Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1496 Before the War
In August of the sixteenth year of Yanxi, the pseudo-Wei regime withdrew from Qing and Xu, completely withdrawing from the struggle for the Central Plains.

Taking advantage of the Han army's timely crossing of the Huai River, Wu's General Lü Ju seized the opportunity to occupy the southern part of Guangling.

Crown Prince Liu Chen of Han wrote a letter to persuade Lü Ju, but Lü Ju did not listen and instead reinforced the river defenses and city fortifications.

Liu Chen swore an oath by the Huai River that he would lead a large army across the Huai River six months later.

In October, Wu Chancellor Sun Jun wrote a letter clarifying the misunderstanding and saying that he would punish Lü Ju.

The Grand Marshal of Han demanded that Lü Ju be escorted to Chang'an and that the occupied land be returned.

Sun Jun and Princess Quan then prepared for war.

Even now, the world is still watching and waiting.

Some people still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that this time, it would be just like last time, with the Han army stationed on the border and the Wu Kingdom agreeing to the Han's demands.

In January of the seventeenth year of Yanxi, the Emperor of Han was furious upon hearing of the Wu Kingdom's actions on the border and dispatched troops to press on the border.

He then sent an envoy with a letter of state to Jianye, officially breaking the alliance between the two countries.

"Sun Jun! Sun Ziyuan! I am a descendant of your Sun family for eighteen generations!"

In the cellar of Pangjiawubao in Jingzhou, there was a smell of aged rice husks mixed with despair.

This place was once an important grain storage site, but now the tall grain bins are mostly empty, resembling the skeleton of a giant beast whose internal organs have been removed.

Representatives from several prominent families sat around a rough wooden table, their faces ashen.

Cai's curses echoed in the cellar; he had long since lost the dignity of a nobleman, his eyes bloodshot like those of a trapped beast ready to devour its prey.
"You were living a life of debauchery in Jianye, embracing that vixen Sun Luban, and without a second thought, you broke ties with the Han Kingdom!"

"You're having a good time now, but have you ever thought about the lives of the people of Jingzhou?!"

"Have our nine counties of Jingxiang become a gamble for your show of power, General Sun, or a toilet paper to wipe your ass?!"

Pang, the owner of the fortified village, did not stop Cai; instead, she gritted her teeth and cursed.

"The Han state's declaration of war has only been in Jianye for a few days? Lu Kang and Lü Dai's orders to requisition grain are faster than the Han army's!"

"I just received an official document from Xiling yesterday. That brat Lu Kang immediately said, 'Advance payment of three years' worth of grain tax to strengthen the river defenses!'"

He grew angrier as he spoke, and slammed his fist on the table: "Three years! Does he think the granary is his family's private hoard of gold, inexhaustible?"

"Last September, the Han Kingdom stopped purchasing coarse sugar, and the market was like stagnant water. Now, the market for raw silk has also dried up, and the warehouses are full of junk that can neither be eaten nor drunk!"

"Lu Kang wants grain, what am I supposed to give him? Moldy sugarcane residue to feed his dead soldiers?!"

Do you want the sugarcane bagasse?

don't want?

There are also mulberries.

To eat or not?
If you won't eat, go eat shit!

Kuai's fingers, which were stroking his beard, trembled slightly.

"The Book of Rites says, 'A state without nine years' worth of reserves is inadequate.' In the past, our Jingzhou relied on trade with the Han state, and the flow of grain and silk was sufficient."

"Last autumn, the Han Kingdom gradually stopped purchasing sugar, which was already a sign of impending danger. Now that war is about to break out, trade routes have been completely cut off, and Shu grain is not coming. Our own grain reserves were already running low..."

"Lu Dai's mobilization order in Xiangyang has also arrived. He not only needs grain, but also money, laborers, carts and boats... Haha, this is truly 'the officials urge us before the enemy arrives'."

