Chapter 366: General

Wang Yang said urgently:

"Both the water and land armies withdraw from the gorge; the land army walks along the shore, and the water army descends east!"

Kong Zhangyu took another cup:

"The gorge mouth is broken! Water and land armies pursue!"

Tao Rui watched from the side, his fighting spirit bursting, and blurted out:

"This is a good opportunity! First annihilate their water army! Then combine with the water route to break their land army!"

But Li Jingxuan instead restrained his sharpness, looked at the cups and plates on the table, and hesitated:

"This person is cunning and full of schemes; perhaps he wants to lure me deep..."

Tao Rui glanced at Wang Yang and said:

"It must not be so; how can there be someone who abandons a dangerous pass to bait others? Now Wang Yang's path ahead is defeated and his momentum is declining; it is the time to pursue closely and destroy his spearhead in one fell swoop!"

Xue Shao also said:

"From his defeat at the river army to abandoning the gorge mouth, it is not that his strategy is like this, but that the situation cannot be defended. The enemy land army can perhaps be let go, but the water army must never be let go! If they are allowed to return to Huya completely, and water and land support each other, it will become a stalemate again, and the outcome will be unknown."

Guo Wenyuan also agreed with this proposal, urging Li Jingxuan to firm up his mind and pursue the victory.

The Prince of Badong said "Ouch":

"Rare indeed! Doesn't Mr. Guo always emphasize caution, saying something about thieves having a guilty conscience?"

Guo Wenyuan bowed and replied:

"I believe that thieves should have a guilty conscience, but using troops fears being overly cautious. Over-caution leads to suspicion, suspicion leads to missing opportunities, and missing opportunities leads to shifts in momentum. On the battlefield, the struggle is in the situation; once the situation shifts, it is difficult to return."

The Prince of Badong shouted excitedly:

"Well said! If I had been overly cautious back then, I would have been captured by Wang Yi long ago! The Dajiang flows east; where could there be an ambush? Even if he wanted to set an ambush, there is no place to set it! Directly pursue and destroy him! Let this kid know how powerful we are!"

Li Jingxuan's gaze never left the cups and plates on the table, and he slowly shook his head:

"I cannot guess where he set the ambush, but I have already taken the gorge mouth; the main army will slowly emerge, and water and land will advance together. This is a method of ten-out-of-ten certainty; there is no need to take a risky gamble."

The Prince of Badong felt very disappointed:

"I just praised you for having spirit! I see you are not suitable for being the attacker; you are suitable for being the defender. This battle is not satisfying!"

The other staff members also sighed, feeling that Li Jingxuan was too careful and missed a good opportunity.

Tao Rui approached Xue Shao and whispered:

"It seems Li Jingxuan has been scared out of his wits by Wang Yang. Sigh, after all, he is a commoner; he can offer wisdom but cannot decide matters, can plan but cannot control the masses. Even if his talent is high, he is only a choice for a strategist, not a commander."

Li Jingxuan was unmoved and continued to proceed step by step:

"The main army emerges from the gorge, north and south banks, water and land armies, camp and respond to each other. The north bank vanguard of three thousand advances to fifteen li south of Bu Chan City to set up fences; the south bank front camp builds fortifications twenty li outside Lu Kang City."

Wang Yang thought to himself: This person is extraordinary...

He thought for a moment and ordered:

"Water army in two routes, return to Huya and Jingmen, and set up water camps near the mountains. Land army stationed at Lu Kang City."

Tao Rui sighed:

"The good opportunity is lost..."

Guo Wenyuan explained to the Prince of Badong:

"Both of them are now planning for a stalemate."

The Prince of Badong was a bit dissatisfied:

"Wang Yang stalemating is fine; he is the defender. Li Jingxuan, you have more troops than them, and you are advancing while riding the victory, fighting out of the river gorge; why are you starting to be tied up instead?"

