kingnovel Chapter 1247 Preparations for the Deployment of Jingzhou Defense to Sichuan
Chapter 1247 Preparations for the Deployment of Jingzhou Defense to Sichuan
The stench of blood had not yet dissipated in Jiangyou City when Jia Xu had already instructed Meng Da to issue an order: all 7,400-plus former troops of Ren Kui, regardless of rank or rank, were to assemble at the drill ground.
Although Meng Da was full of doubts, he dared not disobey. He could only send more guards to maintain order and drive the terrified surrendered soldiers to the drill ground. Most of these men were disheveled, and some were even wounded. Seeing the Xiliang army's bright armor and the forest of swords and spears, they all shrank back and dared not utter a sound.
Standing beside Jia Xu, Zhang Yan watched as the soldiers stepped forward one by one, reporting their place of origin, fellow townsmen, and old acquaintances. He couldn't help but scratch his head: "Sir, why are we registering all this? Are we going to distribute land to them?"
Jia Xu did not answer until the last surrendered soldier was registered, then he asked Gao Shun, Meng Da, and Zhang Yan, "What is our current troop strength?"
Gao Shun said in a deep voice: "The Trapped Camp has 5,000 men, the Black Mountain Army has 8,000 men, and General Meng Da has 2,000 men, totaling 15,000."
“Jiangyou needs to be defended, and Jiange needs to be attacked,” Jia Xu said, his gaze sweeping across the training ground. “This number of men is not enough.”
Zhang Yan's eyes widened: "Are we going to use these surrendered soldiers? They just surrendered, what if they turn against us..."
“We can’t do without it, but we’re afraid it will cause trouble,” Jia Xu stroked his beard and said. “That’s why we need to register people from the same hometown. Look at these people, most of them are from Shu, and quite a few are related by blood.” He pointed to the register. “Half of those who have old acquaintances from the same hometown will go to Jiange with General Zhang, and the other half will stay behind to assist Gao Shun in guarding Jiangyou.”
Meng Da's heart skipped a beat: "Sir, do you intend to use hometown ties to control them?"
“Exactly.” Jia Xu nodded, his voice suddenly turning cold. “When they were registering just now, their relatives, friends, and family addresses were all recorded. Issue the order—if any of those who went to war with the army dared to reveal their whereabouts or defect in battle, all their fellow villagers and relatives left behind in Jiangyou would be executed; if any of those defending the city dared to rebel, their fellow villagers at the front lines would also not escape death!”
These words were like ice settling on the ground. The surrendered soldiers on the parade ground were initially deathly silent, then a series of soft gasps could be heard. Many of them turned pale, and their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at their fellow countrymen.
Zhang Yan suddenly realized what was going on and exclaimed, "Sir, that's a ruthless move! Tying them all together means none of them will dare to have any wicked thoughts!"
Meng Da was secretly alarmed—Jia Xu's methods were as ruthless as Li Ru's, but even more profound. What seemed like merely registering names actually put everyone's lives in his hands, utilizing the surrendered soldiers while preventing their rebellion—a double win.
Jia Xu summoned Meng Da and Gao Shun, pointed to the route between Jiangyou and Jiange on the map, and said in a deep voice: "Jiangyou City must be held firm and no weakness can be revealed. General Meng Da, your two thousand generals need to change into the uniforms of grain transport soldiers. I think your general Meng Hong has some courage, so let him be the official grain transport officer, and General Zhang Yan will secretly lead the delivery of grain to Jiange."
Meng Da was taken aback: "The strategist is thinking..."
“The garrison at Jiange is eagerly awaiting supplies. When they see the supply wagons arrive, they will not suspect anything.” Jia Xu’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. “General Zhang Xiu and I will personally lead three thousand elite troops and eight thousand Black Mountain soldiers to hide behind the supply wagons. Once the supply wagons enter the Jiange area, we will seize the opportunity to strike.”
He turned to Gao Shun: "General Gao and General Meng Da, stay in Jiangyou and ensure that 'everything remains as normal.' The city gates should remain open and closed as usual, the markets should continue to operate as before, and if the people ask about the turmoil last night, say that the bandits who were robbing grain came to attack the city again, but were repelled by our army."
"As for Ren Kui's loyalists..." Jia Xu looked outside the tent, "Hang their heads on the city wall and mark them as 'bandit heads.' This will both deter the villains and make our story plausible. In this way, even if Chengdu or Jiange hear some rumors, seeing that Jiangyou's defenses are solid and the grain convoys are still being delivered, they will only think it's just ordinary banditry and won't suspect anything."
Gao Shun clasped his hands in greeting and replied, "This subordinate obeys the order. I will guard the city gates strictly and not allow any news to leak out."
