Episode 404. no quantity? (1)
In response to Zhuge Liang’s opinion, Guan Yu calmly organized his thoughts.
It was true that it was dangerous and that it seemed a little impatient, but there was no way that the governor made a decision without thinking.
“Did you say to send reinforcements?”
“There was nothing like that. But wouldn’t there be a reason to wage a war with similar forces even with superior forces? The most important thing in the present situation is the safety of the governor.”
Guan Yu thought for a moment and then nodded.
“I think so too. Above all, a large army of 1.5 million is definitely too much to subjugate Qi and Yu Zhou after Cao Cao’s death. I left a lot of troops in the hope that the Duke of Zhou would calm down as quickly as possible, but it is also a situation that could become a burden. I think sending about 500,000 will be enough.”
Many soldiers died during the war, but the number of soldiers was higher than before the war because more soldiers of Cao Cao surrendered and returned.
“I think so too. Even if we send only 500,000 selected elite soldiers, Sun Ce will not be able to withstand it and will surrender.”
“Then, I’ll send pabalma to the generals in various castles to gather 30 percent of the soldiers.”
“If possible, ask them to select soldiers from Jingju.”
“From Hyungju! Ah~ I see.”
Guan Yu nodded his head in admiration for Zhuge Liang’s delicacy.
Hyeongju is an area bordering Yangju and Gyoju, and the climate and geography are similar, so the soldiers were able to adapt quickly.
* * *
While Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu were gathering troops, Hua Bu’s army arrived in Jiu Jiu County and sent a messenger to Sun Ce to urge him to surrender.
Sun Ce, of course, refused to surrender and summoned troops to Yejanggun and Danyanggun to prepare for a fight.
Jiujiang County is a place where the large stem of the Yangtze River flows. It takes 5 days to ride a horse from Shuchunseong to Hebiseong, but it takes only 3 days by boat.
And since Sun Ce’s territory was also in Jiangdong (mainly located in the lower east of the Yangtze River), those who preoccupied the river could occupy an advantageous highland.
Gahu took a boat down from Suchunseong Fortress to Hebiseong and looked at Eulji with new eyes.
‘I’m really surprised when the Duke of Zhou always says what a great person he is to be polite and respectful.’
What surprised Kahoo was that Eulji had quickly procured the ships needed for the water battle in just a few days.
No matter how much manpower was put in, it would take several months to build a large ship that could carry a lot of troops and supplies.
I was worried about where to find a ship for this large number of troops to move, but Eulji requisitioned merchant ships owned by various merchant companies at once so that they could be used as substitutes for military ships.
So, the problem I was worried about was solved at once.
In fact, no matter how much the hwabu upholds the emperor and has great influence, it is difficult for the upper tier to offer all the boats they ride.
If that was possible, Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo, who had been crowned emperors in the past, would have done the same.
But no one did.
Even if the fireman’s ability was amazing, this was a problem outside the realm. However, when Eulji moved, in just a few days, hundreds of large merchant ships were planted with flags symbolizing firemen.
It was not forced by the upper ranks, but it was even voluntary, as if waiting for the Lord to say.
Eulji’s ability is so great.
“Jugong, if this is enough, we can attack Danyang-gun right away.”
At Gahoo’s words, Eulji, who was next to the fireman, shook his head.
“Since merchant ships were hastily remodeled into military ships, they are still vulnerable to fire attacks. When a fight begins, it must withstand fire and be reinforced so that it does not sink easily when damaged, so the military will give you a few days.”
“That is true, but wasting a few days gives Sun Ce time to prepare for battle. Right now, the enemy must be thinking that we’ve come a long way and we’re running out of ships, so of course we’re only guarding against land attacks. Therefore, I think that attacking now is the best way to catch the enemy off guard.”
At Gahoo’s words, Eulji took a step back without throwing up any more.
“I was only speaking in terms of converting ships. Commander Ga is superior in strategy, so it would be better to consult with other soldiers and lead them in a good way.”
When Eulji stepped away, Gahoo exclaimed once more inwardly.
Considering the capabilities he had, he could raise his voice next to the fireman, but he did not cross the line he had set himself.
‘Hehe, since he’s such a person, the Lord Gong values it!’
As Eulji took a step back, the painter opened his mouth.
“Go and call the Sama soldiers and generals. Let’s find out if it’s possible to go out immediately and discuss the attack method.”
“I take orders.”
When the fireman’s order was given, Gahu called the bookkeeper and the longevity together and started a meeting.
“It is true that Sun Ce’s soldiers are not yet ready to fight, as the lion said after declaring war, but I think it would be unreasonable to attack right away.”
“What is so dangerous?”
“The soldiers of Sun Ce are familiar with the geography here and are good at fighting. Our soldiers also have experience in naval warfare, but naval warfare is very advantageous to those who know the terrain. We don’t know this place well yet, so it won’t be too late to find out and attack.”
“After a thorough investigation, the enemy and the troops dispatched to Gyoju will all return and the tomb of the surprise attack will not be able to be saved at all. If we can take the capital of Danyang-gun with this surprise attack, Sun Ce’s soldiers will be greatly demoralized and fall like a tree that has lost its roots.”
“It’s dangerous, but Commander Ga has some truth, so I think it’s better for the Duke to decide this. What do you think, Master?”
