Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 361 Drag

Murong Chao's army gathered along the line between Chengcheng and Tanxian.

Liu Daogui led his troops to Rongqiu and set up camp. This place was sixty li away from Xiapi. During the Former Han Dynasty, it was the Marquisate of Rongqiu, but it was later abolished by Wang Mang.

The Yi and Wu rivers flow from north to south and merge into the Si River.

Ten miles to the southeast is Guanhu Lake. In the third year of Jian'an (198 AD), Cao Cao attacked Xiapi. Lü Bu ordered people to take soil to thicken the walls. The place where the soil was taken accumulated water and formed a lake.

Since Rongqiu is a hill, its terrain is higher than that of Xiapi, so it is not afraid of water attacks.

The area is where three rivers converge, which not only prevents harassment by Yan cavalry but also facilitates the transport of grain and fodder from Pengcheng and Xiapi.

Murong Chao's decision to hold the decisive battle in the three counties of Xudong was a huge mistake from the perspective of logistics and supplies. Transporting supplies from Qingzhou required crossing the Taishan Mountains.

Although the three counties of Xudong were rich, Liu Daogui had organized several "military expansions" in recent years, which had basically destroyed their foundations, and the people had long since fled to the Huai and Si rivers.

If Murong De and Murong Chao had any business acumen, they wouldn't have been raiding and plundering everywhere.

The camp was situated along the Sishui River, controlling all the high points.

Li Damu also regularly checks the water flow rate of the Wushui and Yishui rivers.

Although a water attack cannot breach one's own camp, it can cause trouble for Xiapi, a place where supplies are transported.

"This humble general is willing to lead his troops in a night raid on the Yan enemy's Xiangben camp!" Fu Hongzhi volunteered without hesitation.

Xiangben is located between Chengcheng and Tanxian, and is an important node of the Yan army's camp. If this place can be captured, the Yan army can be divided in two, but it will inevitably be attacked from both sides.

Going all out right from the start is not Liu Daogui's style. "Military Advisor Fu is brave and skilled. Although this strategy is good, it is not advisable to use it now. As the art of war says, do not attack a well-organized formation. The Yan army is at the height of its strength and should not be attacked head-on."

Murong Chao had built deep trenches and high walls, and there were cavalry behind him. Fu Hongzhi's elite troops in the Western Prefecture were all infantry. If they did not win, they would basically not be able to return.

However, the courage of these Western Army generals was no less than that of the Northern Army generals.

Hu Fan, Fu Hongzhi, and Wang Xiuzhi were among the best, while Yin Zhongwen and Yang Sui were civil officials. Strictly speaking, Wang Zhen'e was also from the Western Prefecture.

With so many talented people, Huan Xuan's inability to utilize them led to his downfall, which was also the will of Heaven.

"Then we won't fight?" Liu Zun glanced sideways at Fu Hongzhi, Hu Fan, and the others.

"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest form of military strategy. We will not fight, but delay! Order all troops to hold their positions firmly. Anyone who goes out to fight without authorization will be punished according to military law!"

Liu Daogui gave a firm order.

Our side has been fighting for years, and so has the Southern Yan. Since Murong De established the country, they have never stopped fighting, fighting against the Northern Army and the Wei army.

Previously, it had been severely weakened by Liu Daogui. If Huan Xuan hadn't usurped the throne, Southern Yan wouldn't have survived until now.

Murong Chao currently only has Qingzhou and half of Xuzhou under his control, while Liu Daogui has Yanzhou, Beiyuzhou, Nanxuzhou, and Jingxiangzhou, and is also supported by his elder brother Liu Yu, who commands the Jiangzuo region.

Its national strength far surpasses that of Southern Yan.

Moreover, of Murong De's 60,000 troops, at least 20,000 were cavalry, which consumed even more food supplies.

Humans can eat anything, but warhorses can't; they need salt and concentrated feed.

Since it was a national war concerning fate, Liu Daogui naturally had to choose the most advantageous method.

With the land consolidation of Jingxiang and Jiangzuo largely completed, the nation's strength will only continue to rise. Murong Chao's proactive attack this time is an attempt to divert attention from internal conflicts by using external wars as a pretext.

