Chapter 13: Yuzhang Requests Aid
Lu Su gave a wry smile and said: “If the General has any ideas about using force, this subordinate suggests first understanding the situation in Yuzhang Commandery. After all, we just captured Chaisang and know nothing about Yuzhang Commandery. We can’t assume things and act rashly on many matters.”
Gan Ning agreed with Lu Su’s suggestion and immediately summoned County Clerk Yang Jing for questioning. Yang Jing was about thirty years old. He was originally from Wei Commandery. His father had been appointed by the Imperial Court as County Commandant of Chaisang County, and he had come along with him.
Although Yang Jing had ordinary talents, he had a father who was an official. In the year he turned twenty-three, he entered the County Yamen as Grain Officer under his father’s arrangement and had been doing it for ten years. He was currently the most senior County Clerk by qualification.
Yang Jing had no relatives left in his hometown of Wei Commandery, only one cousin who had married Great General Qiao Rui under Yuan Shu, and there had been no news from her for years.
Although Yang Jing was not a local, with the connections accumulated by him and his father over more than a decade, Yang Jing could be considered a bona fide Local Tyrant.
As the saying goes, the camp is made of iron but the soldiers flow like water. As Local Tyrants, Yang Jing and these County Clerks did not care who governed Chaisang. The flags on the city wall changed with the overlords, but they, as the basic foundation of the County Yamen, never changed.
Seeing the County Chief questioning him, Yang Jing immediately fetched a more detailed map.
“County Lord, please do not think that Yuzhang Commandery is under Prefect Hua’s control. In reality, he can only govern around the prefectural seat of Nanchang County. To the north, Haihun County, Jianchang County, Ai County, and Chaisang County are occupied by Zhang Ying, a remnant of Liu Yao’s old subordinates, and they do not obey Prefect Hua’s orders at all.”
“Wait a moment!”
Gan Ning interrupted him, “Are you saying Chaisang County originally belonged to Zhang Ying?”
“Nominally under Yuzhang Commandery’s jurisdiction, but in reality, Chaisang’s taxes are all handed over to Zhang Ying. This is the unspoken understanding between Zhang Ying and Prefect Hua Xin. Actually, not just Chaisang—even Haihun County and Jianchang County, which are nominally under Yuzhang Commandery’s jurisdiction—Yuzhang Commandery only gets a tiny portion of the taxes, with most taken by Zhang Ying.”
“Does Zhang Ying have a garrison in Chaisang?”
“Of course there is a garrison of five hundred soldiers stationed there, but when Huang Zu’s army arrived, they were so scared that they fled.”
Gan Ning felt something was off. Once Zhang Ying learned that he had driven away Huang Zu, he would surely lead troops to kill his way back. This Zhang Ying was his greatest threat!
“Continue.”
Yang Jing continued: “To the east of Yuzhang Commandery, centered on Poyang County, is occupied by Ze Rong who fled from Danyang Commandery. He also does not obey Prefect Hua’s orders.
Further south, Luling County is occupied by the mountain Yue Local Strongman Tong Zhi. He has secluded the southern part of Yuzhang Commandery, renamed it Luling Commandery, and calls himself Prefect of Luling.
These are all the evil consequences left by Liu Yao back then. Liu Yao died of illness the year before last and appointed Hua Xin as Prefect of Yuzhang, but did not hand over military power to him. It is said he wanted his eldest son Liu Ji to inherit Yuzhang Commandery. Liu Ji was only fifteen at the time, so he had Hua Xin act as interim for a few years. In the end…”
Gan Ning nodded. So Yuzhang Commandery had been divided into four parts, and with him, it was now five. He pondered for a moment and asked: “Did Sun Ce previously attack Yuzhang Commandery?”
“Doesn’t the County Lord know that Hua Xin has already surrendered to Sun Ce?”
Gan Ning and Lu Su looked at each other in dismay. Gan Ning hurriedly asked: “When did this happen?”
“The surrender was last year. Sun Ce sent Yu Fan to persuade Hua Xin to surrender. Sun Ce’s cousin Sun Ben led ten thousand troops to garrison Nanchang County and took office as Commandant of Yuzhang.”
Gan Ning was speechless. Sun Ce capturing Yuzhang Commandery was such a big event, yet if he did not ask, these officials would not mention it at all. A bunch of slippery officials who knew everything but said nothing.
Gan Ning suppressed his inner dissatisfaction and continued asking: “Did Sun Ben then suppress Zhang Ying and Ze Rong?”