Cai retorted with a string of curses, spittle flying everywhere:
"And another thing! It's spring plowing now, and the season waits for no one. Seeds need to be planted, oxen need to work, but able-bodied men are being conscripted to transport grain and build fortifications."

"If this continues, we'll miss the planting season, and this year's harvest will surely be a total failure! At that time, let alone supporting the army, even the people of Jingzhou will have trouble making a living!"

"Are Lu Kang and Lü Dai going to follow the example of those fools who drain the pond to catch all the fish, and destroy the foundation of Jingzhou and Xiangyang that they may not even win?!"

"Lord Cai, Lord Pang, is there any need to settle this score? The Han army has launched a five-pronged attack with terrifying momentum; it's like Mount Tai pressing down on us."

"Lu Kang is in Xiling, and he wants us to provide money and grain to protect his defenses; Lü Dai is in Xiangyang, and he wants us to provide laborers to build his city walls."

"Zhu Ji of Wuchang and the garrison commander of Jiangling are both reaching out as if our great Jingzhou clan is a golden toad that can conjure up grain out of thin air."

"They want us to get through this together? They're the ones who are struggling! The granaries have been emptied, the cellars are empty, and the market price of grain is soaring higher than in Jianye City!"

"If we miss the planting season this year and there is no harvest in the fall, even without the Han army attacking, we in Jingzhou will have to resort to cannibalism and burn human remains for food! What should we do?"

“That’s right!” another representative of a powerful clan shouted in a low voice, “The war hasn’t even really started yet, and we’re already going to be drained dry!”

"Whether we can hold Xiangyang and Xiling is anyone's guess! But once we hand over our money and supplies, there will be no return."

"We managed to hold on, thanks to Sun Jun and Lu Kang. We've ended up 'bankrupt'."

"If we can't hold out, and the Han army attacks, we'll be seen as 'traitors' aiding the enemy, and we'll be doomed! We'll be caught in the middle!"

Some even beat their chests in despair, saying, "Sun Jun is trying to squeeze every last drop of blood out of Jingzhou to fill the bottomless pit of his defeats!"

“We made some money growing sugarcane and mulberry trees, but now the trade routes are cut off, grain from Sichuan is not coming, and our own stored grain has been forcibly seized by them…”

"They're trying to drive us to our deaths! They can't even defend their territory, yet they want us to go bankrupt and die with them? What kind of logic is this!"

Madam Cai gasped for breath: "That idiot Sun Jun angered Feng Yong, and now he's hiding in Jianye, leaving our Jingzhou in the lurch of the fire!"

"And what about Lü Dai and Lu Kang? For their own reputation for loyalty and for the Sun family's empire, they want our entire clan to be buried with them? On what grounds?!"

Just as everyone was cursing and swearing, Huang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly and slowly raised her head:
"Since they are ruthless, why should we be righteous? If the Sun family can't hold onto Jingzhou, can't someone else take over?"

The cellar, which had been filled with shouts and curses, suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone understood the extremely dangerous subtext hidden in those words.

After a long silence, Madam Cai looked at everyone and licked her chapped lips:

"Lu Kang and Lü Dai want grain... Should we give it to them or not? How much should we give them? How should we give it to them?"

Ponzi did not answer directly, as if talking to himself:

"Spring plowing cannot be delayed. The clan must continue. If the fate of Jingzhou is destined to change, someone must leave a path for future generations."

The last vestiges of loyalty and hope for the Sun Wu regime are being ground to dust bit by bit in this desperate situation where food supplies are running out, spring planting is hopeless, and there are powerful enemies ahead and oppressive governments behind.

……

Unexpectedly, someone else hesitated and asked:
"If, if the Han army comes in, will we really benefit? Feng Yong is ruthless when it comes to dealing with people... What about Hedong, Hebei..."

Before he could finish speaking, everyone shivered.

Anyone with ears has heard countless stories about Feng's methods.

A nightmare for aristocratic families.

Efficient, ruthless, and adept at solving problems at their root.

"But can Lü Dai, Lu Kang, and others stop the Han army?"

