Volume 1, Chapter 5: Li Shandao Offers Strategy in the Face of Crisis

"Erlang," the inquiry was not directed at Li Shandao, but at Shan Xiongxin.

Shan Xiongxin had an elder brother, and he himself ranked second.

Regarding this leader’s question, Xu Shiji and Shan Xiongxin did not answer immediately.

Shan Xiongxin had a capacity for liquor that was legendary; he usually could not enjoy himself without wine. Although he had been heavily intoxicated the previous night, he had long since sobered up.

He dismounted, rubbed his hands together, paced a few circles, and said to Xu Shiji, "Brother, we must still rob them! We cannot make this trip in vain. You and I have mobilized such a force to venture out of the mountains; if we return empty-handed, it would be a laughingstock!"

Another leader interjected, "That is true, but Erlang, that 'Iron Fork Zhang' is a man of renowned courage. Furthermore, this wealthy merchant has hired not only him but also a hundred or so youths from Liang Prefecture. Counting the merchant's original guards, there are already one or two hundred men on the ship. We have only brought five or six hundred men on this trip. If we were to rob him on land, we would have no fear, but the problem is that he is traveling by boat, on the water. His ship is large, and under these circumstances, I fear our five or six hundred men might not be enough."

As it turned out, the wealthy merchant that Xu Shiji and Shan Xiongxin were planning to rob was quite shrewd. Knowing that the borderlands of Liang Prefecture and Xingyang Prefecture were infested with bandits—with the Wagang rebels to the north and the brothers Li Gongyi and Li Shanxing of Liang Prefecture operating in the area—he feared being intercepted. Thus, a few days prior, upon entering the territory of Liang Prefecture, he had spent a large sum of money to recruit a legendary hero known as "Iron Fork Zhang" to serve as his bodyguard.

This Iron Fork Zhang was not originally named "Iron Fork," but had earned the moniker due to his mastery of the iron fork. He was a man of great strength, and many local chivalrous youths and ruffians in Liang Prefecture followed him, willing to be at his beck and call. As for the business of highway robbery, this Iron Fork Zhang had done his fair share, yet as long as the payment was sufficient, he was more than willing to take on bodyguard work. His reputation was well-known to Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin, and the others.

It was precisely because this wealthy merchant had hired Iron Fork Zhang that the two Wagang scouts stationed in Xingyang had reported what they just did. Consequently, although the brothers Li Gongyi and Li Shanxing of Liang Prefecture had also harbored intentions of robbing this merchant, they had ultimately held back and allowed him to pass through their territory.

Shan Xiongxin snorted and said, "I have long detested this fellow Iron Fork Zhang! Zhai Rang once summoned him, yet he, the scoundrel, showed no respect to Zhai and refused to join us. In the past, he even snatched merchants in Liang Prefecture out from under our noses. It was only because Zhai Gong prioritizes righteousness that he tolerated him. Now that we brothers want to rob this merchant, how could Iron Fork Zhang not know? Yet he chose to accept the merchant's commission and serve as his guard. This is not just a lack of respect; it is a blatant challenge to us! ...Brother, we cannot tolerate this any longer. Let us simply settle the score with the merchant and take care of this Iron Fork Zhang at the same time!"

Xu Shiji also dismounted, held onto his saddle, pondered for a moment, and said, "Brother is right. This Iron Fork Zhang’s repeated disregard for Zhai Gong is indeed detestable. While Zhai Gong is righteous and unwilling to use force to coerce others, for the long-term, we must deal with such unruly rogues who refuse to submit to him. Otherwise, how can we uphold the prestige of Wagang? How can we attract heroes from all directions to join us? If we take this opportunity to finish off Iron Fork Zhang, that is well and good. However..."

"Brother, however what?"

Xu Shiji said, "What Third Brother Fei said also holds merit. Originally, it was reported that the merchant only had about a hundred guards, which is why you and I led only several hundred men out of the mountains. But now that Iron Fork Zhang has accepted the merchant’s commission, the number of guards has reached one or two hundred. A water battle is not like a land battle; relying solely on our five or six hundred men, it is indeed difficult to take him down easily. We must devise a foolproof plan before we can act."

Shan Xiongxin asked, "Brother, do you already have a plan?"

