Double penetration: This Three Kingdoms has dragon energy

Chapter 121 Conquering Le'an: Encirclement and Reinforcements

Le'an Camp.

As dusk settled, the outline of the camp rose from the wasteland like a lurking beast.

The camp, spanning ten miles, was protected by three moats and layers of barricades and deer antlers.

The towering black banners of the central tent fluttered in the wind.

The six camp flags, like six sharp swords pointing straight to the sky, were embroidered with the emblems of the Imperial Guard, the Wei Wu, the Wolf Cavalry, the Iron Cavalry, the Flying Feathers, and the Mountain Cavalry, respectively, indicating that 40,000 elite troops were stationed here.

The Imperial Guard was stationed on both sides of the central command tent. Their silver armor reflected the afterglow of the setting sun, and the guards holding halberds at the camp gate stood as straight as pines, even their breathing carried a tacit rhythm.

The gate of the Wei Wu Camp was guarded by a wall of iron shields three zhang high, the shields covered with ancient and ferocious Taotie patterns, exuding a chilling aura.

The camp was filled with a chilling atmosphere as the soldiers practiced battle formations. Their halberds were two zhang long, with bronze heads gleaming coldly in the setting sun and scarlet tassels wrapped around the shafts.

With a unified shout, the halberds rose and fell like a long forest, making a deafening sound and demonstrating the style of a strong army.

The wolf cavalry camp was located on the west side of the main camp, with the neighing of horses rising and falling in waves.

The gleaming warhorses kicked up clouds of dust, the riders had scimitars hanging at their waists and bows slung across their backs, the bowstrings taut and the arrows gleaming coldly.

They drew their bows and nocked arrows on galloping horses, the sound of arrows piercing the air was incessant, like lone wolves on the grasslands, skilled in mounted archery and surprise attacks, a fearsome presence on the battlefield.

Heavy metallic clanging echoed from the Iron Cavalry camp. Tall, heavily armored warhorses stood in orderly rows, and the knights, clad in thick, fine iron armor, gripped their gleaming sabers tightly.

They are like sharp blades drawn from their sheaths; once they launch a surprise attack, they can tear apart the enemy's defenses with lightning speed, making the enemy tremble with fear.

Inside the Flying Feather Camp, the soldiers wore eight-sided Han swords that gleamed coldly at their waists; the swords were thick and heavy, with high spines.

On the training ground, they formed a square formation, and with a command, the Han swords were drawn, their cold light gleaming like waves.

With their swords flashing and swift as the wind howling, they formed an impregnable steel wall in the fierce battle, relying on their superb swordsmanship and tight formation, making it difficult for the enemy to break through.

The mountain camp was set up in the hilly area east of the main camp. The soldiers were dressed in camouflage combat uniforms, holding AK47 assault rifles tightly in their hands, and their tactical vests were full of magazines and grenades.

A training ground simulating mountain warfare was set up in the camp, where soldiers used the terrain to conduct rapid movement and precision shooting training.

They were familiar with every inch of the mountainous terrain, and with their guns, they could deliver a fatal blow to the enemy in treacherous places.

As night fell, campfires lit up one after another, like stars falling to earth.

The footsteps of patrolling soldiers, the sound of the watchman's clapper, and the snorting of warhorses intertwined, forming the unique rhythm of the Le'an Camp, guarding the peace of this land, and demonstrating the supreme majesty of the four elite and powerful armies.

The main camp commander's tent.

A burly man, nine feet tall with broad shoulders and a thick waist, walked in.

He wore a beast-faced shoulder armor, and his dark red cloak fluttered in the wind, like a flame stained with blood.

His face was angular and chiseled, his bronze skin was covered with crisscrossing scars, and a hideous scar above his left eye slanted across his brow bone, making his amber vertical pupils look even more fierce and violent, as if he were about to devour someone at any moment.

His beard stood on end like steel needles, and a half-smile played on his lips, sending chills down one's spine.

He wore a helmet adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi, its two horns curving upwards, and the scarlet plume on the top of the helmet swayed gently with his movements.

A ring-pommel sword hangs at his waist, its hilt wrapped in dark red cloth, with faint traces of blood seeping out.

He walked up to Ji Qiu, knelt down with a thud, and said in a deep voice, "This humble general, Guan Hai, pays his respects to the sect leader!"

Guan Hai, the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou, commanded 500,000 Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, making him a significant force within the region.

But no one knew that he had secretly sided with Ji Qiu.

