Tiger Owl

Chapter 168 Emergency Deployment

The message sent by carrier pigeon from Wanling County arrived in Chaisang on the same day.

The news that Danyang County had been attacked and captured by Sun Ben also shocked Gan Ning and his men. This event was indeed too sudden, and no one was prepared.

Gan Ning immediately convened a meeting of high-ranking military and political officials to urgently discuss the sudden change in Danyang County.

Pang Tong, the deputy strategist in charge of intelligence, stood up and said to everyone, "The intelligence came from our Wanling intelligence station, so it is highly credible. Moreover, judging from Sun Ben's intelligence over the past two years, he has been preparing for war. He has built hundreds of large warships in Hefei, so it is reasonable for him to launch a surprise attack on Danyang County during the transition from autumn to winter, catching Jiangdong off guard."

Lu Su also said, "Sun Ben has cultivated deep roots in Danyang County for many years. Once he occupies Danyang and has widespread support, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Jiangdong to take back Danyang County. Danyang County is too important to Sun Ben. Even if Cao Cao puts pressure on him, I estimate that Sun Ben will not give in this time."

Gan Ning nodded and said to everyone, "Everyone, Danyang County has nothing to do with us for the time being. What I'm considering is Lujiang County, which is our chance to take over Lujiang County."

"The general is right!"

Jiang Wan slowly said, "This is indeed a good opportunity for us to seize Lujiang County. If I'm not mistaken, Jiangdong may very well ask us for help to deal with Sun Ben. That will be our chance to seize Lujiang County."

Xu Sheng laughed and said, "Chief Secretary Jiang, we can't take Lujiang County at the same pace as Jiangdong. We have to come up with our own plan."

Jiang Wan was very open-minded and chuckled, "General Xu is right. We should take the initiative ourselves. It was my oversight."

Gan Ning waved his hand, “Attack on Lujiang is not something we can just do on a whim. We need to make full preparations. We will ignore Jiangdong and proceed at our own pace. If we happen to encounter a request from Jiangdong, then we can proceed together. But we must prioritize our objectives and pace. Military Advisor Xu, you will be in full charge of the preparations for the battle of Lujiang.”

Xu Shu bowed and said, "As you command!"

In fact, after the Battle of Jiangxia County, a large amount of money, grain and supplies were directly transported to Wan County as preparations for the attack on Lujiang County.

Xu Shu also transported a large amount of siege weapons and armor to Wancheng County, and also transferred 200,000 shi of grain to Wan County. At the same time, he secretly dispatched three armies, namely Taishi Ci's, Zhao Yun's, and Xu Sheng's, totaling 45,000 men, to Lujiang County.

Just as the Yuzhang Army was preparing for battle, outside the Wu Hou government office in Dantu County, sixteen-year-old Ling Jing knelt on the steps with his upper body bare. In front of him was a white silk cloth with four large characters written in blood: "Blood debts must be repaid in blood."

At this moment, Zhang Zhao came out, sighed, and tried to help Ling Jing up, but Ling Jing did not move. Zhang Zhao slowly said, "Get up! Lord Wu has agreed to your request."

Ling Jing suddenly looked up, "Really?"

Zhang Zhao nodded. "From now on, you will serve as the captain of the 13th Battalion of the Northern Army!"

Zhang Zhao turned around and gave him a wink, and immediately two soldiers stepped forward to drape clothes over Ling Jing's shoulders.

"General Ling, please listen to me a few more words. The reason why Lord Wu refused to agree before was not because you are young, but because the hatred in your heart is too heavy. Lord Wu is very worried that you will ruin everything for revenge. Therefore, Lord Wu has only one requirement for you: strictly abide by military orders. If you violate military orders and are executed, do not blame Lord Wu."

Ling Jing nodded silently.

Inside the Wu Hou's office, a heated debate erupted among the high-ranking officials over whether to launch the first major battle. The military generals were eager to take the initiative to attack the northern part of Danyang County, while the civil officials unanimously opposed a hasty attack, arguing that it would lead to defeat.

