Tiger Owl

Chapter 174 Recommendation of the Prefect
Three days later, Gan Ning arrived in Shuxian, accompanied by Huang Zhong and Xu Sheng's 30,000 troops and 1,000 warships.

Surrounded by his generals, Gan Ning entered the command tent. He waved his hand, inviting everyone to sit down.

Gan Ning smiled and said, "Thank you all for your hard work in capturing Lujiang County this time. Our next target is Jiujiang County. I hope you will continue your efforts and prove our strength with our power."

Everyone was eager to start their attack on Jiujiang County.

Seeing everyone's excitement, Gan Ning laughed and said, "I want to pour some cold water on everyone first. Our attack on Jiujiang County is not to occupy it, but to drive Sun Ben out of Danyang County. This is a joint military agreement we signed with Jiangdong, so we will eventually give up Jiujiang County and return to Lujiang County. Lujiang County is our territory."

The generals fell silent. Taishi Ci, who deeply hated Sun Ben, couldn't help but raise his hand and say, "General, let Sun Ben and Sun Quan fight amongst themselves. Once they're both exhausted, wouldn't it be better for us to reap the benefits?"

Although Taishi Ci's words made some sense, Gan Ning felt that history had already been altered by him. It was very likely that Cao Cao would not wait until the thirteenth year of Jian'an to attack the south, but would do so much earlier. The most direct evidence was that Hua Xin proposed in the court to restore the position of prime minister. If nothing unexpected happened, Cao Cao would be appointed prime minister by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. This was something that would not happen until the twelfth year of Jian'an, but would happen in the eighth year of Jian'an.

Because of this, Gan Ning realized that if he destroyed Jiangdong, he would not be able to deal with the Jiangnan Group in a short time, and the two Suns might even join forces against him again.

If Jiangdong cannot be subdued in a short time, Cao Cao's army will march south, which would be a huge problem. Therefore, considering the overall situation, now is not the time to attack Jiangdong.

Gan Ning smiled and explained, "Sun Ben is a wedge that Cao Cao planted in Jiangnan. If Cao Cao's army comes and Sun Ben is still in Danyang County, Cao Cao's army can easily cross the river. Do you all understand now? It is extremely important to drive Sun Ben out of Jiangnan."

Everyone then understood and expressed their determination to obey military orders. Taishi Ci also felt ashamed, realizing he had oversimplified the matter.

Gan Ning then laughed and said, "Everyone, take a good rest for a day. Tomorrow we will send troops to Jiujiang County."

After the generals took their leave, Gan Ning kept Xu Shu behind alone.

"Strategist, tell me how to reward the soldiers?" Gan Ning asked with a smile.

"After we captured Shuxian, we found that there were only 30,000 strings of cash in the official treasury."

Gan Ning frowned and said, "Only 30,000 strings of cash? That's so little?"

"My later investigation revealed that Xu Qian had embezzled a large sum of money, at least 100,000 guan. General, rest assured, I will definitely recover this money."

Gan Ning nodded and asked again, "Thirty thousand strings of cash is too little. Is there anything else we can use to make up for it?"

"I found another 60,000 bolts of cloth, and in the general's name, I distributed the cloth and money to the soldiers."

That's more like it; it's equivalent to each soldier receiving a reward of three strings of cash.

Gan Ning pondered for a moment and then said, "I estimate that the news has not spread yet. We must attack immediately. I hope to capture Hefei County, which will put more pressure on Cao Cao's army."

"The general just said that we should send troops tomorrow, and I think that's about right."

Gan Ning then smiled and asked, "Regarding the Prefect of Lujiang Commandery, does the strategist have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Xu Shu pondered for a moment and said, "This humble servant believes that Fan Fang is suitable to serve as the magistrate of Wan County."

"Is Fan Fang's appointment as the Prefect of Lujiang Commandery a bit too unqualified?"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "Fan Fang is indeed capable, very organized, kind and generous, and has a good reputation in Wan County. I have long recognized him as an excellent official, and he is very suitable to serve as the prefect of Lujiang County. As for his qualifications, his qualifications are at least much higher than mine."

Gan Ning nodded, "Alright, I'll think about it! Strategist, please get some rest too. We'll set off early tomorrow morning!"

Xu Shu took his leave, and Gan Ning stood with his hands behind his back before the map, deep in thought. He had long had an idea for how to attack Jiujiang County: a direct assault on Hefei, advancing simultaneously by water and land. "May I ask if the general has rested?"

"Not yet! Is there something you need, General Zhao?"

"Please pass on my message."

Zhao Yun arrived, and Gan Ning smiled and said, "Zilong, come in!"

Zhao Yun strode in, bowed, and said, "Greetings, General?"

"Shouldn't we provide a good battle plan?"

Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "This humble servant has come as the Prefect of Lujiang Commandery."

Gan Ning waved his hand, "Let's sit down and talk!"

The two sat down, and Zhao Yun asked, "Has the general decided who will be appointed as the governor of Lujiang Commandery?"

"No decision has been made yet. Does General Zhao have anyone to recommend?"

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment before saying, "This humble servant would like to recommend Fan Fang for the position of Prefect of Lujiang Commandery."

"Why recommend him?" Gan Ning asked with a smile, "You two have been friends for a long time!"

Zhao Yun quickly shook his head, "My recommendation of him has nothing to do with our friendship. I know he is capable and honest in his official duties. Even Gongsun Zan praised him as an upright and incorruptible person. When we went south, his entire family's possessions amounted to only a dozen or so strings of cash, and their clothes were all made of cloth. I have always thought that he is not good at flattery, which is why he has never been given important positions. I feel that I would be derelict in my duty if I did not recommend such a talented and honest official to the general."

Gan Ning nodded. "Actually, Xu Shu also recommended him. It seems he does have some ability. I understand. I will write a letter to Chief Secretary Jiang to send officials to Wan County for investigation. This is a rather secretive matter. Don't inform him."

Zhao Yun quickly shook his head, "This subordinate will not!"

"That's good. Zilong, you should get some rest!"

"I resign from my humble position!"

Zhao Yun bowed and left the tent, a smile spreading across his face. Fan Fang had been neglected for so many years; finally, he had a chance to rise to prominence.

The next morning, the 60,000 Yuzhang troops split into two routes. One route, led by Gan Ning and Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci with 30,000 troops, traveled by land with light troops and swift movement. The other route, led by Huang Zhong and Xu Sheng with 1,000 warships, traveled by water. The two armies, one by land and one by water, headed straight for Hefei County.

South of the Huai River, there are two strategic cities: one is Xiangyang, which is backed by the Jianghan Plain and guards the strategic passage to the south; the other is Hefei County.

The main reason why Hefei was so important during the Three Kingdoms period, and why several major battles were fought for it, was that the Grand Canal in Jiangnan was severely silted up and the waterway was narrow, allowing only small boats with a capacity of less than 1,000 shi (a unit of volume) to pass.

Therefore, when attacking Jiangnan from the Central Plains, a large amount of grain and supplies needed to be transported. The only options were to take the Han River or the Huai River, then the Fei River to Hefei, then to Chaohu Lake, and finally through the Ruxu River into the Yangtze River.

It can be said that Hefei is the only large-scale waterway connecting the eastern region to the Central Plains, and as the connecting node between the upper and lower reaches, its strategic position is extremely important.

The 60,000-strong army marched day and night, determined to capture Hefei before Cao Cao's army could react. There was an even more important reason: Sun Ben had placed his main force in Shouchun, the capital city, and Hefei was defended by only 3,000 men. Hefei had to be captured before Cao Cao's reinforcements arrived.

(End of this chapter)