Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3714 Blazing Flames
Zhuyang is in the south, and Yin County is in the north.

These two county towns practically control the passage to Wuguan Pass and the Danjiang and Hanshui Rivers.

Originally, this place was a major transportation hub, so merchants and travelers came and went constantly. But now, due to the war, almost everyone here has either fled or died.

Currently, Liao Hua is stationed in Zhuyang, while Zhuge Liang is stationed in Yin County.

Just as Zhuge Liang had predicted, Cao Cao's army launched a massive attack. However, the specifics of how they would attack were uncertain.

No one is a god, and no one can predict the future.

In Luo Guanzhong's portrayal, even with Luo Guanzhong's personal interpretation, Zhuge Liang still appears quite naive, unlike the politically astute figure he was in his later historical period. Instead, he seems like a hothead who publicly slaps Liu Bei, steals the limelight from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and even defecates on someone else's head...

Actually, it's not much different from later CEO romance novels.

After all, the CEO only needs to show off; all the other tedious work is done by oxen and horses.

Now, Zhuge Liang truly started from small things and grew from the smallest details.

Just like before, Li Dian was unwilling to accept these surrendered soldiers and civilians from Cao Cao's army, but Zhuge Liang persuaded Li Dian and Liao Hua.

The reason is the spirit of the General of the Flying Cavalry...

Of course, Zhuge Liang wouldn't just shout about loyalty like the Koreans of later generations; he would reason and present facts.

The reason why Guanzhong was able to recover and rise strongly in recent years was not because of the scriptures of the gentry or gold and silver treasures, but because of the people who flowed to Guanzhong and Hedong due to the wars of the past few years.

Indeed, Zhuge Liang's current ideas have deviated slightly from those of the historical Kongming.

The buffs for the gentry have been weakened, while those for the common people have been strengthened.

Productivity is the most important thing.

In Guanzhong, under Fei Qian's rule, there were the things that the most ordinary people longed for...

hope.

In a hopeless world, in a society where you can see the end from birth, there is no intrinsic motivation to strive or work hard, no matter how advanced the technology or how developed the system is.

Because in the world, in society, human nature remains unchanged...

This is true throughout history and across the world.

Guanzhong has become vibrant with people.

Otherwise, it would be like Zhuyang in Yin County, no matter how important the transportation route is, once people leave, it will be completely desolate.

However, Zhuge Liang's acceptance of these surrendered soldiers and sick civilians was still a "high-risk" act.

Even with a mask on, there is still a risk of infection.

Therefore, on Zhuge Liang's advice, Yin County became the main base for receiving these surrendered soldiers and civilians, while Zhuyang remained the main garrison for the cavalry. Each batch of surrendered soldiers and civilians was briefly processed in Zhuyang before being sent to Yin County, which was not far from Zhuyang.

The number of soldiers in Yin County was small, mainly for maintaining order, while the rest of the cavalry force was under Liao Hua's command in Zhuyang, as well as Li Dian's branch that had retreated earlier to the upper reaches of the Han River...

At this moment, in the sweltering heat of summer, Yin County resembles a giant, stifling steamer.

The rammed earth city walls groaned under the scorching sun, their surfaces cracked and parched. The narrow streets were sparsely populated, and not even a single insect could be seen.

The plague and typhoid bacteria were also temporarily suppressed at such temperatures.

Zhuge Liang was not in the county government office, but in a temporarily requisitioned warehouse near the north gate.

The county government office had long been destroyed in the previous wars, but the warehouses that served as granaries survived the wars and looting because they were built with a focus on sturdiness and durability, using walls similar to those made of stone blocks.

The more prosperous and superficial something is, the easier it is for it to collapse.

The simpler and more unadorned something is, the more likely it is to be preserved.

Because the windows of the warehouse were very high, although oil lamps were lit, the interior was still somewhat dim.

Several beams of light shone through the high window, illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air.

Several long tables were put together and covered with bamboo slips, silk books, and registers.

Zhuge Liang was wearing a slightly worn blue robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as he bent over to carefully examine a list of names, his slender fingers moving slowly across the ink marks.

His expression was focused and calm, but the barely perceptible furrow between his brows betrayed the gravity in his heart.

