Chapter Twenty-One: A Daring Raid from Lujiang
The walls of Fancheng towered high above the land, standing firm and unyielding along the middle reaches of the Han River. Though the city itself was ancient, its fortifications were sound and formidable. Huang Zu had led twenty thousand soldiers, marching day and night for two hundred li, to station himself at Fancheng and await the forces of Sun Jian after he had taken Xinye.
“Reporting to Governor Huang: Sun Jian has led forty thousand troops and occupied Yuyang City!”
“Reporting to Governor Huang: Sun Jian is drilling two thousand soldiers on the plain a hundred li from Yuyang City!”
Huang Zu, livid with rage, roared, “Enough with these endless reports! Where is Yuyang? Where is Fancheng? He hasn’t even reached Xinye yet! Unless he is actually attacking the city, do not trouble me with such news!”
Jiang Wen, wrapped in a thick cotton robe, gazed at the snow drifting down outside the window. “It’s snowing. Our army has been deadlocked with Liu Biao for a month now. By my calculations, General Cheng Pu should arrive soon.”
Sun Ce poured himself a cup of hot water. “General Cheng Pu took much of our provisions with him. At present, our supplies will last us another ten days. If we do not defeat Liu Biao within that time, we will be forced to retreat.”
Jiang Wen remained silent, holding the steaming cup in his hands. Sun Ce, noticing the uneasiness in Jiang Wen’s expression, understood his concerns. If their plan succeeded, they would seize half of Jingzhou in one stroke. But man proposes, heaven disposes.
Suddenly, a soldier hurried in from outside. “Reporting to the Young General and the Chief Strategist: Liu Biao’s reinforcements have arrived!”
“How many men does Liu Biao bring?” Jiang Wen asked urgently, turning to the soldier.
“Seventy thousand. General Sun says they will reach Fancheng in three days!”
“Seventy thousand!” Jiang Wen blew on his hot water, excitement surging in his heart as he sighed in relief. “The plan has worked!”
Suppressing his excitement, Jiang Wen’s fingers trembled slightly as he sipped his hot water, a rare look of contentment on his face. “With seventy thousand troops, plus the forces of Huang Zu in Fancheng, there are nearly a hundred thousand. If we seize Xinye tomorrow and then advance towards Fancheng, we’ll confront Huang Zu at a distance. Sun Ce, does this prospect trouble you?”
Sun Ce shook his head and laughed. “They are but a rabble of bandits. Our army once faced Dong Zhuo’s force of one hundred and fifty thousand with only sixty thousand and did not falter. Why should we fear these ten thousand mountain bandits Liu Biao has mustered?”
In Wancheng, Yuan Shu lay sprawled on his bed as Yan Xiang signaled the physician to leave. Yuan Shu opened his eyes. “Have Sun Jian and Liu Biao come to blows yet?”
Yan Xiang bowed and replied, “My lord, the armies have confronted each other for a month and have captured several undefended cities of Liu Biao, but have not yet engaged in battle.”
Yuan Shu sat up and removed the warm towel from his forehead. “Is that brat Sun Jian toying with me, Yuan Gonglu? A whole month—an entire month, and he still hasn’t reached Xiangyang?”
Yan Xiang saluted again and said, “My lord, in my opinion, Sun Jian has likely seen through Chief Secretary Yang’s strategy and is deliberately holding back his troops. His slow advance is meant to wait for you to attack Xiangyang together. Now, Liu Biao’s reinforcements number seventy thousand in Xiangyang. Add the twenty-six thousand in Fancheng, and their forces are nearly a hundred thousand!”
Yan Xiang continued, “If we do not assist Sun Jian, once he withdraws, Liu Biao’s armies will inevitably turn their weapons against us. Then we would not only fail to gain even half of Jingzhou, but might even lose Wancheng!”
“Send Sun Jian fifty thousand shi of grain,” Yuan Shu sighed. “As for sending troops, we’ll discuss it later…” He had planned to sit back and watch the tigers fight, allowing Sun Jian and Liu Biao to exhaust each other so he could reap the rewards, but Sun Jian had endured for a whole month without making a move. This was not like Sun Jian at all…
In Lujiang County, the army’s march was halted by several thousand soldiers stationed at the city gate. Cheng Pu’s wariness grew.
From the assembled troops, an exceptionally handsome young man stepped forward, saluted, and said, “My name is Zhou Gongjin. I have heard the generals are marching on Jiangxia. I have sold off my family property to raise seven thousand men to assist you.”
