Chapter 272 – Liu Bei Mobilize
Cavalry soldiers truly had the advantage of speed. They just had sent war declaration, and Liu Mang already received information from Lu Bu that Zhang Xiu had arrived in City of Xinye and that of Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties was filled with Zhang Xiu’s soldiers.
Liu Mang is in his tents and thinking Yiyang and Zaoyang, eh? And turned to his map. When he looked at the map, it showed that Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties are located at the end of Huai River. They are under jurisdiction of City of Xinye and of course, belonged to Jing Province. After Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties, lies Pingchun and it belonged to Yang Province. It also become a border city for Jing Province and Yu Province. Since Liu Mang had less soldiers, so he just put less soldiers to station there. After that, lies Guangzhou which was guarded by Hao Zhao and had 1000 troops.
Inside the intel letter, Lu Bu also said that by the time Liu Mang received this letter, Shouchun must be in full alert as 20,000 Xiliang Cavalries are approaching Shouchun. Liu Mang then asked his chief adviser “Yuanzhi, give me your planning.” Xu Shu then said while smiling “Milord, Shu has 3 plans. Please Milord choose one.” Liu Mang then said “Come on, just say it. We already have no time to do any drama.”
Xu Shu then nodded and said “Very well, Milord. I start with the worst plan. Worst plan is to fortify Shouchun’s defense, waiting for Marquis of Wen’s reinforcement. Shu said this is the worst plan as this plan is also the safest!!! Because if we assess our battle potential, we only had 200 White Cavalries while enemies had 20,000 Xiliang Cavalries. However by doing this, we also going to lose many lands that we had liberated beforehand.” Liu Mang hold his hand to his chin and thought Fat chance, I am not going to lose Hefei, Guangzhou, Gushi and Anfeng to Zhangxiu just because I want to play safe. Liu Mang then said “What about the middle one? I am not going to use the worst one as the cost was too high!!!” Xu Shu then said “The middle plan is to fortify defenses of each cities. Have them close all gates and send Urban Army as well Black Flag, we wait for chance to battle it out in open field!!! This plan can also work as we are fighting cavalries that is not suited for siege battle.” Liu Mang then replied “Yes, it is feasible but the problem lies in numbers and waiting passively is not my style.” Liu Mang continued “Then we go to the best plan!!!” He said that while looking at the map.
However the middling plan regarding Liu Mang is not a good idea, because heavy A foot soldiers, although does not fear the charge of heavy A cavalry soldier, but a little, that is the foot soldiers forever does not have action of cavalry soldier, once others besiege a stronghold in order to strike at the reinforcements, or led you to fly a kite that to be finished, Liu Mang once played Xu Sheng black armed forces with this move. Comes under attack passively is not Liu Mang wants.
“Then best plan!”Liu Mang direct examination best plan, his finger moved across the map, the vision also placed above the map.
“Ha-ha! Best plan!”Xu Shu gives a calm smile to point at the map saying that “Don’t Milord already have the best plan in your heart?!”
“I?!”Liu Mang noticed that Xu Shuzhi place has also smiled getting up “Yuan Zhi Yuan Zhi, you know me very well” “Best plan?” Xu Shu then chuckled a little and said “Shu is afraid, that this best plan will offend you Milord.” Liu Mang then smiled back at him and said “Oh Yuanzhi, you are truly the best adviser that one can ask for!!!” Xu Shu said “Why of course, Shu had already predicted that Milord will choose the best plan. However, the best plan require you to give commanding power to Shu. So Shu can stay in Shouchun!!!”
“You stay in Shouchun?!” Liu Mang a bit not understand. If one need to assume command in Shouchun, Huang Zhong and Yang Hong can do it, but why Xu Shu had to stay?! Xu Shu then answered “Milord, our enemies this time is my old buddy, Pang Tong. So….” Liu Mang then tapped on Xu Shu’s shoulders and said “I understand, Yuanzhi. Help me to command Shouchun!!!”