In fact, it wasn't just the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou; the Yellow Turbans of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou had also successively submitted to Ji Qiu.

There was no other way; Ji Qiu was the second-generation leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and he inherently possessed the Yellow Turban righteousness.

He was also very generous, providing substantial financial support to the Yellow Turban rebellion in these four states.

In addition, the Yellow Turbans in the four states were in dire straits, facing suppression from powerful clans in their respective states. If it weren't for Ji Qiu's support, they probably wouldn't have been able to hold on for long.

With powerful enemies outside, a strong sense of righteousness within, and aid from all sides, the Yellow Turbans of these four states naturally flocked to Ji Qiu's side, becoming his loyal followers.

However, among the Yellow Turbans of these four states, the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou are the closest to Ji Qiu in terms of kinship.

This is because the Taishan Yellow Turbans, who were subdued by Ji Qiu, originally came from the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans.

Xu He, a general under Ji Qiu, was originally the second most important figure among the Yellow Turban rebels in Qingzhou.

Through his matchmaking, the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou were the first among the four Yellow Turban groups to pledge allegiance to Ji Qiu, and also the ones with the closest relationship with him.

It was precisely because of Ji Qiu's support that Guan Hai was able to remain outwardly quiet for the past year, no longer attacking cities and seizing territories, but instead settling down in the villages outside the city of Beihai Kingdom and developing the potential power of the Yellow Turbans.

Kong Rong, the prime minister of Beihai Kingdom, thought everything was fine as soon as he saw that Guan Hai had settled in one area and was no longer attacking the county town of Wubao.

Little did they know that the entire countryside of the North Sea Kingdom was now almost emptied out by the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou!

"Commander Guan, please rise. There's no need for such formalities between us!"

"Tell me about the current situation of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou," Ji Qiu said with a gentle smile as he helped Guan Hai up.

Guan Hai immediately replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Master. The total number of Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou has now exceeded 700,000, and they are all young and strong."

Within Beihai, apart from the eighteen county towns and Kongshi Wubao outside the city, all the other villages have been occupied by our Yellow Turban believers.

"If my lord requires it, I can mobilize a million Yellow Turbans to aid in the battle at any time!"

"Good! Commander Guan is indeed worthy of being my Yellow Turban general. I can rest assured that the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou are in your hands!" Ji Qiu said with satisfaction.

The Yellow Turbans were originally from rural areas, so it was most suitable for them to develop rural areas.

However, in the case of Dragon Qi Three Kingdoms, resources were scarce in the countryside, and the Yellow Turban Army was not good at governing the local area, so it was difficult to support the Yellow Turban Army.

But with Ji Qiu's resource support, they were able to develop in the countryside without restraint.

They were truly in their element!

"However, mobilizing a million Yellow Turbans is out of the question; that would severely impact local production, and it wouldn't be of any use anyway."

Soldiers value elites rather than numbers.

"I only need your elite forces to come here this time!" Ji Qiu said.

Guan Hai said, "This subordinate understands, which is why this subordinate has brought 100,000 elite troops from the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou, who are at the command of the leader!"

“Very good, then you may go and attack Shouguang County!” Ji Qiu said with a smile.

Le'an Prefecture had nine county towns under its jurisdiction: Linji, Qiancheng, Gaowan, Le'an, Bochang, Liaocheng, Li, Yi, and Shouguang.

Shouguang County is located at the southernmost part of Le'an Prefecture and is a county town bordering the Beihai Kingdom.

It was perfectly reasonable for Guan Hai to lead the Yellow Turbans from Qingzhou from the territory of Beihai Kingdom to Le'an County to attack Shouguang County!

Guan Hai immediately replied, "Please rest assured, Master, this humble general guarantees to take Shouguang County!"

“That’s not necessary. I don’t need you to take Shouguang County. On the contrary, I need you to fail to take Shouguang County,” Ji Qiu said meaningfully.

Guan Hai asked in astonishment, "What does the Master mean by this?"

“It’s very simple. I don’t need to get Shouguang County. What I need is for the Sun family of Le’an to send troops to rescue Shouguang County!” Ji Qiu said calmly.

The Tian clan of Qi Commandery was already very powerful, possessing 30,000 strong troops and a fire ox formation. It could be said that their overall strength was not much worse than Ji Qiu's.

However, the Tian family of Qi Commandery was just an ordinary middle-class family within Qingzhou.

They are completely incomparable to the Sun family of Le'an.

The Sun family of Le'an are descendants of Sun Tzu, the military strategist, and possess the legacy of a sage.

