Chapter 256 – Guandu Naval Battle (1) [Yuan Shao’s Retelling]
In this timeline, Yuan Shao possessed an eidetic memory, so he can tell most of the event that transpired with clear and concise manner, letting Ju Shou almost being in the battlefield himself. Yuan Shao told the event transpired right when his 100,000 troops almost collided with 30,000 Cao troops. However, while Yuan Shao told the story from his own perspective, we go to directly to the event mentioned above which means, the story will be told from 2 different POVs.
Dear readers, we had already established in the previous chapters that Yuan Shao’s navy personnel are elites while Cao Cao’s navy are amateurs. Now we shall elaborate further. Actually Yuan Shao’s navy personnel can be considered as second-class and even third-class, but it is enough to deal with amateurs who vomit at the slight movement in the ship. Also, Cao Cao did not have the slightest experience in naval battle, same with Yuan Shao, therefore the luck in on Yuan Shao’s side now. And now, with the trio of Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shu, and Tao Qian and their replacements out of the picture, they are free to battle to claim Central Plains. And this is also because Cao Mengde had a heart full of ambitions and he is unable to handover his domains peacefully, so they go to war.
Right now, we are in Cao Cao’s flagship. Cao Cao is trembling again, as no one was able to withstand a pressure from an overwhelming presence in front of him. He then said to Guo Jia “Fengxiao, if I fall in this battle. You must retreat immediately. Inside the main tent, there is a box on my table, inside it, is my will. You show that will to my wife, Lady Bian. You are to take over my Cao family, my assets!!! Understand?!” Cao Cao then smiled bitterly, thinking back to all time that has passed. Remembering that he started from nothing with no one to depend on except his own family and assets. Remembering all of his neighbours were vicious wolves, from the highest threat Sun Ce of Jiangdong to Liu Biao of Jing province being the lowest. Remembering how he is betrayed by Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu kill his favorite son. Cao Cao lamented “Why oh why, that golden armored youth did not appear before me!!!”
Guo Jia then made frowned expression and said “Milord, why should you spoke luckless words in this certain-victory battle? Didn’t Jia said that we will definitely win this battle!!!” Guo Jia actually also very nervous in his heart. This battle will decide their future. So, Guo Jia is here to bear witness whether Cao can be victorious or not, also if lose, at least he can die with his lord together. Cao Cao, seeing Guo Jia’s firm look, then replied “Haha, yes, this is Cao Army’s certain victory!!!” Cao Cao thought I have been in a life-and-death situations for a lot of times!!! What is this thing, compared to those times? Those hopeless times when I was ambushed by Dong Zhuo and when I was ambushed by Lu Bu in Dingtao.
Cao Cao said this words before starting battle “That is just an if, Fengxiao. And if I should fall in this battle, the location you should go is Shouchun. Swear your fealty to him!!!” That person again? Guo Jia just confused as to why Cao Cao always mentioned Liu Mang but he did not delve into that thought again as the battle is about to start.
Cao Cao just responded with cold tone “Marquis, eh? Then come, take this mighty life for you!!!” His mentality had turned into a general for he cannot show any weakness in front of his troops otherwise, they will fall apart. Ju Shou had been anxious from the start as he is afraid of Cao Army’s ploy, but when they arrived at 300 steps, Ju Shou is relieved, as this is the point blank of arrow salvo and there is no way out of Cao Army. Once they are boarded, they are toast for 30,000 troops will be unable to fight against 100,000 troops.
Really, Cao Army is giving up, but this doesn’t add up Ju Shou thought. He participated in this battle because he is the strategist but he did not dare to show his face to Yuan Shao for he had offended him by throwing off food earlier. As Yuan Army approached, suddenly Cao Cao yelled “All ships, raise the weapon!!!” And a ballistae raised up on a platform. All ships installed with 3 ballistaes. Ju Shou and Yuan Shao exclaimed “GIANT CROSSBOW!!!!” Yuan Shao and Ju Shou have both know and feared this thing, but this thing is an ancient.
This giant crossbow was invented during Zhao Country and was used to fight Those Beyond the Great Wall. Its power was known to penetrate even the mightiest shield and armor altogether, however the drawback is the reloading time and its weight which why, it is no longer used among warlords
And what is Cao Cao want to do with an ancient thing? Yuan Shao and Ju Shou thought. However, while Ju Shou kept vigilant thought, Yuan Shao just dismissed it as if it is only a toy.
Cao Cao then immediately give Yuan Shao and Ju Shou his answer. Cao Cao then unsheathed his sword and ordered “FIRE AT WILL!!!” and the 30 front line ships shot their first salvo and directed toward Yuan Shao’s army. Those first salvoes managed to destroy 3 of Yuan Shao army, largest ships and told Yuan Shao that this thing is the latest modification of ancient invention, even though Cao Cao’s version is version 1.5. Guo Jia had instructed all of Cao Army’s soldiers to shot their hull because if the weapon can destroy the warship. Then we proceed to sink their ships rather to aim other targets.