Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

"What did you say?"

Sima Fang stared wide-eyed at the officer who came to report and said incredulously, "You said that Gongsun Zan led his troops out of the camp and headed straight for Gaodu?"

The officer nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, sir."

"After delivering your visiting card to Captain Wu Meng, I left Captain Wu Meng's camp. I thought Captain Wu Meng would come into the city immediately."

"But before my men could return to the city, they discovered that a large number of cavalry were heading north."

"I only found out after intercepting a soldier that it was Captain Wu Meng who ordered the entire army to set off north to meet the Liangzhou army."

Sima Fang could hardly believe his ears.

Gongsun Zan has gone north to meet the enemy?

How could he... how dare he?

Who gave him the order to confront the Liangzhou army?

What if... what if we lose the war?

If he were to be defeated, who would defend Hanoi?

No!

Absolutely not!

Anxious, Sima Fang stood up and said to the servants outside the door, "Prepare the horses immediately, and the guards of the prefectural office, hurry!"

As he spoke, Sima Fang walked out of the study.

Gongsun Zan's 7,000 troops were all cavalry.

Therefore, the speed of a full-scale army setting out is significantly faster than that of an infantry.

Sima Fang was worried that if too much time passed, he might not be able to catch up with Gongsun Zan.

Before long, dozens of cavalry guards had gathered in front of the gate of the Sima clan's fortified village.

After Sima Fang mounted his horse, he chased after the north gate of Huai County.

After chasing for about half an hour, Sima Fang saw the rear guard of the cavalry marching north in a mighty procession.

Panting heavily on his horse, Sima Fang dared not delay for a moment, spurring his horse past the rear guard and chasing after the vanguard.

At the forefront of the cavalry were hundreds of cavalrymen with coats entirely white.

Leading the way was Gongsun Zan, clad in silver armor, a white robe on his back, and riding a white horse.

The so-called "White Horse Cavalry" does not mean that all the cavalry under Gongsun Zan rode white horses.

In fact, only Gongsun Zan's personal guards rode white horses.

Previously, Gongsun Zan led dozens of cavalrymen to conquer all directions in Youzhou. Because he often rode a white horse, he was known as the White Horse General.

As Gongsun Zan gained fame, many young men in Youzhou also rode white horses and wore white robes.

Many sons of powerful clans and noble families also came to join Gongsun Zan, bringing their own white horses.

As the number of people increased, so did the number of men riding white horses under Gongsun Zan's command.

As the battles against the Xianbei tribes dragged on, the name of this White Horse General became increasingly renowned.

His troops were also known as the White Horse Cavalry.

But white horses are limited; not everyone can ride a white horse.

Therefore, only Gongsun Zan's hundreds of personal guards rode white horses.

The remaining soldiers mostly rode chariots of various colors.

"General, General..."

Just as Gongsun Zan was leading his troops ahead, Yan Gang's shout suddenly came from behind.

Gongsun Zan turned around and saw Yan Gang riding up on horseback.

"What's wrong?" Gongsun Zan asked directly as Yan Gang caught up.

Yan Gang pointed behind him and said, "General, the rear guard just reported that Sima Fang has caught up."

Sima Fang?

Gongsun Zan frowned.

What is Sima Fang doing chasing after us?

“General, Sima Fang is most likely here to stop you from leading your troops north,” Yan Gang said.

Gongsun Zan's brows were furrowed so tightly they were almost knitted together.

To stop him from heading north?

Although he was stationed in Hanoi Commandery, his troops were not under Sima Fang's command.

On what grounds could Sima Fang prevent him from heading north to achieve merit?

As Gongsun Zan was pondering this, a cavalry unit was already chasing after the rest of the army in the distance.

Sima Fang has caught up with us.

"Commander Gongsun".

"Commander Gongsun!"

When they were still far apart, Sima Fang waved to Gongsun Zan.

Yan Gang rode up behind Gongsun Zan.

"Commander Gongsun".

Upon reaching Gongsun Zan, Sima Fang, panting heavily, reined in his horse and asked, looking at Gongsun Zan and the advancing army beside him, "Colonel Gongsun, what is this...?"

Gongsun Zan knew, of course, that Sima Fang was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

But Gongsun Zan was too lazy to beat around the bush or use bureaucratic language, and directly replied, "Let's head north to quell the bandits!"

The four resounding words came from Gongsun Zan's mouth, and coupled with his upright posture, he looked full of confidence.

"Commander Gongsun, the imperial court has ordered us to defend the Hanoi army from being captured by Duan Yu's rebel army. Now that Commander Gongsun is going north to suppress the rebels, who will defend Hanoi?" Sima Fang said with a frown.

"Hehe." Gongsun Zan smiled and said, "What you said, Lord Sima... Since I am heading north to quell the rebels, it is to defeat the enemy army."

"The enemy has no chance to enter Hanoi County, so how can they defend Hanoi County?"

Looking at the young and ambitious Gongsun Zan before him, how could Sima Fang not know that Gongsun Zan was eager to make a name for himself?

However, the Liangzhou army was neither an ordinary rebel army nor a group of rioters like those from the Taiping Dao.

The Liangzhou army was renowned for its fighting prowess.

Under Duan Yu's leadership, they have never suffered a defeat over the years.

