Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1314 The War Continues Despite the Changing Seasons

The last snow still clung to the treetops of Yuzhou, and the wind of 207 already carried a slight warmth. Liu Bei held the map handed to him by Zhuge Liang, his fingertips repeatedly tracing the characters "Jiaozhou." There, the forests were dense and the miasma was pervasive. The warlords of the Central Plains had always looked down on this "barbaric land," unaware that it was precisely this "disdain" that concealed the secret move of dividing the world into three kingdoms.

"Does Kongming mean to leave Cao Cao's remnants alone and take Jiaozhou first?" Liu Bei looked at the new recruits training outside the tent. Most of them were barbarian youths who had just come from Nanzhong, and the rattan shields in their hands still carried the scent of grass and trees.

Zhuge Liang lightly waved his feather fan, pointing to the line connecting Sichuan and Jiaozhou on the map: "My lord, please look, there is a waterway connecting Sichuan and Jiaozhou, which saves 30% of the effort compared to the land route in the Central Plains; the southern barbarians have already submitted, and we can take advantage of their familiarity with the mountainous terrain to open up the key route to Jiaozhi. Cao Cao is barely clinging to life in Yuzhou, and if pushed too far, he will only wipe out our cavalry. Nearly half of the warhorses we brought from the north were lost last year, and if we continue to waste resources, we won't even have the capital to charge into battle."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the generals in the tent: "Although Jiaozhou is remote, it can store grain, raise soldiers, and train a navy. Once we have established a foothold in the south, we can attack Jingzhou along the river to the north and cross the sea to the east to attack Jiangdong. At that time, it will be difficult for Cao Cao to stop us."

"My lord, looking at the current situation in the world, Ma Chao is unstoppable in Hebei. He has defeated the Yuan family one after another and absorbed a lot of troops. His momentum is stronger than anyone else's. The Sun family of Jiangdong has always been on good terms with him and almost always puts him first. After he finishes dealing with Hebei, he will definitely take advantage of the situation to move south. I'm afraid Cao Cao's small territory will not be able to hold on. In less than three years, most of the country will fall into Xiliang."

If we continue to fight Cao Cao to the death in the Central Plains, even if we manage to seize half of his territory, we will only be clearing obstacles for Ma Chao's southward advance when we face his overwhelming power.

Instead, we should turn our attention south. The south has rugged terrain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. The barbarian soldiers are also brave and fierce, and can be used to our advantage.

Taking Jiaozhou would not only provide a secure rear base for stockpiling provisions and training the navy, but also allow us to leverage the Nanzhong barbarians to create a situation where "Nanzhong serves as a shield, and Jiaozhou as a base." At that time, our lord would control Jingzhou, Nanzhong, and Jiaozhou, with access to Bashu in the west and the Baiyue region in the east. We could then dispatch a top general with a navy from the South China Sea to contain Jiangdong, creating a north-south stalemate with Ma Chao. He would hold the power of the north, while we would control the strategic advantage of the south. Who would ultimately rule the world? It remains to be seen.

After listening to Zhuge Liang's analysis, the generals all nodded in agreement. Even Liu Bei fell into deep thought, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the table.

Pang Tong was also moved by Zhuge Liang's long-term plan and stepped forward, saying, "My lord, the situation in the north is already set in stone. It would be better to follow Kongming's advice and turn our strength south. If we continue to waste our strength here, and Ma Chao eventually unifies Hebei, and Jiangdong submits to him, then we and Cao Cao will be locked in a fierce battle in the Central Plains, which will give Ma Chao an opportunity to take advantage of us. If he launches an attack from the west, north, and east, our army will probably be unable to resist."

Liu Bei frowned and said worriedly, "According to what you're saying, I'm afraid we might not be able to hold onto Jingzhou in the future."

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and said, “My lord, do not worry. As the ancients said, ‘He who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.’ In the art of war, one should always consider defeat before victory. Even if we lose Jingzhou, as long as we firmly control Yizhou, we will have a foothold. The vast lands of Yizhou are still in our hands. The southern regions have been pacified, and their terrain is rugged, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it difficult for northern troops to penetrate. We can then take Jiaozhou as a stepping stone. With Yizhou as our base, the southern regions as our shield, and Jiaozhou as our foundation, there are still large tracts of land to expand to the south. At that time, even if Ma Chao unifies the north, he will find it difficult to achieve anything against the rugged mountains and southern territories occupied by our army. When the situation in the Central Plains changes and an opportunity arises, we can then launch a northern expedition and still have hope of restoring the Han Dynasty. If we are trapped in the Central Plains now, wasting our troops and supplies, we will only be doing the work for Ma Chao and ruining our great cause of restoration.”

