Those Gathering at Xiagu 3

In the confrontation at Xiagu Castle, the most worrisome point was that the Wu reinforcements from other regions would arrive before Shang Cong’s follow-up troops.

Although they were much farther away, Jingzhou had many waterways, making movement much easier if there was a navy.

This can be seen just by looking at the numerous ports like Xiagu, Zhongxiagu, Lukou, Hengshanggou, Zhegou, and tributaries like the Huo River, Zhe River, and Han River.

The Four Commanderies of Jingnan had relatively few tributaries, but from Yiyang to Xiagu was almost a direct route.

Therefore, I was assuming that the enemy’s reinforcements would arrive before our army. The opposite possibility isn’t small either. But rather than being optimistic and getting caught off guard, it’s better to view the situation pessimistically and prepare countermeasures.

However, surprisingly, Shang Cong’s follow-up troops arrived first.

How hurriedly they must have come. The soldiers’ fatigue was considerable, clearly visible to the point of exhaustion.

The central army is composed of carefully selected elite soldiers. For such a central army to be tired means they really forced a tremendous march. That’s why they arrived so quickly.

Anyone with knowledge of the military would know that increasing marching speed is no easy task. In that respect, Shang Cong was certainly outstanding. There was a reason why Zhuge Liang directly mentioned in his Memorial on the Northern Expedition that he was well-versed in military affairs and praised by the former ruler (Liu Bei) as capable.

While commending Shang Cong’s hard work, I asked about the reason for choosing the forced march that could have been a bad move.

“You’ve come well. But why did you hurry so?”

“If you had captured Xiagu, you would have sent a messenger to issue new orders. But as we were passing Zhegou and no message arrived, I thought there must be trouble in attacking Xiagu, so I increased the marching speed.”

“What if I had fallen into a trap and been defeated?”

“Then it would have been even more right to hurry. It’s said that victory and defeat are the greatest matters in war. But since people once lost don’t come back, it would be right to prioritize saving the General of the Guards.”

Shang Cong said this without changing his expression.

I was rather embarrassed by Shang Cong’s words that I should be saved even if it causes greater damage. Even more so because of the sincerity revealed in his expressionless face.

If that expressionless face was intentionally acting, then Shang Cong might be a master of flattery.

Anyway, thanks to Shang Cong showing surprising marching speed and quickly joining, the options increased.

I was just thinking I should follow the strategy Ma Su had proposed. It seemed difficult to go beyond Xiagu Castle in this state. Even if we only occupied Luoshan Castle up to the Yangtze River border, it would be a gain for us as we would be expanding our territory.

However, it feels a bit unsatisfying to be content with just that when even Shang Cong’s central army has joined showing surprising forced marching.

Perhaps noticing the change in my mood, Jiang Wei quickly jumped in.

“General, the Commander of the Central Army has shown such a great feat. How about attacking Xiagu Castle?”

Ma Dai, who belonged to the same hard-line faction as Jiang Wei, also nodded. Ma Dai, who had become a veteran of the Nanling Army, had realized the weight his words carried and usually didn’t express his opinions much, but this time he actively opened his mouth.

“With the joining of reinforcements, our army’s morale is high. They say the enemy is fighting desperately by putting forward Sun Deng, but that’s not just the enemy. Our army is not only prepared to devote their whole bodies for the General of the Guards and the great cause of the world, but they are brave men who have engraved their resolve deep in their bones through long years together. If we attack, we can certainly capture the castle.”

Ma Dai’s age was now entering his late 30s. The Ma Dai who used to directly express his feelings and easily reveal his emotions was now gone.

Even Ma Su couldn’t open his lips at the sight of Ma Dai speaking gravely and calmly.

Supported by Ma Dai, Jiang Wei elaborated on the attack more in detail.

“We haven’t received reports from the scouts sent to Lukou yet. That means they have just arrived at Lukou, or haven’t even arrived at Lukou yet.”

The latter would be good, but assuming the speed of ships at maximum, their navy is probably around Lukou. The scouts who discovered Wu’s navy are probably rushing to report right now.

Still, there was enough time to pound Xiagu.

“Now that the central army has come, feed the soldiers well and let them rest fully. Place the central army in the rear ranks, and the Nanling Army stands in the front ranks.”

The central army, whose stamina had almost hit rock bottom, was essentially a nominal force. However, they did their part just by their presence. They would play the role of breaking the enemy’s morale.

“Tomorrow, we will attack Xiagu Castle again.”

This time, we will surely capture Xiagu Castle.

§

That’s what I thought just yesterday.

I clicked my tongue looking at Xiagu Castle where Wu’s flags were still fluttering. It left a bitter taste.