Sima Fang didn't know where Gongsun Zan got his confidence from, that he was certain he could defeat Duan Yu's army.

"Commander Gongsun, since ancient times, war has been dangerous and the situation on the battlefield has changed in an instant. No one can guarantee that they will always be victorious, and no one can predict whether they will win or lose every battle."

Sima Fang said tactfully, "General Gongsun has been fighting in Youzhou for many years, and he has not been without defeat."

"The situation is tense right now. If we work together to defend Hanoi County, even if the Liangzhou army attacks, we can coordinate our infantry and cavalry. I will stay inside the city to defend it, while Colonel Gongsun will stay outside the city to harass and exhaust the enemy."

"In this way, although victory is not guaranteed, we cannot be easily defeated."

As Gongsun Zan listened to Sima Fang's words, an impatient expression gradually appeared on his face. He said, "Does Lord Sima mean that I will be defeated on this mission?"

Sima Fang quickly shook his head and said, "Commander Gongsun misunderstands. I just thought that it would be safer to follow the imperial court's orders and defend Hanoi County."

"I hope Commandant Gongsun will give this a good consideration."

Gongsun Zan, who had long been impatient, waved his hand and first glanced at Yan Gang behind him, saying, "Order the entire army to continue advancing without stopping."

Sima Fang's brows furrowed instantly.

"Lord Sima, I admit that your method is more reliable."

"But I also believe that offense is the best defense."

“I have seven thousand cavalry, while Duan Yu’s army has only fifteen thousand infantry. If I still cannot win, then I may commit suicide in the front line.”

"I don't even consider a mere 10,000 infantrymen a threat."

"If Lord Sima is worried, he may go back and order all the cities in Hanoi County to be closed."

"I will handle Duan Yu's troops."

"Ten days, at most ten days. Within ten days, I will return with ten thousand heads."

"I appreciate Lord Sima's concern."

"But a general in the field may not obey orders. Lord Sima, please go back and wait for news from me, Desheng."

After speaking, Gongsun Zan was about to leave.

Seeing that Gongsun Zan was determined, Sima Fang took a deep breath and had no choice but to escalate the situation.

"Commander Gongsun, do you know that what you are doing is disobeying the imperial court's orders?" Sima Fang warned. "If this gets back to the imperial court in Luoyang, and the Empress Dowager questions you, what will Commander Gongsun say?"

"Speak? Heh!" Gongsun Zan said with a slight upturn of his lips, "My military achievements are the best explanation to the court."

"In governing a country, I am not as good as Lord Sima, but when it comes to fighting wars... Lord Sima is far inferior to me!"

"Alright, thank you for reminding me, Lord Sima, but that's enough for now."

After saying this, Gongsun Zan ignored Sima Fang, who was standing still, and spurred his horse to follow the vanguard.

A large number of cavalrymen passed by Sima Fang on the official road.

Seeing Gongsun Zan stubbornly leading his troops north, Sima Fang felt a vague unease.

But it was clear that Gongsun Zan had no intention of listening to him.

No matter how much he says, it's all in vain.

"Someone, immediately report this news back to Luoyang."

"Furthermore, in my name, I order all cities in Hanoi County to fortify their walls and prepare to meet the enemy."

.............

Shangdang Prefecture, Gaodu County.

At this time, Gaodu County had already been captured by Gao Shun and Qu Yi for two days.

Bloodstains that have not yet been cleaned are still visible inside and outside the city walls and on the city ramparts.

Gao Shun and Qu Yi led 15,000 troops into Shangdang County and split into two groups. In less than a month, they captured all six counties of Shangdang County and took control of the entire territory.

At this time, in Gaodu County.

Gao Shun and Qu Yi were discussing how to advance their troops.

Cao Do District is only a few dozen miles from Hanoi County.

Once you cross the Taihang Mountains ahead, you will reach Hanoi County.

Hanoi County and Luoyang are separated only by the Yellow River.

There is Xiaopingjin Pass and Mengjin Pass.

Once the two passes are breached, the army's advance will reach Luoyang.

But now we face a problem.

Although Shangdang County has been captured, it was only recently taken. In order to maintain the army's supply lines and ensure stability in the rear, troops had to be divided.

One side guarded Shangdang County, while the other continued south, preparing to attack Hanoi County in order to open up Xiaopingjin Pass and Mengjin Pass.

The question now is which of the two will stay behind and which will continue the attack on Shangdang County.

Just as the two were discussing who should stay and who should continue.

A lieutenant entered the two men's tent.

"Reporting to the two generals, a scout from the front has reported something."

"Scouts have discovered that Gongsun Zan, the valiant captain who is stationed in Hanoi County, is leading his White Horse Cavalry toward us."

Ok?

Upon hearing the deputy general's words, both Gao Shun and Qu Yi raised their eyebrows.

"A white horse?" Gao Shun frowned.

“I know,” Qu Yi said. “This Gongsun Zan is known as the White Horse General. He has an army under his command called the White Horse Cavalry. They often fight against the Xianbei and some grassland tribes in Youzhou.”

"He came at the perfect time."

Qu Yi continued, "If Gongsun Zan and Sima Fang cooperate in defending the city in Hanoi Commandery, they will be really difficult to deal with."

"But now that he's come to us himself, that's for the best."

"Hmph, a white horse?"

"I'll make sure he never comes back!"