Chapter 296: Slaying the Flood Dragon, Taking the Crocodile

The middle reaches of the Yangtze were far safer than the Yiling Three Gorges that Heifu had passed through before. With an old boatman who knew the waterways well to guide them, sailing at night posed no problem. So on the evening of the second day after leaving Echeng, the hundreds of warships, their sails swollen with wind, had already reached Jiujiang, over three hundred li away.

The name Jiujiang comes from the way the Yangtze flows through this low-lying terrain, where the waters spread out into several branching channels. The ancients used the classical Chinese empty numeral "jiu" to express a large number, hence the name Jiujiang. The Yu Gong records: "The many rivers of Jiujiang flow grandly, eastward to Pengli." After passing this network of branching waterways, one reaches Pengli Marsh.

The fleet did not press on, but anchored in the calm waters where Jiujiang and Pengli Marsh meet.

Heifu, as "Detached Division Commander," had three thousand men under him, split across six tower ships. All were men of Nan Commandery, living along the Jiang and Han rivers, and most knew how to handle themselves in water, so no one was vomiting from seasickness. After the fleet halted, the soldiers gnawed on their dry rations and drank fish soup. Heifu, meanwhile, was invited by Tu Sui to dine aboard his flagship.

The fleet's meals were mostly rice and fish stew, but Heifu had heard that Tu Sui had always been fond of fine flavors, even bringing his own cook on campaign. The food aboard his great ship today was sure to be out of the ordinary.

As Heifu climbed from his small boat onto the deck, he saw a young officer with a mallet-shaped topknot raise an axe high and hack it down onto a three-meter-long crocodile, sending flesh and blood splattering everywhere!

It turned out they were dismembering two crocodiles with cleavers and axes under the direction of Tu Sui's cook...

In this era, crocodiles were called "tuo" — a very vivid character. Not just the Yangtze, even the Han River in Nan Commandery had plenty of them, and they often plagued the people along the banks. The Monthly Ordinances says: "In late autumn, the seventh month, slay the flood dragon and take the crocodile."

Heifu remembered that at noon, several crocodiles that had not yet hibernated had been sprawled on the river islets, mouths agape, basking in the sun. It seemed the soldiers had hunted a few.

Drums made of crocodile skin were important ritual vessels in sacrifices. But the big-bearded Tu Sui was interested only in the crocodile's flesh. He watched with keen interest as the crocodile was slit open and gutted. Seeing Heifu arrive, he beckoned him over and laughed:

"The soldiers had time on their hands and shot a few big crocodiles with their powerful crossbows. I'm a man of Guanzhong, but I've heard that crocodile stew is delicious. Today I'll have the cook make some for us to try!"

This was what made it remarkable. Tu Sui was a man of Tuchuan in Heyang, Guanzhong, his ancestors said to be some Grand Headman of Qin. By all logic, this northerner should have had nothing to do with a fleet.

As the two chatted idly, Tu Sui explained: "My home was near the Yellow River, so I've been skilled in the water since childhood. When the old general Wang attacked Zhao, building pontoon bridges and transporting grain by water, I took part in all of it. Later, I incorporated the Zhang and He river fleets of Zhao. The king then put me in command of the southern fleet. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, but after a few years, I've grown accustomed to it."

It wasn't just Tu Sui; several other fleet officers had also been brought by him from the north. Heifu suspected that Xianyang was uneasy with the fleet being entirely under the control of men from Nan Commandery.

The cook sliced the best cuts of crocodile meat and placed them in a cauldron with ginger and cassia to simmer slowly over a low flame. The rest was given to the soldiers who had hunted it. Led by that dark, lean officer with the mallet-shaped topknot, they gleefully set up reed stalks on the bank and roasted whole slabs of it. Soon, the aroma of meat filled the air.

With the crocodile meat already cooking in the cauldron, Heifu and Tu Sui sat facing each other on the deck. To the west surged the mighty Yangtze; to the east stretched the boundless Pengli Marsh. Withered reeds along the bank stretched on without end. The setting sun dyed half the river crimson — a fine scene indeed.

"The day after tomorrow, I must take my leave of Commandant Tu."

Heifu raised a toast to Tu Sui. The fleet was only giving them a lift along the way. Tu Sui's real mission was to lead the ships, carrying hundreds of thousands of shi of grain from Nan Commandery, to supply Wang Jian and Meng Wu's army in Huainan, which was nearly out of provisions. Once the soldiers were fed, they would then defeat the Chu fleet on the river and protect the main Qin army's advance on Jiangdong.

This plan was modeled on the tactics from years ago, when Bai Qi attacked Yancheng by land while Sima Cuo used the fleet to transport provisions from Ba and Shu. After the two forces joined, they captured Yingdu in one stroke. By moving by water and land simultaneously, the army's food problem was solved.

Having trained troops at Jiangling for a year, Tu Sui naturally understood the background. He laughed: "Thanks to the suggestion the Detached Division Commander made to the Commandery Governor, every county in Nan Commandery built public latrines and used fine night soil to fertilize the fields, giving Nan Commandery bumper harvests for two years running. The grain transported from each county to the Jiangling granary is enough for the fleet to make several round trips, feeding old General Wang's great army until the autumn harvest. For this, the Detached Division Commander was commended by the King and enfeoffed as Fifth Grandee — truly well deserved."

Public latrines were an eternal sore spot in Heifu's heart. Not wanting to dwell on it, he changed the subject: "I've heard that since last year, the Commandant has sent men to sail the great river several times and is quite familiar with the hydrography and geography of Jiujiang and Pengli. Might I ask if the Commandant has any guidance for this subordinate, who has been ordered to attack the towns along the Gan River and Pengli Marsh?"

