Chapter 225: Jiaozhou Strategy
On the same day that Gan Ning inspected Chu County and returned to Chaisang, over a thousand cargo ships transporting 300,000 shi of mine salt arrived at Chaisang, but the ships only stopped temporarily. After officials in Chaisang inspected the goods, they continued south to unload at the salt warehouse in Nanchang.
Gan Ning stepped off the military ship and happened to see the large cargo ships docked at the dock. The cargo ships were tightly wrapped with oiled cloth, and over a thousand large cargo ships were also anchored on the river surface.
“Strategist, what are these supplies?”
Lu Su thought for a moment and said, “These past two days, a batch of mine salt is coming. It should be mine salt, fully 300,000 shi.”
The mine salt will be inspected and registered in Chaisang, then transported to Nanchang for storage.
At this time, Gan Ning suddenly remembered something and said to Lu Su, “After returning to the government office, there’s something I need to discuss with everyone. Have everyone come! Hold a military and political affairs meeting.”
Just as noon arrived, Gan Ning returned to the government office to rest for a moment, then sent people to invite all the high officials.
Before long, the seven high officials all arrived at the meeting hall.
Gan Ning slowly said to everyone, “This period of time, I’ve been considering why Cao Cao attacked the Wuhuan. Besides annihilating the remnants of the Yuan Clan, a major reason was to prevent trouble in his backyard. The Wuhuan people’s ambitions are too great and already threaten the safety of Youzhou. Once Youzhou is invaded by the Wuhuan people, Hebei would be in danger. How could Cao Cao feel at ease to head south? So Cao Cao must annihilate the Wuhuan, but we also have hidden troubles!”
Lu Su immediately understood, “Marquis of Chu means Jiaozhou?”
Gan Ning nodded, “Jiaozhou has always been loyal to the Imperial Court. Governor Zhang Jin is said to be seriously ill with few days left. Once Zhang Jin dies, who will take over Jiaozhou? Without accident, it should be Prefect of Jiaozhi Commandery Shi Xie. He controls the Three Commanderies of Jiaozhi and currently has the strongest strength.”
Jiang Wan laughed, “Marquis of Chu wants to take advantage of Zhang Jin’s serious illness to capture Jiaozhou?”
Gan Ning pondered for a moment and said, “Previously, we hadn’t even recovered the Jingnan Three Commanderies, so of course we wouldn’t consider Jiaozhou. But last year we already recovered the Jingnan Three Commanderies, so it’s time to start considering Jiaozhou. Not only does Jiaozhou directly threaten the Jingnan Three Commanderies and Changsha Commandery, but Jiaozhou also has rich resources. It’s said that the rice in Jiaozhi Commandery can yield two harvests a year, with over a thousand jin per mu, while our winter wheat yields only over three hundred jin per mu! There are also oils, wood, and cotton. More importantly, Jiaozhou is by the sea. If we take Jiaozhou, our salt source will be completely solved.”
Lu Su laughed, “So today Lord saw the mine salt ships and thought of Jiaozhou’s salt.”
“Exactly right!”
Everyone immediately burst into laughter, and Gan Ning couldn’t help but laugh too. He then held back his laughter, waved his hand, and said, “Everyone, please hear me out!”
Everyone quieted down, and Gan Ning then said, “Once the Cao Army’s main force launches a large-scale southward campaign, Jiangxia Commandery will inevitably fall. We all have this mental preparation. What I worry about is Jiangdong. Once Jiangdong is bought off or threatened by Cao Cao and cuts off our sea salt source, how much salt do our millions of people need in a year? How many years can our inventory last?
So to prepare for a rainy day, we must develop a second salt source. Taking Jiaozhou, we will also have coastline, completely solving the salt problem. Secondly, the rice in Jiaozhi Commandery—if we can introduce the rice seed and make our rice also yield two harvests a year, then we can support a large population, and unifying the South will be just around the corner.”
Gan Ning’s words resonated with everyone. Indeed, a man without long-term worries will have immediate troubles. It’s hard to guarantee that Jiangdong won’t be coerced by Cao Cao, cutting off their sea salt purchases.
