Tiger Owl

Chapter 44: Driving the tiger away from the mountain
Hou Ping was promoted to commander and received a reward of 100 strings of cash. He was very pleased with himself. Early in the morning, the drum for gathering generals sounded in the central command tent. Hou Ping rushed out of the tent to attend the military intelligence meeting.

This was also what pleased him most; he was now qualified to participate in General He's military intelligence discussions.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he ran out of the main tent, he was met by Xu Sheng, who was holding a long spear. Hou Ping turned and ran, but Zhang Tai blocked him with a spear from behind, and Xu Sheng's men were on both sides.

Hou Ping had nowhere to escape, so he had no choice but to kneel down with a thud, clasp his hands together and plead, "I didn't betray the general on purpose, He Qi forced me!"

Xu Sheng sneered, "I, Xu Sheng, was blind to believe a despicable and shameless scoundrel like you!"

He raised his gun and pierced Hou Ping's chest. Hou Ping screamed and died instantly.

Xu Sheng shouted to his former subordinates, "He Qi has driven me to the brink of despair. I am going to open the north gate and join General Gan. If there are any brothers who are willing to follow me, Xu Sheng, please come with me!"

The soldiers raised their arms and shouted, "I am willing to follow General Xu!"

Xu Sheng led more than 300 men to attack the north gate.

Hou Ping's dozen or so trusted subordinates rushed to the central command tent to report the emergency.

Inside the central command tent, He Qi was summoning all generals of the rank of Qu Chang and above to arrange the city's defenses. He only had three thousand troops. If he could gather ten thousand militia to assist in defending the city, they could still hold out for a while thanks to the high walls of Haihun County. The key was that reinforcements had to arrive in time.

Just then, a soldier outside the tent shouted, "Reporting to the general, Xu Sheng has killed Hou Ping and led his troops toward the north gate."

He Qi was shocked. Without asking why, he immediately stood up and shouted, "Come with me to the North Gate!"

He Qi led more than a thousand soldiers to the north gate, but it was too late. Xu Sheng scattered the soldiers guarding the city, opened the gate, and Ding Feng, who was lying in ambush outside the city, led three thousand troops to swarm in.

Seeing that the situation was not good, He Qi turned his horse around and fled towards the south gate, with more than a thousand soldiers following him.

They had barely run a mile from the south gate when drums sounded all around, and ambushes appeared. Shen Mi led five thousand troops to attack from all directions.

He Qi fought desperately to break through the encirclement. Shen Mi also received Gan Ning's order to only intercept the soldiers and let He Qi go. Gan Ning had no interest in He Qi; he only wanted Xu Sheng. He Qi would definitely push all the blame onto Xu Sheng. At that time, Xu Sheng would have no choice but to follow him wholeheartedly.

He Qi led a dozen or so personal guards out of the encirclement and fled in disarray.

Gan Ning led his army into Haihun County, where the defending troops surrendered one after another. Xu Sheng clasped his hands and knelt on one knee, saying, "Xu Sheng has been forced by treacherous people and has no other way out. I am willing to serve the general like a dog or a horse!"

Gan Ning was overjoyed and quickly helped Xu Sheng up, saying, "Sun Ben and He Qi failed to recognize your great talent, General, which has caused your brilliance to be obscured. General Xu is willing to follow Gan Ning, and Gan Ning will never let you down!"

After capturing Haihun County, they obtained 3,000 surrendered soldiers, 30,000 shi of grain, 20,000 guan of cash, 6,000 sets of armor, more than 300 warhorses, and countless other supplies such as gongs, drums, tents, meat, salt, and sauce.

Gan Ning ordered Shen Mi and Zhang Xi to lead 5,000 men, including surrendered soldiers, to garrison Haihun County.

Gan Ning then appointed Li Dai as the magistrate of Haihun County, mobilizing the people to assist Shen Mi and Zhang Xi in defending the city.

Gan Ning personally led 8,000 troops on foot to the Gan River, which was dozens of miles away, while Wang Ping, with 3,000 soldiers and over 1,000 warships, was already waiting at Xiushuikou.

The army boarded the boat at Xiushuikou. A strong north wind billowed the sails as they headed toward Nanchang County.

Winter is the season for truce, so Sun Ben and Lü Fan returned to Wu Commandery, and Sun Fu took charge of Nanchang. Sun Ben also arranged for Han Dang to assist his brother.

