Volume Two: My Arrival Shakes Heaven and Earth Chapter 12: Breaking the Deadlock III

The next day, the Goryeo forces were busy fortifying their camp; Deng She was occupied with commanding his troops and strategizing, reviewing military tactics with his chess pieces. No battle took place that day. Not long after nightfall, news arrived from Dingzhou.

The messenger was not Li Heshang, but his junior disciple, Li Zifan. Clad in Goryeo armor, he was drenched from head to toe, his face and lips darkened from the cold, hands and feet stiff, nearly frozen atop his horse and barely able to move. The soldiers guarding the city helped him to Deng She’s rain shelter. He struggled to kneel, while Deng She, immersed in his notes and military treatises, hurried to lift him up and ordered hot wine and ginger soup to be brought.

Deng She personally removed his own cloak and wrapped it around Li Zifan, instructing that a brazier be lit and moved closer.

After a while, Li Zifan regained some strength, gulped down several bowls of ginger soup, rubbed himself with hot wine, and as warmth returned, he was finally able to speak: “Reporting to the general. Last night, Dingzhou came under siege. The Goryeo army numbers over fifteen thousand. Their banners hail from Hedong.”

The enemy at the mountain pass came from various cities in Shanxi; those to the south from Xijing Pyongyang; and those attacking Dingzhou were from Hedong. It appeared the Goryeo forces were mounting a three-pronged assault.

Deng She did not immediately ask about the defense of the city, but first inquired, “Where is General Li? Why are you the one delivering the report?”

“The Goryeo attack was fierce. General Zhang fought during the day and was gravely wounded. My senior volunteered to remain and assist General Chen in defending the city.”

Deng She’s heart tightened. Zhang Daier was a fierce and valiant general, injured after only the first engagement, which spoke to the intensity of the enemy’s assault. He asked, “How was he wounded? Where? Is it serious?”

“The Goryeo forces attacked in three directions simultaneously. The rain was too heavy, so our firearms were useless. The western city wall, damaged during our earlier siege, was most vulnerable and twice nearly lost. A general in white robes, whom the Goryeo called Badu, was exceptionally brave, scaling the wall in the rain, wielding his spear with unstoppable force. Our brothers could barely withstand him. General Zhang personally confronted him; they fought dozens of rounds, spear against spear, both sent flying. As he was about to switch to his blade, he slipped on the slick wall and fell. Fortunately, General Yang risked his life to save him, but Zhang’s left rib was wounded.”

Wen Huaguo and others had finished assembling their troops and awaited Deng She’s orders. They were present as well. Zhang Daier’s valor was well-known to all. Hearing of an enemy general his equal, they were startled. Wen Huaguo interjected, “Such a formidable enemy, how did you drive him back?”

“General Chen’s archery skills are unmatched. He arrived upon hearing the commotion, shot an arrow through the enemy’s helmet, and a second one struck his cheek. General Yang seized the opportunity, rolled forward, pulled him down, and killed him. His head was hung from the flagpole, and the Goryeo troops’ morale crumbled; they retreated with much noise.”

Deng She laughed heartily, “On the first day, we’ve slain their tiger general. The Goryeo forces will surely falter in their subsequent attacks.” Strictly speaking, three men together brought down one foe—not particularly glorious, and though it might affect morale if spread, Deng She’s words served to boost spirits instead.

Luo Guoqi repeatedly praised them, “General Zhang is the bravest of our army. Anyone who can match him in battle must be the top warrior among the Goryeo troops. To lose him in one fight is a heavy blow to Goryeo.”

Li Zifan, much more astute than his senior, looked admiringly at Deng She, “General, your command is brilliant and your foresight extraordinary. With the White Robed General slain, the Goryeo assault indeed halted. Even as I left the city, they did not resume their attack.”

Deng She nodded and asked, “Did General Chen send any message for you to deliver?”

“General Chen said: Though the enemy is numerous, they are not as formidable as when we attacked the Twin Cities. Dingzhou may be newly breached, but our defending forces far surpass those stationed at the Twin Cities. We also have local Han support and advantageous terrain, so the general need not worry. However… Dingzhou is small and lacks sufficient provisions.”

“How long will the supplies last?”

“Less than half a month.”

Dingzhou differed from the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities were a major stronghold near the Jurchen, frequently embroiled in conflict, with many stationed troops and ample supplies. Dingzhou, being smaller and with fewer troops, could sustain five thousand men for half a month—a respectable figure. Deng She smiled, “Half a month is unnecessary; ten days will suffice.”

He arranged for Li Zifan to rest until his strength returned, then to carry a message back to Dingzhou.

