Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

Chapter 111 Lu Yong is here, this is troublesome.

Shanyin, the prefectural governor's residence.

Wang Lang sat in the main seat, holding a scroll of urgent news that had just been delivered from the direction of the Qiantang River.

Gongcao Yu Fan stood at the lower end, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, Liu Bei's army has reached the north bank of the Qiantang River."

According to scouts, their forces number around ten thousand, and their commander is Lu Yong, a military advisor under Liu Bei.

Wang Lang picked up the military report and read it through from beginning to end again.

He was in his early forties, with a thin face, three neatly trimmed long beards, and dressed in a very formal official robe.

Even in the sweltering heat of August, his appearance and attire were impeccable.

"Lu Yong is personally leading a large army here—" Wang Lang repeated the name that had recently become incredibly popular in Jiangdong, and said softly, "This is troublesome."

"Indeed, this man is cunning in his military tactics and has never been defeated." Yu Fan pondered for a moment and said, "But he has gone on a long expedition, and his advantage lies in a swift victory."

The prefect refused to abandon Guling and instead retreated to Shanyin.

Fortify the defenses and scorched earth; avoid war.

Liu Bei's army was short of supplies and withdrew within two months at most.

Then the Prefect will send troops in pursuit, and a complete victory will be achieved.

Wang Lang was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said, "Zhong Xiang, I was ordered by the court to govern Kuaiji, and the people treat me like a parent."

If we are cowardly before the battle even begins and abandon our precarious position to flee, how can we face the elders of Kuaiji?

Moreover, Guling is the northern gate of Kuaiji. If we give it up easily, Liu Bei's army will advance unimpeded. How many days can Shanyin hold out?

Yu opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her again.

Wang Lang waved his hand: "No need to say anything more."

Send the order to reinforce the fortifications of Guling Camp and prepare more bows, crossbows, and oil.

All ferry crossings along the river were closed, and all boats were towed to the south bank.

Beacon towers were set up every mile, and guards were on duty day and night.

Yu Fan knew he couldn't persuade Wang Lang, so he had no choice but to accept the order.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A guard strode in, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Excellency, Zhou Xin, the patriarch of the Zhou clan, requests an audience."

Wang Lang and Yu Fan exchanged a glance.

Zhou Xin is the patriarch of the largest clan in Kuaiji, with three thousand well-trained private soldiers under his command.

After Wang Lang took office, he tried to win Zhou Xin over, but Zhou Xin remained lukewarm towards him.

It's rather rare for someone to take the initiative to see me today.

"Please," Wang Lang said.

A short while later, a man in his forties strode into the hall.

He was eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and burly, clad in armor, with a long sword hanging at his waist; his entire being exuded an aura of fierce bravery.

After Zhou Xin entered, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Lord! I heard that Liu Bei's army is attacking, so I have led three thousand soldiers from my clan to help you defend the city."

Wang Lang was overjoyed upon hearing this, but he remained outwardly calm. He rose and returned the greeting, saying, "Da Ming (Zhou Xin's courtesy name) is very understanding and righteous. I am deeply grateful."

"What are your orders, Lord?" Zhou Xin asked, clasping his hands in greeting.

Wang Lang beckoned him to come to the map. "Guling is the main defensive line on the front, but Yuji on the left flank also needs to be guarded to prevent Liu Bei's army from sneaking across from upstream."

Da Ming could lead his troops to garrison Yuji, forming a defensive alliance with Guling.

Zhou Xin glanced at the map and nodded, saying, "I will go to Yuji to set up defenses."

After seeing Zhou Xin off, Wang Lang sat back down at his desk.

Yu Fan stood to the side, hesitant to speak: "Zhong Xiang, just say what you have to say."

Yu Fan took a deep breath and said, "My lord, Zhou Xin is brave, but he lacks strategy. If Lu Yong really tries to sneak across from upstream, Zhou Xin may not be able to stop him."

Wang Lang waved his hand and said, "I know what I'm doing. Go and arrange the defenses of Shanyin City. Prepare plenty of boulders and logs, and set up more crossbows on the city walls. Even if Guling falls, Shanyin must be defended."

