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

Chapter 35 Focus on the heart
Guan Xing was almost surrounded by enemy cavalry!
Even someone who knows absolutely nothing about military strategy.

Even within this simple shape, visible to the naked eye and composed of countless flames, one can react quickly.

Then he secretly rejoiced that Guan Xing had retreated in time.

And veterans who have a little understanding of military formation changes.

On this basis, we are even more fortunate that the Guan Ping cavalry in the far west also retreated in time!
Because the previous battlefield situation was:
Guan Xing was breaking through to the north, while the western breakout army and Guan Ping's cavalry were moving towards Guan Xing's side.

If there are no turns along the way.

At this very moment, these three most elite allied forces are outside the city.

They've probably been surrounded by Lü Meng's massive cavalry force!

Of course, the term "dumplings" didn't exist in this era; it was just something Mi Wei made up.

but no matter.

Because Miwei gave the signal to retreat in time.

All three allied forces managed to escape before the enemy cavalry could completely encircle them.

Guan Xing returned to Ma Mucheng.

With the support of the Lingxi garrison, Guan Ping quickly crossed the narrow Lingxi River.

Then they calmly returned north in a more open terrain.

Tonight's battle can be considered a failure for Guan Xing's breakout attempt.

But Liao Hua had already said that Guan Xing could not be saved, but Jiangling could not be lost.

The implication is that we should save them if we can.

If it can't be saved, then don't force it.

but.

If we look at Lü Meng's trump card...

On the contrary, it can be considered a successful "breakthrough"!
After all, once the second pass is defeated in open battle, it will be difficult to maintain the morale of Jiangling.

However, the enemy's killing move was anticipated and failed to work.

On the defending side, the general was unharmed and the city still stood.

How can it not be considered a success?

How did you guess that Lü Meng's real target was the second pass?

At dawn, as the fighting subsided, Pan Jun stared intently at Mi Wei.

As Mi Wei helped the dazed and confused Mi Fang to her feet, he calmly replied:
"The gentleman once said that infantry can only defend against cavalry on flat ground by relying on a tight military formation."

"Conversely, for cavalry to defeat infantry, they must first break their formation."

“The city of Jiangling beneath our feet is actually like an even stronger and denser ‘array’.”

Miwei stomped his foot lightly.

"How could arrows possibly loosen a city wall built with rammed earth?"

"Therefore, the only place the enemy can strike is the human heart."

"As everyone knows, the morale of the Jiangling army rests on General Guan, both in the distant past and in the nearby past; and on the two passes outside the city."

"Once you understand this point, no matter what moves Lü Meng makes..."

"Ultimately, they will all lead to the second pass."

"Or they could lure troops out of the city to come to their aid, and then seize the city in the process."

"Or defeat the two passes in front of the garrison, demoralize the city's soldiers, and surrender without a fight."

At this point, Mi Wei chuckled softly, and together with Pan Jun, who also wore a smile, they said in unison:
"Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy; conquering cities is the next best!"

How good!

Pan Jun couldn't help but admire it.

Have to admit.

His disciple's performance tonight far exceeded his expectations.

Remain calm and composed in the face of danger, and make timely arrangements.

Even more remarkable is the ability to apply what one has learned and quickly sort things out amidst the chaos of battle.

Then execute it decisively.

Judging from this performance alone, although he may not yet be considered a great general, his future prospects are certainly not bad.

Thinking about it this way, the disgust that had arisen from being forced to take action by the other party faded considerably.

What teacher doesn't want to produce an outstanding student?

He then said, "Now I can confirm that you have the aptitude to learn the art of defeating ten thousand men!"

Mi Wei was stunned for a moment.

Does that mean you previously thought I didn't?

Was it just something you did casually?
This old man!

After Mi Wei turned to deal with military affairs, Pan Jun walked up to Mi Fang, intending to offer a few words of advice.

The latter looked utterly terrified and dazed, a stark contrast to his nephew, Mi Wei.

A surge of jealousy welled up within him, but all that remained was a curse:
"Why is it that he happens to be the nephew of you, a mere merchant from the East China Sea!"

……

"Mi Anhan has given birth to a fine son!"

At the foot of Ji'nan City, Guan Ping returned in blood. Before he had even removed his armor, he sighed to Liao Hua, who had come to greet him.

The latter had already learned of the battle report from the south the previous night, and his face was naturally beaming with joy.

But Guan Ping was familiar with him, so he quickly noticed that his expression was somewhat subtle.

