dognovel Chapter 453 Guan Xing Appears Just in Time
Chapter 453 Guan Xing Appears Just in Time
The longer any war drags on, the more variables arise. These variables are what the disadvantaged side most desires, but what the advantageous side least wants to see.
Currently, the Wei army holds a numerical advantage and has the strong support of the Jingzhou gentry. Naturally, they want to win a quick battle and take Jiangling City before the Wu army's reinforcements arrive.
Otherwise, once Sun Quan mobilizes the troops stationed in the four southern commanderies of Jingzhou and Yuzhang, or even waits for Guan Xing's reinforcements, it will be much more difficult for the Wei army to recapture Jiangling.
Therefore, Jiang Ji and Yu Jin dared not delay. After entering the city, they immediately launched a fierce attack on the southeast gates, preparing to drive Sun Quan out of the city as quickly as possible.
Faced with the fierce attack of the Wei army, Sun Quan did not panic. Instead, he calmly dealt with the situation by personally guarding the east gate and ordering Zhang Zhao to guard the south gate, with the two of them each guarding a place.
Sun Quan originally had 7,000 men. After Zhu Yi rebelled, he ordered Xu Xiang to select 2,000 to 3,000 men from the city wall garrison, bringing the total strength to 10,000. In addition, Zhou Shao brought back 3,000 to 4,000 men from Chaisang. Although the troop strength was still inferior to that of the Wei army, it was not without the power to fight back. So what was there to be afraid of?
Moreover, Sun Quan had an advantage in equipment. Everyone knows that food and equipment are consumed the most during wartime, so no one dared to stop making equipment.
After Lu Xun's eastern expedition, Sun Quan's arsenal continued to work day and night, producing hundreds of thousands of arrows, nearly a hundred crossbows, and countless swords, spears, and halberds.
After Zhu Yi raised his army, he immediately sent men to seize the armory, but Zhu Yi's forces were too small to compete with Sun Quan's. All the equipment was transported to the southeast gate by Sun Quan. At this moment, nearly a hundred ballistae were lined up at the southeast gate. The Wei army that rushed along the city wall was pierced by the ballistae before they could even get close.
However, this Wei army had been taken prisoner and humiliated, and they were all burning with anger. After being properly guided by Jiang Ji and Yu Jin, they were all determined to fight back. Instead of retreating after being attacked, they charged the Wu army again under Yu Jin's command, carrying shields and even door panels. The border between Wei and Wu instantly turned into a meat grinder.
Meanwhile, things were not idle outside the city either. Zhu Yi and Liu Chan, under the orders of Yu Jin, led their troops out of the city to prepare to ambush the Wu army reinforcements. The two circled around to the west city and before they could divide their troops, they saw a Wu army of about three or four thousand men charging towards them.
Upon seeing the Sun-character battle flag in front of Wu Jun, Zhu Yi's eyes lit up as he said, "It seems Sun Huan has arrived. It's truly a case of timing being better than being early. Brother Liu, don't go to the South Gate yet. Follow me to flank Sun Huan from both sides and then we'll go together."
According to Yu Jin's orders, Liu Chan was supposed to rush to the South Gate to intercept the reinforcements from the direction of Gong'an. However, now that Zhu Yi had turned the ambush into an encounter battle, he naturally had to help Zhu Yi defend against the enemy first. Otherwise, Zhu Yi alone could not defeat Sun Huan.
Liu Chan nodded in agreement, and Zhu Yi roared, "Brothers, follow me! Whoever kills Sun Huan will be promoted three ranks! Charge!"
After speaking, he took the lead and charged towards the oncoming Wu army. Liu Chan followed closely behind. During the charge, the two changed formations and tacitly formed a flanking maneuver between the left and right flanks of the Wu army in front.
The Wu army ahead was the Yidao City garrison led by Sun Huan. At the same time that Zhu Yi and Liu Chan discovered Sun Huan, Sun Huan also discovered them. Seeing that the two led a force far exceeding his own, he decisively turned around and ran away.
The enemy forces outnumber ours by three or four times. What are we waiting for if we don't run?
Although Sun Huan chose to flee, he did not return by the same route. Instead, he turned south and prepared to go around to the south gate. He had learned of Sun Quan's plan from his orders and knew that Wu troops were stationed at the south gate. As long as he reached the south gate, the Wu troops inside the city could come out to meet him.
Even if Wu's troops inside the city were tied down and unable to leave, he could still retreat to Gong'an to join Bu Zhi and then organize an attack together with Bu Zhi.