It was late, time to implement the strategy of feigned forces. Deng She summoned Wu Henian, ordering him to select Han, Bohai, and elderly Goryeo men, gathering around three thousand. They were stationed atop the four city walls, unarmed but with numerous flags. For every hundred, ten Han soldiers were assigned as guards.

With this arrangement, Deng She was left with seven hundred Han troops and a little over a thousand Goryeo soldiers. To draw an analogy, he was now as if standing beneath a crumbling wall—barely enough if the enemy did not attack; if they did, their weakness would be exposed instantly.

The unfavorable situation required every possible stratagem to find a way out. Dispatching Zhao across the sea and Wen and Luo to attack was aimed at overturning the passive overall battlefield. Now, focusing on the Twin Cities alone, how could this particular predicament be resolved? How could he ensure that, with two armies sent out, the enemy would not launch a sudden attack, keeping the Twin Cities safe?

There were two ways. First, he must firmly grasp the morale of the troops, especially the Goryeo camp. Second, he must turn defense into offense, leaving the enemy too preoccupied to attack.

The rain poured through the night and the following day; the clouds thinned. The wind stirred them like rolling piles of black smoke. The rain showed no sign of letting up, roaring loudly, lashing the rain shelter like whips, pouring down at a slant. Outside, soldiers guarding the city wore cloaks, braving the deluge. Amid the relentless sound of rain, weak orders from officers could occasionally be heard.

Another flash of lightning and thunder shook the heart. Distant swaying stalks of grain and nearby patrolling soldiers were illuminated for a moment by the lightning, then everything was swallowed again by endless darkness. The air was icy; Deng She’s bodyguard found another cloak and wrapped it around him.

Deng She had found solutions for the two elements needed to break the deadlock. The first was easy to implement with little risk; the second was difficult and dangerous. Night deepened, and Wen, Zhao, and the others were about to set out. There was no time for further deliberation; Deng She decisively ordered, “Go, bring General Huang.”

Facing the present crisis, Deng She’s strength alone was insufficient. His bodyguard took the order, rushed down the city tower, and went to seek Huang Luge at his residence.

“Summon He Guangxiu and Zuo Che’er.” With the city’s defenders depleted, the Goryeo camp not only guarded the eastern wall but had expanded to the west and north, with Zuo Che’er leading three hundred to assist.

“What is the general planning?” Wen Huaguo asked, puzzled.

Deng She refused to answer, “It’s almost the hour of Xu. Wen, Luo, Zhao, Lu—all generals return to camp and await my drum signal to leave the city together.” With that, he strode out of the shelter. Wen Huaguo and the others tried to inquire further but had no chance, so they returned to their posts.

He Guangxiu was stationed at the western wall, close to Deng She’s position at the southern wall, so they met halfway. Soaked, He Guangxiu hurried forward and knelt, “Your humble servant He Guangxiu reporting. What are your orders, General?”

“How many ‘bangi’ and ‘lowborn’ remain in your camp after the battle on the island, aside from those killed?”

“Three or four hundred bangi, over six hundred lowborn.” Goryeo society was strictly stratified, with the lowest being the lowborn; bangi ranked even lower, unrecognized as a proper class, suffering the harshest oppression. Thus, when He Guangxiu raised his banner, most who came to him were of this kind.

Together, they numbered around a thousand, forming the bulk of the Goryeo camp.

“Relay my order: Any bangi or lowborn who can drive back the enemy will be freed from their status and permitted to become commoners. All who distinguish themselves, regardless of class, will be promoted to official positions.” He continued, “Select three hundred brave bangi and lowborn for the southern wall—I have use for them.”

In the eyes of Goryeo people, bangi and lowborn were like livestock that could speak. Losing their lowborn status and becoming commoners was their greatest dream. Deng She had given them what they desired, and their loyalty would likely increase.

But that was not enough. As the saying goes, only benefits that can be realized are true benefits. In other words, they must believe that their situation was not truly perilous nor life-threatening.

“Just now, word came from Dingzhou—besieged by seven thousand enemies. During the daytime battle, our forces slew several fierce Goryeo generals, among them one called Badu. The Goryeo troops have lost their courage. I’ve sent Wen, Luo, and other generals to assist; within three to five days, the siege will be broken. Once Dingzhou is relieved, we’ll strike from both sides and break the southern enemy in one blow!

“General He, your division’s capture of the island has made your name famed far and wide. I heard from the Dingzhou messenger that the enemy besieging Dingzhou is also aware of your deeds. I hope your division will continue to excel, defending the Twin Cities alongside me. Do not let your reputation as He Ten-Thousand-Households be tarnished!”

