Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 295: Go All in, a Strategy for Peace of Mind
The name of Yanzhou comes from the Yanshui River, which is another name for the Jishui River. Therefore, the formation of the concept of the Yanzhou region is actually closely related to the flow of the Jishui River.

The Ji River originates in Henei County and flows eastward into the Yellow River. The Yellow River branches out in Xingyang, flows eastward from the north of Dingtao, gathers in Juye Lake, flows eastward to Heshui, flows northeastward to Wenshui, flows northeastward to the Bohai Sea.

In the pre-Qin and Han dynasties, when the south had not yet risen, the transportation needs of China were more about Guanxi and Guandong. The key river connecting the east and the west is the Jishui River, whose main tributaries are located in Henan, connecting to the Sishui River in Xuzhou in the east, the Honggou River in Yuzhou in the south, and even to the Huaishui River.

Because the Ji River is the key waterway connecting the capital to Henan and even the Huaihe River Basin, the concept of Yanzhou was born on it, and even the establishment of the Yanzhou administrative region was for the purpose of controlling the Ji River. Therefore, the Ji River in the Qin and Han dynasties is similar to the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

As for the Yellow River, because it runs from east to west and is adjacent to the Ji River, the two rivers form a unique role. The Yellow River connects the eastern and western parts of China, while the role of the Ji River is to open up transportation between the west and the Henan and Huai River basins.

Cao Cao ceded Yanzhou and Hebei cities to Yuan Shao, which actually meant that he was giving Yuan Shao control over the Yellow River, leaving only the Jishui River below Juancheng in his hands. Therefore, if Cao Cao could not retake Chenliu and Jiyin counties upstream of the Jishui River, he would lose his influence on the Jishui River. If he did not want to be attached to Yuan Shao, he had no choice but to go south to Xu and Huai.

The reason why Yanzhou is known as a place surrounded by enemies on all sides is not only because Yanzhou is surrounded by enemies on all sides, but more importantly, the Ji and Huang rivers connect Yanzhou to all directions.

Zhang Yu had to pass through Yanzhou when he went east to conquer the Central Plains; Yuan Shao had to pass through Yanzhou when he wanted to dominate the Central Plains; Yuan Shu had to control Yanzhou when he wanted to dominate the world. If Cao Cao wanted to dominate the world, he had to control the Ji and Huang rivers to be qualified to compete with Zhang and Yuan. Therefore, once Cao Cao left for Xu and Huai, it would mean that he would lose the qualification to dominate the Central Plains in the short to medium term.

Seeing that Cao Cao was willing to give up the control of the Yellow River, Zhang Yu shook his head and smiled, saying admiringly: "Cao Cao gave up the cities in Hebei in exchange for Yuan Shao's support. He was making a desperate move. If Cao Cao defeats Lu Bu again, he may have nowhere to live."

Zhong Yao said with a serious expression, "Cao Cao's savings were all gone after Lü Bu's attack on Yanzhou. Even if he can defeat Lü Bu, it will be difficult for him to regain his former glory. Besides, Lü Bu has the support of Jun Hou and Yuan Shu, so Cao Cao doesn't need to worry about him for now."

"Yuan Shao appointed his son Gao Gan as governor of Xuzhou, appointed Zang Hong as governor of Dongjun, and ordered Gongsun Zan to guard the northern border. He has the intention of conquering the Central Plains. This is a great harm to you, my Lord."

Zhang Yu paced back and forth and said, "I originally wanted to attack Yuan Shao next year, but due to the persuasion of Wen He, I have to postpone the expedition. I need to conquer Longyou first to relieve the threat from the elbows and armpits. Otherwise, when I march east to Hebei, Ma and Han may send troops to Guanzhong. If they attack Wudu this year and Guanzhong next year, how can we talk about marching east to Hebei?"

Xun You stroked his beard and said, "The situation in Xuzhou is complicated. Zang Ba, Sun Guan and other generals are entrenched between Langya and Taishan. Chen Deng and Xiao Jian are difficult to obey Tao Shang, and Cao Bao is an old general under Tao Qian. Unless Yuan Shao monopolizes Xuzhou, it will be difficult to take Xuzhou. Moreover, Xuzhou is close to the Huai River and it is difficult to look north to the situation in Jizhou."

"Yanzhou is a place of war on all sides. Yuan Shao is interested in it, so how could Yuan Shu not be interested? Lu Bu and Cao Cao are fighting for Yanzhou, and Zhang Miao is attached to Yuan Shu, so Yuan Shao cannot take it lightly. Therefore, You and your Excellency share the same intention, focusing on Longyou to ensure the safety of Guanxi. And if there is a change in Yanzhou next year, your Excellency may write a letter to Yuan Shu to contain Yuan Shao."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu stood with his hands behind his back, looking out the window, and suddenly laughed, saying meaningfully: "It seems that Yuan Shu is really useful!"

Zhang Yu thought that he had destroyed Yuan Shao's plan to dominate Hebei, which would make it much easier for him to conquer Jizhou in the future. However, he unexpectedly forced Yuan Shao to expand his power to Xu and Yan. In order to concentrate on the Western Expedition next year, he had to let Yuan Shu intervene in the affairs of the Central Plains.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu simply pointed to someone and said, "Just now I said that I want to ask the emperor to take refuge in Anyi. I wonder who can serve as an envoy to the court for our army?"

