Chapter Twenty-Four: The Rescue of Poyang
Zhuge Liang used his troops like a god. Facing the 190,000 soldiers of Yuan Shu and the other four armies, he not only ensured that the city would not be lost, but he also launched a few beautiful surprise attacks. As the enemy had too many soldiers and Zhuge Liang only had 50,000 elite soldiers, there was no way to win.
Guo Jia, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Taishi Ci were the first to arrive at Poyang with 60,000 troops. The next day, 10,000 navy troops arrived as well. Jin Xuan, Dian Wei, and Madam Zhu Rong had also arrived. After Jin Xuan entered the city, he gathered all the civil officials and generals in Poyang to discuss the strategy to defeat the enemy.
At that time, there were Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, Guan Yu, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Lu Su, Guo Jia, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Taishi Ci, Zhou Yu, etc. in Poyang City, with a total of 170,000 troops and 120,000 elite soldiers.
The enemy was divided into two camps, Yuan Shu's and Zhou Tai's. Yuan Shu's 100,000 Luoyang soldiers were originally trained by Lu Zhi when he defeated the Yellow Turban army. Lu Zhi was a good general who was good at training soldiers. This army had experienced hundreds of battles and had strong combat strength. After Lu Zhi was dismissed from office, his position was replaced by Yuan Shu. After Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, he intended to rope in Yuan He Jin's subordinates and did not take away Yuan Shu's military power.
Zhou Tai's 30,000 troops were stationed on the right side of Yuan Shu's camp. Zhou Tai was good at training troops. The Lujiang soldiers were known as the first army in Jiangdong. Their combat effectiveness could not be underestimated.
The camp in the east of the city was Yan Baihu and Yu Fan's camp, with a total of 60,000 soldiers. The combat effectiveness of these two armies was similar to that of Poyang soldiers. They had not gone into battle for a long time and were not trained well.
After understanding the basic situation, Jin Xuan ordered the generals to patrol the defense, leaving Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Zhou Yu to discuss countermeasures. Jin Xuan said,"The three of you are proficient in the art of war and strategy. Why don't you write down the strategy to defeat the enemy with paper and pen? How is it?" Everyone clapped their hands and laughed, each preparing a pen and paper to write a good plan to defeat the enemy.
Jin Xuan wrote," Discord, Pride, Destruction.”
Zhuge Liang wrote,"sow discord, divide the enemy, ambush them, and seize the opportunity to seize Kuaiji and Wu.”
Xu Shu wrote," sow discord, divide and annihilate, surround Wei to save Zhao, ambush."
Zhou Yu wrote," sow discord, divide and annihilate, concentrate our forces to defeat the main force, and then attack separately."
Jin Xuan will everyone's book to break the enemy's plan to announce, several people see each other's book strategy is similar, can not help but clap laughter, mutual admiration.
"Of these four armies," Jin Xuan replied,"we can send someone to persuade Yuan Shu's army. If Yuan Shu's army retreats, the other three armies are nothing to fear.”
"When Jia Xiang was in Luoyang, he was acquainted with the brothers Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao," Guo Jia said."Although Yuan Shu was greedy and forsaken, he was extremely shrewd. If he knew how powerful he was, he could point out his retreat. Then he will retreat without fighting."
"Yuan Shu and his brother had provoked Dong Zhuo's suspicion," Jin Xuan said."His brother Yuan Shao was at odds with Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, so he asked to be appointed prefect of Nanpi. After he took office, he claimed the prefectures north of the Yellow Turban in the name of wiping out the remnants of the Yellow Turban gang. His ambition was not small. Now Yuan Shu's army is outside, and all the food and grass are provided by the court. It can be said that he seized Shouchun to support himself. At present, Liu Yao, the prefect of Shouchun, and Zhang Ying, the garrison, are incompetent people. We can take advantage of their lack of vigilance and attack them. Wancheng was occupied by the remaining officials of the Yellow Turban Party, such as Guan Hai, Liu Pi and Gong Du. Although there was a lot of money and food and a lot of soldiers, it was easy to break through. With two counties as his foundation, he was among the vassals of the world. Yuan Shu would certainly be moved.”
"If he fears Dong Zhuo's blame," Zhuge Liang said,"you can write a letter stating that Liu Yao is in contact with our army. Even if Dong Zhuo blames him, he can still pass with this letter.”
Zhou Yu added,"If Dong Zhuo leads an army to attack, we can say that we can send troops to help. In this way, Yuan Shu's army can be used as foreign aid for the time being."”
