Chapter Twenty-Two: Seizing Jiangxia

The scenery of Jiangxia was enchanting, its resources abundant. Most of Jingzhou was flat, but Jiangxia was dotted with lakes, many suitable for cultivation. Now, as winter descended, snow blanketed the land, white peaks gleamed in the frosty air—a sight to behold.

Liu Qi reigned over Jiangxia, having been appointed its governor by Liu Biao, who favored him greatly. Yet Liu Qi's health was frail; his body had suffered from years of indulgence, leaving him with chronic illness that worsened in winter, requiring daily medicinal brews.

Suddenly, a soldier rushed in, breathless. “Governor, there is an army approaching from Qichun! They are only a hundred li from Jiangxia!”

Liu Qi coughed, sipped his medicine, and replied indifferently, “Another bandit force? Even in the dead of winter, they make trouble. Summon the soldiers in the city to scare them off.”

The soldier, anxious, insisted, “Governor, it’s not bandits—it’s regular troops flying the banner of Sun Jian!”

Liu Qi sprang to his feet, the porcelain bowl slipping from his grasp and shattering. “Sun Jian’s army? Impossible! Are you certain you haven’t mistaken their banner? Sun Jian should be facing my father in Xiangyang—how could he suddenly appear in Jiangxia?”

The soldier, drenched in cold sweat, replied, “I saw clearly, sir. It is indeed Sun Jian’s army—twenty thousand strong!”

“Twenty thousand!” Liu Qi cried in terror, scrambling from his bed, hastily dressing. “Prepare a carriage immediately—I must go to Jiangling at once!”

“Governor, aren’t we going to defend the city?” the soldier asked.

Liu Qi roared, “Defend what? We have only a thousand soldiers in the city. If you wish to die, stay!”

At the north gate, Cheng Pu stood commandingly. “Huang Gai, lead your troops and secure the other three gates. Today, not a soul in Jiangxia leaves the city!”

Liu Qi, hurriedly dressed, gathered valuables to take with him, but seeing the elite cavalry pouring into the gates, his whole body trembled. “There’s no escape!” Huang Gai’s cavalry swiftly seized every gate, driving the citizens back into the city and sealing Jiangxia completely.

Cheng Pu seized officers, questioned them about the governor, then charged straight into Liu Qi’s residence. Liu Qi, cowering, pleaded, “General, I surrender! Please don’t kill me!”

Cheng Pu, naturally, had no intention of killing Liu Qi, and instead placed him under guard.

Zhu Mao bowed respectfully. “General, the strategist has said that Liu Qi is Liu Biao’s beloved son. He is frail—do not be reckless. If you are not careful, his life may be at risk.”

“Rest assured, I won’t kill him. I know he’s Liu Biao’s favorite,” Cheng Pu replied, laughing heartily. Jiangxia had fallen with ease, and his admiration for the strategist grew.

Huang Gai’s deputy entered, saluting. “General, at the eastern gate, a messenger was intercepted.”

Another soldier reported, “General, at the western gate, a messenger was executed.”

Huang Gai entered, “General, two messengers at the southern gate were also executed by my men.”

Cheng Pu laughed, “Excellent. Zhu Mao, take three thousand men and hold Jiangxia. Wait here for Lü Ziming and Zhou Yu. Once they arrive and secure Jiangxia, you may proceed. The rest of the troops, follow me—our next target is Jiangling!”

“General, wait!” Zhu Mao called out, causing Cheng Pu to turn and listen. Zhu Mao searched Liu Qi, who stood trembling, and produced an official seal. “The strategist said, if General Cheng captures Liu Qi, put on Liu Biao’s uniform, and use this seal to trick the governor of Jiangling into opening the gates.”

Cheng Pu nodded, ordering his men to the armory to don Liu Biao’s armor, and to assemble at the north gate in half an hour.

Cheng Pu replaced Sun Jian’s banner with Liu Biao’s, and switched his red attire for Liu Biao’s colors.

“In three days, we must reach Jiangling!” he commanded.

