Tiger Guards

Chapter 393 The Oath of the White Horse
It is located upstream of Ruyang and north of Xihua County.

Here, three tributaries of the Ying River converge, and Gansu and Ningxia have begun to close the weir and dam.

More than 20,000 soldiers and civilians were stationed along both banks of the river, reinforcing the dam day and night.

As the Ying River accumulates, the upstream channel becomes abundant with water and the river surface wide, with various fleets of boats guiding rafts and transporting stones constantly coming and going.

After experiencing a small-scale battle, Zhao Ji quickly entered a combat-ready state.

He climbed onto the north bank embankment, gazed at the shimmering water inside the dam, and couldn't help but put his hands on his hips.

Pei Xiu and Gan Ning followed behind him. Gan Ning's face was covered with dark circles under his eyes, which were brownish-yellow from lack of sleep.

The boats on the river are now being guided and controlled by over a thousand able-bodied men from the Han River, recruited by Gan Ning; another two thousand are stationed on both banks to guard against sabotage and surprise attacks by Yuan's army.

To protect the dam, Zhao Ji also brought in cavalry to assist in reconnaissance.

"Now we're just waiting for a rain, waiting for the flood peak to breach the dam."

Zhao Ji sighed, but showed no expectation.

As time went on, reinforcements from all sides arrived one after another.

Zhang Yang led over ten thousand men to approach Fugou, on the west bank of the upper reaches of the Honggou Canal. Across Fugou was Fule, the capital of Chen. Yuan Shu also sent Yuan Huan to defend it, but the army was small, numbering only a thousand or so.

On the current battlefield, the thousand-plus men, aside from reinforcing Fule's resolve to defend, have no other tactical effect.

Cao Cao never intended to mobilize a large army to march south. However, due to Yuan Shao's request, or perhaps because Yuan Shao bypassed Cao Cao and directly commanded General Zhao Rong, who led 5,000 troops down the Honggou Canal, to garrison Yu County in Chenliu, north of Fule.

Sun Ce's central army had already entered Xinping in Chen State, leaving only Cheng Pu to lead 3,000 troops to garrison Wuping and control the Wo River. Cheng Pu also organized the surrounding people to build a dam on the Wo River to prevent Yuan's army from Xuzhou from attacking along the Wo River.

Without the Woshui River for shipping, Yuan's army faced difficulties in transporting supplies, which slowed down their marching efficiency.

Lu Bu's forces were still reorganizing their army. Wei Yue led more than 10,000 troops to Yan County and divided his forces to plunder the territories of the central and southern counties of Runan, forcing the counties to provide supplies and manpower to Yan County and Xudu.

Wei Yue also reinforced Zhang Liao's troops to 8,000, stationing them close to Ji Ling's western camp, effectively cutting off one of Ji Ling's forces.

Yuan Shu's side did not wait quietly either. His General Sun Xiang, who was in charge of the south, led more than 10,000 troops north and arrived at Xiang County, south of Ruyang.

Xiang County is located at the confluence of the Ying River and the Honggou River. After Sun Xiang took up his post, he effectively opened up a retreat route for Yuan Shu and Ji Ling to withdraw and break out of the encirclement.

The decisive battle between Ru, Ying, and Chen can be classified as the main battlefield on the western front; Xuzhou is the battlefield on the eastern front.

The situation on the eastern front was even more perilous. The dam project that Liu Xun set up at Hanshan downstream of Pengcheng had been completed and was beginning to close and collect water.

The terrain around Hanshan is high, which is conducive to the construction of weirs and dams.

As Liu Xun cut off the water supply, Zhang Xun, downstream of the Si River, followed suit by closing the water outlet, preparing to flood Xiapi.

The terrain in Xiapi is relatively flat and wide, so cutting off the water supply directly would be too difficult an engineering project.

During this dry season in midsummer, if the upstream Pengcheng is cut off first, the downstream will be much less difficult to cut off.

July 2nd, just after the peak of the sweltering heat.

The Sishui River in Pengcheng has risen and has spread to all the gates of Pengcheng.

