Chapter 202: Celebrating Victory
Xu Shu entered Anlu County, and the several thousand Yuzhang Army prisoners of war who had been temporarily imprisoned by the Cao Army were also released. Cao Ren originally wanted to reorganize them into Jiangxia local troops, but he did not have time.
However, what Xu Shu cared more about was the 300,000 shi of mine salt. He was very worried that the Cao Army would sink it into the Wei River, and then it would all be ruined.
Fortunately, however, the 300,000 shi of mine salt were all piled up in the warehouses. Nan Commandery also needed salt, and Cao Ren wanted to transport this batch of mine salt back to Nan Commandery as spoils of war, but in the end it was recaptured by the Yuzhang Army.
Xu Shu picked up his brush to write the report, pondered for a long time, but did not know how to write this battle report.
He should first discuss it with a few generals! Listen to their opinions.
On the city wall, Xu Shu consulted Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and General Taishi: “What do the three generals think? How should we write this report?”
Huang Zhong thought for a moment and said: “This subordinate suggests telling the truth. When troop strength was equal, we were no match for the opponent. It was precisely because we had an additional 25,000 troops that we ultimately achieved victory over the opponent.”
Zhao Yun also said: “Old General Huang is right. The opponent’s combat experience was clearly superior to ours, especially their soldiers’ coordination was very tacit. I felt it deeply. Our soldiers lack actual combat experience and coordination is not as good as the opponent’s. If General Taishi had not arrived in time, we would have undoubtedly lost this battle.”
General Taishi smiled faintly: “Although the enemy army was very strong, I think the strategist’s planning and deployment was the key to our victory. Halfway through the march, I received the strategist’s urgent orders three times. The strategist knew that my army could only win if it arrived in time. Without the strategist’s timely urging, with normal marching speed, I might have arrived half a day late.”
Huang Zhong laughed: “I was wondering how he arrived so timely. It turns out it was the result of the strategist’s urging.”
Zhao Yun sighed: “Yes! If it had really been half a day late, we would have been completely defeated. This time it was the strategist’s merit, undeniable.”
Xu Shu waved his hand and sighed: “You don’t need to think so highly of me. I don’t have such strong planning and deployment ability, precise to the opponent’s troop deployment time—that’s impossible. I was just very worried that the opponent would defeat us one by one, so I considered assembling the two armies as soon as possible.
That’s why I urged General Taishi to speed up the march several times. I didn’t expect it to coincide exactly with the critical moment of the fierce battle between the two armies. This is heaven’s will, heaven’s will!”
Xu Shu immediately sent a carrier pigeon letter reporting the result, then wrote a formal report, incorporating the three men’s opinions, and dispatched someone to send it urgently to Chaisang.
After arranging the report, Xu Shu immediately dispatched troops north to recapture Pingjing Pass. The Cao Army had withdrawn from Pingjing Pass, leaving it an empty pass. Xu Shu learned his lesson and reinforced each pass with 2,000 troops, garrisoned by loyal veteran generals.
Gan Ning received Xu Shu’s carrier pigeon letter express report at noon the next day. This was their first victory over the Cao Army’s elite troops, of great significance, absolutely worth celebrating. Gan Ning ordered the whole city to beat gongs and drums in celebration of the victory.
Two days later, Xu Shu’s formal report arrived. After reading it, Gan Ning asked Lu Su: “Strategist, what are your thoughts on this report?”
Lu Su smiled and said: “Xu Strategist attributes their victory to heaven’s will in the report. I think they are being modest. Without officers and soldiers fighting desperately on the battlefield, without daily hard training, without Xu Shu’s meticulous deployment, no amount of heaven’s will would lead to success.”
Gan Ning nodded: “You’re right. Xu Strategist says General Taishi’s timely arrival was heaven’s will, but without his meticulous deployment, even with heaven’s will, General Taishi would not have arrived in time. This time they defeated Cao Cao’s elite army. I must reward them well. The report says they captured 100,000 guan qian in copper coins. We will add 200,000 pi of cloth and reward the officers and soldiers together. Fallen soldiers should receive double pensions.”
