Early February.
The weather began to warm.
The ice and snow across the Central Plains melted away, and all things sprang back to life.
The common people emerged from their homes one after another, walking through the fields, observing the changes in the land, and planning for the upcoming spring planting.
The various warlords throughout the realm likewise had no intention of beginning campaigns at this time.
Instead, they sent most of their soldiers home to prepare for the spring plowing season.
……………..
Rencheng State, Yan Province
This was Zhang Jing’s second visit to Kangfu.
The first time had been the previous year, when he had followed his father across the strategic pass of Kangfu and slain Zheng Sui, the Chancellor of Rencheng State.
At that time, however, he had not been particularly sensitive to matters of military strategy and campaigning.
As a result, he had paid little attention to the importance of the Kangfu route.
“My lord!” Liao Hua, who was stationed at Kangfu, enthusiastically introduced the area:
“Five hundred paces ahead lies the Kangfu passage.”
“According to information gathered from many sources, this strategic position was not formed by steep mountain gorges, nor was it created by human effort.”
“Rather, it came into existence through the changes of time and geography.”
“The Kangfu route was originally part of an enormous lake known as Dushan Lake.”
“The lake once stretched more than two hundred li from north to south. But it has since been divided into three separate lakes: Nanyang Lake, Zhaoyang Lake, and Weishan Lake.”
“And between Nanyang Lake and Zhaoyang Lake lies the Kangfu passage.”
“On the other side, it connects to the three commanderies of Pengcheng, Lu State, and Donghai in Xu Province.”
“If the Han armies from those three commanderies attack, passing through Kangfu is the most convenient route. If they instead take the official road through Lu County, the mountain roads along the way would cost them considerable time.”
Liao Hua’s face radiated confidence.
He clearly had great faith in his ability to hold the Kangfu passage.
Such confidence was only natural.
Ancient records stated:
“At the perilous pass of Kangfu, carts cannot travel side by side, and horses cannot ride abreast. A hundred men guarding the pass can prevent a thousand from passing.”
Yet Liao Hua had stationed ten thousand troops here.
Even if an army of one hundred thousand came, it would be useless.
They simply would not be able to get through.
“Well done.” Zhang Jing patted Liao Hua’s shoulder approvingly and said earnestly:
“But you still must not let your guard down. Our enemies are not limited to Xu Province.”
“According to the projections made by myself and the strategists, when the first attack comes against us, it will not come from Xu Province.”
“It will not come from Tao Qian of Tan County.”
“It will not come from the retreating Cao Cao.”
“As for Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, neither has the freedom to spare troops against us.”
“And Zhang Yang of Henei would not dare act rashly.”
“So tell me— who do you think will strike first?”
Liao Hua’s expression immediately changed.
“My lord means… Yuan Shu, the Left General of the Han?”
Only now did he realize that the situation truly matched Zhang Jing’s analysis.
Yuan Shu possessed both legitimacy and ambition.
The possibility that he would be the first to launch an attack on Yan Province was indeed quite high.
“Exactly. Yuan Shu.” Zhang Jing nodded seriously.
“Yuan Yi, the former Administrator of Shanyang, was recommended by Yuan Shao to serve as Inspector of Yang Province.”
“Yuan Shu blocked his journey. And in the end, Yuan Yi lost his life.”
“Kangfu borders Shanyang Commandery. One side is protected by natural defenses. But the other offers no defensible barriers whatsoever.”
“Therefore, resisting Yuan Shu is the true reason I stationed you here.”
“I understand now!” Liao Hua broke into a cold sweat.
Filled with self-reproach, he bowed respectfully. “I failed to grasp Your Lordship’s deeper intentions. Please punish me.”
Ever since he had stationed his troops here, the four commanderies of Yan Province lay directly behind him.
He had never thought much further than that.
He had simply assumed that defending Kangfu meant guarding against Xu Province.
“No punishment is necessary.” Zhang Jing waved his hand dismissively.
“A war against Yuan Shu is inevitable.”
“It cannot be avoided. Therefore, your army must firmly defend Kangfu from the front.”
“At the same time, strengthen the rear with high walls and fortifications. As long as Yuan Shu cannot break through Kangfu, he will be forced to advance through Fan County and Xiaqiu instead.”
“When that time comes, I will personally make my move. You need only lead an elite force from Kangfu and strike Yuan Shu from behind.”
“That will surely inflict heavy losses upon him and make him abandon any thoughts of coveting the four commanderies of Yan Province.”