Li Jingxuan was not anxious or impatient, and bowed calmly:

"After I solidify the camp, I am about to advance."

The Prince of Badong's eyes lit up:

"Hmm! Advancing is good! I like advancing!"

Li Jingxuan moved his chopsticks:

"Three thousand north bank troops (stationed) at Dongkeng, three thousand troops at Gushi, three thousand water army advance to the tail of Guo Zhou. South bank army does not move."

The Prince of Badong leaned over to check the map, and the more he looked, the more he frowned:

"No, is Li Jingxuan trying to surround Bu Chan City? But why is one side missing; surrounding three and leaving one?"

Guo Wenyuan was already prepared to explain to the Prince of Badong. Hearing the Prince ask, he immediately leaned in and said:

"Because Bu Chan City has Bu Zhi City as lips and teeth on the south side, and also has Chixi as a screen. Li Gongyu is cautious and refuses to turn his back on the enemy and cross the creek, so he only surrounds three sides."

The Prince of Badong's expression was confused, still trying hard to find the location of Chixi.

Guo Wenyuan reached out and drew a line on the map:

"Right here, it joins the Dajiang to the east; it's not drawn on the map."

The Prince of Badong was happy:

"You're good; you know even if it's not drawn on the map!"

Xue Shao and Tao Rui glanced at Guo Wenyuan, both with contempt in their eyes.

Guo Wenyuan was humble for a moment, then said:

"If I were using troops, I would send another army to cross the creek and attack south of the city. At the same time, I would send water and land armies to attack Bu Zhi City."

Wang Yang took a chopstick and was about to open his mouth to give a military order when the Prince of Badong said:

"Wait!"

Then he said to Li Jingxuan:

"Wuyou makes sense; if you want to fight, fight together. Not only will you complete the merit, but you will also cut off his retreat. You can't fight like this; Bu Zhi City is in the back, and if you can't beat them, they will just withdraw, and you won't even be able to eat them."

Li Jingxuan said:

"A large net is easily sparse, and a long line is easily broken. Attacking two cities at the same time spreads the stall too wide, and the risk is also great. And south of Bu Zhi City, there is still Yiling, and below Yiling, there is still Huya. This terrain is not like in the gorge; a large army gathering will happen in a day or two, and the time for a decisive battle can arrive at any time. If the spearhead is too far, once there is a loss, the head and tail will not respond, and it will surely be taken advantage of by others."

So that's it!

The Prince of Badong was just about to be persuaded when he heard Guo Wenyuan say:

"Brother Gongyu is thinking too much. According to my prediction, Young Master Wang must have heavy troops on the south bank! Lu Kang (City), Bailu; Jingmen, Yanzhou, how can there be no garrison? His army is smaller than yours, and his strength is not enough; how could he lightly talk about a decisive battle, using his own weaknesses to strike your strengths? I secretly suspect that Young Master Wang's plan is to delay and consume, to reduce your military strength, and wait until your strength is thin and your momentum is cramped, then the time for his decisive battle will arrive!

If you bind your hands and feet because of his false sounds, you will fall right into his trap! The strategy now is to take advantage of your strength being majestic and his strength not yet gathered, to imitate the momentum of the wind rolling away the clouds, and sweep away Bu's two cities in one fell swoop, acting like thunder and lightning, not giving him a gap to breathe! Once the two cities are taken, Yiling's momentum will be isolated, and then most of the affairs on the north bank will be settled!"

Once the Prince of Badong heard this, he felt that Guo Wenyuan's words made sense.

Li Jingxuan just refused.

The Prince of Badong laughed at Li Jingxuan for becoming more timid the more he fought, then his gaze swept twice between Li Jingxuan and Guo Wenyuan, a bit of mockery flashed in his eyes, and he was also a bit curious:

"Eh? What is going on with you two? One usually loves to take risks, and one usually emphasizes caution; why have you swapped roles this time?"

