Chapter 168: Emergency Deployment
The carrier pigeon message from Wanling County arrived in Chaisang on the same day.
The intelligence that Danyang Commandery had been sneak attacked and fallen by Sun Ben equally shocked Gan Ning and his subordinates. This event truly happened too suddenly, and no one was psychologically prepared.
Gan Ning immediately summoned military and political high officials for an emergency discussion on the sudden change in Danyang Commandery.
The deputy strategist in charge of intelligence, Pang Tong, stood up and said to everyone: “The intelligence came from our Wanling intelligence station, and its credibility is very high. Moreover, from two years of intelligence on Sun Ben, he has been preparing for war. He built hundreds of large mengchong warships in Hefei, so launching a surprise attack on Danyang Commandery at the turn of autumn and winter is reasonable and caught Jiangdong off guard.”
Lu Su also said: “Sun Ben has deep roots in Danyang Commandery after many years of cultivation. Once he occupies Danyang, with widespread support, it will be very difficult for Jiangdong to take back Danyang Commandery. Danyang Commandery is too important to Sun Ben. Even if Cao Cao applies pressure, I estimate Sun Ben will not yield this time.”
Gan Ning nodded and said to everyone: “Everyone, Danyang Commandery has nothing to do with us for the time being. What I am considering is Lujiang Commandery. This is our opportunity to capture Lujiang Commandery.”
“The general is right!”
Jiang Wan slowly said: “This is indeed a good opportunity for us to capture Lujiang Commandery. If I am not mistaken, Jiangdong may even ask us for help to deal with Sun Ben together. That will be our opportunity to capture Lujiang Commandery.”
Xu Sheng laughed: “Chief Clerk Jiang, we cannot capture Lujiang Commandery according to Jiangdong’s rhythm. We must arrange our own plan.”
Jiang Wan was very open-minded and chuckled: “General Xu is right. The initiative should be in our own hands. I did not consider it thoroughly.”
Gan Ning waved his hand: “Attacking Lujiang is not something we can do just like that. We also need sufficient preparation. We ignore Jiangdong and proceed at our own pace. If we happen to encounter Jiangdong’s request, we can proceed together, but we still prioritize our own goals and rhythm. Strategist Xu, you are fully responsible for the preparations in Lujiang.”
Xu Shu bowed and said: “Understood!”
In fact, after the battle in Jiangxia Commandery, a large amount of money and grain supplies were directly transported to Wan County as preparations for attacking Lujiang Commandery.
Xu Shu also transported a large number of siege weapons and armor to Wancheng County, additionally replenished 200,000 shi of grain to Wan County, and simultaneously mobilized Taishi Ci’s troops, Zhao Yun’s troops, and Xu Sheng’s troops—three armies totaling 45,000 men—to secretly rush to Lujiang Commandery.
While the Yuzhang Army was fully preparing for war, outside the Marquis of Wu’s government office in Dantu County, the 16-year-old Ling Jing knelt bare-chested on the steps. In front of him was placed a piece of white silk, on which four large characters were written in blood: ‘Blood Debt Blood Repaid’.
At this time, Zhang Zhao came out, sighed, and tried to help Ling Jing up, but Ling Jing remained motionless. Zhang Zhao slowly said: “Get up! The Marquis of Wu has agreed to your request.”
Ling Jing suddenly raised his head: “Really?”
Zhang Zhao nodded: “From now on, you are appointed as the commandant of the North Army’s 13th camp!”
Zhang Zhao turned back and gave a look, and immediately two soldiers came forward to drape clothes over Ling Jing.
“Little General Ling, hear me out a bit more. Previously, the Marquis of Wu was unwilling to agree not because you are young, but because the hatred in your heart is too heavy. The Marquis of Wu was very worried that you would ruin major affairs for revenge. So the Marquis of Wu has only one requirement for you: strictly obey military orders. If you violate military orders and are executed, do not blame the Marquis of Wu.”
Ling Jing silently nodded.
Inside the Marquis of Wu’s official residence, the high officials engaged in fierce debate over whether to launch the first major battle. The military generals actively advocated proactively attacking northern Danyang Commandery, while the civil officials unanimously opposed hasty advancement, as it would lead to defeat.
