As the city lights flickered on, Wuyan City.
Inside the main hall of the Taiping Prefecture, the civil and military officials took their seats according to rank.
Zhang Jing had Yuan Shu’s letter passed around for everyone to read.
“I believe you all know by now,” Zhang Jing said after taking a sip of tea, his expression serious, “that a month ago the Han court issued proclamations throughout the realm, claiming that the Taiping Prefecture had submitted to the court.”
“Their aim was to sever the loyalty of those outside our territory who still support us.”
“That is why we came up with the plan of joining forces with Yuan Shu to attack the Kingdom of Chen.”
“It is our response to the Han court.”
“Yuan Shu has now confirmed that he will send his troops.”
“He requires the Taiping Prefecture to station forces along the border of the Kingdom of Liang and coordinate with the Yuan army.”
“I’ve gathered you here today to discuss our deployment.”
Wuyan lay nearly four hundred li from the Kingdom of Chen, with the Kingdom of Liang lying between them, since Chenliu Commandery in Yan Province was now under Yuan Shu’s control.
The Taiping Prefecture’s troops would assemble along Liang’s border creating the appearance that they intended to march through Liang to seize grain, thereby cooperating with Yuan Shu’s “Borrowing a Road to Conquer Guo” stratagem.
After all outsiders had no idea what kind of relationship existed between Zhang Jing and Yuan Shu.
“My lord.”
Xun You was the first to rise and bow.
“I believe that twenty thousand troops will be sufficient for this campaign.”
“We could also bring our trebuchets.”
“Once Yuan Shu succeeds, we can assist the Yuan forces in recovering the various counties.”
“Gongda, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Guo Jia rose to object.
“Given the relationship between Your Lordship and Yuan Shu, we should divide our forces into three columns and commit at least sixty thousand men.”
“Together with a contingent of heavy cavalry, we should strive to help Yuan Shu secure the entirety of the Kingdom of Chen within a month.”
“My lord—”
“Zhongde.”
Zhang Jing turned toward Cheng Yu.
“What do you think?”
“My lord.”
Cheng Yu sighed softly before bowing.
“In my opinion, if Yuan Shu’s plan succeeds, then the Kingdom of Chen is doomed.”
“However, Chen possesses formidable military strength.”
“Our forces would do best to surround them without engaging directly.”
“Leave the head-on fighting to Yuan Shu.”
He truly hadn’t expected that Yuan Gonglu had actually devised a workable strategy.
Calling it “Borrowing a Road to Conquer Guo” wasn’t entirely inappropriate.
After all very few people knew about Zhang Jing’s relationship with Yuan Shu.
Although the two of them might seem rather peculiar to those in the know outsiders certainly wouldn’t see it that way.
The only unfortunate party was Liu Chong.
“Indeed.”
Zhang Jing nodded slightly.
“Zhongde is right.”
“This campaign isn’t one in which we should commit ourselves to heavy fighting.”
“We may even need to coordinate further with Yuan Shu.”
“Your Lordship is wise.”
Cheng Yu looked at Zhang Jing meaningfully.
“Given Yuan Shu’s current strength our army doesn’t actually need to participate.”
“So long as he successfully carries out the decapitation strike the Kingdom of Chen will inevitably be carved up by him.”
“At present, our army has no shortage of money or grain.”
“There is no need to sour relations between both sides over such modest gains.”
Their objective had never been the Kingdom of Chen.
Although Chen’s resources were abundant, they were by no means indispensable.
“Well said, Zhongde.”
Only then did Zhang Jing realize his mistake.
Looking at Cheng Yu with admiration, he said, “I was too fixated on immediate gains.”
“Fortunately, Zhongde reminded me in time.”
The generals looked at one another, somewhat bewildered.
Guo Jia, however, wore a look of sudden realization.
Xun You, Xi Zhicai, and the others also appeared thoughtful.
“That will be all for today.”
Zhang Jing rose to his feet.
“Continue your regular training.”
“Remain prepared to march at any time.”
“You may all return and get some rest.”
Indeed, Zhang Jing had become too fixated on the immediate situation.
The reason was simple.
He had spent too long in poverty.
Whenever an opportunity arose, his first instinct was always to seize the immediate profit.
Just like this campaign against the Kingdom of Chen.
Originally, he had intended to take advantage of the situation and claim a share of the spoils.
Now that he thought about it, what was the point?
What if he gave everything to Yuan Shu?
Their long-term strategy had always been to elevate Yuan Shu.
The higher they raised him the better.
And Zhang Jing himself had deliberately cast himself in the role of the younger brother.
As the younger brother, how could he play tricks on his elder brother?
No— he had to lift his elder brother even higher and let him run wild to his heart’s content.
Otherwise, how could he continue making use of him in the future?
……………
Two days later.