The storeroom was quiet, with only the rustling sound of bamboo slips being turned over and the soft dripping of a water leak in the corner.

Several clerks in charge of documents were also busy with their heads down, not daring to breathe loudly.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as an impending storm.

"To engage in..."

Fa Ping, wearing leather armor, walked in, breaking the silence.

Fa Ping came from Sichuan and had followed Zhuge Liang all the way. He had gradually become more capable and was now Zhuge Liang's right-hand man. Holding a smaller register, he walked to Zhuge Liang's desk, handed it to him, and said in a low voice, "The register of the laborers we took in yesterday has been verified... a total of three hundred and thirty-seven people..."

Fa Ping paused, pointing to several names on the roster. "It seems there are quite a few who have infiltrated this time... These few claim to be from Chenliu, but their accents have a distinct Yuzhou Runan dialect... And this one, who said he was ill, but when I took the physician to examine him, we found his condition wasn't actually that serious... Moreover, the calluses on his palms and the base of his fingers are thick... like the marks of years of handling knives, spears, and bows... The physician examined his injuries, and most were superficial wounds... As instructed, we didn't disturb them..."

Zhuge Liang's gaze fell on the names that Fa Ping had pointed out. He did not speak immediately, but instead picked up a fine-tipped brush from the table and lightly drew a small circle of vermilion next to each name.

"The scouts outside the East Gate," Zhuge Liang's voice was clear and calm, revealing no emotion, "Any unusual activity?"

Fa Ping nodded and replied, "Reporting to the officer, after midnight last night, some birds were startled and flew away in the forest, but the area was small and the event lasted short. A scout team went to investigate and found only a few trampled patches of grass and some suspicious footprints. There weren't many people, but the footprints were deep and steady, suggesting an elite force… They were very alert and retreated before our men could get close; their whereabouts are unknown."

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly.

He put down his pen, stood up, and walked to a simple map of northern Jingxiang hanging on the wall.

My gaze lingered for a moment on the small dot representing Yin County, then slowly moved toward the directions of Zhuyang and Wancheng, finally settling on the line of Wuguan Road winding northwest.

Yin County and Zhuyang are both transportation hubs, so Cao Cao's army will definitely come here!

As Zhuge Liang stood before the map, a vast amount of information rapidly coalesced in his mind.

From Sichuan to Jiangling, and then from Jiangling to here, the overall situation in Jingzhou, the changes in Guanzhong and Heluo, the current influx of a large number of "sick soldiers and civilians", the suspicious points of various accents, and the appearance of traces of unidentified elites outside Yin County, etc., these events, which seem to be far apart and have no particularly direct connection with each other, are like scattered beads being quickly strung together by an invisible thread in Zhuge Liang's mind.

Zhuge Liang guessed Cao Cao's plan...

Or rather, a partial plan.

Cao Cao's goal was not merely to expel and suppress his enemies; he wanted to reclaim Jingzhou!
It's even possible that Cao Cao has already reached some kind of agreement with Jiangdong, made some promise, and then joined forces to fight against the General of Chariots and Cavalry!

In this strategic agreement, Cao Cao not only needed to demonstrate to the outside world that he still had power, but also needed to suppress internal forces and show that he still had the ability to control the overall situation!
To achieve this plan, Cao Cao abandoned many things, including even these "sick soldiers and civilians" who had surrendered.

Most of these soldiers who brought the disease were ordinary civilians, but there were also a few spies who had infiltrated the ranks!

That elite squad outside the city was probably the vanguard responsible for lighting the fire and supporting the attack on the city!

"What a wicked plan..."

Zhuge Liang spoke softly to himself, his voice so low that only he could hear it.

It wasn't that Zhuge Liang admired Cao Cao's strategies as being particularly powerful, but rather that Zhuge Liang genuinely felt Cao Cao was very "poisonous".

Of course, from the perspective of some people in Shandong, they might think Cao Cao's actions were normal and correct. After all, what war doesn't involve death? What kind of victory can be achieved without "sacrifice"?
Zhuge Liang turned around and glanced at Fa Ping and the several clerks in charge of recording.