So he should be the one who's anxious.

Once the military order was given, the three armies stood at attention and guarded their respective camps.

Liu Daogui took the opportunity to cultivate the nearby fields as a long-term solution.

Since ancient times, the Han dynasty has integrated farming and warfare in its conquests. The soldiers of the Fubing (府兵) were both soldiers and farmers. The land in Xuzhou was fertile, and even in late autumn, some vegetables and beans could still be replanted.

The navy went out to sea from the Sishui River to fish, and not only could the regular soldiers eat fresh fish, but even the volunteer soldiers who came with them could drink fish soup.

A skilled strategist first ensures invincibility, then waits for the enemy to become vulnerable. Invincibility lies within oneself, vulnerability lies within the enemy.

No matter how this battle unfolds, the priority is to ensure our side remains invincible.

Essentially a war, it was actually a test of the production methods of the Jin and Xianbei people.

Liu Daogui was skilled in both farming and warfare, using the land to support his army. The Yan army consisted mostly of northern nomads who were adept at nomadic herding and plundering. Although they could also farm, their skill level was not on par with that of the Jin people.

This is actually an openly deliberate scheme with no solution.

If Liu Daogui's only goal was to defeat Murong Chao, then such trouble was unnecessary. However, if his aim was to destroy the Yan state, then it was a different story...

After only half a month, the other side couldn't take it anymore.

They launched a proactive attack, employing infantry, naval, and cavalry forces on three fronts to fiercely assault Rongqiu.

The sound of war drums and horns soared into the sky.

The Yan army's armored soldiers and iron cavalry were as numerous as mountains and seas, with long spears and large shields stacked one upon another.

The Southern Yan was less a country and more an army. Everything within its borders was used to maintain this powerful force. While the constant warfare depleted the Southern Yan, it also honed the Yan army's fighting strength.

"No wonder Murong Chao is so arrogant; he's quite powerful." Liu Zun exclaimed in astonishment.

He Wuji's expression also changed slightly. "If we fight with all our might, our casualties will be considerable. Even if we destroy the Yan Kingdom, it will be a lose-lose situation."

Liu Zun said with a mocking expression, "If Brother He is afraid, then retreat to Xiapi."

"You—" Even He Wuji's excellent self-control was broken by Liu Zun's words.

During Liu Laozhi's time, He Wuji was active in the Northern Army. Liu Daogui would address him as "Brother He," while Liu Zun would immediately call him "Brother."

Liu Daogui immediately scolded, "If you dare to be rude again, I'll cut out your tongue. Brother He, don't stoop to the level of this boor."

He Wuji snorted and stopped talking.

He had previously led troops to lure Murong Chao, but failed and returned empty-handed, which had already caused him to lose face in front of the other generals.

As they spoke, thousands of ragged laborers carrying wooden planks and ladders were driven up by cavalry, gazing at the south bank and crying out, "General, save me..."

"Murong Chao is utterly despicable! He actually used our people to fill the river!" Hu Fan's face turned ashen. If left unchecked, these people would build pontoon bridges, making it easier for the Yan army's infantry and cavalry to charge.

If an order is given to execute them, it will inevitably damage the morale of the army.

"General..."

Several generals, including Xiao Chengzhi and Fu Hongzhi, knelt on the ground.

Liu Daogui sneered, "A trivial trick. What harm is there in letting them cross the river?"

The Sishui and Wushui rivers were only the first line of defense. The Yan army's crossing of the river did not mean victory; they still had to face the high-ground fortifications.

Three pontoon bridges were quickly erected across the river. The Yan army infantry and cavalry swarmed forward, their swords flashing and blood splattering everywhere. The laborers were either hacked to death or trampled to death.

The wild laughter of the Yan army and the screams of the laborers echoed across both banks of the river.

Some of the Yan cavalrymen even had long spears stuck with human heads, shaking them while shouting, "All Jin dogs should be like this..."

The Jin army remained silent.

But this silence is not cowardice, but rather the calm before a volcanic eruption.

What is said by word of mouth and what is seen with one's own eyes are two completely different concepts. Anyone would be furious to witness the tragic death of their own people.

"Stay calm..." Liu Daogui silently chanted to himself.