Madam Huang said softly, "If we can't stop them, we'll be considered traitors..."

"Under the new policies of the Han state, one can still survive; but those who betray the country will be uprooted..."

Someone suddenly realized what was happening and looked at Huang:
"In the Han Kingdom, some of you are not only the wives of the prime minister, but have even been granted the title of Lady Guangwu by the emperor?"

"Yes! I also heard that Feng Yong regards Guangwu Jun as an elder?"

Huang did not answer, but lowered her head and murmured:
"I've heard that the Li family of Shu, which was almost wiped out back then, is now seeing some of its members pass the imperial examinations and become officials in the court, and is quite prosperous..."

Many people stared intently at Huang, their faces twitching.
-
In March of the seventeenth year of Yanxi, General Zhang Yi of Annam led 30,000 men from Yong'an down the river, intending to attack Jiangling.

Wu's Lu Kang led his army to deploy defenses at Xiling, following his father's example, avoiding battle and abandoning all the mountainous terrain, instead focusing on the Xiling water fortress and the river passes.

The mountains around Yiling felt rather gloomy in the dampness of March.

Zhang Yi reined in his horse and stood on a high slope, looking down at the river that meandered like a giant python, and at the faint banners of the Wu army's camp in the distance.

“Lu Kang,” Zhang Yi nodded slowly, “has learned about seven or eight parts of his family’s ways.”

The tricks don't need to be old, they just need to be effective.

Wang Jun, standing behind him, said urgently:

“General! The Wu army has abandoned all the strategic mountainous areas and retreated to the Xiling Water Fortress. They are clearly imitating Lu Xun’s old tricks, trying to lure us into a narrow area and then intercept us.”

"Our 30,000 troops are trapped here, like tigers caught in thorns, unable to spread their claws and teeth!"

Luo Xian also frowned slightly:
"Furthermore, the river defenses are treacherous. I have discovered that Lu Kang has already set up seven iron chains, each as thick as a bowl, across the river at a crucial point in the Xiling Gorge, and secured them with winches on the shore."

"Countless iron spikes are secretly placed underwater, with the sharp points pointing upwards, specifically designed to break through the bottom of ships. This is a foolproof plan to block the river. If our navy launches a strong attack, it will suffer heavy losses."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi remained calm and composed. Instead, he took out a flat silver pot from his bosom, tilted his head back, and took a sip.

The newly brewed sugarcane wine in the south is strong and invigorating; a warm current flows into the stomach, dispelling the chill of the mountains.

"What's the panic?" He wiped his mouth and stuffed the silver pot back in. "The Lord has already given clear orders that we are not seeking a quick victory on this road, but only to maintain a stalemate."

"Lu Kang wants to hide like a turtle in its shell and leave our army to bask in the sun in the mountains? That suits me just the way it is. I'll join him in basking in the March sun."

He pointed towards Xiling, where sails stood like a forest, heavily guarded.

"Lu Kang gathered the elite of the navy at Xiling, relying on the iron chains and dangerous shoals, intending to wear down the morale of our army, repeat his father's past deeds, and regain his good reputation."

The old general chuckled: "But he miscalculated two things. First, our army is not the same as the one the late emperor led back then, which was eager for revenge and was exhausted and isolated."

"Although the grain supply route is long, Yong'an is secure and stable, and the food supply in Shu is inexhaustible; we will certainly not go hungry. Secondly..."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Since they want to be a tortoise, I will not knock on their hard shell."

"Order all camps: build fortifications in strategic locations, set up numerous chevaux-de-frise, and ensure that the camps are built as solid as iron barrels."

"Select more elite soldiers, three to five hundred men per unit, and scatter them into these hundred miles of mountains and forests!"

Wang Jun's eyes lit up: "General, are you going to... launch a harassment?"

“Exactly! Let’s target their weaknesses!” Zhang Yi laughed heartily. “Anyway, this time, we won’t be the ones lacking food.”