The warehouse was dimly lit, but Zhuge Liang's young face still appeared remarkably calm in the shadows, especially his eyes, which seemed to gleam with wisdom and sharpness.

"French military commander."

"Your humble servant is here!"

Do three things immediately.

Zhuge Liang calmly and methodically explained, "First, assign trusted men to closely monitor everyone circled on the roster, as well as those closely associated with them. After nightfall, if anyone attempts to approach the east gate, the warehouse, or the grain storage area, apprehend them immediately, regardless of their life or death."

Secondly, starting tonight, the number of visible sentries at the East Gate will be halved, while the number of hidden sentries will double. After nightfall, the number of patrols near the East Gate will be halved. The other three gates will remain under constant guard, with a relaxed outer perimeter but a tight inner perimeter.

Thirdly, secretly gather flammable materials and concentrate them in houses, alleys, and along both sides of the street near the East Gate, ensuring concealment. Simultaneously, under the pretext of "strengthening city defenses," gradually relocate all trustworthy individuals identified throughout the city to the northwest district, away from the East Gate.

Fa Ping was shocked!
The first two points, luring the enemy and surveillance, are somewhat understandable. But this third point… stockpiling flammable materials? Is Zhuge Liang planning to set fire to the city? And piling them up inside—is he going to burn down Yin County?!

Fa Ping hesitated slightly and did not respond immediately.

Zhuge Liang met his gaze, his eyes unwavering, displaying only a cold, resolute determination: "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. The Cao traitor intends to launch an attack from within and without, seizing our vital passage. He will surely first send his elite troops to capture Yin County, while simultaneously ambushing men on the road to Zhuyang, awaiting General Liao's arrival to reinforce this place..."

Zhuge Liang slowly said, "If we respond with ordinary methods, we will all be harmed by Cao Cao... At that time, either both sides will be severely damaged, or our troops will run out of food and supplies, and we will inevitably lose the city and cut off the passes... It would be better to use a counter-strategy, lure you into a trap, and burn this besieged city!"

It would be unwise for Zhuge Liang and his troops to fight Cao Cao alone.

Moreover, it contradicts the principles that the General of the Cavalry has always upheld...

Human beings are the most important thing. Society, nation, and all human institutions are built upon human beings.

Without "people," all so-called order, reason, economy, and society lose their meaning.

Zhuge Liang understood this deeply, so his plan was to preserve people to the greatest extent possible.

This includes not only cavalrymen, but also those who suffer from hardship and illness.

As for those inside agents, and those accomplices who don't even treat people as "human beings"...

Just go die.

Fa Ping clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then turned and strode away.

He understood that Zhuge was using the entire Yin County as bait and a melting pot to bury the elite troops and spies sent by Cao Cao's army!
The order was carried out silently. Yin County maintained a perverse calm on the surface.

The monitored laborers seemed unaware of anything amiss and continued to recuperate or work within their assigned areas.

The defenses at the East Gate visibly loosened, and the night patrols became sluggish.

Meanwhile, in the northwest city area, thanks to the skillful arrangements made by Fa Ping and others, some people are being quietly transferred...

Time passed in repression.

As the sun set and dusk settled, Yin County was shrouded in deep darkness.

The area in the west of the city seemed to have been deliberately forgotten, appearing more desolate than other places.

After nightfall, Zhuge Liang did not remain in the relatively safe northwest city area. Instead, he and Fa Ping, accompanied by guards, ascended a corner tower near the inner side of the east gate.

The view here is expansive, offering a panoramic view of a large area both inside and outside the East Gate.

The night breeze carried a chill, stirring his clothes.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm, like a chess player who had just finished a move and was waiting for his opponent to make his move.

It's just past midnight.

Several sharp whistles suddenly rang out near the once deathly quiet East Gate!
Immediately following were short shouts of battle and the crisp sound of clashing weapons!
The spies, who had been lying in wait, suddenly sprang up from the labor camp area, wielding short blades and even wooden sticks, and attempted to storm the city gate!

The battle broke out suddenly and fiercely!
Almost simultaneously with the start of the operation within the city...

Many torches were lit outside the East Gate, and under their light, shadowy soldiers surged out of the darkness and fiercely rushed toward the East Gate of Yin County!

