"On the walls of Deng County, Shen Dan somewhat embarrassedly turned his head away: 'Although I am not as capable as Xu Gongming, if something happens to Ban City ...'"
Xu Shu looked at Shen Dan's face and carefully reviewed his resume over the years in his mind. This man is basically a powerful family from Shangyong. He can gather troops and hold territory, but if he faces a large-scale battle, whether it's experience or mindset, he is far from enough.
Such a person is not qualified to lead troops or be a general. Although he obtained his position through the old enfeoffment, it should be swiftly revoked.
But in matters of the world, there are many who hold positions but fail to live up to their responsibilities. There are countless others, and not just Shen Dan.
Xu Shu could only teach with patience: "General Shen, the situation around Xiangfu now, you and I have 8,000 men in Deng County as the closest reinforcements. Whether it's Yingzhen West in Xuchang or Hougeng in Jiangxia, or Xiahoubingnan of Xiahou Ping, it will take time for them to arrive at Xiangfu."
"If we rush to the city gates of Fan City and are defeated by the Wu soldiers due to their overwhelming numbers, the morale within the city will truly plummet. However, if we hold back and do not attack, the soldiers of Fan City will know that the reinforcements have arrived but have not yet been deployed, and they will fight even more bravely to defend the city."
Looking at Shen Dan's enlightened expression, Xu Shu continued:
"The Wu army's advantage lies in water battles and their ships. If they fight away from water for a long time, I'm sure Sun Quan can't do it. Although we are only fifteen li away from Fan City, this short distance of fifteen li is something the Wu army dare not attack, very secure."
Shen Dan bowed and said, "Then according to Master Xu's assessment, how long can Fan City hold out?"
Xu Shu shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands: "How long it can hold out, it will hold out, that is the fate of Lu Xi himself."
Shen Dan's expression of enlightenment vanished instantly from his face, and he stomped his feet anxiously: "As a subordinate, I often hear that Master Xu is full of military strategies and wisdom. Just now, after listening to Master Xu's words, will we just sit back and watch Fan City be besieged and attacked?"
"What should we do? Of course, we are waiting outside Fan City for the reinforcements!" Xu Shu stared straight at Shen Dan: "Even though I may understand military strategies, I cannot act recklessly in combat. We don't have enough soldiers, and going to Fan City would be like a moth flying into a flame! We should wait for the reinforcement from Jiangxia or Xuchang, and then we can make a difference."
Having spoken to this extent, Shen Dan finally did not ask any further questions and bowed his hands towards Xu Shu, indicating that he would wait for Xu Shu's orders.
"That's good." Xu Shu stroked his mustache and said: "Although we cannot do anything to Fan City now, we should still do other things. General Shen, please send scouts to the west and east to investigate."
"East to Caiyang. To the west, along the Han River, through Shandu, Zhuyang, Yin County, Zhen County for investigation. Once you reach Zhen County, you can return. If there is any situation or if you encounter any enemy or our own troops, send someone back immediately to report the message."
Shen Dan nodded: "I understand, Master Xu, but are there not any places nearby to the left of Fan City that need to be investigated?"
Xu Shu replied, "I am aware of Lu Xi. He is a capable defender and there is no need to provoke the Wu army."
"Understood, I will send men to investigate immediately," said Shen Dan.
In the city of Yanchuan on the south bank of the Han River, Zhao Yan and Niu Jin had a completely opposite attitude to Xu Shu's careful and weighty approach.
Fan City was surrounded by low-lying areas, and it could be left dry for a few days to prevent issues. However, the geography of Yanchuan was completely different from that of Fan City. Yanchuan's terrain was slightly higher, but there was a lake called Ye Lake to the west of the city, as well as a Tanxi stream.
During floods, the Han River would surge into Ye Lake and take over the water from Tanxi Stream, destroying the embankments and gates, turning the area west of Yanchuan into a vast wetland.
The Han River turns a big bend to the east of Yanchuan, creating Duliang Island, a large sandbar in the middle of the river. To the east of Yanchuan, there are also lakes and other water bodies.
Fan City, which is about seven li long with its city walls, has approximately two thousand Wu troops waiting for the battle outside. There are only five thousand people inside the city walls.
Yanchuan, however, is only threatened on its east and south sides. The southern part is also blocked by water. If we calculate it carefully, there are ten thousand people defending against the ten thousand soldiers of the Wu army's Zhuge Jing department across a width of more than five li.
The courage naturally arises.
Moreover, Zhao Yan, the Inspector of Vassalage, is renowned for his ability to discern the situation and understand the times. In the past, when Guan Yu besieged Fan City, Zhao Yan was in Fan City with Cao Reng. At that time, Niu Jin, who was under Cao Reng's command, also accompanied Cao Reng and Zhao Yan in Fan City.
In other words, both have a deficiency in intelligence, military strategy, and courage. They are well aware of the situation in Fan City and Yanchuan to the core.
After observing the situation from the city walls for a few days, both Zhao and Niu have gained a good understanding of the Wu army's deployment and arrangements.
