Chapter 239: Signs In The North
After the army rested for three days, it continued south, capturing Jiuzhen Commandery and Rinan Commandery in one go, obtaining a large amount of high-quality rice seeds, namely Zhan Cheng Rice.
In addition, many famous scholars from Jiaozhou, such as Yuan Hui, Liu Ba, Cheng Bing, Xue Zong, Xu Ci, and others, have also expressed their willingness to pledge loyalty to the Marquis of Chu.
But regrettably, Shi Xie, his sons, and brothers were not found. Based on various clues, Shi Xie, his sons, and brothers likely fled to Lin Yi Kingdom, though there are also reports that the Shi Xie family sailed away by ship.
Bu Zhi immediately appointed Prefectural Assistant Yuan Hui of Jiaozhi Commandery as Prefect, and ordered Commandant Chen Lang to lead ten thousand surrendered troops from Jiaozhi to garrison Jiaozhi Commandery permanently. Although they were surrendered soldiers, almost all the generals were from the Western Chu Army.
Additionally, the five thousand Jiaozhou troops that Shi Xie took from Hepu Commandery directly surrendered. This batch of troops had not pledged loyalty to Shi Xie; they had been waiting for an opportunity.
After Longbian County caught fire, these five thousand soldiers directly surrendered to the Western Chu Army, and this batch of troops would follow the southern campaign army north.
Three days later, the southern campaign army triumphantly returned.
At the same time, Cao Cao in the North also formally ended the war against the Yuan Clan. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang brothers, just like in history, were killed by Gongsun Kang, and their heads were sent to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao also formally announced the move of the capital to Yecheng.
It was now midsummer in July, and Cao Cao had long returned from Liaodong. With the North pacified, Cao Cao began considering military action against the South.
However, Cao Cao did not plan to send troops this year. On one hand, it would be too hasty; on the other, the Northern campaign had just ended, the soldiers were very fatigued and needed to rest for a year or half a year. Another reason was the shortage of ships; Xuchang was now fully focused on building ships.
Although there were no plans to send troops south this year, active preparations for war were necessary. Besides preparations, there was another important issue unresolved: the strategic direction for their southern campaign.
Was it the Xiangyang line or the Hefei line? Cao Cao truly could not decide, but this issue could not be delayed any longer; it had to be settled quickly, otherwise preparations would be difficult.
In the official residence, Cao Cao was discussing this strategic direction issue with several strategists.
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and smiled at Cao Cao: “Chancellor, you overlooked an important matter: warships. It is said that hundreds of warships have already been built in Xuchang. So how do these warships reach the Yangtze River from Xuchang? There is no river passage from Xuchang to Xiangyang, but there is a river connection from Xuchang to Hefei. The warships can only go to Hefei, so our strategic direction can only be the Hefei line.”
Xun Yu also smiled: “Chancellor, Strategist Cheng’s opinion is very correct. The ships force us to choose only the Hefei line. We can also collect a large number of ships from the Yellow River, various large cargo ships, and use Hefei as the center for the southern campaign to transport large amounts of supplies to Hefei. Then from Hefei, we can campaign against Lujiang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery, unifying the north of the river.”
Cao Cao nodded repeatedly, “Everyone has spoken very well!”
Cao Cao glanced at Chen Qun and smiled: “Changwen, do you have any good ideas?”
Chen Qun stroked his beard unhurriedly: “Nan Commandery has repeatedly suffered raids by Gan Ning and has hardly any ships left. Gan Ning’s navy is powerful. If we attack Yuzhang Commandery, there will be no opportunity. On the contrary, the opportunity lies in Jiangdong, especially with Sun Ben. Whether we can cross the river depends on him. Chancellor, you have supported him for so many years; now it’s time for him to contribute. On the whole, I also favor the Hefei line.”
Cao Cao nodded, “Since everyone has chosen the Hefei line, we will settle on it. The southern campaign will take the Hefei line, with Hefei County as the center, for comprehensive preparations.”
Cao Cao finally settled on the Hefei line for the southern campaign. He immediately ordered large amounts of grain and supplies to be transported to Hefei County, and commanded Cao Ren as Commander and Zhang Liao as Deputy General to lead one hundred thousand troops to garrison Hefei County ahead of time.