Meng Da nodded: "Your subordinate understands. The two thousand officers are fully equipped and ready to go, and their disguise as grain transport soldiers is flawless. However, the grain convoy was supposed to arrive at Jiange in ten days, but it has been delayed by five days. How do you explain this?"
“That’s exactly what I want,” Jia Xu sneered. “Just say that we were attacked by bandits along the way, and the grain carts were damaged, which delayed our journey. The garrison at Jiange is starving, and when they see the grain carts arrive, they will only be happy and won’t investigate further.” He paused and emphasized, “You two must remember that Jiangyou City must remain as it is, with cooking smoke rising and drums beating on time. The slightest disturbance could ruin everything.”
Zhang Xiu added from the side: "The strategist and I will ambush the grain convoy from the rear. Once the grain carts approach Jiange, we will contact Generals Pang De and Zhang Ren to arrange a date for a pincer attack. Your task of guarding the rear will be a great achievement."
With no further objections, everyone immediately split up to carry out their tasks.
The next morning, dozens of heads were indeed hung on the walls of Jiangyou City. The soldiers guarding the city shouted, "The bandits attacked last night and have been killed! Merchants passing by need not panic!" Although the people below the city were talking, they gradually dispersed when they saw that the city gates were open as usual.
At 9:00 AM, a grain transport convoy disguised as Meng Da's subordinates slowly left the city. Zhang Yan mingled among the convoy, appearing to be a grain escort officer, but in reality, he commanded a hidden elite force. The grain carts rumbled along, heading towards Jiange.
Ten miles away, Jia Xu and Zhang Xiu's ambush troops had already slipped into the dense forest. The Black Mountain Army soldiers were familiar with the mountainous terrain and quickly set up hidden sentry posts in the bushes; the Trapped Camp formed a square formation, with branches covering their armor, awaiting orders.
Inside Jiangyou City, Gao Shun and Meng Da climbed the city wall, watching the grain convoy disappear at the end of the mountain path. Gao Shun gripped his knife tightly: "I hope this plan succeeds."
Looking at the distant mountains, Meng Da murmured, "Once Jian Ge falls, the fate of Yizhou will truly change."
The wind atop the city wall carried a chill, stirring the hanging severed heads and a storm that would sweep across the land of Shu. Meanwhile, at Jiange Pass, She Yuan and Wu Yi were still anxiously awaiting supplies, completely unaware that the approaching supply convoy concealed a thunderbolt capable of utterly crushing them.
Inside Xiangyang, the lights in Liu Bei's residence burned all night. When Zhuge Liang rushed back, Liu Bei was discussing a map with Pang Tong, the military tally and orders piled half a foot high on the table.
"Kongming is back!" Liu Bei saw Zhuge Liang enter the tent and quickly got up to greet him. "Ma Chao has already broken through Yangping Pass and is besieging Jiange. I'm afraid Liu Zhang's letter asking for help won't be coming soon."
Zhuge Liang wiped the sweat from his brow and said in a deep voice, "My lord, you should immediately organize your army and march into Sichuan. Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent, while Ma Chao is powerful. If we wait for Ma Chao to take Yizhou, we will have no place to stand."
Pang Tong nodded in agreement: "Kongming is absolutely right. However, Jingzhou is our foundation, and we need to leave a senior minister to guard it. We must be cautious about this matter."
The three sat around the table in silence for a moment. Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang and asked, "Kongming, who do you think is suitable to guard Jingzhou?"
Zhuge Liang's eyes flickered slightly: "Jingzhou needs the combined efforts of civil and military officials. I am willing to defend it together with General Yunchang. Yunchang is the bravest in the army and can suppress the villains; I will assist in the administration and appease the people. In this way, we can take care of both internal and external affairs and ensure safety."
Liu Bei nodded upon hearing this: "That's excellent! With Kongming and Yunchang guarding the region together, Jingzhou will be safe."
Pang Tong then said, “Runan is the shield of Xudu and needs a general to garrison it. Although Liu Feng is brave, he lacks experience. It would be better to let Ma Liang assist him. Ma Liang is meticulous and can make up for his shortcomings.”
Liu Bei pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright. I will send Liu Feng to Runan, and Ma Liang will serve as his military advisor to assist him in handling political and military affairs."
Liu Bei immediately summoned Liu Feng and Ma Liang. Looking at the two men, Liu Bei said in a deep voice, "Although Runan is small, it is the defensive line of Xuchang. You two must work together and prioritize stability in all matters. Remember, if you encounter any emergency, immediately seek help from Jingzhou. Do not make decisions on your own!"
Liu Feng readily accepted the order: "I have remembered it! I will definitely guard Runan with Mr. Ma Liang and live up to Father's trust!" Ma Liang also bowed and replied: "Your subject will definitely assist General Liu Feng and guard Runan carefully."