The painter did not immediately answer Sima Hui’s question, but thought for a moment.
‘I can’t say whose argument is wrong, so what should I do? Historically, both are great strategists, so it’s very difficult to choose one or the other!’
As long as the right to choose is returned to oneself, the responsibility for whatever choice one makes must be borne by the feudal lord.
‘Anyway, Gafu seems to be better at strategy than Sima Hui, so I’ll do what Gafu said and attack first!’
After making up his mind, the painter opened his mouth.
“A surprise attack is a method to be taken when the enemy cannot predict. Moreover, I think that if the soldiers who went to the kyoju have not yet returned, they will surely benefit greatly. As Gahu said, it would be better to launch a boat and attack Danyang-gun right away.”
At the words of the fireman, Gahu bowed his head, and Sima Hui quickly lowered his head and nodded.
“Your judgment comes. If you catch the enemy off guard, you will surely benefit greatly.”
Afterwards, Gahu unfolded the map of Danyang-gun, pointed out how the waterways flowed, and told how to attack the enemy.
The fireman listened to what Gafu had to say and nodded, noticing that he had already made many preparations for this surprise attack.
‘It’s true that you’ve already done such an investigation!’
* * *
“Oh! Come on. Zhuge army!”
When Zhuge Kun returned with Lu Meng, Sun Ce and Sun Quan jumped out to welcome him.
“Meet the governor and the vice-saram. By the way, how is Noh-nim?”
Jegalgeun first asked about the state of health of Son’s brothers and mother before the movement of the firefighters.
As soon as Sun Ce and Sun Quan caught Sa-seop, they left the general and the tacticians in Jiaozhou, and only the two of them hurriedly returned to Yangzhou because of the news that their mother was in critical condition.
“It’s not so good when you can’t eat well and keep blinking.”
“What does the senator say?”
“The old man said that he couldn’t fix it even if he had a fire!”
A bitter smile appeared on Son Ceek’s face at the mention of Hwa-ta. Every time I thought of the fireman, even though I was an enemy, my conscience trembled deep in my heart.
“Isn’t Norma-nim’s Spring and Autumn a lot?”
“That’s true, but my mother was originally weaker than other people, so she said she got old sooner.”
Hearing Sun Ce’s answer, Zhuge Jin nodded.
Norma-sama has gotten much better after being treated by a fireman before, but she was still weaker than normal people. In fact, in a way, he was treated by the fireman at that time, so he lived until now, otherwise he would have died a long time ago.
“You must be heartbroken.”
“It is inevitable that people die of old age.”
“By the way, I heard that the army of Lord Hua is about 500,000, is that true?”
Zhuge Kun asked with a slightly disbelieving expression, and Sun Ce and Sun Quan nodded at the same time.
“It won’t be wrong as it has been repeatedly confirmed by several trio.”
“Daebu Hua had an army of 2 million when he fought Cao Cao. Could it be that he had soldiers hidden somewhere other than Shouchun and Hefei?”
Jegalgeun looked at the map spread out on the table with suspicious eyes.
Knowing well the tendencies of his younger brother, Zhuge Liang, he must have been hiding something.
“All skirmishers have been released in all directions, and Sejak has been reporting from all over the place, but so far no large-scale enemy troops have been found other than Shuchun and Hefei.”
“My younger brother, Liang, is called Gui Zhugegal because he uses ghostly tricks. If Ryangi tried to hide it, it wouldn’t have been much to deceive the eyes of Sejak or the skirmishers. You have to keep that in mind.”
“Just as Grandfather Hua sent messengers to us, we also sent messengers to see Daebu Hua’s camp. Fortunately, Zhuge Liang and many other generals are still in Giju. So really, 500,000 will be all.”
In an instant, Jegalgeun’s eyes widened.
“Liang Liang and the other generals are still in Jizhou?”
“Yes. I saw it through the lion and checked it several times through various channels, but there was no disagreement on that point.”
“Hehe, then I might have a little chance. When did the enemy messengers go?”
Jegalgeun opened his mouth with a relieved expression.
“I came three days ago and declared war and left.”
“Then there is not much time left to attack.”
“Even if we declare war, we will not be able to attack right away. Since we already have control of the river, we have no choice but to come by land. As Zhuge’s military knows, if 500,000 troops want to come through the narrow passageway, they have no choice but to come in a long line like a snake.”
The road is wide enough for a couple of wagons to pass through.
However, the forests and jungles around Guandu are swampy and mostly inhabited by unknown poisonous insects.
If you are in an ambush in such a place and attack with arrows, the enemy will be unable to move and will be attacked.
Those who were not familiar with the swamps and jungles could not easily attack soldiers who were ambushing them, and even if they attacked, there was a high chance that they would be reversed.
“It’s not like there isn’t a tactician in the camp of Godfather Hua, so would you want to use Guan Dao, who is no different from a dead limb? They will definitely procure boats from the merchants and attack the river.”
Hearing Zhuge Kun’s words, Sun Quan tilted his head.
“Soldier Zhuge. No matter how much the painter has crowned the emperor, he is not yet emperor, so he cannot requisition merchant ships at will. Even if you forcefully requisition, you won’t be able to do much.”
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