It is said that the Sun family's fortified camp was built according to the battle formation left by Sun Tzu, and it has the ability to greatly weaken the attacking side and greatly strengthen the defending side's combat power.

The private army of the Sun family of Le'an was the Tianqu Army, which was famous throughout the land under Sun Tzu.

The combination of Sun's Wubao fortress and the Sky Chariot Army creates a terrifyingly powerful fighting force.

It was simply not something Ji Qiu could conquer.

Therefore, we must use strategy to achieve our goal.

So how do we outsmart them?

The strategy of besieging the city and attacking reinforcements is undoubtedly a good one.

Using the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou to besiege Shouguang City, they lured the Tianqu Army out of Sun's Wubao Fortress.

Then eliminate the Sky Drive Army in field battles.

Without the Sky Chariot Army, the Sun family of Le'an would become a toothless tiger.

Even with the Sun family's Wu Fortress built according to Sun Tzu's battle formation, they could not withstand Ji Qiu!

Guan Hai was clearly not a fool. Although his intelligence was not high, he was a veteran of many battles and had an instinctive intuition for various strategies and tactics.

So after hearing Ji Qiu start the conversation, he basically guessed Ji Qiu's idea.

He immediately exclaimed excitedly, "So this is the method the leader intends to use to eliminate the Sun family of Le'an and take over Le'an County!"
"Master's plan is brilliant! The Sun family of Le'an could never have imagined such a scheme! Le'an Prefecture is about to be ours!"

"A plan is just a theoretically feasible solution, but whether it can actually be implemented depends on the execution."

Specifically, it mainly depends on your execution. You must maintain the intensity of the attack on Shouguang County at a moderate level.

The goal is to make Shouguang County feel a sufficient sense of crisis and send the strongest possible distress signal to the Sun family of Le'an.

However, at the same time, they could not actually capture Shouguang County.

"Only in this way can we lure all 30,000 of Sun's Heavenly Chariots from Sun's Wubao!" Ji Qiu said.

Guan Hai immediately patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Master. I'm very familiar with this kind of thing. When I was fighting under the former Master, I often used the tactic of besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements."

"This humble general guarantees the mission will be accomplished!"

"Alright, then I'll be waiting for your good news. On the day the Sun family's 30,000 Heavenly Chariots are annihilated, I will personally celebrate your victory!" Ji Qiu patted Guan Hai on the shoulder and laughed.

...Sun's Wubao.

The gray-black city wall rises abruptly from the ground, its top covered with battlements, casting a somber shadow under the setting sun.

The entire Wubao Fort is laid out in an octagonal shape, which subtly corresponds to the essence of the "Eight Formations Diagram" in Sun Tzu's Art of War.

The four gates, located in the east, west, south, and north, correspond to the four cardinal directions: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. Each gate is engraved with ancient seal script, which resembles some kind of mysterious rune.

The city wall is over three zhang (approximately 10 meters) long and several meters thick. Countless tough mulberry wood keels are embedded inside the wall, and it is also cast with a specially made mixed material, making it far more sturdy than ordinary walls.

Every ten steps along the city wall was a watchtower, which contained powerful crossbows and rolling logs and stones. The towers were connected by secret passages, forming a tight defensive network.

Four towering arrow towers stand at the corner of the city, covered with ingenious crossbows. These crossbows have been specially modified to fire multiple arrows at the same time, covering a very wide area.

The core of Uborg's defense lies in its intricate underground tunnel system, which crisscrosses like a maze.

The tunnel is not only equipped with traps and hidden doors, but also contains multiple mechanisms that will trigger a fatal attack if an intruder steps inside.

The design of this tunnel is entirely based on the variations of Sun Tzu's battle formations. Even if the enemy manages to enter, they will lose their way in this maze and become trapped like turtles in a jar.

When foreign enemies invade, a faint golden halo will appear above Wubao, a mysterious power activated by the operation of Sun Tzu's battle formation diagram.

When attackers step into the aura's range, their movements become slower, and the power of their weapons is greatly reduced, as if an invisible force is weakening their momentum.

The defenders, enveloped in the aura, experience a significant boost in strength, speed, and reaction time. Their arms wielding weapons become more stable, their arrows more accurate, and even their usual fatigue vanishes.

Inside Wubao, the layout of the various building complexes also subtly reflects the principles of military strategy. The streets and alleys meander and twist, seemingly chaotic, but in fact, they contain hidden formations and changes.