“Yes, sir!” came the reply.

The army marched on. Sun Jian had already taken Xinye, and was drilling his troops on the open ground. For a month, it had been nothing but training; morale was beginning to wane.

Jiang Wen stood below the command platform, bowing to Sun Jian. “General, Yuan Shu has sent fifty thousand bushels of grain.”

Sun Jian smiled, “That cunning boy finally sends us supplies. Has Liu Biao’s grain arrived?”

Jiang Wen replied, “No, General. Liu Biao’s reinforcements have arrived, and now the time has come to break with us.”

Sun Jian nodded. “Strategist, where do you estimate Cheng Pu’s army is now?”

Jiang Wen considered, “General, Cheng Pu has likely already taken Jiangxia.”

Sun Jian shook his head, laughing. “Not so. I know my men. I suspect Liu Biao’s Jiangling is also lost!”

Sun Jian’s gaze suddenly grew solemn. “Strategist, request the Emperor’s edict immediately, and order the entire army to advance on Fancheng!”

“Yes, sir!”

The drums sounded. Fifty thousand soldiers assembled outside Xinye, with only seventy thousand bushels of supplies. Sun Jian mounted his horse; Sun Ce, Sun Jing, and others donned their armor and mounted as well.

Jiang Wen entered the Emperor’s tent, bowing to the eunuch. “Your Excellency, be careful on this journey. Liu Biao harbors rebellious intentions.”

“Rest assured, strategist. I know what to do.”

Jiang Wen took his leave and joined the army, riding beside Sun Jian.

Sun Jian galloped on his warhorse, glancing back at Xinye. “Jiang Wen, can our army achieve a great victory?”

Jiang Wen laughed, “General, you know the answer. Why ask me?”

He laughed heartily—this campaign, he feared nothing, for it was destined to succeed. At Guandu, Cao Cao burned Yuan Shao’s supplies at Wuchao, shattering Yuan Shao’s army and morale, leading to his defeat. Yuan Shao had a hundred thousand elite troops; Liu Biao’s army was little more than bandits. In just a few days, Xiangyang could be taken. Jiang Wen doubted that Huang Zu in Fancheng could hold his forces together.

Seizing the enemy’s home was the true strategy.

Inside Fancheng, the soldiers were ready to march. Huang Zu mounted his horse, commanding nearly a hundred thousand men. “Sun Jian, that brat, has drilled his troops long enough. Finally, he’s on the move. But he’s foolish. Had he attacked Xiangyang earlier, he might have taken it by now. Sun Jian’s bravery is unmatched, but his reputation is exaggerated!”

Huang Zu drew his sword and roared, “Troops, follow me! We march to Deng County to meet Sun Jian!”

“Why hasn’t Sun Jian attacked yet?” Kuai Liang mused, head bowed. Kuai Yue, seeing his brother’s concern, asked, “Brother, are you wondering why Sun Jian hasn’t marched?”

Kuai Liang nodded, “If Sun Jian had attacked Xiangyang a month ago, he’d have faced only twenty thousand men. Now, he still insists on attacking Xiangyang, but faces a hundred thousand!”

Kuai Yue ventured, “Is it because Yuan Shu is keeping him occupied from the rear?”

Kuai Liang shook his head, “Sun Jian is too bold for that. If it were only Yuan Shu, he would not be restrained. The battle with Dong Zhuo taught me that Sun Jian has a mastermind behind him.”

Kuai Liang studied the map, Kuai Yue standing by. These days, their unease had only grown.

“Frontline report: Sun Jian’s army advances, General Huang Zu leads his troops to Deng County!”

Liu Biao, elated, rose to his feet. “Sun Jian was foolish to wait until my reinforcements arrived before attacking!”

“Reinforcements arrived... reinforcements arrived...” Kuai Yue saw his brother’s grave expression. “Brother, what’s wrong?”

Kuai Liang’s face changed. “Lord, quickly recall Huang Zu from Fancheng to defend Xiangyang!”