stonecrandall Chapter 899 Xianyang must be saved!
Chapter 899 Xianyang must be saved!
Xianyang, the imperial capital that once symbolized supreme power and imperial glory, had lost all its sacredness and symbolic significance after being conquered and trampled upon by the coalition forces of various princes. In Xiao He's mind, its value was not even 20% or 30% of what it was at its peak.
In the eyes of this pragmatic steward, Xianyang at this point was essentially no different from other major cities, save for its historical fame and former political status. In fact, for those with roots in the southern border, it was even less "reliable" than some of the wealthier southern metropolises. From a purely military defensive perspective, Xianyang itself was not invulnerable; its security depended heavily on the protection of its surrounding pass system. If all its strategic points were lost, Xianyang would be like a clam without its shell, vulnerable to attack and constraints from all sides, a truly awkward situation.
Xiao He understood Gaoyao's decision to relocate its capital to Xianyang as a politically motivated move, a quest to secure a legitimate claim to the Qin throne. It was a masterful political maneuver, and he approved of it. But now it seemed Gaoyao's plans went far beyond the overt plan to relocate the capital. Its hidden investment and attention far exceeded the level expected of a "politically symbolic city." This gave Xiao He pause for thought.
Xiao He was a man of immense intelligence. He might not fully understand Xiang Yu's stubbornness and valor, nor could he fathom Yi Xiaochuan, the elusive figure known as "Liu Bang," but he believed he understood Gaoyao. He knew his lord, despite his humble origins, possessed immense wisdom and foresight, a meticulous mind whose every move was profoundly calculated, a man who would never act rashly. He would never commit precious human and material resources to a project he considered of little value for an extended period.
"Could it be... that Xianyang is hiding some huge secret that I haven't been able to penetrate?" Countless thoughts flashed through Xiao He's mind. "It actually caused the Chu army's Xiang Yu, the Han army's 'Liu Bang', and my master's three forces to coincidentally, in overt or covert ways, compete for this seemingly decayed old capital?" This unanimous "attention" made Xiao He keenly feel that the water in Xianyang might be much deeper than it appeared on the surface.
Faced with Xiao He's undisguised shock and confusion, Gao Yao sighed softly, a complex expression on his face. He chose a half-truthful response, "I guess so. As you all know, sir, I have a long-standing grudge against Xiang Yu and that 'Liu Bang,' and it's hard to resolve. If Xianyang falls into the hands of either of them, it will definitely not be a good thing for me. This... also involves some hidden rumors about Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, which is quite troublesome and tricky."
He paused, his tone growing deeper. "So, ever since our power was first formed, I've been preparing for a rainy day, dispatching numerous capable personnel under various identities to hide in Xianyang and its surrounding areas. Originally, this was to prevent future events or to plan for future actions. I never imagined that, by some strange twist of fate, they would come in handy in this situation today."
"It was a complete coincidence, but it was also a blessing in disguise. Your Majesty is far-sighted and I admire you!" Xiao He heard this. Although he still had doubts in his heart, Gao Yao's explanation, combined with his old grudges with Xiang and Liu, was reasonable. He temporarily suppressed his curiosity and expressed his admiration first.
"Alright, enough flattery." Gao Yao waved his hand, his expression straight, and brought the topic back to the most pressing military decision. "Let's get down to business. Ying Bu and his reinforcements have arrived three days ago and are almost done resting. Xianyang is now crumbling under the fierce attack of the Chu army, and we cannot sit idly by. I have made up my mind. I will immediately order Ying Bu to assemble his troops and march to Xianyang to lift the siege!"
However, upon hearing Gao Yao's decision, Xiao He's brows furrowed once again. He did not immediately accept the order. Instead, he stepped forward and solemnly advised, "Your Majesty, isn't it too hasty to send troops to Xianyang? You need to be more cautious!"
Xiao He analyzed the situation carefully, "Why is the Chu army attacking Xianyang so recklessly at this moment? We still haven't determined their true intentions. Looking at the overall situation, we can't rule out the possibility that this is Xiang Yu's tactic of luring the tiger away from the mountain! His true goal might not be to capture Xianyang alone, but to use it as bait to lure your majesty and lead the main force away from the strategically important Yangping Pass. If our main force leaves the fortified city and marches along the road, the Chu army is likely to set an ambush, waiting for us to tire out and launch a surprise attack!"
Xiao He's eyes burned, his voice growing more steady. "Your Majesty, the situation is currently unclear, and the enemy's intentions are unknown. In my opinion, the best strategy at this moment is to postpone the dispatch of troops, firmly defend Yangping Pass, and wait and see what happens. Wait until the Chu army's offensive momentum clears, or their divisions become tired and vulnerable. Then I can seize the opportunity to strike. This is the most foolproof strategy! Sending troops rashly now is too risky!"
Xiao He's opposition was well-founded and based entirely on the most prudent military strategic perspective, full of the prudence of a seasoned statesman.
"I insist on sending troops because I'm worried that the Chu and Han armies will truly put aside their past grudges and secretly collude, or even openly unite to jointly target our southern border!" Gao Yao's voice suddenly rose a few degrees, filled with unquestionable anxiety. "Sir, your analysis is based on military common sense and is undoubtedly sound. But my concern lies in the treacherous and fickle nature of political opinion, and the terrifying tacit agreement those two 'old friends' might reach against me!"
He stood up and paced in front of the table covered with a map, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the table, making a dull sound. Xiao He's cautious advice was like a huge rock weighing on his heart, but the greater risks he saw made him unable to sit still.
"We've been holding our ground, entrenched in Yangping Pass. While seemingly safe, we might actually be sending the wrong signal to Xiang Yu and 'Liu Bang'—that we, Gao Yao, fear the Chu army's advance and are solely concerned with self-preservation, with neither the will nor the ability to intervene in Xianyang. This might actually encourage them to put aside their mutual suspicions and more quickly form a temporary alliance! Sir, this is the most deadly threat!"
Gao Yao's eyes were sharp, as if he had already seen the most undesirable scene. "If they really join forces to divide Xianyang, or agree to work together to eliminate me first, then we will no longer be facing a single exhausted army, but the combined efforts of two powerful opponents! What we are waiting for will definitely not be their weakness, but a catastrophic disaster!"
He suddenly stopped and turned to Xiao He, his eyes extremely serious. "Also, sir, don't forget the latest intelligence from the Qingyi Society! In Xianyang City, the Chu army's scouts have received assistance from the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan's undercover agent! Although they are currently only providing facilitation in secret, what does this mean? It means that the channel has been opened and the bridge of cooperation has been built! Today it is secretly providing intelligence and guiding the way, tomorrow it may be opening the defense line and agreeing to send troops at the same time! From covert connections to open cooperation, often all it takes is an opportunity, or a sufficient incentive! And our inaction may be the opportunity that prompts them to make the final decision!"