Han Ji

"The White Horse is in Dongjun, on the south bank of the Yellow River. Who is the garrison commander?"

Xun Yu said, "Liu Yan, the governor of Dongjun, has three thousand men under his command."

Liu Bei tapped the spot where the white horse was. "Three thousand men can't stop Yan Liang's ten thousand. We must send reinforcements."

He turned around. "Yizhou is temporarily stable. Transfer Yunchang north. Let him lead 20,000 elite troops to garrison Guandu. Yide will lead 20,000 infantry as reinforcements. Zilong will lead 8,000 cavalry for mobility."

Qian Zhao squatted in the corner and said, "Brother, I am willing to lead the special operations battalion north first. From Liyang to Baima, and from Baima to Guandu, we will conduct reconnaissance along the way. We will find out everything about Yuan Shao's troop deployment, grain storage points, and the distribution of each battalion."

Liu Bei said, "Alright. You go first. Once you arrive, send a message by carrier pigeon, reporting back once a day."

Xun Yu asked, "My lord, what about the western front? Will Yuan Shao send the Wuhuan people to attack from Bingzhou?"

Liu Bei gestured westward on the map. "Mengqi. Let him lead his cavalry to garrison Shangjun and defend the western front. Bingzhou is Yuan Shao's territory, but it's mountainous and the roads are treacherous, making it difficult for cavalry to traverse. He can hold them off."

Jia Xu said, "My lord, there is also Wancheng. Wancheng is the southern gateway. Let Zhang Xiu guard Wancheng well and don't move. Liu Biao is in Jingzhou. Although we dare not make a move lightly, we still need to be on guard."

Liu Bei said, "That's right. Zhang Xiu should guard Wancheng. Gan Ning's fleet should strengthen patrols to ensure the smooth flow of grain supplies by water. The transport of grain from Yizhou to Chang'an and Luoyang depends entirely on this waterway."

Xun Yu said, "My lord, we should also contact Sun Ce. Have him feign an attack from Jiangdong to distract Liu Biao. Once Liu Biao is distracted, we won't have to worry about the south."

Liu Bei said, "Write a letter. Send someone to Jiangdong and tell Sun Ce that the court needs him to restrain Liu Biao."

Jian Yong made a note of it. "Brother, there's one more thing. What about Cao Cao?"

Liu Bei paused for a moment. "Cao Cao won't help me. He'd rather I fight Yuan Shao and both of us be severely weakened. He'll sit back and watch us fight, and then make his move to take advantage of the situation."

Jia Xu said, "You are right, my lord. But we should still send someone to see Cao Cao, ostensibly to inform him of the court's movements, but actually to probe Cao Cao's strength and weaknesses. We should see how many troops he has and how he has deployed them in Yanzhou and Xuzhou."

Liu Bei said, "Xianhe, you go. You've been there before, you know the way. Take the imperial edict with you, saying that the court is praising him for his meritorious service in governing Yanzhou and is rewarding him with brocade and gold. See how he reacts."

Jian Yong said, "Yes."

Liu Bei turned around and looked at everyone. "Wenruo, stay in Chang'an and oversee the rear. The distribution of grain, the conscription of soldiers, and the maintenance of government affairs in each province are all entrusted to you. Chang'an is the foundation; it cannot be allowed to fall into disarray."

Xun Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Rest assured, my lord."

Liu Bei said, "Wenhe, I will accompany you on this campaign. Once we reach the front lines, I will need your advice and strategies."

Jia Xu nodded. "Yes."

Liu Bei returned to his seat and placed his hand on the table. "My opponent is Yuan Shao. He has 200,000 troops and control of four provinces. He comes with overwhelming force. But I have Hulao Pass, Hangu Pass, 70,000 to 80,000 capable soldiers, generals like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao who can defeat ten thousand men, and strategists like Wen Ruo and Wen He. I also have the emperor in my hands and the righteous cause."

"Yuan Shao, let's settle this on the battlefield."

The next morning, all the government offices in Chang'an were mobilized.

Jian Yong transferred 300,000 shi of grain from the imperial treasury, loaded it onto oxcarts, and transported them eastward, cart after cart. The oxcarts formed a long procession, exiting from the east gate of Chang'an and heading towards Luoyang along the official road. The wheels clattered on the frozen ground. The laborers, wrapped in thick coats, their breath steaming in the air, drove the oxen forward.

Xun Yu was checking the accounts in the treasury. A whole table was piled high with bamboo slips. He flipped through them one by one, running his fingers along the numbers and reciting them aloud. The amount of grain, cloth, money, and weapons—he remembered it all.

