The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 20 Intimidation

The area surrounding Jiangling City is dotted with lakes and crisscrossed by waterways.

During this period, small towns and large forts were scattered throughout the area.

For example, there is a small river called "Lingxi" in the west of the city.

Its upstream is formed by the confluence of various water streams, and it is unclear where the source is.

But its southward flow is certain: it flows directly to the Yangtze River.

Near the mouth of the river, there was a fortress called "Lingxi Garrison".

Not far from Lingxi Garrison is another defensive stronghold, "Mamu City".

Not only are there horse trails for carriages and horses, but there is also a ready-made ferry crossing.

Heading south from this ferry crossing, across a section of the river that is not swiftly turbulent, one can reach Jiangjin Island, which is the location of the third outpost, "Jiangjin Garrison".

During the dry season, it is even possible to ride a horse across the water.

Mi Wei and Guan Xing and his sister left in the same way before.

Therefore, if we don't consider transporting large quantities of goods, this is the most convenient place for people to cross the river.

This is why three defensive fortresses were built in this area, which is only about ten kilometers in circumference.

At least at this time of year, and along this stretch of waterway, the Yangtze River is hardly an insurmountable barrier.

But let's get back to the present.

Since Mi Wei's group was on their way to join Sun Quan, they certainly couldn't cross the river from the southwest, where the fortifications were dense.

Although Miwei knew that even if he went in this direction, he would only encounter a group of soldiers who had temporarily become "little deaf and blind".

But wouldn't that easily expose the mistake?

So, under the leadership of the gatekeeper, the group took advantage of the cover of night and first traveled eastward for a while, avoiding the surveillance range of Lingxi Garrison and Mamu City.

Then they turned south again and headed towards another ferry crossing.

The ferry crossing was named "Jiangjinkou," and it faced Jiangjinzhou across the river.

The latter's name was actually derived from the former.

From this position onwards, the Yangtze River temporarily turns south.

Our destination, Gong'an City, is located downstream to the south of here.

Therefore, Gong'an City can be said to be located on either the south bank or the west bank of the Yangtze River.

It depends on where you are looking.

It is from this position that the surface of the Yangtze River suddenly widens.

This provides ferries with enough space to maneuver and avoid obstacles.
Crossing the river from here, all you need to do is be wary of the outpost "Jiangjin Garrison".

Not to mention, the morning mist had not completely dissipated at this time, and it could still effectively obscure the view of the river.

For both the group that smuggled themselves across the border and the soldiers who became "deaf and blind," it made things much easier for everyone.

Before long, the group arrived safely at Jiangjinkou.

The ferry was already waiting there; it was a small boat hastily cobbled together by various families.

That is, a small boat with short oars.

It is said that a small river near this ferry crossing connects to the vast lakes east of Jiangling City.

This is the perfect place to hide such a small boat.

Miwei roughly counted at least thirty.

I almost couldn't help but burst into a tirade!
I knew it! How could Jiangling, a major town on the river, have fallen to the point where not a single boat remains?
It turns out that the old men were afraid of exposing their secrets and worried that Guan Yu would settle scores with them later, so they all kept them hidden!

And they even got me caught up in the chaos in Jiangling!

Thinking about it this way, Miwei suddenly felt no guilt whatsoever about scheming against Old Deng and his gang.

I just want to wait until this matter is over, then I'm determined to catch the old Dengs and rake in tons of gold coins!

While he was pondering, the supervisor began to direct the boarding of the ship.

But at that moment, the sound of drums suddenly came from Jiangling City behind them.

The drumbeats were extremely urgent, far exceeding the rhythm at which the city gates were opened at dawn.

Before long, a large number of torches and flags suddenly appeared on the city wall.

You can vaguely see county soldiers urgently assembling.

"Oh no! The pursuers are coming!"

Someone cried out in terror, and the order that had been maintained collapsed instantly.

They either scrambled to board the ship or jumped into the water, and no matter how the supervisor tried to stop them, it was to no avail.

These things don't affect the overall situation; on the contrary, they have accelerated the progress to some extent.

The key issue is that some people have become hesitant because of this.

Instead of fighting or grabbing, they tried to extricate themselves from the chaotic crowd, seemingly having given up.

Among them were members of the Poon Chun family.

Mi Wei immediately drew his sword and stepped forward, adopting the posture of a military supervisor:

"Do you think today is a day for a spring outing, where you can come and go as you please?"

"Do you know that desertion in the face of battle will result in beheading and public display of one's head?" Immediately, some people were so frightened that they turned back to the ferry.