Yang Jing also sensed the County Lord’s dissatisfaction with him. Not daring to fool Gan Ning any longer, he had no choice but to honestly confess everything.
“Of course there were suppressions. Taishi Ci was responsible for suppressing Zhang Ying, Zhou Tai for suppressing Ze Rong, and Sun Ben personally led troops to suppress Tong Zhi of Luling Commandery. But Liu Qing of Changsha Commandery supported Zhang Ying and Tong Zhi from behind, and Ze Rong had many believers under him, so the suppressions were not going smoothly.
In March this year, Sun Ce led the army in alliance with Governor of Yangzhou Chen Yu to campaign against Yuan Shu. Unexpectedly, Chen Yu led his army in a sneak attack on Wu Commandery. Sun Ce had to turn back to Wu Commandery, and Sun Ben also led Great Generals like Taishi Ci and Zhou Tai to rush to assist in the battle. I heard Yuan Shu is already dead, so Sun Ben will probably return soon.”
“Then who is stationed in Nanchang County? How many troops are there now?”
“Nanchang County should have Sun Fu and Lv Fan stationed there. I’m not clear on how many troops there are.”
……..
Gan Ning paced back and forth in the Official Residence with his hands behind his back. The situation in Yuzhang Commandery was far more complicated than he had thought. Once Liu Yao died, wolves from all sides were eyeing this fat piece of meat in Yuzhang Commandery.
Sun Ce had moved first to capture Yuzhang Commandery, but because of Chen Yu’s rebellion, he was temporarily unable to attend to it. He would probably soon send Sun Ben to kill his way back.
There was also Huang Zu, but Huang Zu had only occupied Chaisang without launching a major invasion of Yuzhang Commandery. This should be related to Liu Biao. Liu Biao also planned to send his nephew Liu Qing to send troops from Changsha Commandery to swallow up Yuzhang Commandery.
Perhaps Huang Zu and Liu Biao had reached an agreement to divide it, with Huang Zu taking northern Yuzhang Commandery and Liu Biao taking southern Yuzhang Commandery.
Although this was just Gan Ning’s guess, the actual situation was indeed so. Liu Biao and Huang Zu had an unspoken understanding to divide Yuzhang Commandery.
Actually, Sun Ce posed little threat to him. Even Liu Biao and Huang Zu were not the immediate priority. The real crisis at hand was Zhang Ying. Haihun County was just over a hundred li from Chaisang, perfectly separated by Mount Lu, with Chaisang to the north of Mount Lu and Haihun County to the south.
Once Zhang Ying learned he had occupied Chaisang, how could he let it rest?
Now his troops were few and generals scarce, armor incomplete, and military supplies severely insufficient. What could he use to resist Zhang Ying’s attack?
Time! Gan Ning felt that what he needed most right now was time.
He had to obtain a batch of armor and grain before Zhang Ying marched north. E County was too far; a round trip would take at least half a month. After thinking it over, he could only target Hua Xin.
If you do not enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch the tiger cub.
Gan Ning immediately had Lu Su guard Chaisang, with Shen Mi and Lou Fa each leading their own subordinates to assist. That very night, Gan Ning took Wang Ping and Ding Feng along with three hundred brothers and set off south by boat.
Gan Ning led more than forty fast boats south along the Gan River. Three days later, the fleet arrived at Nanchang County.
The dock was full of all kinds of merchant ships, and several li away at the military dock outside the city, dozens of warships were moored— all mengchong warships around Thousand Stone class.
Gan Ning seemed to see dozens of graceful women; his eyes heated up. He only had dozens of small sampans. How could he not be tempted by these proper warships?
Not just him—all his subordinates were drooling over them. Wang Ping said in a low voice: “General, let’s seize them!”
Gan Ning smiled faintly, “Don’t rush. We’ll talk about it when we leave!”
Gan Ning had Ding Feng lead the troops to wait at the riverside outside the city. He himself took Wang Ping and Zhang Xi into the city, going to pay respects to Prefect Hua Xin in his capacity as the new Magistrate of Chaisang.
Nanchang County was the prefectural seat of Yuzhang Commandery. The city was large, the population plentiful, and commerce prosperous. It had somewhat the feel of Xiangyang.
Arriving at the Prefectural Office, Gan Ning took out his calling card and said to the gate-guarding soldiers: “Please report to Prefect Hua for me. The new Magistrate of Chaisang requests an audience!”