Yu Fan accepted the order and turned to walk out of the hall.

He stood under the veranda, gazing at the northern horizon, a vague unease creeping into his heart.

Although he had never met Lu Yong, he knew of his methods from rumors.

Cao Cao, Liu Yao, Zu Lang, Sun Ce and others suffered great losses at his hands.

Can we really stop him with just this many people?

Moreover, Wang Lang's strategy of holding onto Guling, while seemingly sound, lacked flexibility and adaptability.

But he couldn't persuade Wang Lang, so he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

the other side.

Guan Yu escorted Lu Yong thirty miles outside the city before clasping his hands in a fist and saying, "I, Guan, will await the strategist's report of victory in Wu County."

Lu Yong returned the greeting and rode away.

Dozens of guards followed closely behind, their horses kicking up dust.

After a two-day chase, Lu Yong finally caught up with the army just as they were about to reach the north bank of the Qiantang River.

It was already mid-August, the height of summer and the flood season.

The Qiantang River has a wide surface and a rapid current.

The area around Guling on the south bank was densely fortified, all the main ferry crossings were blocked, and beacon towers were set up every mile.

Lu Yong rode his horse to the riverbank and gazed at the opposite bank.

Xu Sheng, standing beside him, pointed to the camp on the south bank and said, "Reporting to the military advisor, there should be five or six thousand troops defending Guling on the south bank. If we attempt to cross by force, the casualties will likely be significant."

"A direct crossing is definitely not worthwhile," Lu Yong replied. "Let's discuss it again back at camp."

Central command tent.

Lu Yong stood in front of a huge hanging map, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the terrain along the Qiantang River.

Xu Sheng and Zhou Tai stood on either side, waiting quietly for him to speak.

After pondering for a while, Lu Yong said, "Wang Lang has committed all his main forces to Guling, so the defenses in the Chadu area upstream must be weak."

We can sneak across from there and launch a surprise attack from there.

But someone must launch a feint attack from the front to keep their attention firmly focused on Guling.

After saying that, Lu Yong looked at Zhou Tai and said, "Youping, you will lead the navy to contain them head-on."

Xu Sheng then spoke up, saying, "Strategist, we didn't bring any warships with us, and the few ships we collected along the way were all small. I'm afraid they won't be enough to put sufficient pressure on Guling."

Just as Lu Yong was about to speak, a personal guard suddenly reported from outside the tent: "Reporting to the military advisor, a group has arrived outside the camp, led by the Zhang family of Wu County. They say they have come to present a ship."

Xu Sheng and Zhou Tai were both taken aback.

Lu Yong hadn't expected that the prominent families of Wu County would "come to their senses" so quickly.

He smirked slightly and replied, "Let them in."

Before long, a middle-aged scholar in his thirties entered the main tent, followed by two men who appeared to be in charge.

He cupped his hands to Lu Yong and said, "This humble citizen, Zhang Lin, has been ordered by my patriarch to lead three hundred private soldiers, five hundred bushels of grain, and twenty warships to assist the military advisor in suppressing the bandits."

Lu Yong returned the greeting and said, "Mr. Zhang, you've come at the perfect time. Please have a seat."

After Zhang Lin sat down, he said, "The Gu family and the Zhu family have also sent teams, and they are on their way."

The Gu family contributed 1,000 shi of grain and 30 boats.

The Zhu family sent out 500 private soldiers and 20 ships. "

These prominent families of Wu County were initially observing the situation.

Lu Yong's simple action of "going to the Lu family's old residence" immediately made them restless.

They didn't know what Lu Yong had promised the Lu family, but they were afraid of falling behind them.

Lu Yong did not refuse and said to Zhang Lin, "Thank you all for your help."

I will leave the ships behind, and use the provisions for military purposes.

The private soldiers were initially assigned to the rear guard to escort supplies; they were not required to engage in combat for the time being.

Zhang Lin cupped his hands in greeting: "I will follow the strategist's arrangements."

After seeing Zhang Lin off, Lu Yong said to Zhou Tai, "We should have enough ships. Begin the feigned attack tomorrow, at least three times a day, with drums beating and shouts blaring, making a full show of force."

Zhou Tai clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

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