After another half-hour, the 8,000 soldiers under Quan Zhong arrived at Bu Zhao's location and hastily formed their ranks when Xu Shu had already advanced to five miles northwest of Fan City.
"The enemy army is powerful, but they don't attack, what should we do?" Bu Zhao asked Quan Zhong by his side.
Quan Zhong raised his head and tilted his chin to the west, saying, "It's already the late afternoon. According to the direction, they must have come from Deng County and can't stay for long."
"Should we wait here to form an array and await the Wei army to retreat, or go ahead and meet them?" Bu Zhao asked again.
Quan Zhong snorted coldly: "I, Quan Zihuang, command troops without fear. Waiting for the enemy to retreat is not something I can do. Please lead your troops with me, advance to meet and repel the enemy!"
"Good." Bu Zhao nodded lightly, "You brought 8,000 soldiers from the main camp, and I have drawn out 4,000 more. With a total of 12,000 troops, we should be more than enough to face our fears."
It was not that Bu Zhao was weak, but that the majority of his army were dispersed and stationed in the camp, so he could only temporarily pull out 4,000 troops. Quan Zhong's army numbered more, as they came from Wu King Sun Quan, so it would be better to listen to Quan Zhong's advice.
Bu Zhao is a typical Huai River and Si River scholar. His hometown is Huaian, Huaiyin, the hometown of General Han Xin in the Western Han Dynasty. When the end of the Han Dynasty came, Bu Zhao entered Jiangdong alone and served Sun Quan as an official in the fifth year of Jian'an.
The fifth year of the Jian'an era was the year when Sun Ce was assassinated by a guest of Xu Gong, and Sun Quan ascended to the throne. Bu Zhao's career timeline completely overlaps with that of Sun Quan's reign, making him a first-class intimate. Having participated in the campaigns to conquer the Jiao state and pacify southern Jing, Bu Zhao had been quite hardworking for many years. Although he was not a frontline general against Wei or Shu, Bu Zhao's achievements in stabilizing the rear were significant enough to earn him the title of General on the Right, placing him on par with General Zhuge Jin on the Left.
As a tense drumbeat echoed, the 12,000 Wu army divided into two wings and charged forward as one. Quan Zhong's 8,000 soldiers were on the right, and Bu Zhao's 4,000 soldiers were on the left, heading straight towards the Wei army.
In battle, the most important thing is not to lose momentum. Just now, when Wei's cavalry patrolled the city gate almost in humiliation, if Quan Zhong and Bu Zhao didn't react, they would really be laughed at.
Whether it's Xu Shu on the north or Bu Zhao and Quan Zhong on the south, they all seem to have a tacit understanding, standing at a distance of one mile and not making any move to attack the enemy.
For the Wei army, today was just a demonstration of power to the Wu army. However, for the Wu army, they were outnumbered and had to pull troops together in a hurry. The Wu King had not made adequate tactical arrangements, so it was not wise to engage in battle immediately. They should just wait for the enemy to retreat.
As the sky grew dark, Xu Shu led his troops to withdraw proactively. After a discussion between Quan Zhong and Bu Zhao, they did not pursue but calmly retreated to a position near their camp.
After dark, in the Wu army's main camp on Yucun Island, in the middle of the command tent.
"About 20,000 Wei troops? Zihuang is sure?" Sun Quan looked seriously at Quan Zhong who hurriedly returned by boat.
"I have seen it clearly. I am to the west and the General on the Right is to the east, and we both believe it to be around 20,000 troops; there can't be any mistake," said Quan Zhong, nodding.
"Since it is a force of 20,000 Wei troops, your Excellency, Quan Zhong and Bu Zhao only command over 10,000 troops. With the enemy outnumbering us, it is strange for them not to attack; their tactics are different from those of ordinary Wei generals," Sun Quan furrowed his brow slightly.
"We must try again tomorrow. I do not feel at ease until I know the purpose of this Wei army," Sun Quan said firmly, "Tomorrow morning, the king will lead 10,000 infantry personally to Fan City northwest, along with General Quan Zhong to probe the enemy's strength and weakness."
"Will the Supreme Ruler be coming in person?" Quan Zhong was slightly surprised, and Yi, Hu Zong, Zhuge Jin and others in the tent were all surprised as well.
"Very good, is it because the Supreme Ruler cannot come?" Sun Quan laughed, "Facing the enemy with our backs against the Han River, what is there to fear? I will personally lead 10,000 troops to support you as backup. If the Wei army comes again tomorrow, Quan Zhong can go all out!"
"I will follow the order!" Quan Zhong bowed and replied.
Yi, Hu Zong, Zhuge Jin and others standing by did not speak up in advice either. Since the defeat at Wan City several years ago, King Wu had become increasingly autocratic in military affairs. Whether it was about conscription and defense or leading troops to war, once a decision was made, it was not subject to change by anyone's words.
When it comes to leading troops in battle, Sun Quan's mindset is complex and contradictory.
Sun Quan, while not skilled in leading large armies, was certainly capable in terms of personal valor and battlefield spirit. In the 20th year of Jian'an, Sun Quan was almost defeated by Zhang Lian at Xiao Yao Spring due to Sun Quan directing the main army to retreat first while he personally led troops to hold back the enemy. This left him vulnerable to a surprise attack by Zhang Lian, putting him in danger.
In the Xiangfan campaign, whether it be in terms of battlefield deployment, logistical support, or the advantage of the navy, the Wu army had the advantage of geography. Sun Quan's psychological advantage at this time also stemmed from this.
