Book 20 Chapter 2 – Chatting and Joking About Troop Deployment

Sure enough, just like the two boys’ expected, as soon as the fake news about alliance with Li Zitong and the borrowed provisions spread out, Yuwen Huaji’s twenty-thousand-man main force immediately advanced at full speed toward Liangdu’s northern city gate, so that its vanguard arrived within two days, and immediately built rampart, dug moat, setup camp, and constructed outposts at the front line.

From the peak of a tall tree, about three zhang high, on top of a hill some distance away, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked down at the plainly visible enemy situation.

Kou Zhong said, “Stopping is to build a camp, moving is to form troop disposition. This army camp has water source, which is also a risk to defend, to attain good grip over the enemy and self’s solid objective. It can clearly be seen that our opponent this time are big and small officers under Yuwen Huagu’s command with enough battle experience; absolutely must not be underestimated.”

Hearing that, Xu Ziling nodded his head in praise. On the surface, Kou Zhong seemed to be a careless person [orig. thick stems and broad leaves], giving out the impression as one who was easily pleased that he loses his sense of measure. However, he was actually cool-headed, prudent and cautious; he would not make the mistake of offending his superior or underestimating the enemy.

To pitch a camp, the most important thing is the location. Currently the enemy setup their fort on a high place, on the slope of a hill, facing a flat land neighboring a forest. In term of defense, this camp was strictly according to the rules, which was another proof that they were not a mob.

Kou Zhong did not dare to take this issue lightly, which was precisely the fundamental prerequisite to become an outstanding commander.

“What does Mr. Lu’s secret book say about this situation?” Xu Ziling casually asked.

Kou Zhong replied, “The important thing in setting up a stronghold is peaceful camp, restful men and beasts, cautious defense, strict camp gate, facility to treat ill soldiers, device to check the army, adequate fire alarm, preparation against disturbance and calamity, clear communication of duties, cherishing the water source and grass, dusk to dawn bugle calls, lighting arrangement, protection against rain and darkness, night security, checking the visitors, avoid water attack, and so on. Is that enough?”

Listening to him casually reciting so many important aspects in setting up the camp, Xu Ziling said in surprise, “You have quite an understanding of what you read.”

Proud of himself, Kou Zhong said, “This is called achievement of diligence, also called cramming too hard just before the battle. But if you look at it, don’t you feel that in term of location, although this camp is solid, but it is far. If they are going to transport besieging equipment from here to the city wall, before they even arrive, they would have tire the mules and the horses half dead; it is not practical at all.”

While making a careful observation around, Xu Ziling laughed and said, “You, this kid, are starting to acquire a little skill! Yuwen Clan deployed their men and generals, they setup their camp like this must be for his mother’s reason; is it possible that its principal usage is for storing provisions and treating injured soldiers? In addition, this is more their rear area, with the main purpose is to provide support to the frontline combat camp.”

Delighted, Kou Zhong said, “Great minds think alike. It could be said that this provision station is the foundation of Yuwen Huagu’s main forces going south this time. But since it is far behind the frontline, they won’t have to worry that we might get out of the city to attack it. Therefore, the defense will inevitably rather weak. If we coordinate with Xuan Yong’s ambushing troops to attack his mother that they are caught unprepared, we would already have half of the victory in our bag. Ha! This battle does not seem to be that difficult.”

Focusing his power to his eyes, Xu Ziling looked at the situation of the enemy’s camp, and spoke heavily, “You seem to think too easily. This camp has the mountain behind it as the natural defense, outside there are moats all around, inside there are barriers. If they also had some pits with sharp bamboo, caltrops, and the likes as defensive measures, plus the rampart has earthen wall, equipped with strong crossbow, and then they also arrange sentries all around, widespread alarm system, plus Yuwen Guan’s numerous martial art masters, do you think that as soon as you say you are going to attack you will be able to attack?”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “You seem to forget that what Mr. Lu, the Senior, was most formidable in was not the art of war, but in the design