Tiger Owl

Chapter 233 On the verge of breaking out

The Western Chu army easily captured Hepu County, which was quite large, including present-day Maoming, Zhanjiang, Beihai, the Leizhou Peninsula, and Hainan Island, with its easternmost point near the Pearl River Estuary.

Hepu Prefecture has a sparse population, consisting of only five counties, the largest of which is Hepu County, with a population of only a few thousand. Additionally, Hainan Island is called Zhuyazhou, which is governed by Xuwen County, the southernmost part of the Leizhou Peninsula.

Five thousand troops from Jiaozhou followed Shi Xie to Jiaozhi County. All the grain and supplies were transported away, leaving the county town in a state of desolation.

Bu Zhi led several salt officials to the seaside. One of their major objectives in seizing Hepu County was to obtain salt resources. The azure seawater was very clean, clear and sparkling under the sunlight. They searched for several places to boil salt.

During the Three Kingdoms period, sea salt was still produced by boiling. It wasn't until after the Song Dynasty that the method of sun-drying salt began to be used. Therefore, boiling salt required sufficient fuel. Tropical coastal areas had no shortage of plants, but there was another serious problem: transportation.

Salt cannot be transported by animal power, as it is time-consuming, laborious, and has a small capacity. Salt must be transported by boat, but there are no rivers leading to the Yu River here, and the Yu River is separated from it by the Shiwan Mountain.

After discussing the matter, the head salt official said to Bu Zhi, “We just considered that we could use seagoing vessels to transport the salt to Lingdingyang in Nanhai County, which is the mouth of the Yu River. The fleet can take the route of Yu River-Li River-Ling Canal-Xiang River. But here’s the problem: if we’re going to go that way, why don’t we just boil the salt in Nanhai County and avoid taking another sea route?”

Bu Zhi understood what they meant; they were essentially rejecting the plan to boil salt in Hepu County. Bu Zhi, of course, did not force the issue, as Hepu County had a sparse population and it would be difficult to find laborers for salt production.

“Okay, I’ll send someone to take you to Nanhai County for an inspection later.”

Bu Zhi appointed Lu Hui, the Sima of Hepu Commandery, as the governor of Hepu Commandery, and he led his troops back to Cangwu Commandery.

Half a month later, Bu Zhi led his troops back to Guangxin County in Cangwu Prefecture. As soon as he arrived in the county town, Xu Jing greeted him and said, "Commander Bu, the Marquis of Chu has sent something urgent. It was just delivered yesterday."

Bu Zhi hurriedly opened the letter and read it carefully. The Marquis of Chu had given instructions on his previous report, and adopted the first option of the second plan for Shi Xie of Jiaozhi County. If Shi Xie led his army to resist stubbornly, his family would be exterminated to eliminate any future troubles.

If Shi Xie surrenders without a fight, his life can be spared and his property preserved, but the entire Shi Xie family must be sent to Chaisang.

Secondly, it was necessary to protect the scholars living in Jiaozhi and safely send them and their families back to Chaisang. Jiaozhi had many famous people who fled from the north, such as Yuan Hui, Liu Ba, Cheng Bing, Xue Zong, Xu Ci, Mou Zi, and Kang Senghui.

Three days later, Bu Zhi led an army of 40,000 men with over a thousand ships, fully loaded with provisions and supplies, and 40,000 donkeys to Linchen County in the southwest of Yulin County. Linchen County was the closest county to Jiaozhi County, and it was connected to Guangxin County by waterway, allowing small boats with a capacity of less than 500 shi to sail.

That morning, the army arrived in Linchen County.

Linchen County is today's Chongzuo City, but during the Three Kingdoms period it was just a small county. However, it was the first county that Jiaozhi Commandery entered Yulin Commandery, and its commerce and shipping industry were relatively prosperous.

The army transported grain and supplies into the county town, and Bu Zhi immediately ordered the town to be cleared. All merchants and non-locals had to leave Linchen County before noon.