Xu Shu then said “Milord, take Ziyang with you. Ziyang is on-par with me in abilities, however on construction and invention, I threw my hat in front of him!!! Also don’t forget, that he is one of your flesh and blood, Milord.” Liu Ye in Xu Shu’s eyes is a very rare talent. He is Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty’s descendant. He is the son of Prince of Fu, Liu Yan and since early age, he has shown extreme intelligence. In the original history, he worked for Cao Cao and Cao Cao benefited greatly by his assistance. Started from Shouchun Skirmish, Guan Du, to battle to reclaim Sichuan and finally he is able to match wit-by-wit with Zhuge Liang in diplomacy. Also, Liu Ye is extremely good in construction and invention. In original history, he was the one who make a simple catapult to use against Yuan Shao. However now, Liu Ye set on helping Liu Mang and managed to create an industrial complex. From restoration, fortification even improvisation of ballistae, is all Liu Ye’s help. One of Liu Ye’s improvement of ballistae is the weapon can now use magazine for its ammo loading.
And if compared to Zhuge Liang, Liu Ye is not at least inferior. But alas, he is overeclipsed in Cao Wei state and finally dead by anger due to false accusation by Cao Rui. Now Liu Ye has become Liu Mang’s subordinate but it didn’t solve the issue completely. First issue, is Liu Mang is not Liu Bang’s direct descendant but was instated as Han clansmen and was given a title of Prince of Shu and Sagely King. But Liu Ye didn’t see that as an issue at all as being a Liu clansmen subordinate will definitely avoid issue like distrust as he did with Cao Cao. Also with Liu Kai and Liu Neng, they better be under Liu Mang as he is Han clansmen. But the issue with Liu Mang, is Liu Ye finally able to demonstrate his full abilities also he didn’t bother whether Liu Mang is a real Han clansmen or not. But if Liu Mang is not the real one, Liu Ye is OK as he had strong friendship with Liu Mang, and if he is the real one, it is even better as Liu Mang is his kinsmen. Liu Mang then said “Very well, I will take along Ziyang!!!” Liu Mang is satisfied as Xu Shu’s staying in Shouchun is also very good.
In Yu Province, Liu Bei is waiting for news.
“Tap, tap, tap, tap!!!” A series of footsteps, flooding into hall. In the government office, Liu Bei really excited as this maybe a big break for him to become one of most formidable warlords. “How is it, any news?!” Said Zhang Fei anxiously, holding the messenger’s shoulders. Zhang Fei is anxious but Liu Bei is more calm than him. Zhang Fei’s strength is really big and in his hand got Snake Spear and it frightens the messenger so he stuttered “Milord, Third General, n-n-n-n no news, no news at all!!!” Liu Bei than said “Lil’ bro, you cannot be rude!!!” Zhang Fei then released his grip and said “Yes, I know brother!!!” Another messenger ran and shouted “REPORT!!! REPORT!!!” Liu Bei sends out scouts every half-day to Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties, so every half-day, there is a scout to inform him.
“REPORT, YOUR ASS!!! SAY THE REPORT!!! QUICK!!!” Berated Zhang Fei. He is really afraid that Cao Cao has stabilized his situation and was on the way from Xu Province to smite them. Also Zhang Fei has been not idle as he has been sending gold to Zhang Xiu and drinking with him in Fort Wan, in order to obtain weapon and now the weapon is almost in his and his brother’s reach, he can’t help to be excited a lot. The messenger just stuttered “R-r-r-r-r report, r-r-r-report….” Zhang Fei then unconsciously choked him and raised him and said “SAID IT!!! LOUD AND CLEAR!!!!” Pang Tong then said “Third General, put him down. He is already cannot breathe!! Are you going to kill him before he report to us?!” Liu Bei also said “Third Brother, put him down or do you want to stay at Runan?!!” With their words, Zhang Fei loosened his grip and put him down. Idle Zhang Fei meant dead Zhang Fei, he already wishes to go to battle and filled his bloodlust.
“Someone, give this soldier a cup of water!!!” Said Liu Bei toward a servant girl. This kind of gesture is really moving toward that soldier as Liu Bei, a lord, want to lower himself to a foot soldier level (scout) and really making himself really grateful. “COUGH!!!” Coughed the messenger after drinking that cup. Slowly, the messenger said “Milord, no news from frontline.” The messenger disappointed Liu Bei because he ran toward the base camp, surely he had something to said but alas, nothing comes out from the messenger. Liu Bei then said “Go rest!!!” And another half-day passed, but this time Zhang Fei become much calmer, for he is more afraid to stay at Runan and become useless.
