Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 57 The Calamity of Taihang

Chapter 57 The Calamity of Taihang
Gongsun Zan had made all the arrangements, waiting for the Taihang bandits to appear so he could take advantage of the chaos to strike, but he never got to see them.

Even after the military camp was burned down, no one looted it, as if the fire in the camp had never happened.

Gongsun Zan originally planned to follow Zou Jing's main force to "suppress the bandits," but since the Taihang bandits did not appear, Gongsun Zan naturally could not take action. Otherwise, it would be difficult to pin the blame on the Taihang bandits.

Zou Jing's main force is a regular army. If even a few escape, Gongsun Zan's plan will be exposed, leaving the real Taihang bandits to take action.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei was also waiting for the Taihang bandits...

He faked his death and escaped before Gongsun Zan could make a move, hiding himself in the shadows and also placing all the troops in the Juma River camp in the shadows, thus resolving the biggest life-or-death crisis.

The burning of the military camp at Juma River has confirmed Gongsun Zan's intentions.

Before Gongsun Zan burned down the military camp, Duan Jiong brought out all the auxiliary soldiers, while Zhang Fei led all the regular soldiers in the grove.

Liu Bei had already ordered them to set up an ambush, so that if Gongsun Zan made a move, they could counter-ambush him.

However, due to the problems in Beixincheng, Liu Bei had no choice but to recall them.

Because the real bandits from Taihang Mountain probably won't come...

……

In fact, Zhang Baiqi and Jiu Chi's deception in taking Beixin City and killing Yan Gang had already disrupted Gongsun Zan's plan, and their basic mission was accomplished.

But all Liu Bei wanted was to burn down or attack Beixin City; he didn't need Jiu Chi to go out of his way and befriend the Taihang bandits.

Adding unnecessary details is more troublesome than failing the mission, and can have unpredictable consequences.

"My lord, shall we not set up an ambush?"

Zhang Baiqi appeared very anxious. He felt that he had failed to properly complete the task assigned by Liu Bei and wanted to make amends.

"If Beixincheng is burned down, then we should naturally proceed according to plan."

Liu Bei was no longer angry, but somewhat uneasy: "But right now, Beixin City is most likely beyond burning down, and Jiu Chi's temperament makes it impossible for him to be ruthless towards the Taihang bandits..."

“Then the Taihang bandits will likely occupy Beixin City… If that’s the case, the Taihang bandits won’t come.”

"Since the Taihang bandits haven't arrived, Gongsun Zan can't personally attack Commander Zou's main force. Similarly, we can't use the Taihang bandits and the ox-horn hats to ambush Gongsun Zan; this plan is no longer viable."

Liu Bei shook his head as he spoke: "What I'm worried about now is that if the Taihang bandits take Beixin City, they might gather a large force to attack Zhuo County..."

“This is how traitors always are… If they capture a city, they will most likely use it as a base to gather millions of people and try to plunder the county town.”

Duan Jiong sighed and analyzed the current situation: "Originally, they would definitely come to the Juma River area, but if the Taihang bandits take over Beixin City now and have a place to stay, then they will gather in the city and merge into a large band of bandits, heading to Fanyang or Zhuoxian..."

Yes, as long as the Taihang bandits have nowhere to stay for long, their range of operations will be limited to the Juma River area.

Because this area is full of wealthy families, and there are no city walls, and it is close to the Taihang Mountains, it is convenient to seize grain and then retreat.

But if the Taihang bandits were to capture a city... they would definitely unite their forces and do something big, and would certainly not be satisfied with just plundering the grain in the fields.

With a bridgehead and supply points, a suitable retreat route and a forward base, wouldn't it be a waste not to seize the most prosperous county town?
This kind of opportunity doesn't come every year.

There's not much you can do when scattered soldiers take cities and fortified villages, but once you have Beixin City, you can gather together to form a large army, and your mentality and intentions will be completely different.

If the Taihang bandits were to attack Zhuo County...

Liu Bei's mother is still in the city, and Zhuo County currently has almost no troops.

"Never mind... let's get to Zhuo County before Gongsun Zan reacts."

Liu Bei thought for a while and then made a decision.

“My lord, Gongsun Zan’s men will not allow us to enter the city.”

Duan Jiong shook his head: "Unless..."

"I know... I'm going to storm Zhuoxian!"

Liu Bei made up his mind: "Don't forget, in Gongsun Zan's eyes I am already dead... Now, I am the Big-Eared Bandit!"

...Liu Bei knew Jiu Chi well; Jiu Chi indeed had no chance of burning down Beixin City.

Because the left mustache refused.

Jiu Chi, who was always thinking about human relationships and hometown sentiments, never considered that everyone has different things to consider.

The kind and gentle Zuo Zi was to him in the Taihang Mountains, but after arriving in Beixin City, he was no longer so.

Jiu Chi originally thought he could first let his fellow villager Zuo Zi gain some benefits, then join forces with Zuo Zi to help him kill a few dissenting Taihang bandits, then burn down Beixin City, and lead Zuo Zi's troops north to Juma River to support Liu Bei.

The idea behind this was to benefit both Zuo Zi and Liu Bei, and to gain support from them.

Yes, Jiu Chi Zhen was thinking of his friends; he was loyal and devoted to Liu Bei.

But he didn't expect that after Zuo Zi obtained food and weapons in Beixin City, upon hearing that Jiu Chi was going to burn down the city, he immediately drove Jiu Chi and all the executioners out of the city.

Zhangba was indeed Zuozi's cousin, but this relationship was only enough to prevent Zuozi from turning against him and killing him; it was not enough to change Zuozi's mind.

Jiu Chi told Zuo Zi that Yan Gang was trying to lure the Taihang heroes out to kill them, claiming it was a scam orchestrated by Gongsun Zan to suppress bandits. Zuo Zi was willing to believe this because Jiu Chi had indeed given him food and weapons, and was indeed his friend and fellow villager.

But Jiu Chi said he wanted to burn down Beixincheng...

Zuo Zi, of course, disagreed.

They came to steal grain, not to make friends.

Yes, 'Big Ears' is indeed a friend, but all the brothers in the Taihang Mountains need this city.

It is true that individuals can kill for a friend, because it is a personal act and they can take responsibility with their own lives.

But when it comes to groups, there are just too many things to consider.

Zuo Zi would never make a decision that would be detrimental to everyone in the Taihang Mountains just because of his friend's wishes...

Taking control of this city would better hinder the pursuers, secure more benefits for the thousands of people in Zuozhishan, and ensure the Taihang bandits could safely return to the mountains after completing their "harvest" this year...

This small town can serve as a forward base for all the Taihang bandits, as well as a safe retreat route!
Zuo Zi didn't distrust Jiu Chi, nor did he disregard Jiu Chi as a friend; rather, he needed this bridgehead.

Nine-foot had never managed the lives of thousands of people before, so he had no idea how a leader like Zuo Zi, who was in charge of thousands of old and young, thought about things.

He had no idea how officials would handle this situation.

Loyalty can't put food on the table.

Sometimes, killing is the only way to show mercy.

Being loyal and righteous might actually bring disaster upon your friends in Taihang.

……

after one day.

"Report! Commander, Zhuo County is under attack by bandits!"

Gongsun Zan received the news in the military camp.

"What?! Where did this thief come from? And where is Yan Boji?"

Gongsun Zan was both shocked and furious.

"Brother Yan has disappeared, and we haven't heard anything from Beixin City."

Yi Cong shook his head: "But Clerk Zou sent a letter requesting reinforcements, saying that a large group of bandits is attacking the city!"