“Rest assured, General. This subordinate will arrange it properly!”
Gan Ning celebrated the victory with the high officials. By the time he returned to the manor, it was already dark. Da Qiao heard that her husband was a bit drunk, so she personally brought Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao out to greet him.
Da Qiao quickly gave Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao a look, and the two hurried forward to support Gan Ning.
“Go to the study first!”
The three helped their husband to the study and settled him half-reclining.
“Husband, do you want hot water to wipe your body?”
Gan Ning waved his hand: “No need. Today was fine, just drank a few extra cups. Give me some water!”
“Coming!”
Xiao Qiao brought a large bowl of warm tea water. Gan Ning gulped it down and let out a long breath: “That hits the spot!”
“Husband, why did you think of drinking today?”
“Didn’t you hear the whole city beating gongs and drums today?”
“We did. They say we won?”
Gan Ning nodded with a smile: “We defeated the Cao Army’s elite in Jiangxia. It’s a great joyous occasion, so the whole city is celebrating. We went to drink and celebrate together.”
“I see. No wonder husband drank so much.”
“Wife, go rest! I’m a bit sleepy today too.”
“Then I’ll go first. I’ll have them come back to take care of you right away.”
Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao helped Da Qiao back. Back in their own room, Da Qiao thought for a moment and said to Xiao Qiao: “Tonight Xu Wei might not be able to take care of husband alone. You stay here tonight too.”
Xiao Qiao said nervously: “Elder sister—”
Da Qiao glared at her: “This is what you should do. If you’re unwilling, I can have husband write you a divorce letter!”
Xiao Qiao lowered her head: “Alright.”
Xiao Qiao carried a bucket of hot water into the study. The two together helped their husband wash his face and feet, then helped him upstairs to lie down. A wave of sleepiness came over him, and Gan Ning quickly fell asleep.
“Yun Qing, where should I sleep tonight?”
“Up to you. If you want to sleep alone, there’s a small bed in the inner room. If you want the big bed, squeeze in next to me!”
“I’m not used to sleeping with him. I’ll sleep on the small bed! Or, you sleep on the small bed with me?”
Xu Wei shook her head: “Tonight in the middle of the night, husband will definitely need to get up. I have to be by his side.”
“Alright then! I’ll sleep alone.”
Xiao Qiao reluctantly went to the inner room alone.
Xu Wei removed her outer garments and long skirt, lay down beside her husband in her underclothes, hugged his waist, pressed her face to his back, felt his warmth, and sighed happily.
Xu Wei thought of Xiao Qiao again and couldn’t help laughing: ‘This silly girl won’t pursue her own happiness.’
Suddenly, she felt someone lie down beside her. Turning her head, it was Xiao Qiao.
“Eh! What made you change your mind?”
Xiao Qiao pouted: “I’m afraid you won’t be able to manage alone at night.”
“Fine, go to sleep! I’ll call you if there’s anything.”
Xiao Qiao hesitated: “Why are you hugging him to sleep?”
“He’s my husband. Of course I hug him. Just because you don’t want to doesn’t mean I don’t!”
At this moment, Xu Wei suddenly thought of a serious problem. What if husband wanted to make love with her in the middle of the night? Wouldn’t it be right in front of Xiao Qiao?
That wouldn’t do. She quickly whispered a few words in Xiao Qiao’s ear. Xiao Qiao’s eyes widened: “Will he?”
“Hard to say. He’s drunk a lot, he might just confusedly take you.”
“Then I’ll go sleep in the small room!”
Xiao Qiao didn’t want her first time to happen so confusedly. She quickly got up and returned to the small room.
In the middle of the night, Xiao Qiao was suddenly awakened by a strange sound, like panting, like moaning.
She suddenly thought of something, her heart pounding. She quickly got up, tiptoed barefoot to the door, peeked toward the big bed, and suddenly covered her mouth, eyes wide open. Oh my god! What did she see?
At this moment, Xiao Qiao’s eyes could no longer look away.