"Enemy attack! Cao Cao's army is besieging the city!"

"Hold the city gates!"

"An inside man! An inside man is opening the door!"

The previously complacent defenders on the city wall instantly panicked, firing a few sparse volleys of arrows as a token gesture, followed by terrified shouts and what appeared to be chaotic running. At the forefront, Cao Cao's elite troops, clad in heavy armor and wielding axes and hammers, had already reached the city gate under the cover of archers! They had clearly received the signal that their inside help was about to succeed, and their attack was exceptionally fierce!

Everything unfolded exactly as Zhuge Liang had planned.

Fa Ping stared in astonishment at everything before him. "Why...why tonight?"

"Because you said the scouts saw their footprints... so they're very close..." Zhuge Liang said slowly, "Their numbers aren't large... because they also sent elite troops to scout... the longer they delay, the greater the risk of being exposed..."

Fa Ping suddenly realized, then asked, "How are the people outside the city connected to those inside... Oh, I see..."

Zhuge Liang nodded. "Then go ahead, put them...inside...hmm, perhaps we don't need to open the door; they'll find a way...prepare to light the fire!"

Fa Ping clasped his hands in response, then led his soldiers out of the corner tower, shouting loudly as they rushed forward.

A moment later, a loud bang resounded at the city gate, shaking the corner tower and sending dust scattering from its beams and pillars!

"As expected..." Zhuge Liang lightly dusted himself off, then turned and walked north. "Prepare for retreat."

"Yes!" the guard replied.

The group quietly left.

"Waaaaah..."

"Kill them!"

Chaotic shouts rang out from the city gate, and then Cao Cao's troops surged in and rushed into the east gate!

The excited Cao army soldiers, like wild horses, galloped wildly along the street!

"ignition!"

At a command, the soldiers who had been lying in ambush in the streets of the East Gate almost simultaneously threw their torches into the piles of firewood soaked in kerosene!
"boom--!!!"

A blinding, raging flame, like a sleeping fire dragon suddenly awakened, leaped and roamed rapidly across the streets, rooftops, and alleyways piled with firewood, before soaring into the sky with a roar that devoured everything!

The flames spread rapidly, and the soldiers who had been weakly resisting on the east gate, led by Fa Ping, threw a large amount of flammable materials and torches into the gate!

The city gate instantly transformed into the maw of a giant beast spewing flames!
The Cao army vanguard, which had gathered near the city gate and rushed into the city gate, was immediately engulfed in a sea of ​​fire!

A sudden, piercing scream, so shrill it was inhuman, erupted, drowning out the war drums and shouts of battle!

Fire! The city is on fire!

"Retreat! Retreat now!"

"Help!!"

Those "insiders" and Cao Cao's elite troops who rushed into the city rolled and struggled desperately in the flames, letting out inhuman screams, and were burned into twisted and charred remains.

Thick smoke billowed, carrying the stench of burning flesh, permeating the entire Dongmen area and making it suffocating.

Zhuge Liang and his party had already reached the North Gate.

From this angle, the flames seemed to fill half the sky.

The cries of the dying were exceptionally mournful.

This fire not only destroyed Cao Cao's elite troops and their inside agents, but also the east gate of Yin County, and...

Those who may not have been entirely willing, but were swept along by the tide.

"Pass on the order."

Zhuge Liang's voice remained calm and powerful, revealing no emotional fluctuation: "Cao Cao's army launched a night attack, setting fire to the city; the east gate is destroyed! Our army is forced to retreat! All units, according to the predetermined order, shall immediately withdraw through the north gate, take the Wuguan Road, and assemble in Shang County!"

The order was passed down quickly.

Urgent gongs, signaling an urgent evacuation, resounded throughout the city.

Those who had been transferred to the northeast region beforehand began to evacuate the burning city in an orderly manner, guided by the cavalrymen.

Zhuge Liang lingered on the city wall for a few more moments, but soon descended from it.

The dark blue figure blended into the evacuating crowd and the deeper night.

Behind that figure was the burning fire of Yin County, which illuminated half of the night sky.

Even if we can't burn down Bowangpo, burning down Wuguan Road will still give us some experience points...