Pang Tong’s Strategem (2)
“Teacher, how are you planning to make the Wolf Cavalry disappear?” People like Pang Tong has Zhang Xiu’s respect as a good advisor could make all the difference. Zhang Xiu has experienced this before. Jia Xu was one such person. Jia Xu had helped him win against Cao Cao who had Guo Jia, one of the top four strategists in the Three Kingdoms.
What gave Zhang Xiu a deep impression was his time at Jianan when Cao Cao attacked and surrounded him. Yuan Shao then launched a surprise attack on Xudu, causing Cao Cao to retreat. Zhang Xiu chased Cao Cao while Liu Biao cut off Cao Cao’s escape route. Cao Cao defeated them both before retreating to the North again. Zhang Xiu personally led his troops to chase. At that time, Jia Xu discouraged him and said that he must not pursue or he would be defeated. Zhang Xiu did not listen and was defeated by Cao Cao. After that, Jia Xu encouraged him to pursue Cao Cao’s Army. Zhang Xiu replied reluctantly. “I did not listen to you earlier and was defeated. Now that I am defeated, why must I continue the pursuit?” Jia Xu then said, “The situation has changed. If you pursue, you will profit.” Zhang Xiu listened to Jia Xu’s proposal and gathered the troops to pursue again. This time, he defeated Cao Cao’s guards.
This caused Zhang Xiu to really respect strategists and advisors.
Zhang Xiu was very good to Jia Xu in Wancheng. However, he was someone swayed by personal feelings just like how Lu Bu was last time. Chen Gong would dare to argue against Lu Bu angrily but Jia Xu would not say anything if his advice was not taken.
After the death of Cao Cao’s son, Jia Xu was cherished like gold. Jia Xu also would not say anything unless asked. Even if someone was plotting against Zhang Xiu, Jia Xu would not say anything to protect himself. One example was Pang Tong making use of Zhang Xiu. Jia Xu noticed this but said nothing.
Zhang Xiu came out on his own and did not bring Jia Xu. Now, he meets Liu Bei’s strategist that is not any inferior to Jia Xu. Wancheng was located in Jingzhou and the boss of Jingzhou is Liu Biao. Zhang Xiu would naturally be concerned about it, and also about Pang Tong’s reputation.
“General Yang Wu is too polite.” The word teacher is a respectful word. Liu Bei could call him Pang Tong and Pang Tong would be able to accept it as that one was his own Lord. On the other hand, Pang Tong had to reciprocate the politeness as Zhang Xiu was an outsider.
“Milord. General Yang Wu. Come and take a look.” Pang Tong had already set up several large tables in the hall. He then took out a roll of sheepskin. This was a detailed map of Yangzhou that also showed the mountains and rivers. Even Wancheng was on it. Zhang Xiu looked at several spots nearby Wancheng and then glanced at Pang Tong. Does he already have a plan to swallow up Yangzhou? Zhang Xiu looked at Pang Tong and Liu Bei. Zhang Xiu did not compete for the world during those troubled times. He knew of his own abilities. He could still manage if it was to become a commanding general. However, he was not good enough to manage the army and government. Otherwise, have made Wancheng a military fortress instead of a county with large population.
Zhang Xiu had wanted to find a boss and work for him. With twenty thousand Xiliang Cavalry, his boss would also be happy. That is why Zhang Xiu has a lot of assets. However, things have changed. He had offended Cao Cao by killing his son. Even if Cao Cao disregard past grudges, Zhang XIu would still be worried. On the other hand, his current boss Liu Biao was not something worth thinking about. Although he was Zhang Xiu’s current boss, Zhang Xiu was already thinking about leaving. Only a fool would join a company that was about to collapse. Besides that, Yuan Shao was fighting Cao Cao. If he were to join Yuan Shao and then Yuan Shao was defeated, the first one to suffer would be him. The only remaining ones were Liu Bei, Sun Ce and Lu Bu.
Zhang Xiu was currently fighting Lu Bu so Lu Bu was out.
Sun Ce was a good choice as he would be happy for the cavalry. However, Wancheng is too far away from Jiangdong. Liu Biao would immediately stop this from happening.
The only remaining one was Liu Bei. If Liu Bei only has a small part of Yuzhou, Zhang Xiu would not be interested. After all, the place was too small and Liu Bei’s strength would only be about the same as Zhang Xiu. Why would Zhang Xiu join him? However, if Liu Bei wins half of Yangzhou, they would no longer be small. Liu Bei also have the White Eared soldiers and the Qingzhou Army. Together with his Xiliang Cavalry, they stand a chance in capturing the world. This made Zhang Xiu a little excited.