Guo Wenyuan answered immediately:

"At that time, stability was needed, so I emphasized caution; at this time, sharpness is needed, so I compete for the lead."

The Prince of Badong clapped his hands and called it wonderful:

"Well answered! Gongyu, what do you say?"

Li Jingxuan stared at the cups and plates on the table, and after a few seconds, he moved his gaze away and bowed to the Prince of Badong:

"My heart is in the army, not outside the army, so I cannot respond quickly."

(Responding quickly means responding agilely, which was a clear trait marking intelligence in the medieval period, requiring one to have witty words and a quick answer.)

When everyone heard this, they looked at Guo Wenyuan, their expressions subtle.

While everyone was discussing, Wang Yang had already moved to the map, eating fruit while looking at the map. At this time, hearing everyone stop, he raised his head and asked:

"Is it decided?"

Li Jingxuan said in a deep voice:

"Decided, according to—"

The Prince of Badong said directly:

"According to what I say! Attack both cities together!"

He watched the battle with an itchy heart and had long wanted to go into battle himself to fight a few waves, but he knew he was good at being a general and charging into the formation; he couldn't play this kind of overall planning, and plus he didn't understand geography, so he could only suppress his fighting heart. At this time, seeing Li Jingxuan using troops timidly, he directly made the decision and gave the order.

Unexpectedly, Li Jingxuan bowed and said:

"Jingxuan dares not obey. When a general is outside, there are orders from the sovereign that are not accepted. Since Your Highness has allowed me to specialize in the campaign, then advance, retreat, attack, and defend are all my responsibilities. I hope Your Highness will forgive my sin!"

Everyone was shocked by Li Jingxuan's sudden toughness!

The Prince of Badong was also stunned:

"Ouch, I c—"

The fourth syllable was cut off halfway.

The Prince of Badong put his hands on his waist, paced around Li Jingxuan with tiger steps, and looked him up and down.

Li Jingxuan kept his bowing posture motionless, pretending to be calm on the surface, but his heart was beating like a drum!

First of all, this battle concerns his future and honor, so he must win! Therefore, he cannot use troops according to these people's opinions, because he knows they are not Wang Yang's opponents! If he arranges troops according to them, he will surely be defeated by Wang Yang!

In addition, every step he takes now is considered from the overall situation. Since he advances troops like this, naturally there is his reason; this is a secret plan for victory hidden in his heart; how can others know?

As for using this method to collide with the Prince of Badong, it was inspiration gained from Wang Yang. He wanted to try; perhaps he could also become the second Wang Yang? But if the Prince of Badong kicked him on the spot...

It shouldn't happen! After all, it is a time when people are needed; how could the Prince hurt people's hearts because of this little thing?

This is the confidence Li Jingxuan dared to try, but if the Prince of Badong really went crazy, no one could say for sure!

Li Jingxuan was anxious in his heart, and suddenly heard the Prince of Badong laugh:

"I have discovered that this Li Gongyu has the style of a great general! Don't you all think so?"

Regardless of whether they thought so in their hearts, the staff all echoed.

Li Jingxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief!

At the same time, his spirit was lifted, and he felt he understood!

He touched the secret of Wang Yang being looked at differently by the Prince of Badong! Then later...

"Fine, then I won't interfere; you make the decision!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!!!"

Wang Yang finished eating the melon:

"Is it decided this time?"

Li Jingxuan reached out and said the word "Please."

Wang Yang took a wet handkerchief from the maid, wiped his hands, walked back to his original seat, and then put the used handkerchief on the tray, looking leisurely:

"Three thousand men out of Lu Kang City, attack their south bank front camp."

The Prince of Badong was puzzled:

"No, why are they fighting on the south bank again? What about Bu Chan City?"

Guo Wenyuan said:

"Young Master Wang is guarding against Li Gongyu setting up a false situation on the south bank, while actually secretly gathering main forces on the north bank, so he is sending troops to test the reality."