"What, does Registrar Liao disagree?"

Liao Hua shook his head and said:
"This young man has received high praise from Master Fei, so he is certainly not a mere empty scholar."

"I thought he was just a smart and reliable young man, but I never expected that he would have the ability to strategize and plan at such a young age. It was quite unexpected!"

Guan Ping chuckled:
"Who wouldn't be surprised? We came here to rescue Jiangling, but before Jiangling was even out of danger, I was rescued by this brat in the city!"

Liao Hua nodded, then suddenly shook his head and smiled bitterly:

"To be honest, the reason I entered the city yesterday to mobilize troops was to send troops to defend Jinan City for the general."

"But it could also be because they were worried that Mi Wei was young and impetuous and would be easily lured out by Lü Meng, so they used this as an excuse to slightly reduce the number of troops in the city, forcing him not to venture out lightly."

"Now it seems I've wasted my time being a petty person!"

“Registration Officer Liao is meticulous and prioritizes the overall situation. How can he be considered a petty person?” Guan Ping advised.

"It's just that none of us expected that kid to be so outstanding!"

"This is ultimately a good thing!"

Liao Hua nodded emphatically: "It is indeed a good thing!"

After they finished speaking, they both smiled.

"By the way, is there any news of the lord? Where has the army progressed to?"

As soon as Guan Ping asked this question, Liao Hua's smile quickly faded.

……

"Nanjiang and Donghu are crisscrossed by waterways, and the land is fertile. It's truly a wonderful place!"

On a lake east of Jiangling City, a sigh rang out from a boat.

The soldiers on board stood at attention, and no one responded.

Only when the outline of the lake shore began to appear faintly to the north did a lieutenant general step forward and point to the shore, saying:
"General Lu, the northernmost shore of Lubai Lake is just ahead."

"From here, you can go ashore and walk a short distance to Yangshui, the northern suburb of Jiangling."

The man known as General Lu appeared to be in his thirties or forties.

This is precisely the prime of a general's life.

Upon hearing this, the person stepped forward with great interest, stood on tiptoe to look out, as if he were sightseeing.

But neither the lieutenant general nor any of the other soldiers questioned it.

This was because he was one of the two vanguards Sun Quan used to seize the three counties of Jingnan.

Right Commander, Lieutenant General, Lu Xun (Lu Boyan).

Lu Xun gazed out from the bow of the boat for a moment, but because it was only just dawn and the lake fog had not completely dissipated, he could not find anything yet.

He could only turn back and ask the adjutant:
"Li Yi, you are skilled in naval warfare and familiar with hydrology and geography. I have a question for you."

The adjutant named Li Yi immediately cupped his hands and said, "This humble general dares not presume to instruct you."

Lu Xun waved his hand dismissively and then asked:
“I see that the distance between the north bank of Lubai Lake and the south dike of Yangshui is only two or three miles. Why has no one ever thought of building a canal to connect the two waterways in the past?”

Li Yi was taken aback upon hearing this, and for a moment he did not understand what Shangguan meant.

I could only answer truthfully:

“The lakes and waterways around Jiangling are interconnected and often form a single entity during periods of high water.”

"For example, the Yangshui River in the north of the city, the Zhaxi River further north, and the Lingxi River in the west of the city are all formed by the convergence of various scattered streams."

"Take Lubai Lake, for example. Although it is now completely separated from the two lakes to the south, and is only connected by a narrow path, it is still a small lake."

"When the spring and summer rainy season arrives, the water will rise and become one, overflowing the great river to the south and reaching the barren valleys to the northeast."

"Therefore, it is also known locally as the 'Three Lakes in the Barren Valley'!"

Lu Xun nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and said:
"You mean that the three lakes in the barren valley and the Yangshui River will naturally connect during periods of abundant water, without the need for extra effort to dig?"

Li Yi shook his head slightly and said:
"At this distance, we probably can't directly connect them."

"However, since the general asked why no one thought of digging through in the past, the answer is actually very simple."

"Because in ancient times, this place was a vast and boundless swamp, and these two sides were originally connected!"

……

Note: According to the *Shui Jing Zhu* (Commentary on the Waterways Classic), the construction of a canal connecting Lubai Lake to the Yangshui River occurred during the Yuanjia era of the Liu Song dynasty. Furthermore, Lu Xun's son, Lu Kang, also ordered repairs and dismantling north of Jiangling. However, these are later developments. At that time, the two sides were likely not connected.

(End of this chapter)