Chapter Fifteen: The Dan River and the Zhe River

“I trust you, sir.”

As Ying Qian and Zhao Zheng reached an impasse, Ying Qu Liang struck decisively, choosing Zhao Zheng.

“Very well, Zhao Zheng, I will trust you this once.”

Seeing Ying Qu Liang’s decision, Ying Qian ceased his opposition. Had it not been for the impressive ambush at Wuguan that proved Zhao Zheng’s capabilities, he would have outright defied orders.

He turned to Zhao Zheng and said bluntly, “Enough, boy. Tell us your plan.”

But Zhao Zheng did not immediately reveal the battle strategy. Instead, he looked at Ying Qu Liang and said, “Your Majesty, before outlining the plan, I must ask you to proclaim a decree to the people of Qin.”

“A decree?” Ying Qu Liang was momentarily taken aback—was this a call for pre-battle mobilization?

Zhao Zheng nodded. “Yes. I need you to swiftly announce that all those who participate in this battle and behead enemy Wei soldiers will be rewarded with a head count stipend. Anyone who kills more than ten Wei soldiers shall be granted noble rank.”

“That’s impossible!” Gan Long was the first to object. Killing soldiers to be granted nobility would undermine the interests of their old noble families.

In truth, Zhao Zheng was proposing an early form of the military merit nobility system, akin to the reforms later introduced by Shang Yang.

This system was fundamental to breaking and weakening the power of the old aristocracy—anyone who earned military merit could be made a marquis.

Ying Qu Liang found the plan feasible but insisted that a sound justification be provided, so he looked to Zhao Zheng for an explanation.

Zhao Zheng explained, “Qin’s equipment is far inferior to Wei’s. We must therefore surpass them in morale.”

“Moreover, when the people of Qin realize that killing enemies can change their destiny, they will naturally fight with all their might, unleashing unprecedented combat power.”

“What? Could it be that Counselor Gan opposes this plan out of selfishness?” Zhao Zheng then shifted his tone sharply, casting a reproach upon Gan Long.

“You… this will be the last time.” Gan Long glared furiously, knowing he stood to gain nothing from Zhao Zheng’s maneuver.

But it was just once; it shouldn’t cause trouble.

Ying Qu Liang asked again, “Good. What else do you need?”

“Please order the maximum collection of cooking oil, sulfur smoke, blazing oil, and dry kindling,” Zhao Zheng replied.

Blazing oil, known in later eras as petroleum.

Qin, situated in the far northwest, was not lacking in petroleum, but the people did not yet know how to extract it; their use of blazing oil was limited to naturally oozing sources.

As for sulfur smoke, it was simply sulfur, named differently.

“Fire attack?” Ying Qian immediately grasped Zhao Zheng’s intent.

During the Warring States period, fire attacks were not uncommon—such as the Fire Elephant formation of King Zhao of Chu, the Fire Ox formation used by Tian Dan to restore the state, and the burning of Xianqiu in Lu.

Zhao Zheng nodded. “At the end of autumn, when the weather is dry, what else can we use but fire?”

Of course, the fire attack primarily serves to sow chaos; whether it will actually burn successfully is another matter.

Ying Qian frowned, feeling the fire attack was somewhat unreliable, and pressed on, “So, how exactly do you plan to fight?”

Zhao Zheng shook his head. “The exact ambush site will be decided on location. But Brother Ying Qian, you must not go on the ambush.”

“What? I’m not going? Zhao Zheng, what nonsense is this?”

Upon hearing this, Ying Qian’s face immediately darkened.

Even Ying Qu Liang thought Zhao Zheng’s arrangement was inappropriate—without their elder brother in Qin, how could they hope to succeed?

Just as he was about to urge Zhao Zheng to reconsider, Zhao Zheng explained:

“No, Brother, you misunderstand. I will go on the ambush, but there is one task only you can accomplish.”

“What task?” Ying Qian asked, puzzled.

Zhao Zheng became serious. “Once Pang Juan’s troops depart from Wuguan, the interior must be left vulnerable. Capturing it would sever the retreat of one hundred thousand Wei soldiers.”

Ying Qian’s stern expression instantly transformed into fierce resolve. “Very well, I vow to reclaim Wuguan.”

