Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 55 Jiang Gan: This matter must not be spread outside.

After bidding farewell to Xi Zhicai, Jiang Gan sought out Xiahou Dun to discuss their plan to coordinate an attack from within and without with Zhou Yu and others three days later.

"General Yuanrang, at that time, not only will Zhou Yu and Sun Ce lead the Sun family troops in internal strife, but Lei Bu and Chen Lan will also assist you."

Although their troops had been subdued by Yuan Shu, it was only a short time, and the soldiers were still grateful for his kindness and were willing to follow him.

With the generals Lei and Chen's talent, Zhou Gongjin's wisdom, and Sun Bofu's bravery, even if Yuan Shu had 100,000 troops, a large portion of them would be prone to internal strife.

"We only need to seize this opportunity to launch a coordinated attack from within and without, preventing them from coordinating their internal and external forces, thus causing their morale to collapse, and then Yuan's army will surely be defeated!"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun's expression turned solemn, showing none of the joy that Jiang Guan had anticipated.

Jiang Gan was surprised. "General Yuanrang, do you not believe me?"
Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, and Lei and Chen were all persuaded by my eloquent tongue. The details of my words can be corroborated by each other; every word was sincere and truthful. If you do not believe me, please ask me for details.”

“Mr. Ziyi is a renowned scholar from Jiangzuo. His eloquence is rare in this era. Even our lord often praises him. How could I not believe him?”
"It's a good plan. You and Strategist Xi have been planning this for a long time, and with such a result, how could I not be happy?"

At this point, a hint of helplessness appeared in his eyes.

"However, after days of fighting to defend the city, the Yangdi garrison is now less than 10,000 men. To launch an attack on Yuan's 100,000-strong army with such forces, even with inside and outside cooperation, would be too risky."

Once Yangdi falls, our rear region of Yanzhou will be completely flat, with virtually no troops to defend. What should we do then?

"Such an opportunity is once in a lifetime. Once it is missed, how many days can the general hold out against Yuan's offensive?"
What will happen when Yangdi also falls?

Hearing Jiang Gan say this, Xiahou Dun knew that what he said made sense. Jiang Gan also understood that he was determined to kill the enemy, but he was helpless because he did not have enough troops.

The two looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Just then, a coughing sound came from behind them. Xi Zhicai, dressed in plain clothes and a fox fur coat, looked emaciated and had appeared behind them at some point.

"The enemy is strong and we are weak. Rather than sitting and waiting to be killed, we should fight to the death."

His voice was weak, but his tone was extremely firm, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"There is no need to worry about the military strength. I have already dispatched General Yue Jin to lead the soldiers, local militia, and civilians from more than 40 counties in the three prefectures of Liang, Chen, and Pei, totaling nearly 20,000 men, to come to our aid. They will arrive soon."

"With the combined strength of the entire Yu Province, we must defeat Yuan Shu in one decisive battle; success or failure hinges on this!"

"The strategist has a long-term vision; I cannot wait."

Unlike Jiang Gan, who was overjoyed to learn that his plan of collusion between inside and outside had been successfully implemented after taking great risks, this was different.

Looking at Xi Zhicai, who was as thin as a rake and whose only captivating feature was his pair of dark, hollow eyes, Xiahou Dun felt a chill run down his spine.

Following Yingchuan Commandery, Strategist Xi has now staked the entire Yu Province on the gambling table.

"Strategist, Liang and Chen are fine, but Qiao County in Pei is our lord's hometown and the root of our family."

"That's why our army's last elite force was located there."

Xi Zhicai coughed lightly and forced a smile.

"No need to worry too much. If we are lost, how can Yuzhou be defended by the troops of the prefectures and counties alone?"
Rather than waiting for Yangdi to fall and Yingchuan to completely collapse, allowing Yuan Shu to sweep south and conquer Yu Province, it would be better for us to concentrate the strength of our entire territory now, defeat Yuan in one battle, and put him in a desperate situation so that he can survive.”

