Three Days Later – Wuyan City
Under the arrangements of Cheng Yu and Pan Zhang, the 2,500 soldiers of the central army were divided into fifty detachments.
Each squad leader carried an execution sword used for punishing offenders.
The troops departed from the city gates and headed toward various locations across the four commanderies.
Inside the government office hall:
“Zhongde.” Zhang Jing leaned over his desk without looking up and asked, “I heard Yuan Gonglu has arrived at Puyang?”
“According to reports from our scouts,” Cheng Yu replied after a moment’s thought, “Yuan Shu’s forces have already joined up with Zhang Yang and Yufuluo. Including Zhang Miao’s troops, they now command perhaps 150,000 men. Unless something unexpected has happened, all of those forces are currently gathered at Puyang.”
“Send orders to Bai Rao at Qinting Ford.”
Zhang Jing looked out the doorway and said gravely, “Have him withdraw his troops back to Fan County and coordinate with Que Xuan in defending the city.”
Yuan Shu’s rebellious and unpredictable actions had completely disrupted Zhang Jing’s plans.
Originally, Qinting Ford had been intended as a defensive position against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had few troops.
And Yuan Shao was unlikely to send a large army into Yan Province.
With Bai Rao’s 5,000 men and Que Xuan’s 10,000, it would have been enough to block both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.
But no one expected Yuan Shu to ignore convention and march directly into Yan Province with over 100,000 troops.
Under those circumstances, Qinting Ford had become useless—it could never withstand Yuan Shu’s massive army.
The only option was to withdraw to Fan County, forming a mutually supporting defense with Dong’e and Cangting Ford.
Beyond those two strategic strongholds lay the civilian population.
There could be no further retreat.
“Lord,” Cheng Yu said, not immediately carrying out the order.
His expression grew serious.
“Qinting Ford is an important route for grain shipments from Ji Province. If we withdraw now, it will cause considerable losses. Could we perhaps delay the withdrawal for a few days?”
“How severe is our grain shortage?” Zhang Jing asked.
He was already aware of their supply problems, but Qinting Ford was simply too close to Puyang.
If Yuan Shu’s army advanced, they could reach the city in just two days.
“My lord,” Cheng Yu answered after some thought, “we are currently short about 3.5 million shi of grain. Moreover, the grain flowing in from Ji Province has decreased significantly in recent days. Yuan Shao has likely noticed something.”
“Then let them remain for a little longer.”
Rubbing his temples, Zhang Jing continued:
“Tell Bai Rao to send out every scout he has. Don’t be stingy with the horses. He must be prepared to withdraw at any moment. The instant Yuan Shu marches east, he is to retreat immediately to Fan County.”
Each of the twelve frontier checkpoints possessed twenty horses reserved primarily for delivering messages.
Qinting Ford was only fifty li from Fan County.
As long as Yuan Shu’s movements were closely monitored, Bai Rao would have enough time to withdraw.
The only consequence would be more frequent clashes between the scouts of both sides.
“Your subordinate obeys!”
……………..
Yan Province, Dong Commandery
Puyang had now effectively become Yuan Shu’s headquarters.
Battle flags fluttered from the city walls, and the soldiers were full of fighting spirit.
Inside a lavish residence within the city:
Yuan Shu sat in the seat of honor while generals and officers filled the hall, seated according to rank.
Their tables were piled high with food and wine, creating a lively atmosphere.
“Come, let me introduce someone to all of you!”
After draining another cup of wine, Yuan Shu rose excitedly and gestured toward a richly dressed middle-aged man seated at the place of honor on his right.
“This is Hu Shou, Imperial Appointee and Inspector of Ji Province—Governor Hu!”
“We greet Governor Hu!”
The assembled officers immediately rose and saluted.
Many looked surprised; they had not expected him to possess such an official status.
“You honor me, gentlemen.”
Hu Shou hurriedly returned the greetings before bowing toward Yuan Shu.
“Thank you for your favor, General of the Left. Hu Shou is willing to serve you with complete loyalty.”
“Hahaha!” Yuan Shu burst into laughter.
“Governor Hu, there’s no need for such formality. We are both officials of the Han court. Helping one another is only proper.”
