Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Cao Zhi's disappointment was an individual's misfortune; in contrast, the city of Jianye was now in a state of great chaos.

Stone City, though garrisoned with four thousand soldiers and well-supplied with provisions, could easily hold out for six months, let alone a few days, given its strategically advantageous location. However, what good would it do for the overall situation if a military stronghold were to be far outnumbered by the enemy and dare not launch an attack with such inferior forces?

However, Jianye City is not as formidable as Stone City. If the Wei army attacks, they will definitely attack Jianye City first! Anyone can understand this!

Although Gu Yong was in a daze, he still relied on the plan he had made over the past few days to forcibly close the city gates, declare martial law throughout the city, and have the officials of the capital lead the laborers to assist in the defense of the six city gates. As for the laborers and civilians outside the city who had not yet entered, they were left to scatter and flee to distant places.

Order has been maintained.

Sun Luyu and Bu Lianshi in the palace also regretted their actions, but they could not express their regret at this moment. They could only pretend to be confident and encourage the concubines, eunuchs, and palace maids in the palace to calm down.

Thus, until nightfall, the Wei army at the Longzangpu wharf outside Jianye City made no move, only continuing to build fortifications and reinforce their camps.

The next day at dawn, there was still no action. Officials, soldiers, and civilians in the nearby Stone City and Jianye City were gripped by immense fear.

An arrow that is drawn but not released is the most frightening.

If the Wei army attacks, a huge weight will be lifted from our shoulders. We'll fight to the death if necessary, and defend if necessary, even if some soldiers and civilians die—we're all doing our jobs. But the Wei army just stands outside the city, what kind of logic is that? What are they trying to do? They might as well have attacked!
At this moment, Zhou Fang, the prefect of Poyang City, was in the same predicament as Jianye City.

Qiyang City was located by the lake. When Zhou Fang looked out from the city wall and saw the ships of Huan Fan, the General of the Northern Garrison of Wei, coming from the west, the soldiers and civilians in the city became somewhat agitated.

Zhou Fang was a learned scholar, an official appointed by the imperial court, and someone highly regarded by Sun Quan. Even if Zhou Fang himself were to die in the battle to defend the city, there would be nothing wrong with him.

However, these temporarily organized groups of young and middle-aged militiamen were different.

In their view, they had been summoned by the prefect of the county to assist in transporting grain and military supplies and to help defend the city. The emperor was also here defending the city with them, and a few days ago they had won a great victory against the Wei bandits at Pengli Lake. From any perspective, it was an extremely inspiring and value-aligned event.

But who could have imagined that just a few days after they arrived in Qiyang, the emperor would lead his army and flee! The laborers and militia didn't consider national interests or the overall war situation. They only knew that they had come here to defend the city as ordered by the emperor, and then the emperor left with his troops! How could the departure of the fleet be concealed?

The Wei army had hundreds of ships of various sizes, creating a magnificent scene on the surface of Poyang Lake.

Hearing the sounds of panic from inside the city and on the city walls, Zhou Fang quickly summoned all the capable officials of the prefecture to his side and instructed them:

"I have something to ask you."

"Please speak, Your Excellency," the crowd responded in unison.

Zhou Fang asked, "Do you want to die in this city, or do you want to leave alive?"

A middle-aged official cupped his hands and said, "My lord, of course we want to stay in the city with you and leave alive! The Wei traitors are so brutal, no one wants to fall into their hands!"

"Yes, my lord, we are all willing to defend the city to the death!" "My lord, we wish to live!"

“Alright.” Zhou Fang forced himself to remain calm: “I know these local militia and laborers are making a fuss because they are worried that the city will be difficult to defend after His Majesty’s army leaves. Now you need to declare that His Majesty’s army has gone to cut off the Wei army’s retreat and destroy the Wei army’s main camp and logistics! The Wei army will surely retreat within seven days! At that time, all those who defend the city will be exempt from taxes for three years. If their merits are even greater, the court will also bestow additional rewards. Do you understand?”

“This is not a lie…” A slightly younger official in a blue robe unconsciously uttered a few words. After realizing it, he quickly shut his mouth, afraid that Zhou Fang would blame him.

“We understand,” someone said. “We will all obey the Lord’s words! We will do whatever the Lord says, so please rest assured!”

"Alright, go quickly," Zhou Fang said. "Also, take out the flag His Majesty bestowed upon this prefecture a few days ago and place it on the city wall. As long as the rebel army does not retreat, this prefecture will not descend from the city wall, and will stand with all the soldiers and civilians of the city!"

"Your Excellency is truly righteous! We obey!" Everyone readily agreed.

At that moment, Huan Fan, watching from the lake, saw the flags fluttering atop the walls of Qiyang City, seemingly putting on a show of a large garrison. He couldn't help but laugh out loud and said to Sun Li beside him:
"Did Deda figure it out?"

Sun Li, a man of wisdom, smiled and nodded: "The Wu generals defending the city are being presumptuous. Qiyang is a lakeside city; how can the strength of its defenses be determined by the number of flags on the city walls?"

“We have already discovered that Sun Quan’s fleet has left for the north. At this moment, all the large ships and warships outside Qiyang City are gone, leaving only ordinary small boats. Their bluffing here is laughable.”

Huan Fan smiled and said, "Sun Quan's return north must be due to a major upheaval in Yangzhou. You and I both know this. By now, news of the Great Wei crossing the river should have reached Sun Quan's ears, which is the only explanation for his swift departure."

"The General of Yangzhou and General Guanqiu have crossed the river; we must also do something."

"What should we do? Please instruct me, General." Sun Li bowed.

Huan Fan said, “Deda, I have something to do with you. Now that Sun Quan has left, our army’s siege of Qiyang here is of no benefit and only wastes time. In that case, I will personally lead the army north to Chaisang and Hukou, and try to catch up with Sun Quan’s army there and give him a good beating. Deda, you will stay in Yuzhang County, accept the surrender of the counties, and then conscript laborers, soldiers, and provisions to supply the army for a long-term war!”

Sun Li took a deep breath: "How many soldiers does the general wish to give me?"

Huan Fan asked, "How many soldiers does Deda need?"

Sun Li thought seriously for a few moments: "One thousand elite cavalry and three thousand infantrymen are the minimum number. Otherwise, with the strength of just one prefecture, I will find it difficult to suppress and defend the situation in Nanchang."

“Alright, I’ll give it to you.” Huan Fan nodded in agreement. “Four thousand soldiers are necessary. The governor of Yuzhang Commandery and the local officials have all surrendered to Wei and handed over their seals of office from Wu in exchange for official appointment certificates issued by me. Since they have surrendered to Wei and fought alongside you and me against Sun Quan, they have no choice but to continue to obey orders. Deda, you don’t need to worry too much.”

Sun Li said, "The general's words make sense."

The situation is interconnected and has far-reaching consequences.

At this moment, the cavalry of General Guanqiu Jian, the commander of the easternmost flank, had arrived outside Wuxi City within a few days. They were heading straight for Wu County; along the way, they had swiftly captured the small counties of Qu'a and Piling. Wuxi was slightly larger than Qu'a and Piling, so it would likely take more effort to conquer it. (End of Chapter)