Luo Xian understood and added:

"We can also send more men with loud voices to shout and make noise in the mountains and forests, set up flags and banners, and deploy a feint to deceive them. This will make them unaware of the true strength of our army, keep them on guard day and night, and waste their energy."

“Good!” Zhang Yi nodded. “I will deal with Lu Youjie properly in the mountains and rivers of Yiling.”

"If he sets up iron chains, I won't cross the river; I'll sharpen my knife on the spot. If he cede the mountainous terrain, I'll hold it firmly and see who can't hold out for long!"

Having been stationed in Yong'an for many years, Zhang Yi knew better than anyone what state Jingzhou was in now.

If Lu Kang could survive for three months, he would be considered capable; if he could survive for half a year... he would be worthy of being called a great general.

Looking towards Xiling, the old general murmured to himself:
"Lu Youjie, Lu Youjie, do you want to fight a defensive battle like your master? Unfortunately, the orders I have received are 'not to fight'."

"Let's see if your Wu Kingdom's iron chains are strong, or if my Han army has enough patience."

Inside the Xiling Water Fortress, Lu Kang received a message from the front lines, and his face showed worry.

"Zhang Yi was cunning even in his old age, and his military tactics were still quite shrewd."

Lu Kang sighed softly to his deputy, his tone devoid of disdain, only revealing solemnity:

"Order all battalions: be on high alert, especially protect the supply lines and water sources. Since they are not seeking a decisive battle, their intention is to wear us down..."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze turned eastward, filled with worry.

I just hope that things will go well for Jianye...

Just as Zhang Yi and Lu Kang were locked in a stalemate at Yiling, Guan Suo, the Han general in charge of the east, led the Han navy gathered around Shangyong down the Han River and headed straight for Xiangyang.

The Wu Kingdom knew that Xiangyang was the most crucial point in Jingzhou.

If Xiangyang is lost, then the Han state can attack Jiangling from both the north and the west, and Jingzhou will be in grave danger.

Therefore, Sun Jun personally led the Jianye Central Army and rushed to Wuchang.

He ordered that the main Wu navy, except for Xiling, should rush to Xiangyang and block the Han army at the city walls.

For a time, the surface of the Han River was densely packed with warships.

The sound of the Han River flowing was drowned out by the muffled thud of warships cutting through the water, the splashing of oars as they rose and fell, and the creaking of sails as they tightened in the wind.

The main warships of the Wu army, urgently mobilized from downstream Wuchang, Xiakou and even Jiangling, completed their assembly on the wide surface of the Yangtze River, centered on Xiangyang.

It has formed a breathtaking, moving forest of mountains.

The Wu Kingdom's navy used multi-storied warships as its backbone.

More than ten giant ships, each five or six zhang tall, rose like city gates from the water, arranged in three rows, guarding the main channel in the middle of the river.

The hull was made of huge logs and covered with tanned cowhide. Key parts were even inlaid with polished iron plates that reflected a cold light in the rising sun.

The ship had three decks, with crossbow windows all around. The extended battering poles were several meters long, with heavy wooden beams at the top covered with iron spikes, hanging there but not yet fired, like the ferocious claws of a giant beast.

On the mainmast of each warship, a large red flag with the character "吴" (Wu) fluttered alongside the flags of the generals.

The soldiers under his command stood in rows, their helmets gleaming, their silence revealing the fierce pride of battle-hardened elites.

Around the warship, there were numerous fighting ships.

A greater number of fighting ships clustered on the wings and in the gaps between the warships; they were lower and more agile than the warships.

But the ship was equally sturdy, and archers were densely packed behind the parapets on the sides.

The bow is fitted with an iron ram, resembling the fangs of a group of sharks.

As these warships advanced and retreated, they subtly formed a defensive and offensive formation, echoing the central fleet of warships.

Below the warships, there were also large, shuttle-like warships.

Dozens of long, swift warships, covered in wet leather for fire protection, swam around the perimeter of the fleet like restless black barracudas on the water.