In the official residence, Cao Cao pointed at the map to Cao Ren and Zhang Liao: “Although our southern campaign is scheduled for next year, the battle to unify the north of the river can begin this year. Previously, you suffered heavy losses at the Han River. Now from Hefei to Lujiang Commandery, it’s all land routes, which poses no problem for you. I hope to take Lujiang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery before the end of the year, completing unification north of the river.”
Cao Ren and Zhang Liao bowed together: “We will certainly not fail the Chancellor’s heavy trust!”
“Additionally, be wary of Gan Ning’s sneak attacks. Learn from the lesson of Jiangxia Commandery last time; do not be careless!”
The news of Cao Cao mobilizing troops on a large scale from Xuchang and transporting grain, supplies, and ships south by water was immediately discovered by Western Chu Army intelligence scouts in Xuchang. Two carrier pigeon letters immediately flew to Chaisang.
At this time, Chaisang’s Intelligence Department had been continuously receiving intelligence from various places, including the news from Guangling Commandery that fifty thousand Cao Army troops had left Guangling County for Jiujiang Commandery, intelligence from Hefei County that the government office was conscripting laborers to expand the warehouse, and troops transferred from various places were continuously arriving in Chaisang.
Soon, the intelligence carrier pigeon letter from Xuchang also arrived in Chaisang.
In the official residence, Gan Ning gathered the three strategists to discuss countermeasures. Jiang Wan and Yin Mo had gone to Xia Zhi County to inspect the mines, Bu Zhi had not returned, and the Chief Clerk and Sima were absent, so military and political affairs meetings could not be held. Thus, Gan Ning consulted with the three strategists.
Lu Su said: “I previously believed they would not take the Xiangyang line, because Cao Cao is building warships in Xuchang. The warships are built, but there is no river between Xuchang and Xiangyang, making navigation impossible. The warships can only go to the Yangtze River and then turn to Nan Commandery, which is obviously unfeasible. The current situation has become clear: Cao Cao chose the eastern Hefei line, which is why he is massing troops, grain, and supplies in Hefei and expanding the warehouse. It was decided from the moment shipbuilding began in Xuchang.”
Xu Shu also smiled: “Cao Cao appointed Cao Ren and Zhang Liao as Commander and Deputy General. Does the Marquis of Chu understand the intention behind this appointment?”
Gan Ning smiled faintly: “This reminds me of the Battle of Jiangxia Commandery!”
“Exactly right. The Battle of Jiangxia Commandery was Cao Ren’s shame, keeping him depressed for a long time. For Cao Ren to rise again, he must fight once more in Jiangxia Commandery. Therefore, my subordinate believes the reason for appointing Cao Ren is that Cao Cao plans to first capture Lujiang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery, unifying the north of the river. From this judgment, a river crossing battle will not erupt in the second half of this year, but the north of the river battle certainly will.”
Xu Shu saw through it thoroughly and accurately; Gan Ning greatly admired it, so what they would face in the second half of the year was the north of the river battle.
Gan Ning glanced at Pang Tong and saw him silent for a long time, so he asked: “Strategist Pang, do you have any good ideas?”
Pang Tong slowly said: “My subordinate is considering how to respond to Cao Cao’s river crossing battle. If I am not mistaken, the river crossing battle will still use Sun Ben as the vanguard, with Sun Ben responsible for capturing several counties along the river in Danyang Commandery, establishing a foothold, after which the Cao Army will follow with a large southward advance. I am very worried that Jiangdong cannot hold out; then we will be in danger.”
Gan Ning paced back and forth in the room. Pang Tong’s worry was correct. Last time Sun Ben sneak attacked Danyang Commandery, it proved that the Jiangdong Army was actually very weak, or rather riddled with internal contradictions. Once Jiangdong could not hold against the Cao Army and Cao Cao succeeded, Yuzhang Commandery would be in danger. After all, Jiangdong and Yuzhang Commandery had a lips and teeth relationship.
At this moment, Gan Ning finally realized that the Battle of Chibi had not changed because of his arrival; it had manifested in another way.
The foundation and essence of the Battle of Chibi had not changed: one strong against two weak, and the two weak ones would inevitably form an alliance.
Thinking of this, Gan Ning said resolutely: “We must form a second alliance with Jiangdong, not for Jiangdong, but for ourselves!”