“I, Yuan Gonglu, am not some illegitimate son turned traitor like the one back home!”
“I, Yuan Gonglu, promise you this—one day I shall bring that usurping bastard who stole Ji Province to justice and restore the province to its rightful owner!”
Having said this, Yuan Shu felt immensely pleased with himself.
More than ever, he believed he was destined by Heaven.
Otherwise, why would both the Inspector of Yan Province and the Inspector of Ji Province have come to serve under him?
If that wasn’t Heaven’s mandate, what was?
With Hu Shou’s legitimacy on his side, he could now attack Ji Province whenever he wished and do so in the name of righteousness.
“General of the Left is truly righteous!”
Deeply moved, Hu Shou immediately prostrated himself and said respectfully:
“I can never repay such great kindness. I am willing to acknowledge the General of the Left as my lord. Please accept me into your service.”
Hu Shou had originally been the court-appointed Inspector of Ji Province.
Who would have thought that not only would Yuan Shao refuse to recognize him, but before he could even enter Ji Province, Yuan Shao had already sent assassins after him.
Had Zhang Yang not come to his aid, he likely would not have survived to this day.
While staying under Zhang Yang’s protection, Hu Shou had hoped to unite with Yu Du’s Heishan Army and the forces of the Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo to help him reclaim Ji Province.
But unexpectedly, Yu Du led the Heishan Army and surrendered to the so-called Qihuo Army.
Left with no alternatives, Hu Shou could only seek refuge with Yuan Shu.
“Haha!” Yuan Shu laughed heartily.
“Hu Shou, rise quickly. I accept your pledge!”
“Hu Shou thanks you, my lord!”
Seeing that Yuan Shu truly intended to help him, Hu Shou formally entered Yuan Shu’s service.
“Congratulations, my lord!”
“Congratulations, my lord!”
Amid a chorus of congratulations, Yuan Shu became completely intoxicated with self-satisfaction.
With a grand wave of his hand, he declared:
“Send a message to Tao Qian immediately. Order him to advance on Linyi in five days’ time and join me in conquering Yan Province!”
…………….
The Next Day – Fagan
Xu Province Army Camp, Central Command Tent
Holding the letter he had just received, Tao Qian fell silent for a long moment.
“My lord, what did the General of the Left say?”
Below him, Cao Bao looked anxious and uneasy.
He truly did not want a war, as attacking Yan Province offered him no benefits whatsoever.
“The General of the Left states in his letter,” Tao Qian replied seriously, “that he will launch an attack against the Yellow Turbans of Yan Province on the twenty-third day of this month and wants our army to cross the river in support.”
“My lord, we absolutely cannot cross that river!” Cao Bao hurriedly protested.
“The Yellow Turbans have been constructing defenses at Linyi Ford for days now. There are no fewer than five thousand troops stationed there. We only have twenty thousand men. Crossing the river would be tantamount to seeking our own destruction.”
“We can only wait until Linyi is weakly defended. Only then will our army have a chance to—”
“Enough.” Before Cao Bao could finish, Tao Qian interrupted him.
With a righteous expression, he said:
“Since the General of the Left has arranged it this way, he must have his reasons. On the twenty-third, send about a thousand men to Linyi and test the enemy’s defenses.”
“…”
After hearing this, Cao Bao suddenly realized he had been overthinking things.
His lord was even more cautious than he was.
Immediately cupping his fists, he said: “My lord is wise.”
………………
Wuyan City – Eastern Courtyard of the Government Office
Zhang Jing and Cheng Yu sat facing one another.
On the stone table before them rested a Go board.
Xun You stood nearby, observing the game.
Click.
A white stone landed on the board with a crisp sound.
With a calm expression, Zhang Jing casually remarked:
“Yuan Shu has now arrived with an army of 150,000 men. Before long, he will begin attacking our cities. His momentum is quite formidable.”
He glanced at Cheng Yu and Xun You.
“I wonder, Zhongde and Gongda… Do either of you have a strategy for defeating the enemy?”
Zhang Jing wasn’t particularly skilled at Go.
He knew a little Wuziqi (Five-in-a-Row), but that was about it.
Since he happened to have some free time today, he had dragged the two men over to play with him.
— The end of the Chapter–
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