The Campaign to Recover Jingzhou 3

From the simple “Let’s reclaim Jingzhou!”, the purpose became clearer by setting Xiagu as the first objective, then Wuchang as the next, and Qichun as the maximum achievement goal.

As the purpose of the war, which had been at a conceptual level of just recapturing Jingzhou, established a systematic framework, the spirit of those gathered became more solemn.

“Governor Pan, please tell us about the deployment and movements of Sun Quan’s army that you have grasped.”

There were changes in Sun Quan’s army as Zhuge Jin returned after hearing the declaration of war. Pan Jun had been keeping a close eye on such movements and compiling information.

“I will report.”

Pan Jun began to explain about the troops stationed in each region and the generals leading them while placing pieces symbolizing Wu’s army on the war map one by one.

“First, the closest enemy garrison is in Gong’an.”

Gong’an, located a short distance south of Jiangling, was being used as the administrative center of Jingzhou currently occupied by Wu, as it had once been used by Liu Bei as the administrative center of Jingzhou.

“The number of troops is not large. Only about 5,000.”

“But isn’t Zhuge Jin in Gong’an?”

Gong’an is on the front line, near the Han-Wu border. Using such a Gong’an as the administrative center was largely for show.

Wu, having occupied Jingzhou not long ago, was in a state where even regional stabilization had not been properly achieved before centralization. The importance of being the administrative center of the Governor of Jingzhou was surprisingly low.

“And our army doesn’t have a navy. The military value of Gong’an isn’t that great either.”

During the Jingzhou defensive battle, Lu Meng had used the navy to depart from Lukou and arrive at Gong’an in a short time, but that was a strategy we couldn’t use.

“The place where Sun Quan’s army has concentrated its forces is right here, Jingling County.”

Jingling County, backed by the Han River, also had the alias Xiagu like Saiyi County. It was where Liu Qi had been stationed in the past, more precisely called Zhongxiagu (Middle Xiagu).

Jingling County, where the administrative center of Jiangxia Commandery was located, was in a position that exactly blocked the route if one were to go from Jiangling to Xiagu by land.

“They also know that if we attack, we’ll have no choice but to use the land route, so they’ve made Jingling County, not Gong’an, their core stronghold.”

As Yi Yan muttered, Wei Yan responded.

“Moreover, the enemy general guarding Jingling County is that Zhou Fang fellow.”

No matter how much Sun Quan trusts Zhuge Jin, that’s trust between humans, different from trust towards a military commander.

It’s not that Zhuge Jin is completely incompetent militarily. He faithfully fulfills his assigned roles and has above-average military talent, able to regroup soldiers well and return even if defeated.

However, what Wu needs now is not such a mediocre general, but a brilliant general who can overcome poor conditions with outstanding talents.

Sun Quan’s personnel selection in sending Zhou Fang for defense was perfect beyond comparison.

In the original history, he had repelled Wei’s army of tens of thousands with just 5,000 soldiers. Not content with that, he even counterattacked and defeated two Wei army camps, so Zhou Fang’s defense is truly admirable.

‘As expected of Sun Quan. He’s quite something when he’s not senile.’

From my perspective, I wish he would become senile quickly, but considering his age, he was still in his prime.

“The troops there are also the most numerous at 10,000.”

Pan Jun added additional explanation.

It’s not just a simple 10,000, but 10,000 led by Zhou Fang cannot be taken lightly. Zhou Fang’s skills, having passed forty, should have reached completion by now.

However, Zhou Fang and Zhuge Jin were not all.

“There’s another target to be cautious of. This person, called Bu Zhi. Although he’s stationed in Yiyang where the General-in-Chief faced Lu Su in the past and is quite far, he can send support to either side. If our army is blocked on one side, we must keep in mind Bu Zhi’s raid.”

Perhaps because it was a relatively unfamiliar name unlike Zhou Fang, who had shown his skills against Han in the last Jingzhou defensive battle and against the Wei-Wu alliance.

Unlike when hearing Zhou Fang’s name, Yi Yan expressed doubt.

“Bu Zhi… I’ve heard he’s the one who attacked Wuling Bay with Deng Zong.”

“It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the annihilation of Wuling Bay was actually Bu Zhi’s achievement. He’s not someone to be taken lightly.”

Pan Jun’s words are correct.

Bu Zhi is a talent skilled in both civil and military affairs, classified as top-tier even in Wu.

The fact that the Sun Bao faction was able to contend despite outstanding figures like Lu Xun, Zhuge Ke, and Zhu Ju joining the Crown Prince faction during the Yigong Incident was due not only to Sun Quan’s support but also largely to Bu Zhi acting as a counterweight.

Considering that it was Bu Zhi, not Lu Xun or Gu Yong, who awakened Sun Quan when he was being manipulated by the evil minister He Yi, he was someone who surpassed even Lu Xun in some aspects.

“Fortunately, their numbers are not large. About 5,000, they say. Except for Jingling, they rarely exceed 5,000. Deng Zong of Wuling Army and Xu Sheng of Yingling Army are about the same, they say.”

“It seems they’re concentrating troops in Jingling County to check us, while deploying about 5,000 to each commandery, with Bu Zhi in the middle to support and suppress if any commandery becomes chaotic.”

Jiang Wei immediately offered his opinion despite likely being unfamiliar with Jingzhou.

Feeling a sense of competition, Ma Su also immediately opened his mouth.