To delve deeper, Sun Quan, having experienced the disastrous defeat led by Lu Su, despite his personal safety not being in danger, still wanted to personally go to the front lines to see the real situation.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, the Wu army set sail from the camp on Yucun Island and headed west, and the Wei soldiers guarding Xiangyang City watched them carefully.
Zhao Yan stood on the city wall and asked, "That is Sun Quan's boat, isn't it?"
Yin Fan replied, "General Zhao is right. That is indeed Sun Quan's pagoda ship. Such extravagant decorations and design, and the body of the ship is larger than ordinary pagoda ships, it must be Sun Quan himself who has come."
Zhao Yan turned to look at Yin Fan and Niu Jin, "Yesterday afternoon, you both saw the Wu army's ships moving. With the addition of troops to Fan City for two consecutive days, apart from facing the enemy to the north, I can't see any other reason."
"Well, it doesn't need Mr. Zhao to say, it must be reinforcements coming from the north," Niu Jin laughed, "With the increase of troops yesterday and today, the reinforcements are unlikely to be few."
"General Zhao, Sun Quan is now sending troops to Fan City in such a lively manner. It's only proper for the subordinate to send him some gifts."
Zhao Yan immediately replied, "Today the opportunity for battle has arisen. The Wu army's camp has been deploying troops for two days in a row. Taking advantage of the moment when Sun Quan's troops are about to disembark, when the forces of the various Wu army divisions have been set, and it's too late for them to deploy within several hours, it is time to break through the Wu army below the city."
"Uncle," Zhao Yan's normally gentle eyes became fierce for a moment: "The general in charge has entrusted you with the task of leading 8,000 troops to attack the eastern gate of Xiangyang City and take over the eastern pier within two hours. You must not fail!"
Niu Jin immediately bowed and agreed, his expression no longer relaxed, but instead very serious: "Following the command of the general in charge! I will immediately arrange and prepare the troops, and will advance to attack the enemy within two hours!"
"And go!" Zhao Yan pointed to the direction of the city wall steps.
"Understood!"
Niu Jin, with a determined stride, left, his aura completely changed, adding a solemnity that was not known whether it was the formality before battle or the excitement of war.
Yin Fan stood by and bowed, "The general has been besieged in Xiangyang for a fortnight. Today, the opportunity for battle has appeared, and it is the day to achieve glory!"
Zhao Yan nodded, "During these days, the city has only been defending without attacking, giving the enemy the illusion that there are only a few thousand people. The Wu army has only left a hundred thousand troops outside the city, they themselves estimate wrong, and they will have to bear the consequences."
"Sun Quan has reinforced troops to Fan City twice, observing their fleet and form, I'm afraid that this battle is not small. Within a few hours, the Wu army will surely not have time to care about the troops outside the city. From the city gate to the Wu army camp, only a mile away, it's enough. The two of us are here to watch General Niu succeed!"
"Very good, I will accompany General Zhao," Yin Fan replied calmly.
Zhao Yan stroked his beard and said, "After this battle, Uncle Ping will return to the capital to take office. You are young and have accomplished such great things, I imagine the emperor and the Department of Civil Service will ask for your own opinion."
"Would you like to serve in the court, or in the military?"
This was the first time in the several days since Yin Fan arrived in Xiangyang that Zhao Yan had asked about this matter.
Yin Fan pondered for a moment and bowed to say, "I once heard about General Zhao's deeds in Luoyang. If I were to compare myself with General Zhao, I suppose I would be better suited for a military position."
"You are indeed smart." Zhao Yan smiled and shook his head. "That was over thirty years ago, in the second year of Jian'an, when the old man joined Emperor Wu, he was appointed as the county magistrate of Langling, and also accompanied Li Tong and Li Wenda in suppressing bandits, which gradually drew Emperor Wu's attention."
"After that, it was just a matter of changing places and taking on different roles," Zhao Yan looked up at the sky with a thoughtful expression, his voice filled with reflection: "In those days, there were many wars across the land, and I served in the military because there was no other choice. Now that Hebei has been stabilized and Wu and Shu are weak, I suppose the pacification of the world is not far off. It would be better to stay under the feet of the emperor than to serve in an outer post."
"Thank you, General Zhao, for your guidance. I will remember it in my heart," Yin Fan bowed respectfully and stood straight, standing next to Zhao Yan without moving, and gazing at the Han River together.
"The time is almost up, and General Niu should have set out by now," Yin Fan reminded after two hours. "General Zhao, perhaps you should move to the eastern wall of the city to watch the battle?"
"Good, let's go together, Uncle Ping and I," Zhao Yan nodded.
"Xiangyang City is bigger than Fan City and easier to defend. In addition, Guan Yuqin attacked the city a few days ago. After Yin Fan infiltrated the city, Wu's main attack was on Fan City, making Guan Yuqin's main goal to besiege the city, and their offensive has become slower and slower."
Niu Jin had assembled his troops in the city and, upon opening the gate, he quickly lined up and advanced eastwards towards the eastern pier and multiple camps south of it. The relaxed Wu army was caught off guard. Despite Zhuge Jin's efforts to mobilize from other areas, it was still difficult to respond immediately.
Within half an hour, Niu Jin's forces had broken into four camps. The Wu army at the northern pier and the three camps to the south in the eastern part of Xiangyang City were all in a precarious situation.
(This chapter is completed.)
