Chapter 155: Recruiting The Phoenix Fledgling
In the study, Xu Shu poured a full cup of wine for Pang Tong and laughed, “We scholars want to put our knowledge to practical use, to have a place to employ our full belly of learning, and to gain sufficient respect. Don’t you think so?”
Pang Tong nodded, “Elder Brother is right. At this time of rising winds and surging clouds, with heroes emerging in great numbers, we too must have discerning eyes to recognize the true lord. What does Yuan Zhi think of Cao Cao?”
Xu Shu said unhurriedly, “Cao Cao has defeated Yuan Shao, and unifying the North is already a foregone conclusion. He has secured one of the three parts of the world. If we go to join Cao Cao, it would indeed be the safest choice. Even in the worst case, we would hold a prefecture.”
“Then why hasn’t Yuan Zhi gone to join Cao Cao?” Pang Tong asked with a smile.
Xu Shu said faintly, “Our ways differ, so I will not scheme with him!”
“I see!”
“Actually, it’s not just differences in political views. More importantly, the circle around Cao Cao is already fixed, with tangled interests intertwined like roots. If we go to join now, we probably won’t even rank on the periphery. Why should I join in on this? I, Xu Yuan Zhi, would rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox.”
Pang Tong sighed, “Elder Brother is right. Others’ grand situations are already set. If we go to join them now, we can only add flowers to the brocade.”
After a pause, Pang Tong asked again, “Has General Gan’s side also already formed a fixed circle?”
Xu Shu chuckled, “General Gan’s subordinates come from all over the world, not monopolized by the Eight Great Noble Families like in Jingzhou, nor controlled by the two aristocratic groups of Huai Si and Eastern Wu in Jiangdong. Here, an interest circle has not yet formed. Ma Liang was just appointed as an order clerk by General Gan’s side upon arrival, let alone Younger Brother Shi Yuan, who has always been on General Gan’s mind?”
“General Gan knows me?” Pang Tong was both surprised and delighted.
Xu Shu nodded, “General Gan has always had two people on his mind: one is Kong Ming, and the other is you. General Gan sent people twice to invite Kong Ming, but Kong Ming did not agree. I also wrote you two letters, but heard you were traveling and not in Xiangyang.”
“Ah! I didn’t receive your letters.”
“Probably because you weren’t there. Your father worried these letters would cause trouble, so he burned them.”
“That must be it!”
Pang Tong asked delightedly again, “General Gan really knows me?”
Xu Shu smiled faintly, “Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Fledgling—obtaining one can pacify the world. How could he not know you?”
Xu Shu arranged for Pang Tong to stay, then hurried to the Wuchang Marquis Residence.
Gan Ning was reading in the study at the time when a knock came at the door. “Come in!” Gan Ning put down the book.
Da Qiao pushed the door open and curtsied, “Husband, the butler from the front just reported that Strategist Xu has urgent business with you!”
Gan Ning nodded, put down the book, and stood up. Da Qiao hurriedly fetched his long robe and draped it over him.
Gan Ning arrived at the guest room in the courtyard, where Xu Shu was pacing back and forth with hands behind his back. Gan Ning laughed, “What’s the urgent matter? Coming to find me at night?”
Xu Shu hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and saluted, “Reporting to the general, Pang Tong has arrived!”
“Phoenix Fledgling Pang Tong?”
“Exactly!”
Gan Ning was overjoyed, “Where is he now?”
“I arranged for him to stay in the Hall for Seeking the Worthy.”
“Let’s go see him now.”
Like Liu Bei, Gan Ning sought the worthy with thirst. Liu Bei stood at the door for three and a half shichen to invite Zhuge Liang; Gan Ning visited overnight to obtain Pang Tong.
Hearing Gan Ning had come to visit, Pang Tong was truly moved and hurriedly went out to greet him.
“Commoner Pang Tong pays respects to General Gan!”
Gan Ning looked at Pang Tong, who was not the short and stout figure from the Romance, with dark skin, but tall and slender, with a face like carved jade. Thinking about it, it made sense—children of noble families had good genes from their parents; few were ugly.
“I’ve long heard of the Phoenix Fledgling’s fame. I didn’t expect to meet in Chaisang. Please, Mr. Pang!”
“General, please first!”