They are the tentacles and daggers of the navy, responsible for reconnaissance, harassment, and infiltration.

There were also countless small warships such as the Zouge and Chima, which, like gnats flying around a giant beast, filled every gap in the fleet.

The entire Wu navy formation was clearly defined in terms of depth and coordinated with each other on both sides.

The flagship was positioned at the core of the central fleet of ships. With its command flags waving, the other ships responded with drums, horns, and flags, demonstrating the proficiency and discipline honed through years of river and sea drills.

On the river, the splashes of water from the rising and falling oars formed a white, broken wave.

The sails were so numerous they almost blocked out the sky above the south bank.

The overwhelming aura was so heavy it seemed to bend the flow of the Han River.

This is the navy of the Wu Kingdom, the most powerful military force in the Wu Kingdom.

It was also the force that ensured the Wu Kingdom's dominance and establishment of the state.

In comparison, the Han navy, which was slowly approaching from upstream, appeared rather "shabby".

The Han fleet had just moved from the waters of Xicheng into this relatively open section of the river, and its formation had not yet been fully deployed.

In terms of numbers, they were visibly nearly one-third fewer than Wu Jun.

The ship types were mainly medium-sized fighting ships and improved transport ships.

The largest ships were shorter than Wu Jun's, with only two decks and simpler outer protection.

What's even more striking is the formation.

The Han army ships seemed to pay more attention to maintaining distance from both banks, and their formation appeared somewhat loose, unlike the dense and orderly formation of the Wu army.

The communication between ships relied more on fast boats shuttling back and forth to relay orders, and the overall rhythm of advance and retreat had a more sluggish feel compared to that of the Wu Kingdom.

From a distance, they look like a flock of fledglings who have just learned to form ranks, facing a group of adult birds of prey with full plumage and sharp claws.

The Han flagship was positioned in the middle and rear of the fleet and was not particularly prominent.

Several people were standing at the bow of the ship, pointing and gesturing at the awe-inspiring array of Wu troops downstream, seemingly discussing something.

Their figures appeared exceptionally small against the backdrop of Wu Jun's massive fleet of ships.

A river breeze swept by, carrying the faint, arrogant bugle calls and shouts from the Wu army fleet downstream.

Meanwhile, the Han fleet upstream remained relatively silent, with only the sounds of oars paddling and sails being adjusted.

That silence, in contrast to the Wu army's formidable military might, seemed to carry an indescribable tension and repression.

On both sides of the mountain, some daring local woodcutters from Jingzhou or spies sent by aristocratic families hid behind the bushes and spied on the scene.

They saw the Wu army's fleet, as imposing as mountains and as fortresses, blocking the river, and then compared it with the Han army's somewhat thin and scattered formation.

Many people involuntarily had the same thought:
"I've often heard that the Han army's iron cavalry is unparalleled in the world, but when it comes to fighting on the water, I'm afraid they still can't compare to the Wu Kingdom..."

On the flagship of the Wu army in the middle of the river, Lü Dai, whose eyebrows were already gray, stood with his hand on his sword, looking at the Han army fleet upstream that he considered insignificant.

He did not relax at all because of his current advantage; on the contrary, his brows furrowed.

Since Feng Yong came out of seclusion, he has been invincible in every attack and every battle.

It is universally acknowledged that it is the best military tactic today.

Although it is said that this person is still in Chang'an, his shadow can still shroud the entire battlefield.

Guan Suo inherited Guan Yu's reputation and was known as the Winged Tiger of Hedong; he was by no means an ordinary person.

The seemingly weak Han navy before him always left him with a vague sense of unease.

"Order all ships to be on high alert and not to advance without orders." Lü Dai said in a deep voice, "The ships must be on high alert and not to advance without orders."

"Send more scout ships to keep a close eye on the Han army's movements. Their show of weakness may be a trap."

"promise!"

The orders were relayed through the ranks.

Wu Jun's massive fleet, like a giant beast gathering its strength, had not yet pounced forward, but its oppressive power, capable of locking down the river and halting its flow, had already caused the entire Han River to freeze.