Pingyu, Runan Commandery, Yu Province.
After receiving Zhang Jing’s reply, Yuan Shu was so moved by its contents that he nearly burst into tears.
He immediately handed the letter to Yan Xiang.
“Take a look.”
“My worthy younger brother is simply too generous.”
“He says the number of troops the Taiping Prefecture sends is entirely up to me to decide.”
“And he doesn’t even want a single grain of food or any military supplies in return!”
“Do I, Yuan Shu, look like that kind of person?”
“Once I conquer the Kingdom of Chen, I’ll present my worthy brother with two million shi of grain.”
“Only then can I repay such loyalty.”
He had never imagined that this worthy younger brother would not only devise strategies for him, but ask for nothing in return.
Yuan Shu was deeply touched.
“…”
After reading the letter, Yan Xiang was completely dumbfounded.
Then he looked at Yuan Shu and couldn’t help wondering to himself.
Could it be that my lord truly possesses the Mandate of Heaven to become emperor?
“Issue my orders.”
Yuan Shu’s expression became serious once more.
“Qiao Rui and Liang Gang are to immediately muster thirty thousand troops.”
“Ji Ling will assemble ten thousand.”
“Qin Xu will assemble ten thousand.”
“Qi Ji will assemble twenty thousand.”
“They are to remain on standby and await further orders at any time.”
This time, Yuan Shu planned to mobilize seventy thousand troops.
However, his forces were widely dispersed.
Aside from the thirty thousand under Qiao Rui and Liang Gang, Ji Ling’s troops were stationed in Chenliu, Qin Xu’s forces were in the Kingdom of Liang, and Qi Ji’s army was deployed in the Kingdom of Pei.
His troops were truly scattered like stars across the sky.
“Understood.”
Yan Xiang bowed respectfully and accepted the order.
After Yan Xiang departed, Yuan Shu immediately wrote another letter to Zhang Jing without delay.
He requested that Zhang Jing lead fifty thousand troops to Jishi City on the fifth day of the ninth month.
He also promised that once the campaign succeeded, he would reward Zhang Jing with two million shi of grain.
While the two sides exchanged letters and busily plotted against the Kingdom of Chen, time quietly advanced into the ninth month.
Meanwhile, You Province had become exceptionally lively.
The reason was that Wei You, Liu Yu’s chief advocate of peace, had passed away.
Coupled with Gongsun Zan’s increasingly unrestrained behavior, the pro-war faction under Liu Yu had finally gained the upper hand.
Arguments between the followers of both camps had become commonplace.
Full-scale brawls that drew blood were no longer unusual.
Encouraged by the hawkish faction, Liu Yu finally lost his patience.
Declaring that enough was enough, he secretly began assembling his forces for war, preparing to strike Gongsun Zan, who was stationed in a small city southeast of the capital.
…………….
The fifth day of the ninth month.
Zhang Jing personally led fifty thousand troops to Jishi City.
The fluttering banners of the Qihuo Army put the entire Kingdom of Liang on edge.
Every tree and bush seemed to conceal enemy soldiers.
The common people were gripped with fear and anxiety.
An urgent dispatch sped across the Kingdom of Chen.
…………
Three days later.
Li Feng entered the Kingdom of Chen with five thousand soldiers.
Prince Liu Chong of Chen personally opened every convenience to receive him.
“I presume you are General Li.”
Accompanied by his civil and military officials, Liu Chong personally left the city to welcome Li Feng.
“I’ve also heard about the troubles in the Kingdom of Liang.”
“Those Yellow Turban rebels truly are ungrateful wretches who can never be reformed.”
“Now that the Left General has suffered at their hands, I too feel deeply grieved…”
“Pfft—!”
Before Liu Chong could even finish speaking, Li Feng thrust his spear straight through the prince’s heart.
Without hesitation, he then charged toward Luo Jun.
“Kill them all!”
Before Liu Chong’s subordinates could even react, the five thousand soldiers Li Feng had brought, led by their respective officers, surged toward Chen’s civil and military officials.
Taking advantage of the chaos, they stormed directly into Chen County.
…………….
Nearly two hours later…
Yuan Shu, who had been encamped sixty li away at Ruyang, received the news from Chen County.
He immediately led thirty thousand troops toward Chen County.
Crack!
As he galloped along, Yuan Shu’s face was flushed with excitement.
He repeatedly lashed his horse with his riding crop while roaring inwardly, Faster! Faster!
Now that Liu Chong and Luo Jun are dead, all I have to do is link up with Li Feng.
Then the Kingdom of Chen will belong to me, Yuan Gonglu!
So what if Liu Chong commanded a hundred thousand troops?
I, Yuan Gonglu, only needed to show a little of my brilliance and those so-called hundred thousand soldiers will be reduced to nothing but ashes!
— The end of the Chapter–
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