The messenger knelt down and said “Report, Milord. In Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties, lots of cavalry soldiers had been stationed!!!” Liu Bei then exclaimed “Cavalry!!! Lots of cavalries!!!” Zhang Xiu has answered his call. 20,000 Xiliang Cavalries which was stationed in Fort Wan now appears in Yiyang and Zaoyang Counties, meaning Zhang Xiu prepared to do war with Lu Bu Army.
“God helps me to succeed!!! God helps me!!!” Yelled Liu Bei in his heart. This year, he is 40 years old and yet to accomplished anything. He envied Yuan Shao and Cao Cao who are nobles to begin with. Yuan Shao is one of three head of Yuan Family 4th generation. He had Tian Feng, Ju Shou and a barrage of advisers to help him end Han Fu. Cao Cao himself, had Cao Song as a military officer and he had the prestige of his cousin clan, the Xiahou. While Liu Bei, he sold straw sandals and have no power to begin with. He only can pretend that he is Han clansmen and he is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan just because his surname is Liu. But it got Zhang Fei’s attention who in turn sell all of his belongings to fight for his cause.
It can be said that Liu Bei is truly helpless, he wonder if he had Cao Cao and Yuan Shao’s father, he will be better than all of them. However, now it is good. Liu Bei had half of Yu Province and was able to compete for Central Plains. While Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in Guandu, fighting to the bitter end. Liu Biao and Sun Ce are trying to kill each other very much. And the remaining two of his rivals are Lu Bu of Lujiang and Zhang Xiu of Fort Wan. Zhang Xiu is a boorish fellow. If were not for Jia Xu’s advice, he would have been extinguished long ago. Now the rival left is only Lu Bu, who changed a lot since he escaped from Xiapi. Now Lu Bu heard whatever Chen Gong said and have matured into a decent warlord. Liu Bei who has seen Lu Bu, truly felt that the old Lu Bu had died and a new Lu Bu was born. Also in Lu Bu army has Liu Mang. This man was counted by Liu Bei to be big trouble. This man can defeat Sun Ce also almost killed Pang Tong, he is a big trouble for Liu Bei’s future.
However, all issues solved because of Sun Ce’s idea to make Shouchun and Lujiang overflooded with population. Now with Zhang Xiu in tow, Lu Bu will be destroyed along with Zhang Xiu and finally all spoil will come to Liu Bei. Pang Tong then knelt in front of Liu Bei and said “Milord, this is an opportune time to swept all of Han’s enemies. Thus your great ambitions will be fulfilled. Please dispatch troops to swoop everything in one blow!!!” Sun Qian, Jian Yong and Zhang Fei all shouted “Requested for Milord to dispatch troops to swoop everything in one blow!!!”
“Excellent!!!” Said Liu Bei and begin to said his order “Hear military command, Zhang Fei Zhang Yide!!!” Zhang Fei said “Yes, sir!!!” Liu Bei ordered “Bring 10,000 Qing Province soldiers as your vanguard!!!” Zhang Fei said “This general complied this order!!!” Then he stand really proud as he will have chance to kill. Liu Bei then ordered again “Chen Dao!!!” Chen Dao then said “Yes, sir!!!” Liu Bei said his order “Lead your White Feathered Soldier, coordinate your attack with Zhang Fei’s Qing Province Soldiers!!!” Chen Dao then said “This general complied with order!!!” Liu Bei said again “Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang and Sun Qian Sun Gongyou!!!” Both of them said “Yes, sir!!!” Liu Bei ordered “Yunchang and Gongyou stayed in Runan. Defend the city with 10,000 elite troops. Make sure our supply line is secure!!!” And finally “Liu Pi!!!” Liu Pi then said “Yes, sir!!!” Liu Bei final order is “Lead 20,000 Yu Province soldiers, protect our supply convoy!!!” Liu Pi said “This general complied with order!!!”