Chapter 97: Armchair Strategizing
Taishi Ci received Gan Ning’s approval and was immediately overjoyed. He promptly discussed the offensive plan with Xu Shu.
At that moment, a soldier delivered the latest intelligence from a carrier pigeon message from Wan County.
After reading the intelligence, Taishi Ci snorted coldly, “Sun He has led two thousand troops to Wan County again. I didn’t expect that the commander of Wan County would ultimately be Sun He and Xu Qian!”
“Does the general know them?”
Taishi Ci said slowly: “When I was garrisoned in Shouchun, I already knew Xu Qian. This man was originally a local strongman from Hefei County in Jiujiang Commandery. That year, he raised the flag in rebellion together with Zheng Bao and had allied with Zheng Bao. After Zheng Bao was destroyed, he continued to be active in the northern part of Chao Lake with more than twenty thousand men, but I didn’t know he had become Sun Ben’s man.”
Xu Shu smiled faintly: “I know the later situation. When Li Shu rebelled in Jiujiang Commandery, he joined Li Shu’s army and was appointed as commandant of Shouchun, leading twenty thousand men to garrison Shouchun. When Sun Ben entered Jiujiang Commandery, he made great contributions and was enfeoffed by Sun Ben as Sima of Lujiang Commandery.”
“So that’s how it is!”
Taishi Ci thought for a moment and then said: “Then, could most of the twenty thousand troops in Wan County be Xu Qian’s former subordinates?”
Xu Shu nodded, “Very likely. Guangling Commandery is nominally Sun Ben’s base, but the defense is controlled by Great General Le Jin leading twenty thousand Cao Army troops. Sun Ben only obtained government affairs authority. Jiujiang Commandery is controlled by Sun Ben’s direct twenty thousand troops.
So where did Xu Qian’s twenty thousand troops go? There’s only one possibility: they followed Xu Qian to Lujiang Commandery. Therefore, the continuous reinforcements in Wan County are not troops from Jiujiang Commandery, but troops from Shu County, exactly twenty thousand men.”
Xu Shu’s analysis was reasonable and very likely the truth. Taishi Ci smiled again: “There’s also Prefect Sun He. I know him very well. This man is actually a scholar and extremely arrogant, assuming things as he likes, so Sun Ce’s evaluation of him back then was Zhao Kuo the second.”
“Likes to talk on paper?”
Taishi Ci nodded, “Although Sun He is the prefect, he is the true decision-maker for the Wan County army. The strategist’s schemes are very useful against someone like Sun He. Although Xu Qian is from rebel origins, he is very cunning and won’t be easily deceived. But meeting Sun He is his destined doom.”
Xu Shu was overjoyed, “In that case, proceed according to the original plan!”
In fact, Sun Ben did not attach much importance to capturing Xunyang County. Xunyang County had only a mere five thousand troops. With Xu Qian’s twenty thousand troops and ten thousand fire oil bottles to assist in battle, it was enough to crush Gan Ning in one battle.
Last autumn, he had ordered Lujiang Commandery Prefect Sun He and Xu Qian to drive Gan Ning’s forces out of Lujiang Commandery when spring began next year.
After inspecting Shucheng County last winter, Sun Ben returned directly to Jiujiang Commandery without even going to Wan County. He was somewhat uneasy about Xu Qian and appointed Prefect Sun He as supervisor of the army, nominally to assist Xu Qian in handling military affairs, but actually seizing Xu Qian’s army command authority.
Sun He was Sun Jian’s adopted son, originally surnamed Yu, later changed to Sun. Sun He had a deep friendship with Sun Ben. After the two Suns split, Sun He went north to follow Sun Ben.
At noon, Xu Qian suddenly received a carrier pigeon message from Wankou. A fleet of three hundred large ships had sailed from the Yangtze River into the Wanshui River. Xu Qian immediately became tense and hurried to discuss countermeasures with Sun He.