In front of the Sun Clan Ancestral Hall at the center stands an ancient statue of Sun Tzu. Whenever there is a crisis, the statue's eyes will glow faintly, as if guarding this fortress full of wisdom and power, making any invading enemy hesitate to come.

In the main hall.

A scholar, holding a letter, is solemnly reading aloud: "To Lord Sun: Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the people of the world have suffered greatly."

Shouguang County is now besieged by 100,000 elite Yellow Turban troops. Smoke and fire obscure the sun inside and outside the city walls, and the sound of war drums shakes the sky.

The rebel army erected ladders and rammed the city gates, launching an attack like a raging torrent, relentless day and night, leaving the city's defenses riddled with holes.

Although the defending troops inside the city fought desperately, they were outnumbered, their food supplies were running out, and their arrows were almost exhausted, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among soldiers and civilians.

The people were wailing, the soldiers were exhausted, and the situation was as precarious as a pile of eggs; the city might fall and people would die at any moment.

Shouguang and Guiwubao are both located in Le'an County, connected by blood and as close as lips and teeth.

In the past, the ancestors of the Sun family used their wisdom as military strategists to protect the territory and the people, and their fame spread far and wide.

We earnestly request that your esteemed Wubao, mindful of our shared kinship, promptly dispatch elite troops to our aid!

We are willing to offer the city's grain, fodder, and supplies as a token of our sincerity.

If your army arrives in time, a pincer attack from within and without will surely defeat the Yellow Turbans, save Shouguang from disaster, and ensure peace and tranquility in Le'an County.

I hope that all of you heroes will keep the well-being of the people in mind and not stand idly by!

We desperately await your swift rescue!
The magistrate of Shouguang County bows deeply and respectfully!

"His words are earnest and his attitude is anxious; it seems that Shouguang County is truly about to fall. We must send troops to its aid immediately!"
"Someone, order the Heavenly Chariot Army to immediately assemble all troops and follow me to rescue Shouguang County!" Upon hearing the contents of the letter, the head of the Tian family immediately issued the order.

Shouguang is the gateway to Le'an and the first line of defense against the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. It is of utmost importance and cannot be lost.

He had to get there immediately.

But a young man blocked his way and said in a deep voice, "Father, wait a moment. This matter needs to be considered carefully. Guan Hai has been silent in Beihai for a year. Why would he suddenly attack Shouguang County? This is probably a trap!"

This young man was named Sun Li, the son of the head of the Sun family.

Historically, he served as the governor of Youzhou and possessed outstanding military talent.

During the Jian'an era, he led his army under Yuan Shao to a great victory over Gongsun Zan and defeated the Wuhuan cavalry with a smaller force.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, he saw through the true nature of Guan Yu's northern expedition and offered Cao Cao the strategy of "allying with Wu against Shu," which had a significant impact on the tripartite balance of power in the Three Kingdoms period.

Among the Sun family of Le'an during the entire late Han Dynasty, Sun Li was arguably the most outstanding figure.

However, at this time, Sun Li clearly did not yet have the power or prestige to change his father's decision.

The head of the Sun family shook his head and said, "The Yellow Turbans were originally bandits. Once they have enough food to last for a while, they will go quiet for a period of time."

Once the food is gone, they will naturally come out again to plunder it!
This is nothing unusual.

As for why they besieged Shouguang City, that's even simpler.

It must be because the land in Beihai has been ravaged by them to the point that there is simply no food left.

That's why they thought of coming to wreak havoc on our Le'an County!

Therefore, we must not allow them to breach Shouguang County and enter Le'an Prefecture.

They must be completely annihilated, or at the very least, driven out of Le'an County!

“But…” Sun Li wanted to continue persuading him.

But the head of the Sun family was not giving him that chance, and said decisively, "Alright, the military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. Since you are unwilling to rescue Shouguang County, then stay in the Sun family's Wubao and defend it!"

Subsequently, the head of the Sun family left Sun Li to defend Sunshi Wubao, while he led 30,000 Tianqu troops out of Sunshi Wubao and headed straight for Shouguang City.

……

Shouguang Official Road.

Like a silver-gray ribbon, it stretches straight across the vast land of Qilu.

The official road was built by layering bluestone slabs and rammed earth, and was flat and wide enough for eight horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side.

The stone slabs, polished by time, gleam with a warm luster, and occasionally a few tender green grasses sprout from the cracks, adding a touch of life to the hard road surface.

On both sides of the road are endless fields, with wheat seedlings swaying in the wind like green waves reaching towards the sky.