Liu Bei was persuaded by Zhuge Liang's profound wisdom and foresight, and finally abandoned his plan to fight Cao Cao to the death in the Central Plains. He decided to adjust his strategy: he would stay in Jingzhou to consolidate his foundation, guard key points, and coordinate with all parties; while Zhuge Liang would lead Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and a group of generals from Shu to lead troops south to Jiaozhou, expand the southern territory, and lay the foundation for long-term plans.

This arrangement not only avoided direct confrontation with Cao Cao and Ma Chao in the Central Plains, preserving their strength, but also focused on the vast lands in the south, attempting to use Yizhou as a backing and Jiaozhou as a new direction for expansion, accumulating strength for future development and quietly changing the course of the world's landscape.

The June wind, carrying scorching heat, swept across the land. The allied camps outside Ye City stretched as far as the eye could see. Ma Chao's banner fluttered in the wind. The siege had lasted for half a month, and the faces of the defenders on the city walls could not hide their exhaustion. Although the offensive below the city had not yet reached its most intense moment, it was like a net slowly tightening, making it hard for those inside the city to breathe.

Meanwhile, in Qingzhou to the east, the flags had been completely changed. Zhou Yu's navy swept across the land like a white lightning bolt. At this moment, he was leading his army toward Ye City, forming a pincer movement with Ma Chao. The air was thick with the tension of an impending storm.

The situation in the north, however, took a sudden turn. After the spring, Xu Rong adjusted his strategy, leaving only Ma Yue and Lü Bu with over ten thousand troops at Juyong Pass to confront Yan Liang and Wen Chou's armies. The two sides fought back and forth, and the battle was deadlocked. Meanwhile, Xu Rong and Gongsun Zan led their army straight to Zhuojun. Urgent pleas for help from Zhuojun poured in one after another, and the city's defenses were on the verge of collapse under the fierce attack.

At this critical juncture, Gongsun Yuan, having suffered heavy losses in the war and running out of supplies, led his troops back to Liaodong Commandery. Without Gongsun Yuan's assistance, Yan Liang and Wen Chou's forces suddenly became weak and could only struggle to cope with the attacks from both sides.

The news of the fall of Zhuojun hit Juyong Pass like a boulder. Shen Pei held the military report, his knuckles turning white, his face full of bitterness. He summoned Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Yan Xiang and others to the city tower. The wind from outside the pass whipped up sand and dust, which lashed their faces, carrying the somber mood of an impending storm.

“With the loss of Zhuojun, Guangyang has become the outpost.” Shen Pei’s voice was hoarse as he looked across the pass to the southeast. “Xu Rong is trying to bypass Juyong Pass and go straight into the heart of Youzhou.”

Yan Xiang frowned deeply, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the city bricks. "We can no longer hold Juyong Pass. Sending troops to reinforce Guangyang is now urgent." He paused, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "But our army is already stretched thin. If we split our forces again, we may not be able to hold out... But if we don't split our forces, once Guangyang falls, Juyong Pass will become an isolated force with no way to retreat."

Wen Chou tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, the scar on his hand turning red from the force: "Mr. Yan is right! I'll go to Guangyang!"

Ultimately, Wen Chou and Yan Xiang led half their troops to reinforce Guangyang County. However, upon entering Guangyang, problems arose one after another. This was the former territory of Gongsun Zan, and the people were well-versed in the name of the "White Horse General." Gongsun Zan had cultivated the area for many years, practicing lenient taxes and levies, and was quite popular. Now, hearing that Gongsun Zan had returned with Xu Rong, many city commanders surrendered before Wen Chou's army even arrived, not even bothering to change the Yuan-character flags on their city gates.

When Wen Chou's army reached the halfway point, he wanted to requisition provisions, but the local gentry claimed that "the granaries are empty." He also wanted to replenish his ranks, but the able-bodied men had already fled into the mountains, leaving only the elderly, women, and children shaking their heads in dismay. Looking at the empty post stations and closed grain shops, he angrily swung his sword and chopped down a roadside tree trunk: "That scoundrel Gongsun Zan, he actually had such a trick up his sleeve!"

