Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 375 Fear

"Reporting to Master, Meng Chang has committed suicide!" General Xun Lin came to report.

Many impoverished aristocratic families also became the core fighting force within the Celestial Masters sect.

With the help of these talented individuals, the Celestial Masters sect rose again in Guangzhou in just a few years, and once again gathered more than 100,000 troops.

“Meng Chang was a man of great renown. Now that he has committed suicide, the people of Jiangzuo are in turmoil. Jiankang may be able to fall without a fight!” Lu Xun was overjoyed.

Xu Daofu's expression shifted. "Where is Liu Yu now?"

Xun Lin said, "Lead three thousand elite troops to advance to Stone City."

"What? He doesn't know that our army has 140,000 troops?" Lu Xun frowned.

They had already prepared for this: as soon as Liu Yu crossed the river, the Celestial Masters would swiftly and decisively eliminate him, thus eliminating this arch-enemy on the Yangtze River in one fell swoop.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yu remained so resolute, determined to fight despite his illness.

Xun Lin said, "Liu Yu defied public opinion and declared that even if he were to die at the temple gate and sacrifice himself for his country, he would never retreat a single step!"

Lu Xun's fear was rekindled. He had been a participant in the battles of Suanshan and Haiyan, and had been terrified by Liu Yu. He still felt lingering fear to this day.

Xu Daofu advised, "Liu Yu is merely bluffing. Our army numbers over 100,000. We can enter from the mouth of the Qinhuai River, bypass Stone City, advance from Xinting to Baishi, burn our ships, and divide our forces into seven routes. Three routes will besiege Liu Yu, while the other four will rush straight to Jiankang!"

Liu Yu only had three thousand elite troops under his command, which was simply not enough to defend such a vast area around Jiankang.

The Celestial Masters Sect has won one victory after another, and its momentum is unstoppable. The people of Jiangzuo are filled with fear, and as soon as they reach the gates of Jiankang, people inside the city will respond.

Liu Yu was actually in a predicament, facing difficulties both internally and externally.

At this critical moment, Lu Xun fell into his old habit of indecisiveness. "Before the main army arrived, Meng Chang committed suicide at the mere sight of them. Judging from the overall situation, Jiankang will soon fall into chaos. Now, if we break our cauldrons and sink our boats and advance with the whole army, it is not a sure way to win. Moreover, it will kill and wound our soldiers. If we are defeated, we will be at a loss for what to do. It would be better to wait and see."

On the surface, this seems to be the safest approach.

The people of Jiankang were already in a state of panic, so there was no need to risk their lives there, and Liu Yu was best at risking his life.

Lu Xun really had little confidence.

"Absolutely not! Our army has come from afar and is in high spirits. The transport of supplies is difficult, so we need to fight a quick battle. Liu Yu is beset by internal and external troubles. We should press on and rush straight to Xinting, then take Jiankang. Liu Yu in Shitou City will be an isolated army, only able to fight like a cornered beast. If we do not advance now, once Liu Yu blocks the Qinhuai River and reinforcements from all directions arrive, it will be too late to regret it."

A few drops of cold sweat trickled down Xu Daofu's face.

The Celestial Masters Sect was already gambling everything on this battle. They had already reached the Qinhuai River and were only one step away from Jiankang. Unexpectedly, Lu Xun was unwilling to go up and risk his life.

They were still thinking of picking up the spoils after the internal strife in Jiankang.

When the uprising began in Guangzhou, Lu Xun had been hesitant and reluctant, and he still hasn't changed his mind now...

Opportunities in war are always fleeting.

But after a few years of comfortable living in Guangzhou, Lu Xun's fighting spirit had been almost completely worn away, and he no longer had the drive and ambition he once had.

"Don't forget how we were defeated at Suanshan back then. Liu Yu is best at bloody and bitter battles. Jiankang is already in our hands, so why rush things? We can wear down this tiger Liu Yu this time! No need to persuade me anymore. I need to take my medicine. Dao Fu, please rest and recuperate."

After saying that, he turned and went into the noble's chamber on the ship.

Xu Daofu stared blankly at him, his face full of disappointment. Even at this point, he was still indulging in the affectations of a refined scholar. He couldn't help but sigh, "Lord Lu has misled me. Nothing will succeed. If I had met a wise ruler, the world would surely be at peace..."

Stone City.

"If the bandits advance straight at Xinting, their momentum will be unstoppable. We should retreat now, as the outcome is uncertain. If they return to anchor on the west bank, they will surely be captured by us!"

Liu Yu climbed the city wall and looked westward towards the Yangtze River. Despite the perilous war situation, he was radiant and showed no signs of illness.

The elite troops of the Northern Army are concentrated in Stone City, leaving the southern flank vulnerable.

Jiankang was essentially in a state of open defense. If the rebels captured Xinting and Baishi and then marched straight on Jiankang, Liu Yu would have no time to defend it.

In reality, Liu Yu lacked the determination and courage to go all in when betting on Lu Xun.