However, some people remained calm and cautious:

"Gentlemen, don't listen to this brat's nonsense!"

"If you think about it carefully, Guan Yu's tens of thousands of troops had been besieging the city for months without success. They were exhausted and demoralized. How could they easily retreat back to Jiangling in a short time?"

"Even if he retreats, won't Cao Cao's army pursue him? This is a golden opportunity to turn defeat into victory!"

Upon hearing this, not only did the chaotic crowd quiet down slightly, but even those who had already boarded the boat subconsciously slowed down their rowing.

Without saying a word, Mi Wei stepped forward and punched the person who was speaking in the stomach. Then, while the other person was clutching his stomach in pain, he kicked him down the riverbank.

Then he turned around and shouted sternly:
"This man is inciting unrest among the troops on the battlefield; he deserves to die. Anyone want to join him?"

Everyone was intimidated by his imposing presence and lowered their heads in silence.

"I know you're not convinced."

Mi Wei's tone softened.

“I also know that some of you still have a glimmer of hope.”

"Let me tell you the truth: this time, when Guan Yu retreats, Cao Cao's army will not only not pursue him, but may even escort him out of the country with courtesy!"

This statement immediately caused a stir among the crowd.

"I'm not being alarmist."

"Just recently, Wei Feng, the Western Cao Yuan of the Chancellor of the King of Wei, plotted a rebellion and intended to kill Cao Cao!"

"Although the rebellion ultimately failed, it implicated thousands of people, including Cao Cao's chancellor, Zhong Yao!"

"Please use your smart brains to think about this carefully."

"Prime Minister, the Western Clerk of the Prime Minister, what an important assistant minister and official this is?"

"Cao Cao is currently overwhelmed by these troubles and has no intention of turning the tide."

"I'm afraid he'd love for Guan Yu to return to Jiangling immediately, and ideally fight Sun Quan to a standstill, so that he can calmly deal with the rebellion behind him!"

Upon hearing this, not only were the already confused and disoriented young masters of various families alarmed, but even the more well-informed supervisors of the sects showed surprise:

"Lord Mi, Inspector Mi, is this really true?"

of course it's true.

It's just that the news hasn't reached Jiangling yet, since it just happened.

Mi Wei thought to himself.

The reason he remembered this matter was because of Song Zhong, a great Confucian scholar from Jingzhou.

He had vaguely remembered this person from Guan Xing's previous mention of him.

Upon inquiring, it was discovered that this person had already surrendered to Cao Cao and gone north when Liu Biao's son, Liu Cong, offered Jingzhou to Cao Cao.

In this Wei Feng Rebellion, Song Zhong was also implicated because of his son.

Whether Song Zhong himself died as a result is a matter of differing accounts in historical records.

But this did not prevent Mi Wei from remembering this far-reaching historical event.

At this point in time, Cao Cao's own base was on the verge of being destroyed.

They didn't have time to bother with Guan Yu and Sun Quan at all!
"If anyone doesn't believe it, they can go back and ask around."

Mi Wei pointed remotely to the city of Jiangling behind him, where the drums were beating urgently.

"But don't blame me for not warning you."

“What you are doing now is betraying your lord and defecting to the enemy, and it has already been seen by the people on the city wall!”

"Guess how Guan Yu will deal with you when he returns and learns of this?"

"Could it be that you all want to test the sharpness of Guan Yu's sword with your thin necks?"

At that moment, everyone present unanimously thought of the invincible warrior who "shook the land of China".

Panic erupted again as people jostled and crowded toward the ferry dock.

It can only be said that at this moment, Guan Yu was still at the peak of his prestige.

Even Cao Cao, who once made the people of Jingzhou surrender at the mere sight of him, was forced by him to consider moving the capital.

Aside from Sun Quan, Lü Meng, Lu Xun, and others, who else in the world would dare to stand against this fierce tiger?

Even Sun Lülu.

They only dare to use underhanded tricks and backstabbing in secret.

They dared not directly confront Guan Yu's sharp edge.

So much so that he ended up with the infamous reputation of being a "Jiangdong rat" in later generations?
At this time, the sky began to brighten, and the river mist was about to dissipate.

Mi Wei simply stood guard at the ferry crossing and called out loudly:
"Now that things have come to this, the only way to survive and protect our people is to cross the river as soon as possible."

"I will stay here and keep an eye on you."

"If anyone remains on the shore without authorization within fifteen minutes..."

With a clang, Mi Wei drew the supervisor's sword.

"My sword is not at all bad!"

(End of this chapter)