At this time, Bu Zhi slowly said, “Reporting to Marquis of Chu, this subordinate previously went to Changsha Commandery and chatted a lot with Prefectural Assistant Xu Jing about Jiaozhou matters. Currently, Jiaozhou actually has scattered major forces. One is Zhang Jin’s force, which controls Cangwu Commandery, Nanhai Commandery, and Hepu Commandery, occupying most of Jiaozhou with 30,000 troops. Zhang Jin himself is stationed in Guangxin County of Cangwu Commandery, very close to our Guiyang Commandery.
The second largest force is Prefect of Jiaozhi Commandery Shi Xie, who controls Jiaozhi Commandery, Jiuzhen Commandery, and Rinan Commandery, with 20,000 troops. The third largest force is Prefect of Yulin Commandery Wu Ju. He was originally Liu Biao’s man, but now it’s said he has surrendered to Cao Cao. He is the weakest of the three major forces, with 8,000 troops.
Interestingly, these three forces are nominally loyal to the Imperial Court, but actually loyal to Cao Cao. However, these years they have been openly and covertly fighting, each eager to swallow the other. If Zhang Jin dies, then Shi Xie and Wu Ju’s opportunity will come. Of course, they are more likely to fight each other first.”
“Why?” Gan Ning asked.
“Because Yulin Commandery exactly blocks the northern route from Jiaozhi Commandery. If Shi Xie wants to seize Zhang Jin’s base, he must first pass through Yulin Commandery. Wu Ju certainly won’t give him that opportunity. This subordinate believes they will definitely erupt in internal strife first. If we can take advantage of this opportunity to swallow Zhang Jin’s Cangwu Commandery and take his 30,000 troops, then we will have a foothold in Jiaozhou and can continue to attack Wu Ju and annihilate Shi Xie.”
Lu Su also said delightedly, “Marquis of Chu, Zhang Jin is seriously ill, which is indeed our opportunity. We can use both civil and military approaches: first send Xu Jing to visit Zhang Jin’s condition, hoping Zhang Jin will prioritize the big picture and hand over the three commanderies he controls to us. If Zhang Jin doesn’t agree, then we directly attack Cangwu Commandery.”
Gan Ning thought for a moment and asked, “Can the Ling Canal still be navigated now?”
The Ling Canal is the famous canal dug in the Qin Dynasty. It connects the Xiang River and the Li River. Its most important role is military: ships can transport grain and supplies to Jiaozhou. The Qin Dynasty built it for the purpose of conquering Lingnan.
“Reporting to Marquis of Chu, the Ling Canal can still be used normally!”
Gan Ning nodded lightly and said to Bu Zhi, “Attacking Jiaozhou, I entrust to Sima Bu. Before the Cao Army launches a large-scale southern attack, we thoroughly take Jiaozhou.”
In history, the Eastern Wu famous general who captured Jiaozhou was precisely Bu Zhi. Gan Ning believed he could also take Jiaozhou for him.
Bu Zhi bowed in salute, “This subordinate is willing to take Jiaozhou for Lord!”
Everyone departed, and Bu Zhi also hurriedly returned to the official residence. He needed to write a report. Actually, he had ideas long ago; now he just needed to put them in writing.
In Gan Ning’s official residence, only Lu Su remained.
Lu Su pondered for a moment and said, “Is Marquis of Chu’s plan to attack Jiaozhou a bit too hasty?”
Gan Ning shook his head, “Actually, I had this idea when I took Changsha Commandery. At that time, I wanted to press on and take Guiyang Commandery, then continue the southern campaign to Cangwu Commandery. But I was worried about Liu Biao counterattacking Changsha Commandery, so I temporarily gave up the idea. Now Zhang Jin is about to die, the opportunity has finally come—how can we not seize it?”
Lu Su nodded, “This is indeed an opportunity, but why does Marquis of Chu want Bu Zhi as commander? Wouldn’t Xu Shu or Pang Tong be better?”
Gan Ning laughed, “When Bu Zhi mentioned his conversation with Xu Jing, I understood his intention. He wants to make meritorious service: on one hand to raise his status, on the other to prove his loyalty to me. Since Bu Zhi is eager, I’ll give him the opportunity.”
Lu Su sighed, “Since Marquis of Chu has decided, we must start preparations. Choose a logistics hub—how about Shi’an County?”
Shi’an County is today’s Guilin. It is located in the southernmost part of Lingling Commandery, backed by the Li River—a very good strategic location.
Gan Ning nodded delightedly, “Shi’an County is good!”