However, Murong Chao did not launch a full-scale attack; only about 5,000 men crossed the river, half of whom were armored soldiers and cavalry.

Liu Daogui was slightly disappointed when he "released the arrow".

A dense rain of arrows covered all three pontoon bridges.

Screams of agony filled the air as Yan soldiers fell one after another.

Even those wearing iron armor were repeatedly pinned to the ground by crossbows and crossbow bolts. Huai Si may not have much else, but it has countless iron mines. The workshops that Liu Daogui set up in his early years have long since become quite large.

Arrows of all kinds were continuously sent down the Si River.

After two volleys of arrows, at least eight hundred Yan soldiers fell, and the rest were also riddled with arrows.

"Leave no one alive!" Liu Daogui shouted the order.

The command flag was waved violently.

"Kill!" The camp, which had been calm just moments before, suddenly erupted like a volcano.

Liu Zun and Hu Fan each led two or three hundred armored soldiers out and charged into the Yan army's infantry and cavalry. Blood flew everywhere and heads rolled.

Both were fierce generals, and their armored soldiers, armed with axes and halberds, advanced like a wall. With a single axe blow, men and horses were shattered.

With old and new grudges combined, the soldiers fought with fierce courage. Even when facing charging cavalry, they did not retreat an inch, but instead raised their axes and swung them down. Although they were knocked away, the cavalrymen were also cut down from their horses...

In the blink of an eye, the shore was littered with mangled corpses.

The remaining Yan troops were terrified by the brutal slaughter and hastily retreated.

However, due to the narrowness of the three pontoon bridges, many people fell into the river.

The first few Yan generals who crossed the river actually ordered their troops to dismantle the pontoon bridge, leaving more than a thousand Yan soldiers stranded on the south bank.

"Surrender, we surrender!"

The Yan army knelt down in droves.

Liu Daogui glanced at them and saw that most of them didn't have leather armor. Judging from their attire and appearance, they should be some mixed barbarians. No wonder their combat strength was so poor, and they collapsed at the first touch.

Murong Chao's attack this time seemed more like a probe.

Hu Fan and Liu Zun gathered these surrendered soldiers together and made them kneel on the riverbank.

He Wuji pulled more than three hundred people out of the river.

"Murong Chao!"

Liu Huaijing, accompanied by his personal guards, shouted towards the opposite bank.

A stir arose among the Yan army opposite them. A large banner bearing the character "Yan" stepped out from the crowd and stood about five or six hundred paces away. Beneath the banner, a tall and burly man rode a red horse and looked on indifferently.

"Cut!" Liu Daogui waved his hand.

On the south bank, swords and axes flashed, blood splattered, and heads fell into the river.

More than 1,400 prisoners were all killed. In those days, there was no such thing as repaying evil with kindness. To deal with the barbarians, there was only blood for blood and tooth for tooth.

Even the headless corpses were not spared; they were chopped into mincemeat by the enraged soldiers.

This time, it was the Yan army that remained silent.

They were always the ones slaughtering others, but tonight they were the ones being slaughtered. Although they were a mixed bunch of barbarians, they were still Yan soldiers and barbarians.

The fox felt a sense of dread as the rabbit died; the other Hu people in the Yan army also had different expressions, crowding on the north bank with a hint of fear in their eyes.

The cold wind from the northern lands swept across both banks, dispersing the stench of blood and enveloping the entire camp, while the warhorses on the north bank neighed mournfully.

The smell of blood instantly filled the eyes of the soldiers from the North and West garrisons on the south bank with bloodlust, and even the volunteer soldiers were filled with murderous intent.

"Kill, kill, kill..."

Amidst the roaring shouts, the Yan army on the opposite bank silently shifted their positions backward.

Although Murong Chao had amassed an army of 60,000, at most 20,000 were elite troops, and he also had to guard against the Wei army in the north.

The remaining rabble, though capable of fighting when things were going well, were already terrified of a bloody battle.

"A good opportunity! I request permission to charge across the river and, like in the Battle of Fei River, wipe out Murong Chao's 60,000 troops in one fell swoop!" Liu Zun shouted at the front of the battle.

(End of this chapter)