“My lord is truly wise! I know exactly what must be done!” Liao Hua’s face flushed red with excitement.
His heart surged with emotion.
Merely listening to Zhang Jing’s plan made it feel as though victory had already been secured.
“Good.” Zhang Jing nodded encouragingly.
“But all of this depends upon one condition.”
“Kangfu must not fall.”
“My lord, rest assured!”
Liao Hua’s expression turned solemn as he bowed.
“With ten thousand brothers defending Kangfu, unless Yuan Shu personally arrives with an army of one hundred thousand, he will never take this city.”
“If Kangfu falls, then I shall perish alongside it.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Zhang Jing immediately slapped the top of Liao Hua’s helmet.
With mock annoyance, he scolded:
“Once we’ve firmly established ourselves in these four commanderies, I’ll see to it that every unmarried brother gets himself a wife.”
“And you, brat, are old enough to start a family as well.”
“Stop talking like that. Victory will belong to us.”
“Yes, yes! Victory to my lord!” Liao Hua’s eyes became moist.
Nodding vigorously, he raised his right fist high into the air and shouted instinctively:
“Victory to my lord!”
“Victory to my lord!”
The surrounding officers—including Dian Wei, who had overheard the conversation—felt their eyes redden as well.
Raising their weapons, they shouted in unison.
“Victory to my lord!” The soldiers in the distance seemed equally inspired.
They too raised their spears and roared:
“Victory to my lord!”
“Victory to my lord!”
Zhang Jing smiled faintly and waved his hand.
“Go make the necessary arrangements.”
Zhang Jing raised a hand to signal for quiet, and the soldiers gradually calmed down.
Turning to Liao Hua, he said, “I’ll be staying here for a few more days. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come directly to me.”
Throughout this inspection tour, he naturally wasn’t the type to merely take a glance and leave.
At every camp he visited, he would remain for a period of time.
Sometimes half a day, sometimes a full day.
He would offer guidance to the commanders, boost the soldiers’ morale, and conduct ideological education and motivational talks.
At a time like this, when he personally took charge, it wasn’t merely a case of one person accomplishing the work of two.
At the very least, he was worth ten ordinary men.
Kangfu, however, was different.
Not only because Liao Hua was still young, but more importantly because this region would indeed become a frequent battleground during the coming year.
As such, Zhang Jing had to devote extra attention to it.
“Understood, my lord!” Liao Hua cupped his fists and shouted respectfully.
Meanwhile, he thought to himself:
As expected, I’m the subordinate my lord values most.
After Liao Hua departed, a hesitant and somewhat bashful voice reached Zhang Jing’s ears.
“My lord…” The voice instantly gave him goosebumps.
Because its owner was Dian Wei— a towering giant of a man whose ferocity in battle was beyond question.
“What’s the matter?”
Turning toward Dian Wei, Zhang Jing looked at him with the amused smile of an indulgent uncle.
“Don’t tell me Dian Wei wants to get married?”
“Mm-hmm!” Dian Wei’s old face turned red as he nodded vigorously.
“…” Zhang Jing pursed his lips.
“Very well. This July, I’ll arrange it for you.”
“Thank you, my lord!”
At those words, all of Dian Wei’s awkwardness vanished instantly.
His eyes lit up as he cupped his fists and shouted respectfully.
Originally, he had assumed that joining the Taiping Yellow Turbans meant becoming a mountain king.
Finding himself a wife should have been the easiest thing in the world.
But Zhang Jing’s appearance had completely changed his understanding of what the Yellow Turbans were.
The Yellow Turbans had become the Qihuo Army.
Lavish feasts of meat and fish had become bowls of hot porridge.
Dreams of endless gold and silver had evaporated into thin air.
There wasn’t even any salary.
For Dian Wei, these past months had been full of life’s hardships.
He had suffered plenty— yet never gotten to sleep with the woman he was supposed to get.
Fortunately, his lord treated him extremely well.
There was always a fresh “big pie” of future promises to eat, and an endless supply of inspirational “chicken soup” to drink.
As for material possessions, he could do without them.
“You’ll all get one!”
Seeing the other soldiers of the central army staring at him with eager, green-eyed anticipation, Zhang Jing simply waved his hand grandly and included everyone.
“My lord, long live!”
Upon receiving a definite answer, the soldiers became so excited that they could barely contain themselves.
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up ahead of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