“As for the ambush, leave it to me and Meng Yun,” Zhao Zheng continued, outlining the next steps.

“Are you… sure you can manage, sir?” Ying Qu Liang looked at Zhao Zheng’s slight frame with concern. Such a small body seemed unlikely to withstand even a single sword blow.

At this time, there was no distinct concept of strategists—those who led armies went to battle themselves.

“Don’t worry.” Zhao Zheng tapped his chest lightly and joked, “Someone who values his life as much as I do wouldn’t die on the battlefield.”

Besides, who says leading an expedition means you must be on the front lines?

He then briefly arranged the subsequent deployments, as the matter was too critical for carelessness.

“I will await your victorious news at Liyang, personally escorting you from the city upon your return,” Ying Qu Liang saluted the assembled commanders.

“We shall not dishonor your trust!”

…

This time, Qin’s Bluefield camp dispatched all its elite troops, while the Lishan camp remained to guard Liyang.

A total of sixty thousand soldiers were mobilized: forty thousand under Ying Qian to attack Wuguan, and twenty thousand led by Zhao Zheng and Meng Yun to lie in ambush by the Dan River.

Before departure, Bai Ying led a contingent of the Bai clan to join Zhao Zheng’s forces.

The Bai clan was one of Qin’s most renowned old noble families, collectively known with the Meng and Xi clans as the Meng-Xi-Bai trinity.

These three clans descended from Meng Mingshi, Xi Qishu, and Bai Yibing, who had helped Duke Mu of Qin dominate.

The famous general Bai Qi also hailed from the Bai clan.

The Bai family had long been entrenched in the Dan River region and were intimately familiar with its terrain, making their presence a tremendous boon.

“Brother Bai, with your support, we are as strong as a tiger with wings!” Zhao Zheng remarked.

Under Bai Ying’s guidance, Zhao Zheng’s column quickened its pace considerably.

“For the country’s loyalty. But… do you really think Pang Juan will attack via the Dan River?” Bai Ying questioned Zhao Zheng’s plan.

“Rest assured. I won’t bet on it until Wei seizes Wuguan, but the upper Dan River between Wuguan and Bluefield is already controlled by Wei forces; they must come through the Dan River.” Zhao Zheng’s insight into Pang Juan was thorough.

Indeed, Pang Juan’s later attack on Handan and this campaign against Qin followed the same pattern.

As Qin hurried toward the Dan River, Pang Juan also moved.

Just as Zhao Zheng predicted, Pang Juan advanced along the Xi River, then the Dan River, circumventing to attack Bluefield.

But unlike Zhao Zheng’s assumption, Pang Juan did not march out from Wuguan; instead, he deployed eighty thousand troops from Hexi, replenishing forces along the way through Wuguan.

Pang Juan knew Wuguan’s importance and could not afford negligence.

In other words, Wuguan’s forces were not diminished but rather strengthened.

Wei’s army moved rapidly along the Dan River, and to maintain secrecy, Pang Juan ordered that anyone encountered be killed without exception.

It would take at least ten days for Wei troops to reach Bluefield from Wuguan along the Dan River, but only five days to reach the Dan River itself.

Qin’s forces could reach the Dan River in just four days—one day ahead of Wei.

It was late autumn, with northwest winds blowing; once a fire started, it would be uncontrollable.

Therefore, they had to minimize the threat that fire attacks posed to Qin.

The Qin army pressed forward, arriving at Danshui County ahead of schedule by half a day.

Danshui County, named for its location in the middle reaches of the Dan River, was a crucial passage.

Pang Juan’s forces emerged from Wuguan, which controlled the upper Dan River—a strategic pass that dominated the river valley.

The river flowed from rugged mountains to plains, so the middle Dan River was an inevitable route.

After positioning the army, Zhao Zheng dared not rest. Along with Bai Ying and Meng Yun, he swiftly set out to scout the terrain.

After following the Dan River for some distance, Zhao Zheng suddenly pointed ahead.

“Brother Bai, what place is that?”

Looking in the direction Zhao Zheng indicated, they saw towering cliffs over a hundred fathoms high on both sides—jagged, gray-white limestone walls.

In the crevices, gnarled pine forests clung to the cliffs, their amber-colored resin glistening like droplets of honey.