“If they want to go to Shouchun from Lujiang, they would need to pass Hefei. If not, they would need to detour around the Lujiang County.”
“After passing by Hefei, there would be a forest leading towards Shouchun. This is a main road and it would not be possible for a large group to take it. All we need to do is set up an ambush at the edge of the forest and wait for the Wolf Cavalry to arrive.” Pang Tong strategized. It was not possible for them to take out Liu Bei’s Army and fight against the Wolf Cavalry. This would only lead to Liu Bei’s defeat. All they could do was to set up ambushes and exhaust their enemies.
“What about us?” Zhang Xiu was puzzled. If it was setting up ambushes, his cavalry would not be able to hide the warhorses in the forest. They could only do it with Liu Bei’s infantries. So why would they tell him about this?
“General Yangwu. At the edge of this forest is a place called Baoqiu.” Baoqiu was a small hill. As it looked a bit like a tower, its called Baoqiu. “We need you to wait behind Baoqiu with your Xiliang Cavalry. When we give the signal, go to the road and cut off their ways of escaping.” Pang Tong said that the Liu Bei’s Army would be able to ambush the Wolf Cavalry but would have problems getting them to stay. After all, the heavy cavalry would be able to run away. However, with the Xiliang Cavalry behind them, it would be difficult to escape. Even if they managed to escape, the Xiliang Cavalry would be able to pursue.
“Haha. Teacher. Let us do it like this.” Zhang Xiu was becoming more and more satisfied with the Liu Bei’s Army. The Lord was good and the soldiers were talented. He was only short of Shouchun and Lujiang before he obtains half of Yangzhou. It was a boss with great potential.
—
The Wolf Cavalry had indeed set off from Lujiang River. It took them more than three days to reach Hefei. They rode to Shouchun without stopping. Lu Bu even personally led the group as he was looking for his daughter. He knew how dangerous Yangzhou was. Liu Mang was currently at Yuzhou with the main army. Only Xu Shu remained at Yangzhou. Although there were over fifty thousand troops in the army, they were only third-rate troops. Some of them do not even have decent weapons. After all, even the rich and wealthy Liu Biao would not be able to equip fifty thousand troops properly. These soldiers were recruited by Liu Mang to serve as reserves or cannon fodders.
They have also lost twenty thousand of these troops at Hefei. Only thirty thousand remained. Twenty thousand were stationed at Lujiang while the remaining ten thousand were stationed at Shouchun. Now, Shouchun is in a crisis. Liu Bei had over ten thousand troops and Zhang Xiu had twenty thousand cavalry. Shouchun would soon become a huge battlefield. At such a time, his daughter rode to Shouchun to find Liu Mang. This turned everything into a mess. No one would care if she was Lu Bu’s daughter on the battlefield. Although Lu Liqing was strong, if she was taken prisoner, Shouchun would no longer be able to be defended. Liu Bei would be able to use her as a threat. Even if Shouchun could hold out, it would still fall. She is also Liu Mang’s wife. Lu Bu fully expects Lu Qiling to be captured by now. He believes the only way to save his daughter would be on the battlefield.
And so, Lu Bu rushed quickly. They whipped their horses to ride faster than Lu Liqing. A horse’s life was like the life of their brother as they were cavalry. However, at that point in time, they no longer showed any regard for their brother.
They soon left Hefei behind and reached the forest. At the edge of the forest was the main road to Shouchun. The road was built during Emperor Wu’s reign in the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu did not only conquer the Western regions but also had a strong control of Huainan. In case there was a revolt, his imperial guards would be able to act quickly. This was why the roads were well maintained. Yuan Shu also maintained the road, not for any kind of strategy but to stroll around conveniently.
“The forest, the roads, and Baoqiu!” These were all things Lu Bu knew. Lu Bu furrowed his eyes. Even when teaching Liu Mang about military matters, they joked about the possibility of an ambush at that location. After all, these were all common knowledge. When Lu Bu enters a forest, he would subconsciously be on guard. However, he was not able to waste time. His daughter would have a higher chance of entering the battlefield every time he delays. Lu Bu could not afford to waste time.
“Full charge!” Since it was impossible to explore the area, he could only rush over. Even if there were ambushes, it would not be so easy to stop a full charge from the Wolf Cavalry. This is also a way to protect themselves from ambushes.
“Yes!” The Wolf Cavalry passed the order quickly and sprinted quickly.
The Wolf Cavalry followed the long main road into the forest.