Having fought against the treacherous bandits for many years, they knew their ways inside and out. They had already raised an army and marched north, yet they didn't even utter a single slogan of "purging the court of corrupt officials."

No sooner had he finished speaking than warships appeared like clouds on the river, and the massive army of demon bandits surged downstream. At this moment, the riverbanks became noisy and crowded with people who had come from Jiankang to watch the spectacle, pointing and gesturing at the demon bandits on the river, some even shouting insults.

The sound was so loud that Liu Yu couldn't help but turn his head and ask, "War is dangerous and perilous, why are the people not afraid?"

The military advisor Zhang Shao said with a wry smile, "With the general here, the people are fearless and have come to witness our army's victory over the enemy!"

Liu Yu had become a legend in Jiangzuo, and his position in the hearts of the people of Jiankang was unshakable. Now that he was fighting against the rebels, the people looked at his banner and came to watch the battle.

"How magnificent! With such a spirit, how can we not win this battle?" Liu Yu laughed heartily.

The morale of the elite troops of the Northern Army on the city wall also soared.

But halfway through his laughter, his expression suddenly changed. The demons in the river suddenly split off a force and headed straight for Xinting in the south.

With over 100,000 troops, the demon bandits could easily cover all fronts.

They attacked north on one side and south on the other.

The surrounding generals, including Zhu Lingshi, Shen Linzi, Meng Huaiyu, Xu Chite, and Ding Wu, all turned pale, as the situation was developing in the worst possible direction.

Once this band of rebels lands at Xinting, Liu Yu, far away in Stone City, will be overwhelmed with other matters.

But then, the situation changed again.

On the largest ship of the demon bandits, drums thundered and command flags waved incessantly.

After hesitating for half an incense stick's time, the southbound fleet turned back and rejoined the main fleet, heading northwest towards Caizhou together.

Caizhou is a sandbar in the Yangtze River with a circumference of fifty li. It is located southwest of Jiankang, near the west bank, and was a permanent naval base.

In the third year of Xianhe (328 AD), during the Su Jun Rebellion, Tao Kan led 40,000 naval troops to aid Jiankang. They once anchored here, with banners stretching for over 700 li and the sound of gongs and drums resounding far and wide. Su Jun, like Liu Yu, refused to defend Stone City.

Subsequently, Tao Kan stationed his troops at Chapu alone, while Wen Qiao stationed his troops at Shamenpu, forming a pincer movement. Adopting the strategy of the capable general Li Gen, they built the Baishi Fortress overnight, and two thousand men blocked Su Jun's ten thousand infantry and cavalry from all sides.

At that time, the combined forces of Su Jun and Tao Kan were evenly matched.

Now, the demon bandits are strong and Liu Yu is weak. The demon bandits can land directly, or even if they don't land at Xinting, they can still break in from Baishi.

Therefore, the Jin army will inevitably face a tough battle today.

But the thief chose to enter Caizhou on the west bank!
"General, your strategy is brilliant!" All the generals exclaimed in admiration.

"Lu Xun is like a frog in a well, ambitious but incompetent. He has missed a golden opportunity, and our army will surely win!" Liu Yu won his gamble once again. It had nothing to do with luck, but was entirely due to his years of experience in battle and his understanding of his opponents' habits.

Yu Qiujin said, "The demon bandits have come from afar, and their food supplies will surely run out. We can cut down trees to block the stone fence, repair Yuecheng, and build three fortifications at Chapu, Yaoyuan, and Tingwei. We will build high fortifications and not fight. We will wait for their morale to be worn down, and then we can wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

Yuecheng was a sub-city south of Jiankang, and it had long been abandoned.

However, the foundation remains, and now that the demon bandits have come from Caizhou, Yuecheng has become a must-win place.

In a decisive battle, victory or defeat often hinges on a single moment.

The rebels hesitated to advance, missing a crucial opportunity and giving Liu Yu time to make his preparations.

The Jin army had captured all the key locations, including Shitouzha, Baishi, Xinting, and Yuecheng.

Favorable timing is not as important as favorable location. This time, the demon bandits have the advantage of favorable timing when they march north, but they have lost the advantage of favorable location.

"Why go through all that trouble? This humble general is willing to lead five hundred elite troops to await the enemy along the river, ensuring that not a single enemy soldier will be able to land." The valiant general Xu Chi stepped forward with great enthusiasm.

Birds of a feather flock together; Liu Yu was brave and fearless, and many of his generals were the same.

"No need to rush. Once the enemy loses its momentum, we can defeat them in one fell swoop. All generals, listen to my orders: Shen Linzi and Xu Chi will defend the south bank of the Qinhuai River and block Chapu. Zhu Lingshi and Zhu Chaoshi will defend Shitouzha. All troops, hold your ground and do not go out. Anyone who disobeys will be executed."

Liu Yu stood with his hand on his sword, his cloak billowing in the river breeze behind him.

"Yes, sir!" the generals shouted.

(End of this chapter)