amaotonovel Chapter 300 is all about showing off intelligence.
Chapter 300 is all about showing off intelligence.
Uphill roads are difficult, but downhill roads are easy.
The road ahead is fraught with danger, but the road back is unobstructed.
Although Shen Yi's army had many surrendered soldiers and wounded, which slowed down their march, fortunately, the route was all Han territory, and with Guan Xing and Wu Yue providing cover, there was no need to worry about Wu army blocking them. Therefore, Shen Yi could boldly move forward and retreated to Yushan City in just two days.
An amusing incident occurred after they entered the city. The city's inhabitants warmly welcomed the Han army, but their attitude changed drastically when they saw the surrendered Wu soldiers being escorted by the Han army. They took off their shoes, picked up stones, and frantically threw anything they could get their hands on at the Wu soldiers, even affecting the Han army. This left both the Han and Wu armies bewildered.
What's going on? Why did they start hitting someone without saying a word?
Nearly 10,000 Wu soldiers were escorted back by the Han army, most of whom were from Jiangdong, and a few were from Yushan. When they saw their relatives in the crowd, they covered their foreheads where they had been hit by stones and said aggrievedly, "Second Uncle, why did you hit me?"
Shen Yi, who was walking at the front, was startled by the commotion behind him. He quickly turned around and rushed into the crowd to mediate. After being hit twice by the soles of shoes, he finally understood what had happened and couldn't help but curse angrily, "Damn Xu Sheng, what the hell did you do in Yushan?"
While complaining, he grabbed the megaphone and actively mediated, explaining to the people that the Wu army in front of them was not the same Wu army that had harmed them, and that they had attacked the wrong people.
Instead of listening to the explanation, the people questioned, "What's the difference between them all being Wu soldiers?"
Shen Yi was speechless and could not refute, so he could only continue to appease them. Fortunately, he was a minor official who had dealt with the common people for many years and was most good at handling such conflicts. After speaking earnestly for a long time, he finally persuaded the people to go home. When he turned to look at Wu Jun, a relieved smile appeared on his tired face.
Although the sudden incident had left him flustered, upon reflection, it turned out to be a good thing. Seeing is believing; the differential treatment of the common people was very educational for these surrendered soldiers, and it would make his efforts to persuade them to change their minds much more effective.
The county town was too small to accommodate so many people, so Shen Yi had to retreat to the outskirts of the city to rest and recuperate while also working to reform the surrendered soldiers.
However, Shen Yi also knew that Lu Xun could come to Yushan at any time and could not stay for long. After resting for only one day, he ordered the army to retreat in batches, sent people to send the wounded to Damo first, and stayed behind to cover the rear and buy time for the wounded.
Not long after the wounded soldiers were sent away, Wu Yue returned. Shen Yi invited Wu Yue into the camp and learned about the battle situation at Baopingyu from him. He immediately returned to the city to inform the people of Yushan of the news of Xu Sheng's death in battle. The excited people of Yushan cheered to the sky.
Taking the opportunity, Shen Yi informed the people that Lu Xun was about to attack, asking them to retreat to Damo first and return after the battle was over, so as not to be ravaged by Wu's army again.
Although the people were unwilling to leave their homeland, they feared that Xu Sheng's evil deeds would be repeated, so they had no choice but to move to Damo with their families.
Soon, the small Yushan County was transformed into a military town. Shen Yi consulted with Wu Yue, saying, "Currently, I only have a little over five thousand troops at my disposal. Adding your three thousand, that makes about eight thousand. I'm afraid we can't hold off Lu Xun for long. Do you think it's better for us to retreat now or stay and block them?"
Wu Yue pondered, “I suggest we block them at Yushan for two reasons. First, the wounded soldiers and civilians are moving too slowly, and we must buy them time to retreat to Damu.”
"Secondly, the main force that annihilated Xu Sheng hasn't returned yet. After General Guan defeats Xu Sheng, he will go to Linru to meet up with General Deng Hong, but the main force and prisoners have to retreat with General Wang Tao. They are retreating from the mountains, so their speed will definitely be slower than Lu Xun's, therefore..."
Shen Yi continued, "So you're worried that Lu Xun will suddenly turn around and enter Wuyi Mountain after arriving at Yushan, cutting off our connection with the main force?"
Wu Yue nodded and said, "We don't necessarily have to rush to Yushan. As long as Lu Xun gets ahead of Wang Tao, he can enter the mountain and block the road at any time, preventing Wang Tao from returning to Damu. Wang Tao doesn't have much food and has a large number of wounded soldiers and prisoners. Once his return route is blocked, he is very likely to be annihilated by Lu Xun."
