Mythical Three Kingdoms

The aristocratic families were invincible to those below their rank, but to those above, the network of relationships and connections they wove was actually riddled with holes. Strong as they were, they were also incredibly bloated, with too many places vulnerable to attack.

Fa Zheng’s arrogance gave the Runan aristocratic families a clear understanding; he did not deign to communicate with them at all, brazenly declaring in front of them that he intended to teach Yuan Gonglu a lesson. This kind of haughtiness left the Runan families speechless.

”Let’s disperse,” sighed Zhou Xun as he watched Fa Zheng and Gan Ning depart, speaking to the familiar faces around him, ”Close your doors and wait for the outcome. We can no longer interfere. Whether General Yuan emerges victorious or Prime Minister Fa, we can only lie low.”

”Alas, a tale of too much, too soon,” Zhao Yi said with a bitter smile, ”I fear General Yuan will not be coming back, and the Zhao Family is finished.”

”Ah, let us hope Zhou Yu can work a miracle; otherwise, we have no room for a turnaround,” Chen Chuang spoke bitterly, ”Let’s disperse. When the Chen Family Elder sent his letter, we all gave it considerable thought.”

Yuzhou was known as a land of scholarly grace; there were many talented families. Precisely because of this, the arrival of Fa Zheng in Runan gave everyone the feeling that the inevitable was upon them, and nothing could be done to turn the tide.

”We should close our doors and wait for the news. If Yuan Gonglu can come to us, we might still have a desperate chance to fight back. If Yuan Gonglu does not come, we will have to accept our fate,” said Zhao Yi, pale-faced, slowly turning to leave. The Zhao family had allied themselves too closely with Yuan Shu.

Watching Fa Zheng and Gan Ning leave, the Runan aristocratic families exchanged glances, finally dispersing helplessly. Fa Zheng’s arrogance was enough to make everything clear.

Whether Fa Zheng was said to be precocious or considered contemptuous of his elders, he had the capital to be so at the moment. Even if it meant going to Shouchun to display their might, no one in Runan could stop them now. The high and mighty aristocratic families finally had no choice but to wait silently for the outcome.

When Fa Zheng and Gan Ning arrived at the camp, Mi Fang and Xu Sheng were busy training with their troops. For them, the situation was unclear; they could be called to the battlefield at any moment. All the troops needed to train to maintain their combat power – a little hard work to stay alive was far better than death.

”Greetings, Military Advisor Fa, greetings, General Gan,” Mi Fang and Xu Sheng quickly offered their salutations upon seeing Fa Zheng and Gan Ning.

Just as Gan Ning showed fear towards Fa Zheng’s conduct, so did Mi Fang and Xu Sheng keep Fa Zheng’s deeds on the road in mind, and naturally, they did not dare to show the slightest disrespect.

”How goes the training?” Fa Zheng glanced over the troops, they had been on a relentless march with almost no rest stops, yet the rations were the best available, with meat and vegetables each meal.

With the mindset of using what isn’t yours quickly, Fa Zheng would open the granaries and distribute grain wherever he went, partly to win over the people, and partly to provide food supplements for his rugged soldiers. Otherwise, such intense combat would be unsustainable without proper rations and provisions.

It should be said that Fa Zheng’s rapid march did not include carrying provisions; from the start, he planned to live off the enemy’s land. Like Xuzhou, Yuzhou was rich in grain and the government treasury was full. As long as they could conquer the region, there would be no supply issue, so Fa Zheng ordered the troops to carry only three days’ worth of dry rations before setting off.

”All the war soldiers are prepared and ready to deploy at any moment,” Xu Sheng took a step forward and said solemnly, ”The navy is also in position.”

”The navy is in position?” Fa Zheng turned to look at Gan Ning, ”When did they get into position?”

”This little Huai River is nothing compared to the Yangtze River,” Gan Ning said with a hearty laugh. ”Yuan Gonglu hasn’t made any special preparations, a small sailboat will be enough to get across. The water bandits here have already submitted to me and are willing to follow my lead; they’re already in position. Back when I was on the Yangtze River, I had dealings with the leaders here, and I trust them.”

”Hmm, that’s good. Zifang, you’re in charge of holding the city. Do not open the gates for anyone unless I come personally,” Fa Zheng nodded, knowing that Gan Ning had once roamed the seas, and to him, the Huai River was just a small stream, so naturally, there was no need to worry.

”Understood,” Mi Fang said, bowing with a fist over his heart.

Putting Mi Fang, a rich man’s son, on the battlefield to chop down enemies was certainly daunting, but guarding a city was a different story, something he wasn’t worried about. He knew his men well enough to understand that as long as he didn’t retreat, his soldiers would never desert him.

With such confidence, coupled with the strong walls of Runan, Mi Fang felt that as long as he was careful, even surrounded by tens of thousands, he could hold out until Fa Zheng came to his aid.

”Wen Xiang, you assist from the side and defend the city,” Fa Zheng said with a slight nod, then turned to Xu Sheng.

”Understood,” replied Xu Sheng with a bow. ”Where does Military Advisor Fa and General Gan plan to go?”

”To Shouchun. Only by going there will Yuan Gonglu realize that his domain is like a castle in the air, teetering on the brink of collapse,” said Fa Zheng, with the pride of a young man and the confidence of a sage.

”How many men does General Gan plan to take to Shouchun?” asked Xu Sheng.

”Take all the cavalry and a small number of infantry. We don’t need many, three to five thousand should suffice,” Fa Zheng answered for Gan Ning, feeling there was no need to bring so many soldiers just to show off their military strength.

”Isn’t that too dangerous?” Xu Sheng asked, frowning.

”When we appear next to Yuan Shu’s territory, what do you think they will assume about our numbers? If they’re not foolish, they will not gamble on us having only a few men,” Fa Zheng said with a light laugh. ”Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Let’s toy with them. I want to see if they dare to attack us with so few men.”

Fa Zheng spoke lightly, but Xu Sheng understood something clearer: their military strength wasn’t sufficient. If they had fifty thousand troops, Fa Zheng would have definitely taken thirty thousand to Shouchun, instead of speaking in a tone that seemed to give up on Shouchun so readily.

”Please be cautious, General and Military Advisor Fa,” Xu Sheng’s thoughts spun rapidly, but in the end, all he could say was this sentence.

”I will, I know what I need to do. I think Zhou Yu also knows what he has to do. What follows is a race against time, ensuring our soldiers and the enemy’s messengers arrive almost simultaneously,” Fa Zheng said calmly. He wouldn’t have proposed such a plan without this confidence.

”Prepare the troops, move all the cavalry under Xingba’s command, dispatch three hundred scouts, and fill the ranks with elite veterans,” Fa Zheng continued, giving the orders.

Soon, the War Drum sounded in the camp, and the soldiers swiftly gathered. In the time it took for one incense stick to burn, the camp fell silent, waiting for Fa Zheng’s orders. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) and support us with a monthly pass. Your support is our greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)