Xu Shiji lowered his head, thought for another moment, and said, "Our biggest problem remains what Elder Brother Fei pointed out: the merchant’s ship is large. While we have many boats, they are all fishing vessels; we have no large ships. When the merchant had few guards, we could have swarmed him with many boats. But now that his defenses have been strengthened, our men might find it difficult to board his ship. This is the problem that must be solved first."

Shan Xiongxin could not think of a solution. Seeing that Xu Shiji also seemed stuck, he pointed to the "Cold Bone White" horse tied to the side and laughed, "Brother, stop fretting. In my view, this is not a problem. When the time comes, I will personally lead Third Brother Fei and 'Yaksha' to charge onto the ship first. Isn't that enough? I don't believe that with our martial prowess, we cannot board it!" He tilted his head toward one of the leaders and asked, "Yaksha, he is called Iron Fork, and you are called Yaksha. You Yaksha, do you dare to compete with his Iron Fork?"

Before the founding of the Sui Dynasty, from the Jin Dynasty through the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the realm had been in chaos for hundreds of years, and Buddhism had flourished. To this day, folk belief in Buddhism was rampant, and it was common for people to take names based on Buddhist terminology. The "Yaksha" in Shan Xiongxin's words was one such example. —To digress, the name "Li Shandao" was also related to religion. What is "Dao"? Confucianism is a Dao, and both Buddhism and Taoism are also Daos.

"Good! I will wait for you to cut off his dog's head for me!" Shan Xiongxin laughed heartily, turned to Xu Shiji and said, "Dala, shall we settle on this?" He looked at the sky and said, "The day is still young; let us travel a bit further, and we will reach the riverbank tomorrow!"

Xu Shiji stopped Shan Xiongxin, who was about to mount his horse, and said, "Wait a moment, brother."

"What is it?"

Xu Shiji said, "Brother, you are peerlessly valiant, and Yaksha and Brother Fei are also mighty warriors. If you lead the charge, we will certainly be able to board the ship. But in the midst of battle, swords and spears have no eyes. Furthermore, Brother, you are a cavalry commander, not a naval expert. I worry that if you were to accidentally sustain an injury, it would be a pity. In my humble opinion, we should discuss this further and come up with a better method for attacking the ship."

"Brother, if you already have an idea, that is for the best, but don't you also find yourself unable to think of any other way?"

Li Shandao had been listening from the side. He agreed with Xu Shiji that now that the "enemy situation" had changed, the plan for "robbing the ship" should indeed be adjusted.

Moreover, he had already devised a strategy.

Seeing that Xu Shiji was still without a plan, he coughed to clear his throat and said, "Dala, Master Shan, I have thought of a strategy."

Shan Xiongxin, Xu Shiji, Wei Yaksha, Fei Sanlang, and the others all turned to look at him.

Xu Shiji asked, "Erlang, you have thought of a way?"

"I just don't know if it will be useful."

Xu Shiji said, "What is the plan? Let us hear it."

"To capture the bandits, first capture the leader. It is also a principle of warfare to use deception. I humbly believe, why not use the strategy of 'making a feint to the east while attacking in the west' and capturing the leader first?"

Xu Shiji asked, "How do we make a feint to the east while attacking in the west and capture the leader first?"

Li Shandao then explained the strategy he had conceived.

After hearing it, Xu Shiji deliberated for a moment and praised, "Erlang’s plan is a real solution!" He turned to Shan Xiongxin and said, "Brother, I think Li Erlang’s idea is excellent and can be used. What do you think?"

Shan Xiongxin said, "It is a good plan!" He laughed and said to Xu Shiji, "Erlang is worthy of being from your county; he is as resourceful as you!"

Xu Shiji made his decision, tapped his palm with the handle of his fan, and said, "Since you also agree, we will use Erlang’s plan!" He said to Li Shandao, "Erlang, if we successfully rob the ship this time, you will take the primary credit! When we return to the stronghold, I will personally request a reward for you from Zhai Gong!"

