The Rapidly Changing Situation 2

The eight subordinates under Zhang Ran who played active roles in the battle for Hanzhong and the subsequent battle of Fancheng were collectively called the Eight Wings of Luanling (Luanling Bayi). Later, when the historian Chen Shou wrote the Book of Shu, he grouped them together in Volume 8 “Biographies of Ma Wang, Gu Zhang, Yu Ma, and Wang Fu” as part of the biographies. Unlike the Eight Stalwarts who were created by Luo Guanzhong, the Eight Wings seem to have been used from that era itself.

Unlike the name “Eight Wings of Luanling,” which was the nickname of the army led by Zhang Ran, these individuals only fought together with Zhang Ran three times. However, it is said that their bond continued until death, and like the soldiers of the Luanling Army, they considered it the pride of their lives.

Amusingly, apart from their bond, it is said that whenever they met among themselves, they engaged in subtle competition over rankings such as who was the First Wing. According to the order in Chen Shou’s biographies, it would be Ma Chong – Wang Ping – Gou Bo – Zhang Yi – Yu Ye – Ma Dai – Wang Si – Bu Zhan, but even at that time, there was much talk about who among them was the most excellent and favored First Wing of Zhang Ran.

This ranking debate continues to this day and is used as one of the gossip topics among Three Kingdoms fans.

Some argue that in addition to the Eight Wings of Luanling, we should add the One Cap of Luanling (Luanling Yize) and the Twin Bridges of Luanling (Luanling Shuangqiao) to call them the Eleven Phoenix Feathers (or Eleven Phoenix Friends) of Luanling.

《Excerpt from the “Eight Wings of Luanling” document on MunaWiki》

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Around the time when heavy rain started to fall in the Fancheng area, I ordered the mobilization of troops not only in Shangyong but also to Wang Ping stationed in Fangling and Ma Chong in Xicheng.

The existing 5,000 Luanling troops under my command. And 1,000 private soldiers gained from seizing military authority from the Shen brothers. 2,000 soldiers each that Wang Ping and Ma Chong received from Liu Bei when they were promoted to general positions.

A total of 10,000 troops gathered in Shangyong.

‘Finally, my independent military operation has become possible.’

I fell into reminiscence while caressing the battle-axe at my waist.

Ten years since realizing I was reborn as Zhang Ran. I finally became a commander with military authority. That sense of achievement, that joy.

“General, everyone has assembled.”

“Good.”

Zhang Yi, the Army Commandant, reported that the assembly of those I had called was complete. The sight of four on each side, fully armored and standing at attention, heightened the uplifting feeling welling up in one corner of my heart.

I examined each of them one by one.

Wang Ping, Ma Dai, Yu Ye, Wang Si on the right side closest to me.

Ma Chong, Gou Bo, Zhang Yi, Bu Zhan in order on the left side.

Is this what it feels like to be full without eating? I drew a pleased smile at the lineup that made me feel proud just by looking at it.

“As you all know, the situation in Fancheng is not good.”

By now, the Han River should have started to overflow.

I had already given a hint to Guan Yu. More precisely, through Pang Tong. I have many allies in Jingzhou. They created conditions for Guan Yu to continue the siege of Fancheng, and Guan Yu trusted them and held out until the rainy season.

Having brought them to the water’s edge, making them drink is simple. Guan Yu is a person who has expertise not only in land forces but also in naval operations.

Even in the original history where he didn’t know this situation would occur, Guan Yu achieved a world-shaking feat without missing the opportunity. How much more so for Guan Yu who has prepared in advance after hearing advice from me and Pang Tong.

He might even break through Cao Ren’s resistance and take Fancheng.

However, regardless of Guan Yu’s preparedness, the limits of this northern expedition are clear.

There’s something called the culmination point of the offensive. It refers to the point where an offensive can no longer be maintained, and because maintaining the offensive is almost inevitably followed by the consumption of forces, it’s bound to be reached eventually.

In the 36 Stratagems, there’s a strategy called “Wait at Ease for the Fatigued Enemy” (以逸待勞), which is about attacking an enemy who has reached this culmination point of the offensive. It’s such an important military concept.

I think Guan Yu’s death in the original history was not only due to Sun Quan’s betrayal but also largely because he fought and lost to Xu Huang in a situation close to the culmination point of the offensive.

And there’s a high possibility that the culmination point will arrive for Guan Yu’s forces right after this great victory taking advantage of the Han River flood. Because feeding the prisoners from the seven armies, personnel to guard them, all become losses for Guan Yu’s army.

No matter how much Pang Tong and Pang De have joined, and even though the situation is more favorable than in the original history by inflicting greater consecutive blows on Wei, the siege of Fancheng has also lasted longer. It wouldn’t be strange if they’re starting to show signs of hitting bottom.

So, we step in.

Guan Yu must be moving quickly in response to the overflowing Han River by now.

It doesn’t matter that Liu Bei or Guan Yu didn’t specifically request reinforcements. Because I have the battle-axe. I can launch military operations independently as needed.

This is what’s called acting first and reporting later.