Meanwhile, the Han fleet upstream slowly adjusted its posture in an almost frozen silence.

It seemed to be gathering strength, or perhaps waiting for something.

The land on the north bank of the Han River is slightly higher than the river surface.

General Jiang Wei, the General Who Guards the South, personally led 20,000 elite troops from Nanyang to defend the area along the river.

The military formation, with its back to Fancheng and facing the Han River, stretched for several miles.

Under the central command flag, Jiang Wei, clad in black armor and covered by a Shu brocade battle robe, stood with his hand on his sword.

He gazed silently at the forest of Wu army masts on the downstream river, his expression calm, but the excitement in his eyes betrayed his feelings.

Beside Jiang Wei, a young recruit whispered:

"General, Wu's navy has indeed come out in full force. Judging from their formation, they are determined to block General Zhen Dong in the middle of the river."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I feign weakness to make the enemy arrogant and complacent."

"The key to land warfare lies in combining orthodox and unorthodox tactics to achieve victory. Although their navy is powerful, its foundation is on the shore. We must wait until their minds are completely focused on the river..."

If the Han cavalry wanted to cross the Han River, they had to defeat the Wu navy first.

All of this rests on the shoulders of General Zhen Dong, who is also watching over the Wu army and bears the weight of national and personal vendettas and the hopes of the entire army.

Realizing that the Han navy posed no immediate threat, Lü Dai turned his gaze to the Han army formation on the north bank.

The dark mass of Han infantry and cavalry was clearly visible to him.

With spears and halberds forming a forest and banners in perfect order, they were indeed a formidable force.

But...that's all.

As long as the Wu navy remains undefeated, no matter how fierce the Han army may be, they can only display their power on land.

only……

"Jiang Boyue's military tactics were known for their unconventional and dangerous methods."

Lu Dai spoke slowly, his voice revealing little emotion, "It is somewhat unexpected that this time the troops are being deployed so openly and righteously on the north bank."

Quan Xu, the stepson of Princess Quan, laughed loudly beside him, "General, you are overthinking it!"

He pointed to the north bank, his tone full of the natural superiority that Jiangnan youths held over northern "landlubbers":
"No matter how fierce the Han army's cavalry is, can they possibly fly across this natural barrier of the Han River?"

"Even if Jiang Wei piles up 100,000 troops in Fancheng, as long as our Great Wu navy blocks the river, not a single soldier of his will be able to set foot on the south bank!"

There was a burst of laughter from both sides.

Many generals showed expressions of deep agreement.

For decades, the Wu Kingdom's navy had dominated the Jiangnan region, and this deep-seated confidence had long become their strongest psychological barrier when facing any enemy from the north.

In their view, the biggest mistake the Han army made was daring to challenge the authority of the Wu navy on the Han River.

Lü Dai neither laughed nor stopped him.

At this moment, morale is of utmost importance.

"Ah."

Lü Dai ultimately gave only a faint reply, then withdrew his gaze and turned back to the Han navy slowly adjusting its course upstream in the middle of the river.

"In naval warfare, the key is to have strong ships and powerful weapons, and to have soldiers who are willing to fight. Just give orders to each ship to keep a close watch on the enemy on the river."

"The Han army on the north bank... is not a concern. Once we defeat their navy, they will retreat on their own."

"The old general is wise!" the generals responded in unison, their morale soaring even higher.

Upstream, the Han navy's somewhat thin fleet continued to adjust, forming a stark contrast with the Wu army's forests and mountains downstream.

The Han River flows mightily, dividing the north and south.

On the south bank of the river, the Wu Kingdom's navy was as numerous as a forest, its arrogance overwhelming.

On the northern bank of the plains, the Han army's infantry and cavalry stood in strict formation, with giant beasts crouching on their wings.

A decisive battle that will determine the fate of Jingzhou and even the entire world has begun its first act, a battle that intertwines land and water, in the early spring morning light.