Chapter 3

The other is Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe, who appears timid and submissive but is actually deep and calculating.

But that Jia Xu usually hides quite deeply.

The Xiliang generals only know that this person is not simple, but they do not know exactly how high his level is.

Compared to Jia Xu, everyone still considers Li Ru to be much more formidable.

After all, Li Ru’s status and position are established here; he is deeply trusted by his boss, Dong Zhuo, and is a confidant among confidants.

From this Gu Yi before him, Hua Xiong senses a scent that is both familiar and strange.

He is not like Li Ru, nor is he like Jia Xu, yet he seems even more unfathomable than the two of them.

Regarding what Gu Yi said,

Hua Xiong certainly will not be brainwashed like an ordinary soldier.

But even so, it subconsciously makes it impossible for Hua Xiong to harbor any intent to kill Gu Yi.

Scanning his surroundings, Gu Yi notices that Hua Xiong is currently clad in armor and holding his weapon, looking very much like he is about to set out on an expedition.

He narrows his eyes slightly and then speaks:

"I wonder if the General intends to take advantage of the Guandong coalition’s unstable footing to launch a surprise attack?"

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crosses Hua Xiong’s brow.

It is true that he has this idea.

The coalition vanguard, Sun Jian, has already camped on the upper reaches of the river not far away, only a little over ten miles from Sishui Pass.

If he is not driven away, I fear that tomorrow or the day after, Sun Jian will lead his troops to attack Sishui Pass.

"General, do not be impatient."

"Even if you defeat Sun Jian, it will only slightly dampen the coalition’s morale; it will not be enough to hurt their foundation."

"The main force of the coalition still remains."

"After regrouping, they can still use their superior numbers to surround Sishui Pass."

"If the battle report reaches the Prime Minister, it will not look very good either."

"The General’s reputation will not be enhanced."

"In that case, what is the use?"

These words cause Hua Xiong to fall into silence.

The reason he volunteered to be the garrison commander of Sishui Pass is naturally to build a career.

But if defeating Sun Jian has no impact on the overall situation, then it is equivalent to losing its original meaning.

Historically, this is exactly how it was.

Because Sun Jian lacked provisions, he suffered a defeat during Hua Xiong’s night raid.

The great general Zu Mao even died at the hands of Hua Xiong while protecting him.

But after that, the main force of the coalition of lords remained unaffected.

Even after Hua Xiong died, before the coalition had fully captured Sishui Pass, they were able to split their forces into two routes to attack Hulao Pass on the other side.

From this, it can be seen that Sun Jian being defeated by Hua Xiong’s night raid really did not have much of an overall impact on the coalition.

"But if I do not go to attack Sun Jian, does this General have to keep cowering in this Sishui Pass?"

Hua Xiong’s tiger eyes widen; his thoughts are already influenced by Gu Yi.

He no longer has much interest in the night raid on Sun Jian.

But if he were to be forced to stay and defend Sishui Pass, that would naturally be impossible.

After all, the reason Hua Xiong was able to become the garrison commander of Sishui Pass was precisely to prove himself.

Staying in the pass for passive defense—what kind of thing is that?

However, the next words from Gu Yi

let Hua Xiong thoroughly understand what it means to be bold because of one's skill!

…….

"Why stay in the pass for passive defense?"

"Attacking Sun Jian has little meaning, but General, you can go and attack others!"

Gu Yi says nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Hua Xiong is stunned for a full half-minute.

Immediately, he hurriedly orders his personal guards to bring the topographical map.

On the topographical map, the position where Sun Jian is stationed is on the upper reaches of the river.

Although it is very close to Sishui Pass,

this place is equivalent to an independent stronghold.

If Hua Xiong goes to raid the coalition’s main camp, he can completely bypass the upper reaches of the river where Sun Jian is stationed.

Of course, this does not mean that Hua Xiong can ignore Sun Jian.

If Sun Jian were to suddenly circle behind and surround Hua Xiong while Hua Xiong was out attacking the coalition’s main camp, Hua Xiong and his Xiliang soldiers would have no way to escape!

Realizing this, a flash of anger crosses Hua Xiong’s face.

He seriously suspects that Gu Yi is deceiving him, with the goal of letting Sun Jian cut off his retreat!

However, Gu Yi had long anticipated Hua Xiong’s annoyance.

He smiles slightly and says:

"The General is worried about Sun Jian circling behind to launch a sneak attack, right?"

"There is no need to worry about this matter."

"Sun Jian’s troops have already fallen into the predicament of lacking provisions."

"Let alone circling behind to launch a sneak attack, even a smooth withdrawal would be difficult for Sun Jian’s army to achieve with their current grain reserves."

Once these words are spoken, Hua Xiong is shocked once again.

A dignified coalition vanguard with no provisions—what kind of thing is that?

Let alone Hua Xiong, even any person who knows military affairs would likely feel shocked upon hearing this news.

But the fact... is exactly as it is.

Sun Jian’s troops are not just lacking provisions; they have already reached the predicament of being cut off from grain!

What makes them significantly different from the other coalition lords is that

although Sun Jian’s soldiers are fierce in combat, they do not engage in production!

Yes, Sun Jian appeared in the coalition of lords in the form of a mercenary.

And the big financier who hired him was none other than Yuan Shu!

This seems to cause some subversion of cognition.

After all, in the original romance, the contradictions between Sun Jian and Yuan Shu were numerous; how could Yuan Shu possibly hire Sun Jian?

But the fact is, Sun Jian was indeed Yuan Shu’s mercenary!

It is just that a serious conflict arose between this mercenary and his financier, Yuan Shu.

This led to the financier, Yuan Shu, cutting off Sun Jian’s provisions.

In reality.

The claim in the romance that Yuan Shu was in charge of the coalition’s provisions and cut off Sun Jian’s grain privately because he looked down on him simply cannot withstand scrutiny!

One must know that the coalition of lords all brought their own troops and provisions to join the coalition at their own expense.

Each managed their own provisions; how could there be a unified control?

Then why did other lords have grain to eat, while you, Sun Jian, suddenly had no grain?

It is because the soldiers under Sun Jian did not engage in production.

Or rather, he and his soldiers were being supported by someone, so they never had to worry about the issue of provisions.

Looking at the process of Sun Jian joining the coalition.

He led his troops north all the way from Changsha.

He wiped out several imperial officials, including the Inspector of Jingzhou, the Administrator of Nanyang, and the Administrator of Xiangyang.

Can this damn thing be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty?

It is clearly a mountain bandit who kills people and seizes their goods!

Then why did Sun Jian do this?