“The same goes for Sun Shao in Lukou. Although the number under Sun Shao’s command is small considering Wu’s navy, we need to keep it in mind.”

“It’s as the Assistant General says. The speed of the navy riding the wind is truly beyond imagination. The troops in Lukou might appear in Gong’an or Xiagu at any time.”

Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, Zhou Huan, Xu Sheng, Deng Zong, Sun Shao.

The core general lineup of Wu deployed in Jingzhou was as above. Add to this Luo Tong, who would fill in for Zhuge Jin’s somewhat lacking military talent, and Sun Quan’s defense of Jingzhou was at a formidable level.

“4 million while fighting a war in Huainan. Sun Quan has scraped the bottom of the barrel for troops.”

The fact that he deployed 40,000 troops despite the fierce battle in Huainan where Sun Quan himself was said to be going on a personal campaign meant that Sun Quan had mobilized all possible means at his disposal this time.

In addition to the authority restored by the victory against the Wei-Wu alliance army, he squeezed out all the strength Wu possessed by enticing the clan leaders through whatever means, be it threats or persuasion. It was a manifestation of Sun Quan’s charisma and political power.

‘They say Lu Xun, Han Dang, Lu Fan, Song Qian, He Zhi, Sun Huan and others were mobilized for the Huainan side. Wu has really staked everything on this.’

It was an all-out war with Wu’s all-stars and all capable individuals mobilized without exception. It was like seeing Han’s appearance when they sent out everyone, available or not, against Wei and Wu.

‘It would be nice if the Shan Yue tribe acted up at this opportunity, but that might be difficult.’

Unable to take Jingzhou immediately, Sun Quan instead vented his anger on the Shan Yue. It was also to establish his authority as a ruler that had been shaken, and there was a purpose to seize the land of the Shan Yue and make them slaves.

Because he couldn’t get Jingzhou, he must have felt too far behind compared to Han and Wei.

The Shan Yue are persistent people, so it seems they couldn’t be completely uprooted, but they probably lack the strength to shake Wu’s interior.

‘But our army’s numbers are half again as many as Wu’s.’

Upon arriving at Jiangling, I found that the troops we could mobilize amounted to 60,000.

Moreover, while their 40,000 troops are scattered throughout Jingzhou, we are different.

When I said we should mobilize all the troops, Separate Division Major Yin Guan expressed his perplexity.

“General of the Guards, if we mobilize all 10,000 of the Jingzhou army, it will be difficult to defend Jiangling and support Yangping in case of emergency.”

Deputy Major Pang Lin also agreed worriedly, but that too was prepared for.

“General Who Conquers the East Wu Ban will arrive as a follow-up force. They will take charge of supporting Yangping and defending the southern commanderies, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Ah, I understand.”

As Yin Guan and Pang Lin, who had been watching the situation, began to speak up, the heat of the military council grew even hotter.

While listening to the voices of the generals around me, I compared both armies and organized the war situation on one side.

And combining the opinions put forth by various people with my thoughts, I came to a conclusion.

“I will divide the army into three units.”

As I spoke, the surroundings immediately became quiet.

“As we have put forward Wuling Bay as our justification, it is inevitable that we attack towards Wuling Commandery. So I will organize one army to face Deng Zong stationed in Gong’an and Wuling Commandery to the south.”

As I looked around the audience, they subtly avoided my eyes. They probably want to avoid the Wuling direction, which is likely to become a side branch rather than the main actor of this war.

However, I had already decided on the personnel selection in my mind.

“I’ll entrust Wuling Commandery to the General of the Right.”

“Hmm! If the General of the Guards orders it, I’ll follow.”

Yi Yan showed a slightly regretful expression but accepted the mission without complaint.

Feeling sorry for Yi Yan, who must have been dreaming of a major debut properly facing Wei or Wu this time, I explained the reason for the personnel selection.

“As it’s the core of our justification, it would be good for a high-ranking official to take charge. The next generals after me are the General of the Right and the Rear General, but the Rear General is also from Jingzhou and has stayed in Jiangling for a long time, so he’s familiar with the surrounding geography. It seems more efficient to cover a wider area than attacking nearby Gong’an. That’s why I chose the General of the Right.”

“Hmm hmm, I’m also from Nanyang Commandery in Jingzhou. But I fully understand the General of the Guards’ intention. Don’t worry.”

If I assigned the first army to Yi Yan, then the next general to lead an army was naturally Wei Yan.

“I’ll give the Rear General the role of blocking Jingling County.”

“By blocking, you mean…”

“We will not engage Jingling County.”

As I’ve said repeatedly, speed is key in this war.

Blitzkrieg.

Block the enemy’s defense line with some troops, and the main force that will be the vanguard advances to the enemy’s rear.

We preemptively occupy Xiagu to isolate the enemies, then defeat them individually to annihilate them and recover Jingzhou.

And there’s no need to think about which army will advance towards Xiagu; it’s the role of the Nanling Army.

The Nanling Army is currently one of the most elite units among the Three Kingdoms. They’ve crossed the Zhenling Mountains, galloped across the Guanzhong plains, and even left their mark on the Ordos Plateau.

The Nanling Army, which has gone through all sorts of natural environments and traveled the world, are now seasoned in marching.

“We’ll set out immediately the next day.”

Sun Tzu said, when moving troops, be like thunder and lightning.

Now it’s just full speed ahead.