His gaze was calm and deep, weighing heavily on Xiahou Dun's heart. "Yuan Rang, defeating Yuan is only three days away. The success or failure of this battle will determine the fate of our lord."

Xiahou Dun clenched his fists, let out a long breath, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"The last general takes orders."

With everything settled, Jiang Gan was finally able to return to his residence to rest.

The servants in the house had already prepared delicious food, and when they saw him return, they hurriedly went to greet him.

But when Jiang Gan saw the bronze cauldron with rising smoke in front of him, and looked at the indistinct chunks of meat amidst the boiling and bubbling soup, a familiar yet ominous memory welled up in his mind.

"What's inside the cauldron?" the boy asked, filled with trepidation.

"This is your favorite lamb, sir. Do you not like it today?"

It's not that I dislike it, it's just...

Upon hearing that it was just mutton, Jiang Gan's expression softened slightly, but the image of severed limbs and a mess of broken dishes lingered in his mind.

He looked at the bronze cauldron, but ultimately found it difficult to swallow. "Take it away. I want to eat some light vegetarian food today."

The boy noticed that he looked unwell and was behaving strangely, so he asked him what was wrong.

Jiang Gan had no secrets from his personal attendant, and besides, he had kept these things to himself, but out of pride, he couldn't tell Xi Zhicai and Xiahou Dun. Now, he was itching to get to the bottom of it.

He then recounted his terrifying experiences in Yuan's camp, which frightened the boy so much that his face turned pale and he retreated repeatedly.

Afterwards, he earnestly instructed the boy, "I'm only telling you about this. Don't spread it around, lest it affect the morale of the troops."

The boy nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, sir, I know what's important."

After serving Jiang Gan to rest, the boy returned to his room, and his companions were surprised to see that he had mutton to eat.

"How dare you steal Mr. Yang's mutton!"

"It wasn't stolen, but rather something the master didn't want."

You don't know the reason behind this, and I'm only telling you this secretly. You absolutely mustn't tell anyone else.

"Among the servants and attendants in the residences of all the lords, who does not know that I am the most discreet?"
Just tell me.

Before long, rumors began to circulate among the servants and boys of the various households.

"What you all may not know..."

"What? Yuan Jun are all hungry ghosts from a demon's lair, who came out just to eat people?"

Have they already devoured the people of all fourteen counties in Yingchuan?

"Keep quiet! I'm only telling you this in secret, so don't tell anyone else."

"Don't worry! We know what's important."

Two days later, rumors spread that Yuan's army were all cannibals who had come not to conquer cities and territories, but only to eat them to fill their bellies.

The Cao army led by Xiahou Dun to guard Yangdi was composed entirely of elite troops. Although there was some wavering, many of them were veterans who had followed Cheng Yu to guard Dong'e. With their teachings and guidance, the morale of the army remained stable.

Kele brought 20,000 men, all of whom were soldiers from the prefectures and counties. In their daily lives, they not only oppressed the people, but they were also terrified and fearful whenever the Yellow Turban Army attacked. Where had they ever seen such vicious people?

Having been transferred here, I heard that I would have to face these cannibalistic ghosts and be fed to them after death. How could I not be afraid?

Xiahou Dun and Yue Jin repeatedly prohibited discussions about Yuan's army in an attempt to suppress rumors, but to little avail; in fact, the rumors seemed to escalate.

Even on the third day, when Xiahou Dun came to find Jiang Gan and they prepared together for the counterattack against Yuan's camp and the coordinated efforts from within and without, Jiang Gan still complained.

"I don't know who is spreading rumors. We were fighting to the death, but at this time, such rumors have been spread to disrupt the morale of our troops. It's truly hateful."

Jiang Gan looked away guiltily, feeling quite embarrassed. "Yes, who do you think is so wicked? In my opinion, it must have been done by Yuan's spies!"

"There is no one else to predict."

Xiahou Dun deeply agreed with this.

(End of this chapter)