Guan Yu set off from Yizhou.

Zhang Fei is already in Luoyang. He has re-inspected the defenses of Hulao Pass. The arrow towers on the city walls have been reinforced, the moats have been deepened, and five thousand shi of grain have been stored in the granaries.

He stood on the gate tower, looking east. To the east stretched an endless plain, with the official road like a gray ribbon extending into the distance.

Zhao Yun assembled his cavalry outside Chang'an. Ten thousand riders, each with two horses—one for riding and one carrying provisions and arrows. Zhao Yun rode a white horse, clad in white robes and silver armor, his spear held horizontally across the saddle. He paced back and forth in front of the cavalry, inspecting the equipment of each rider.

Ma Chao led five thousand cavalrymen towards Shangjun. He rode a black horse, his spear hanging from the saddle. His cavalrymen were all veterans from Liangzhou, each a skilled warrior and an expert horseman. When the column passed through the north gate of Chang'an, the dust kicked up by their horses' hooves obscured half the street.

Qian Zhao led the special operations battalion ahead. A thousand men, each equipped with a short sword, crossbow, and carrier pigeon, rode swift horses. They left Chang'an, headed east, passed Luoyang, crossed Hulao Pass, and headed towards the Yellow River ferry. Qian Zhao rode at the very front, a short sword at his waist, and water pouches and ration bags hanging from his saddle.

Liu Bei stood on the city wall of Chang'an, looking eastward. The sky was overcast, and the procession on the official road grew farther and farther away, eventually becoming a small black dot.

Xun Cai stood beside him, holding a thick cloak, and draped it over his shoulders.

"You're going to lead the army yourself?"

Liu Bei said, "I will lead the campaign myself. Yuan Shao has mobilized his entire army, so I must go personally."

Xun Cai didn't speak, but gripped the cloak straps tightly.

"When are you leaving?"

"Now," Liu Bei said. "I will arrive in Luoyang before the first day of the second month."

Xun Cai nodded. "Bring the cloak. It's still cold in February."

Liu Bei turned around and looked at her. "Don't worry. I'm leaving. Chang'an is in your and Wenruo's hands. The rear must not be in chaos."

Xun Cai said, "Don't worry."

Liu Bei set off from Chang'an. He rode a white horse, without any ceremonial entourage, only accompanied by his personal guards and Jia Xu. The army left the east gate of Chang'an and headed towards Luoyang along the official road.

The wind blew in from the west, hard and stinging my face. In the fields by the roadside, the winter wheat had not yet turned green, the bare yellow soil was exposed, and the wind blew up dust.

After five days' journey, they arrived in Luoyang. Zhang Fei greeted them at the city gate, clad in iron armor with a spear slung over his shoulder.

"Brother, everything at Hulao Pass is ready. When Yuan Shao arrives, I'll kill him."

Liu Bei dismounted and patted Zhang Fei on the shoulder. "Yide, you've worked hard."

Zhang Fei said, "Don't worry. As long as Hulao Pass stands, I will stand with you."

Guan Yu had arrived at Guandu. He led 20,000 elite troops and set up camp there. The camp was fortified, with deep moats and high walls, and the fence was made of thick logs driven into the ground, with a ring of deer antlers around the outside. Guan Yu stood at the camp gate, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade stuck in the ground, its blade reflecting the sunlight.

Zhao Yun led eight thousand cavalrymen to garrison on the west side of Guandu, not far from the Yellow River. The cavalrymen drilled daily on the riverbank, their horses' hooves thundering on the frozen ground. Zhao Yun stood on the bank, looking north. On the opposite bank of the Yellow River, he could faintly see Yuan Shao's banners.

On the fourth day of the second month, the carrier pigeon that had been sent to summon him returned. The pigeon landed in the pigeon coop at the General's Mansion in Chang'an, with a thin bamboo tube tied to its leg. Xun Yu removed the bamboo tube, pulled out the note inside, glanced at it, and his expression changed.

The note read: "Yuan Shao's vanguard, Yan Liang, with 10,000 troops, has reached the north bank of Baima. They will cross the river around the fifth day of the second month."

At the same time, another carrier pigeon arrived in Liu Bei's hands in Luoyang. Liu Bei unfolded the note, read it, and handed it to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu glanced at it. "My lord, let's begin."

Liu Bei stood up and walked outside the tent. It was already dark in the east, and nothing could be seen. A wind blew by, carrying the fishy smell of the Yellow River.

"Send the order: the entire army is on high alert. Yuan Shao is coming."