“How could I not know what you’re saying, Gongtai?”
After a long silence, Cao Cao shook his head and replied with a grave expression:
“The Yellow Turbans may be ignorant of military strategy, but many among them are fierce men who do not fear death.”
“Though my infantry and cavalry are brave, meeting them in open-field battle would not be a wise course of action.”
“At present, Heaven’s timing, favorable terrain, and the support of the people are all on my side. Why should I resort to a risky gamble?”
Having suffered at the Yellow Turbans’ hands before, Cao Cao was unwilling to take such a risk.
After all, both the former Inspector Liu Dai and Cao Cao himself had suffered major defeats against them.
“My lord is wise. It was I who spoke rashly.”
Chen Gong frowned slightly but ultimately accepted Cao Cao’s reasoning.
However, he preferred to strike at the Yellow Turbans from multiple angles in order to raise their own morale while weakening the enemy.
The Yellow Turban army had only just arrived.
Their footing was not yet secure, and both men and horses were weary.
A surprise attack on their camp might well yield significant results.
Still, since his lord was determined to proceed cautiously, there was little cause for concern.
As long as Wuyan could be held, victory would remain firmly in their grasp.
After all, the Yellow Turbans had never been known for effective siege warfare.
At the third quarter of the You Hour (around 6:45 p.m.), Zhang Jing’s army arrived at Zhang County.
The Qihuo Army currently stationed there numbered a total of 130,000 men.
“My lord!”
Xu He, who had arrived ahead of the main force, came forward to greet him.
“According to the scouts, Cao Cao’s forces remain completely confined within Wuyan and show no intention of engaging our army in open battle.”
“Mm.”
Zhang Jing nodded.
“Send out all available scouts. We must be informed immediately of any movement within a radius of twenty li.”
“Also, send word to all divisions. The central command tent will convene in one hour.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Xu He respectfully accepted the order.
“Zhongde.”
As Zhang Jing walked toward the camp, he turned to Cheng Yu beside him.
“Do you think Cao Cao’s generals in Dong Commandery will attack our cities of Lu and Fei?”
“The possibility is extremely high.”
Cheng Yu slowly stroked his beard.
Seemingly recalling something, he wore a rather peculiar expression.
“Cao Cao has used a similar strategy against the Black Mountain Bandits before.”
“What interests me more, however, is whether the city-defense method you left behind for the garrison commanders is truly as effective as you claim.”
“Haha, rest assured, Zhongde.”
Zhang Jing laughed.
“Not only is the method inexpensive, but it is extraordinarily effective for defending a city.”
“If ordinary soldiers fall victim to it, their wounds will be nearly impossible to treat.”
“Should Cao Cao attempt a strategy of attacking our rear to force us to withdraw, I will make him pay dearly in blood.”
The reason Zhang Jing had refused to surrender to Cao Cao was not simply a moment of impulsiveness.
Nor was it merely because of lofty sentiments such as ‘Are kings and nobles born to their stations?’
Those were only part of the reason.
His greater confidence came from the memories of two lifetimes.
Whether it was attacking cities, defending them, governing the people, or strengthening an army, the combined knowledge of two worlds allowed him to devise workable solutions.
And that was his greatest source of confidence.
It was also the foundation of his bold declaration that he would establish himself as the ruler of Yanzhou.
Yanzhou was a land surrounded by enemies on all sides.
In his previous life, Cao Cao had secured Yanzhou after driving off Lu Bu.
The primary reason for that success was not Cao Cao’s military strength alone.
Rather, it was because Cao Cao held the Emperor and wielded imperial authority in the Emperor’s name.
After four hundred years of Han rule, the Son of Heaven naturally embodied legitimacy.
Because of that legitimacy, Cao Cao could occupy such a vulnerable region and still campaign wherever he pleased.
Had the Emperor not been in Cao Cao’s hands, he could never have enjoyed such stability.
Zhang Jing’s situation was entirely different.
His confidence in establishing a foothold in Yanzhou came not only from having no alternative, but also from the millions of Yellow Turban civilians under his protection.
They were the true foundation of his power.
After all, when the lowest classes of society rose in rebellion, properly managed, their cause itself became a form of legitimacy.
At the Xu Hour (around 7:00–9:00 p.m.), beside the Wen River.
Inside the central command tent of the Qihuo Army, the generals stood in ranks on either side.
Zhang Jing stood at the head of the assembly, while Cheng Yu occupied the position to his left.
“General Xu.”
Zhang Jing’s expression was solemn as he looked toward Xu He.