The gate-guarding soldier hurriedly took the calling card and ran inside. Soon, a young boy came out and asked: “May I ask which one is the Magistrate of Chaisang?”
“I am!”
The young boy was stunned for a moment. He had thought it would be a scholar, not expecting the other party to be so tall and imposing.
“The Prefect… the Prefect invites you. Please follow me!”
The young boy stammered as he led Gan Ning into the residence.
Gan Ning gave Wang Ping a look, signaling him and a few subordinates to wait outside, while he entered the Prefectural Office alone.
Soon they arrived at the rear hall, where a thirty-something official stood in front of the hall steps. He had a long thin face, a long beard under his chin, and a refined demeanor.
He smiled faintly: “I am Hua Xin. When did General Gan become Magistrate of Chaisang?”
“This subordinate pays respects to Administrator Hua. This is this subordinate’s appointment document!”
Gan Ning took out the Imperial Court appointment document and handed it to Hua Xin. Hua Xin recognized the official document from the Imperial Court at a glance and immediately said politely: “General Gan, please come in!”
The two entered the main hall and took seats as guest and host. A young servant brought them tea.
Hua Xin smiled in confusion and asked: “I know that General Gan previously went to Xiangyang to seek office and had some unpleasantness with Assistant Administrator Liu. That was in May, and now it’s late July. How did General Gan obtain the Imperial Court’s appointment document in just over two months?”
Gan Ning smiled faintly: “I went directly to Xuchang to seek an audience with Minister of Works Cao.”
Hua Xin let out an “Oh—” clearly misunderstanding, thinking Gan Ning had become one of Cao Cao’s subordinates.
“Chaisang should currently be occupied by Huang Zu, right!”
Gan Ning nodded, “Exactly right. So I have specially come to borrow troops from Your Excellency.”
Hua Xin gave a wry smile after a moment and said: “It is not that I refuse to help General Gan. I have not a single soldier left under me. The city defenses of Nanchang County have already been taken over by Sun Ce.
At this point, I will not hide it from the General. I am no longer Prefect of Yuzhang. Now the Prefect of Yuzhang is Sun Ben, who will soon come to assume office. I am being transferred to Wu Commandery for another post.”
Gan Ning pondered and said: “Since troops cannot be sent, give me some grain and armor. I will recruit soldiers myself.”
“This….” Hua Xin looked troubled. Gan Ning was an official appointed by Cao Cao, and he wanted to help, but it would bring trouble later!
Seeing Hua Xin hesitate, Gan Ning knew there was hope. He immediately said: “Hasn’t Administrator Hua yet to hand over the authority of Prefect?”
Hua Xin sighed, “General, you do not know that even if I am still Prefect, it is useless. General of the Middle Army Lv Fan must agree. The money, property, and supplies in Nanchang are all in his hands, as is the armor!”
Gan Ning nodded lightly, “I can fetch them myself. I only seek Your Excellency to point out a clear path for me!”
“Even if I tell you, you may not be able to take them away!”
Gan Ning said sincerely: “I will not hide it from Administrator Hua. Minister of Works Cao is preparing for a great battle with Yuan Shao, but he worries Sun Ce will attack Xuchang from behind. Strategist Guo suggested Minister of Works Cao stall Sun Ce in Yuzhang Commandery or Lujiang Commandery. Minister of Works Cao thus sent me to Chaisang to use Yuzhang Commandery to stall Sun Ce, leaving him no time for the Northern Expedition.
This concerns Minister of Works Cao’s grand plan. If Your Excellency feels your future lies in Jiangdong, I will leave now. If Your Excellency believes your future lies with Cao Gong, please help me by all means.”
This was the advantage of being a transmigrator. In history, Hua Xin had done everything possible to serve Cao Cao, and even Sun Quan could not stop him.
Gan Ning’s final words convinced Hua Xin. He did not suspect Gan Ning was spouting utter nonsense with a straight face.
Hua Xin closed the room door and said in a low voice: “The granary and armory are in the barracks inside the city, but beside the barracks outside the city is a small armory, which was previously our navy armory. It has two thousand sets of armor inside, but General, be careful of the barracks outside the city. There are currently two thousand troops garrisoned there. The Commander is Han Dang, and tonight’s password is ‘heavenly treasures’!”
Gan Ning pondered and asked: “Does the armory have a key?”
“The key is with Lv Fan. The armory has an Iron Door; you definitely cannot smash it open. But there is a small side door nearby, an emergency door that has never been opened. It is a wooden door, and your only chance!”