“Gongjin?” Lu Meng, among the ranks, exclaimed unexpectedly. The previously wary Cheng Pu turned to Lu Meng and asked, “Do you know this man?”
Lu Meng shook his head. “I have only met him once. I cannot say I know him, but he is a close friend of Young General Sun Ce.”
“Oh?” The suspicion on Cheng Pu’s face vanished, replaced by a hint of delight as he studied the poised young man before him. “How did you know our army would be here?”
Zhou Yu replied, “When the Grand Commander campaigned against Dong Zhuo, he moved with lightning speed. Liu Biao is no Dong Zhuo, yet he has stalled the Grand Commander’s advance. All of Jingzhou is coveted by many. As the Art of War says: ‘With ten, encircle; with five, attack.’ Before Liu Biao’s reinforcements arrived, the Grand Commander’s forces outnumbered his by several times, yet did not attack. Partly because Yuan Shu was watching hungrily from behind, and partly for other reasons.”
Cheng Pu sighed. “Even so, what can be done? This plan’s success seems all but impossible. At best, we may occupy Yuzhou.”
Zhou Yu smiled and saluted. “Then allow me to bring good news, General: ten days ago, Jiangxia’s troops had already set out to aid Xiangyang!”
“Is this true?” Cheng Pu’s heart leapt with excitement.
“Absolutely!” Zhou Yu nodded emphatically.
Cheng Pu laughed, looking around him. “Heaven truly aids us!”
Zhou Yu spoke softly to himself, “We can advance and take Jingzhou, or withdraw and secure Yuzhou. The mind that devised this stratagem is truly formidable. Sun Ce, you have gained a powerful ally.”
Lu Meng regarded Zhou Gongjin intently. Jiang Wen and Sun Ce had often praised this man before him, and Lu Meng had grown sensitive to Zhou Yu’s name. If his guess was correct, this man would surely become a close friend to Sun Ce, Jiang Wen, and perhaps even himself in the future.
Lu Meng sighed inwardly—why were all his friends so much better looking than he was?
The twenty thousand elite cavalry, now joined by Zhou Yu’s seven thousand infantry, formed a force of twenty-seven thousand, marching towards Shiting.
The city garrison of Jiangxia was already away, reinforcing Xiangyang. With twenty-seven thousand troops arriving unexpectedly, Jiangxia could be taken without a fight!
Shiting was a fertile, river-fed land, named for its pavilion. Its streams teemed with fish and shrimp; the people lived off the water, farming the fields and tending mulberry trees—a peaceful and prosperous existence.
The villagers, busy in their fields, were startled by the sudden arrival of troops, but their surprise quickly turned to joy. “Generals, are you Sun Jian’s men?”
“Where else would you find such a mighty host?” Cheng Pu replied with a smile. “Do you have some business with us?”
Li Er, the village chief, was over fifty, his graying beard lending him an air of age and dignity. “We greet the General with humble respect. Sun Jian has campaigned against Dong Zhuo and rescued the Emperor—such a hero who saves both sovereign and people inspires our deepest admiration.”
“To aid the Grand Commander, we have gathered fifty thousand shi of grain for you. Many of our young men have long dreamed of joining Sun Jian’s army—now that you are here, it will spare them the journey. Quickly, call the young men out!”
Cheng Pu declined the elders’ invitation to stay, citing urgent military matters, and quickly departed Shiting.
They had gained four thousand new recruits and fifty thousand shi of grain. Now their force numbered thirty thousand! Such influence stemmed entirely from the Grand Commander’s rescue of the Emperor.
All vied to claim the prestige of holding the Emperor—the advantages were clear to all. To think that the one who devised this plan was but a youth younger than himself, Cheng Pu could not help but smile. Perhaps this was the wisdom of the heavens?
With thirty thousand men, and knowing that Jiangxia’s garrison was no more than three thousand, he could take Jiangxia by storm and then press on to Jiangling.
If Jiangling fell, Xiangyang would be threatened from both front and rear. The Grand Commander could then launch a direct assault on Xiangyang!
The thought sent Cheng Pu’s blood racing. He ordered Lu Meng and Zhou Yu to lead the infantry in the rear, while he and Huang Gai led the elite cavalry ahead, racing straight for Wancheng. They had to seize Jiangxia within three days!
Speed was of the essence!