Yan Xiang sighed from the side: "The hearts of the people are more difficult to break than a fortified city."

With the tides turning and the enemy gaining ground, Xu Rong and Gongsun Zan's armies swept through the land like they were nothing, and the cities of Guangyang County changed hands one after another. Although Wen Chou fought desperately to recapture a few cities, he could not stop the decline. In just half a month, Guangyang had lost half of its territory, and the remaining counties were also teetering on the brink of collapse under Xu Rong's offensive.

When the news reached Juyong Pass, Yan Liang stood atop the city wall, gazing at the rolling mountains beyond. Suddenly, he felt that even the formidable stone walls of this pass seemed less sturdy than he thought. Shen Pei's beard danced wildly in the wind, his counting rods clattering in his hands. He calculated and calculated, but could not find a way to save Youzhou.

By early August, the autumn winds carried a chill, and Wen Chou's army, after repeated retreats, had long lost its former vigor. Cities within Guangyang County had fallen one after another, and now only the isolated city of Ji County remained in their hands. Atop the city wall, Wen Chou leaned on his spear, his battle robe stained with blood, gazing at the densely packed enemy camps outside the city, a metallic taste rising in his throat—the blood stagnating from days of arduous fighting.

"General, the east gate is about to fall!" The personal guard roared as he rushed forward, several arrows stuck in his armor. "Xu Rong's cavalry is about to break through the breach!"

Wen Chou suddenly looked up towards the southwest, where smoke and dust billowed as Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry were gathering, clearly preparing for a general attack. He gripped his long sword tightly, the blade reflecting his bloodshot eyes: "Brothers, Ji County is our last foothold; there is no way to retreat!"

Before the roar had even faded, a deafening shout came from outside the city. Xu Rong, leading the charge, pointed his spear directly at the city wall: "Wen Chou! Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Silence reigned on the city wall, broken only by the mournful whistling of the wind rustling the tattered flags. Wen Chou knew that this isolated city was at its last gasp; its supply lines had been cut off for three days, and the soldiers were almost too exhausted to even draw their bows. Continuing to defend it would only be a pointless death.

When the news reached Yan Liang's camp, he was staring blankly at the map. Shen Pei, standing to the side, stroked his beard, his brows furrowed: "Wen Chou is trapped in Ji County, and Xu Rong and Gongsun Zan are attacking from both sides. If we send troops to rescue him now, we'll probably be swallowed whole by them."

Yan Liang slammed his fist on the table, shattering the wine bowl on it: "He's my brother! I can't just stand by and watch him die in Ji County!"

"General, please think twice!" Shen Pei hurriedly grabbed him. "Juyong Pass is a natural barrier. If we withdraw our troops now, the enemy will take advantage of the situation and all our previous hard-fought battles will have been in vain!"

Yan Liang's chest heaved violently as he gazed in the direction of Ji County, where he seemed to faintly hear the sounds of fighting.

“There’s nothing to think about.” Yan Liang suddenly drew his sword, the blade illuminating his resolute face. “Pass on my order: abandon Juyong Pass and have the entire army follow me to reinforce Ji County! If we can bring back Wen Chou, it won’t be a loss!”

Looking at his red eyes, Shen Pei finally sighed, "General, your loyalty and righteousness are a blessing to us brothers. I will make the arrangements immediately!"

As night fell, the garrison at Juyong Pass quietly withdrew, their torches forming a long line as they sped towards Ji County. Yan Liang rode at the forefront, the wind whistling in his ears, his mind filled with only one thought: Wen Chou, hold on, I'm coming for you.

Beneath the walls of Ji County, Wen Chou was leading his remaining troops in a desperate battle against Xu Rong when he suddenly heard a familiar shout behind him. Turning around, he saw Yan Liang's banner rising in the night. He froze for a moment, then burst into laughter, tears welling in his eyes: "That scoundrel Yan Liang has indeed come! Brothers, reinforcements have arrived! Follow me and fight our way out to Yuyang County!"

Amidst the flashing swords, the two armies finally joined forces. Yan Liang grabbed Wen Chou's arm, and seeing an arrow in his shoulder, his eyes immediately reddened: "You fool, how did you get yourself into this state!"

Wen Chou slapped his hand away and coughed up a mouthful of blood: "Stop talking nonsense, if we don't leave, we'll all die here!"

The two men exchanged a smile, turned their horses around, and led their remaining troops through the encirclement, galloping towards Yuyang County.