Tao Rui said:

"Not necessarily; it could also be a strategy of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west."

Only heard Kong Zhangyu say:

"South bank front camp is not broken."

Li Jingxuan waved his chopsticks:

"Exit the camp and attack them!"

Kong Zhangyu:

"Wang army pursues!"

The Prince of Badong shouted well!

Wang Yang said: "Retreat to Lu Kang."

Li Jingxuan: "Follow closely."

Wang Yang: "Change route, walk Gushan"

The two were faster than each other in every sentence, but after Wang Yang finished saying walk Gushan, Li Jingxuan suddenly stopped speaking. In the slightly anxious gaze of everyone, he pondered for a while and said:

"South bank army returns to protect the camp. North bank three routes, all withdraw to the original garrison."

Everyone was in an uproar!

Wang Yang's eyes were solemn.

——————

Note: Mr. Pan Xinzao, based on Li Shan's annotation in "Wen Xuan," "Dongkeng is northeast of Bu Chan City in Xiling, more than ten li long. The city built by Lu Kang is on Dongkeng, and it is north of Chan City; their traces exist together." He claims Lu Kang City is on the north bank of the Yangtze River. ("History of Hubei Province's Administrative System," Volume 11) I do not agree.

Li Shan's writing style is quite misleading because Lu Kang built more than one city, and in this battle, he trapped Bu Chan and built a long siege, "from Chixi to Gushi, inside to surround Chan, outside to defend against the enemy" ("Records of the Three Kingdoms: Lu Kang Biography"), so the places he built can all be called "cities built by Lu Kang," but "the city built by Lu Kang" is not necessarily "Lu Kang City." At that time, there were those who used "Lu Kang City" as a proper name.

"Commentary on the Water Classic" says: "The river flows east past the north of the old city, which is what is called Lu Kang City." The Yangtze River flows east from the north side of the city, so the city should be on the south bank of the river. "Chuxueji" quotes "Jingzhou Map Record" saying: "Opposite the south bank of Yiling County is Lu Kang's old city, with a circumference of ten li and three hundred and forty steps. It uses the mountain as a wall..." Yiling City is on the north bank of the river, and the opposite bank is the south; this is also evidence that Lu Kang City is in the south. "Taiping Yulan" quotes "Jun Guo Zhi" saying: "There is Lu Kang City in Anyuan, and there is Gushan south of the old city. Yuan Shansong was the governor and once climbed this mountain to look around, seeing the Dajiang like a winding belt..." Gushan is on the south bank (what Yuan Shansong called "opposite the south bank of Xiling there is a mountain, its peak is lonely and beautiful"), this is the meaning of "using the mountain as a wall" in "Jingzhou Map Record," and the wall is the city wall, so Lu Kang City should be adjacent to Gushan, which is another proof that this city is on the south bank.

Qing dynasty geography often confused the city of the long siege built by Lu Kang with "Lu Kang City." Qing scholar Xie Zhongying also interpreted the meaning based on the text, adding a note in "Three Kingdoms Territory Records" after "the city built by Kang is on Dongkeng," saying "it is Lu Kang City," which all originated from the wrong derivation in Li Shan's annotation. Plus, later generations continued the mistake, regardless of whether it was a northern or southern relic, directly calling it Lu Kang City, leading to confusion. I seem to have a fever? It was just a cold before (influenza A?), not sure, I will measure it in a while, let's leave it like this for now. There is still one joint in this textual research that has not been explained clearly, so I will attach it here and wait for further research.

By the way, the new era begins, and all things contain chapters.

Tomorrow is New Year's Day! I wish everyone, and myself, that in the new year, everything we encounter will be peaceful, everything we do will not be regretted, and reading one volume of books will be worth all the complexity of things! Happy New Year!

New Year's Day off for one day, updated on January 3rd. Of course, if it is really influenza A and I haven't recovered, it will be delayed further, but it shouldn't be...