Huang Gai said loudly: “Sun Ben’s army that crossed the river has only 20,000 men; the rest are armies conscripted after crossing the river. Their integration is not yet complete, their coordination is not proficient, and the soldiers need time for training. Only less than a month has passed, which is far from enough time. We must go to battle as soon as possible and launch an attack while the enemy army has not completed integration and training, to recapture the northern region.”
Cheng Jin also said: “Marquis of Wu, General Huang is right. Insufficient training is currently the enemy army’s greatest weakness. We must seize this weakness of theirs. This is not a small opportunity.”
“I oppose!”
Lv Fan said loudly: “The army is not prepared, grain and logistics are all inadequate. If we rashly attack, we are very likely to suffer a disastrous defeat!”
Zhang Zhao also agreed: “Chief Clerk Lv has hit the key point. War is fought with national strength. If we are not fully prepared, we will fail. Once we fail, it will be very hard to have a chance to turn things around.”
At this time, Zhou Yu slowly said: “Marquis of Wu, let me say a few words!”
“Governor, please speak!”
Zhou Yu sighed: “Actually, I lean more towards attacking. Logistics can be fast if needed—directly transport by large ships to the south bank of the Yangtze River. For example, we first capture Jiangcheng County, which is close to the Yangtze River and very suitable as a logistics base. When the army arrives there, the supply fleet will arrive simultaneously. Marquis of Wu, supplies are not a problem. The problem now is our resolve. Dantu County is too close to Danyang Commandery. The enemy army can charge and kill their way to Dantu County in one go. We cannot delay any longer.”
Zhou Yu’s last sentence hit Sun Quan’s heart ailment. Dantu County was too close to Danyang Commandery, only fifty li apart—a single charge and they would arrive.
At this moment, Sun Quan finally made up his mind. He slammed the desk heavily and said sternly: “Where are Cheng Jin and Huang Gai?”
Cheng Jin and Huang Gai hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: “This subordinate is here!”
“I give you 30,000 troops. Capture Jiangcheng County and Niuzhu Ferry Crossing for me within ten days, without fail!”
Cheng Jin and Huang Gai solemnly nodded: “This subordinate obeys the order!”
Three days later, the Jiangdong Army and Sun Ben’s Army erupted into the first major battle around Jiangcheng County in Danyang Commandery. Cheng Jin as commander and Huang Gai as deputy general led 30,000 troops to meet the 30,000 troops commanded by Han Dang.
They originally had the deepest friendship, but now they had no choice but to fight for their respective lords on the battlefield, with both sides’ commanders leading their armies in bloody combat.
In this battle, both sides were evenly matched. They fought continuously for three days across more than twenty battlefields of all sizes. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, each losing over 10,000 soldiers. In the end, it ended in a draw. The Jiangdong Army occupied Jiangcheng County, while Sun Ben’s Army held Niuzhu.
Immediately after, Sun Ben reinforced with 20,000 more troops, coordinating with Han Dang’s 20,000 troops. Their 40,000-strong army surrounded Jiangcheng County.
As Lv Fan had predicted, although the supply ships arrived at the Yangtze River bank of Jiangcheng County, they could not deliver the grain supplies into the city.
The Jiangdong Army’s 20,000 troops could only rely on the county town’s scant stored grain to get by. Even scraping together all the stored grain, they could not hold out for ten days.
Cheng Jin and Huang Zhong both grew anxious. They now had only two options: either break out and retreat, or urge reinforcements to arrive.
After five days of stalemate with no reinforcements from Dantu County arriving, Cheng Jin and Huang Gai decided to break out after repeated discussions.
At nightfall, the city gate of Jiangcheng County opened, the drawbridge lowered, and 20,000 troops swarmed out, charging fiercely at the enemy army’s defensive barracks.
Han Dang gave them an opportunity, leaving open an escape route.
The 20,000 troops fought their way out through a bloody path and retreated to Wu Commandery.
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【Sorry, Old Gao is a bit sick today. Please have one chapter at noon instead】