The generals, who already knew I would advance to Jingzhou, asked with expressions that said “the expected has come”:

“Are we advancing to Fancheng?”

“No.”

Guan Yu is enough for Fancheng. Having swallowed up not only Wang Shuang’s external guerrilla force but also Yu Jin’s reinforcements, Cao Ren in Fancheng can’t break through Guan Yu.

So what we need to aim for is…

“We’re going to Wan.”

Xu Huang in Wancheng.

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The core of Napoleon’s military strategy is undoubtedly divide and conquer.

Even if the total force of the enemies is larger, the tactic of splitting it up and making a small number of our troops into a majority position is even artistic.

In an anecdote, when a subordinate said, “Your Majesty always defeated many with few,” Napoleon replied, “That’s not true. I always fought and won with many.”

It meant that although the total number existing in the theater might be small, he always maintained a majority in the troops deployed for battle and defeated the enemy through divide and conquer.

Why am I telling this story?

It’s because I’m about to try to emulate that Napoleon.

“I’ll divide the army into three.”

Splitting the army is an action highly frowned upon in military science. Because, as mentioned repeatedly earlier, it increases the possibility of being divided and conquered.

However, Napoleon overcame this risk by maintaining distance between each unit and regular communication.

“I’ll have three armies led by the General Who Pacifies the West, the General Who Pacifies the North, and myself, with Zhang Yi, Wang Si, and Gou Bo as assistants for each army.”

For Ma Chong, who is the weakest in military aspects among the three army leaders, I assign Zhang Yi, who is well-versed in military strategy. For Wang Ping, who has excellent leadership but is too rigid, I assign Wang Si to complement his weaknesses.

And I keep the versatile Gou Bo, who can take charge of the Secretariat when I take the vanguard, under me.

Having set the framework of the army, it was time to discuss the army’s advance route. I pointed with my commander’s baton to a location between Wancheng, where Xu Huang is stationed, and Fancheng, northwest of Fangling.

“If we advance north towards Nanyang, we can put both Fancheng and Wancheng within range simultaneously.”

When war began, Napoleon dispersed units throughout the theater to confuse the enemies about which was the main force and what the objective was, then took advantage of the enemies’ confusion to split and conquer them one by one.

But this time, the enemies are already divided into Fancheng and Wan, so we don’t need to lure them to scatter. We just need to cut up and devour the reinforcements that are already split up or joining separately through divide and conquer in the middle.

“It’s a very simple matter.”

There are formidable warriors like Xu Huang and Zhen Yi holding out in Wancheng, but they will definitely come out of the city.

Cao Cao, who can’t give up Fancheng, will order so, and if they refuse the order, I can just go straight to Fancheng and help Guan Yu capture Cao Ren.

It’s not much different from Dingjunshan. A move that forces an irresistible situation. If they come out for support, they’ll be divided and conquered, and if not, Fancheng will fall. It’s a choice between two evils, a dilemma.

“If the enemy comes out of Wancheng, I’ll face them. Meanwhile, the General Who Pacifies the North will block the path to Wancheng, and the General Who Pacifies the West will check other reinforcements from Wei.”

We start from Fangling, pass through Nanyang Commandery, occupy Yanxing between Xiangyang and Wancheng, join up with our forces there, and observe both sides. Of course, if Xu Huang or Zhen Yi come out of Wan before that, we’ll deal with them as just mentioned.

“After defeating Wancheng’s reinforcements, we’ll sweep through the Nanyang Commandery area and completely cut off any additional enemy reinforcement units.”

Wang Ping, who was listening to my words, raised an objection:

“The enemy won’t just sit back and take it. After being divided and conquered once or twice, they’ll come together at once. Do we engage in a full-scale battle then?”

That’s the orthodox view. The Wei army isn’t stupid, and even though it’s an era where information transmission is slow, they won’t just keep taking it several times.

The fun of divide and conquer will only last for the first few times. It’s inconceivable that Cao Cao, who has lost several kinsman generals, would give up on Cao Ren, so he’ll try to squeeze out reinforcements even if he has to scrape the bottom of the barrel.

And above all, if he can turn the defensive forces from Hefei through a secret agreement with Sun Quan, we might have to face the formidable presence of Zhang Liao.

The current with Sun Quan is already meaningful, and we certainly want to avoid becoming a two-front war by engaging in a full-scale war with Wei.

But the side that should fear a prolonged war is not us.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

It’s enough just to win against Wei’s reinforcements, including those from Wancheng. That’s the catalyst. A catalyst to draw out Cao Cao’s true intentions and make him come out directly.

And the moment Cao Cao leaves Ye City, those who have been eyeing his empty seat are bound to rise up.

The Wei Feng Rebellion. When a rebellion against Cao Wei breaks out in Ye City, Cao Cao can’t help but feel uneasy. Even if he successfully suppresses the Wei Feng Rebellion, anxiety will sprout in Cao Cao’s mind about when and where a second or third Wei Feng might appear.

In the original history, Sun Quan succeeded in properly robbing the empty house, pushing Guan Yu into crisis in a single move, but how will it be this time?

I’m betting it won’t be.

“Cao Cao will be the first to mention ending the war.”