When Li Shandao had drunk with Xu Shiji the night before, Xu Shiji had offered him a generous gift to thank him for saving Xu Gai, which Li Shandao had declined. He certainly did not care for any rewards from Zhai Rang—he had joined Wagang not for such things. He smiled and said, "I requested to join because I admire the righteousness of Zhai Gong, Master Shan, and Dala, not out of greed for wealth. Now that Dala has accepted me, I am dull-witted, but how could I not give my full effort? If the plan I suggested can be put to use, I am already satisfied; I dare not covet a reward from Zhai Gong!"

Shan Xiongxin was even more pleased and laughed, "Brother, Erlang has as much wisdom as you, and he values righteousness just like you! Once we rob this merchant and return to the stronghold, let us take Erlang to meet Zhai Gong. Zhai Gong will surely be fond of him when he sees him."

It was thus decided. Once the troops reached the bank and the merchant’s ship arrived, they would use Li Shandao’s plan to rob the merchant.

With the matter settled, Xu Shiji and Shan Xiongxin gave the order for the troops to continue marching.

Li Shandao wanted to return to the back of the line to walk with Gao Chounu and the others, but Xu Shiji kept him, sent someone to fetch his horse from the back, and told him to follow alongside him and Shan Xiongxin.

When they had first met Li Shandao two days ago, Xu Shiji’s attitude had been polite but distant. In just over two days, through his words in the stronghold about "a ruler treating his subjects like dirt, and subjects treating their ruler like an enemy," the burial of the starving victims by Gao Chounu and Yao Agui yesterday, and now this suggestion, Xu Shiji’s attitude toward Li Shandao had changed significantly.

He had proactively allowed Li Shandao to follow him and Shan Xiongxin alongside their trusted confidants like Fei Sanlang and Wei Yaksha.

While it might not yet be "great importance," the impression of Li Shandao being "frivolous and dissolute" had mostly faded from Xu Shiji’s mind.

Li Shandao understood the principle that "too much is as bad as too little." He knew that the more he was in this position, the more he needed to maintain a "modest" demeanor. Therefore, despite the fact that his status in Xu Shiji’s eyes had clearly risen, he remained even more humble. Riding his horse beside the confidants, he stopped speaking and listened more.

Fei Sanlang, being a careful person, raised a concern to Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji.

Would the Xingyang Prefecture government, just like the merchant who had hired Iron Fork Zhang, also have some unexpected changes?

According to past practice, the Governor of Xingyang, Yang Qing, had indeed never interfered with their plundering of merchants.

But this time, would Yang Qing suddenly change his mind and send troops to fight them?

Yang Qing was a member of the Sui imperial clan, his father being a cousin of Yang Jian. However, although he was of the Sui clan, he was always slick and had no loyalty to Yang Guang. As for the Wagang heroes raiding his jurisdiction in Xingyang every few days, he had always turned a blind eye and let them be.

Shan Xiongxin did not take him seriously and ignored Fei Sanlang’s concern.

Xu Shiji considered it for a moment and replied to Fei Sanlang, stating that Yang Qing was a cunning man who, despite being of the Sui clan, always prioritized self-preservation. This time, he should still not send troops to interfere.

Fei Sanlang and the others had always admired Xu Shiji’s strategy, so hearing this, they no longer worried.

After passing Suanzao, they entered the territory of Yangwu County at dusk.

That night, just as they had stayed at the Liu family manor the previous night, the troops stayed at the manor of a local wealthy family in Yangwu County.

Just like the officials in Weicheng and Zucheng, the officials in Yangwu County turned a deaf ear and played dumb regarding the arrival of Shan Xiongxin, Xu Shiji, and their men, pretending they knew nothing.

Entering Yangwu, they were very close to the Tongji Canal, which was in the southern part of the county.

The next day, the troops set off and marched for several tens of miles, reaching the north bank of the Tongji Canal.

The local leaders of the chivalrous men and fishing boats, along with the scouts planted there by Wagang, all came out to welcome them.

They reported the latest situation of the wealthy merchant to Xu Shiji and Shan Xiongxin: in one more day, the ship the merchant was traveling on would arrive here.

That night, Xu Shiji and Shan Xiongxin used the cattle, sheep, fish, and poultry offered by the local leaders to reward their troops, and everyone had a hearty meal. Xu Shiji ordered that no troops were allowed to go out and carouse; everyone was to rest early and conserve their strength. According to the plan Li Shandao had proposed, he assigned the various tasks for the next day's robbery to each leader.