Deng She’s words blended truth and fiction, amplifying their own prestige while minimizing the enemy’s advantage. “Famed far and wide” sounded like praise, but subtly reminded them that the Goryeo knew of their rebellion. If the city fell, the fate of these bangi and lowborn would be grim.

He Guangxiu didn’t think that far. Deng She’s praise and encouragement, bestowing the “Ten-Thousand-Households” title, filled him with honor and joy. “Rest assured, General! I will not let my name be sullied!”

“Hurry back and relay my words to your camp.”

Deng She stopped him again, lowering his voice, “Remember, do not tell your men that there are five thousand enemies opposite.”

He Guangxiu understood, sensing the warmth in Deng She’s willingness to share such strategic secrets. He promised, “Rest assured, General. I understand.” He raised a finger, whispering, “I’ll say one thousand.”

Deng She smiled and shook his head, “One thousand is too few, it might give us away. Say three thousand.”

“General, you think of everything!” He Guangxiu knelt again, knocking his head to the ground several times. The ground was soaked, and his mustache lost several hairs to the water, unnoticed as he strode off with newfound pride. He crossed paths with Zuo Che’er, arriving from the northern wall.

Deng She’s bodyguard whispered, “General, the hour of Xu is nearly upon us.”

“Send out one hundred bodyguards to patrol the walls. Any who break discipline—execute them! Move five hundred defenders from the southern wall, and three hundred Goryeo soldiers down to assemble at the city gate,” Deng She ordered, waving Zuo Che’er to stop saluting and asked, “I’m giving you eight hundred men. Is that enough to charge the southern enemy?”

Zuo Che’er replied without hesitation, “Five hundred is enough!”

Deng She smiled, “This sortie isn’t to defeat the enemy. Raise twice the usual number of flags, make a show of strength. Don’t fight to the death, but don’t make the feint too obvious. Mind the balance yourself.”

Back in the days of the Horse Bandits, Deng San had twice saved Zuo Che’er on the battlefield. When Zhao was promoted, Zuo succeeded him as captain of the bodyguards. Serving closely beside Deng She, he knew better than anyone the efforts behind their victories, and often wished he could help relieve Deng She’s burdens. Now, in their moment of crisis, he was eager to repay the favor. “I understand, General.”

“Beat the drums!”

To break the deadlock, the best way to prevent the enemy’s assault on the city was to launch an attack in the rain at night, confusing them about whether they were facing a real offensive or a mere defense. Amid wind and rain, Deng She stood on the city wall, gazing toward the western gate. Wen, Luo, and Lu’s divisions filed out in response to the drums. There were no torches, making it hard to see clearly—just a dark mass like clouds pressing down from the sky, weighing on the city and on Deng She’s heart.

Human plans completed, it was up to fate. Whether his arrangements would succeed or fail depended on the outcome of Wen, Luo, and Lu’s nighttime assault on the mountain pass. If successful, half the battle was won; if not, they’d have to start anew.

Deng She shifted his gaze; below the southern gate, Zhao and Zuo’s units were also leaving the city. Twenty li ahead lay the Goryeo camp.

—

1. Goryeo social hierarchy.

Divided into five classes: royal family, yangban (literati and military officials), middle people, commoners, and lowborn.

Yangban refers to officials serving in the civil and military offices. “Yangban children are only permitted to study, not to learn crafts. If they behave poorly, all in the nation scorn them.”

Middle people were clerks and similar positions, ranking below the yangban. Commoners engaged in agriculture, industry, and commerce.

2. Lowborn.

Lowborn were divided into public and private categories. Public lowborn included government courtesans, maidservants, official slaves, postal workers, prison guards, etc. Private lowborn included prostitutes, monks and nuns (though not all were considered lowborn), private slaves and maidservants. Additionally, groups engaged in cattle and horse slaughter, leather processing, basket weaving, mask drama, acrobatics, and other trades were also lowborn.

Though there was nominal “release from service at sixty,” few actually gained freedom. Even freed, their descendants remained lowborn.

—“For all who are lowborn, if either parent is lowborn, the child is too. Even if their master permits them to become commoners, their offspring revert to lowborn. If the master severs their lineage, their kin remain of the same class. This is to prevent permanent ascension to commoner status.”

3. Status of the lowborn.

The lowborn held extremely low status. To be eligible for office, a Goryeo person must have eight generations free from lowborn ancestry.

—“Our founder admonished his descendants: For all these lowborn, their kind is different. Do not let them become commoners; if allowed, eventually they will seek office, climb to important posts, and plot against the state. If this command is violated, the nation will be endangered. Therefore, the law of our small country requires that only after eight generations free from lowborn ancestry may one stand for office.”