"First, secure a firm foothold."

Tu Sui did not have a background like Li You's, but to become a Commandery Commandant and be ranked Chief of the Multitude Left at forty, he naturally had his outstanding qualities. A forthright man, he did not hold back, and offered Heifu his advice.

"The region the Commander is to attack was also called Yuzhang in the Spring and Autumn period. It envelops the river and the lake, flanking Wu and Chu. Though it has few cities, it is a strategic point on the river. In the Spring and Autumn period, whenever Wu and Chu fought, they inevitably contested this place. If Chu held Yuzhang, it could press into Wu; if Wu held Yuzhang, it could fight five battles and enter Ying."

"However, Qin troops have never set foot in this region before, so we only know of a few towns along the edge of Pengli Marsh. I've also heard that the Gan River runs through its interior, and aside from Chu enfeoffed lords, most of the inhabitants are Yue tribal settlements. If the Commander advances deep with three thousand men from Nan Commandery, knowing nothing of the roads, mountains, rivers, or settlements, every step will be fraught with difficulty. I've heard that the Chu people described their early days with the phrase 'breaking through brambles and thorns to open the mountain forests.' I imagine the Commander faces much the same."

Heifu cupped his hands in salute: "That is exactly what I was thinking. So I would like to ask the Commandant to transport us to Pengze Town, east of Pengli Lake, and then unfurl sails and beat drums along the lakeshore, making a show of a great army coming to attack. That will let us play the fox borrowing the tiger's might to seize this town as our foothold!"

Tu Sui knew the riverside towns like the back of his hand and could recall Pengze Town's location with his eyes closed. Stroking his beard, he nodded: "Why not the closer Xun Town? You should know that Xun Town has already surrendered to Qin, but Pengze remains in the hands of the Chu Lord of Pengze."

Heifu replied: "First, Pengze and Xun Town, one east and one west, guard the two lake mouths of Pengli Marsh. Both can serve as anchorages for ships to rest. By taking Pengze, I can ensure that within Pengli Marsh, there are only Qin sails and no Chu ones. This secures my rear and ensures the Commandant's future grain transports will be safe."

"Second, although Xun Town has surrendered to Qin, it lies west of Pengli Marsh, very far from Poyang, the largest Chu county in Yuzhang. Capturing Poyang would sweep away the remaining Chu forces in the region. Advancing from Xun Town would require crossing three hundred li of lakes, marshes, and rivers. Our troops are unfamiliar with the local waterways and paths, and might get bogged down in the marshes, unable to extricate themselves. If we march south by land from Pengze Town, I've heard the eastern shore is drier, so we would avoid that concern..."

When Heifu finished speaking, Tu Sui clapped his hands and laughed: "So that's why the Commander volunteered to attack Yuzhang — you already had a well-thought-out plan! I am willing to lend the Commander a hand, to seize Pengze and let you secure a foothold there!"

After the two drank a cup together, Heifu added: "This subordinate has one more presumptuous request."

"Commander, speak freely."

"The Art of War says: an army without baggage train is lost; without grain, it is lost; without stores, it is lost. If I lead only three thousand foot soldiers deep into enemy territory alone, I fear I cannot accomplish the task. When the Commandant sails east, could you leave me a few vessels to transport supplies and communicate military intelligence with Nan Commandery and Jiangdong?"

"Of course."

Tu Sui agreed readily. He called over a personal guard and whispered a few words in his ear. The guard immediately ran over to the group that had just been dismembering the crocodile and was now roasting it on the bank, shouting among them. The tower-ship marines to be left for Heifu were probably among them...

Just then, the cook lifted the lid off the great cauldron beside them. This cauldron had been looted from the storehouse of the Lord of E. A rich aroma instantly wafted out. After the cook seasoned it and sprinkled scallions and chives on top, he presented large chunks of crocodile meat along with the stew onto the small tables before each of the two men.

The pot-bellied Tu Sui, a lover of fine food, was already licking his chops. He laughed: "This thing may not compare to the Eight Delicacies — camel hump, bear paw, monkey brain, orangutan lips, elephant trunk, elephant trunk, leopard fetus, rhino tail, and deer tendon — but it's still a fine delicacy of the rivers and lakes! Commander, try it quickly!"

Heifu picked up a piece of crocodile meat. He found the gamey taste hadn't been fully removed. Putting it in his mouth, it felt like overcooked chicken — mediocre in flavor. The cooked inner skin of the crocodile, however, had a pliable texture and was quite chewy. The crocodile stew soup was also quite good...

At that moment, Tu Sui's personal guard returned, bringing with him an officer about Heifu's age. The officer prostrated himself from a distance: "This subordinate greets the Commandant and the Detached Division Commander!"

His speech carried a trace of a northern accent, like that of the Zhao region.

Heifu looked — it was the same dark, lean officer who had been hacking at the crocodile with an axe blade when he boarded the ship today.

Tu Sui pointed at this officer and said: "I will leave this Five-Hundred-Leader and a few assault boats and great-wing warships for the Commander. Don't let his being brought from the north fool you; his skill in the water is no worse than a southerner's. Commander, treat him as your own subordinate — scold him when he deserves it, punish him when he deserves it!"

"Many thanks to the Commandant for parting with such a man!"

Though this man was only a Five-Hundred-Leader, the fact that he could come and go on Tu Sui's great ship and personally butcher a crocodile for him suggested he was a trusted aide.

Heifu cupped his hands toward the officer and asked: "May I ask how the Five-Hundred-Leader is called?"

The officer knew he would likely be following Heifu for the next few months, so he raised his head and showed a smile: "This subordinate is Zhao Tuo!"

(End of chapter)