Here, the water attack did not require the use of water power to destroy the city walls; it simply involved building a dam downstream to raise the water level and then using the water to soak the city walls.

The psychological deterrent is greater than the actual one. If the defending troops resolutely resist, the ever-rising water level will flood the houses in the city, and soldiers and civilians will have to take refuge on the rooftops. All kinds of daily necessities will also be soaked and damaged by the water.

Even if the city walls don't collapse from the water, the city will eventually run out of food after a period of time.

Guan Yu, the garrison commander of Pengcheng, had also made preparations in the city in advance. Food and fuel had been moved to higher ground; houses had been demolished in advance, and various suspended wooden platforms had been built.

All the city gates of Pengcheng were completely blocked off.

However, the well water in the city flowed like a fountain, flooding courtyards and streets.

As usual, Liu Xun sent envoys by boat to the city walls to shout for surrender, but all they received was a volley of precise shots, and the crew had no choice but to retreat.

Despite the notorious reputation of Yuan Shu's army, the people of Pengcheng were able to endure their current difficult life.

Hanshan, Liu Xun's camp.

After dismissing the failed envoys who had tried to persuade him to surrender, Liu Xun took out Cao Cao's letter and began to study it again.

Liu Xun was born into the Langya Liu clan and studied and spent his early years in Luodu, so he was naturally an old acquaintance of Cao Cao.

Cao Cao had no shortage of time to write letters or manpower to deliver them, so he wrote a letter to Liu Xun to analyze the situation.

Currently, Liu Xun is strictly blocking the flow of information both inside and outside the country, fearing that unfavorable military intelligence from the Chen Kingdom might cause a drop in the morale of his Chen Kingdom soldiers.

Cao Cao then gave Liu Xun a calculation and advised him to turn against Yuan Shu before Yuan Shu was destroyed.

Liu Xun was a member of the imperial clan, so his actions were justified, and his defection was therefore a righteous one. As a native of Langya, Liu Xun also faced considerable psychological pressure after the flooding of Pengcheng.

Zhang Zhao had already led the families of the four Yellow Turban rebels from Qingzhou to Langya, and he couldn't wait to write a letter to Liu Xun urging him to switch sides in time and not to do anything that would bring shame to his ancestors and anger his fellow villagers.

Prominent families, heroes, and old friends from all over Xuzhou wrote to Liu Xun one after another, warning that if Liu Xun decided to continue down this path, he would not have a good ending.

Chen Guobing could carry out the water attack plan with a clear conscience, but Liu Xun and his relatives and fellow villagers were under great pressure.

Zhang Zhao had a fiery temper and spoke harshly, almost to the point of threatening to dig up Liu Xun's ancestral graves.

Now, after analyzing the disadvantages on the western front, Cao Cao pointed out the hidden dangers on the eastern front to Liu Xun.

Before these hidden dangers erupt, it will be Liu Xun's last chance to raise an army and participate in protecting the country.

Liu Xun found it difficult to decide, so during lunch he called his nephew and cousin to discuss it together.

He presented Cao Cao's letter and said in a dilemma, "Now the villagers are disappointed, and Cao Mengde is trying to persuade me with the oath of Emperor Gaozu on the white horse. What should I do?"

Yuan Shu sent him to Xuzhou with the promise of the lands of Qing and Xu.

Given the current public opinion, even if Liu Bei and Guan Yu were forced to surrender due to the water attack, the people of Xuzhou would not support them.

Without the assistance of his fellow townsmen in Xuzhou, how could he have quickly stabilized Xuzhou?
Both were responsible for water attacks, but given the current sentiment among the villagers, they would rather help Zhang Xun from Runan after the war than help this fellow villager who brought outsiders to harm their hometown.

After thinking it over and over, his younger brother Liu Xie spoke up: "Brother, have you not seen how Yuan Gonglu broke his promise to Sun Ce?"

Yuan Shu's promise was made beforehand; the matters concerning Zhen Ding and Xuzhou now need to be renegotiated.

Liu Xun had taken advantage of Sun Ce before. If someone else had taken advantage of him, he would have alienated himself from his fellow villagers and been stood up by Yuan Shu, becoming a laughing stock known both inside and outside the village.