“If something happens to Wang Tao, we won’t be able to hold Da Mo with our current strength. If Lu Xun breaks through Da Mo, we’ll all be finished. General Shen, after General Guan leaves, you will be the commander-in-chief of the three armies. You need to make a decision on this matter as soon as possible.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi's expression changed slightly. Wu Yue's words made him feel unprecedented pressure. He paced around anxiously on the ground for a long time before finally walking to the map and staring at the terrain between Baopingyu and Yushan. He quickly drew the most suitable route on the map, which was also Wang Tao's retreat route.
Then, pointing to the map, he said to Wu Yue, "General Wu, look, there are only a few entrances to Wuyi Mountain from Baopingyu to Yushan. Moreover, Wang Tao has sent people to guard them in advance. If we send some more troops, we should be able to stop Wu's army from entering the mountain, thus buying time for Wang Tao to retreat."
Wu Yue asked, "Does the general wish for me to enter Wuyi Mountain to provide support?"
Shen Yi nodded and said, "That's right. Send someone to tell Wang Tao to speed things up, so that things don't change if we're too late. I'll block you from the front at Yushan and buy you some time."
“Yes…” Wu Yue clasped his hands in a bow and turned to leave.
Shen Yi also began to construct positions and set up defenses, while preparing to go into the mountains to provide support. This time, the mission was no longer to kill or wound the Wu army, but to bring Wang Tao back safely.
……
In the corridor leading to Jade Mountain, Lu Xun was leading his army forward at a rapid pace. As he advanced, he frowned and pondered, constantly simulating the course of the battle in his mind, trying to consider every detail of the battle so that he could calmly deal with any unexpected events.
After much deliberation, he finally grasped a flash of inspiration, abruptly pulled on the reins, ordered the army to stop in place, and summoned generals such as Li Yi, Xie Jing, Liu A, Bu Xie, and Shi Xin to discuss the matter.
Among them, Bu Xie was the eldest son of General Bu Zhi, who was in charge of pacifying the barbarians, and Shi Xin was the eldest son of General Shi Xie, who was transferred by Sun Quan to Wuchang to serve as governor before the Battle of Xiangfan. In name, he was governor, but in reality he was a hostage.
For this expedition, Sun Quan specially transferred Shi Xin to Lu Xun's command, intending to have Shi Xin fight against the Han army, thereby dissuading Shi Xie from defecting to Liu Bei.
Upon receiving the summons, the generals rushed to the scene. Bu Xie was the first to ask, "Grand Commander, why aren't we leaving?"
Lu Xun pondered, "We are less than twenty miles from Yushan. If we keep going, we can get there by nightfall. Our original plan was to enter Wuyi Mountain after we arrived at Yushan to intercept the Han army in the mountains and cut off their retreat to Damu, right?"
The generals nodded silently, and Bu Xie once again spoke for them, asking, "Yes, has the Grand Commander thought of something?"
Lu Xun said, "It is indeed a good way to intercept the Han army in the mountains, but the problem is, do you think the Han army wouldn't think of something we can all think of? Do you think the Han army doesn't know where their weakness lies?"
"Since the start of the war, Guan Xing has always anticipated the enemy's moves and maintained the initiative at all times. Now that we have won, how can he leave us with such a big loophole?"
He then ordered someone to bring a map and pointed to the corridor between Baopingyu and Yushan, saying, "There are only five gaps in the mountain pass between the gap where we separated from Dingfeng and Yushan. Moreover, the road is narrow and not suitable for passage. The Han army can hold us off for half a day until we receive reinforcements if they send a garrison to guard it. It is probably unrealistic to think that we can enter Wuyishan through these gaps to block the Han army."
Bu Xie asked, "Then what should we do?"
Lu Xun pondered, "We need to find a loophole that the Han army hasn't thought of or overlooked. The Han army must have left sentries on the road to Yushan and even Damu to ensure that the retreat route is unobstructed, but what about behind them?"
"After this battle, the Han army will inevitably abandon Yushan and retreat to Damu, thereby extending our supply line. In other words, the Han army's sentries and scouts left west of Yushan will be withdrawn one after another."
"Similarly, wherever the main force of the Han army retreats through the mountains passes, the sentries and scouts along the way will also retreat with the main force. Perhaps even the garrison of Baoping Valley will retreat. In this way, their rear will be empty. If we go into the mountains and chase after them, it might have a surprising effect. What do you all think?"