With everything arranged, Liu Bei picked up his pen and wrote out orders: Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu would jointly guard Jingzhou, each in charge of civil and military affairs; Ma Liang would accompany Liu Feng to Runan to assist in military and political affairs. He also ordered Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and other generals to accompany the army into Sichuan.
Three days later, outside Xiangyang, Liu Bei personally led generals such as Pang Tong and Zhao Yun, mustered 30,000 troops, and marched in a grand procession towards Yizhou. Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang stood on the city wall to see him off. Guan Yu, dressed in green robes, said in a booming voice, "Brother, rest assured, Kongming and I will guard Jingzhou well!" Zhuge Liang also cupped his hands and said, "My lord, take care on your journey. With the two of us here, Jingzhou will be safe."
Meanwhile, in Runan, Liu Feng was handing over defense responsibilities to Ma Liang. Ma Liang pointed out the map of Runan and the city's defense layout in detail, and repeatedly instructed: "The local strongmen must be appeased, and the border scouts must be diligent in their investigations. If you encounter any unusual movements by Cao Cao's army, do not engage in battle; report to Jingzhou first."
Liu Feng agreed to everything, watched the army depart, then turned and climbed the city wall of Runan with Ma Liang. Looking towards Xuchang in the north, a hint of competitiveness flashed in his eyes—he was determined to defend this city and show his father his abilities.
On one side of the Yangtze River, the dust raised by Liu Bei's army as they entered Sichuan was thick, while on the other side, the defenses of Jingzhou and Runan were quietly tightening.
The autumn wind in Chang'an swept fallen leaves across the crenellations of the city walls. Ma Chao stood in his residence, unfolding the secret letter sent by Zhang Song. Seeing the mention that "Jiangyou is now under the assistance of Meng Da," his brow relaxed slightly—Meng Da was Zhang Song's man; with him there, Zhang Xiu's group, attempting to sneak across Yinping, had a better chance of success. However, news of the fall of Jiangyou had not yet reached Chang'an; he was unaware that the surprise attack had successfully breached the defenses of Shu.
"Bring me pen and ink." Ma Chao walked to the desk, picked up a pen, and wrote a reply to Zhang Song. He pondered for a moment and wrote: "Your position in Chengdu is like walking through thorns. The matter of Jiangyou is showing promise. You only need to wait patiently for good news. You must not reveal any flaws due to impatience. If Liu Zhang discovers this, not only will all your previous efforts be in vain, but your life will also be in danger. Remember, preserving yourself is the greatest achievement."
After writing it, he carefully sealed it and handed it to his trusted confidant: "Send it to Chengdu by fast horse, and be sure to deliver it to Prefect Zhang personally."
No sooner had the messenger left than Military Advisor Yang Fu rushed in: "My lord, there are urgent reports from both Hanzhong and Luoyang!"
Ma Chao looked up, his brows furrowing. News came from Hanzhong that Liu Bei had already mustered troops in Xiangyang, seemingly intending to enter Sichuan; while in Luoyang, it was reported that Cao Cao had sent Xiahou Dun to garrison Wancheng, eyeing Jingzhou, seemingly observing the situation in Yizhou.
“Liu Bei is indeed about to make a move.” Ma Chao tapped his fingertips on the table. “If he enters Sichuan and joins forces with Liu Zhang, the Battle of Jiange will become more unpredictable.”
Lu Su said, "My lord, we must find a way to slow down Liu Bei's advance."
A glint flashed in Ma Chao's eyes. He turned and took another letter, this time addressed to Zhou Yu of Jiangdong. His writing was sharp and forceful: "Now Liu Bei intends to enter Sichuan to assist Liu Zhang, leaving Jingzhou vulnerable. If Gongjin (Zhou Yu) were to send his navy from Yuzhang County to harass Liu Zhang's rear, it would both divide his forces and delay Liu Bei's entry into Sichuan."
After writing it, he handed it to Zhou Yu: "Send it out in secret, and make sure that Commander Zhou understands the advantages and disadvantages and acts with caution."
Lu Su took the letter and said, "My lord, there has been no news from General Zhang Xiu for half a month. Should we send someone to investigate?"
Ma Chao looked south and said in a deep voice, "Yinping Road is treacherous, and delays in communication are inevitable. Mr. Jia Xu's plans are meticulous, and Zhang Xiu and Gao Shun are both brave generals, so we should be fine. We just need to stabilize Chang'an and wait for good news."
The wind outside the window picked up, swirling fallen leaves from the courtyard and sending them flying into the sky. Chang'an City appeared calm, but it was already affecting the war situation a thousand miles away.