At first, things seemed to be going as expected. Our army attacked bravely and reached the top of Xiagu Castle’s walls, and Bu Zhan, who took the lead, even directly cut down one of the enemy’s deputy generals.

Xiagu Castle, which seemed to be collapsing like that, reversed the flow at some point.

‘Sun Deng, I thought he was just known for virtue and gentleness. But a Sun is a Sun after all.’

Sun Deng climbed onto the walls and fought directly on the front lines. Just like Liu Bei who went to the front where arrows were flying during the Hanzhong campaign.

While Liu Bei had Fei Yi beside him to dissuade him and send him to the rear, Zhou Huan, who was assisting Sun Deng, rather emphasized Sun Deng’s presence and exploded the soldiers’ fighting spirit.

Seeing Sun Deng not retreating even a step despite sword blades crossing and arrows flying right in front of him, even Wu soldiers who were dying stood up again and picked up swords.

Well, Sun Deng was the strong-hearted one who calmly dealt with even the bullets of an arquebus that grazed past him.

It was regrettable that we didn’t bring the trebuchet to utilize mobility. If we had brought the trebuchet instead of the ballista, we would have made Sun Deng personally realize that real war involves iron bolts from trebuchets flying around, which are on a different level from those bullets.

They were also cautious at first, but they’re acting like this after confirming we didn’t bring trebuchets. Even so, they’re quite reckless considering the follow-up central army might have them.

‘Is this why he doesn’t die young and endures?’

They say there’s cause and effect for all events. Even those belonging to Wu’s early death jinx must have their own reasons.

However, what was more surprising than Sun Deng’s recklessness was Zhou Huan’s command. No matter how much Sun Deng raised the soldiers’ fighting spirit, it was clearly Zhou Huan’s achievement to reverse the situation where our army had climbed up to the castle walls.

“Zhou Huan, his reputation is well-deserved.”

Ming bu xu chuan (名不虛傳).

The name is not spread in vain.

It was a solid defense worthy of a general who had defeated Cao Ren, Wei’s best general, in the original history. Perhaps in the future of this world, he will become famous for blocking me?

However, now that the victory that widely spread Zhou Huan’s fame throughout the world has disappeared, caught up in the inflection point of history, my words seemed strange to others.

I shrugged my shoulders and made an excuse.

“Isn’t it famous that all of Wu’s Four Gentlemen possess outstanding abilities?”

Lu Xun, Gu Yong, Zhou Huan, Zhang Wen.

Needless to say about Gu Yong and Lu Xun who rose to the position of Prime Minister, but also Zhou Huan who defeated Cao Ren and Zhang Wen who took charge of diplomacy with Han and drew praise from Zhuge Liang.

Wu’s Four Gentlemen proved with their abilities that they weren’t counted among the powerful clan leaders for nothing. However, perhaps their outstanding abilities became poison, as half of the Four Gentlemen end up being discarded by Sun Quan.

Including when he reprimanded Gu Yong when swayed by the evil minister He Yi, three out of the Four Gentlemen suffered humiliation from Sun Quan. Lu Xun and Zhang Wen even meet their deaths by Sun Quan’s hand.

Despite being such Four Gentlemen, Zhou Huan even touched Sun Quan’s beard, so he was the one who received the most trust from Sun Quan among the Four Gentlemen. So he must have entrusted such an important position as Xiagu.

Anyway, with Sun Deng’s activity, the soldiers’ morale was soaring endlessly, and the enemy general was a brilliant commander who knew how to dominate the war situation using that morale, so the capture of Xiagu Castle seemed far-fetched this time as well.

‘At this rate, it will be difficult to occupy Xiagu in the short term.’

I should have led the soldiers from the very front like Sun Deng. If I had broken through the enemy and secured a foothold on the castle walls at the vanguard, even Zhou Huan couldn’t have overcome it.

However, me standing at the vanguard was thwarted by the dissuasion of the subordinate generals. Now that the Wu army has pushed back our troops who had climbed the castle walls, even if I go to the front line now, the effect wouldn’t be that great.

I bitterly gave the order to retreat. Over the sound of the gong announcing the retreat, the cheers of the enemy soldiers who had blocked our army’s all-out attack twice rang out.

They gained confidence in victory from this battle. It will be difficult to break through head-on from now on. I don’t know how it would be if we launch a full-scale offensive after Shang Cong’s central army regains their stamina, but the damage won’t be small.

They will now never let go of their swords until the very last one dies.

But if you ask if the situation is entirely hopeless – it’s not.

While capturing Xiagu Castle is indeed the best result, we achieved some desired outcomes from this battle that went to the brink of capture.

To the generals who were dejected from the failure of the siege, I presented a new option that arose with Shang Cong’s joining.

“Commander of the Central Army, please take charge of besieging Xiagu Castle. We need to strike the enemy’s reinforcements first.”