“Tomorrow’s battle will be the first battle of the Qihuo Army.”
“It will also be the battle upon which our survival depends.”
“The deployment of the trebuchets is of utmost importance.”
“The task of smashing Wuyan City’s defenses and bringing down its walls—I entrust it to you.”
As Zhang Jing’s words fell, the eyes of the assembled generals naturally turned toward Xu He.
Their gazes were filled with both anticipation and unease.
“This general accepts the order!”
Xu He took a deep breath and answered with unwavering determination.
He said no more.
At a moment like this, no amount of words could compare to proving himself on the battlefield tomorrow.
Since the trebuchets had first been built, among all the generals of the Qihuo Army, none had worked with them more extensively than Wang Du and Xu He.
Wang Du was an educated man, capable of drawing inferences from what he learned and mastering new concepts quickly.
Xu He, on the other hand, had relied on a simpler method.
He repeatedly drilled and tested the soldiers under his command until they became familiar with operating the machines.
He did not dare claim superiority over Wang Du.
Yet he was confident that his men were no less proficient with the trebuchets than Wang Du’s forces.
“Sima Ju, Pei Yuanshao!”
Zhang Jing nodded and continued:
“Tomorrow the army will launch its main assault against the eastern gate.”
“Each of you will lead twenty thousand men and station yourselves at the southern and northern gates.”
“Your task is to prevent the Han forces from breaking out of the city.”
“There is no need to participate in the siege itself. Simply maintain your positions and wait.”
“Once Wuyan falls, enter the city alongside the main army.”
“We obey!”
Sima Ju and Pei Yuanshao stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
“Today’s march has exhausted everyone.” Zhang Jing’s expression grew solemn.
“However, after returning to your camps, none of your units are to relax their vigilance.”
“Remain on guard against a Han night raid.”
“At the Yin Hour tomorrow, distribute all of the army’s grain stores among the men.” (3:00 AM to 5:00 AM)
“At the Mao Hour, we march.” (5:00 AM to 7:00 AM)
Then his voice rang through the command tent:
“Until Wuyan falls, the Qihuo Army shall not return!”
The generals immediately flushed with excitement.
Clasping their fists, they shouted in unison:
“Until Wuyan falls, the Qihuo Army shall not return!”
“Until Wuyan falls, the Qihuo Army shall not return!”
After the generals departed, only Zhang Jing and Cheng Yu remained in the tent.
“My lord.” Cheng Yu bowed and said:
“Tomorrow’s siege will be supported by your divine weapon, and our army is united in purpose.”
“In my opinion, Wuyan will certainly fall.”
“Furthermore, we are employing a strategy of surrounding the city while leaving one avenue of escape.”
“The Han defenders will not be able to hold out for long.”
“Therefore, my lord may consider dispatching a surprise force to secretly set an ambush tonight along the road between Wuyan and Shouzhang.”
“The force need not be large. A single detachment would suffice and could exert the effect of ten thousand men.”
“Your reasoning is sound, Zhongde.” Zhang Jing’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
After a moment’s consideration, he said:
“Bian Xi and Geng Ling are currently under your command.”
“You may dispatch whichever general you deem suitable to lay the ambush.”
“If Cao Cao’s head can be taken, it will be a great achievement indeed.”
“This subordinate obeys!”
Hearing this, Cheng Yu suddenly understood.
At the same time, he was deeply moved.
He had not expected Zhang Jing to grant him such broad authority.
Only then did he realize why every other general had already received orders, while the two officers recently assigned to him had not.
Their mission had been reserved for this very moment.
After leaving the command tent, Cheng Yu immediately summoned Bian Xi and Geng Ling.
He laid out his entire plan before them.
“The Han army will certainly be defeated tomorrow.”
“Our forces have already driven away all of Wuyan’s scouts.”
“As long as we…”
“The achievement of slaying Cao Cao will be ours for the taking.”
“Strategist!”
Bian Xi’s eyes lit up as soon as he heard the plan.
He hurriedly stepped forward and saluted.
“This general volunteers for the mission!”
Geng Ling opened his mouth as well, intending to request the assignment.
However, Cheng Yu had already stated that only one general and three thousand troops would be sent.
Since Bian Xi had spoken first, it would be inappropriate for him to compete for the honor.
Moreover, he had responsibilities of his own.
The most important reason Bian Xi and Geng Ling had been placed under Cheng Yu’s command was to secure provisions for the army.
Gathering grain and supplies remained a task of critical importance.
— The end of the Chapter–
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