moreover, the fire would surely be massive and impossible to control. If it spread to other areas, it could even burn down the entire Shang Commandery, causing suffering to other common people.
Furthermore, this entire area might become a wasteland for decades, and the cost would be too great.
He felt some hesitation in his heart. Unless absolutely necessary, he really didn't want to use fire to burn down the entire Langxu Mountain.
Just as Liu Jin was hesitating, Cheng Yu, sitting nearby, spoke slowly, his eyes shining brightly!
“Reporting to Lord, I have a plan that can conquer Langxu Mountain.”
As soon as he spoke, the gazes of everyone in the tent turned towards him, filled with anticipation.
Especially Liu Jin, who had a strange expression on his face, feeling somewhat uneasy in his heart.
He wondered if Cheng Yu's plan would harm his virtue.
He asked,
“May I ask what brilliant plan Zhong De has?”
Cheng Yu, sitting nearby, stroked the beard at the corner of his mouth and said loudly,
“Lord, I believe we can first use a strategy of psychological warfare. We can send people to offer surrender and see if we can win over a few mounted bandit groups.”
“As long as we have mounted bandits as inside agents cooperating with us, we can easily break through their stockade gates and sweep away all the bandits within Langxu Mountain.”
“Even if we cannot secure their surrender, it doesn't matter. We can just spread the news of the offer of surrender. These mounted bandits will become wary, mutually exclusive, and definitely not a united front.”
“They might even suspect that others have already defected to the Han Army, leading to mutual distrust and internal chaos. At that time, we can take the initiative to attack the remaining mountain peaks, and the other mounted bandits will not send troops to help. We can then defeat them one by one and easily sweep away all the bandits.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's worried expression instantly relaxed. Fortunately, it wasn't some plan that would harm his virtue; otherwise, he would truly have difficulty using it.
A bright smile appeared on his face; he was very satisfied with this method.
They were originally just a group of mounted bandits gathered together, many of whom did not get along. To say they were very loyal to each other was impossible.
As long as the news of the offer of surrender spread, the various leaders within Langxu Mountain would surely become suspicious of each other and would never work together wholeheartedly.
Because they couldn't guarantee whether the others had defected to the Han Army, they would rather stay in their strongholds than help, which would make it much easier for him to attack.
All the generals in the tent nodded, indicating their strong approval of the plan.
After seeing everyone agree, Liu Jin looked at Sun Yi beside him and instructed,
“I presume you understand the situation. Select some trusted subordinates and have them secretly infiltrate Langxu Mountain to inform some of the mounted bandit leaders we can win over.”
“Tell them that General Zhenbei is willing to recruit them. Anyone willing to surrender will receive good treatment.”
“If they wish to become wealthy gentlemen, I will reward them with money and grain, allowing them to enjoy riches and honor, no longer needing to toil for sustenance.”
“If they wish to continue leading troops, I will allow them to join the army as generals, completely shedding their bandit identity and becoming Han soldiers.”
“They can even achieve meritorious deeds, be enfeoffed as marquises, become generals, and bring honor to their ancestors. Even after death, they will not bear the identity of a bandit, which would be worthy of their ancestors in the afterlife.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Yi's breathing quickened slightly. To be able to join the imperial court's army was indeed a very good offer.
He quickly nodded and said loudly,
“I understand, I will definitely handle this matter beautifully for Lord.”
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, then allowed the other party to go and handle the matter.
He was very confident that he would be able to win over a few people. The conditions he offered were not bad. Whether it was riches and honor or the identity of an imperial court soldier, these were very tempting to some people.
Many people became bandits, either because they had committed crimes and fled to the northwest to escape imperial pursuit.
Or they were poor people who lived too hard a life and had no choice but to embark on this path of no return.
Now, with an identity that could whitewash them and allow them to enjoy the treatment they deserved, there was no need to continue being bandits, risking their lives, unsure of when they might be killed.
So, he ordered the generals to go and rest well, ready to march at any time.
Two days later!
At the foot of Langxu Mountain, a force of over three thousand soldiers was marching grandly towards the area, their army banners fluttering in the wind.
Within the army was the Prefect's retinue, as Wang Min, the Prefect of Shang Commandery, was leading the commandery's troops towards this location.
Soon, they slowly halted at the entrance of the military camp.
Tian Feng stood to the side, bowing with clasped hands, and politely said,
“Prefect Wang, Lord has already prepared a banquet in the main tent and awaits your arrival.”
Wang Min, riding on his horse, did not dare to be negligent upon hearing this.
He had heard of Tian Feng before. He was the strategist under General Zhenbei Liu Jin. Although he did not have a clear official position in the imperial court, he was not someone he could offend, as the other party represented Liu Jin.
He quickly dismounted, bowed with clasped hands, and said with a smile,
“Greetings, Military Advisor Tian.”
Tian Feng smiled and nodded, flicking his sleeve slightly, and said 'Please,' then walked ahead to lead the way.
Wang Min, along with a few generals behind him, followed Tian Feng, slowly moving forward.