Huang Gai said loudly, "Sun Ben's army that crossed the river only has 20,000 men. The rest of the army was incorporated after crossing the river. The integration is not yet complete, and the coordination is not yet proficient. The soldiers need time to train. It has only been less than a month, which is far from enough time. We must go into battle as soon as possible and launch an attack before the enemy has completed its integration and training to take back the northern region."

Cheng Jin also said, "Lord Wu, General Huang is right. Insufficient training is the enemy's biggest weakness at present. We must seize this weakness. This is one of my few opportunities."

"I object!" Lü Fan shouted. "The army is not prepared, and our food and logistics are inadequate. If we launch a rash attack, we are likely to suffer a crushing defeat!"

Zhang Zhao agreed, saying, "Chief Secretary Lü has hit the nail on the head. War is a matter of national strength. If we are not well prepared, we will fail, and once we fail, it will be very difficult to turn things around."

At this moment, Zhou Yu slowly said, "Lord Wu, let me say a few words!"

"Please speak, Commander!"

Zhou Yu sighed and said, "Actually, I prefer to launch an attack. Logistics can be done quickly. We can transport supplies directly to the south bank of the Yangtze River by large ships. For example, if we first capture Jiangcheng County, which is close to the Yangtze River, it will be very suitable as a logistics base. When the army arrives there, the supply fleet will arrive at the same time. Lord Wu, supplies are not a problem. The problem now is our determination. Dantu County is too close to Danyang County. The enemy can reach Dantu County with a single charge. We can't delay any longer."

Zhou Yu's last sentence hit Sun Quan's sore spot: Dantu County was too close to Danyang Commandery, only fifty li away, and could be reached with a single charge.

At this moment, Sun Quan finally made up his mind. He slammed his hand on the desk and shouted sternly, "Where are Cheng Jin and Huang Gai?"

Cheng Jin and Huang Gai quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your humble servants are here!"

"I'm giving you 30,000 troops. Take Jiangcheng County and Niuzhu Ferry within ten days, without fail!"

Cheng Jin and Huang Gai nodded solemnly, "Your subordinates will obey!"

Three days later, the Jiangdong army and Sun Ben's army clashed in the Jiangcheng County of Danyang Commandery, with Cheng Jin as the main general and Huang Gai as the deputy general, leading 30,000 troops against Han Dang's 30,000 troops.

They were once the closest of friends, but now they are forced to fight for their respective masters on the battlefield, with their armies locked in a bloody battle.

The two sides were evenly matched in this battle, which lasted for three days and involved more than twenty battlefields of varying sizes. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, with tens of thousands of soldiers killed on each side. In the end, the battle ended in a draw, with the Jiangdong army occupying Jiangcheng County and Sun Ben's army holding Niuzhu.

Immediately afterwards, Sun Ben reinforced his troops by 20,000 men, and together with Han Dang's 20,000 troops, a total of 40,000 men surrounded Jiangcheng County.

As Lü Fan predicted, although the supply ships reached the Yangtze River near Jiangcheng County, they were unable to deliver the grain supplies into the city.

The 20,000-strong Jiangdong army could only survive on the meager grain reserves in the county town. Even after all the grain reserves were plundered, they could not hold out for more than ten days.

Cheng Jin and Huang Zhong became anxious. They now had only two options: either break through and retreat, or urge reinforcements to arrive.

After five days of stalemate, and still waiting for reinforcements from Dantu County, Cheng Jin and Huang Gai, after repeated discussions, decided to break out of the encirclement.

As night fell, the gates of Jiangcheng County were opened, the drawbridge was lowered, and 20,000 troops swarmed out, rushing towards the enemy's defensive camp.

Han created an opportunity for them, clearing a path for them to escape.

The 20,000-strong army fought their way out and retreated to Wu County.

=====
[Sorry, Lao Gao is a bit sick today, please take the lunch break.]

(End of this chapter)