On the afternoon of the 15th day, Zhao Yan and Niu Jin stood at the northeast corner of the city wall in a relaxed and composed manner, looking out across the Nan River to Fan City while watching the Wu ships on the river. They also occasionally scrutinized the Wu troops below.
Niu Jin leaned in to Zhao Yan and said, "The Wu troops have been below us for nearly five days now, and we haven't fought with them yet. The Wu people must think we have few soldiers in the city or that we are afraid."
"Tomorrow will be the sixth day. At dawn, Zhao General, wouldn't it be better if I were to lead the troops to attack the Wu camp?" Niu Jin's beard-streaked face broke into a smile at this moment: "I remember when I and my former general Cao were like this when we attacked the city beneath the Yangtze River!"
Zhao Yan has known Niu Jin for more than a decade. This man is indeed brave, and he is not afraid to fight. However, he often boasts in his mouth. During the Siege of Jiangling, who did not know that it was Niu Jin who got stuck in Zhou Yu's array? Cao Reng himself wore armor and wielded weapons, personally leading the troops to rescue him out.
It's truly "I struck Zhou Yu with Cao Reng!"
Zhao Yan looked at Niu Jin with a smile that was not quite a smile, and he was also a man in his fifties. Although Zhao Yan did not want to say anything, he directly asked, "From the flags of the Wu army below, it seems to be the department of Zhuge Jing. This person is not good at fighting and only obtained a high position thanks to Sun Quan's recommendation. Uncle Niu, how many people do you want to send to attack the camp?"
Niu Jin smiled and said, "Assemble in armor at the city gate at night. As soon as there is a hint of light in the east, attack the Wu camp with roars and then retreat."
"This kind of thing shouldn't have too many people; too many people will cause chaos and slow down the return to the city. It's fine for me to lead six hundred elite troops, as instructed by General Zhao."
"Six hundred?" Zhao Yan squinted his eyes and gazed in the direction of the Duliang Island, which was where Sun Quan's army was stationed. After looking for a long time, Zhao Yan finally said:
"Don't take six hundred people. Bring two hundred more, making it eight hundred in total. I can also report your achievements to the court."
"Eight hundred?" Niu Jin was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "General Zhao has excellent judgment, eight hundred it is! Zhang Wenyuan used to imitate the late General Cao's action under the walls of Jiangling in the past. Today, I Niu Jin will imitate Zhang Wenyuan!"
"General Zhao, I will go down to select the soldiers immediately."
"Hmm." Zhao Yan nodded and smiled: "Don't be stingy with the wine and meat. Reward them well before you go."
"Understood," replied Niu Jin, bowing.
...
Cao Rui set out from Luoyang in the morning with the Secretariat, Zhongshu Institute, and a group of Confucian scholars. After leaving the northern palace of Luoyang without his master, it was now under the sole authority of Empress Guo.
By afternoon, Fei Yuan, the beauty of Emperor, entered the Chang Le Palace of Empress Guo and recounted all about yesterday's duet between her and the emperor on the huqin. She finally held back from mentioning what the emperor had asked her this morning.
"Invite Caizhaoji?" Empress Guo sat on a carved lacquer chair in the auxiliary hall, looking at the respectful Fei Yuan standing before her: "Since you have invited Caizhaoji, why not also invite Zhenzhi? Who is Zhenzhi's husband, you should know."
After speaking, Empress Guo pointed to a small chair on the side, indicating for Fei Yuan to sit down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the seat. I am well aware of this matter. My family is in Tongdi County, and Lord Yang, the husband of Caizhenji, is the local prefect of our hometown. I have heard his name long ago."
"You are correct." Empress Guo nodded slightly: "Yang Chunping Yang Zhongping is now the governor of Shangding Prefecture. Since you have old acquaintances with your family, it can also be considered that you have old acquaintances with me. Let's call him to the palace and chat together."
"Your Majesty is wise," Fei Yuan nodded.
Fei Yuan's grandfather was bestowed the title of Tongdi Marquis during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han. The Empress Guo in front of her, when she was young, fled from the war and sought refuge in Pingzhou due to the trouble in He State. She stayed at the Feng family for several years. After that, due to the recommendation of the Feng family, she returned to Ye City and was able to enter Cao Pi's side.
The Gu family, Empress Guo's own family, was thinly populated, so naturally, they provided more support to the Feng family. Fei Yuan's entry into the palace was also arranged by Empress Guo.
Fei Yuan was quiet for a moment before she couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, I'm not quite sure why you want Caizhengji to come too. She doesn't understand much about musical instruments and poetry."
"You, you don't understand that," Empress Guo said with a smile. "In the harem, to maintain favor, it's not something that can be done by one person alone; one must cultivate good relationships. Caizhengji may not understand music theory, but her family has a daughter who has reached the age for marriage."
"The Yao family is also a prestigious family, and there are old connections between your Feng family. Moreover, Caizhengji's father, Cao Gong, is also a well-known and talented person. I believe it's time for the Yao girl to enter the palace." (Chapter completed)