The official road winds through it, like a jade belt surrounded by emeralds.

Ji Qiu stood at a distance, gazing at the official road, and chuckled, "Zhi Cai, ambushes have always been carried out in dangerous and strategic locations."

But you went against the grain and chose this wide, straight Shouguang official road, with unobstructed views on both sides, as the ambush site.

That's really unexpected.

"My lord is too kind. I had no choice."

Le'an County is a plain area with few strategic locations suitable for ambush.

The head of the Sun family was no fool. Although he was leading troops to aid Shouguang County, he would never take dangerous shortcuts.

Therefore, even if his subordinates wanted to ambush him in a dangerous place, it would be like a skilled cook without rice to make a meal.

If we force it, the head of the Sun family might see through our deception and ruin our lord's important plans!
Instead of doing that, we should do the opposite and ambush the Tianqu Army on the official road in Shouguang!
Firstly, this is an official road with a wide and unobstructed view, so it is unlikely that anyone would choose to ambush someone here.

Therefore, the head of the Tian family would inevitably lower his guard when passing through this area.

Secondly, although the Sky Chariot Army is strong, it is an infantry force, while our army's Wolf Cavalry Battalion and Iron Cavalry Battalion participated in this ambush.

"Using cavalry to fight infantry is actually most suitable in this kind of open terrain!" Xi Zhong explained.

Ji Qiu laughed and said, "Warfare is based on deception."

There are no fixed rules; rather, one must adapt to local conditions and choose the most suitable strategy and tactics!

I believe Zhi Cai's methods of warfare truly embody the essence of Sun Tzu's Art of War. This legacy of the military sage should be destined for you!

"If I could truly witness the legacy of the Sage of War, I would die without regret!" Xi Zhong said with a look of longing.

Sun Tzu, the military strategist, is a figure whose name has been passed down through the ages in China.

His legacy is something that anyone knowledgeable in military strategy would want to see.

Ji Qiu laughed loudly again: "Good, once I obtain the inheritance of the God of War, I will definitely fulfill Zhi Cai's wish!"

As the two chatted and laughed, a mighty and imposing army was already approaching from the distant Shouguang official road.

Thirty thousand Sun family troops swept across the official road of Shouguang like a black torrent, their orderly steps causing the bluestone slabs to tremble.

At the very front of the procession stood a towering black iron flagpole, three zhang tall.

On the jet-black flag, the character "Sun" embroidered with crimson gold thread is powerful and majestic, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight. As it flutters in the wind, it seems to exude an invisible pressure.

This elite force, composed entirely of infantry, wore black chainmail with dark gold dragon patterns inlaid between the plates, and the prominent Sun family crest on their chests gleamed in the sunlight.

The scarlet helmet plumes swayed rhythmically with their steps, like leaping flames, adding a touch of fierceness to their solemn military bearing.

They wielded spears twelve feet long, the shafts forged from a mixture of fine steel and sandalwood, the spearheads gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light, sharp enough to easily pierce through heavy armor;
The ring-pommel sword hanging at the waist has a beautifully curved blade, a handle wrapped in non-slip deerskin, and fine blood grooves on the blade that indicate its ferocity.

Some soldiers also carried improved crossbows, the crossbow mechanisms gleaming with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, demonstrating their powerful lethality.

As they marched, the 30,000 soldiers secretly aligned with Sun Tzu's battle formation, their every movement perfectly synchronized, as if they were one person.

The formations can be switched at will, with shields interlocking like an impregnable wall and spears thrusting like snakes emerging from their holes.

The team's movement was full of hidden secrets. What seemed like a simple walk actually contained changes in the eight trigrams, and every step was incredibly precise.

Their breathing was synchronized with their steps, and the sound of their footsteps merged into a deafening roar, as if the earth itself was trembling.

The open fields on both sides of the official road looked exceptionally small in comparison to this iron-willed army.

"Hiss, is this the Sky Chariot Army that the Sage of War once used to sweep across the world? It really has something special!" Xi Zhong looked at the Sky Chariot Army from afar, and couldn't help but gasp and exclaim in a low voice.

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

As fellow military strategists, Xi Zhong could sense the extraordinary nature of the Sky Chariot Army simply by observing their marching momentum.

It is said that, due to the barrier of Kyushu, the current Sky Drive Army is only one-tenth the strength of the Sky Drive Army of yesteryear.

I wonder just how powerful the Sky Drive Army was back then!
(End of this chapter)