Bu Zhi was a civil official, and civil officials tend to be more meticulous in their considerations. On the one hand, Bu Zhi was worried that there might be spies in the county town who would leak their military intelligence. On the other hand, as a crucial logistics hub, the large number of outsiders in Linchen County would inevitably affect the safety of grain and supplies.

The county town fell silent instantly. Inside the temporary military headquarters, Bu Zhi, Zhao Yun, and Taishi Ci discussed their next move. "Linchen County is still about 500 li away from the Hongshui River Plain. To avoid being ambushed by the enemy, we'll need at least another seven or eight days to get there. I'd like to hear your opinions, Generals."

Zhao Yun thought for a moment and said, "Soldiers can carry a month's worth of rations on donkeys, but if we also consider carrying other supplies, then they can only carry half a month's worth of rations at most. That's equivalent to making a round trip, so we might only have one or two days to attack. Time is too tight. We must find a logistics point to continuously transport food and supplies to support the army's operations. It can be said that this logistics point is the key to the outcome of our battle in Jiaozhi."

Taishi Ci, standing nearby, added, “I strongly agree with what General Zhao said. In terms of strength, we are confident that we can defeat the Jiaozhi army, but we are afraid of various unforeseen events, such as food shortages or soldiers falling ill. I also believe that it is crucial to capture a county as a logistical base, so that soldiers can have a place to recuperate if they fall ill.”

Bu Zhi spread out a map, pointed to a county town, and said, "Actually, I've also considered this issue. What do you think of this county town?"

Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci looked over together and saw Bu Zhi pointing at Wangmei County. Zhao Yun frowned and said, "I remember Sima said that this county is relatively difficult to attack!"

"It is indeed difficult to attack. It is said to be a fortified city, easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, its location is too good. It is only eighty li away from Longbian County, the city has a circumference of twenty li, and there is plenty of water. Once we take it, it will become a very strategically valuable logistics base, and we will be able to gain a foothold in Jiaozhi County."

"Are there any trees around?" Taishi Ci asked.

"The surrounding area is all covered with vast forests."

Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci exchanged a glance, and Zhao Yun laughed, "Good things are indeed hard to obtain, but once we take them, they will become the key to victory or defeat. We will definitely take Wangmei County!"

At this time, Shi Xie was also actively preparing for war. He recruited another 20,000 troops, bringing his total army to 40,000. Shi Xie had received a message from Linchen County via carrier pigeon that tens of thousands of Yuzhang troops had arrived in Linchen County.

Shi Xie pondered for a long time, then said to his brothers and sons, "It's too far from Linchen County. Their logistics can't support them. They will definitely seize a city as a logistics support base. If I'm not mistaken, they must be going to seize Wangmei County."

The second brother, Shiwu, said, "Wangmei County is our northern gateway. If the northern gateway falls, it will be very disadvantageous for us. Elder brother, I am willing to lead the army to defend Wangmei County."

Shi Xie nodded. "I think we can take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we can defend Wangmei County, and on the other hand, we can send ambushes to harass the enemy. If we can take advantage of our familiarity with the terrain, it would be best if we could attack the enemy's supply convoy."

The second son, Shizhi, immediately stood up and said, "Your son is willing to lead two thousand troops to harass the enemy!"

Shi Xie immediately made a decision, ordering his second brother Shi Wu to lead 8,000 troops with over 100 medium-sized catapults to Wangmei County. Together with the original 2,000 troops in Wangmei County, there would be 10,000 troops defending the city.

He also ordered his second son, Shizhi, to lead two thousand mountain troops to harass the Yuzhang army along the way, making full use of their familiarity with the terrain to harass the enemy, especially to raid the enemy's supply lines.
Shi Xie never considered surrendering to Gan Ning. He was loyal to the imperial court and Cao Cao, and he looked down on Gan Ning, a small local power.

The war is about to start.

(End of this chapter)