Chapter 610: Splitting into Two Routes

"In this way, we have the warships for crossing the river, and we also have the naval troops of these two commanderies to guard against the Han army launching a sneak attack while our army is crossing!"

"I wonder what the three of you think; is this arrangement of mine acceptable?"

After finishing, Gao Jiong looked intently at Lai Hu'er, Shi Wansui, and He Ruobi.

The three pondered for a while and also felt Gao Jiong's arrangement was very reasonable.

Immediately, they all nodded and said solemnly:

"Then let it be as General Gao said!"

Hearing this, Gao Jiong also nodded with satisfaction and then said to the three:

"Since that is the case, then this General and General Shi will be one army route, crossing the river from Jiangdu Commandery to attack Piling Commandery, which is occupied by the Han army."

"And General Lai and General He, you two will be one army route, crossing the river from Liyang Commandery to attack Xuancheng Commandery, which is occupied by the Han army."

"Finally, after defeating the main force of the Han army, we will each lead our armies to recover the cities occupied by the Han army one by one."

Hearing this, Lai Hu'er, He Ruobi, and Shi Wansui all nodded.

Subsequently, Gao Jiong and Shi Wansui led an army of four hundred thousand toward Jiangdu Commandery.

Very quickly, the news of Gao Jiong and the others splitting into two routes to cross the river was known by the Great Han's secret agents, and through the identity jade tokens, the news was quickly transmitted to the hands of Lü Bu and the others.

"Military Advisor, it is just as you expected; the Sui army has split into two routes, intending to cross the river separately from Liyang Commandery and Jiangdu Commandery."

"And the one crossing the river from Liyang Commandery is the army of four hundred thousand commanded by Lai Hu'er and He Ruobi."

"Shi Wansui and Gao Jiong are leading the other four hundred thousand troops to cross the river from Jiangdu Commandery!"

Lü Bu, having received the news, immediately found Guo Jia and said excitedly.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes, and he said to Lü Bu:

"General Lü, according to the Sui army's marching speed, they should be crossing the river in three days."

"And the Yangtze River's current is rapid, and the Sui Kingdom's soldiers have no cultivation; we can arrange for our army to launch a sneak attack while they are crossing."

Hearing this, Lü Bu nodded and said solemnly:

"Since that is the case, then this General will personally lead an army of fifty thousand to go and ambush them!"

Immediately, Lü Bu personally picked an army of fifty thousand and led Hou Cheng and Song Xian to ambush the Sui army.

And Xun Yu, who was in Piling Commandery, also received the news that the Sui army was about to arrive at Jiangdu Commandery.

After receiving the news, Xun Yu also immediately found Taishi Ci and Gao Shun.

"Two Generals, just now this official received news from Fengxiao that the Sui army generals Gao Jiong and Shi Wansui are leading an army of four hundred thousand toward Jiangdu Commandery."

"They want to borrow the warships of the naval troops under Yang Xuangan in Jiangdu Commandery, attempting to cross the river from Jiangdu Commandery to attack our Piling Commandery."

Taishi Ci and Gao Shun were shocked upon hearing this, and Taishi Ci said to Xun Yu:

"It seems the Military Advisor is truly as wise as a god; I will lead the naval soldiers to go and intercept them!"

Hearing this, Xun Yu hurriedly stopped him.

"General Zi Yi, please do not be anxious; the Sui army has not yet arrived at Jiangdu Commandery!"

Hearing this, Taishi Ci then sat down and said embarrassedly:

"Hahaha, it is this General who was a bit excited!"

Subsequently, Xun Yu then exhorted him: "General Zi Yi, according to the Sui army's marching speed, they can arrive at Jiangdu Commandery in about five days."

"And the Sui army crossing the river is a good opportunity for us to ambush them; our fifty thousand naval troops can catch them off guard."

"After destroying their warships, we can use the might of the naval troops to counterattack Jiangdu Commandery."

Hearing Xun Yu's words, Gao Shun and Taishi Ci's eyes lit up, and they said excitedly:

"Wen Ruo, it still has to be you scholars whose brains turn fast; this General did not think of this point."

Hearing Taishi Ci's words, Xun Yu was also a bit speechless; how did this sound like it wasn't a compliment to him!

After the few discussed some details, they began to prepare separately.

Very quickly, the day arrived for Lai Hu'er and He Ruobi to lead the army of four hundred thousand to cross the river.

"Prefect Zhao, please have the naval troops under your command do a good job of vigilance to prevent the Han army from launching a sneak attack while our army is crossing!"

Looking at the rolling Yangtze River before him, Lai Hu'er exhorted Liyang Commandery Prefect Zhao Yuankai with a solemn expression.

Zhao Yuankai nodded with a solemn expression upon hearing this and responded loudly:

"This subordinate obeys!"

Under Zhao Yuankai, there were also fifty thousand naval troops, and plus the fifty thousand garrison troops of the entire Liyang Commandery, he also controlled an army of one hundred thousand.

Fifty thousand naval troops, with a total of five hundred warships of various sizes, seemed like a lot, but for this army of four hundred thousand, it appeared too few.

One must know that the warships currently used by the Sui Kingdom's naval troops could only carry two hundred people at most at one time.

If used only for transport, the number of people could be increased by one fold; even so, the army of four hundred thousand would still need to be transported three times.

"Qi Yuan, this General gives you fifty warships; you lead five thousand soldiers to clear the ships on the Yangtze River; you must ensure the army crosses the river safely!"

Zhao Yuankai turned around and shouted coldly to the deputy general Qi Yuan behind him.

"This subordinate obeys!"

Deputy General Qi Yuan, after receiving Zhao Yuankai's military order, immediately led five thousand soldiers and sailed in a fan shape toward the direction of the opposite bank.

Seeing the ships gradually disappear from view, Zhao Yuankai said respectfully to Lai Hu'er and He Ruobi:

"Two Generals, this subordinate has already dispatched a deputy general to clear the river surface; you two, when do you think the army should cross the river?"

Hearing this, the two Lai Hu'er looked at each other and then said to Zhao Yuankai:

"Sorry to trouble Prefect Zhao; this General will arrange for the army to board the ships now!"

After Lai Hu'er finished speaking, he began to command the army to board the ships.

In their perception, there were no enemy troops on the river surface within a ten-mile radius; this was the reason why they dared to let the army board the ships with peace of mind.

Very quickly, the first batch of one hundred thousand troops had successfully boarded the ships; to be on the safe side, Lai Hu'er even personally escorted the army across the river along with the army.

And at the same time, ten miles away on the opposite bank of the Yangtze River, Lü Bu had already led an army of fifty thousand, preparing to ambush the Sui army.

"General, the Sui army has dispatched fifty warships and is currently clearing the ships on the river surface."

"Do not pay attention to them; what we are waiting for are the Sui army's troop transport ships. Everyone, restrain your own aura; do not be sensed by the enemy's experts."

Lü Bu heard the messenger soldier's words and exhorted everyone.

Very quickly, the Sui army's warships appeared in the line of sight of Lü Bu and the others.

Lü Bu immediately said solemnly to Hou Cheng and Song Xian:

"Hou Cheng, Song Xian, you two take out all the spirit stone cannons we brought; after the Sui army warships enter the attack range of the spirit stone cannons, open fire."

Hearing this, Hou Cheng and Song Xian began to deploy, and very quickly, one hundred spirit stone cannons were ready.

After waiting for all the Sui army warships to enter the attack range, Lü Bu decisively issued the order to attack. ===== CHAPTER 611 =====