The four of them laughed heartily, and as they chatted, they retreated.
"If Yuan Shu's army leaves, the rest of the army will retreat," Jin Xuansui said. Feng Xiao and I led 80,000 troops to break through Zhou Tai's road. First, we led 40,000 troops to attack Lujiang River. The defense of Lujiang River must be lax. Besides, Li Yi is brave but not resourceful. It is easy to break it. When Zhou Tai saw Yuan Shu retreat, he must lead his troops back to Lujiang. Feng Xiao led 40,000 troops to set up an ambush on the road. Zhou Tai was bound to be defeated. However, Zhou Tai is a brave general, not a last resort, it is better to surrender him.”
The three of them had no objections. Lujiang was now almost in Jin Xuan's possession.
"Zhuge Liang led 70,000 troops to defeat Yan Baihu and Yu Fan," Jin Xuan said."It was as easy as taking a bag. Zhuge Liang himself planned how to deal with it.”
"I will not fail my mission," replied Zhuge Liang with a smile.”
Jin Xuan continued," The heavy responsibility of guarding Poyang falls on Gongjin. Now that the army has attacked, Poyang is defenseless. We can only leave 20,000 soldiers for Gongjin. The generals will leave Gan Ning, and the civil officials will leave Lu Su. How to arrange it, please make your own decision. From now on, the construction and training of our navy will be handed over to you. You will train 50,000 elite soldiers for me a year. How about it?”
"I will not disappoint you, my lord." Zhou Yu replied solemnly.
Zhuge Liang led Guan Yu and Huang Zhong with 70,000 troops to attack Yan Baihu and Yu Fan. Jin Xuan, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei and Lady Zhu Rong led 40,000 troops to attack Lujiang. Guo Jia, Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci led 40,000 troops to set up an ambush on Zhou Tai's retreat.
All the tasks were assigned. Guo Jia sneaked to Yuan Shu's camp that night. Jin Xuan, Zhuge Liang and others were ready. When Guo Jia returned, they took advantage of the night to split up.
Guo Jia arrived at Yuan Shu's camp. Yuan Shu received the news and went out to meet him.
"Fengxiao, do you want to persuade me?" Yuan Shu was not a mediocre person, and Guo Jia's arrival was within his expectations.
"Jia is here to serve as a duke.”Guo Jia said.
"Oh, let's see." Yuan Shu said.
"Now that Dong Zhuo is in power, he will definitely lose. Your brother can't bear the pressure to leave Hedong to develop. Although you hold a large number of troops, you are not Dong Zhuo's confidant. Sooner or later, you will be killed by Dong Zhuo.”Guo Jia said.
Seeing that Yuan Shu was silent, Guo Jia continued,"You are stationed outside, and the rations are all allocated by the Imperial Court. Moreover, they are being deducted layer by layer, so you can't make ends meet. Besides, you have a lot of troops in your hands and are suspected. Dong Zhuo did not seize your military power in the early days because the overall situation was uncertain and he did not dare to make too many enemies. Now that Luoyang is about to be pacified, if you win this battle, your achievements will shock the emperor and increase suspicion. If you fail, you can use this as an excuse to seize your military power. If you don't make a decision immediately, I'm afraid you won't have a burial place.”
Yuan Shu had already been persuaded by Guo Jia and quickly asked,"What plan does Fengxiao have for me?"
"Liu Yao and Zhang Ying of Shouchun are both incompetent people. If you retreat and station your troops here, you will be able to make the final decision when they are unprepared. Shouchun is the gateway of Huainan, rich in money and food, you can rely on it as a foundation.”Guo Jia said.
"If that's the case, Shu's actions are already rebellious. What if Dong Zhuo sends troops to attack?”Yuan Shu asked again.
"Jiali, write a letter. If Dong Zhuo sends someone to ask, you can say that Liu Yao colluded with the enemy.”Guo Jia saw Yuan Shu pondering.
"Dong Zhuo is still in Luoyang, so he won't dare to send troops rashly. You free up your hands, go north to attack Runan Yellow Turban remnants, not only can collect fame, but also can seize Runan's money and food, and then can collect their soldiers, so Huainan is all yours. If Dong Zhuo becomes your enemy and the King of Pingnan forms an alliance with you, what are you worried about?”
"If that's the case, I will withdraw my troops tomorrow. If that old bastard Dong Zhuo comes to attack, you must not forget today's agreement.”Yuan Shu finally made up his mind.
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