Sun Fu was about twenty years old. He was only two years old when his father passed away. He was raised by his elder brother Sun Ben from a young age. Although they were brothers in name, they were actually like father and son.

Although Sun Fu followed Sun Ce in his campaigns, Sun Ce always personally handled all aspects of military operations, so Sun Fu did not have the opportunity to lead troops into battle independently and spent most of his time in charge of logistics.

The New Year was just a few days away, and Sun Fu was finally able to relax and prepare for a good rest. But just then, He Qi from Haihun County suddenly sent a letter asking for help. Gan Ning was leading 10,000 troops to attack Haihun County and pleaded with Sun Fu to send troops to its aid immediately.

Sun Fu was greatly alarmed. Haihun County was the northern gateway to Nanchang. If Haihun County were lost, Nanchang County would be in danger.

He immediately summoned General Han Dang. After Sun Jian's death, his army was annexed by Yuan Shu. Later, Sun Ben surrendered to Yuan Shu, and Yuan Shu handed over Sun Jian's army to Sun Ben, which also included the three generals Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang.

However, Sun Ben never returned the army to Sun Ce. In fact, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were always loyal to Sun Ben.

After Liu Yao defeated Sun Ben in Danyang County, Sun Ben had no choice but to compromise and return Cheng Pu and Huang Gai to Sun Ce, but Han Dang continued to follow him.

Sun Ben was appointed Prefect of Yuzhang, and Han Dang was naturally given an important position, commanding 10,000 troops to garrison Nanchang. Sun Ben returned to Wu Commandery, while Sun Fu was just a pale-faced scholar with poor military command ability. Han Dang effectively became the commander of Nanchang County.

Han Dang frowned, puzzled, and asked, "The New Year is only three days away. Why would Gan Ning attack Haihun at this time?"

Sun Fu handed the letter to Han Dangdao: "The letter says that Xu Sheng attacked Liling County without authorization, which angered Gan Ning, who then led his army to retaliate!"

Han Dang knew perfectly well that Xu Sheng was just a low-ranking general. What authority did he have to attack Liling County? It must have been He Qi who gave the order, but in the end, Xu Sheng was made to bear the responsibility.

But Han Dang also knew that Haihun County could not be lost. He immediately said to Sun Fu, "I will lead 5,000 troops to support Haihun County. Young master, guard Nanchang well and be vigilant at all times. Do not rest or take leave."

"I know, General, set off immediately!"

Han Dang then instructed his deputy general Cheng Zi to assist Sun Fu properly. He immediately mustered five thousand men, each carrying ten days' worth of rations, and set off along the official road towards Haihun County, a hundred miles away.

The next day was December 29th, two days before the New Year, and the entire city of Nanchang was immersed in the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Early in the morning, as soon as the city gates opened, several merchants arrived outside the north gate, led by Wang Ping.

Wang Ping was still worried that his brother Wang Xiaoman was young and inexperienced, and that if the operation failed, it would ruin the lord's important affairs. Therefore, he volunteered to personally command the inside agents.

As soon as he entered the city gate, Wang Ping saw the Gaosheng Inn not far away. He led two of his men directly over there. Just as he reached the entrance, he encountered Wang Xiaoman coming out of the inn.

"Why is my brother here?" Wang Xiaoman asked in astonishment.

"Let's talk inside!"

Wang Xiaoman quickly invited her brother to the courtyard of the inn, and they booked a room there.

Entering the room, Wang Ping asked, "Where are the brothers?"

“I rented three houses, and they lived in them.”

Wang Ping nodded. "The situation has changed. We can't wait until tomorrow; we have to act tonight. Our lord has asked me to oversee the inside operations, and you will be my deputy."

Wang Xiaoman nodded silently. Then, remembering something, he said, "Han Dang led 5,000 troops to Haihun County yesterday afternoon. Since yesterday afternoon, Sun Fu has canceled all leave for the army, and the army has entered a state of alert."

"Our lord has also thought of this, which is why he decided to act ahead of schedule. You book the entire inn, drive away the other guests, and then move all three hundred brothers into the inn. We will make our move at the second watch of the night."

Wang Xiaoman hesitated for a moment and then said, "There's something I need to tell my brother!"

(End of this chapter)