"The official Cui Yan has a handsome appearance and good conversation. If we appoint him as an envoy, he will surely let the court know your love and care for him." Zhong Yao recommended.

"Then let Cui Yan be the envoy!" Zhang Yu said, "and choose someone to go to Yuan Shu to deliver the letter for me."

"promise!"

Not to mention that Zhang Yu transferred Zhang Liao to the south to aid Wudu and sent Cui Yan to Luoyang. Now, in Wudu, more than 2,000 miles away, Man Chong firmly defended Xiabian and rejected Ma Teng's persuasion to surrender.

Outside Xiabian City, a young general with a mighty appearance, tall stature and wearing a crimson brocade robe was seen riding a horse, shouting to challenge the enemy to surrender.

"My dear little Man Chong, why don't you surrender immediately!"

The young general threw the broken flag in his hand to the ground and said, "All the counties in Wudu have surrendered, and all the troops you deployed outside the city have been defeated. If you can surrender now, I will spare your life!"

"If you continue to be stubborn, both the military and civilians will be killed and everything will be destroyed!" the young general threatened sternly.

The young general who was showing off his power was none other than Ma Chao, the eldest son of Ma Teng. He was here on his father's orders to persuade the Xiabian defenders to surrender.

Led by the young men, the Han and Hu soldiers outside the city shouted in unison, the murderous voices resounded through the sky, and even the birds and beasts were stopped in their tracks.

On the city wall, Man Chong stood in armor and holding a sword, looking at the scene outside the city with a serious expression.

Governor You Yin saw that many soldiers on the city wall were afraid, and asked worriedly: "General Man, the enemy has surrounded Xiabian, and there are only more than 2,000 soldiers and horses in the city. The soldiers are in a state of panic. What should we do?"

"And we don't know how many troops Guanzhong will send to support us, and whether Ma Teng will leave troops at Chencang Road to block the attack!"

When he took office in Wudu County, Xun You was appointed as the governor, You Yin was appointed as the county magistrate, and Man Chong led troops to escort them to the post. After Wudu was roughly governed, Zhang Yu saw that You Yin performed outstandingly, so he appointed You Yin as the governor, and Man Chong as the general, and concurrently the commander of Wudu.

Man Chong seemed to be aware of the soldiers' gazes, and pretended to be contemptuous and said: "Although the enemy has a large number of troops, they are not good at attacking the city. At present, the food in the city can last for five months, and the weapons, armor, equipment, and bows and crossbows are all available. How dare the enemy invade? Therefore, the reason why the enemy general persuaded you to surrender is because you are unable to break the city!"

As he spoke, Man Chong raised his voice and said to the soldiers and officers around him: "Your Excellency has defeated Gongsun Zan. The mighty army is no match for the mob outside the city. In a month or so, reinforcements will surely arrive at the city. By then, Your Excellency will greatly praise you and me for our perseverance."

Seeing that Commander Man Chong looked normal, the soldiers and officers felt relieved.

In order to boost morale, Man Chong told his subordinates, "Let each unit do its job. Anyone who wants to surrender will be executed."

"As ordered!"

After receiving the order, Man Chong watched the soldiers outside the city for a while and saw that their flags were in disarray and they had no weapons. He knew what was going on and turned around and left.

Seeing Man Chong about to leave the tower, You Yin hurriedly stopped Man Chong and asked, "Where is General Man going?"

Man Chong smiled and said, "I am tired and sleepy now, I want to go back to my room and take a nap!"

Hearing this, You Yin looked worried and said, "The enemy is mostly outside. How can you go back home and sleep peacefully? What if the enemy suddenly arrives?"

Man Chong pointed at the soldiers outside the city and said with a smile: "Although Ma Teng's soldiers are arrayed outside the city, I see that they are slack. Moreover, weapons are needed to break the city, but there are only ladders in their array. Breaking the city like ants is a bad strategy. How can the Qiang people fight to the death for Ma Teng? Now that you have nothing to worry about, why can't you go back to your room and take a nap?"

"I wonder if Youqi would like to go with me?"

You Yin shook his head and said, "Although General Man's words make sense, I am willing to stay here to prepare for any unexpected events in case the enemy suddenly raises an army."

"If there is any military incident, come and call me!" Man Chong walked away with full confidence.

The soldiers on the city wall became suspicious when they saw their commander Man Chong leaving the battlefield. Then, through word of mouth, they learned that the commander was going back home to rest, which made everyone frightened.

While the soldiers were frightened, they were more relieved. They had served under Man Chong for a long time and knew very well that their commander was no fool. Now that Man Chong dared to be so unscrupulous, perhaps there was no need to worry too much about the enemies outside the city.

While Man Chong pretended to sleep peacefully, Ma Chao, who was below the city, shouted and cursed for a long time. Seeing that no one on the city wall said anything, he knew that the people in the city had no intention of surrendering. Finally, he withdrew his troops, cursing, to report to his father.

ps: I’m stuck on this chapter!

(End of this chapter)