Sun He was in his early thirties, tall and slender, with a very handsome appearance, quite elegant and poised. Moreover, being accomplished in both civil and military affairs, he was deeply favored by Sun Jian and his wife, who took him as their adopted son.
As the Prefect of Lujiang Commandery, Sun He had been stationed in Shu County. He had only arrived in Wan County three days ago, preparing to lead the attack on Xunyang County.
After hearing Xu Qian’s report, Sun He was stunned, “Could this be our fleet?”
Xu Qian quickly shook his head: “The flag is from Xu Sheng’s army at Pengze, but I don’t know what Xu Sheng means by sending troops?”
Sun He thought about it and understood. He snorted disdainfully, “Can’t you see? The enemy plans to coordinate with Taishi Ci to launch an active offensive against us.”
At this time, a soldier came to report, “A carrier pigeon letter from scouts in Xunyang County: Taishi Ci has led five thousand troops out of Xunyang County!”
Sun He laughed, “Indeed as I expected. These two are joining forces to attack Wan County. I have a plan to defeat them decisively!”
Xu Qian hurriedly asked: “What brilliant plan does the prefect have?”
Sun He pondered for a moment, pretending to be profound: “There is a very narrow section of the Wanshui River. We send a surprise attack force to ambush by the riverbank at night. When the enemy fleet appears, directly attack their warships with fire oil bottles and burn them clean with a fire.”
Xu Qian hesitated and said: “The enemy’s troop strength is unknown. This subordinate suggests not taking this risk. It is more appropriate to defend the city steadily. What does the general think?”
The other party did not agree with him. A flash of annoyance passed through Sun He’s eyes. He truly looked down on this boorish upstart who had never read a day of military books. What did he know?
“I guess General Xu has not read military books! As the military books say, in all battles, meet with the orthodox and win with the unorthodox. The orthodox is the foundation of the unorthodox, the unorthodox is the supplement to the orthodox. Defending the city is orthodox, launching a surprise attack force is supplementary. Only this way can we annihilate the Yuzhang Army and capture Xunyang County in one stroke.”
“This subordinate comes from humble origins and indeed has not read military books.”
Xu Qian was suppressed by Sun He’s momentum and had no choice but to ask: “How many troops does the general plan to send?”
Sun He waved his hand, “The entire fire oil camp attacks!”
Xu Qian was shocked and hurriedly advised: “General, still leave some soldiers and fire oil! In case”
“In case of what?”
Sun He unceremoniously interrupted Xu Qian. He was truly fed up with this boor who had no courage, knew nothing, and still thought highly of himself.
“We don’t have many fire oil soldiers or fire oil bottles to begin with. Sending too few troops may not destroy the enemy fleet. Leaving a little is useless for defending the city. Better to send the entire army and go all out!”
Xu Qian was very slick. He realized he could not offend the Sun Family people, or there would be no good end for him. Understanding this, he went along with Sun He’s words and smiled: “The prefect is right. Since it’s an ambush on the enemy, of course we must go all out!”
Sun He nodded smugly and said to Xu Qian: “To deal with the fleet, three thousand fire oil soldiers are enough. We can’t let Taishi Ci’s five thousand troops go either. General Xu can lead ten thousand troops to ambush by the official road and defeat Taishi Ci’s army in one battle.”
Xu Qian really did not want to go. His eyes turned and he said: “This subordinate is a rough man, doesn’t understand military tactics, and has no experience in major battles. I’m afraid I’ll ruin the prefect’s grand plan. Why not trouble the prefect to personally lead the troops to ambush? This subordinate will defend the city and provide support.”
Sun He glanced at him disdainfully, “Fine. Ambushing indeed requires strong military strategy, blending feint and reality to lure the enemy into the trap. You don’t understand these, so just defend the city!”
Sun He immediately arranged the troops. He sent his subordinate general Yang Qian to lead three thousand fire oil troops to burn Xu Sheng’s warships. He personally led ten thousand troops to ambush on the western official road, preparing to ambush Taishi Ci’s army. Xu Qian commanded seven thousand troops to station in Wan County and provide support at any time.