Liu Xun then looked at his nephew Liu Wei, who remained silent in thought. His father, Liu Zhang, was currently serving as one of the Nine Ministers in Shouchun, essentially a hostage.

Liu Wei was in a difficult position, but still managed to say with difficulty: "The oath of Emperor Gaozu on the white horse, Uncle must be careful."

Liu Xun had friends in Xuzhou, as did Liu Xie and Liu Wei. Liu Wei's friends even went to the army to criticize him face to face, and Liu Wei was under a lot of pressure.

Liu Xun nodded slowly upon hearing this and said, "In that case, I will send a letter to the Grand Marshal immediately."

As for Cao Cao, he didn't want to pay any attention to him. Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to walk the same path as Cao Jiande, who was recognized by the court?

This man surnamed Cao killed his father and brothers, he was extremely immoral. Even Li Jue despised him and gave him the nickname General Jiande, which Cao Cao could use as if nothing had happened.

As long as he is willing to submit and return to the imperial court... as long as he accidentally breaches the dam here, Zhang Xun downstream, unprepared, will certainly not have a good ending.

Zhao Ji was very trustworthy. Despite having just finished fighting the two traitors Li and Guo in Guanzhong, with his army not having time to rest and his military supplies insufficient, he braved the scorching heat to take the lead in raising troops to attack Yuan in the Central Plains.

Having upheld the principles of alliance with King Chen and Liu Bei, it is highly unlikely that he will break his promise to them.

The drought in the Central Plains this year is not as severe as in previous years, but it is still a drought.

With so many troops assembled, all sides have a strong desire to end the war.

If he turns against his side, Zhao Ji will certainly not be stingy with rewards.

As for General Lü Bu, Liu Xun wouldn't even give him a second glance. What was Lü Bu's background, and what was Zhao Ji's background?
Having made up his mind, Liu Xun looked at his cousin Liu Xie: "This matter concerns your life, brother, and should not be discussed in letters. Zitong, depart immediately and go to Xuchang to pay respects to the Grand Marshal. Our family and the Grand Marshal's family have been neighbors for generations, and we should not become enemies. When I see the Grand Marshal's messenger, I will raise an army to attack Yuan!"

After a moment's hesitation, he said, "The Grand Marshal is a dragon among men. If he does not mind that my family was forced to become bandits, I am willing to marry my only daughter to him, thus uniting us in marriage."

He only has one daughter, who is only eight years old, but it's not impossible for her to get married in seven or eight years.

In such a chaotic world, it wasn't a bad deal for his daughter to marry Zhao Ji.

Liu Xie and Liu Wei were overjoyed upon hearing this. Liu Xie cupped his hands and said loudly, "Yes, sir."

Then Liu Xie suggested, "If Pengcheng is flooded, I fear Guan Yu will be forced to surrender due to the survival of the men and women in the city. I urge you, brother, to send a messenger to swim across the river at night to deliver a message and reassure him."

If Pengcheng surrenders, it will trigger a series of chain reactions and drastically change the situation in Xuzhou.

At that time, Liu Xie was a hostage under Zhao Ji, and it was highly likely that he would be killed out of spite.

Now that he had made his choice, Liu Xie had to consider his own life.

Liu Xun nodded: "Don't worry, Zitong. I have always been dissatisfied with Yuan Shu and was afraid of being harmed by him, which is why I have been patient until now. Now that I am determined to punish the rebel, there is no reason for me to back down."

With his nephew Liu Wei as a witness, Liu Xie tentatively believed it.

Liu Xun clearly had other ideas as well, and said, "With the death of Prince Chen, the court has lost a powerful vassal state in the Central Plains. If we can persuade the Grand Marshal, my family is willing to defend Yuzhou for the court. If the Grand Marshal is interested, I can also persuade Liu Fu of Pei State."

While you can still demand a return, you should naturally set your price honestly.

Otherwise, if he tries to cover it up, Zhao Ji can then give a vague and perfunctory explanation afterward.

(End of this chapter)