The three entered the room and sat down. The chief steward brought tea and snacks.
After chatting idly for a few sentences, Gan Ning got to the main topic. He laughed, “Mr. Pang came from Xiangyang. Did you notice any military movements in Xiangyang?”
Pang Tong smiled faintly, “Currently, there are no anomalies, but if Liu Biao stations heavy troops in Fancheng while the navy seals the Han River, that means Liu Biao is about to send troops to Jiangxia.”
“How so?” Gan Ning asked with a smile.
“When Liu Biao attacks Jiangxia Commandery, his greatest worry is Liu Bei’s sneak attack. He must station heavy troops to defend against Liu Bei before he can strike Jiangxia. So, by observing Liu Biao’s deployments around Fancheng, we can know his next move.”
“Will Liu Biao definitely attack Jiangxia?”
“He certainly will!”
Pang Tong nodded and said, “Nanyang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery are Liu Biao’s strategic buffers. For so many years, he has slept soundly because these two commanderies are under his control. Even when he lent Wancheng to Zhang Xiu, Zhang Xiu still guarded his northern gate like Huang Zu. Liu Bei capturing Nanyang Commandery has already put Liu Biao in a passive position, but since Liu Bei has no navy, as long as Liu Biao seals the Han River, Liu Bei cannot cross.
But General, you captured Jiangxia, losing Liu Biao’s eastern gate. Especially since you have a powerful navy, it truly keeps Liu Biao awake day and night. He must send troops, or he will hardly hold Nan Commandery.”
Gan Ning nodded and asked again, “What does Mr. Pang think I should do next?”
The real major test had arrived. Pang Tong pondered for a moment and said, “I believe the general should spend heavily on intelligence, collecting intelligence on Cao Cao, on Jiangdong, on Sun Ben as well as Jingnan and Jiaozhou. Then, based on the large amount of intelligence gathered, formulate a plan: What should I do this year? What within two years? Three-year plan, five-year plan, and so on. Then, step by step accomplish this plan. Of course, first customize a long-term plan for yourself, then subdivide the long-term plan, and deploy and act around these plans.”
Gan Ning could not help but look at Pang Tong with new eyes. He could even consider five-year plans, ten-year plans, twenty-year plans. If Zhuge Liang was a genius whose strategies soared like a heavenly steed, traceless, then Pang Tong was a precise instrument, watertight—not unworthy of the Phoenix Fledgling! Indeed extraordinary.
Gan Ning pondered and asked again, “Can you be more specific?”
Pang Tong laughed, “To be specific would be too vast. Let me give the general an example. For instance, Cao Cao pacifying Hebei and Hedong—I estimate it will take about five years. Of course, this is just an example; five years is a guess and not necessarily accurate. Then, during these five years, the general should consider what to do himself. I suggest the general begin preparing for the Cao Army’s southward advance: amass grain and fodder widely, rebuild sturdy cities. Also, ships are very important. Cao Cao is strong in land warfare, with the most powerful cavalry, but his weakness is naval battle. So, the general must strengthen against his weakness. With the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and a powerful navy, Cao Cao will find it difficult to cross the Yangtze even one step.”
Gan Ning secretly praised Pang Tong’s judgment. Cao Cao indeed fully pacified the North in the twelfth year of Jian’an, five years later.
Gan Ning nodded and probed, “Does Mr. Pang think I should capture Jiangdong?”
Pang Tong shook his head, “A great war is approaching; mutual slaughter would be unwise. Moreover, attacking Jiangdong would only weaken both sides’ own military strength, which is what Cao Cao hopes for—just like Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang’s mutual slaughter, cheaply benefiting Cao Cao the fisherman. Moreover, personally, I think horizontal is not as good as vertical. Rather than seizing the horizontal Yangzhou, better to campaign against the vertical Jiaozhou.”
Pang Tong’s suggestion deeply pleased Gan Ning. Gan Ning nodded and said, “My strategist is Lu Su, and I have set up left and right deputy strategists. The left deputy strategist is Xu Shu; the right deputy strategist position is vacant. Would Mr. Pang be willing to take the post of right deputy strategist, head of intelligence?”
Pang Tong was overjoyed, stood up and saluted, “Pang Tong is willing to offer his meager strength to the general!”