With this in mind, Sun Huan circled around and headed towards the South Gate. Zhu Yi quickly realized Sun Huan's intention and ordered Liu Chan to go to the South Gate first to block it, while he led his troops to continue the pursuit.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Zhu Yi and Liu Chan, Sun Huan not only failed to get close to the South Gate but was instead driven to the Yangtze River. Since Sun Huan arrived in haste, he did not bring a boat and could not cross the river, so he had to find another way out.
Just as Sun Huan was pondering which direction to break through, an unexpected turn of events occurred: Guan Xing arrived.
At this moment, on the Yangtze River from Gong'an to Jiangling, hundreds of boats of all sizes, including bamboo rafts, are going upstream, carrying the allied forces of Guan Xing and Bu Zhi.
Bu Zhi did not have such high-end ships as tower ships; his flagship was a Mengchong.
At that moment, Guan Xing was standing on the bow of the boat, leisurely admiring the scenery on both banks and feeling the breeze blowing in his face. He was about to burst into song when his expression suddenly changed and he frowned, saying, "Grandpa, listen, isn't there shouting of killing ahead?"
Bu Zhi listened intently for a moment and exclaimed in surprise, "There really is! What's going on? The Wei army has already captured Jiangling and reached the riverbank?"
Upon hearing this, Guan Xing's expression changed drastically, and he immediately ordered, "Everyone, speed up! Get to Jinxiang Ferry as fast as you can to meet Lord Wu."
Jinxiangdu is a bend in the Yangtze River, where there is a ferry crossing for passing ships to dock. Since fighting has broken out on the north bank of the river, they must get there as soon as possible and occupy the ferry crossing to support their allies on the north bank or to guide their retreat.
The fleet received orders to accelerate, and at the same time, the weather cooperated, with a tailwind blowing, which increased their speed even further.
Three-quarters of an hour later, the fleet arrived at Jinxiang Ferry smoothly. The garrison at Jinxiang Ferry had already fled, and from a distance, the huge ferry crossing was deserted. Upon seeing this, Guan Xing immediately ordered: "All ships, line up to go ashore. Once ashore, the ships will immediately move away and not block the way. The soldiers who go ashore first will act as scouts to investigate the situation."
Two quarters of an hour later, the army successfully landed and automatically formed a defensive formation on the shore. After everyone was ashore, Guan Xing decisively brandished his sword and said, "Charge with me!"
Bu Zhi said worriedly, "Should we wait a little longer? The scouts haven't returned yet, and we don't know what's happening ahead. A hasty attack could lead to trouble."
Guan Xing shook his head and said, "There's no time. Every minute we delay means another person might die at the front, and they might even collapse completely because they can't wait for reinforcements. On the other hand, if we get there in time, even if we can't save our comrades, we can boost their morale and give them the confidence to keep going."
“Grandpa, let’s split up. I’ll lead the army to attack from the land, and you’ll lead the fleet to travel on the river. We’ll advance by land and water in parallel and head towards the direction from which the battle cries are coming. Also, once we’re on the ships, we’ll make a lot of noise to give the enemy the illusion that the ships are full of troops, thereby putting pressure on them.”
“Alright…” Bu Zhi did not refuse again and boarded the ship decisively. Guan Xing did not wait for him any longer and led the army westward to attack.
While on his way, Guan Xing would occasionally run to higher ground to observe the situation. After walking for three or five miles, the enemy finally came into view.
Following his gaze, the army in front of them was not only not uniformly dressed, but also rather disorganized in formation. They looked like a ragtag army, but they had a large number of soldiers, a vast and swarming mass of figures.
Guan Xing couldn't see the enemy's battle flag, so he couldn't distinguish friend from foe. Just as he was wondering whether to go up and investigate, the scout he had sent out earlier returned and ran up to Guan Xing, saying, "General, we've found out that they are Zhu Yi and Liu Chan's army, and they were ordered by the Wei army to intercept Sun Huan. The one being besieged is Sun Huan, the garrison commander of Yidao City, not the Marquis of Wu."
Guan Xing exclaimed in astonishment, "Holy crap, isn't this a coincidence? Tell me, everyone, charge with me!"
After speaking, he jumped over the stone blocking his way and charged towards the enemy. Once he got close, he raised his precious bow, took out three arrows, nocked them, and drew the bowstring taut as he ran. Then, he decisively released the arrows and shot them.
With a whistling sound that pierced the air, three enemy soldiers screamed and fell to the ground, while the other enemy soldiers panicked when they saw that they had been attacked from behind.
Guan Xing ignored all that and, while running, fired arrows and shouted, "Guan Xing is here! Surrender at once!"